Lima Sands

Friday February 24, throughout the day, I worked relentlessly on The Voice of Truth International, volume 92. Though I much prefer working with the alphabet over working with numbers, immersed in proofing and layout all day non-stop, nevertheless, leads to extreme dreariness. It was a relief of sorts that evening when Nigel Milo, Martha and I boarded the Toyota and headed toward our next World Evangelism Nationwide Guyana Workshop. At Georgetown, we took a left to cross the Demerara Harbour Bridge. Guyanese know what rivers are, and the Demerara is a good specimen of a real “river”—one and a quarter miles wide. The bridge spanning the Demerara River is a floating (i.e., anchored on barges) toll bridge with a peaked portion to permit small watercraft to cross beneath it and an additional retractable section to grant passage to larger river traffic (e.g., freighters).

On the other side and not far from crossing the river, we proceeded to lodge at a “resort hotel” in preparation for continuation in the early morning (just a few hours later) onward toward Lima Sands, Guyana on the other side of mammoth Essequibo River—20 miles wide at its mouth!

Friday night was a restless one for Martha and me as we made use of the modest accommodations (hot water not included). Noisy roomers adjacent our quarters and light leaks over the wall between the two rooms, from the hallway and above the curtains only contributed to our anxiousness as we awaited our 3:30 a.m. alarm to rouse us in anticipation of our 4 a.m. departure.

Saturday, Brother Nigel drove the remaining 30 minutes or so to Parika, a river port on the eastern bank of the Essequibo River. By 5:10 a.m., we were aboard a car ferry as pedestrians and on our way for the approximately one hour transit across the big river, weaving through a sprinkling of islands. After disembarking and selecting a taxi, we headed over an hour away to Lima Sands, reachable for the last many minutes with extreme care over a muddy, rutty, gouged and grooved sand road.

Doubtless, daily rains hampered travel for all attendees. Eventually, the little church building literally overflowed with Christian brothers and sisters. People were seated on the porch and in the yard, too! Attendance by several congregations swelled the attendance to over 100.

Nigel, Martha and I presented lessons; Martha spoke to the ladies for the last hour. The program was punctuated with a lunch and snacks also. Brethren appreciated the program and look forward to repeating it next year, Lord willing, at a sister church in the area.

Making a few stops along the way, we retraced our path back to Linden. We arrived, completely exhausted, about 8:30 p.m.

Sunday back in Linden, we worshipped once more with the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ. Again, I taught the morning Bible class in the auditorium, and then, I preached during the evening worship assembly.

Saturday we completed 14 of the 16 scheduled programs at the various venues. Two more sites this week will complete the nationwide workshop for 2017. However, there remain some locations on which we are waiting to hear back about even more seminars before Martha and I return to the USA on March 9.

There is no better “tired” than being tired for the Lord and in His service. Personally, I’m planning on resting when I’m dead!

Wednesday & Thursday Seminars

Wednesday, February 22 Martha Lynn and I didn’t leave the Nigel and Jasmine Milo domicile until 5 p.m. Dutifully throughout the day, I worked at proofing and finishing the layout for Volume 92 of The Voice of Truth International. Volume 90 was distributed not long ago, and Volume 91 is at the printers presently; recently, we switched print production from Hong Kong, China to India.

At the last moment and even a little beyond the appointed time, Martha and I sauntered from the Milo residence to the lot away to the meetinghouse for the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ. The Annual World Evangelism Nationwide Guyana Workshop began about half an hour after the scheduled hour—right on time! Brother Nigel and I each spoke to the assembly in the auditorium, and then he and I took turns speaking to the men, while Martha addressed the ladies. The ladies in attendance, per usual, outnumbered the men. As often is the case, seminar attendees were treated to a meal by the hosting congregation.

Thursday, we three moved the seminar to the Georgetown, Guyana, South America venue of the Enmore Church of Christ and Hope Children’s Home. Rain, rain, rain! Upon arrival in the capital city, we drove through seriously flooded streets. When we arrived at the facilities of the Enmore congregation and children’s home, we met a cleanup crew of adults and children as they rid the building of flood waters. An hour or so behind time to begin, but understandably so, once more, we three spoke in the traveling seminars.

