John & Judith's Visit to Montserrat & Antigua
Rev Dr John Lampard writes: In May last year Judith and I experienced the delights of the Caribbean for the first time. What is, for many of our members, a familiar visit home was a new adventure for both of us.
The purposes of our visit were to meet the families and friends of church members who still lived on the island, to experience as much as we could of church life and culture, to see the effects of the volcano, and to worship with our fellow Methodists.
It was a most powerful and moving experience to visit the parts of the island which are still out of bounds because of the volcano. We were taken south through Salem, over the rock-strewn riverbed into Cork Hill. Here we were able to go into the abandoned Methodist Church, still set out as it was the day people had to leave, but now with a thin layer of dust over every pew and over the floor. We also saw some of the homes which had had to be abandoned by members we knew. The sight of Plymouth, in the distance, was one of devastation, and we could just make out the jetty where the cruise liners used to call. The volcano was puffing out a little steam or smoke, to remind us that it was still a threat. We learned much more about the history of the volcano when we climbed, in the car, up to the observatory, where a team of scientists, equipped with a helicopter, keep ever careful watch.
On another day we went down the east side of the island and could see in the distance Long Ground, Tuitts and the abandoned airstrip had been. Our hearts went out so much to friends here who have lost everything in the devastation. The coastline was bare and flat, covered in many feet of volcanic ash and flow.
Only about 5,000 of the original 15,000 people have stayed on the island after the volcano. Having seen the conditions there, we were able to appreciate both why so many people left (to the enrichment of our common life here) but also to admire the ways in which those who have stayed (and those who have returned) are rebuilding their lives. Only the mountainous northern part of the island is habitable and everywhere there were signs of new buildings. There are houses, shops, banks (the new Credit Union headquarters were opened whilst we were there), and an excellent new library.
I had the opportunity to preach at Carvala Hill on the Sunday we were there, and also to pay two visits to Salem. Members there were celebrating their 75th Anniversary and I was delighted to be able to bring greetings from their friends and family here.
One morning I was asked if I would record a message on Radio Montserrat, and was most impressed with the very hi-tech equipment, which has moved on from the days I used to do broadcasts in Leeds, England, many years ago. I managed to time the recording just right, so there were no re-takes, and we were able to listen to the recording early next morning, just before we left. We were greeted at the port by a stranger who had heard it, such is the power of communications.
Our time on the island went all to quickly and we were deeply grateful for the welcome and warm hospitality we enjoyed there. The ferry back to Antigua was not, as we had been warned, a pleasant experience, but we survived (and Mrs Lampard is the better sailor!).
The targets we had set ourselves were achieved, and our lives have been enriched by all we experienced. Thank you to all our Montserratian and Antiguan friends. Without you we would never have had such an experience of the Caribbean and its people.
John Lampard was formerly minister of our Clapton and Dalston churches.
Montserrat Government Information Unit - See pictures of the 75th anniversary service of Salem Chapel. John and Judith are in the congregation.