Pottinger...surveying the damage done by fire to his mother's home

SEVENTEEN year old Errol 'Junior' Pottinger, was a terror to his teachers at Jose Marti Secondary School at Twickenham Park in St Catherine. So much so, that he dropped out of school early last year, 'before them expel mi."

But a few months later, he converted to Christianity and returned to his old school to share his change of heart with his schoolmates. On two separate occasions he got permission to address the devotion at his school, which resulted in 27 students giving their lives to Christ. School Principal Bevar Moody was so impressed that he invited Pottinger back to school.

Pottinger...in a pensive mood

Pottinger candidly told Teenage about his life.

"As a student I used to give the teacher them pure headache. I was a big troublemaker. In my first year at Jose Marti, everyone gave up on me getting anywhere in school. But I wanted to go because it gave me a chance to hustle," he told Teenage when we went to interview him in Majesty Gardens, an inner-city community in Kingston.

Pottinger...with his bible at his side

"I used to hustle by stealing and selling to others. For example, the Jansport bags that students carry to school, I would steal that and carry it to sell outside -- maybe to other students at another school,"

"Sometimes I would get hold of the lunches that the government provide, and if the canteen selling them for $80, I would sell it for $50 so I could make a money," he said.

According to him, even though he was doing well at hustling he was unhappy deep down and kept trying to find peace through girls, smoking and his gun.

"My business was going on well and mi decide fi expand outside of the school. But to do that I had to make sure that I had some backative ( be able to defend myself), so I got a gun," he said.

It was not long after this that he dropped out of school -- at the third form level.

"Mi just stop go school one day. I can't remember exactly when, but it was 2002. Mi jus seh that it better mi stop before dem kick mi out," he said.

It was while he had dropped out of school that he happened to go to a crusade being held near his home in Majesty Gardens

"Pastor David Chang always used to invite me to church but me did have a bag of excuses. But this night I decided to go, and when I reach Mr Goddy Goddy ( a popular christian deejay) was on stage. He was singing about how people love give excuse not to go to church and I just felt convicted," the intelligent youngster said.

At that point he said he responded to the altar call and eventually started attending Majesty Gardens Covenant Community Church.

"It is not easy being a Christian in the ghetto. Everyday people tell you negative things but it is a good decision. I feel different and my thinking has changed. Now I want to help and minister to people," he said. Pottinger said that he had shared his faith with his best friend, Marlon Wilson, who eventually converted to Christianity. They both decided that they wanted to speak of the change in their lives at their school. Wilson , who was still in school, made the arrangements with the principal for them to address the devotions.

"When I went up there in January 2002, I saw all my friends that I used to gamble with. I led the devotions and at the end 15 persons wanted to become Christians. They said that if I could change anybody can change. I was like the devil's grandchild," he said. He was invited back to speak and at that time 12, other persons were converted.

"The principal told me that in all his years he had not seen so many changes in the behaviour of some of the children. He even invited me to come back to school," said Pottinger.

At the time he spoke with Teenage, however, his home had just burnt down and he, his mother and sister were staying with neighbours in Majesty Gardens.

"I want to go back to school but at the same time I have gotten a job offer. I am not sure what to do because I want to help out my mother, who is not working. We are in a difficult situation right now because we don't have anywhere to stay, " he said.

Moody yesterday told the Observer that he was aware of Pottinger's situation and would try to accommodate him until the family got back on its feet.

"He was supposed to return to school today (Monday) but I have not seen him. But we will work with him to see how we can help," he said.

Junior said last Tuesday (three days after the fire) he was happy that his life had been spared.

"I was asleep in the room where the fire started. I woke up when the phone rang. After I finished the phone call I moved to the middle room. Then when I turn around I realised that my room was full of smoke. I called out 'fire' but we could not save anything from my room. We did, however, save some furniture from the front room." he said. "God saved me for a purpose. He has used me to save my mother and I want to continue to share his message. I want to go on the buses and in the prisons to let people know that God loves them."

He said that he had a special message for teenagers.

"Teens, God is keeping us in spite of all that we do. Plan your life for something positive. Sow good so you can reap good not badness. I know because I used to have a hatred in my heart. I was willing to kill anyone who stood in my way if I had to, but God changed me."

The neighbour hosting him ,Doreen Dennis, spoke a little about the changes she had seen. She has known him since he was eight years.

"Him help him mother around the yard more now. Him nuh give her as much trouble and talking like him used to do. Him also helping out in church. He will set up the music and so on. Him still love play him football and him have more manners," she said.

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