Guyana Diary, Tuesday thru Friday, 1-4 July 2008:
Greetings from Guyana, South America as we begin this special summers's tour. Natu dropped us off at the Little Rock Airport about 4:30 Tuesday morning and our check in was immediate. Departures were pretty much on time during the trip. We landed safely and without incident at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana at 11:10 (Guyana time) where Seu was awaiting our arrival. During this 30 minute drive to the mission house in Eccles, Seu always "catches us up" on Guyana affairs since our last stay. The day to day living atmosphere is good with no abnormal concerns - check points are minimal. The TIN (tax identification number) has been enacted since my last visit and is required before I can obtain my car tags which expired in my absence. The car battery needs to be replaced due to a dead cell. He would give me a loaner from one of his vans until Saturday. I get the report on the nightwatchman's work. I am given a general report on the progress (and sometimes digression) of the brethren. So, as you can see, this is more than just a ride home from the airport. Instead, it is my first physical life link to Guyana. The May - June rains continue to fall. We arrived at the mission house at about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday morning. After completing our security checks and assessing our immediate needs, we finally make it to bed about 1:30 Wednesday morning. Our return to Guyana is completed.
Wednesday - At 7:00 a.m. the phone rang and our tour officially began.
Seu is coming with the battery, so the car will be mobile. One tire needed to be taken to the vulcanizer for air. The car could still not be driven due to an expired tag (unless, of course, I wanted to"take a chance" which is the local norm ...but not for me). At 8:00 Brother Wilbur Vyphuis, preacher for the North Road congregation, called to welcome us to Guyana and to tell me that he would collect me at 12 to handle the TIN number matter. Just after that call, the house painter showed up to complete a job that should have been finished in my absence
3 months ago. I sent him away after some discussion. I walked to the local supermarket (4 blocks away) to buy a case of drinking water and some lite items to "hold us for the moment". Upon my return, I met Carolyn visiting with the landlady's sister (also acts as her agent) who had come by and was surprised that we were already back. She was expecting us 2 days later. Anxious to sell the house, she made arrangements for two different contractors to look at needed repairs and upgrades. One came and the other never showed after we waited for him most of the day. Bro. V came at 1:00. The Guyana Revenue office was not functioning this afternoon because a seminar was being given to the staff. We obtained the necessary forms. Our next stop was the high court for the finalization of the Soesdyke property transport (deed) which can only be done on Mondays and Wednesdays. Patrick (Soesdyke's preacher), Jennie and Yvonne were surprised to see me walk up the stairs.
Big hugs were exchanged and I was given the update on the Soesdyke congregation and the land matter. Court would convene at 3:00 to process pending transports before the judge. That process was completed by 4:00 and the final payment given to the seller. Soesdyke now officially owns the property. To God be the glory!!! (This process began last October).
A swing by the grocery store to pick up a couple of day's supply of food and water and we were back home by 5:30. Calls came up until 9 from brethren welcoming us back to Guyana.
Thursday - At 8:00, Bro. V collected the filled out TIN application and delivered it to the Revenue office. About 10:30, I had my TIN and could now transact my vehicle business. I went in a taxi to purchase my car tags and insurance. I am now mobile and free to move about the cabin.
At mid-afternoon, Carolyn, Brenda, and I made a "REAL" grocery run and are now stocked with water, food, and the necessary items for survival.
The downstairs is clean...the upstairs will get tackled tomorrow, good Lord willing.
Friday - Happy fourth of July!!! It doesn't really seem like the 4th here because that is a North American holiday and this is not North America. We are looking forward to being at home to celebrate a good old fashion 4th next summer. (It has been about 7 years since our last true 4th of July celebration at home). I hope to get the internet home service up and running today. It takes a bit to get "settled in". I am to meet with members of the Carribean lectureship committee at 9:00 this morning. So, I must close. Freedom is so valuable because of the price paid for it whether physical (our soldiers) or spiritual (our Lord). Be safe and serve well. Remember us when you pray. We love you with the love of the Lord.
