Tawes Meadows resident gets vision of a JLP win

In the heart of Tawes Meadows, Spanish Town, St Catherine, where politics and faith intertwine, Maxine Barrett stands firm in her belief that Jamaica's future is already written.

For more than two decades, she said she has received spiritual visions about political leaders and their paths, including one that foresees Dr Andrew Holness' victory in the upcoming general election.

"I got the vision from God and I believe Andrew Holness will win again," Barrett confidently told THE STAR. "Yuh see 2001, mi get the vision plain, plain, plain, say him win everything."

While Barrett was referring to a vision she received about Holness's 2011 victory, which she interpreted as divinely foretold, Holness was first elected as member of parliament for St Andrew West Central in 1997. He succeeded Bruce Golding as prime minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party in October 2011 after Golding stepped down.

"In 2001 when I got the vision, mi see Andrew Holness in a green pasture. Green from here so, go right back to Montego Bay, and I see a passport-sized picture of him standing in the green. And it was green all around him. [Former Prime Minister] Portia [Simpson Miller] was above him. And when the party win and dem count over, count over him, he win, because God said he will win. Just like now, God says he's gonna win again. God choose him to sit on the throne for now."

Barrett said that she did not attend the JLP's mass rally in Half-Way Tree on Sunday, where Holness announced September 3 as the date for the next general election. But she watched the proceedings at home.

"A couple months ago, the Lord tell me again that Andrew Holness is going to win and I have faith in the Lord that he will win," said Barrett.

Despite not identifying as a Christian, Barrett views herself as a spiritual person who receives messages from God, claiming these visions have always proven true. Growing up in the politically charged environment of Tawes Pen, Barrett has been involved in politics from a young age. She said her visions are not just predictions but intricate messages.

"While I was praying to the Lord in my bed one night, the Spirit speaks to me and says, 'Andrew Holness is gonna win the election.' He (the spirit) tells me a lot of things about how he's going to win and what he will do after he wins, but he said I should not talk about it," she said.

Though she hesitated to share the specifics, she believes the prophecy is destined to unfold.

"It will come through, but mi no want other wrong ears catch it and so forth," she added. "The Lord said he will elect him to sit on the throne."

With unshakable belief, Barrett emphasised Holness' qualities, especially his heart for the people.

"He has more vision for the people, but many are trying to guide him in a different way and say this is the way it should go. But no, you see the heart? God works with the heart, and he will continue to strengthen him and guide him."

"Mi ready for September 3rd," she added. "We nah sell him out. There is going to be a lot of prosperity." However, she warned, "The Lord said if Andrew don't win this election, the country is going to fall."

Among the promises made at the rally, Holness said schoolchildren would travel free on buses during September and October.

Jermaine Scott, another resident, opined, "A good thing that, two months' worth of free bus fare, a whole heap of money that him save off a we."

Scott opined that Holness' actions speak louder than words, pointing to his firm stance on crime and his ability to bring real change to the streets.

"We done see him have the streets same way, cause watch yah, crime alone make him gone wid it. Andrew Holness means what him talk, yuh know?" he told THE STAR.