Going Through "The Big D" and Final Numbers

Well I always wanted to see Dallas, just not at midnight after being up for nearly 40 hours. We were able to manage a couple hours of a nap right before we left, but it was a long, long time coming home. Storms diverted us to San Antonio away from Dallas on the way home, canceling our connection from Dallas to B'ham. Five hours later we pull up to the gate in Dallas and disembark the plane. Eight hours after we left Miami. After we confirmed our new flight for Sunday morning to take us to B'ham, eleven hours later than we were to arrive there, we checked into tho the Hyatt Rengency at the airport. It was probably midnight before any of us went to sleep and six hours later we were up and on our way back to the airport to catch our new flight home. I for one enjoyed every second of my six hour nap. So much so that my sheets hadn't even moved when I woke up. We did, however, make it home safely, just a day late.

And now for the important stuff. It was a very successful trip to Guyana. For the week, our group studied with approximately 100 people and held about the same number of Bible studies. Four young women obeyed the Gospel during the week with seven more people very close. I particularly want to thank all those who support this work in Guyana. The prayers, special donations etc. make all of it possible. I always enjoy this trip. Although tiring, it is very rewarding emotionally, and I look forward to going back again, good Lord willing.

'til next time......

Once Again, Our Group of Hard Workers

Us and  Local Memebers of Burnham Drive Church of Christ that Worked with us During the Week

Me and My Daughter, Mercedes

Keola Being Baptized

Keisa Being Baptized

Latifna Being Baptized



A Fitting End

Tonight was our last night in Linden, Guyana. Earlier today a young woman named Keisa, decided to obey the Gospel and was baptized into Christ. That's 3 souls that God has added to the church this week. More good news is that 1 more girl is supposed to get baptized this Sunday, while 7 more are extremely close to making that committment to Christ.
A week goes by extremely fast when you are here working. You make new friends, spend time with old ones, and the next thing you know your own your way back home to other responsibilities. Everyone will be missed here in Guyana, but, I promise you we are all ready to get home to our families. Next year will be here before we know it.
We also had another great night for our classes. There were 151 people in attendance tonight. We hung around and said our goodbyes, then it was back to the house for a quick bite, packing and maybe, just maybe an hour or two of sleep before we head to the airport a 1:30 AM. We should be in Miami around 12:30 PM est, and I will check back in then.

'til next time......

Thursday, Another Soul

I am happy to announce that today, another soul was added to the church. A young woman named Keola that Joel and Che Abbott had benn studying with, decided to obey the gospel. Her family apparently are from the "Rasta" background, but her mother was very supportive of her daughters decision. We pray she will have a positive influence on her famly.
Today we continued lessons with individuals interested in learning more about Jesus. A few seem to be real close in accepting Jesus as their Savior, but still have a few questions. Between studies, some of us have been going around and visiting delinquent members reminding and inviting them to our evening classes. Some of those are starting to come back as well.
Speaking of evening classes, tonight we had 142 in attendance. That's up from 127, from 105 and from 92 on the first night. Our last night tomorrow will probably break all the fire codes in Guyana with the amount of people there. Oh wait, I don't know if there are fire codes here. Hmmm, sit near THE exit.

'til next time.............

Half Way Already

I can hardly believe that we are now passed the half way point of our trip. It always goes by so fast. I guess because the days are so long and full of non stop action, the week just seems to vanish. Today (Weds.) was another good day. We conducted 23 individual studies with those wanting to learn more about God. Tonight 127 people came to our series of classes for adults and children. This was a significant increase and I know it will continue for the last couple nights. It shows that our door knocking, studies and local encouragement is working. But, we know any result is not from anything we did or do. All is becasue of the Lord and we are thankful.
Just two more full days here. We have a lot of studies remaining for us to get to. We pray for open hearts and souls as we continue this campaign.

It is also with a heavy heart that I write this report. I learned today of a co-worker, a friend, that lost a daughter in traffic accident. I can't even begin to imagine the level of emotion that is weighing on this family. As I told our team about it, our thoughts and prayers go out to Bill and his family. Life is precious. Every soul is precious. None of us know when our time is finished in this world.

'til next time.......

Tuesday Update

Today was another great day. Not quite the "Mercedes" marathon we had yesterday, but still good. We spent a bit more time blindly door knocking and invitng people to our nightly classes, but still held 16 solid Bible studies. We have quite a few now lined up for the rest of the week as a result of that door knocking, so, we're looking forward to those.

Tonight our classes continued to go well. 105 people came tonight, up 13 from yesterday. I look for that trend to continue each day.

