The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

A group of altar servers and members of the Christian Youth Movement recently visited the island of Inagua to forge ties with the St Phillip’s Anglican Church there.

Along with Assistant Curate Rev Father Chester Burton from St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Nassau, the group was greeted by the Rector Father Lynden Douglas and the members of St Philip’s Anglican Church in Great Inagua. They were taken into the St Philip’s Parish Hall which also serves as the island’s hurricane centre for an elegant lunch.

“After lunch, Senior Manager of Operations at Morton Salt Scott Nixon took the cadre of youngsters on a tour of the Morton Salt Company. Many were seeing and marvelling at the massive herculean mountains of salt for the first time, which locals refers to as ‘white gold’.

Mr Nixon poignantly explained the painstaking task of salt production on the most southern island. He also informed the gathering that Morton Salt Company ranks second only behind Mexico in terms of natural solar salt production in the entire world.

He showed the youngsters the mammoth harvesting equipment used to harvest salt on a daily basis, which is a 20-hour a day process and project, stating that Morton presently employs 140 local persons,” said Father Burton.

After leaving the salt company, the group was taken to the Flamingo Conservation Area on the outskirts of the Morton Salt Production Salt Ponds.

Also while on the island they toured the newly purchased Royal Defence Force Sandy Bottom crafts at the Matthew Town Dock.

Father Burton said the crew of the motor vessel were very accommodating as they gave the group a panoramic view from the captain’s deck.

“The trip was not just about fun, frolic and fellowship. The St Matthew’s crew cleaned and picked up trash around the confines of St Philip’s Church and Parish Hall faculty to ensure the island stays clean, green and pristine. The grand finale of the trip was the day the youngsters visited senior citizens and the sick and shut-in members of the island,” said Father Burton.

The trip was a brainchild of Father Lynden Douglas who spent six years under the tutelage of Canon Crosley Walkine, who was rector of St Matthew’s before taking up residence in Matthew Town, Inagua, as rector of St Philip’s.

“The Inagua citizens were thoroughly impressed with the kind gesture as they were serenaded by the youngsters and presented with a gift bag,” said Father Burton.

Plans are already underway for the 2017 St Matthew’s Youngsters Spiritual Retreat Trip.