Mabaruma

Frederick Darrel

Wednesday, February 26, the World Evangelism & Media team flew from Ogle in metropolitan Georgetown to Mabaruma. That evening, brethren Frederick Darrell and Nigel Milo preached in a crusade or a Gospel meeting for the Church of Christ at Hosororo on a high hill above Mabaruma. The meetinghouse was full of members and their children.

Thursday, the team spoke to a gathering of several congregations in the church building at Hosororo. Nearly every bench was filled. Some brethren had traveled several miles by boat before finishing their trek by land. Brethren Frederick Darrell, Nigel Milo and I addressed brothers and sisters on the theme “If Not Now, When?” Martha spoke to the ladies.

Friday, the team flew back to Ogle. Martha and I did a little shopping in Georgetown as well as walked the ocean side of the seawall so my wife could collect some more sea glass. Leaving Georgetown, we paused at Hope Children’s Home, before continuing our journey to New Amsterdam, where we were to lodge once more in preparation for our final workshop of 2020 in Guyana, South America.

Enmore Church of Christ

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Our venue today for this year’s World Evangelism & Media Workshop was with the Enmore (Guyana, South America) Church of Christ; these brethren were gracious enough to host again in 2020. Many congregations were represented, some of which traveling far to be present. The auditorium was full. Martha Rushmore spoke to the sisters in Christ, while Frederick Darrel, Nigel Milo and I (Louis Rushmore) spoke to brothers and sisters or for one session to the men present.

A large contingent of members from the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ in Linden were present—three vans full. Burnham Drive and Blueberry Hill churches of Christ from Linden were represented, too.

I have difficulty understanding Guyanese Creole, but I presumed that since we’re all supposed to be speaking English, Guyanese brethren could understand me better than I understand them when they converse with each other. Today, a sister in Christ informed me that this is the first year over the years I have been going to Guyana that she understood my English. She wasn’t sure whether I was speaking more clearly or if she had become accustomed to my speech.

It appears that all in attendance were please to be there and were edified. I know I was happy to be present, and I was edified also. After a long day, traveling to the venue, returning to Linden and approximately six hours of program, we were all tired. A stop at the mall along the way home was a welcome interlude.

Women’s Inspiration Day

Saturday, February 22, 2020

Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ

Congratulations to the ladies of the Amelia’s Ward congregation for a very special ladies’ inspiration day. Glory be to God for all the hard work that was done leading up to this day. There were around 340 ladies and young ladies at this event. Some of the ladies came a day early and stayed a day longer because they were from the Essequibo coast. They had to catch a boat to get back across the 20-mile-wide river.

The ladies of at Amelia’s Ward go all out for their women’s inspiration day. This year, the colors were blue and silver. All decorations were blue and silver. Most of the ladies and young ladies wore blue or white dresses with blue on them. Most of their shoes were sparkly silver or gold. They were all well-coordinated and looked very beautiful. Great job ladies.

There was congregational singing, solos, poems, skits, Bible games and three speakers. They all did a great job. My favorite talk was about “Let It Go.” They talked about letting things go from our past and moving forward. The young ladies did a skit of letting anger, lies, worry, betrayal, denial and doubt go. It was very to the point. Of course, these things are easier said to do than it is for us to do them. We need God’s help!

We had a snack, a nice lunch and then a small Jell-O salad for a second snack. These ladies and men did a lot of preparation for this great day of fellowship and worship to our God in Heaven.

The Amelia’s Ward ladies have a women’s inspiration day every other year. They have a lot of expense, and they pay for most of it out of their own pockets. They do this with loving and cheerful hearts. I also found out today that we have sisters in the USA that were a part of this body of the Lord’s church who send them items to use for gifts. What wonderful ladies! ~ Martha Rushmore

Paramakatoi Children’s Class

Wednesday, February 19 was a big day for the village of Paramakatoi. The first lady of Guyana was to visit. She was campaigning for her husband to be reelected for president. She was also dedicating the new water system for this jungle mountain community. There was preparation made for her coming all week and maybe the week before. There were hammers and saws going all day and evening long. Bleachers, stands for concessions and a large platform for the first lady and other government officials were built. There was a stand for the band and the emcee to play music until 2:00 a.m. for three days and nights.

On the same day, I had a very big surprise. About 200 or so elementary school children and their teachers came to the church building to entertain us. They were supposed to quote memory verses and sing for us; they program was supposed to take about 15 minutes. Well, I guess things got a little mixed up. Great for me! Louis came to me about 5-minutes before things were to start and asked me if I could teach the children a lesson. Sure, I can. He asked me how long my lesson would last. I said about 30 minutes.