It's amazing to me that so far the weather here has been quite comfortable, fr the ost part. I never thought we would have to go to Guyana to escape the Alabama heat. Oh well.

'Til next time......

Our Team Ready to Go!

Mercedes and Heather Teaching the 6 to 12 Year Olds

Monday Update

What a great way to start the week! Between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM today we conducted 18 Bible studies and already had one baptism. I have to boast and brag a little as a proud dad for a moment. My wonderful daughter, Mercedes, was able to conduct 5 studies herself and lead a young lady to baptism! I am so proud of her.

Our nightly classes that we held were equally productive. We had 89 people in attendance, which is good for a first night. These numbers generally grow throughout the week.

Everyone seems to be doing fine and we are all looking forward to day two of the campaign. Keep us in your prayers.

'til next time.....

Sunday Night Report

We had a great day of worship and fellowship today, both at the Amelia's Ward and Burnham Drive congregations. They were both very well attended. All of us from Hoover that taught Sunday School or delivered sermons did an outstanding job. As I write this, we are finishing up supper, or snack actually, and getting our marching orders for tomorrow morning. We are lining up our door knocking teams for the part of the city known as Silver Town. The local church we are working with this week, Burnham Drive Church of Christ, already has 20 bible studies set up for us, so, we will definitely hit the road running.
We are looking forward to a good nights rest and the begining of a great week.

'til next time......

Sunday Morning Update

Just a quick note to let everyone know we all made it to Guyana safe and sound. We are a little tired, but as far as I know we made it through Miami without any ailments. This morning we will attend church services, with a few of us leading Sunday school and worship. After that we will have a great lunch (they usually fix us potroast for Sunday dinner.....mmmmmm.) then we will all no doubt take advantage of one of the only opportunities to grab a nap this whole week. It all just ramps up from here.

'til next time.......

The Last Minute

There's nothing like waiting to the last minute. In just under 24 hours we will be on a plane headed for Linden, Guyana, South America. I have packed zero. I will spend the day washing clothes, buying some items we will need on the trip and forgetting no telling what.
There are 13 of us from Hoover Church of Christ traveling down to conduct a mission effort aimed at leading Bible studies and nightly classes for the local Burnam Drive congregation. As we sow seeds, please pray that some will fall on good ground and that God will provide the increase. Pray also for a safe trip for all involved, and that we all grow spiritually from this work.
Our mission team: Glenn Till jr, Mike Clelland, Mercedes Romero, Joel and Che Abbott, Paul and Tara Merryman, Wes and Pam Blankenship, Drew and Heather Spivey and Sandra and Emily Turner.

'Til next time......

Packing Up and Heading Home

         It goes without saying, but anytime you can take one day and tour ancient ruins, it can be an amazing day. The sites and sounds, the people and culture of local villages is quite an experience. God blessed us on Friday with some amazing views of His wonderful creation. Obviously, the most important and most rewarding part of our week was the medical mission campaign, but Friday was rewarding in it's own way.
         This morning we are packing up and preparing to leave for home. Our flight will leave Cusco at 4:55 PM today to Lima, then on to Miami by 6 or 7 Sunday Morning. Followed up by our landing in Birmingham by 12:20 PM or so. I'm looking forward to getting back home to my family. This week has seemed to go by fast, but it has been a long time as well. It's time to go.
          Thanks so much for the support, for the opportunity, from everyone, to be able to go on mission trips and try to help others. It is always a rewarding and spiritually growing experience for me. I look forward to more opportunities.

'Til next time.......

One of the Views on Friday

At the Ruins in Pisac looking over the Village

Some of our Group

One of the Ruins

Part of the Ruins at Pisac

Our Tou Guide Maria

Listening At Pisac



Another Great Day, Another Great Clinic

       Another great day it has been. We closed the medical clinic at 1:00 PM today, to get ready for a seminar tonight, and saw another 195 patients. That makes a grand total of 1239. That is really remarkable. Last years total was only 850 or so patients. It is a good feeling to have been a part of touching that many peoples lives. Physically, emotionally and most important, spiritually.

       Throughout this week, people from Cusco have been coming to see various medical specialists. But, they have also seen the ultimate "medical specialist". Christ. As I mentioned at an earlier time, everyone there had the opportunity to take part in a Bible study while they were waiting to see the doctor. Many took advantage, but also,  as every patient finished their turn in the clinic, they exited through the back door where a missionary team met them at an "outreach tent". There they received materials that explained the Church in greater detail, were being encouraged to learn more and were able to ask questions regarding what Christianity is all about. This week the compassion of Christ has been shown, seeds of His word has been sown. Now we pray for the increase.

