To Monkey Mountain and Back

Martha and I returned Friday evening to Linden, Guyana, South America after spending Monday through Friday in the Amerindian village at Monkey Mountain. We conducted a workshop for two congregations Tuesday through Thursday. Speaking also on the program were Guyanese preachers Nigel Milo and Mohamed Ally. Saturday, we had a workshop with the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ in Linden. The program ran from 9 a.m. past 3 p.m. This was our largest audience yet, and many congregations were represented. Tomorrow, we’ll worship once more with the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ, where brother Milo preaches. Please remember us in your prayers.

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.

Expedited Course for Church Leaders & Workers

Recently, Martha and I traveled once more this year to Guyana, South America—this time for two weeks. Whereas earlier this year we conducted a workshop for six weeks in all 10 regions of that nation for all interested brethren, on this occasion I taught seminars in eight regions—a World Evangelism Expedited Course—for church leaders and workers. The subject for 2017 was “Bible Geography & Sacred History.” A goodly number of brothers and sisters in Christ participated. The following bulleted points summarize the event as it unfolded.

• Saturday, September 2, 2017: Travel Day
• Sunday, September 3, 2017—Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ
• Monday, September 4, 2017—Tuschen Church of Christ
• Wednesday, September 6, 2017—Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ
• Thursday, September 7, 2017—Industry Church of Christ
• Saturday, September 9, 2017—Richmond Church of Christ
• Sunday, September 10, 2017—Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ:
• Monday, September 11, 2017—Asylum Street Church of Christ (New Amsterdam)
• Tuesday, September 12, 2017—Bath Settlement Church of Christ
• Wednesday, September 13, 2017: Travel Day
• Thursday, September 14, 2017—Culvert City Church of Christ (Lethem)
• Friday, September 15, 2017: Travel Day
• Saturday, September 16, 2017: Return to the USA

I worked on Gospel Gazette Online and the Voice of Truth International magazines between travel and speaking appointments. Sometimes I seem to get more done on some projects while out of the office rather than in the Winona, Mississippi office.

Aside from the uplifting and gratifying program, there were some minor abrasions obtained along the way. Martha was the primary recipient of the injuries, a slight scrap of her arm once in a boat taxi as well as at another time smacking a board with her head. She appears happier in the picture than she was about hurting herself. Fortunately for me, there was a whole room full of witnesses that I did not hit my wife. She seated herself behind a board across two pew packs for a makeshift table to hold the projector. When she leaned down to pick up something from the floor, the corner of the board struck her right between the eyes. The car in which we were riding experienced some abrasions and minor injuries in transit, too.

Upon landing in Lethem and checking into our hotel, I noticed that Martha’s face around her nose had turned purple. She was experiencing some pain also. Evidently, Martha’s injury a few days prior became more discernible all of a sudden, perhaps tied to the nearly two-hour flight over the jungle to Lethem. More ice.

Due to the nature of the program, Martha did not have as much opportunity to teach this time as she did earlier in the year. However, she did teach, and additionally, Martha had substantial interaction with sisters in Christ throughout our travels.

Sister Jasmine, brother Nigel and their son, Zab, hosted us in their home, as they always do. We are thankful for the Milos and their hospitality annually. Brother Milo is a tireless and an effective evangelist. He directs our workshops and seminars, and Nigel is truly responsible for any successes in which we participate. Of course, we are indebted to the fine brethren stateside who make our journeys and efforts possible in the first place. Thanks.

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Somerville, Tennessee

Today (Monday, January 23), Martha and I attended the first annual mission workshop hosted by the Somerville, TN Church of Christ. We set up a display to represent publications (books, magazines and tracts) of World Evangelism as well as our foreign mission labors. It was also my privilege to be one of the speakers, during which I made my PowerPoint presentation “2016 World Evangelism Media & Missions.”

Beginning at 10 a.m., the program continued through 4 p.m. Dozens of missionaries and interested brethren assembled to encourage each other and update one another about our mission activities. It was an uplifting and encouraging day. Even lunch was a “working lunch” as three speakers spoke while the rest of us munched sandwiches and chips and slurped soup, before crowning mealtime with delicious desserts. Numerous speakers in the auditorium were followed by an open forum and a panel discussion.

