Features

A vision come true

By MARLENE MCPHERSON, Star Writer

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Brown - Contributed

PASTOR BENJAMIN BROWN'S vision became a reality on February 24, 1973, when he married Hyacinth Martin.

He related to THE WEEKEND STAR at a formal dinner held in St. Catherine, how he was scoffed at by Hyacinth, but his persistent visits to her and reminding her to pray won her heart. Pastor Brown was the spokesman for the evening while his shy wife nodded, signalling her agreement as he spoke.

He revealed that both of them were attending the same church and he would accompany her to the bus stop to ensure that she would be on her way home.

"One night I dreamt I was drawing up the zipper of her dress, but the dress turned into a white wedding gown. Then I heard someone say Mr. and Mrs. Brown," Pastor Brown, who heads the Shiloh Apostolic church on Church Street in Kingston, recalled. The following day, he told her of the vision and she told him that the dream he had was not for her as she would be going to Canada. "I told her to pray," Brown said.

Pastor Brown said he went to her several times and she would say "I did pray." He added that he persisted because, "I saw her as a woman who loves children, a family person and one who loves the Lord and a committed Christian."

Eventually she said she prayed and they courted for five months. One of the places they frequented during this period was Hope Gardens, St. Andrew.

Like all married couples they have had struggles. One of the struggles they had to come to grip with was communicating effectively. Pastor Brown explained that as a pastor and a full-time employee to the largest beverage company, his time with his family was limited. He did not know that he was hurting his wife and family by not spending quality time with them. It was when Mrs. Brown complained to the bishop that her husband's time with the family is limited due to his many activities within the church, that a seminar was held which helped him.

"I apologised to her and made immediate plans to effect changes to have quality time with family," Brown said.

To bring about enrichment and strong communication links they went on trips and have time out with each other. According to Pastor Brown, these shared experiences served to enrich the relationship.

The union has produced three children. Their two adult daughters, Nienne Henry and Eleen Ranking, are in the financial sectors and both are married. Darwin Brown, their only son, is 16 years old and is still at home with them.

The Browns' 21 years of marriage have been marked by love and care for each other and open communication. Currently, they are retired and they say they continue to find pleasure in each other's company.