Ministry of Health

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Head of the United Children's Ministry, St. James, Rev Lloyd Rose-Green (left), presenting a gift to Errol Thompson, a patient of the Cornwall Regional Hospital's Paediatric Ward, Wednesday (December 30). Over 20 children received gifts courtesy of a partnership between the Ministry and Franklyn Graham, son of world famous evangelist, the Rev Billy Graham, and head of the international charity, Samaritan's Purse, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

About 20 children, who are patients of the Cornwall Regional Hospital's (CRH) Paediatric Ward, received a pleasant surprise, Wednesday (December 30), when Pastors from the United Children's Ministry visited and showered them with carols, prayers and gifts.

The event was part of the Ministry's annual Christmas visit to schools, hospitals and childcare institutions across Jamaica. This is done in partnership with the United States-based international relief organization, Samaritan's Purse, which is headed by Franklyn Graham, son and successor of the world famous evangelist, Billy Graham.

Head of the United Children's Ministry in St. James, the Rev Lloyd Rose-Green, told JIS News that the ministry is even more urgent today, as many children get involved in wrong activities and have little or no idea of what love is.

Rev Ralston Edwards, of the United Children's Ministry, presenting a gift to Angeline Cox, for her son, Alex Levy, during a visit to the Cornwall Regional Hospital's Paediatric Ward on Wednesday (December 30). Over 20 children received gifts courtesy of United Children's Ministry and evangelist Franklyn Graham's Samaritan's Purse. Mr. Graham is the son of world famous evangelist, the Rev Billy Graham, and is the current President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

"It is this and many more reasons why we, in the ministry, in partnership with Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child, seek to bring a little love and joy into their lives," he said.

He explained that, each year at this time, they go into the schools, children's homes and hospitals and spread some happiness.

"There is really no greater joy than seeing a smile on a child's face, and to know what he or she is experiencing in his or her heart," he told JIS News.

"At Cornwall Regional Hospital, I met a little girl who had not received a gift for Christmas, and was so sad that she became sick and ended up in the hospital. When we went there and presented her with a special gift, she was smiling and became so pleasant that the nurses and doctors were all amazed," the Pastor said.

Cornwall Regional Hospital's Paediatric Ward patient, Errol Thompson (right), and his mother, Angella Steadman (left), inspecting items in the gift package presented to him by members of the United Children's Ministry during their visit to the hospital on Wednesday (December 30).

"So just to know that we were able to show her some love and reassure her that somebody cared, was the greatest joy for all of us and absolutely made this the best Christmas we have ever had", he explained.

He expressed the hope that parents and caregives would go beyond lip service, and really care for and love children in more tangible ways.

"We blame them for so many things, but are we setting the right examples for them? I believe that we should begin now to value our children and take them more seriously, and we will have a better country to live in and brighter prospects for the future," Rev. Rose Green told JIS News.

Four Ministers from the United Children's Ministry, from left - Rev Ralston Edwards, Bishop Isaac Smith, Rev Godfery Francis and Rev Lloyd Rose-Green, join in singing for 7-year-old Shade Smith, during a visit to the Cornwall Regional Hospital on Wednesday (December 30).

Samaritan's Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organisation, has been providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world since 1970. It sends some 64,000 gift boxes each year to be distributed among Jamaican children, with each parish receiving approximately 8,000 boxes.

Franklin Graham, the eldest son of evangelists Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, serves as President and CEO of Samaritan's Purse as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

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