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.
The last several days have been dear to me as I have enjoyed each of my children and grandchildren, too. Martha and I hosted Rebecca as well as Raymond & Crystal with their three young ones. We all spent some time together with Robert, too, at a local eatery. In addition, we were blessed with time well spent on more than one occasion with Martha’s son Jim, his wife Denise and their teenagers. Now, it’s just the two of us once more.
As often is the case, I am behind in publishing Gospel Gazette Online and working on The Voice of Truth International magazines. January 31, Martha and I are to fly to Guyana, South America, where we will remain through March 2. We have an ambitious schedule that will take us throughout the tropical nation to encourage brethren and help equip them to edify themselves, edify their country and lay groundwork for installing elders in the future. We covet your prayers.
Earlier tonight, I packed two suitcases in anticipation of Martha and my travel January 31, 2020 to Guyana, South America. Together, they hold 40 NKJV Bibles and 200 Ready Reference booklets. The luggage will cost $40 each for a total of $80 as second checked bags for Martha and me; the first bag for each of us will cost $30 each or a total of $60 for 8 Bibles that didn’t fit in the other bags, some food and clothes.
Good news folks! 
