A story of triumph come to the fore - Songs of Praise, a charity for gunshot victim

 Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

It was a disappointing turnout for 'Songs of Praise', a fundraising gospel concert staged at the Merl Grove High School's Karram Speid Auditorium on Constant Spring Road, last Saturday. For those who attended, however, it was an emotional rollercoaster ride.

While the message in the songs were of hope and inspiration, and there were great performances from Prodigal Son, Omari and Sister Sculley, the show was also plagued with poor performances, made worse by music that was too loud, in some instances.

But the negatives should not take away from the objective to raise funds for Sheldon McIntosh, whose story is a testimony many Christians should want to embrace.

On March 17, 2008, McIntosh, a self-employed young man went to a business place to collect money owed to him. Unfortunately, his visit was not to be uneventful as he crossed paths with gunmen who had also decided to call on the business place. He was shot four times, three to the head and one to the side.

According to McIntosh, seated in a wheelchair to the back of the auditorium, the shot to his side went through, but two of the shots grazed his head and one lodged in his neck, paralysing him.

Through a financial grant, McIntosh went to Cuba for one-month therapy, and has made some progress, but it is an expensive venture and he needs funds to complete the recommended six months.

"I chose to do a gospel show to raise funds," McIntosh shared with The Gleaner. Perhaps his decision was influenced by Charmaine Brown's scream of "I love you, Jesus!" as she and other women lifted and helped McIntosh to the hospital. McIntosh said it was those words that pulled him back from the dark.

Brown was one of the performers on the programme. She gave a fair performance of I Love You, Jesus and He Raised Me Up.

Young Redeem and Charmaine Limonius gave a creditable performance too.

A7, an 18-year-old St Andrew Technical High School graduate began his performance by saying, "The Bible says, 'Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,' but while his performance of an original Praise Is What I Do was joyful to the ears, some other performers were far from joyful with their renditions.

The DJs were horrible as they ranted and raged across the stage spewing out loud and inaudible sounds that left the audience shell-shocked and had one woman muttering, "Boy, come off the stage."

Testimony

But all was not lost for the organisers as they got it right with Prodigal Son. With his vast experience and popularity, he was very effective and gave a scintillating performance. Between songs such as Tell Me If Unoo Ready, Gospel Mi Preach Down A Bongo Town and Ketch A Fire, he entertained the audience with sprinklings of testimony and humour.

Prodigal Son concluded his act with Everybody Ed Caan Hot Soh, a song he wrote after a ministering visit to Fort Agustus Female Prison.

Appearing close to the end of a lengthy, intermission-free show, with a large per cent of the already small audience gone, would have been a reason for not giving one's best.

But that was not the case for Omari, who was followed by Sister Scullley. Instead, both vocalists gave standing-ovation performances.

Omari began his act with Mi Cry Why, and before singing his popular Father God Help Me, he spoke of his bout with depression.

Sister Sculley began with a powerful rendition of the gospel classic You Won't Have To Cross Jordon Alone. This was followed by a medley of Negro spirituals.

After the show, McIntosh said he was no quitter and "God has brought me this far and I expect He will continue".

With that thought in his head, McIntosh plans to do another concert in February. He is also appealing to corporate Jamaica for help and may be reached at sheldonmcintoshjm@yahoo.com. Subsequent shows will also be titled 'Songs of Praise'.