As of Sunday Morning, Joel, his wife Che' and my daughter Mercedes will be traveling back to Birmingham late Monday night around 10:10 PM. The rest of us will have to wait to come home Wednesday night about 7:30 PM. This is the best the airline will do for us. Of course we already know things change pretty quick, especially this trip. I told Nigel as long as I'm going to be here in South America for a few more days, I might as well take in a little Peacock Bass fishing and tour some of the Amazon jungle. Well, maybe I'll stick to conducting some more Bible studies. I am going to try and post a couple of pics of the plane crash. 'Til next time.......

The Plane In Two

Some of the Responders

We Made the National News in Guyana as Stranded Passengers



Well, We're Still Here

Just a quick blog update to say all of us from the mission trip to Guyana from Hoover are A-OK. As we were about to pull into the terminal in Georgetown, a 737 ran off the runway, breaking in two. Apparently, due to rain etc. the pilot overshot the runway and it ran off the end barely missing a huge ravine. No deaths were reported bu there were some injuries. Obviously they closed the airport for a while, and we are waiting to hear from Caribbean Airlines as to when they find us a flight back home. We have come back to Linden until further notice. We possibly might leave today, more than likely tomorrow at least. I will keep everyone informed. Wow, what next this week? 'Til next time......

Sad to Leave, But Glad to Go

The week seemed to just start and now it is over. Good news up front. We had two people obey the Gospel this afternoon and we have at least 6 or 7 that I expect will in the following weeks if not days. So very close. Like all of the other campaigns I go on, you are sad to leave, but glad to go. We worked extremely hard this week, everyone, our team and the local congregation. We sowed many many seeds. I realize some will never mature and bear fruit, but some will. God will give the increase. We always get to see a lot of 'old' friends when we come here, but we all made many new friends as well. I hope we can all stay in touch.
Now the long night begins. We will hang out at Nigel's house, not really nap, then head to the airport at 2:00 AM for a 5:30 AM flight from Georgetown to Miami. If all goes as expected we should all be home about 7:30 PM central time. Pray we have a safe journey. I should have another post from the airport in Miami. So 'Til next time......

The Week is Flying By

Today has come to an end. Studies are continuing very well and we should finish up quite a few tomorrow, our last day. We had another strong night in attendance, 96 people. Each day is getting better and better, but, only one more evening session left. Before our classes this evening, we visited the local hospital where about 50 patients are being seen for various reasons. The pediatric ward is always very touching. We gave all the children there Beanie Babies and a little bag of fruit. They were so excited, especially for the Beanie Babies. It really tears at your heart to see them laying there and feeling so bad. I hope we could brighten their day just a little. All of the adults were glad to see us as well. They were each given some fruit, and, of course some inspirational tracts. This is the second time I have visited this hospital and it is quickly becoming a highlight of my experience each year. We'll try and finish up things tomorrow in a big way, pack up and head to the airport at about 2:00 AM Saturday to begin our journey home. I plan to have an update before we leave, and definitley while we are waiting on the plane in Miami. 'Til next time.....

Sandra and Emily Teaching 5 and Under

Glenn Teaching the Teen Class

Joel, Che' and Sandra Visiting a Sick Child

Mike and Che' Visiting Some Patients

How's This for Code

Nice Little Rainbow to End the day



Day 4 Complete

Today's total for one on one studies was again 21 with our 4 groups that we divide into. Tonight's classes were interesting. We experienced a "normal" and regular blackout in the middle of our lessons. Of course, the childrens classes held a little more excitement when that happened. In the adult class, which I was teaching, we never checked up. I reached into my bag, pulled out my lantern and told everyone to stay put, I wasn't done yet. It was a great night of classes. I believe our count for tonight was 92 in attendance. Not bad considering it was raining and most everyone has to walk long distances to church.
Earlier today, Adam and Emily was teaching a man who is a 7th Day Adventist. The gentleman cannot study again until next week,when we will be gone, but insisted that he give them his phone number so the local church could call him and set up more studies. It's always nice when people are that interested in learning The Word. 10:30 PM now. Off to bed. 'Til next time.....