Early tomorrow, Lord willing, Martha and I will fly from Memphis, TN to Miami, FL to Georgetown, Guyana, South America. We intend to speak in the annual nationwide Guyana seminars; to date, 14 venues throughout the 10 regions have been confirmed. We will be there through March 9 before returning to the USA.

May God be glorified in all that we and others like us attempt in service of our Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly, we hope to contribute to the edification of all who we encounter. We covet the prayers of the saints.

We’re Outta Here!

Working feverishly in so many different directions simultaneously, well, we’re outta here anyway. Over the past few days, I finished preparing for printing Volume 91 of our quarterly religious journal The Voice of Truth International; its files are available now for printing companies in several nations. We established a cloud-based transmission portal that enabled, for instance, VOTI 91 files to be viewed instantly in India. Now, attention must soon be directed toward the production of Volume 92. The team effort to do this will require nearly a quarter to complete.

I’m sorry to say, “Something had to give!” We simply could not get everything done in a timely fashion. Gospel Gazette Online for January 2017 is not ready, and it will not be published for several days yet. Nevertheless, Lord willing, we will get back on schedule with the production of Gospel Gazette Online as soon as possible.

Triaging everything, it was finally time to devote the bulk of our available time to finishing preparation of our lessons for overseas in Guyana, South America. At least minimally, Martha and I are prepared, finally! Next, we directed our attention to packing our bags.

However, before leaving Winona, MS on Friday, January 20, brother Jerry Bates and we packed, marked, stacked and made a manifest for an upcoming shipment, chiefly of literature, to churches of Christ throughout Guyana. We amassed nearly 2,000 pounds or about two pallets. The first opportunity, though, for Martha and me to haul this freight to a shipping agent in Nashville, TN probably won’t be until late April or May 2017.

Late Friday afternoon, Martha and I departed Winona and traveled northward along I-55 toward Memphis, TN. We attempted to meet our daughter Rebecca at Cheddar’s, only to find it is no longer in business! So, we scurried into JC Penny and unceremoniously used it for a much needed “rest area.” Hello, Cracker Barrel—always a favorite of mine.

Lord’s Day, it will be my privilege to speak three times for the Collierville, TN Church of Christ. Monday, we will attend a Mission Workshop in Somerville, TN, where it will be my pleasure to participate. Early Tuesday morning, the plan is to board the first of two flights in Memphis, TN, as we wing our way to Georgetown, Guyana, South America. So far, we have 14 confirmed venues at which Martha will be teaching ladies and at which I will be speaking to men, women, children and whatever else hops in, flies through or otherwise makes its presence known. We can hardly wait; I cherish the opportunity annually to spend precious time with dear brethren in all 10 regions of the country. Martha and I are scheduled to return to the USA on March 9. The following two weeks from then will take us to congregations of the Lord’s church in Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. Whew! I’m tired already just pondering it all.

By the way, there’s been no time for a honeymoon since Martha and I wed on New Year’s Day. We did stop by an old, old cabin—with no electricity and lacking a mattress atop the bed’s rope lattice. No toilet either, and no running water. The real reason, though, that we did not rent it is because it sits in the town square of Collierville, TN as an exhibit. Honeymoon, maybe later! Just perhaps I can convince Martha that trekking through the jungles of South America, riding fast boats up humongous rivers and cloud hopping in teeny airplanes classifies as a honeymoon to remember.

“Thank you” to the many brothers and sisters in Christ who either help us along our way stateside and abroad or extend to us moral encouragement and offer precious prayers on our behalf. To Jesus Christ our Lord and all of the Godhead be the glory!

Guyana, South America Bound

 

Why did the sloth cross the road?

Friday, November 22 and this coming Tuesday combined, Bonnie and I are sending out 891 letters to Christians and churches of Christ. With those letters, we acquaint our brethren with Bonnie and my upcoming mission trip to Guyana, South America for the entire month of February 2014; we leave Memphis, TN on February 1 and return March 1.

