"The Long Road to Guyana"

by Laura Davidson 

Several weeks ago we excitedly made our way to TN on our way to Guyana....

I wish that this letter was telling you that we had safely arrived in Guyana, but that is not the case. We are still headed to Guyana, but on the "long road".

Here's what's happening. One day not too long ago, Edwin had been shopping for airline tickets to Guyana in the morning, but hadn't purchased any. Then, that afternoon we got a message from James Ash (the director of GAMAS) which basically said, "If you haven't purchased tickets yet, don't." Apparently, the Ash family has the opportunity to spend a few months furlough here in the states. Since Edwin will be apprenticing with James Ash, it is best for us to wait and fly to Guyana when the Ash family is ready to return. 

Even though it is discouraging to be almost ready to go, and have a delay, we have heard from other missionary families, that that sort of thing is quite common. Following the Lord often requires a lot of waiting. Isaiah 40:31 says "They that wait (or trust) upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Waiting on the Lord is good for our own character development. We learn to trust His timing. The things that are most important to the Lord, are often things that we don't even think about, or that we often forget. Little things like a word spoken in season, a soul touched, a spiritual seed planted, or a sprouting faith watered; all of those things are not little at all, but are of eternal consequence! Being tools in the hands of God, to bless others, is what life on this earth is all about. May the Lord help us to see through His eyes, and never miss an opportunity to bless, touch or reach someone that the Lord has placed right in front of us. And may we learn the importance of and embrace what it says in James 4 "Look here, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.' How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.' Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil." We feel that the Lord has called us to serve Him in Guyana, we are headed in that direction, but most importantly we must focus on serving Him each and every day. Though some days I lack the faith that I should have, I must trust the Lord's timing in all things. His timing is perfect, He knows the end from the beginning, we don't. We trust that if the Lord truly does want us to serve Him in Guyana, that He will get us there in HIS timing, not ours. And we also trust that He will make it evident to us during our six month trial period, if that is the place that He would have us serve, long term. 

Last week we had the opportunity to talk with the Eno family on Skype. They were in Guyana not too long ago, checking it out and praying about possibly moving there. The Lord willing, they will be setting up housekeeping and flight operations in the village of Bethany, in Guyana, this fall/winter. It was so inspiring and encouraging to talk with them. I am so excited about going to Guyana. Now the hard part, is waiting. I am so thankful for the network of wonderful people that the Lord has blessed us with. YOU (yes you, the one reading this) are a very important part of our team. We would not be where we are today without your love, help and prayers. Thank you SO much! Jesus our great example while he was here on earth, spent much time with his heavenly Father in prayer. Over and over again He encourages us with the importance and power of prayer, "And all things, whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22 We have decided to start a special email that we intend send out about once a month, with more specific and personal praises and prayer requests. There is power in prayer, my friends, and all too often I find myself worrying, when I should be praying and praising the Lord. If you would like to join our Prayer Team, you will find the sign-up window in the right column of our blog page.

Even with the apparent delays of several families that are headed to Guyana, and the devastating death of our friend and hard worker for the Lord, Todd Anderson; we have to trust the Lord. This quote is especially encouraging, "When we are hedged about on every side, this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of His Spirit. The exercise of a living faith means an increase of spiritual strength and the development of an unfaltering trust. It is thus that the soul becomes a conquering power...for the powers of heaven will come to his aid. 'Nothing shall be impossible unto you.'" CC 258.3