Making an Impact

Today consisted of swimming, sleeping, and relaxing at the hotel so we could be rejuvenated from the exhausting week of work at Anns Grove and prepare for the trek home. It gave me plenty of time to reflect on how amazing this week actually was. There were, as many posts have previously mentioned, struggles through the week ranging from sickness, fatigue, and luggage problems that we were able to put aside and stay committed to doing the work we set out to do.

I had the priviledge of working in the clinic the first three days. This was challenging for me as it breaks my heart everytime a person is sent away with an ailment that we are not equiped to treat. One boy had an infected toenail that had gotten so bad that he could possibly lose his entire foot. Such a simple problem that would be easily cured in the US, becomes very serious very quickly here. We unfortunately were not able to help this child and I pray he is able to receive the proper medical attention from a local hospital now that his young mother knows the severity of the situation. Another situation was for an elderly man that was experiencing severe intestinal problems. He told me it had been hurting him for over ten years and it was making it difficult to live his life. This reminds me of the woman in Mark who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years until she was finally healed by Jesus. I can only pray that God will heal this man someday. It is hard to fathom how amazing it must have been to witness all of Jesus’ healings.

The fourth and fifth day of the clinic I was blessed to do Bible studies. I studied mostly with women, the majority seemed to be young women often bringing their several children with them. I quickly realized that it was physically, emotionally, and spiritually challenging to do one Bible study after another. It is difficult to hear someone say they believe everything the Bible says is true, yet they are just not ready to become fully committed. Doing this work helped remind me that physical healing is not our main purpose in Guyana. We came to seek and save the lost, to preach unto all the nations. I did most of my studies on Friday with Jessie. There came a point of complete frustration when it felt that we had several almost successful studies, where the people seemed to be so close to “getting it,” yet something seemed to be in the way. Like a wall that someone just needed to give them a boost to get all the way over. Jessie reminded me that we are planting the seed. As I thought about that I realized how true that is. We are planting the seed and God must be the one to make it grow. Who am I to judge what a “successful” study is? We did the best we could to teach about our faith and now all we can do is pray for these people.

Finally, I want to make a comment about making an impact. Often when I think about mission trips I think about the impact the missionary will have on the natives. While I have found that to be true, I’ve also realized that it is a two way street. I have been deeply impacted by the people here. I met a woman in my study named Tessa that is an active member at the Plaissance Church of Christ here in Guyana. As she sat down to study with me I prepared to share my faith with another faithless person.  It was at a time in the day when I was feeling a bit discouraged from a lack in interest from several other people. Isn’t it funny how God seems to send us little messages just at the perfect time? I began by asking her about what she believed and soon found out that She had been baptized for several years and had several Christian children and grandchildren that attend church with her every Sunday. She then started sharing her faith with me. She told me how she is seeking to live for the Lord every day even though it is often hard with her failing health or when sometimes it is easier to stay home instead of go to church (walking is her source of transportation). That puts an entirely new perspective on how “hard” it may be sometimes for me to get out of my comfortable bed, choose from several outfits, eat a good breakfast, and drive in my air conditioned car to church. She then asked for my prayers of encouragement. I’m not sure she’ll ever realize the amazing example she set for me as a Godly woman making the necessary sacrifices to serve our Lord. Many other people, especially members from Anns Grove Church of Christ, made such a strong impact on me as well. They were at the clinic before us every day to set the chairs up and then they would stay to help the clinic run smoothly. One member, named Mark, was a severe diabetic who recently had his arm amputated. He  was at the clinic the first two days to receive medical attention as well as help with the crusade at night. His strength and faith through these troublesome times are a testament to his character and when asked to lead a song he chose “Sing and Be Happy.” He “gets it.” Another woman poured water into the toilet to keep it working every time someone used the restroom, every day…all week. A job that most people would be disgusted to do, she did with a smile. She “gets it.” They trully had the heart of a servant. I will take these lessons and examples with me as I go home this week and I pray that I will never forget the amazing faith of our fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters.

Kristin

At Week’s End

The clinic ended today and it was an amazing day.  Great relationships were made between our team and the Ann’s Grove Church.  This week has been a very successful week.  We saw 1,056 people this week and had 12 baptisms.  Thanks for all of your support and prayers.  God has really worked here at Ann’s Grove this week.

