St. Croix residents who attended the Hurricanes Irma and Maria one-year thanksgiving event at the St. Croix Educational Complex auditorium on Sunday, danced and sang along with a number of groups who performed, among them Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, the UVI Choir and the Victorious Believers’ Praise and Worship Team, to name some.<\/p>\n
And when former Dancehall Queen Chevelle Franklyn — who converted to Christianity in 1998 and has been singing gospel music since — took to the stage, what was an already lively affair became even more spirited.<\/p>\n
Ms. Franklin, who did not only transform her life but also her popular secular hits, brought the crowd to its feet, including Governor Kenneth Mapp, who could be seen waving his hands as Ms. Franklyn sang.<\/p>\n
Aside from the performances, attendees were also encouraged by a number of short sermons whose themes were based on thanksgiving to God following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.<\/p>\n
The storms impacted the USVI at Category 5 speeds in September 2017, whiplashing all three islands and leaving a sight of ruin in their wake. Since then, the Mapp administration has been in overdrive with recovery efforts.<\/p>\n
The last of the three praise and thanksgiving events will take place in St. John on Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Franklin Powell Park in Cruz Bay from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will follow a similar program.<\/p>\n
Watch the video of the event below, which was carried live on The Consortium’s Facebook platform.<\/p>\n