“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance” (Proverbs 15:13)

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22)

Dear Sir,

Johnny Barnes is known and promoted nationally as Bermuda’s “Ambassador of Good Cheer”. In the year 2005, I had the privilege of interviewing Johnny Barnes. Even at the age of 82, he stands at the Crow Lane roundabout every day, Monday through Friday, in all kinds of weather, and waves to motorists entering and leaving the City of Hamilton from 4am until 10am.

He wishes everyone a “Good morning” and shares a cheerful “I love you”.

In recognition of his recent death and legacy as an ambassador of cheer to these Bermuda islands, I am submitting two short stories in Johnny’s own words.

THE SICK LITTLE GIRL

Early one morning, about 4.30, a lady drove up to the spot where I was standing on the Crow Lane roundabout and stopped her car.

I greeted her in the name of the Lord. She told me that she had just left the nearby hospital and was heading home. She said that her little girl had been sick all night with abdominal pains. The little girl would not stop crying, so she had taken her to the hospital. At the hospital, the little girl was given some tablets and released, but she was still in pain lying in the back seat of the car.

I prayed to the Lord with the mother. Then I gave the little girl a flower. The child immediately perked up. “I feel better, mother,” she said, “All my pain is gone.

“It’s a miracle!” the mother exclaimed.

THE SICK MAN

I arrived at the roundabout about 4.15am one day and noticed that there was a man sitting on the wall near by. I greeted him in the name of the Lord. He said that he had been waiting for me. He explained that he had been feeling bad all night and could not sleep. His wife wanted him to go to the hospital, but he would not go. He told his wife that he was going to talk to Johnny Barnes — he was sure he would feel better after doing that. He had walked from his home on the Harbour Road.

During our conversation, I told him the Lord does not give us more than we can bear. We talked about spiritual things, then I prayed with him. We said pleasant goodbyes and he went on his way. When he arrived home, he told his wife that he was feeling much better.

About 8.30am, he came back. By now there was very heavy traffic, as there usually is in the Crow Lane area at the beginning of the workday. Nevertheless, he found a way to get through the traffic to my spot. He thanked me and said he was still feeling fine.

These are two examples showing how simply spreading love and good cheer can have medicinal value.

LESLIE C.E. HOLDER

AMBASSADOR OF CHEER

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

(1 Corinthians 16:23,24)

Prominently displayed in the living room of Mr John Barnes is a plaque with these words:

In the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second

This Certificate of Honour is awarded to

Mr Johnny Barnes

of Paget, Bermuda

In recognition of valuable services given to Her Majesty with his cheering “Good Morning” welcome to motorists at the foot of the lane

Date: 31st December 1991

Desmond Langley, Governor & Commander-in-Chief

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Submitted as a Letter to the Editor, The Royal Gazette, July 11, 2016

By Dr Leslie C.E. Holder, Pembroke, Bermuda