My Dear Friends,
GLORY BE TO GOD for the way the wake as well as the farewell service for our dad, REV. F. D. G. FORBES went on !
We were just amazed at the smoothness of it all, and ….. the crowds !!!!!
Both events saw crowds which outnumbered the seating capacity of Wesley Methodist church in Banjul;
We felt very humbled to see such solidarity, support and sympathies from literally every facet of life in the gambia –
I don’t think we even dare consider filling our father’s shoes – not even all 4 of us,his kids, can do that together !
The honours and tributes said it all;
We thank God also for you all, who have called, e-mailed, sent SMS, etc for your friendship and covenant spirit especially at this time;
It is all what helped us to stand strong both days !
Thank God it all went well; - the hymns, scripture readings, tributes (one for the grandchildren read by njillan) , the video presentation of his life (done by natalie) , the special singing by Ayodele (the 3rd of my 3 sisters, and the 1st to be saved in my family – 1978), Gwen Ashcroft and Tope Ajayi (our music director and studio manager), as well as Grace Uwareme – a wonder and a sensation ; the befitting sermon by Rev. Norman Grigg (President of the gambia Methodist conference) ; …….. the anthem by the joint choirs, the wreathes !!!!!!!!!
Everyone was on board, - family, relatives, friends, and………….. as for AWM, pastors tiyana, njie, edwin, and Collins, and the team they put together, Margaret and her ushers, cathy, Philip jarju, the strong men who carried the coffin, mike and acey o’riley, kebab cole and video crew, BENDAVIA TRAVEL AGENCY, the list is endless !!
It was all so befitting and glorious;
I even got to play one of the hymns myself on the pipe organ in the funeral service (now, praise we great and famous men)
We ended with a reception dinner at paradise suites hotel, and the crowd was phenomenal, and yet everyone had more than enough, and take-away packs ! we left the hotel at 10pm !
Mere (my mum) is fine, she stood strong, and so did all of us !
Dales (ayodele) has since returned home (Thursday night) to Canada; ; Dr. Pamela (aunty Pams) returns home to new York on Monday morning; Angela has another 2 weeks to go, as she has decided to spend time helping my mum;
I am around for another 3 weeks, before going on my other ministry assignments.
BY THE WAY, THE 1ST OF THE ROOFING TRUSSES FOR THE SANCTUARY HAS BEEN “PULLIED” UP !!!
WHAT A RELIEF IT WAS FOR ME TO COME SEE THAT !!!
We believe the story will change in the next 10 weeks !!!!! - the must be a roof !!!
Even though it rained cats and dogs this morning (6.30 – 7.05am) !
ONCE AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY, I EXTEND OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR INVALUABLE SUPPORT, PRAYERS AND SPIRIT !
We appreciate every bit of what you all did, known, unknown, announced, unannounced …… heaven knows !!!
Thanks ever so much
Pastor forbes (francis soska)
