Forty-nine Americans worked in Guyana, South America, under the direction of Partners
In Progress, conducting a medical clinic for 4½ days at the meeting site of the Plaisance church of Christ with the
assistance of local Christians. One thousand seven hundred eighty-six
patients were examined and treated. Nearly every patient was taught the Gospel and given
religious literature. Hundreds of Bibles were distributed. Maximum attendance at the nightly
preaching services was 369. Sixty-four people obeyed the Gospel.
A detailed account of this mission follows:
This trip was the 10th annual medical mission to Guyana, South America, from the West-Ark
church of Christ in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Everyone on the team is a faithful member of the
church of Christ. Our team was composed of Christians who came from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas,
Missouri, Kentucky, and Nevada this year.
As with all previous trips, preparation begins about a year in advance. Fund-raising starts about 6
months before departure. The cost was $1,600 per person round trip from Miami, Florida.
Round trip domestic airline tickets from Fort Smith to Miami cost over $400 this year, making the
total cost just over $2,000 per person.
For those able to attend, beginning 1 March we met every Wednesday night for 45-60 minutes.
These classes prepare Bible teachers and medical workers for the culture and the evangelistic
efforts. E-mail was used for training many on the team. Additional information for preparation
was found online at the Guyana Missions Web site.
For several weeks before the trip, many of us met weekly to count, prepackage and label the
medications necessary to conduct the medical clinic in Guyana. Bibles, tracts, children's teaching
supplies, baptismal garments, bath towels, sheets, nursing supplies, eyeglasses, and many other
things had to be acquired for packing for the trip. On the evening before departure, all boxes of
supplies and equipment were delivered to the Fort Smith airport for baggage claim check labeling
and weighing.
About two weeks before our flights, we notified the local American Eagle/American Airlines
manager at the Fort Smith airport. She arranged to have a larger plane than usual for our use on
the second flight. We really appreciate this courtesy by American Airlines as it insured that all
supplies and team members could make it to Miami in time to catch our international flight. We
have used American Airlines for each of the 10 years we have been conducting these clinics in
Guyana.
Two people on the team departed for Miami on Friday, 2 June 2000. On Saturday morning, 3
June, 34 of us began arriving at the Fort Smith airport at 4:30 a.m. The first American Airlines
flight out of Fort Smith departed with 18 of our team at 6 a.m. At 7 a.m. the remainder left on the
larger plane, an "ATR." The two groups met in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, where we departed
for Miami together about 10:45 a.m.
In Miami we met up with 7 people from Kentucky, 1 from Dallas, 1 from Las Vegas, 1 from
Farmington, Arkansas, and the couple who flew from Fort Smith a day early. After check-in with
BWIA West Indies Airways, these 46 team members departed about 4:30 p.m. The flight stopped
for about an hour in Trinidad, but we did not get off the plane. By 10:30 p.m. we arrived at the
international airport in Guyana where we were met by Dr. Steve DeLoach, in-country coordinator
for Partners In Progress.
We efficiently cleared Customs without incident. All our luggage and supplies arrived on the flight
with us. We cleared Immigration with no problem. Everyone and everything was transported to
the Pegasus Hotel in the capital city of Georgetown. We were able to be in bed by midnight.
On Sunday morning we gathered for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Taxis, vans actually, picked us up at
9:30 a.m. and transported us to Sunday school at Plaisance, where we were to conduct the clinic
We returned to the Pegasus Hotel about 1 p.m. There we ate a buffet lunch together on the
veranda near the pool. Including the tip, the cost was nearly $12 per person.
On Sunday afternoon, team members swam in the pool, played tennis, packed pills that we
ordered sent to Guyana from England, visited a nearby Amerindian exhibit, slept, and/or studied in
preparation for Bible teaching. At 6:00 p.m. we were treated to a reception by the hotel
management. At 6:30 we met for supper.
At 7:30 we had our annual "Steve's Rules" meeting where we are reminded of the dangers of
working in a developing nation, as well as instructions on how to make the most effective use of
our brief time in Guyana. The technology of the new century is reaching Guyana as this year the
presentation included Power Point projected overhead. Parmanaan Kissoon, the Dean of
Students of the Guyana International Bible Institute, addressed us about the Guyanese culture.
Afterward the group divided into medical workers and Bible teachers for instructions from their
respective directors. Meetings adjourned around 10 p.m.