This is how things proceeded. Brother Nigel led the children in two songs; Louis said a prayer, and then it was my turn. All the men left and had their own class on the porch of a neighboring shop. I introduced myself to the class and started the lesson. One of the men came in and told me about the memory verses. So, I had the children volunteer to say their memory verses. They did a great job!

I started my lesson on “Hear No Evil, See No Evil and Speak No Evil.” I had three children come up and help me. I told them that they were monkey helpers because the hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil were monkeys. (I have two sets at our home in Florida. One set has monkeys and the other has frogs.) They covered the ears, eyes and mouths. Then the whole class did the same thing. I tried to involve them all. Some got restless, but for the most part, the children did well.

Teaching the children has been the highlight of our work in Guyana so far this year. Another children’s class was in Monkey Mountain last year. When I finished, I had about 30 from age 1 to about age 11. I love the children here in Guyana. They want and give attention to Louis and me—maybe because we are white. They are all so loveable. ~ Martha Rushmore

Camping in the Mountains of Guyana, South America

Always before when our team went to Paramakatoi, we were able to lodge in the Amerindian guesthouse there, and over the years, its amenities have been upgraded. This time, however, government officials, who had come for the dedication of a water system, trumped our plan to reside in the guesthouse once more. Consequently, we camped in the classroom of the church building. Martha and I occupied one tent, while brother Nigel Milo slept in a pup tent. Brother Frederick Darrel slumbered nightly in a hammock. On the plus side, we didn’t have to walk to the meetinghouse—since we were already in it! The downside, though, was bucket and cup bathing in the shed for the ATV and using an outhouse.

We flew into Paramakatoi on a small twin-prop plane, and after five days flew out on a larger single-prop airplane. The flight to Paramakatoi in the mountains from Ogle on the coast was direct, but the return trip made stops at Monkey Mountain (a gravel airstrip) and Mahdia.

Martha and I were certainly out of our comfort zone, and our arthritis distinctly worked against us. I also battle low blood pressure.

The mountain village of Paramakatoi is the only place to which we go in Guyana where we get cold. Sweat clothes for sleeping at night and jackets at least in the morning are a must. We even bought a couple of blankets while there—extremely thin but unexpectedly almost too warm.

All four of us taught while visiting the Paramakatoi Church of Christ. Frederick Darrel, Nigel Milo and I took turns day and night, and Martha taught a couple hundred children and their teachers who graced us with their presence one morning.

A few excitements occurred during our time in Paramakatoi. Guyana’s First Lady officially commissioned a new solar-powered water system. Since it is nearly election time, her husband’s political party and the opposing political party were well represented in the crowded soccer field. Venders sold their wares and the music loudly blasted the village until 2 a.m. daily. The whole affair resembled a small county fair. There were more aircraft coming and going in one day than would usually arrive and depart over several months.

Near the conclusion of our time in Paramakatoi, we presented to attendees new Bibles. On our way out of Paramakatoi, we were able to give a preacher and his wife a ride to Monkey Mountain—saving them an 8-hour hike up and down serious hills; the plane was already going that way, so we quickly added them to our passenger manifest.

We believe that we edified brethren from the two congregations which assembled for our workshop. In addition, we encouraged them and commended them as well for their continued evangelistic outreach into distant villages. This little church, which hosted our program, in the edge and on the fringe of an otherwise busy world is self-supporting. Through their own initiative and ambition the congregation launched out with the Gospel comparable to the commendable achievements with the Gospel of the church at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:8). This little family of God meets three days a week for worship and devotionals to praise God and fortify itself.

Martha and I fawn over the little ones. Little girls especially are drawn to Martha, and I enjoy playing with the children, too.

It was a hard outing for us, and we exhausted all the clothes we brought to Guyana. We were delighted to shower and rest in a bed once more. I hadn’t shaved for a week!

Richmond over the Essequibo

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Saturday, February 15 found the World Evangelism & Media Team conducting a workshop in the meetinghouse of the Richmond Church of Christ across the Essequibo River in Guyana, South America. Several congregations were represented, and we also had visitors from the Flatwoods Church of Christ in Kentucky, USA. Members of one of the local congregations attending traveled 65 miles by boat before continuing their journey on land so they could be a part of the workshop. The church building overflowed into the outside front of the structure. We trust that we glorified God and contributed to the edification of all who were present. We know that we were encouraged and built up.

