Kevin downswell
Nicholas Sanchez,Youthlink writer

DOWNSWELL

Kevin Downswell can be described as a radical and high-spirited young man who has experienced numerous challenges while on his path to salvation.

He said if it had not been for the Lord and the continuous love from his mother, he wouldn't have made it.

Kevin's mother gave birth to him at the tender age of 15.

Challenges came as he grew, and he pointed out one situation when he was two years old. His mother had provided only two dumplings for dinner and, given his situation, he had no choice but to eat what was provided.

He explained that there were nights he went to bed without eating. On many of those occasions, his mother would wake him in the middle of the night with dinner, which he said was nothing but a miracle.

"Life was very hard and we could hardly afford anything, but my mother was a miracle worker," he said.

"My life was no different living with my father as the pressure didn't stop," he added.

Now, known by many as a spiritual man of God, Kevin Downswell, sat one on one with Youthlink to share his journey.

You stated that you got baptised at age 13. Do you remember giving your parents any trouble before and after you got baptised?

Of course, I was still a child and I behaved as such. It was at that time my life started to change.
God started to work on my life but I still gave my mother trouble. It wasn't the extreme trouble that I used to give before I got saved.

Was there any time when you felt like giving up?

Millions of times I felt like giving up. It happened mostly when I was alone. I was young and sometimes I didn't know what to do.

When you felt like giving up, how did you manage?

Most of the time when I felt like giving up, I would start talking to myself or God. I would just vent my anger, talk about the problem, talk about how I felt.
There and then, the relationship with God developed and I realised that He was listening.
I was like David alone with the sheep, but as I grew, I learned to turn all the problems over to God and just worship Him.

After high school, did you attend university and what was your career path?

Yes, I attended the University of the West Indies, Mona. I wanted to become a medical doctor, but I got accepted to the biochemistry department.

How do you manage to mix Christianity and your social life?

It was hard because I grew up seeing a lot of children doing things that I wanted to do, but couldn't. At times when I did certain things, the people in the church would tell me that they are not to be done and that restricted me.
At one point, I felt left out but after a while I realised this was a part of God's plan. I could not do what I wanted to do. I had to live what the Bible said, as young as I was.

Were there any Christians who gave you guidance?

My mother, she was my strength. She was everything, she would always encourage me.
She sat me down and taught me what was right from wrong

Do you think Christians should date and why?

Yes, I believe that Christians should date. It is through the dating process that both parties get to understand each other. However, it should be done in the open where every one can see.

What do you think about the recent rise in food prices?

It is something that was inevitable, and we are unable to stop it. If the prices rise, raise your faith.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please email them to ylnickgospel@gmail.com