        Tonight Jason Mckeown led a great seminar on "Miracles, Demons and Medicines of the Bible". There were a lot of local people in attendance and the presentation was very well received. Tomorrow, those that aren't flying home, will take a tour either to Machu Picchu, or to the Sacred Valley. We'll get to site see a little bit, but the day will start early and end late. Not much rest for the weary. Hopefully I will have some good stories and/or pictures to share Friday evening.

'Til next time.......

Jason Mckeown Leading His Seminar

The 2012 Cusco Medical Mission Team

Day Three

        Day three has been phenomenal as well. 327 patients were seen for a three day total of 1044. That beats our last year four day total by almost 200. Tomorrow will a little shorter because we are going to be have a seminar and dinner here at the church building at 7:00PM. We'll probably wind the clinic up at 1:30 or 2:00 PM in the afternoon. Regardless of the number of patients that we see on Thursday, this will have been an extremely successful Medical Mission Campaign. I am proud to have been apart of it.

         I want to add somethimng else. Everyone in the United States that is in any way responsible for sending these three missionary families, and, all of the volunteers that came down to Peru to work this week, should be extremely proud. This group of people has, and will, continue to do an amazing job. You are very well represented.

'Til next time.........

My New Friend Fran

Brad Morris Giving an Eye Exam

Rick Williams Giving an Eye Exam

The "Drug Store"

You Might Be a Redneck

........if your Peruvian translater asks where you're from, are you speaking something other than English? I quickly explained that some of us are proud to be from the southern United States. Now, all that know me know how I talk. Extremely 'country'. I just didn't realize that I spoke another language. These people are actually from further south than I am. Come on!

         Kidding aside, the young man that has been helping us in the reception area is named Abel. He speaks four languages. Spanish, Quechua, English and French. I am now trying to teach him 'Redneck'. Of course, the first thing I hit him with when he got on me about my mastery of the English language, was that he obviously didn't have a brother named Cain. The next step was to explain what a redneck was, what it meant to be from the south and then, Jeff Foxworthy 'You might be a Redneck if" jokes. Another day or two and he will have "y'all" down pat.

         I really am enjoying working with the local people here in Cusco. I am learning about all of our differences, but at the same time, realizing how similar we all are. We all get sick. We all hurt. We all need reassurance from time to time. We need someone to listen to us. But, most importantly, we all need God. No matter where I have been around the world, at home or abroad, nothing has been more obvious to me than that. I just hope that while I’m here I can help lead someone closer to God.

‘Til next time………

Me and Abel

Random Pictures

One of the "Hills" Across from our Hotel

Jason Pulliam Giving an Eye Exam

A Look at the Plaza and a Church Way up on the Hill

A Full Waiting Room

A Young Child Anxiously Awaiting the Doctor

One of the Many Bible Studies



The Eyes Have It

       Another great day in Cusco, Peru. The medical clinic saw 350 patirents for a two day total of 717. Last year we saw only 900 in four days. Last year was the first, so we should be a little more smooth in year number two. Again, many more Bible studies were held and one lady is getting very close to baptism. So close they were running water in the baptistry. Maybe tomorrow.

       Today was different than yesterday in that about double the amount of patients wanted to see the Optometrist verses the Medical Doctors or Physical Therapist. Regardless, all of the professionals here a doing a remarkable job. Of course, some patients saw multiple professionals. At any rate, A LOT of people needed their eyes checked, hence today, the Eyes Have It.

       Theres no telling what tomorrow will bring, but I know a lot of Cuscanians will be shown compassion in many ways, and, many will study The Word of God. Some for the first time. I for one am looking forward to day three.

'Til next time........

One of the Original Temples of the Sun god

Me In Front of the Fountain in the Middle of the Plaza

Day One Complete

       Day one of the medical campaign is complete. Wow! This year on day one we saw 367 patients compared to last years day one of about 180+. I once again am serving in the reception area of the clinic. We receive the patients, assign them a number, fill out a medical questionaire and determine which medical specialist they need to see. An optometrist, a physical therapist or a medical doctor. From our station we send the patients to triage where all of their vital information is collected, then they will point them to the correct waiting area. After the patients are finished they go to optical to pick up their free glasses or to pharmacy to pick up their free meds. While people are waiting, they have an option of requesting a Bible study where we have three areas set up for that. And, many took advantage. Not only is the compassion of Christ being shown, seeds are being planted and we pray for the increase.

