I was born and raised on the Island of Antigua, West Indies. As far as I know, my mother and father were not saved. My mother would make sure that my brother and I would always go to Sunday school. On Sundays, we attended the Anglican Church.
I did what is called, “walking for confirmation” for 12 months. Then I became confirmed, which means I was ready for the Holy Communion. I would go, kneel down, and receive “communion.”
I never heard the gospel preached before I was saved. I never knew I was going to hell. I never heard the words, “Christ died for the ungodly.” I kept going to church until, at the age of 18, I went to work during the Christmas holiday for a brand new Holiday Inn Hotel. I worked as a bellboy for two years, and then was promoted to be a desk clerk. After two and a half years as a desk clerk, I received a Visa to come to America on vacation in May of 1971. While living in New York, I married my wife, Mavis – my wife of 29 years. We were married in February of 1974, and it was one of the happiest days of my life.
In 1972, while I was living in NY, and before I met Mavis, I got involved in a movement called the Rastafarian Movement and became a Rastaman. I smoked marijuana every day and I wore my hair in what was called “dreadlocks.” I didn’t comb it for three and a half years. At the same time, I bought a Bible and would smoke marijuana while reading it. I would always read in the Book of Psalms.
I then went back to Antigua in December of 1975. I bought some goats, sheep, and cattle, hoping to stay in Antigua. I also built a two-bedroom wood house. At this time I began reading the New Testament of the Bible. I knew I was a sinner, not because the Bible said so, but because of what I saw in my life. Then, on April 29, 1976, a Baptist preacher asked me, “If you died, where would your soul be?” That very day I read in Acts 10:43, “To Him, (the Lord Jesus), give all the prophets witness that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”
For the first time I found out that “WHOSOEVER” meant ME! That day, I trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. This was the happiest day in my life. Soon I was baptized at the Baptist Church. Eventually, as I read through 1 Corinthians, I became concerned about finding a place where the truths I was learning were being practiced. Shortly afterward, I met brethren Sam Maze and Brian Owen who were living on the island. They directed me to a local assembly, where I found believers endeavoring to practice New Testament church principles. Presently, I am living in New York with my wife and children and am in happy fellowship in an assembly that meets in Midland Park, NJ.
“Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away!”
