We peered out the dusty windshield and down the steep and bumpy road. We could see about five or six little children all dressed up in their best, jumping up and down, excitedly shouting, “Deh commin! Deh Commin’!” (translated, “They’re coming!”). Then they ran to tell their brothers and sisters that the ride to church was there.
Every week we would take the bumpy road to a village to collect whomever wanted to go to Sabbath School, which usually amounted to a very packed truck. (To find out how many we could fit in our vehicle, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfwUyBFfH4c!). We would feed them cinnamon rolls on the way, so they would have something in their bellies to carry them through.
We would have up to a total of 50 kids, from different villages, come every Sabbath. It was fun! After Sabbath School, the adults would meet for a Bible study. All this started when we were asked by the pastor of a Sunday church (who became a Seventh-day Adventist) to begin holding Sabbath School at his church. The church wasn’t being used very often and we were happy to be able to tell Bible stories, make crafts related to the story, and help the children memorize Bible verses. There was a lot of singing and music, too!
After about a year from the time we started this rogram, we were told we could no longer use the church. Yet, no one was using it, except for the termites for supper.
This story has a happy ending, though! Before we left Guyana, Bill coordinated the process of getting a iece of land in the same area that we were in before. Just before leaving, he signed papers that would enable us to lease the land. At the same time, Bill also started the process of getting land in the same area to build a hangar for the airplanes. Our new project management team, Bruce and Monique Wilkerson, will see these projects through. For years now, our mechanics have worked on the planes outside in the elements. It always amuses us that the weather always seems to be severe when working on the plane. It’s either dreadfully hot and we get scorched, or it’s a down-pour rain, making turning wrenches a challenge. We were so excited to hear that the Wilkersons finally received approval from the Guyanese government to move forward with the construction of the hangar at the Mabaruma airstrip.
Although our heads are eagerly turned toward the Philippines, part of our hearts will always be with the people of Guyana. We are thrilled that our replacements are doing such great work and things are rogressing well. Please keep them in your prayers.
We leave soon for the Philippines and are excited to see what God has planned. We’ll keep you posted!
