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.......