SUBJECT: When through the waters, they shall not overflow thee...

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

DATE: January 18, 1997

Dear family and friends,

It has been a while since you heard from me. I want to thank each of you who have sent email messages of encouragement and inquiries as to how the program is coming along here in Guyana. We have been experiencing so many evidences of God's leading that it will be difficult to enumerate. I am so thankful to God for not only guiding us step by step, but for providing the resources to supply the needs of both ourselves and those we serve.

THE MOVE:
In my last letter I mentioned that by making two flights with a Cessna 206 into Kaikan, we were able to move our two families from city of Georgetown to

Family at Kaikan

the small village of Kaikan on the Venezuelan border. That same day, I returned to Georgetown in order to continue working on the requirements for Guyanese pilot's license and the operating permit for the airplane. The radio which I had installed in Kaikan during the few hours I was there had need some antenna adjustments which fortunately by brother-in-law Ted was able to do. Within a couple of days we begin having regular radio contacts which was very exciting since it made the 200 miles of solid jungle appear to be a bit closer. Also it provided a resource to get medical advice from our close friend and medical director at Davis Memorial Hospital, Dr. Oswaldo Lara (8R1AL). Another wonderful resource is Pastor Cleo Quashie (8R1CJ), Conference Publishing Director.

MEDICAL CARE TAKES OFF:
Within a few hours after the families' official arrival into their small house, they had to deal with a poisonous snake bit. The patient's leg was swollen and was soon wrapped with charcoal. Even though the small house was way too small for everyone, they decided to keep the patient on for observation, and gave her one of the two beds, and everyone slept with sleeping bags on the floor. Since that time there has been a regular stream of patients with conditions including malaria, a miscarriage, infectious hepatitis, and an explosive accident in which the palm received a penetrating wound and the top of the forefinger was blown off, and many others. In addition to Dr. Lara always available on the radio, God provided a second resource, a retired physician living in Trinidad. Harry (9Y4H) comes on twice a day on the radio and spends as long as necessary to provide the medical advice needed to handle any emergencies or questions. Having online physicians is such a blessing.

VILLAGERS RECIPROCATE CARE:
Seeing 3 adults and 7 children squeezed into a small 3 bedroom (each room is about 8' x 8') house, everyone kicked into high gear to finish the second house. (NOTE: During this time I was up in the US putting on the new plane engine, painting the aircraft, and preparing the paperwork for the flight down to Guyana.) A large group of men arrived, each with tools for construction, and headed off into the forest to cut down trees. With the chainsaw, the converted the felled tree trunks into nice 8 x 1 boards which they carried back to the construction site. Since the boards were still green and needed drying, they just nailed them up temporarily. Within a short time they had built a lovely downstairs kitchen with an internal staircase up to the living quarters. All two-story houses in Kaikan have external staircases. Some found this new style quite fascinating. During this time they also built an external cooking house with a thatch roof which had a nice wooden fence around it to keep the animals out. Ted, who is good at making things, promptly built a lovely stove and oven out of two 55-gallon drums. Due to the work of the Kaikan brethren, there are now two houses available,

Casava Bread Drying

one for each family, which makes things much more comfortable. Villagers regularly come by the house with cassava, bananas, and other types of local food for which we are very grateful. Everyone's thoughtfulness and appreciation for our presence in the village indeed makes our living there a delight. Especially touching was the time when the husband of a pregnant neighbour actually went across the river to the store and spent some significant monies purchasing items such as flower, rice, noodles, and soap. When Becky and Betsy make a house call to a sick person, they almost always come back with a bag of something under their arm. Kindness such as this must not be taken for granted. Jesus didn't promise his disciples that they would always be accepted in every village. He did say, however, that when one is made welcome, they were to ask God's peace to fill and bless the residence. May God's peace be with those lovely people of Kaikan.

