Monday's Campaign, Off to a Great Start

The first full day of the campaign each year is always interesting. We're not sure where our door knocking will start, and what kind of studies we will have, or, how interested the people we visit will be to study God's word. We can be a little apprehensive on this first day, but it always turns out to be a great day. In total, we conducted 18 bible studies with 15 different people. We all have more lessons set up with people tomorrow, and look for that to continue for the rest of the week. 

While we are out door knocking and studying with people, we are also inviting them to nightly classes that we are hosting at the Burnham Drive Church of Christ building, each evening from Monday through Friday.  We have classes available from toddler through 5, 6 to 9, 10 to 12, teens and then the adults. All of the mission team participate in these classes in one form or another. We start out at 6:30 PM, sing for 45 minutes and then hold our classes until 8:00 PM or so. It is always a great night of worship and Bible study.

Usually, the first night we draw about 80 persons, and grow from there each night having doubled that by the time we are finished on Friday. There is no reason to expect any different result this year, as it has been fairly consistent the last 5 years that I have been participating in this great effort. Tonight, we had 111 people in attendance. By Friday, I won't be surprised if we top 200. 

Please pray we have continued success as we sow the seeds of God's word the rest of this week. Tomorrow I plan to post more pictures of our studies, and classes that we are teaching. And I look forward to an awesome week here in Linden, Guyana.

'til next time.......

Guest Blogger, Wes Blankenship

The following is a great collection of thoughts from our first day in Guyana, written by Wes Blankenship.

Shout to The Lord

When you think about it, it's kinda funny how the human mind works. It seem seems like it's so selective on what information it retains and discards.

There are moments every week that we have to stop and try to remember what we went into the kitchen for. Or, as soon as you see your garage door closing, you remember you forgot something on the table (or, in my personal case, you drive one block away and forget if you even closed the garage door at all.)

At the same time, sometimes it seems as if it's impossible to forget some things. The times when you said or did something really foolish, or the questionable fashion choices that you made 20 years ago. Why can't we forget those things?!

When I think back on my mission trips, one thing sticks out: the memories of the annoyances of the long travel days are quickly replaced by the joys experienced once you arrive. On Saturday, we traveled for nearly 20 straight hours. After worshipping with the brethren here in Linden on Sunday morning, those 20 hours in travel really didn't seem that bad after all.

At home, I fall into the routine of going to church every time the doors are open, but sometimes forgetting the whole point of going to the church building is to worship. I go to church, but sometimes I don't worship.

The church here gets it. The singing, the prayers, the dedication to Bible study, and the emphasis on Bible classes for little ones are just on a whole different level than what I sometimes give on a typical Sunday morning. I keep a portion of my attention and focus on myself, while giving some to God for a few hours. When this church here meets, it seems as if they focus completely on God.

We came to Guyana to teach, but I was the one learning this morning. Christianity is about worshipping God with all of our hearts, minds, and soul. Sometimes I get so focused on worshipping in truth that I neglect to worship in spirit, but this morning reminded me of the importance of both. If there is one part of Guyana that I bring back with me, I want to make sure it's the spirit of worship that they use here.

Please continue to pray for the Hoover team and the church here in Linden. We'll see all of you soon!

Joel, Che', Wes, Mary, Sean, Pam and Will about to attend morning worship services

Joel bringing the message!

Sean, sharing God's word during service

On The First Day of the Week

Our first day, as usual here in Guyana, was filled with a good supply of worship, food, naps and more worship. It has been great seeing old faces, and meeting new ones at the Burnham Drive, and Amelia's Ward congregations. Right now, most everyone is preparing for their upcoming lessons that they will teach this week, while a couple of us are attempting to reflect on this great Lord's day. Tomorrow we will door knock and conduct one on one bible studies with people throughout the Burnahm Drive community. Then tomorrow night we will begin evening classes for all ages, and continuing for the rest of the week. The following are a few pictures of our day today:

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

Glenn Till bringing the message of how when we were justified by Christ, it was Just, if, I'd, never sinned. Great message!

Workers still working on the roof, of the future Amelia's Ward church building, late into the evening.

We Made It!!

Well after a long day of travel, I am glad to report that we all made it safely to Linden, Guyana. It is 12:20 AM local time, and everyone is readying for bed. I plan on blogging each day and sharing news and photos of our work this week. I will probably have a couple of guest bloggers as well. We pray everyone back home is safe and sound, and we ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this week sowing the seed of the Gospel.

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