In the interim, we will teach primarily Christians throughout the nation of Guyana. We will work with brethren up and down the Atlantic coast as well as from coastal areas to far into the interior along the borders of Venezuela and Brazil—and parts in between. Last year, nearly 1,200 brethren and non-Christians participated and 72 congregations were represented. To take us throughout the country in three weeks, I traveled 50 hours in airplanes of all sizes, about 30 hours by land vehicles and 5 hours by boats. Two Guyanese brethren and I conducted 9 seminars, placing our effort within reach of every Christian in Guyana, and two Gospel meetings. We taped television programs, taught in a high school boarding house and delivered Christian books to every preacher in the nation.

Bonnie was unable to travel abroad with me in 2013 because of her serious illness. However, we are traveling together overseas again in 2014. Bonnie will teach ladies everywhere we go. Our effort is intended to edify Christians (e.g., preachers, leaders and interested brethren) and help them better shoulder their share of the responsibility to evangelize their own country. What we do complements the numerous annual efforts especially by American Christians to help evangelize Guyana. We also promote harmony among the ethnicities within the Lord’s church in Guyana, as we work with brethren and non-Christians of East Indian descent, African descent and the Amerindians. Our team each year and from year to year demonstrates that goal of harmony and cooperation by incorporating on our team qualified brethren representing each ethnicity.

Our roundtrip airfare between the USA and Guyana came to over $2,600. To cover that and for the overall program, Bonnie and I need to raise about $12,000 in the next several weeks. We will need to provide for our in-country travel expenses and those who travel with us in Guyana, our lodging and meals as well as our coworkers’ lodging and meals, food for the attendees coming to our seminars, and offset some of the travel expenses of brethren coming to the seminars. If this is something in which you are interested, please (1) pray for the success of the planned nationwide seminars, (2) participate with us financially, and (3) apprise your congregation and fellow Christians so that they, too, will be enabled and empowered to ‘send the light’ afar with us. Our sponsoring congregation and the receiver of our funds is the Siwell Rd. Church of Christ, 4075 Siwell Rd., Jackson, MS 39212.

2013 March Edition Rushmore Newsletter

The March 2013 edition of the Rushmore Newsletter is a little longer than normal again this time because it includes text and pictures of my most recent mission trip to Guyana, South America. In addition, various other articles acquaint readers with Bonnie and my stateside trips. Still other articles speak to the unending need for printing more literature. Not least, Bonnie recounts her illness and plan for recovery.

Bonnie apprises readers of our stateside journeys in “Our Neck of the Woods.” The accomplishments of my recent foray into Guyana exceeded expectations, detailed in “Happy Unintended Consequences.” The article “My Medical Journey” by Bonnie updates her illness, tests, procedures and tentative cure. “2013 Annual Guyana National Seminar” sports an unfolding, daily narration of my adventure throughout the entire country and is accompanied by some beautiful photographs taken along the way. See a group picture of some of the volunteers who helped out recently in Winona. Note in the financial statement the negative period cash flow and the low available balance. Read about “The Ever-Ready Evangelist – Literature” and see what has been done and what plans we have for the future regarding the distribution of literature in several nations. Go directly to the Rushmore Newsletter at:

http://www.gospelgazette.com/Newsletter/2013/2013MarchNewsletter.pdf

Your comments are welcome. Contact Bonnie or me for appointments (e.g., Mission Reports, Gospel Meetings, Ladies’ Inspiration Days, etc.). Use us up for the Lord in any way that we can be effective for the cause of Christ.

Seminar at Cotton Tree

There are many unusual and even provocative names of little villages along the coast of Guyana. Wednesday, February 27, 2013, Michael Hooper, Nigel Milo and I presented the last of nine seminars across Guyana for this year. The Lord’s church in the quaint sounding town of Cotton Tree hosted this final seminar in a four-hour night session. Exceeding expectations, around 100 Christians assembled for three lessons and a Question & Answer period.