Afterward and taking advantage of a reprieve from the showers, we crossed over the seawall protecting Georgetown from the Atlantic Ocean. We walked a sandy beach strewn with water washed glass, shells and Hindu diyas (floating votives). Martha headed straight to the water, holding her skirt hem and wading ankle deep in the beige water.

By the time we made a couple of stops and traveled back to Linden, I was worn out and the day was spent. Tomorrow, we will resume office duties, and I will work on The Voice of Truth International and Gospel Gazette Online. Our next workshop venue will be across the Essequibo River—requiring a very early morning departure if we wait until Saturday and expend the entire day before returning to Linden. Martha and I are still “honeymooning” in Guyana, so to speak—having the time of our lives in service of our Lord. May God be glorified and our fellows be edified!

Martha, Martha

Monday, February 21, we set out for the Williamsburg Church of Christ in Rose Hall, Guyana, South America. It was about a 4-hour drive with a few stops along the way, one of which was the new grocery store near Georgetown. It was a one-stop-shop for me. Of course, just about every time the car stops, I need to use the facilities. We also picked up a few groceries including our necessary drink of Coke. We prefer diet coke, but it is hard to find in Guyana. We settled for Coke Zero.

We passed through many little villages on our journey to Rose Hall. Some of the names are Garden of Eden, Now or Never, Rebecca’s Lust and Number 4. At another time, we traveled through Paradise, Land of Canaan and Chester. These are some interesting names of places to me.

Upon our arrival, we met some of the brothers and sisters. One young sister is very special to me as we are both named Martha. She is about 16 years of age and is a very beautiful young lady. I pray as she matures, Martha will always stay faithful to our Lord and Savior.

The theme for these workshops is Emulating Jesus. The service was about two hours, with brother Nigel and Louis each teaching one lesson for about 30 minutes to all who were present. Then, we separated the ladies from the men. The men went upstairs to do their lesson while we ladies stayed in the auditorium.

At that time, I got to do one of my favorite things; I had the privilege of teaching the ladies. It is so inspiring to watch their faces when I am speaking. I can see how they are craving the Gospel. These classes seem to go by so fast. These workshops were set up to build up the brothers and sisters in Guyana, but I feel so rewarded.

My aim in teaching is to first glorify God. Secondly, my hope is to edify my sisters in Christ. I do believe I am building them up, but they are uplifting me so much more.

Rose Hall

Monday, February 20 was another day that the Lord has made, and Martha Lynn and I tried to use it wisely and effectively. Finally, I was able to complete and publish the January 2017 edition of Gospel Gazette Online to the Internet. (Tuesday, I made corrections to it that my daughter Rebecca came across as she proofed it.) Martha and I set up our mobile office on the Milo dining room table and did not accompany brother Nigel and sister Jasmine along with other church members as they went out into the community with the Word of God—as they do Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. We stayed behind to try to catch up on some of our office duties, which were hindered somewhat by our forays to all 10 regions (states) of Guyana over the past four weeks. (Two weeks remain for our efforts this year in Guyana.)

After lunch, brother Nigel, Martha and I set out on a 4-hour road trip to the community of Rose Hall, Guyana, South America. Brethren from several congregations of the Lord’s church assembled in the meetinghouse of the Williamsburg Church of Christ. The building sits on the main road, unlike most of the sites where Christians assemble in the venues to which we have gone lately; sometimes in some places, especially in the interior of the country, there is no road at all!

Nigel and I spoke one lesson each to the combined group of attendees before splitting into classes for men and women, whereupon I taught the men and Martha taught the women. This was one of those occasions in which far more sisters in Christ had come versus the number of men present. The same was true formerly from time to time when Bonnie and I traveled to various places in several countries. I’m pleased that God is served and glorified while brethren are edified, even if my wife headlines and I happen to be the opening act, to borrow terminology from the so-called entertainment industry. To God be the glory!

