I had asked Bob Hargrove at the first of the week if he would write something for our website report. He agreed. Then as the week went, he had to leave Guyana early. His mother-in-law passed away. He was so anxious to get home to be with his wife, but he had to wait a whole day before leaving Guyana. He went back out to work with the team, and early in the day he said a lady tapped him on the arm, waving her paper (medical and personal work slip). It was a lady he had studied with the day before. She said, "I'm ready," and became a Christian. He told me he had been from the valley to the mountain top. I know Bob's emotions were exhausting him. So I appreciate, all the more, his writing his report. Thanks Bob and may God refresh your soul. And to your wife, our love and sympathy.
an elder's perspectiveThis is my third year to come to Guyana. I am privileged to serve as an elder at Glendale Road Church of Christ. My trips to Guyana let me know how important it is to support mission work. Unfortunately, many times when churches suffer economic problems, mission budgets are the first of the cuts or reductions.
The spirit of the Guyanese people is what keeps me coming back. They worship with such passion. I receive much more than I give. The Guyanese could use so much physically and economically, but they want to give the team members gifts. It reminds me of Acts 3 when Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, I give thee."
In 2008 I studied with a 12-year-old named Junior. This young man had a wonderful smile and was like a sponge when studying the scriptures. He accepted Christ and was baptized during our mission trip. Our last day, Junior told me he had a gift for me. It was a simple picture that he had colored. He wrote at the top: "To the won that learnt me about Jesus." As you can see, his grammar could use some work, but God is glorified. The picture is one of my most prized possessions. I brought it back this year in hopes of reuniting with Junior. On the second day I saw Junior about six inches taller, but that same great smile! I pulled out the picture and I don't know which one of us had the biggest smile. This is what encourages me to keep coming to Guyana.
Bob Hargrove
a first-timer perspectiveI left the Glendale Road Church of Christ parking lot, with 26 fellow Christians on Friday, June 12th, at 5pm. We arrived in Guyana early Sunday morning, June 14th, around 1 a.m. It was a long ride; however, I could not sleep. I kept thinking, I am here to serve God. Will the people of Guyana accept me, and will the team be successful? My adrenaline was pumping by this time.
Sunday, we loaded into the vans and went to the church at Plaisance. The fellow-Christians were so friendly and welcomed us with open arms. I was uplifted by their joyous attitude. Sunday afternoon we packed pills and Steve DeLoach delivered our orientation.
Monday morning at 4 a.m. My husband became sick and had to remain at the hotel that day. I felt so sorry for him; I was told this happens from time to time. Monday it was back in the vans and we returned to the church at Plaisance. Our team divided with the medical people setting up in one building and the teaching group working in the church building.
People came and I sat on a pew and began teaching about Christ. I saw firsthand how the Word of God can change hearts and heal spirits. The second woman I met was Denise. She listened carefully and asked to be baptized. I had goose bumps, and the heat index was 116 degrees outside. I felt the power of Jesus at work.
The accomplishment at Plaisance was a team effort by the Lord, the Christians from Glendale and the members at Plaisance. Overall our team saw over 1100 patients, baptized 48 new souls for Christ, and the last night of the VBS we had 156 children present. We had a week for the Lord. The scriptures teaches us to: "Go into all the world and teach the gospel." This week of my life, I have truly been a part of that mission. Each day brought new faces and new souls to the Lord.
I never knew I could drink so much water or could work from morning to night and never think of complaining. When we returned to the hotel, the food was delicious and the bed was welcoming.
As I sit on the plane returning home, I thank Tommy Carraway for asking my husband and me to be a part of this team. I see countless faces and names flashing through my mind, and I say a prayer for the people of Plaisance. I realize I am sad to leave; yet, happy to return home. I began to think of next year, but I know I must leave my life to the Lord while I look forward to next June.
Kay Wyatt
a second year perspectiveIt was a blessing to travel to Guyana for the second year. Upon landing, sights and smells quickly remind me of the differences between our culture and their culture. They drive on the opposite side of the car on the opposite side of the road. The Guyanese have a different dialect yet the same language. They use some of the same words to describe different meanings. Despite all the differences it amazed me for the second time how easy it was for me to take a hand, give a hug, touch a heart, and talk about Jesus.
It was important to let each patient know we would help them medically but our main mission was to tell them about Jesus. We saw well over 1000 patients, we worked with 100-150 kids in VBS. Most importantly we now have 47 new sisters and brothers in Christ. You hear stories about missions and what they get -- let me tell you what I got. I got to return to the same church I visited last year and I got to see new Christians I prayed about all year still serving the Lord. I got to see a little church with much of nothing financially grow more spiritually in one year then I have in 3. I got to form a close relationship with the 27 other members of my team. These I people from my home church I never had time to talk to before and now I have a life-long bond. I got to use gifts God has blessed me with to bless others. I had time to appreciate my husband. I had time to appreciate my Christian family. I had time to focus on the Lord and not the world.
I am not sure why I have to go all the way to Guyana to snap away from this world around me. The Guyanese I worked with had little of nothing, yet they smile, they sing, they worship and they rejoice. This trip was more of a blessing to me and my husband than to any of the people we came to help.
It's love that makes the world go round…
Noraa Ransey