We spent nearly an hour following the seminar and snacks transporting church members to their homes. Then, having parted company with brother Michael Hooper, brother Nigel Milo and I headed back to his home in Linden. The three hour-journey put us back in Linden around 11:00 p.m. Along the way back to Linden in the dark of night, we ran over a downed horse in the road. We didn’t see it in time to stop before plowing into it, and oncoming traffic made it impossible to avoid it. The carcass was well destroyed from previous impacts by passing traffic, and it had a horrible, rotting smell – which lingered on the van all the way to Linden.

The rest of the night into the wee hours of the next day, Nigel and I settled financial expenditures by me reimbursing him for expenses above what we had budgeted. We traded camera pictures, too. I packed suitcases, including putting the empty case in which I had brought 48 pounds of books and tracts into the other checked bag. Finally, I showered before retiring for a well-deserved three-hour nap before arising to head to the airport for my homeward journey.

The flights home (three planes) were uneventful. I was a little confused by signs in the JFK airport in New York. I found myself walking back and forth in the same hallway trying to follow what I thought were contradictory signs to my boarding gate. I had to inquire of a security guard to clarify my circumstances. I needed to find “Gate 21” and to distinguish that from “Gate B21,” which was in a different terminal accessed by a shuttle bus. The one gate was for domestic flights, and the other was for international flights; that could make a big difference! I had never encountered a regular gate in big international airports that did not have a letter preceding the number; I had failed to notice the number without the letter. At one point, all I saw were two signs together pointing in opposite directions for what I thought was the same gate.

After arriving in Jackson, MS (via JFK in New York and Atlanta, GA) after 8 p.m. CST, we were still two hours from home in Winona, MS. Happily, Bonnie and Rebecca greeted me in baggage at the airport. I had eaten my first beef burger in weeks between flights in New York, and I feasted for supper on a roast beef sandwich, complemented with a chocolate milk shake, for supper en route back to the house.

It was good to be back home, though I was content and much gratified from the nine seminars, two Gospel meetings, worship preaching, Bible class teaching, teaching high school students at a boarding house and taping a television program. We were involved in up to 12 hours of teaching per day almost every day over three weeks. We taught 1,160 people from 72 congregations for 75 hours. We traveled by land, water and air for 81 hours to bring the mobile seminars within reach of every Christian in the country of Guyana. We have now ensured that every Gospel preacher in Guyana has received a box of books from World Evangelism in Winona, MS; I was privileged to hand deliver several of them into the arms of unsuspecting preachers. These three weeks of seminars, etc. were as personally gratifying or more so than any overseas mission trip on which I have ever gone.

We are already planning on expanding and making even better the Annual Guyana National Seminar in 2014. I hope that Bonnie will be healthy enough to resume foreign travel for the balance of 2013 and into 2014 and beyond.

Seminar Number Eight

Seminar number eight is a two evening program (Monday and Tuesday, February 25-26, 2013) hosted by the Kildonan Church of Christ on the Corentyne Coast of Guyana. The anticipated audience of 40 was exceeded by about a dozen for a total of around 52 on the first night. Several preachers from throughout the region supported the seminar with their presence. That also afforded us an opportunity to distribute preacher boxes to some Guyanese evangelists who had not yet received some of the literature World Evangelism in Winona, MS had sent to them; they had no idea that they would be going home with a significant addition to their resources for preparation of lessons. The few preachers in the country who have not yet received such a box will receive their boxes next week by truck or the Guyana postal system. In addition, CD-ROMs of all The Voice of Truth International issues and over three dozen Bible study and sermon outline books were distributed to preachers who would be able to use them. During our travels these three weeks, we solicited and received mailing addresses for many congregations in Guyana who would like to receive future editions of The Voice of Truth International.

Following songs and prayer on Monday, I began the evening’s program with a lesson entitled, “Why Do the Churches of Christ Not Use Instrumental Music in Worship?” Brother Michael Hooper preached, “What Is the Focal Point of Preaching?” Brother Nigel Milo spoke third and last for the night. The lessons were punctuated with more songs and prayers.