       I expect the next few days to be very similar. Tiring but extremely uplifting for me. No matter where I go and participate in a mission effort, Peru, Guyana or Tanzania or the USA, those who seek find. I am proud to be a part of many peoples spiritual growth, but what nobody realizes is my spiritual strength grows even stronger. I encourage anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to be part of a mission effort, to do so.

       After dinner, it's back to the hotel for bed. I won't have any trouble sleeping tonight.

'Til next time........

Me, Tracy and Darlene in the Reception Area

My Alpaca medalions and Quinoa, Excellent

A Debt we Owe

       I borrowed this idea from Phil Greer who led our devotion this afternoon. With over thirty individuals here to volunteer their time, really knowing this is something we must do, over 21 countries have been visited and presented the Gospel and shown the love of Christ. Just within this group of campaigners. That's pretty remarkable. The "Go into all the world" is a debt we owe, not just to the Lord but to every nation. This week we are hoping to show the love and compassion of Christ to the local Cuscanians who will come to seek medical care and hopefully spiritual care. I'm looking so forward to starting the clinic in the morning. We finished setting up and we are ready to go. It will be four long but very rewarding days ahead.
       We had a great meal this evening at the Inka Grill. I had the Alpaca tenderlion medallions served with Quinoa and vegetables. I am now stuffed and about to go to bed. Oh, and I did buy me a can of the Oxyshot concentrated Oxygen. I'm looking forward to giving it a try before drifting off. I'll report back on whther it helps with high altitude headaches etc.

"til next time.......


      

Ready for a Good Week

After a night of pretty good rest, I'm ready and fired up to start the week. We'll worship this morning then set up for the medical clinic. Interent is kinda sketchy so the post with pics last night didn't work. I will try again today. Just finished a huevos fritos and a cup cof coffee, one advil for my normal oxygen deficiency and off we go.

'Tilnext time.....

Safe and Sound!

        Well, we made it! All of us safe and sound. A little groggy, but we've all had a nap now and are gearing up for tonight. We are having a kick-off campaign banquet tonight featuring local food and local entertainment, hopefully I'll post some pics later tonight.
        I'm already feeling the effects of life with "minimal" oxygen. A small headache and a
 little dizzy, but, this year they have a new product in town called "Oxyshot". It is concentrated Oxygen in a bottle that you, for lack of a better word, "huff" when you need it to infuse your bloodstreamn with O2. I am looking forward to buying that and keep it with me at all times.
        I'll check in later with more info.....keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

'Til next time......

Cusco, Here we Come!

          Excited to be leaving today for Cusco! A little apprehensive about leaving the family, but I will be back soon. We start our journey today traveling from Birmingham to Miami, Miami to Lima, and arrive tomorrow morning in Cusco, Peru. After a day of rest and getting used to the almost 12,000 feet of altitude, we will worship on Sunday morning with the Iglesia de Cristo, congregacion ayllu. Then we'll have a mad dash to get the medical clinic set up and ready for early Monday morning and the almost 1000 patients that will be seen during the week. It's going to be non-stop, long days but it will seem like its over quickly and we're all back home.
          Please join me in praying for a safe, successful trip, that the love of Christ be shown to all, and that many seeds will be planted to bring people closer to Him.

'Til next time........

Gearing Up For Cusco!

         One week from this morning, Lord willing, I will be waking up from the first of eight nights in Cusco, Peru. I hope the headaches won't be too severe from the 11,500 feet of beautiful Andes Mountain air. Last year I fought headaches for the first three days in Cusco, this year I have a little something to combat that problem. Nevertheless, I am fired up and excited about going on another medical campaign mission effort.
         The missionary families in Cusco, all of the volunteers back home heading to Cusco and all of the supporting congregations that are sending the volunteers, are all finishing their preparations, packing and praying for a successful misssion trip. After going to Cusco last year at this time for the same reasons, I (we) should be ready and know what to expect and can hit the ground running. I am still a little anxious, but ready to serve in any way that I can.
         Throughout the trip, I will be updating this blog, with daily thoughts, pictures and experiences (as long as internet services hold up). Also, Jason Mckeown, one of the important volunteer doctors, and, member of my home congregation, will be blogging as well. He has an excellent post and you can follow it here: http://bevelup.wordpress.com/.
       We ask that everyone continue to pray for this effort, leading up to, during and after. That we arrive safe, successfully show the Love of Christ, and, return home safe to our families.

'Til next time.......