Page 19 - ALMI 10TH ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY AWARD CONCERT

BIOGRAPHY OF
Deaconess Colmelita Pauline Handfield
Born and raised on the island of
Middle Caicos, Sis. Colmelita Pauline
Handfield is an inspirational woman
of God who, from a very young age,
dreamed of being a missionary. Her
interest in carrying forward the
work of the Lord only intensified as
she attended street
meetings on Sunday
afternoon with her
grandfather. Sis
Handfield even made
dolls, which she gave
to other young girls
in the community
during the Christmas
holidays because she
believed that sharing
was a part of mission
work.
When Ms. Carlos, as
she is affectionately
known, moved to Lake City, Abaco,
in the Bahamas as a teenager, her
first priority was to find a Baptist
church where she could attend.
After only a short time in Abaco, she
moved to Grand Bahama, where she
became a member of the Mt. Calvary
Baptist Church. There, she held
various positions, including being an
executive of the youth department,
assistant youth director, assistant
Sunday school teacher, assistant
Sunday school superintendent,
missions member, and women
missionary member.
Upon her return home to the Turks
and Caicos Islands, she continued
to work in the Lord’s vineyard at the
Providence Baptist Church, where she
serves as a deaconess. Sis Handfield
is the past president for the TCIBU
Missions, is a founding member
of the North Caicos Baptist Youth
Association, and is a youth leader,
choir member, and prayer band
member. Her desire for mission has
given her the opportunity to serve on
several steering committees of the
Caribbean Baptist Women Fellowship
[CBWF] and as vice president at large
of the CBF. For many
years, Sis Handfield
has been the
unofficial chaperone
for the young people
of Providence as they
travel throughout
the islands and
the Caribbean to
participate in various
youth conferences.
In addition to
participation in the
life of the church,
Sis Handfield is a
former member of the Red Cross
in Grand Bahama, a long-serving
invigilator for the CXC Exams at the
Raymond Gardiner High School, and
co-manager for her family food store.
Sis Handfield says that she would like
to see more unity among believers,
for only when we unite as one can we
truly accomplish much. She is further
quoted as saying, “We must continue
to raise the standards of the Lord and
be obedient to the cause and the work
of the Lord. I want to remain humble
to the divine call of God. Nothing
means more to me than my love for
the word of God and being obedient
to His call.”
Sis Handfield is married to Deacon
Lewellyn Handfield, and together
they have five children, twelve
grandchildren, and seven great-
grandchildren.
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