Joan (posted by Kristin and Kent)

 Yesterday (Thursday) we met a young woman named Joan who had cerebral palsy.  She struggled to walk and had difficulty using her hands or holding her head steady or even speaking, although you could tell what she was saying if you listened carefully.  When it was her turn for a Bible study Kristin came over and helped her walk over to sit with her and visit.  The visit was good and it was clear that she was a friendly and sweet girl.  However, the most memorable moment came when Kristin asked her if she had any prayer requests and Joan responded, “I want to look like you.”  It made me want to cry hearing her talk about how she just wanted to be normal, knowing there was nothing our doctors, or any doctors, could do for her.  Later she went in to see the nurses and asked Jennifer, the nurse, why she was the way she was.  Jennifer told her it was probably from a difficult birth, but I think we all knew deep down that wasn’t the answer she was looking for.

Last night we talked several times about Joan and how we wished we could have encouraged or helped her more.  Tonight, we were about half way through the Crusade when Joan walked in and sat down three seats over from Kent.  As the sermon went on I (Kent) found my heart breaking for Joan.  I wanted so badly to tell her that she was beautiful and that God made her wonderfully and that it would all be better someday.  So I found myself sitting and crying through the end of the sermon.  As soon as we were dismissed, Kristin and I went to Joan to tell her all of the things that we wanted her to know, that she was beautiful, that God loved her and we did too, that we had thought about her and prayed for her and we were so glad to see her.  She was a truly courageous person who is living such a hard life. 

I (Kristin) was so moved by Joan.  She had to walk at least several blocks alone to get to the Crusade.  So many people had told me this week that they would come to the Crusade and they had not.  It would have been so easy for them to come and be blessed and receive God’s blessing and they didn’t.  And yet here was Joan, the one who had not been blessed and who had to go through so much just to come.  I was so touched and we both hugged her and tried to encourage her.  When we finally joined the circle of team members and local workers Kent and I just stood there and cried, wishing we could do so much more.

Joan left the clinic with all the meds we could give her and a new pair of eyeglasses and sunglasses.  She came looking for answers.  I hope she at least left with love, because our hearts and prayers certainly are with her.

Thursday

Thursday our clinic worked like a machine.  Bill was back that the hotel for part of the day with a bug but did a great job last night of talking about how much we are supposed to be in God’s image.  We saw over 260 people at the clinic and eyes saw 134 of those people, which as far as anybody can remember is the most our eye clinic has ever seen in a single day.  That is really important because many more adults here want to see the eye doctor than the medical doctor.  The sun is more direct here than at home is and very hard on people’s eyes.  Anyhow, we had two more baptisms last night which takes our total to 10.  I am extremely impressed at how much the Ann’s Grove Church continues to work with us and help us every day.  So God is good and things are going well.  We still lack 6 suitcases.  At this point we just want them before we leave.  Keep us in your prayers always.

Wednesday

This week has had its share of difficulties.  Today one of our workers in the eye clinic, Rex was sick and another medical team worker, Jean, had to stay at the hotel as well.  When we got to the clinic,Roland took a bit of a fall and might have injured a rib.  Tonight they are all feeling better, and will hopefully be back at it tomorrow.  Keep us in your prayers.

10 Suitcases arrived today.  Nine of them belonged to our team and so we only lack six suitcases now.  One suitcase arrived that belonged to one of the team members from Tennessee.  They were here last week.  

Today we saw over 220 people in the clinics and had four more baptisms.  We were moving people around a lot today working to fill in gaps and help where things were backed up as much as we could.  Joel preached tonight and did a great job.  Aaron presented a word of encouragement after dinner tonight that I think was just what the team needed.

God is using us in great and little ways that are all making a big difference.  The church at Ann’s Grove is a young one with a lot of energy and excitement.  They enjoy learning and singing new songs and their young people have started helping out in a lot of areas at the clinic.  Josh Key has been doing Bible studies non-stop all week and its fun watching the Guyanese teenagers always wanting to sit in on studies with him.  One young man named Moy was baptized yesterday and today spent the entire day helping us run the Bible studies and when Bill had to take a break this afternoon, Moy jumped right in and kept people moving and going where they needed to be. 

Today’s prayer requests: Roland and the health of our team, 6 more suitcases, the Ann’s Grove church, for the eight who have been baptized, and thanks for the 9 delivered suitcases.

