Youths from Anglican churches across Guyana yesterday ended week-long Youth Mission activities with a rally and ceremony where Bahamian Priest Denrick Rolle urged them to strike a balance in their lives as they give back to society.
In an interview with Stabroek News, Rolle, whose passion is to educate youths on the importance of being good stewards, said that his stay in Guyana over the past month has been both enlightening and joyful.
“Many persons have the wrong perceptions of our youth and I try to give them the message that they should make a positive contribution to our future, which does not necessarily include them but generations to come,” he said.
“Living a godly life does not necessarily mean that one must be separate from social structures and enjoy other things in life like enjoying parties, etc. The two can work together… above all of that, what is important is that they understand their responsibilities to the world… being responsible stewards for the generations that will come,” he added.
He said that youths here were taught to merge a sense of excitement and celebration to God and humankind.
Rolle, who has visited Guyana twice before and is captivated by the diverse culture and food, maintained that youths are the same all over the world and a common problem many of them have is their choice of music. However, he said that persons who seek to understand and teach youths should try to understand their choices and advise them when lyrics preach hate and crime.
“I don’t have an issue with music. I listen to a lot of the music the youths listen to because language is changing. I have to listen to what they are listening to. If I am going to communicate with them I need to know what they want and what they like,” he stated.
“Some songs are there for just a laughs, some are there to give you an opportunity to deflate like soca… some cause you to reminisce… but all have a purpose. It’s when we are controlled by them instead of controlling them there is a problem. Some lyrics would say kill someone because you have a problem with them, and music that promotes such hate is a problem,” he said.
Another issue facing many youths is drug abuse and he wants them to know the importance of having the strength to say no. “As long as there are buyers, there would be sellers and those who produce. Unfortunately, we can’t be rid of this. The ideal is to have a drug-free world but we can’t ever be rid of these things, but our duty is to constantly remind our people of the importance of staying away and the danger from these things,” he said.
Rolle teaches three principles to youths: have your own mind; don’t follow the crowd; and have a sense of patience. “Know that Rome was not built in a day and make good of the opportunities that you have as you see to have better come. In the same principle, love God love your neighbour, and love yourself,” he said.
The Miami based priest promises to be back in Guyana some time later this year and then he would not only be reaching out to this country’s youth but will be coming to explore Guyana’s hinterland for the first time.