By the way, Martha happened on another, younger version of Martha. I snapped a picture of the two of them together. Especially Martha makes friends everywhere she goes; she is more outgoing than I am or Bonnie was. That’s a good thing. Truly, brethren we have not met are only Christian friends to whom we have not been introduced yet.

To and from Rose Hall, and other excursions elsewhere on other days, we traveled through some curiously named villages. We drove through the Land of Canaan, the Garden of Eden, Now or Never, Rebecca’s Lust and so forth. Recently, we met a brother from the village of Free and Easy. I wonder how those hamlets derived their names!

Canal #2

Friday evening, February 17, Martha Lynn and I were guests of the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ “Marriage Class.” Brother Nigel imagined that since between us Martha and I have 90 years of marriage (Martha, 48 years to Bob; Louis, 42 years to Bonnie) that we could offer some useful advice and tips for better marriages. We rambled on a little bit, and perhaps we provided some useful information.

Saturday, brother Milo drove Martha and me to the meetinghouse of the Claybrick Road Church of Christ in Canal #2. Several brethren from a number of congregations gathered for a morning through midafternoon program—the annual World Evangelism Guyana Workshops. We three delivered about eight lessons in total. Everyone seemed to enjoy the biblical lectures, fellowship and eating together. Both we and they look forward to next year.

We are holding up fairly well, and we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves as we crisscross the country encouraging and edifying our Christian brethren throughout Guyana. We have a few sessions of our mobile workshop to go yet before we conclude the 16-venue program. Thank you for your interest in our travels and labors for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mabaruma Church of Christ

Thursday, February 16, we conducted our World Evangelism Guyana Workshop on Mabaruma Hill with the Mabaruma Church of Christ. The program ran from about 9:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m., and then, we returned to the church house for a special program with the youth from 4:30 p.m. through 6:30 p.m. Throughout the day and evening sessions, Nigel and I taught combined classes of men and women, while during split periods, brother Milo and I took turns teaching the men and Martha taught the ladies. Brethren from several area congregations were present. Friday, we will return by air to Ogle from where we began this segment of our foray into Guyana several days ago.

A few workshop venues remain, but the most challenging trips are now concluded. Overnight trips are now complete. At least one more quest will be challenging when we cross to the far side of the Essequibo River, but that is still a day trip. May any good we have accomplished and whatever edification we may have provided for our Christian brethren be all to the glory of God.

Kaituma Mouth

Still in Region 1, Wednesday, February 15, Nigel Milo, Kishore Etwaroo, Martha Lynn and I parted from Port Kaituma aboard a small wooden speedboat on the Kaituma River. Just getting to dockside despite being in a Toyota car is a journey all itself, with all of the bouncing, dipping, side-to-side jerking about traversing what passes for roadways. One would think it impossible to drive in one side and out the other side of moon-crater sized, muddy water and sludge filled pits. That was a modest description of the “good roads”; only military-grade trucks with tires half a story high and suspension slung as high as men dare tackle the “other village streets.”

A few miles out of town, the boat operator had us transfer to another, faster wooden watercraft, which he had ready at his riverbank home and business. As we got under way, the speed was such that the wind made it impossible for many minutes to even open our eyes—until we were able to satisfactorily adjust ourselves to the blast of air that even wrapped around our eyeglasses and pummeled our eyes.

Nearly two hours later and some 80 or so miles upriver, we were approaching our venue for the afternoon when the bottom fell out of the sky. Fortunately, we had encased our backpacks in big, black garbage bags at the outset to protect them and their contents from potential downpours. We, however, were drenched, even though we attempted to shield ourselves with our ponchos as the boat sped across the waterway.

Yet raining, we approached our midafternoon destination of Kaituma Mouth, a riverside settlement of 465 sprinkled in the rainforest there. Since the tide was out, which dramatically affects even rivers connected to the ocean, several feet of mud, also several feet deep, hindered us from reaching shore conveniently. Brother Kishore “went for a walk,” thigh high in mud to fetch a flat-bottomed skiff to transfer us from the river to the “wharf” via another open boat through which we walked. We walked across the boats to bridge the gap between the river and the shoreline.

