GUYANA  GLEANINGS

Judy McGuire

May, 2007

judymcguire@usa.net

 Dear Friends,

 Transformation and Resurrection – two words that describe the Easter season!  They’re also words that describe St. Michael Church in Alness, Guyana!!  It all began quite appropriately during the Lenten season and was completed by Easter Sunday.

  In March a work team of nine men and women arrived from the Florida/Bahama Synod to tackle the renovation and restoration of St. Michael Church.  It was a work that truly overwhelmed me.  St. Michael Church, as all churches within the parish, is located in a part of Guyana that is not near any hardware store nor is there an abundance of contractors!  Workmen are available but one must know what needs to be done, how it needs to be done and what is needed to get it done!!  I admitted defeat, threw up my arms and waited for the Florida team to arrive.

 Two men from Florida had quite some expertise at repairing and renovating and also have experience working in Guyana.  They walked into the church, sized up the situation and immediately took charge.  I praised God and became willing to do as much running back on forth as necessary to lumber yards and hardware stores quite some distance away.  We had purchased many of the materials needed before the team arrived and had a local workforce assembled – both church members as well as a local carpenter.  The work began immediately.  The church women were everywhere – painting, making kneelers and providing all the meals.  We hired professional painters to do the major painting of the building. 

 During the week of intensive labor, the church slowly transformed before our eyes - first a new floor then replaced/remade windows, refinished pews and doors, new kneelers, new cupboards and paint – gallons and gallons and gallons of paint!  All of us – visitors as well as members – were totally shocked to see the final result.  Never could anyone have hoped for such a transformation. The original structure had been hidden under decades of grime and disrepair.  When the original structure was cleaned, repaired and repainted, it was truly an awe-inspiring experience. We stood there speechless.  St. Michael changed from being one of the saddest looking churches within the ELCG to probably the most beautiful church. 

 The building was not all that was transformed.  Church members as well as the entire community were transformed.  It began when they heard that nine visitors from Florida would come and wanted to stay with church families.   “Surely not with us! No foreigner has ever come to stay with us.  You see Pastor, we’re so poor – we have nothing to offer!”  The visitors arrived and indeed did stay with families.  The church community always felt “not worthy” of hosting anyone.  Now they know they’re not only worthy but well-loved.  A very special bond built up between the two cultures – a bond of acceptance, respect and the feeling that we are truly all one family.  The community may not have many material assets to offer visitors, but how rich they are in hospitality and generosity.  From the little they have, they willingly share it all.  During the week together, it was easy to see Jesus Christ working in and through everyone as they shared, worked and laughed together. 

 The congregation is slowly resurrecting itself as well.  We had non-members helping with the renovation work.  Once the work was finished, they decided to actually become members of the church.  But we are learning that transformation and resurrection is an on-going process.  It is not over and completed for one time only.  It continues all through our lives and all through the church’s life.  The Holy Spirit continues to give new insights, continues to show us new ways and new inspirations.  We have a new building and still hearts and lives continue to be renewed.  It is exciting to watch the on-going process.

 Please see the attached photos to give you an idea of the transformation.  You will see that we  still await one small window which is being made to replace a broken one.

 Thank all of you for assisting us in making St. Michael’s dream possible.  Without your financial support, prayer support and just plain hard work, none of this would ever have been done. 

 Yours sincerely in Christ,

 Pastor Judy