Norwich couple fly out on Caribbean mission
 By Keith MorrisA Norwich Christian couple flew out to Antigua last weekend (September 14) to help establish a Street Pastors scheme on the Caribbean island which earlier this summer saw the murder of a British couple. And the move has the backing of the island’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.
Paula and Martin Callam, who attend Wroxham Road Methodist Church, have been working with the Norwich Street Pastors project for the last 18 months, offering help and support to people out on the streets of clubland on Friday and Saturday nights. When the chance came to go to Antigua, they felt God was calling them to do it and jumped at the opportunity.
Scores of friends, family and supporters sent the couple off with their prayers and good wishes at a commissioning service held at Wroxham Road church on September 11 with Street Pastors founder, Rev Les Isaac, from Ascension Trust, who was himself born in Antigua.
Les said: “We felt we needed a couple from England to help coordinate, administrate and establish Street Pastors in Antigua as a model for other Caribbean islands.
“When I met Paula and Martin I felt very strongly that the Lord’s hand was on their lives to be a part of this great work right across the Caribbean.
“The Antigua Prime Minister and other Cabinet ministers personally think this is a top initiative and they are very excited that Paula and Martin are giving up their time to go and help serve their nation through this very holistic mission.”
Following the murder of British honeymooning couple Ben and Catherine Mullany on the island earlier this summer, Prime Minister Spencer called for a day of prayer and fasting. “He asked the nation to meet at the national cricket stadium to pray and fast that God would touch the bereaved family and those whose lives are blighted by crime and make the world experience the peace and grace of Jesus Christ,” said Les.
At the time, Mr Spencer said: "In a concerted effort to take back our country and recapture our sense of security we will be conducting a National Day of Prayer and Fasting. I urge all citizens and residents of this country to join this national initiative as we seek the assistance of a higher power to aid our earthly efforts.”
Paula and Martin, a pharmacist, are leaving behind their grown-up children and a very small grandchild to go to the Caribbean. Martin said: “It is a wrench to leave but we feel we have been called to this work and if we didn’t do it we would regret it. We believe that the Lord will be with us."
Paula said: “I feel scared, but to soar like an eagle you first have to leave the nest and learn how to fly. It is totally different and new ground for us, but we know that the Lord has called us.
“First we will be sorting out the office and computer stuff and meeting the team already out there on the ground and building a working relationship with them. We will also be looking at what the problems and issues we need to start to address are.
“It is going to be a lot hotter than going out in Norwich late on a Friday and Saturday night. It is all about meeting people. We are the same all the world round and we will meet interesting and exciting people just like here in Norwich. I am sure we see amazing things just like we have here."
If anyone would like to keep up to date with the couple or support them either by prayer or donation, contact them at antigua2@streetpastors.org
Pictured above are Paula and Martin Callam with Rev Les Isaac at their commissioning service.
| 