Occasionally, a number of Indians working and residing at the Viceroy project have drifted into the nearby Immanuel Methodist Church at West End. One of them, Sajay Thomas, a Christian Catholic, became chief among them as a regular brother and worshipper until his departure from Anguilla on Tuesday this week.

Emmanuel Methodist Church congregation flanked by Rev. Dr. Niles (left) and Rev. Lloyd (right)

He was in Anguilla for three years during which he worked as a plumber at Viceroy. His last attendance at Immanuel on Sunday, December 13, was a moving experience not only for him but for the congregation, the Celebrant, the Reverend Dr. H. Clifton Niles, Superintendent of the Methodist Circuit, and Rev. Joseph Lloyd, Supernumerary Minister. “Brother Sajay,” as he was called, wearing a white shirt marked “United as Youths for Christ,” walked up to the sanctuary nearing the end of the service and handed in a farewell note, his red tear-filled eyes reflecting his emotion.

In the note, read by Circuit Steward, Damien Hughes, who was at the time making the announcements, Sajay stated in part: “It has been an absolute honour to serve in the Methodist Church but, like everything in life, it must come to an end someday and so on December 15, 2009, I begin my journey back to India but my heart will be with you. I will never forget Anguilla and its people. I have had a wonderful experience in Anguilla with many members assisting me. They took time out to understand me and similarly I have tried to understand your speech as Anguillians which has not been easy. Thank you for all the love and care given to me. God is great. I will keep you all in my prayers. I wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. May you also keep me and my family in your prayers.”

Damien Hughes said Sajay had been an active and integral part of worship at the church and perhaps an even better steward than some of the members, to the applause of the congregation. “It is with heavy hearts that we as a church must say farewell, but it is also with joy that we reflect upon the experience we have had with Brother Sajay,” he stated.

Congregational Steward, Irma Richardson, in presenting a monetary gift to the Indian national, on behalf of the church, commented: “It is said that those who live in our hearts are never really gone and I know that this will be the case with regard to Brother Sajay.” She recalled that he regularly attended choir practice while many members failed to turn up. “He has made a great impact here and shown us what it is to be a Christian,” she acknowledged. “His heart has been so warm and he has been so helpful” in Sunday school as well as in other areas including assisting persons not so agile to enter the church.” She added that it was not very easy for him in Anguilla and, notwithstanding his love for the church, he should be delighted to be returning home to be reunited with his family.

Sis. Irma Richardson Rev. Niles, Sajay Thomas and Rev. Lloyd

Reverend Lloyd presented a card with a monetary gift to the Indian national on behalf of his wife and himself. Though he was not as acquainted with Sajay as the Immanuel Church congregation, he was always very impressed with his deportment. “Every time I came here to preach I wondered if unofficially he was a Steward and, according to Brother Damien, he has shown a lot of us what it is to serve,” Rev. Lloyd observed. He said that Sajay had come to Anguilla all the way from India and although he did not understand the English language, he persisted in attending the church and participating in its work when other foreigners would have walked away. Consequently, Sajay had learnt a lot. Rev. Lloyd commended the Indian for being methodical in his worship to the extent that at times he would attend joint services for all six Methodist Churches at Bethel Church, South Hill, while many members from the various congregations stayed away. “The brother had no transportation and I always said when I saw him that ‘where there is a will, there is a way,’” he added.

Rev. Lloyd wished Sajay Godspeed in his return journey to his Southeast Asian homeland.

The Rev. Dr. Niles joined in offering his best wishes to Sajay and prayed for him along with two other Indian nationals who were also at the service.

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