Tuesday morning after breakfast, brother Hooper met us at the hotel, and we three proceeded to the local television station. There we were met by brother Andrew. The four of us taped three television programs for future broadcasting. Before lunch, we drove to the hospital in New Amsterdam, whereupon I remained in the van to safeguard the bags while the other three visited a terminally ill brother in Christ. A little later, we convened at the Little Rock Suites (where Nigel and I are lodging for two nights) dining room for a lunch meal together. Afterward, we retired to our room to wait for the departure time for this night’s seminar session.

Tonight, the program got underway at 5:30 p.m., half an hour behind the advertised time. I led off with a presentation especially written for preachers, but containing principles suitable for all members of the church. Attendees kept streaming in through at least 6 p.m. Second to speak was brother Hooper. I also presented the third lesson of the evening, followed by a Question & Answer session, and like usual, though slow to start asking questions, eventually we had to close down the discussion. Several brethren led prayers and songs during the program. Following the conclusion of the seminar, the congregation served refreshments as it had last night, too. This evening, about 72 people were in attendance.

As at every venue for this year’s seminar, brethren here who gathered from several congregations were delighted for the occasion to fellowship each other. They were equally complimentary regarding the edification derived from the two-day seminar. Every place we have been across Guyana brothers and sisters have praised the lectures, and in several instances they have requested a return and additional days next year.

We are tired. Now we are fed – a late meal at the hotel restaurant. Soon, I will shower and ready myself for a much needed night’s sleep. Tomorrow is another day and another seminar – the last for this year in Guyana – number nine. By the way, let me share the view from our hotel room; just think, if come with me you could enjoy the same!

At It Again!

Saturday, February 23 started way too early for me. I arose at 3:15 a.m. and we were at it again. We traveled from Linden to the Westbury Church of Christ several miles past the Essequibo River. So, we traveled hours by land, spent nearly an hour in a speedboat crossing the river and mounted a taxi on the far shore to continue our trek yet many a mile beyond. Preachers and members from all of the congregations in the area attended the day’s proceedings.

Of course I knew what to expect from our boat ride across the Essequibo River because Bonnie and I had that experience last year for the first time. What I didn’t expect, though, was the strange sensation of feeling my eyebrows blowing in the wind and likewise my mustache blowing in the wind, too. I must be in for a haircut and a general trimming upon my return in a few days to the States; we haven’t been able to pause long enough in our travels to take advantage of a barber in Guyana. I’ve been a little reluctant anyway for fear I would have as little hair as Nigel and Michael when the barber was done.

I had barely walked across the threshold of the meetinghouse and I was asked where was Bonnie. Several sisters in Christ expressed their regret that Bonnie was not present, and they further committed themselves to prayer on behalf of her health.

The ladies outnumbered the men, and they were determined to have ladies’ classes. Therefore, Nigel, Michael and I each taught a ladies’ class, in addition to the men’s classes and the joint classes that we taught.

Naturally, we had a fellowship meal for lunch. The menu may vary from one part of the world to another, but the inclination for brethren to eat together seems to be universal.

The last session was the Question & Answer segment. Also at the end of day, we solicited input for making future seminars even better. As typically the case, among other things, brethren want more lessons on more subjects.

Once unfamiliar faces, now brethren from throughout Guyana are becoming known. I look forward to returning next year, and these dear ones anticipate with joy our eventual return, too.

Another wide river was bridged literally with barges. Somehow things formerly strange to me are becoming commonplace.

On the way back to Linden, we took a short detour to scout the location of a church meetinghouse that will be central to an upcoming outreach effort by Nigel and the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ; this congregation goes on two weeks annually of evangelization in Guyana communities. Weekly, brethren at Amelia’s Ward canvass their own neighborhoods as well.

We arrived back in Linden completely worn out. That is, except for Nigel who with Jasmine his wife returned to Georgetown to be with a member just rushed by ambulance to a hospital there. After eating, showering and catching up on some work, I must retire to bed for the night – so we can begin anew tomorrow.