The 3rd of April 2025 is a day which the family and friends of Mama Dorcas will never forget.

 

Dorcas Kerson or Mama Dorcas as we have come to know her will indeed never be forgotten.

 

Nothing could have prepared us for the alarming news which we received of Mama Dorcas’ passing.  The Immanuel Charismatic Church family are still trying to process it all; yet as Christians we say …….”in the midst of life we are in death”; yet we say ……. ”we are just passing through”;  yet we say…….”this world is not our home” ……..and yes, all these words are true, but when these words become a reality, they hit like a ton of bricks.  It’s the suddenness of it all and a reminder that one does not have to be young to die, because young people die and people who are physically healthy also die.  

 

Mama Dorcas lived a life following in her Masters footsteps – by that I mean God’s footsteps – a godly life that was always exemplified by her heartfelt kindness, her hearty laughter, her godly wiskdom and her prayers.  She was never too busy to listen and give her candid opinion on matters and never too busy to return a phone call or a text message.

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There are so many remarkable qualities about Mama Dorcas.  However, one thing that stood out about her was the fact that whenever she thought of someone she would always follow it up with a phone call or text message.  On many occasions she would phone us, which was quite often, to say that the Holy Spirit had put us on her mind and she’d say, “you know when the Holy Spirit has put someone on my mind I have to obey and contact that person”. Strangely enough, whenever she’d called to say so, it would be at that very time that we were perhaps not feeling well or some event had occurred when we needed to share our thoughts or when we were in need of help of some sort. She would naturally follow this up in prayer.  Somehow she knew our inner feelings and we could not hide that from her.

 

Mama was always peaceful, thoughtful and kind.  Sister Pat was gobsmacked to find out that not only had Mama heard about Hurricane Beryl that had caused great devastation on the Caribbean islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique last year, but she had also made large donations to the hurricane relief effort.  She regularly gave personal gifts to us as individuals as well.

 

Her cooking and baking skills were to be admired.  Her Dundee cakes were a speciality and just one slice was enough to have your mouth watering for more; and so it was with everything Mama did – she did it tastefully and with class.

 

She enjoyed the outdoors and loved to go walking in the local parks.  I believe Nonsuch Park was one of her favourite parks. Wherever one went with Mama Dorcas, you did not come back empty-handed – she always gave you something to take home with you. 

 

Mama was quiet in her approach, sometimes inclining her head to one side when she was listening to you with a direct and concerned  look.  She had a laughter which came from deep down inside.  She exuded an air of confidence and grace that one could not ignore.  She was never harsh or abrupt – just graceful with an attitude of forgiveness and humility.  Her love of all things biblical could not be overemphasised and some of her favourite bible passages were  …...”to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” which can be summarised in 2 Corinthians 5:8. Another of her sayings was – as Christians, it’s not WHO we are but WHOSE we are, which can be summarised in 2 Corinthians 5:17 ie.“if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away and as we are in Christ, we are no longer our old selves.

 

Let the legacy of Pastor Joe (who has gone ahead of Mama Dorcas) and that of Mama Dorcas be a reminder and a testimony to us that our physical life could end abruptly.  We are to live according to God’s will and plan for our lives.  That time is NOW.  

 

Let’s be mindful and be prepared to meet our Maker for we know not when our day on this earth will be our last.

 

To Brenda, Daniella and Jonathan, we have enjoyed the remarkable love and friendship of your Mum and Dad, which will be etched in our minds forever.

To Arturs, Connor, Alysia and the adorable grandchildren, to the in-laws, sisters, brothers, cousins, relatives, all too numerous to mention (in essence the entire family and friends) may God bless you all and keep you in His perfect peace.  God is your comfort, peace and your eternal hope.  Be comforted, be strengthened.  God loves you.

 

Amen.

Ma Vicky, Ma Fidelia, Brother Collins, Sister Sandra and Sister Pat.