May 18, 2008
I first met Dr. Vernon Andrews in 1972 when, as a student of the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine, Trinidad, I made the unusual request to become a member of the Caribbean Union College choir which he directed. After a short audition, my brother, Austin and I were invited to join the group. We could have never imagined what a life-changing decision that would be. My spiritual and social development, the person I am today, and the life-long friends I have made, including the occasion of first meeting my wife on a choir tour to Guyana, are rooted in this decision. Vernon became my personal friend, musical mentor, big brother, advisor, counselor, and the one I trusted the most to help me with important life-altering decisions like: who should I date or should I go to graduate school. He was the one who substituted for my father-in-law and presented my bride to me on my wedding day. Vernon and his wife, Phyllis, and family remained our endearing friends.
A little more than a week ago Vernon’s daughter, Vernetta, called to inform me that her Dad was experiencing some mild discomfort and indicated that he and his wife were planning to come to Orlando from the Dominican Republic where they were visiting, for some medical diagnoses at Florida Hospital. My son made the necessary arrangements for physician visits and after he completed the initial screening and treatment it was deemed that further tests were necessary. Two days later he visited the emergency room at Florida Hospital, where diagnostic tests indicated an urgent need for an aortic valve replacement and triple by-pass surgery. We praise God for the fortuitous and timely intervention of medical science that was able to reveal his physical deficiencies. He is now resting comfortably at Florida Hospital Orlando cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU), as he recovers from this very traumatic surgical experience and will be our guest for a while.
Unexpected events often intersect the trajectory of our lives with life-changing effects. These events can sometimes be deemed tragic but often bring immeasurable blessings. To a large degree the outcome depends on our faith experience bolstered by the faith of those around us. Without a doubt, that has been my experience over the past year. My journey has reinforced two truths:
1. God strengthens us to be encouragers and supporters of others
2. God has renewed my faith in the promise that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16 NIV), or “the prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with” (Message).
Over the past year, Vernon’s friendship and occasional emails, like many I received from some of you have been a source of constant encouragement. Many of you know Dr. Andrews and are his personal friends. Some of you have probably never heard of him. I urge you to join with me and do for him and his family what you did for me. Let’s ask God for his intercession and honor his will that “prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well” James 5:15 (Message). Just maybe, the journey we have been taking together over the past year was preparing us for the role of cheerleader, encourager, and faith-builder for this time.
Love and blessings,
Len
