SUBJECT: Visitors, Venezuela, patient, hike to Arao

AUTHOR: Becky Gates, her husband David, and four of their five children - Lina, Trina, Carlos, and Kristopher, work together with her sister and family, the Burgdorffs, in a medical aviation program in the jungles of Guyana, South America.

DATE: March 5, 1997

It's been fun having Daddy here, but the time has gone by too fast, and now he is headed back for the US. I didn't write the last two weeks, because I knew those letters wouldn't get to you before Daddy went back, so I decided to wait and send it with him. I hope you got the letter I sent with the group from Michigan. That was a real surprise when they came. We were eating a hurried lunch, trying to keep our ears open for Mr. Basel's boat. As soon as it goes by we know the plane will be coming in about 1/2 hour. Suddenly two men from across the river stuck their heads in the doorway and said, "The American missionaries need help carrying their luggage. Can you come help?"

"American missionaries? What American missionaries? We didn't know anything about anyone coming. Are they Adventist?"

"Yes, there is a big group of them, and even some young boys. They are waiting for you down by Reggie's port." We hurried down there, and sure enough, there was a group of five men, two teenagers, and one boy. They are from the Andrews University area. Their luggage was mostly used Bibles, some Mrs. White and

Part of the team from near Andrews University

religious books and Sabbath School materials that they are collected in the States. They had also collected Spanish materials, and had just made a tour of Venezuela, ending here on the frontier.

So for the next two days we had a very full house, as Daddy and Uncle Don also arrived that day, but we were glad to have them. Just a couple of weeks before someone had requested a Good News Bible. I called the conference office by radio, but they told me the Bad News was there were no Good News Bibles left. But I know God wants the Good News of salvation to go everywhere, so He sent it in an unexpected way. And not only for Kaikan, but for 9 other villages as well! Isn't God good?

A few days later Daddy, Uncle Don, Carlos and I jumped in the helicopter and caught a free ride along with Jorge, the businessman from across the river, and flew about 15 minutes to Las Claritas in Venezuela. We had to go to renew Carlos' passport. It was fun being in Spanish culture again. Jorge took us in his pickup up to where Canaima State Park begins. That is were Angel Falls is located--I think it is the highest waterfall in the world. We didn't stay long because it started to rain. That night we caught some buses and traveled all the way to Caracas. It is a pretty city up in the mountains.

Helicopter Ride to Venezuela

Fortunately we were able to stay with the Poloches (David and Alex are at CUC. I don't know if you remember them). They treated us like royalty. They made arrangements for someone to take us to the Mexican embassy, where they also treated us very nicely, and gave us the passport that same day. So the next day we headed back for Kaikan, but before we left the Poloches took us to a big store like SAMS where we were able to get rice, milk and some other items at a much reduced price.

I think Uncle Don had a good time here. He and Daddy took the canoe and went up to the little waterfall. He helped us clear the bush around the house. The next day a boy killed a Fer de Lance (poisonous) about 4 feet long right across from the area he had cleared. He also helped in the clinic. We really enjoyed his stay. I have a friend about my age who is diabetic. As a result she is blind, has difficulty walking, and has lost a toe. It is very hard for her to go to church, so I try to visit her every Sabbath, and also a couple of times during the week to sing and read the Bible to her. She has been teaching me Akawaio.

Our diabetic patient, Sister Lilian

Two weeks ago she was sitting by the fire and burned her foot, about two inches in diameter. She has reduced sensation in her feet, so it seems she didn't feel the heat. I am really worried about it. As you know, wounds in diabetic's feet heal very slowly, or not at all. She has no way to control her diabetes. The times I have checked her urine, it has been 3 and 4 plus. I urged her to go get medical help, either in Georgetown or in Venezuela, but she is afraid to go by herself. She has gone to both places, and says it is so difficult without family to support her. The hospitals here are like they are in Peru. Your family has to go get all the medicines, etc. So I have been visiting her twice a day, trying to do what I can to heal her foot. I've been doing hydrotherapy, and charcoal compresses around the wound where she has a lot of swelling and redness. We also started her on antibiotics, and Uncle Don sent in Gentamycin injections, which I've been giving her twice a day. Her mother has also been putting on a leaf poultice, which seems to be helping. Mostly we've done a lot of praying. At times she gets depressed and feels like God is punishing her for her past when she lived apart from Him. I have been trying to help her understand God's wonderful love for her, and that He is doing all he can to save her. I think too many of the people here feel you must somehow work your way to heaven. I hope she can realize that Salvation is free--God's gift to each one of us. I'm happy to say that her foot is looking a lot better, for which I thank the Lord. I'm even happier to see her outlook on life changing. When I first met her, I never saw her smile. Two days ago she laughed at something I said. She's beautiful when she smiles, and I told her she reminds me of a china doll. Then she said, "Sister Rebecca, I'm so glad you come to visit me. It's been a long time since I've laughed. You always make me feel so happy." Tears came to my eyes when she said that. I pray I will continue to be a blessing to her. Please help me pray for her foot, as it may be many more weeks before it is completely healed.

Hike over the Savannah to Arao

Monday I went with Daddy to the little village of Arao, which is way up in the mountains. They desperately need a teacher, and would like other help as well, so they want to build a runway. It was a beautiful hike, 5 hours each way, and about an 1 1/2 hours by boat. We hiked very fast, so I am quite sore today, but it was worth it. I'm sure Daddy will tell you some more, and show you some pictures. We may go there with the Pathfinders.

Grandma and Grandpa Burgdorff are here now, and we are enjoying them so much. Of course it was like Christmas again when they arrived. Both are working hard to help us around the place. Grandpa took one dip in the river and decided the water was much to cold, so he made it a priority to finish the shower house Daddy had started. It's really nice, with solar heated water. Grandma is going to give some health classes to the young people so they can be aware of sexually transmitted diseases. Today they are going to go with Daddy to Puraima (I think that's how you spell it!)

One thing the Burgdorffs brought was a set of dental tools. So many of the people here have bad teeth. The dentist only comes once or twice a year, and then only stays for 2 days. Because of all the work, he has a policy of only pulling one tooth per person! Poor people who have several rotton teeth. Some time ago a lady came to us with the whole side of her face swollen because of a bad tooth. All we could do was give her an antibiotic. Now the lady who helps me wash clothes was having lots of pain from a rotton tooth. Daddy just pulled it for her. She was so happy to have it out.

Well, I must stop so I can pack for Daddy. I hate to see him go, but I hope the weeks will "fly" by till he returns. I hope your studies are going well. Please let Daddy know the exact day you graduate, as we want to come for your graduation.

I had given Eli your school calendar because she wanted ideas for her new school in Peru. The Lord is blessing her even though she has encountered some opposition. Keep praying for her, too. Your letters are always an encouragement to me. I'm so thankful the Lord gave us such a wonderful daughter. Keep up your courage--only a few more months to go. We pray for you always.

Love, Mommy

You may write to Becky at: gates@andrews.edu

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Last Updated: March 10, 1997