Luggage

Still no luggage on Tuesday night.  Small possibility it could come in on Caribbean Airlines flight tonight or Delta flight in the morning.  Lots of difficulty getting straight answers from Delta.  I jokingly asked you to complain to them two days ago.  Its not a joke any more.  Please go to http://www.delta.com/emailus/servlet/EmailUs?cmd=go and let them know you are disappointed.  Here are things you can include in your complaint:

The flight was DL383 from JFK to GEO.  15 lost pieces of luggage.  Horrible customer service at baggage claim area in Georgetown.  No progress in finding luggage.  Our team is trying to put on a medical mission trip and needs supplies and clothes.  They allow Guyanese to pay overweight and extra baggage fees and deliver those while not delivering suitcases for rule abiding customers because the plane is full.  No file record numbers were given to us at baggage claim to track luggage processing.  Luggage processing doesn’t work anyways. 

These are a few things to get you started.  Feel free to add, remove, and edit them as you see fit.  Our morale remains high (see Jessie’s post below) but we really would like clean clothes and Polly wants her deet-free special order hypo-allergenic malaria preventing bug spray.

Oh, and pray too because God is infinitely more likely to get our luggage here than Delta.

Tuesday (by Kent)

Today was one of the more unique days I can remember having in Guyana.  Still no luggage, but more to come on that later.  Alton was sick this morning but is feeling better tonight, and Jessie had heat problems and came back to hotel this afternoon, and a couple of others were close to dropping as well.  We changed part of our set-up today and logistics went much smoother and we saw over 180 people today and had 1 person get baptized (which makes 4 this week).  The clinic almost came to a halt for awhile when torrential rainfall made it impossible to do most of the work for about half an hour.  All in all, it was a really good day and our team of 28 people (with several sick) was still able to do almost as much as some of our larger teams, especially with the help of some of the brethren from the Ann’s Grove church.  I got to preach tonight and shared the lesson about God restoring the 7th day that I gave at church last Sunday.  Its always exciting to me to get to preach down here, so that was fun and hopefully meaningful to the Guyanese who were there.

Two stories stood out the most to me today.  First, I was visiting with a young woman named Nalini who attends a Word of Faith congregation in the area.  She shared with me that she had lost her 11 year old son, Ronald one year ago when he was hit and killed by two cars.  Eddie was nearby and I asked him to sit with us and he was amazing and sharing with her and loving her and showing love and sympathy for her.  She shared with us how she felt like nobody down here cared, apologized, or tried to get justice for her son.  It was so powerful to me to see Eddie who has known that kind of pain thousands of miles from here, and watch him help this woman who so badly needed somebody to care and cry with and talk to.  It was all I could do to keep from crying myself for about the next half hour.  We also introduced her to the preacher at Ann’s Grove, Farosh, and he shared with her how much this is a loving and caring family, and not just a church.  I hope Nalini finds a church that can love her and listen to her.

The second story was a young man who often helps out at the church but has never become a member or been baptized.  Moy has spent many days helping Farosh, and studied with Aaron some yesterday.  Today he came to the clinic and wanted to be baptized and Farosh asked Leah and I to study with him some more and make sure he understood before he was baptized.  When Leah and I sat down and asked him why he wanted to make this committment, he simply said that he has been sitting inside of and around the clinic for the last two days and seen what we are doing and how we are doing it and it has made him want to be a part of that.  It reminded me how much our example, attitude, and service towards others can help them experience God’s love in ways that our words sometimes can’t. 

To give you an idea what everybody did today, I think that Polly worked with the kids.  Kristin, Jessie, Angie, and Becky worked in medical.  Kent, Leah, Aaron, Josh, and Roland worked in the Bible study area.  Frank worked the gate.  Eddie split time between Bible studies and helping with logistics and the gate.  Vincent was everywhere but helped mostly with water, kids, and anything else he was asked to do.  Bill directed traffic and Alton was getting healthy and is ready to get going again tomorrow.  Keep us in your prayers and remember Nalini and Moy as well.

Our first day (posted by Jessie)

Today was a great day at Ann’s Grove Church of Christ.

We saw around 125 patients, baptized 3, and had around 25 kids in VBS. I very much enjoyed the day. Everyone did an absolutely wonderful job wherever they were assigned. I worked with Miss Polly with the kids and that always makes my day. I also did some work in the clinic with Kristen, Angie, & our nurse staff. The day went well. The community is so loving and welcoming. I felt like I already knew the church family at Ann’s Grove.

