ANR Robinson:

Former President Arthur NR Robinson yesterday said it was a “dream” come true to be on stage with US evangelist Benny Hinn.

Robinson, who was introduced by Hinn, said he watched Hinn’s programme on television and dreamt one day to be on the same platform with him.

“I kept dreaming I would be on the same platform, and that dream has come true. And what a wonderful dream it is to be with him and you,” Robinson told the large crowd gathered at the Queen’s Park Savannah for the closing day of Hinn’s crusade.

He told the audience that it was the largest crowd he had ever addressed “in any capacity”, at the Savannah. It was the second time Robinson was at Hinn’s crusade, he attended on Friday.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning, his wife Hazel and one of their sons were also present. Manning attended Hinn’s first TT crusade in 1999.

“I have no doubt whatsoever about the great future that TT is going to have. I see in my vision a united Caribbean region and I see TT as the helm at the top leading the Caribbean region. It is a dream I have held since as a boy and it is a dream coming true,” Robinson said.

He added that he was at a Methodist Convention from 9 am to 2.30 pm and had only a half hour for lunch to get to the QPS for Hinn’s crusade.

Giving a testimony Robinson said he was not always successful as people believed.

While giving no specific details, Robinson said he had been rejected on several occasions.

However, he wrote in a book, “the stone that the builder rejected is the chief stone of the corner”.

Robinson said he accidentally came upon this quote 40 years after writing it and then it dawned on him that he had become PM. He said it was a spirit of prophecy which made him write the words from scripture. Robinson proudly declared “I am a Christian” to loud applause from the audience.

Robinson described Hinn as a “brother” and said the Christian brothers and sisters in the audience would bring about a critical change in TT.

He said the basis of the battle in TT was a spiritual battle. Robinson called for the people to let it be known that the spiritual battle of TT had been won last night.

From early in the day, people armed with their umbrellas tried to secure a seat to see Hinn preach.

Many physically disabled people and with other ailments were at the QPS hoping for healing. Lively gospel music kept the crowd entertained for almost an hour before Hinn was on stage. Dressed in a white suit, Hinn described the meetings on Friday and Saturday as very lively and Robinson’s attendance for two nights was “rare” for a President. Hinn was unlikely to stir any controversy as he called for blessings on “this great land.”

During prayer he called for the crowd to keep praying until crime was eradicated and the land healed. Hinn said, “Make God a vow and commit that you will pray for your land.”

He told the audience to keep praying, believing and let the fire of God descend.

As the crusade climaxed, he appealed for contributions since “expenses were high” and by giving, the gospel could be preached throughout the world. “Pass something to the Gospel of the Lord,” Hinn urged.