The night before, we lodged in a hotel in Parika. Unfortunately, Martha took another tumble (her 9^th major fall since we married three years ago). Besides hurting generally and literally from head to toe, she sustained a nasty abrasion on her upper thigh. Few of us got much sleep that night, what little night there was before 3:30 a.m. when we arose and made ready for our departure in the still dark of night.

Beyond appreciating anymore the fast, uncomfortable body-beating water taxis, we traveled as pedestrian passengers aboard a car ferry to make the 20-mile crossing of the Essequibo River to Supernaam. Then, we took a taxi to Richmond, some 30 minutes or so beyond the river port.

This side of the biggest river among big rivers in Guyana, brethren always heartily support our get-togethers for fellowship and study of God’s Word. Many talented, longtime preachers, their families and additional members grace us with their presence each year. Lord willing, we look forward to mingling with these saints next year, too.

February Edition of Gospel Gazette Online

The February edition of Gospel Gazette Online is now ready for your use. We’re happy today to publish it from South America in collaboration with brethren in North America and throughout the world. Martha and I are in Guyana, South America, traveling about the country to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. Go directly to this month’s magazine issue at:

https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2020/feb/page1.html

Cotton Tree

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Today, our World Evangelism & Media Team presented our program at a congregation in Cotton Tree, Guyana, South America. This year, our team consists of brethren Frederick Darrel (Kitty Church of Christ in Georgetown) and Nigel Milo (Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ in Linden) as well as my wife Martha and me. Six presentations were made between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. by we three men, with time out for breaks and lunch.

The theme for our traveling workshop in 2020 is, “If Not Now, When?” Summarized, we discussed the appointment of elders and deacons, self and congregational edification, examination of evangelistic methods, using radio and television for evangelism, congregational financial independence, and congregational evangelism. Several churches were represented and will be able to take the material presented back to their members. Tomorrow is a travel day.

2020 Guyana Workshops

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Each year for several years, I have been traveling to Guyana, South America once or twice a year to conduct workshops and Gospel meetings across this nation. Guyanese preachers and I together major in edification of our brethren (1 Corinthians 3:6) and minor in evangelism (Mark 16:15-16). Edification is crucial for personal, congregational and brotherhood maturity among foreign nationals for them to participate in a meaningful way in growing the Lord’s church internally and externally among them. In earlier years, my late wife Bonnie accompanied me here and taught ladies and children. Since 2017, my wife Martha and I continue to labor in this ministry together and alongside Guyanese preachers.

The workshop theme this year is, “If Not Now, When?” The corresponding topics address laying the groundwork for and progressing toward the appointment of elders and deacons in the churches throughout the country, encouraging brethren to assume congregational responsibility for their finances, preparing more fully to rely primarily on themselves for their own edification, and analyzing and implementing methods for the churches of Christ throughout Guyana to accept a greater role in evangelizing their own country. Happily, many congregations are already actively working towards these goals, and so far, the lessons have been well received.

Out time here is from January 31 through March 2. We have completed programs in Lethem near the Brazilian border and in Port Kaituma near the border with Venezuela. At the latter location, we had two venues—one in the town and one along the bank of a canal to the Kaituma River. Tomorrow, we leave our base in Linden for two more workshops, like the sites two which we’ve already traveled, distant from each other and in opposite directions.

Wednesday and Thursday, we will lodge in New Amsterdam; Thursday we have a workshop hosted by the Cotton Tree Church of Christ. Friday night, we will lodge at the other end of the coast in Parika. Saturday, we have a workshop scheduled for Richmond across the 20-mile-wide Essequibo River; that evening, we will make the several hours’ drive back to Linden.

In the weeks ahead if our Lord permits, we will have programs near Georgetown the capital, Paramakatoi in the mountains near Brazil, outside Mabaruma near Venezuela and Kildonan once more in the southern coastal area.

This year we minimized the amount of clothes and foodstuffs and maximized the number of Bibles, books and tracts in our luggage. This year, too, I’m taking fewer pictures than in prior years (as well as in the Asian countries to which I go); it’s a matter of been there—saw that before. The more I come here or go to be with brethren in Asia, it is like going home, not to say that I don’t appreciate our home in America. Martha and I solicit your prayers and encourage your participation with us.

We are most fortunate to be coworkers with brother Nigel Milo, his wife Jasmine and son Zab. This year, my additional Guyanese co-speaker is brother Frederick Darrel, preacher for the Kitty Church of Christ in Georgetown. Together, we aim to glorify God, edify brethren and reach lost sous with the Gospel of Christ.