On another note.. I immensely missed my closed toed shoes which are currently on my checked luggage somewhere either on a plane or in an airport. I can’t count the number of ant bites on my feet. Although not having our luggage is an inconvenience, Satan has not succeeded at bringing down our spirits. I believe I can speak for us all and say that we won’t let lack of clothes and food keep us from having a heart for Christ and planting those seeds.

Last night I was in my room thinking of the things I needed that were on my checked luggage, and how angry I was that I didn’t have it. And while I’ve been here, I’ve been reading the book “Just Like Jesus”, and today I read this,

                      “God wants you to be just like Jesus. He wants you to have a heart like his..”

“Jesus’ heart was peaceful. The disciples fretted over the need to feed the thousands, but not Jesus. He thanked God for the problem.The disciples shouted for fear in the storm, but not Jesus. He slept throught it. Peter drew his sword to fight the soldiers, but not Jesus. He lifted His hand to heal. His heart was at peace. When his disciples abandoned Him, did He pout and go home? When Peter denied Him, did Jesus lose his temper? When the soldiers spit in His face, did He breathe fire in theirs? Far from it. He was at peace. He forgave them. He refused to be guided by vengeance.”

When I read this, I really felt God speak to me about the problems that may come to us this week. Especially the bold part, where it says that even when Christ was faced with an inconvenience, a problem.. He thanked God for it. It certainly helped me realize that I will be just fine without my things for a few days, and the purpose we are all here is much greater than that!

I hope everyone else is enjoying their time here as I am.  We have a great team and I’m thankful for everyone here. We’re going to have an amazing week. Thank you for all your prayers & please continue to pray for the work being done here.

Jessie

Post by Leah

So here I sit next to the pool in Guyana, South America. Its really nice out here. It rained earlier, which I love about Guyana. As you know from Kent, our luggage isn’t here. This has happened to Kent and I before, so we came prepared with a packed carry-on. Some of our other teammates weren’t as lucky. It will be nice when everything finally arrives. Apparently last week, 11 suitcases didn’t arrive until mid-week and 2 never made it. So please pray that our stuff gets here.  

After we got to the hotel and had breakfast, we were able to sleep most of the day, which was AMAZING after being awake for more than 24 hours. This evening was dinner and orientation, and now we are just relaxing next to the pool and hanging out for the rest of the evening.  Frank, Eddie, Alton and Kent are playing some cards, and Aaron, Josh and VIncent are swimming. Kristin and I are just relaxing and reading. Everyone else is MIA (probably vegging/sleeping in their rooms).

Monday is our first day for the medical clinic. We will arrive around 11:30 and do the clinic until around 5, followed by a short break and then the crusade (sermon and singing) and VBS for the kids. Pray for our team and the work we are here to do for God’s people in Guyana.

We love you all, and thanks for reading. Feel free to post comments.

Leah

Good news, Bad news…(posted by Kent)

Good news…we have arrived safely at our hotel in Georgetown, Guyana.  The Grand Coastal is a wonderful site for travel weary eyes.  You can see if from home at www.grandcoastal.com.  We got to the hotel 24 hours and 12 minutes after meeting at IHOP in Oklahoma City.

Bad news…Satan isn’t very creative in his attempts to thwart (that’s right, I used the word “thwart” in a missions blog) our work here in Guyana.  He has onced again used an airline to lose our luggage.  All 15 members of our team arrived with no checked luggage.  Our best guess is that its still at JFK. 

Good news…Jax Beach got here with all of the medical supplies, eye glasses, and other things that we need to start a medical clinic tomorrow and share the Gospel with people. 

Bad news…our luggage isn’t here.  If you want to help, please pray that it arrives quickly.  If you want to chip in and help with “Operation Squeeky Wheel” you can make complaints online at www.delta.com.  (I am not sure if I am kidding or not, so I guess its up to you.)

Good news…Joel is preaching right now at the Ann’s Grove Church of Christ and getting them pumped about everything God is going to do there this week.  The rest of our team is sleeping for the next several hours.

Good news sidenote…I got to sit next to Larry Jones, the founder of Feed the Children, on our first flight yesterday.  We got to talk quite a bit and it was a pretty cool experience.  I think he and I are going to do lunch sometime.

Good news for me…I am going to sleep now.  Keep us in your prayers…they have got us here safely so far and we are definitely thankful for that.

Final Score:  Good news: 5, Bad news: maybe 1.  Looks like the Good news is winning.