PREPARING THE PLANE FOR GUYANA:
>From mid-November through mid-December, I worked feverishly on the plane in order to get down to Guyana by year end. I had already prepared the family for my absence during Christmas, assuring them that by the last week in December or the first week in January, I expected to join them with the plane for a laaate Christmas. A series of discouraging events soon convinced me that my plans would never become reality. I had picked up my repaired van in Tampa on the way up to Illinois. Not long later I got stuck out on the road with my brother Don because the headlights had gone out. Waiting until morning we decided to go on during daylight. However, the alternator was next, and finally when the battery died, the car did also. We pushed the van to the next exit, charged the battery and drove to the next large town to get help. A long way from home, with no tools, we were stuck at a repair place all day. Tired and a bit poorer, we headed home, glad to be on the road again with a good vehicle. A couple of days later I headed up to Kentucky to put on the newly rebuilt engine onto the plane. I was to meet another mechanic friend of mine, in order to work together on the project. Having been quite a few years since I myself had hung an engine on a plane, I needed the supervision of an experienced hand. However, when I made contact with him on the road, he had an emergency come up, so would be unable to assist for at least a week. Feeling a desperate feeling in my stomach, I could see the weeks flying by with no progress on the plane. I called the airport manager where the plane was being kept, and he told me that he was leaving for another 10 days and that if I didn't get the plane finished during the next 24 hours, he would have to lock up the heated and lighted hanger leaving the plane inside. However, he offered an alternative T-hanger to work in if I desired. The feeling in my stomach began to turn into a cramp. Standing beside my van at a pay phone, in freezing weather didn't help matters either. I began to talk out loud to the Lord, telling him I was at the end of my rope, and didn't see how I could even begin work on the plane for the next two weeks. I made one last call back to mechanic friend who had been able to locate another friend of his, Tim, who was a mechanic at a nearby airport. He said he would be willing to help me. God was providing a way out. Thanking him profusely, I called and arranged to meet Tim at 9:00 am at the Lebanon-Springfield airport the next morning, Sunday. I drove most of the night, stopping for short periods to rest until the van got too cold to rest comfortably. By 8:30 am I stopped at a sign that said "Lebanon, 1 mile". That was the last stop I made, because the car immediately died (DOA). I accepted a ride to the airport with a kind couple who stopped to help. I took my tools along and with Tim spent most of the Sunday putting on the new engine. We did not finish the job that same day, so we put the plane in a T-hanger to continue working on it the next evening since Tim worked all day Monday. Having a wrecker tow the van into town, I spent the next morning working on it and discovered it had a broken cam shaft. The company who had done major work on the engine in Tampa offered a free repair, IF the van was delivered to them in Tampa. I was grounded. I could feel the noose around my stomach again. Trying to work out my finances, I called Collegedale Credit Union, unfortunately to discover that my VISA card which I had completely paid off before moving to Guyana had $3000 on it (this was later corrected and returned back to a near-zero balance). The noose tightened even tighter. I took a walk, sat on a curb with my head in my hands and talked out loud to the Lord.
"Dear Jesus, you know that I am here to serve you. Because of a class I have to teach in Trinidad for 3 weeks during January, if I don't finish this project and get down to Guyana by the end of December, I won't see my family for over 3 months. Now I am stuck out here in a very small Kentucky town in the middle of nowhere. I can't use my vehicle any more and can't afford to fix it or tow it to Florida right now. I should be working on the plane right now instead of sitting on the curb. In fact I can't even get to the airport 5 miles away. Whereas I thought I was out of debt this morning, the VISA account shows me to be nearly $3000 in debt. Though it is almost Christmas and the houses and stores are all lit up, I am here on the curb, in the cold, a long ways from home, and I just don't know what to do. For the second time in 24 hours, I am stuck in a desperate position not knowing what to do. Please help me somehow. I need help."
Normally I thank God for the answer to prayer after making a request, but I was feeling too low to thank anyone. I headed back to the gas station where the van was parked. As I walked back a thought flashed into my head. "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches." Riches, resources. God would provide the resources for me to do His work. I would rent a car and get on with it. In such a small town I didn't know if there was even a car rental place. As it turned out there was one man in town that rented cars for local use. He was very kind, picked me up at the gas station, took me to his house, and had me sign the rental agreement. He didn't want to see my driver's license, didn't want a credit card, didn't need an address or phone number, just the signature. I did insist on giving him my Dad's phone number in case of an accident, however. With a new set of wheels, the cloud was beginning to lift and a bit of sun to peek out. I drove to the airport and continued to work on the plane until 6:00 pm when Tim joined me to finish the job. I had purchased some extension chords, electric lights, gloves, etc. so we could have some kind of light and protection from the cold. As we proceeded, Tim commented that the engine was beautiful, but most of the accessories need work. The intake filter box and exhaust manifold had cracks, the alternator was questionable, the starter was fine, but the bushing for the bendix was the wrong size, a new magneto harness would be a good idea, etc. etc. etc. I faithfully wrote everything down.
"Due to Christmas and New Years, you will probably not be able to get everything finished due to the backlog."
Since I didn't intend to take a defective plane to the mission field, it was becoming easy to see that if Tim was right, that 1996 was going to become history before the plane saw Guyana. The fog began to creep in again around my spirits for the third time in 24 hours. While I worked I kept trying to think of ways to work around the problem, but no solutions came to mind. While Tim drove to town to pick up a few parts, I worked and prayed. Normally I am optimistic, positive, and full of energy. But as a deep depression settled down on me, a thought come to me that perhaps I was being oppressed in spirit. Never in my life do I recall wanting to crawl into a corner and hide, but right then I clearly could relate with persons who assume the fetal position and hide under a cover. A prisoner, bound and tied emotionally - deep in cold Siberia - away from the family - that was me.