After a primitive break at the edge of the village, we were delighted to find an assembly of approximately 50 souls in the meetinghouse of the Kaituma Mouth Church of Christ. About 11% of the village population came together—a figure much better than usually one finds of church members in ratio to a local populace.

Nigel and I each taught a couple of lessons, and Martha taught two lessons. Brethren were thankful for our presence and requested that we return again next year and spend more hours with them, during which we could present even more teaching from God’s Word.

The fifth boat in which we were for the day carried us the remaining 14 miles to Mabaruma. Altogether, we traveled 90 miles or so between Port Kaituma and Mabaruma. We went up one big river and turned left at the next big river. Lacking a suitable infrastructure of highways in Guyana, travelers must resort to small aircraft and watercraft on the numerous waterways.

Upon our arrival in Mabaruma, we bedded down in the Broome Hotel, where we would spend two nights. The following day, we would begin our next seminar with the Mabaruma Church of Christ. Martha and I both experienced firsts for us on this segment of our trek through the interior of Guyana. She achieved more firsts than did I, and Martha has shown herself to be more than capable and willing to go where we need to go and do what we have to do to serve our Lord in this segment of the vineyard. That “city girl” has gone “country”—or one might even say she’s my “jungle girl.”

Region 1

Monday, February 13 came early at 2:30 a.m. in Linden, Guyana, South America for Martha Lynn and me. We hadn’t been in bed probably more than two and a half hours. To say we were less than rested would be a huge understatement.

Ambling down the outside stairs from the Milo living quarters, brother Nigel and we, along with a backpack apiece, settled into his Toyota car for the hour and a half ride to the Ogle airport. However, as it turned out, we arrived about an hour ahead of time to check in, and so we slept in the car to a little past check-in time. Checked in, we deposited ourselves in the “departure lounge,” awaiting our flight in a Cessna Caravan to Port Kaituma. It was at that town’s airstrip and outside of the village that several years ago the Jonestown episode unfolded with the suicide-murder of several hundred misguided religionists.

All three of us snoozed on the 50-minute flight from Ogle to Port Kaituma as the aircraft first climbed into the sky over the Atlantic Ocean before traveling northward along the Guyanese coastline. Then, it turned inland and flew over jungles and forested hills.

Nothing I could say to forewarn Martha could prepare her for what we found upon our arrival. Upon departing from the “airport,” after we registered with the local officials, a local taxied us to our lodging through muddy, boggy craters that passed for the arteries through the community of Port Kaituma. There may be worse roads on planet earth somewhere, but I haven’t found them as yet—and I don’t want to experience such!

As it was last year when I came to Guyana alone, this year we took a room at a small and humble establishment dubbed “The Ranch.” The motto on the sign there says, “Stay & Play.” Certainly, the accommodations and amenities were adequate for our purposes, but don’t anyone be misled by the company motto to imagine that we bedded down in some lush resort. The electric to the community was off, and so there were neither lights to mitigate the darkness were we to shut the door (blacked out window) as we fumbled our way to the toilet nor fan to dull the warmth of the day or stir the air. When the electric did come on is when we found that of the three light sockets in the room, only one had a working bulb in it. We literally borrowed a light bulb from the home of our host Kishore Etwaroo, and we procured a second pillow and a second towel.

Late afternoon and early evening we three along with other brethren assembled at the Estate Church of Christ in Port Kaituma. Martha taught the ladies for two hours, and brother Nigel and I each taught the men an hour apiece. I was so tired that while brother Milo was speaking, I nearly fell off of my plank bench to crash into the seat ahead of me on my way to the rough, concrete floor.

Tuesday morning, after breakfast at the Etwaroo home (we enjoyed their hospitable meals the two days in Port Kaituma), we took a taxi to the port to board the “church bus”—a large boat, since the day’s destination is only accessible from the river. From 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., we three travelers taught classes in the meetinghouse and on the grounds of the Turu Mission Church of Christ. Several congregations were represented, each bringing boatloads of brothers and sisters in Christ from as far away as 22 miles. Attendance was in the neighborhood of 75. It was a full day of fellowship and edification via prayers, singing and biblical lessons. Brethren made a point of thanking us for it all, as well as for The Voice of Truth International and additional literature made available to all of the churches of Christ in Guyana from our World Evangelism base in Winona, Mississippi. Nearly 2,000 pounds of literature awaits my return to the States to haul to a shipping agent in Nashville, Tennessee.

