Guyana Day 5!

Hey everyone!!

We began our day bright and early at St. George's Cathedral in town. This church is the largest wooden church in the world!! Kind of cool! The service lasted close to 2.5 hours which is different than most of us are used to. The pastor had us all stand up and explained to the congregation that PVUMC has been sending teams to Guyana for 11 years. After church, we handed out fans to all of the ladies in the congregation. We then left and had a lovely lunch at a cafe in town.

Leaving the cafe, the team headed to a homeless shelter. Upon arriving, we handed out toiletry items and small snacks to the men and women currently staying there. While these are small gifts, we hope that it eases their daily struggle maybe a little bit and gives them some hope during a time where it may seem that not much hope can be found. They were all very thankful to receive these items!

After lunch, Miles, Michael, Andy, and Derrick all drove into town to pick up the two HUGE pots of food for our homeless feeding. We put the food in one van, and the drinks in another van. We also passed out some flip flops, t-shirts, and cross necklaces! Today, we were able to feed close to 200 men and women living on the streets of Guyana. I have never experienced a homeless feeding quite like this one, and I was beyond blessed to be a part of it. God was so evident throughout the entire process. When we were at our last stop, we quickly began to realize that we had more thirsty homeless people than we had cups. Without even having to ask, team members began pouring their water into the container of Gatorade, and Michael and Miles began cutting bottles in half so we had more cups! I think we ended up handing out the Gatorade container with drink in it so that we had enough. Also, I looked over just in time to watch Derrick take his shirt, shorts, and shoes off and give it to a homeless man because at that point we had given out all of the clothes that we had. The second I started to doubt that we would be able to feed and clothe everyone that came to us was the very second that God provided, as He always does, and we were able to give everyone that needed something what they were asking for. I am so thankful to be part of such a selfless and giving team that truly embodies the very heart of Christ. Obviously, we are not perfect, and we make many mistakes, but God's love is so very present and that is so important to each and every one of us.

After feeding the homeless, we had a quick dinner and team meeting. We are now resting at the hotel preparing for our last day in Guyana tomorrow. Very sad : (

Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers. They have most certainly been felt. Thank you also for all of the donations that were given before we ever even left the states. It was because of you that we were able to help those in need today and throughout the week!

Lauren

Holly and Leah enjoying breakfast at Oasis!

Preparing to feed the homeless!

Passing out needed items at the homeless shelter

Untangling crosses before heading out!

Jeff and Melissa surveying the wonderful food for the homeless!

Melissa, Leah, and I getting ready!

Michael and Jeff having a little conversation :)

Derrick giving someone food!

Lovely pots of food we were distributing!

Lining up for food!

All sitting back down to enjoy their meal!

Derrick praying with a homeless man

Giving food and drink to a homeless man

Preparing to take the food to the homeless

Improvising so that we could distribute more drinks!

A little arm wrestling to finish the day off! Sad to say Josh beat me :)

Michael and Miles-- So that we didn't break the table, we called it a tie :)

Guyana Day 4!

Greetings from Guyana!

Tonight's blog is being written by Leah, Lauren's little sister. Before I start talking about our adventures today, I would like to briefly talk about what I have learned so far on this trip. It is amazing how easily we can take things for granted like family, a home, or even an air conditioned building. The first question I asked as soon as I stepped foot in Guyana was "Is there wifi here?" Boy, was I in for a life-changing trip. After one morning of being here, I began to slowly learn that there is much more to see than the nice cell phone screen, and I am learning to not solely rely on it all the time. I realized the fact that I had been living a fantastic life compared to the many here who are on the streets and in orphanages yet I was never thankful for it. I have been blessed with something as simple as air or food, but we never seem to truly respect these essential items that so many do not have. One of the most impacting moments was when we fed the homeless right outside a housing for prostitution. Instantly I thought of the fact that Jesus was always with the prostitutes and sinners reaching out to them because He knew their life was full of purpose. Instead of judging people, I have definitely learned to accept people and be a light for them. In closing, I just want to say that I have been so humbled by this trip and all the opportunities I have been given to finally pour love into the lives of the people of Guyana. Without further ado, below is the update of today's events.

