Touched by the story of Marva Forrest and her seven year old grandson Abraham that was published in the Sunday Gleaner of July 2, 2023, a team from the Seventh-day Adventist Church headquarters on Constant Spring road visited her the following day.
The team moved swiftly to address some of the needs that were disclosed in the Gleaner article. Her grandson Abraham, was not at home at the time of the visit but Marva was more than delighted to see familiar faces of her church family who not only counseled and prayed with her but brought food items and care packages as well as a brand new wheel chair which for which she was more than grateful.
In this photo, Marva Forrest (Right) is in dialogue with members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who visited her on July 3, 2023. (R - L) Is Dr. Ilene Dennis, Medical Doctor, Pastor Meric Walker, President, East Jamaica Conference of SDA, Pastor Melvin Francis, Executive Secretary, EJC and Elder Rupert Whittaker, Resource Center Manager :: Photo credit: Phillip E. L. Castell
“I am so thankful for the wheelchair because if I go to the hospital for a 7 o’clock appointment and I reach down there before 7:00 am the clinic door don’t open as yet and a lot of people are in line. I have to wait in the taxi for a long time when the person want to go about their business,” Marva said. “Sometimes you do see a wheelchair passing but it is for somebody else and sometimes you have to wait long,” she added.
Marva was also very happy for the assistance she continues to receive from Renee, a faithful family friend and member of the Riverton Meadows SDA Church who accompanies her on her visits to the clinic.
Pastor Meric Walker, president, EJC ( in white shirt) hands over a wheelchair to Marva Forrester (Lying in bed) on Monday July 3, 2023 after hearing of her need for a wheelchair the day before. Looking on are (L -R) Dr. Dennis , medical doctor and Pastor Sheldon Schooler, Community Service Director, EJC. :: Photo credit: Phillip E. L. Castell
Pastor Meric Walker, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in East Jamaica Conference who was part of the visiting team to Marva, was pleased to see that she was still cheerful despite her situation. “Marva, we are here for you and I know you have a strong faith in the Lord,” Walker said as he offered words of assurance and comfort to her before praying for her and her family. The president was also happy to share that a youth leader, Montecarla Hutchenson Brown and her team went all out to procure a wheel chair and other supplies to assist Marva.
Dr. Ilene Dennis, medical doctor and member of the team who visited with Marva used the opportunity to offer words of advice and council.