Pastor to bereaved relatives: ‘Don’t take matters into your own hands’

A pastor urged the bereaved relatives of 54-year-old Venrick “Myman” Hudlin to grieve, but leave justice in God’s hands.

“Bawl if you have to bawl. Free yourself. To the bereaved family, God will direct everything. Do not take matters in your own hand,” the Rev Randolph Hamilton said at Hudlin’s funeral on Saturday.

“Satisfaction does not come from man. It comes from God. Wait on God. God has never made a mistake yet. Everybody in St Mary’s knew Myman. He is everybody man.”

Hudlin, who lived at Gomez Trace in St Mary’s Village, Moruga, was shot dead by an off-duty policeman last Saturday night.

The incident sparked several protests in the area.

Also speaking at the funeral were Hamilton’s brother, Pastor Rawle Hamilton, and Colin Morris. Morris is the president of the Ridge View community group.

He called on the police to be more passionate about people.

“Do not use your authority to oppress people. Everything you make a family cry (about), people make bitterness in their heart for you,” Morris said.

He also called on people to live right.

To the family and mourners, Morris said, “Trust in God and let us continue to pray. Let us continue to fight the good fight and God will pull us through.”

The funeral was small but lively and mourners beat drums and sang lustily.

Hudlin’s sister Deborah Hudlin eulogised him saying he grew up at a children’s home in Tacarigua.

The father and grandfather of one, loved football and running. But as he become older, he became a lover of rum, she said.

“He brought laughter to everyone and everywhere. He lived many places, including Tobago, and made St Mary’s Village his last resting place,” she said.

The Police Complaints Authority is investigating his killing.