Today was another great day here!  After our morning devotions and breakfast, we headed out for our first stop of the day, Joshua House. The visit here was productive and touching at the same time. As we pulled up, the children happily ran towards the gate and greeted us with many hugs. This instantly reminded me of the Bible verse Matthew 11:28 which says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The team then split up and the children blew bubbles, colored pictures, or played fun games with Miles and Michael. A few team members helped install a swing that the children loved, and they each waited their turn as patiently as children can to try it out.  Each child, without even knowing our names or stories just wanted to be able to feel love from someone. It was such a blessing to have the opportunity to be the love the children longed for.

In the afternoon we traveled back to Ruimveldt to install twelve door knobs. While many of us learned a new skill, they were very grateful for the newly installed door knobs. Each child was given either a bracelet or necklace as a reminder that Jesus truly loved them, and we said our goodbyes and departed. When leaving, we could clearly see that these kids formed a family and truly looked out for each other in all situations.

For dinner, we had the opportunity to try some authentic Guayanese food and celebrate Joshua's birthday. We are now back in our rooms preparing for another wonderful day tomorrow.

Much love from Guyana,
Leah :)

Preparing to chase after the bubbles :)

 

Kids enjoying the coloring books brought by Holly!

Michael and Miles leading games for the children!

Here's a picture of the new necklaces each child received!

Andy and Mr. Butler constructing the new swing.

Playing with Derick!

They loved playing tug-of-war with Michael!

Getting love from some sweet girls!

Holly with some of her new friends!

Holly had the chance to have a close bond with this girl and even gave away her name badge to her, which is a BIG deal for these kids.

Moments like this make being here beyond worth it!

Day 3!

Hello fellow blog readers!

We had another wonderful fun filled day in Guyana!  After starting the day with our usual routine of devotions and breakfast we headed to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre for disabled children.  This was our first time attending the rehabilitation center so we met with the director and he talked to us for a little while and then gave us a tour of the facility.  The director even showed us many of the craft projects the children had been working on including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that they had beaded.  He was kind enough to give each of us a piece of jewelry that was handmade by the children and we all were very grateful for that meaningful gift.  Overall we were very impressed with the facility.  The center offered many services to the disabled children with various therapies.  The rehabilitation center also had its own workshop where prosthetics are made.  The facility was very nice and organized and we plan to work more closely with them on our next trip.  While touring the facility we got to see and interact with many of the children and handed out teddy bears and cross necklaces to each of them.  We also were able to donate a video camera to the facility. 

After touring the rehabilitation center we made a quick stop at some of the local stores and markets to do some souvenir shopping.  It was really neat to see all of the handmade items in the market shops that ranged from various wooden carved items to woven baskets.  We also visited a store that was three stories high that carried just about any product imaginable!  After our shopping time we had lunch at Roti Hut where we got to experience native Guyanese food.  The majority of us got chicken curry and Roti, a Guyanese specialty. 

This afternoon we headed to Ruimveldt orphanage to take the children on an outing to the lighthouse and the park.  It was 135 stairs to the top of the lighthouse and most of us climbed while carrying children which made for not only a fun outing but also a workout!  As we climbed higher in the lighthouse the stairs gradually became steeper and the very last steps to the top was a steep ladder.  We then headed to the national park and played with the children there for awhile.  On the way back to the orphanage we stopped to pick up ice cream for the kids.

It is hard to believe that we are now officially half way through out trip but we are ready to embrace and enjoy our next few days.

Love from Guyana,
Holly 

Children at Hope Home receiving donations from PVUMC members and others!

Staff of the Ptolemy Reid Center-- These people are truly incredible!

Some of the children at the Ptolemy Reid daycare

Workshop for making prosthetics

Director of the Ptolemy Reid center receiving the video camera! He was so excited!

Ruimveldt Home children all ready to go to the lighthouse!

Hanging out with this beautiful one-year-old while waiting for their turn to climb to the top!

View of Georgetown from the top of the lighthouse!

Steep staircase- a bit difficult when carrying babies to the top and back down

The lighthouse!

Leah with new friends at the National Park

Michael and his buddy at the park-- This little one is handicapped so his wheelchair would not allow him to climb to the top of the lighthouse. Without even being asked, Michael carried him to the top and back down so he could see too. Completely warmed our hearts!

Lauren and I will one of the Ptolemy Reid Rehab children

Lauren and I about to climb the lighthouse with these little ones!

Leah helping a new friend take a look!

Taking a break after making the climb

Miles with his little man!

Leah and another new friend!

Just playing at the park!

Michael and Leah instructing some new drivers :)

Swinging!

Younger members of the group heading out for dinner!