A Couple More

Little Did They Know This Food They Just Ate Would Have Them Running

Me Teaching the Teenage Class on  Tuesday

A Few Pictures

So far, day 4 has been as expected. Finally a day with tropical downpours, power outages, a rat running around during the middle of one of Joel and Che's studies. Just a good Guyana afternoon, about to head out to our classes for this Wednesday evening. I'm not sure of our daily total of studies yet but will know more in a couple of hours.  We hope and pray everyone back at home is safe and sound. 'Til next time.....

Me and Mercedes

Walking Toward One of Our Studies

Our Group of Local Church Members Helping us This Week

Day 3 - Calm

A great day today. No bee stings. Just really full of studies. Our 4 groups had 21 Bible studies today then conduted classes tonight for all ages. As expected the attendance each night is growing, with 77 local people last night and 94 people tonight. This should be the trend all week. I know all of our next 2 days are fairly full already with one on one Bible studies, and we are still setting up more each day. I'll try and post some more pictures in the morning before we head out for the day's work. It's after 10:00 PM and if anyone knows me, it's past my bed time. 'Til next time....

A New Day

Well after a couple of "exciting" first days, we hope today will only be filled with Bible studies and sowing seeds. We have divided into 4 groups and conducted 10 studies thus far with more scheduled for today. It's nice to come back after being gone a year and see people you studied with before and remember each other. After our round-table discussions late last night, it was clear that some of the reunions were quite emotional for both sides. That just goes to show you that thousands of miles cannot seperate God's family. One quick story; last year, Joel Abbott left his sunglasses at Miss Norma's house while studying with her. When we showed up to the church building yesterday, there she was, waiting to return Joel's sunglasses to him. She held onto them a whole year knowing she would see him again. Her committment to Christ seems to be this  strong as well. Here's a few pictures. 'Til next time....

Glenn Studying With Faith (A Woman Named Faith)

Mike Studying With Lenny (Right Before The Swarm of Bees Got Us)

The Team (Lto R, Nigel our host, Sandra, Mike, Joel, Emily, Che', Glenn, Mercedes and Adam)

Mercedes Teaching the First of Her Nightly Classes. Here The Children Made Thier Coat's of Many Colors.

It took a while for the blog to get working. The Google service kept thinking I was a hacker being out of the United States and would not let me login. I didn't do anything but it seems to be working now. So, for how everyone is doing. Several of the group ate something from the airport in Miami (chicken sandwich I think) and spent the first night, and day, trying to, let's say, get rid of it. All are doing better as we just finished lunch and not much is left on the table.
The first day of studies has been a little slow although we've all had at least two studies with more set up. Tonight will be the first night of classes and promises to be crowded. We did have some adventure today. As my group was conducting a study with a gentleman, a swarm of killer bees was disburbed by the man's neighbor. Unfortunately Mercedes, who is OK mind you, got stung 4 times and the 2 young women helping us got it a couple of times as well. At the time, neither I or the man got stung. Actually after the girls went running down the street, I was left to gather all of their supplies (purses, backpack's, pens, paper, water bottles), tell the man it's been a nice lesson and we'll be back, and then high tail it out of there myself.
So let's recount; Satan sends "Montezuma's Revenge" the first day and a swarm of Africanized honeybees on day 2. We will not be defeated!  I hope to put a few pictures up later, if their not blurry from running.
'Til next time.....

Traveling Solo

As the rest of our team to Guyana left and arrived Saturday, I'm playing catch up today. Due to a previous work obligation (working the Aquapalooza event on Lake Martin) I was not able to travel until today. So here I sit in Miami airport, waiting a few hours for a flight to Georgetown, Guyana. I just finished a $13.00 cheesburger, a water and now working on a coffee. I'll spend more money between Atlanta and Miami airports in one day, than I'll spend all week in Guyana.  I pray everything has gone well for the rest of the team so far, and I will report late tonight if I get in before they go to sleep. If not? 'Til next time......

Getting Ready!!

Well, less than a week left before we are in Linden, Guyana for a great week of mission work. As of now most of the lessons have been prepared (I have a few tweaks left), devos have been prepared and most supplies are gathered. I have already been busy packing and re-packing, re-checking my list; most of us probably have. Alot of thought and prepartion goes into any mission trip, from the leader of the team to each member of the team. We study so much but there comes a time when you're ready to just go and it is what it is. For me, It's time to go. I'll check back as we start our journey.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we finish our preparations!

'Til next time......