PRAYERS ANSWERED! - Elderly Manchester woman prayed tirelessly for a house

Eighty-two-year-old Mary Gentles spent life in a wattle and daub house for decades. When that dwelling could no longer withstand the forces of nature, she moved into a one-bedroom board house, but it was far from ideal.

Being a woman of faith, Gentles prayed tirelessly for God to provide her with decent housing. Although her prayers were many, she never lost hope; instead she felt that her blessing was being delayed.

Her faith, persistence and prayer paid off as she was last Friday presented with the keys to a one-bedroom house, which was built through the Social Housing Programme.

"I am so glad. I am rejoicing inside and outside because I was struggling and I did need it so much. I went out and seek it and I did find it and God said wait. He took long but He knows it was sure... I wait long, but the answer is here now. I have received the house," the elderly woman said.

The unit, built at a cost of $2.8 million in Mike Town, was handed over during a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and member of parliament for Manchester North West, Mikael Phillips.

Having previously visited several private and public sector entities on numerous occasions seeking assistance, Gentles said that she has constantly been left disappointed.

LEAVE IT IN GOD'S HANDS

"Sometimes I wondered if it was because I was old why my prayer wasn't answered. I walk, I cry and I decided I was not going back to any more office. I said, 'God, I leave it in your hands, and you have to take care of it',"

She said each year she dreaded the active hurricane season and vigorously prayed for the nation to be spared from a battering, and for her deteriorating house to hold out just a little longer.

"One of the time I was almost giving up. I found myself giving up and one of the time somebody say to me don't give up, continue pray, and the more I pray is the more I have proven [God], I started to see results."

She said the material being delivered was one of the confirmations she received that God was working it out for her.

"I come from church one day and see the material drop and I said yes, my God, this is my answer. I said yes, father God, the deliverance come. I said thank you, father Jesus, I waited long and patiently but I know you answer prayer ... I know God is real, had it not been for him I don't know where I would get a house from because I am not in the position to buy one."