Three additional team members departed Fort Smith early on Sunday morning and arrived in
Guyana late that night.
On Monday morning everyone was sitting eating breakfast by 7 a.m. We were encouraged by the
morning devotional shortly after 7:00. We departed the hotel by 8:00 with all our supplies. The
Many of the patients on Monday were members of area churches who had been instructed that, if
All the patients were processed by about 2 p.m. on Monday so most of our Bible teachers returned
We met for supper at 5:30 and departed the hotel for Plaisance at 6:30 p.m. Upon arriving at
By 8:30 p.m. we returned to the hotel, where we had all the pineapple we could eat. It's the
opinion of most in the group that the Guyanese pineapple is the best in the world. The core is as
good to eat as the pineapples we get in the States.
Three men were transported at 6:00 each evening to preach at Campbellville, Nismes, and Canal
Number One. Usually they were accompanied by 1 or 2 other team members. On Wednesday
and Thursday nights, a man from our group also went to Wales to preach. On Thursday night at Nismes, there
were 2 baptized following the preaching.
On Tuesday morning we could set up the clinic more rapidly. After a quick prayer for God's
blessings, we began seeing patients by 9 a.m.
The Bible teachers met together for a short prayer each morning before patients were allowed
through the front gates. All patients are offered a Bible study by the personal workers while they
are waiting to see the medical team. Those who decline the Bible study are treated no differently
from those who agree to study. A spiritual emphasis is evident throughout the patient's experience
at the clinic site.
We heard of some patients who began to line up as early as 2 a.m. We were usually able to see
everyone who came to the clinic, though there were some who were turned away late Thursday
afternoon and many who were sent home when we closed up on Friday. It is heartbreaking to
some on the team to know that we just couldn't see everyone who wanted to be seen. We often
wonder how Jesus managed the crowd following Him when the day was ending. Surely many in
His day went away disappointed, maybe even angry, that they didn't get to see the Great Physician
because there were just too many people in line.
Each day we sent small teams to the public schools where we taught the
children Bible stories and Bible songs. Special crafts and puppet
shows were done to teach moral lessons. Children were invited to come to
our children's Bible classes each evening and to bring their parents to the
preaching services.
Tuesday afternoon we finished a bit early. The 4 taxis we used stopped by the Tower Hotel craft
shop on the return to the Pegasus Hotel. Some found unique Guyanese souvenirs to buy. So
many in our group had been to Guyana so many times over the past several years that the stop was not found productive for
most. The planned return on Thursday to this shop was canceled at the request of all our team
members.
On Wednesday our patient numbers picked up as the word got around the area that we were conducting a
free medical clinic. Eyeglasses and sunglasses are very expensive for the people in Guyana and
almost everyone wants to have their vision tested. Guyana is a third world country where medicine
is very expensive. Most of the people there cannot afford to go to private doctors. They usually
have to seek public medical help where sometimes they still have to buy the medicine prescribed
for them. More often than not, it is very costly.
Every day we find patients who need medical or surgical services which we just cannot possibly
provide at our clinic. Sometimes a disease that would be simple to treat in the States has to be
neglected in Guyana. The admonition of Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, is very
appropriate for us to remember: Provide cure sometimes, relieve often, and comfort always.
In the eternal scheme of things, our Bible teachers offer lasting spiritual cures and relief to all who will listen to
their Creator and obey His commands. Our medical workers often remind the patients of the
promised hope of eternal rest and elimination of suffering that is offered by God to all who place
their trust in Jesus Christ and obey Him.
Though it was the rainy season, we had good weather throughout the week with the exception of
Thursday morning when it intermittently rained heavily till about 10:30. It was particularly hot and muggy that
morning until the breeze picked up around 11 a.m. The rain did not seem to lessen the crowd who
came hoping for a cure for their myriad of health problems.
On Friday morning we completely checked out of our hotel and departed a half hour earlier for the
clinic. We were seeing patients by 8 a.m. that morning and continued till about 11 when it was
imperative to begin packing up our supplies and equipment for departure from Guyana. We said
our goodbyes to the local Christians who had helped with crowd control, registering patients,
teaching, and preaching. We came to love so many of the Guyanese during our week of working
with them in the Lord's vineyard. We departed the clinic site by noon for the long drive to the
airport.
Two on our team spent Friday night in Trinidad, then flew home to Fort Smith on Saturday.