Nigel, Martha and I have a sense of gratification for how these two days in Port Kaituma progressed. We made a concerted effort therein and thereby to glorify God and edify our fellow man. Praise God and may His name only be blessed. Brethren, please continue to pray for us in harness for our Lord Jesus Christ. Tomorrow, we travel by boats up two large rivers as we snake our way through the jungle to our next venue, pausing for a 2-hour seminar along the way. Wednesday night we expect to lodge in Mabaruma, Guyana.

Lord’s Day in Linden

January 2, 2017 with kids & grandkids at Chuck E. Cheese

Sunday, February 12, 2017, Martha Lynn and I worshipped once more with the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ in Linden, Guyana, South America. Again today, morning Bible class and worship continued from 8:30 a.m. through almost 12:30 p.m.—four hours! Then, the faithful or diehards returned for evening worship at 6:00 p.m. This morning for Bible class, I taught, “Come Meet Jesus Christ as Pre-Incarnate God”; tonight I preached, “Come Meet Jesus Christ as Messiah and King.” I was able to use PowerPoint presentations both times, though I wondered if I was going to need to resort to “Plan B” since shortly before class time the electric went off, but it came back on in a few minutes. I always have plans “A” through “D” to try to compensate for unintended circumstances.

Additional congregational activities for the upcoming week include visitation in the community three hours or so Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Ladies’ Bible class meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Wednesday evening, “Prayer Meeting” is at 5:30 p.m., followed by Bible class at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at 8:00 p.m., married couples and others interested in marriage meet; this week, Martha and I are to be the principles, and in class discussion we are expected to share advice, counsel and tips that we have learned from the combined 90 years of marriage (48 for Martha married to Bob and 42 for me married to Bonnie). Not to overlook the present, we are expected to speak to the nearly two months that we have been married to each other as well.

This is likely to be a busy, tiring and challenging week since Monday through Saturday we are scheduled to present seminars at five different venues across a wide expanse of Guyana. Tomorrow at 3:30 a.m., we are to leave by car for the Ogle airport for a flight in a little plane to Port Kaituma—the vicinity of the Jonestown Massacre of some decades ago. During late afternoon and early evening, we will speak at one congregational location in Port Kaituma. Tuesday, we are to travel by boat to another area church of Christ. Wednesday, Nigel, Martha and I are to travel three hours or so by boat up two large rivers to Mabaruma; along the way, we will teach in another seminar at a river village. Thursday, we will have a seminar program in Mabaruma. Friday, we fly back to Ogle. Saturday, we cross the Demerara River at Georgetown to present another seminar along a canal.

Though it is not Valentine’s Day just yet, Martha and I exchanged Valentine’s Day Cards today; we agreed that the timing and logistics were better today than hauling the cards with us by car, plane and boat for giving them to each other on February 14. All I can say is, “What a honeymoon!” Whew! We’re not even half way through our 6-week stint yet. We covet the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Bath Settlement Church of Christ

Saturday, February 11, 2017, the Bath Settlement Church of Christ hosted our next seminar in the late afternoon and the early evening. All five of the churches of Christ in that region participated and were represented at this workshop.

Martha Lynn Rushmore taught ladies’ classes for two hours while brother Nigel Milo and I taught men’s classes for an hour each. In addition, Nigel and I each spoke for an hour to the combined assembly of brothers and sisters. We all enjoyed singing hymns together, we prayed together and we were pleased with general fellowship and refreshments. The three of us presenters and the auditors, too, were all edified and encouraged.

Afterward, brother Milo chauffeured us back the three hours or so to Linden, his home and our base of operations for our annual seminars across all 10 regions of Guyana, South America. What a way—and I can imagine no better way—for Martha and me to spend our honeymoon!