Happy morning!!! Bill,Carolyn, & Brenda
Friday at day's end - Today I was able to complete the meeting with the lectureship committee member and get my internet service activated for home usage. So, it has been a productive day. Patrick called a little bit ago to inform me of a meeting of the area preachers to take place in the home of Bro HM Latchmanerine (director of the Guyana School of Biblical Studies) set for 7:30 tomorrow morning and I will plan to attend. Prospective purchasers for the mission house are coming by tomorrow to view the inside. Tomorrow looks like it will be filled as well. Just glad to have the basic necessities for home operation in place. Monday is the youth rally at Enmore.
Happy night!!! ...and happy 4th of July. I pray that it has been a good one for you. Love ya, Bg & girls
Greetings to you from Guyana. We were saddened at the news of the home going of our dear sister and friend, Rita, and we extend our sympathy to Mark, their children, and to their extended families. Even in the midst of Rita's battle, Mark and Rita continued to unselfishly support home and international missions including the Guyana work. Like a modern day Abel, Rita's works continue to serve their purposes even though she is at rest from her earthly labors (Hebrews 11:4). We shall ever be thankful for and inspired by the memory of her multi-faceted Christian example of faith at a time when believing is not so simple; of strength in the midst of real life's trying storms; and strong active leadership when many might have chosen to move toward the rear ranks. We have truly been blessed by her life and have been given one more reason to do the right thing while looking forward to that great reunion of all of God's children.
Our work here continues to move forward. The 2007 Annual Ladies Day is now history and plans are underway for the 2008 program. This project began with 85 attending in 2005. In 2006, it grew to 140 ladies. This year, attendees numbered over 285 ladies and came from all over Guyana. It was truly a blessed day!
On Saturday, July 14, our North Jackson, Tennessee six-person team is scheduled to arrive for our crusade/campaign in Soesdyke. Plans include some canvassing, a nightly VBS, and the nightly presentation of the gospel using the theme "The Power of God In a Troubled World". The speakers will be a mixture of Guyanese and US persons. The team will return home, Lord willing, on Friday, July 20th.
This session of GSBS ends on Wednesday, July 11. Four of the students will leave on Thursday, 12th, to join an evangelistic mission effort in Lethem (about 20 hours by overland transportation from Georgetown) for two weeks. Please include these events in your prayers. God bless. I love you with the love of the Lord. Bg with Carolyn and Brenda
The family is now complete with Carolyn and Brenda's safe arrival to Guyana. Their luggage arrived the following day. So, even though it was a longer than usual trip, all's well that ends well. They made quite a positive contribution to the Soesdyke worship service yesterday morning. Rox (Patrick's wife) and Carolyn got to spend some catch up time together and Brenda and Chrystal (partners in crime) played together most of the afternoon until it was time to return to Georgetown for evening worship. The two of them had been looking so forward to this day of reunion. When it was time to go, we called our little "sand puppies" in and got Brenda brushed off for the trip back to town. We attended North Road last night where the welcome back hugs and kisses (yes, kisses) were abundant from the brethren there. Brenda was so excited about going in to see her church family that we had to literally hang on to her to put the insect repellant on her before she went inside. She just knew that they were waiting to see her. Once we gave her the "all clear" she disappeared like lightning into the building and was not at all disappointed in her expectations of welcome. Carolyn is "auntie" to so many of the kids and young adult men and women (ages about 30 years and below) and a very special "sis" to all of those who may not be considered young anymore. Hugs and kisses came from all. They've been awaiting her coming every since I arrived. It was almost like taking the grandchildren home to see your parents. They're not looking for you. they're looking for the grands. Well, it wasn't quite that bad (smile). I still got my hugs, too. Momma and daughter are at home with daddy and everybody's happy with that.
I would like to ask for you to remember in special prayer my oldest sister, Gloria Cook, who was diagnosed on Thursday with advanced *** cancer. Surgery is recommended asap with chemo and/or radiation to follow immediately. She has been an active Christian for most of her life; so, we're not worried about that part. It's strength for the long period of discomfort and adjustments that lie ahead for which we request the prayers of our brethren. Our family has survived all of its crises through the comfort of the support of our family's God, the ever-present support of each individual family member, and the ardent prayers of faithful brethren who know and love us. I expect that mom and the siblings will converge in Alabama for the surgery, as is our family's custom, and I may well be among them being the family cleric. I love you with the love of the Lord. Bg