The rest of us spent a lovely day in Grenada on Saturday, getting a much needed break from the hectic pace
of the week. On Sunday morning at 4:30 we met together for Communion in a hotel conference
room. After our devotional there we boarded vans for the ride to the airport for the day-long
adventure of flying back to our homes in the States.
It is always our prayer that we will understand the urgency of sharing the Gospel with people in
our own communities while there is yet time. May all that we did in Guyana bring glory and
honor and praise to our God and Savior. May He protect our new Christian brothers and sisters
from the cunning tricks of Satan to regain control of their lives.
Ron BAXTER,
Michael BLASDEL,
Missy BLASDEL,
Steve BREEDLOVE,
Gary BROWN,
Richard BULLARD,
Shirley BULLARD,
David BURNS,
Jeff COHU,
Jeannie COLE,
Michael COLE, M.D.,
Harold DAVIS,
Kevin DAVIS,
David DICKEY,
Joyce DUNAVIN, R.N.,
Roy DUNAVIN,
Kathy EDWARDS,
Rhiannon EDWARDS,
Ted EDWARDS,
Gary GREEN,
Judi GREEN,
Ron GRIFFIN,
Janet GRIMES, R.N.,
Donna HANNAH,
Glenda HODNETT,
Matthew JONES,
Mary June LEWIS, R.N.,
Jack MARTIN,
Darrell MOSES,
Robertta MOSES,
John Ben RICHARDSON,
Linda RICHARDSON,
Larry ROPER,
Mary Jo RUSSELL,
Jeff SORRELLS,
Jason STEWART,
Beth SULLIVAN,
Kenna TIPTON,
Jay TROTTER, R.Ph.,
Susan TYGART, S.N.,
Lori VENICE,
Tony WARD,
Jeannee WILKERSON, R.N.,
Brenda WILSON,
Kim WILSON,
James WORD, M.D.,
Doyle WRIGHT, MT,
Judy WRIGHT, R.N.,
Steven YOUNGER, M.D.
by Michael S. Cole, M.D.
15 June 2000
on Monday through Friday. Roy Dunavin, our personal work director, spoke during our class
time from the study guide that most of us use for Bible study with patients who come to see the
doctor. During the preaching service, Roy completed his review of the material in the study guide,
"God's Gift To Man." We met many of the local Christians with whom we would be working all
week. Bruce House, the American missionary who works with the Plaisance and Industry
congregations, was especially helpful in answering questions.
village of Plaisance is only about a 10-minute drive east of the hotel. As usual, it took us till about
10 a.m. to get the clinic set up the first day. The congregation at Plaisance owns 2 buildings on the
same plot. The Bible teachers used the auditorium. The clinic was set up in the upstairs of the
building closest to the street. We used the downstairs of that building for our pharmacy and for a
breakroom.
they needed to see the medical doctor or be fitted for eyeglasses, they should be there early the
first day of our clinic. Our team had 3 family physicians. We had several people who had received
extensive training about how to fit eyeglasses before leaving the States. (We had no dentists this
year.)
to the hotel early that day. The eye patients took longer to examine than anticipated, so the clinic
did not shut down till around 4 p.m. The doctors cared for 196 patients and 83 people had their
vision checked on Monday. All medications and eyeglasses are provided at no cost to the
patients.
Plaisance, we found the local song leaders conducting singing. One or two of our young men also
led singing each night. The sermon would begin around 7:20. Using the upstairs clinic area, we
simultaneously provided vacation Bible school type classes for the local children each evening. On the
first night 88 children were in attendance while 103 adults listened to the sermon.
Each night supper was at 5:30 with departure to the singing and preaching service at 6:30. We
returned around 8:30 to the hotel where many enjoyed the fresh, sliced pineapple.
On Thursday afternoon we were late returning to the hotel because of the great number of
baptisms we had. Because of the proximity of the baptistry to the waiting and Bible study area, a
tradition was born in which an announcement and brief explanation was made by one of our men
to all in the room about an approaching baptism. Most everyone there would walk to the baptistry
to witness the washing away of sins through the recreation of the death, burial, and resurrection of
Jesus. Following each immersion in water, a hymn was sung by all the Bible teachers. This song
of praise to God was also an encouragement to the new Christian. Most often the song was "What
can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"
On Thursday evening our song service was pleasantly interrupted to immerse a man who came
asking for salvation through his faith in the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus.
Plaisance, Guyana, on this trip:
Read Ted Edwards' 