Early every Saturday morning at Gateway to Hope, before the sun even stretches its hot, golden fingers over Ocala, the air rings with a familiar, joyful cry:
“Yes, Mon! God give us this – another beautiful day! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
Alvin, an 81-year-old pillar of faith and resilience, greets the dawn with unshakable gratitude.
His voice, thick with the warmth and accent of his Jamaican roots, is a melody of praise that lifts our spirits before the first breadline even forms.
To meet Alvin is to encounter a living testament to God’s faithfulness—a man whose life has been shaped by sugarcane fields, stone masonry, and an unwavering devotion to serving others in Christ’s name.
From Sugar Cane to Service: A Journey Anchored in Faith.
Born in Manchester, Jamaica, Alvin’s story began in the shadow of emerald sugarcane fields. His grandmother, a woman of quiet strength and deep faith, taught him more than just the secrets of delicious Caribbean cooking—she instilled in him a love for the Lord and the dignity of hard work.
As a boy, he hauled river water for his family every morning and tended crops under the Caribbean sun, lessons that would later bloom into a lifetime of labor and love.
At 21, Alvin sailed to the land of opportunity, arriving in South Florida. He traded sugarcane for sprawling farmlands.
God’s call on his life was far from finished. He apprenticed as a mason, mastering the craft of laying blocks with the same precision he once used to harvest crops. Why, you ask? Here’s why: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord*” (Colossians 3:23). That is Alvin’s unspoken motto.
Retirement? Not a chance… Rewriting the Script for Gateway to Hope!
When Alvin retired to Ocala, many might have expected him to rest. But Alvin knows God has no room for idle hands.
Today, he’s a fixture at Gateway to Hope, not just on the breadline but behind the scenes, tackling the gritty, unglamorous tasks others overlook. Whether scrubbing or organizing, he serves with a grin, declaring, “If you do it unto the least of these, you do it unto Jesus!” (Matthew 25:40).
His ministry extends well beyond practical service. After food distribution ends, Alvin transitions seamlessly to worship inside at Gateway to Hope, with the same vigor he brings to distributing food. His joy is contagious, his presence a reminder that God often works through the humblest vessels.
A Living Testimony: “Just Say Hallelujah!”
To know Alvin is to witness grit softened by grace. His hands, weathered by decades of labor, now distribute bread and blessings with equal measure. Strike up a conversation, and he’ll regale you with stories of Jamaica’s beauty, Florida’s vast farmlands, or laying a foundation for a wall. Mention God, and his eyes light up. “Hallelujah!” he’ll boom, clasping your shoulder. “God is good — ALL the time!”
In Alvin, we see the beauty of a life surrendered to God’s purpose. He’s proof that retirement isn’t an end but a new chapter to glorify God. His cheerful disposition, forged through hardship and honed by faith, challenges each of us to ask: “How can I best serve the Lord, with my own “grit and grace”?
As our dear Mary Giles reminds each volunteer, pray for guidance on how to best use your talents and “find your niche”.
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