By KABS KANU :
There were unbelievable scenes of jubilation at the Howard University Blackburn Centre on Wednesday night when the woman who has done so much to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ and the work of God in Sierra Leone–Apostle Dora Dembuya–was honored and given an international award at the Caribbean and African Faith-based and Community Leadership Awards Banquet in Washington DC.
Mammy Dumuya received the prestigious award for Outstanding Leadership, Ministry and Humanitarian Services in Sierra Leone and the International Community .
MAMMY DUMBUYA WITH ISHA SILLAH AND REV. DR. DIKE AFTER RECEIVING HER AWARD
Though there were 13 awardees in all, drawn from all parts of the African diaspora and the Caribbean, the organizers inadvertently left the best and the most emotional moments of the awards gala towards the end when it was Mammy Dumbuya’s turn to mount the dais and receive her award. The whole jampacked hall exploded with joy and excitement and tears rolled down our eyes at the reception given to a humble and upright woman who has given her whole life to promoting the work of God in our beloved country.
THE HALL EXPLODES FOR MAMMY DUMBUYA
It was impossible not to shed tears in excitement and emotional joy. As the speakers boomed the popular gospel song : “My God is good O”, the whole hall rose and shook with jubilation . It was such an emotional scene. With people dancing and waving handkerchiefs , the area around the podium was soon jammed with camera and video men and women and excited people dancing , while others were scrambling to be part of this great event .
Everybody wanted to move to the front to see this meek and godly woman who had not only been ministering the word of God with power and anointing , but has made such an influence in the lives of countless people -including women with troubled pregnancies , sick children and unemployed men –who had received God’s touch and answered prayers through Mammy Dumbuya’s prayers and fasting for them , as was being demonstrated on a special screen where a video shot of her christian work in Sierra Leone was being played.
MAMMY DUMBUYA IS SWAMPED BY THE CROWD REJOICING FOR HER
The jubilation was very intense before and after Mammy Dumbuya received her award from the hands of Mrs. Isha Sillah, Head of Chancery of the Sierra Leone Embassy in the U.S. ( Who deputized Ambassador Bockarie Kortu Stevens : She too was overcome by emotions and burst into singing : “This is the Day that the Lord has made ” and the crowd took it up in unison and sang it heartily ) . Organizers had to beg the Apostle’s fans and public to cut short the celebration and photo ops so that the program would proceed.
Good , honest and diligent work pays. When you are humble before God, he finds an auspicious moment to honor you and Wednesday was Mammy Dumbuya’s day to be honored as the song, THIS IS THE DAY , introduced by Isha Sillah depicted.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks , the Executive Director of the Caribbean -African Faith-based Leadership Conference, Rev. Dr. Agorom Dike , said that Mammy Dumbuya was the only person in Africa invited and given the honor. He said that the organization does not award people because they are rich or have PH.D .The organization awards people bbecause they have made a difference in the lives of people. At the end of the program, even awardees scrambled for photo ops with Mrs. Dumbuya.
In accepting the award, Mammy Dumbuya thanked the Leadership Conference and gave God the glory for her recognition. She sad that the award will inspire her to continue to give off her best in the fight for humanty.
It was a majestic program. It started with the singing of the American national anthem and the African American Anthem. The invocation and blessing of the meal was done by the Rev. Dr. Abdul Sesay , Senior Pastor of the Kings and Priests Court International Ministry and Co-Chair of the Caribbean African Faith-based Leadership Conference. The opening remarks were made by Mr. Erica Lenney , Media Producer of the Christian Broadcasting Network . Another glorious achievement for Sierra Leone at the event was that one of the Masters of Ceremony was popular broadcaster , Mr. David Vandy of VOA , while Head of Chancery, Mr. Isha Sillah helped to distribute the awards.
Represented at the awards program were Government officials , the CARICOM and the African caucus of ambassadors , leaders and representatives of churches and religious organizations and invitees from different states and countries . Some of the very notable dignitaries present included Rev. Dr. Kenneth Bedell , the Senior Adviser to President Barack Obama , U.S. Department of Education Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships ; Claire Nelson, Chair of the National Caribbean American Heritage Month Committee and
The vote of thanks was given by Pastor Madu Prince Gabriel, Co-Chair , Caribbean African Faith -based Leadership Conference.
THE AWARDEES