It was about 10:00 pm when I began to pray, "Lord, your specialty is setting people free. This mindset is so unlike me. Something is wrong and I can hardly function under it. Maybe someday this will be the kind of oppression God's people will feel during the time of Jacob's trouble. However Lord, I can't do your work in this condition. Please come and set me free. Restore to me your presence and encouragement. Thank you Lord for this opportunity to depend solely on you. This is not my project but yours. If I am to finish this, then you must give me the strength. Please push away the evil influences causing my depression and give me once again the joy which is yours to give."

Within less than 60 seconds, I noticed that the darkness had totally disappeared. I was whistling a hymn. The future looked bright. I just knew the plane would fly again, and that everything would work OK. The realization of the miracle that had just happened filled my mouth with praises. "Praise the Lord oh my soul, and let all that is within me praise His holy name. If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. " Oh what marvellous freedom our Heavenly Father offers us. It was still cold - I was still far away from the family - but I was no longer a prisoner. I came to realize that night that true freedom is mental freedom. Thank you Lord for showing me that.

Tim and I finished the installation by midnight. The engine run-up was perfect. After a few minutes we stopped the engine and checked everything and ran it again. What a lovely sound. We both went home to sleep, and the next day I rechecked everything, finished closing everything up, and flew it for about 30 minutes around the pattern. Everything was ready to ferry it over to another airport for the paint job. During the next few days, the plane got stripped, painted, and much of the accessories yellow tagged (rebuilt or replaced). Catching the Greyhound bus over to Illinois to be with my parents for Sabbath, I was able to objectively discuss my plans with my father and decide on a strategy to follow. Delays caused by a couple of accessory repairs would definitely put us over into the new year. Quickly packing a suitcase with all kinds of foods as gifts, I decided to catch the bus down to Miami on Sunday night, take advantage of the second half of a round-trip ticket back to Trinidad on Tuesday, fly to Guyana on Wednesday morning at 4:00 am, and then make the air taxi flight from Georgetown into Kaikan on Wednesday at 8:00 am (the final flight until after New Years).

My arrival in Kaikan on the 18th of December caught my family by complete surprise. I was not expected until a couple of weeks after Christmas. Becky was with her sister were up at the airport waiting for the plane so they could deliver some mail for mailing in Georgetown. As the plane pulled up by the tree, someone told Becky that the co-pilot looked like Elder Gates. "Oh no," she said, "He is not due in for several weeks." But it was me, and when she saw me get out she started crying in front of everyone, people, soldiers, police, etc and came running over to hug me. What a homecoming that was. Since none of the children knew I had arrived, I sent everyone on ahead with the suitcases and I took another route to the house. While the children were ooing and aweing at the things Daddy and Uncle David had sent from the States, I came in from behind and caught them all by surprise. God had sure turned tears into gladness. I thank Him from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to return to be with the family for a few weeks.

HOW KAIKAN CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
On the Sabbath before Christmas, a Christmas Eve meeting at the was announced. It was intended as a time for gift giving between family members. Being the first time for use, we decided to be very conservative and only bring a very small gift for each of the family members. We selected small things such as soap and handmade gifts. However, we were a bit embarrassed to find that most families brought at most one or two gifts which they gave to one of the children. Occasionally a child had a gift for a parent. We had one gift for each child and adult. Though there were no complaints, I think I noticed a few disappointed looks on the faces of some of the smaller children. I felt so guilty receiving anything, and especially knowing that there were still a few things at home saved for Christmas. After the program, everyone was invited to be back in church at 5:00 am for the Christmas dawn worship and testimony service. Feeling a responsibility to be present, Becky and I decided to represent both the families. However, most of the children decided to come too, so Betsy joined the group as well. So at 4:30 am, while still dark out, all of us got up and filed to church and enjoyed a lovely spirit-filled service. By 7:00 we were back home and on the radio where a phone-patch had been arranged to Illinois to talk to the family via a Guyanese amateur radio operator in Virginia. It was very nice to hear the family once again, all the way from Kaikan. We decided against running a patch to the in-laws due to the time difference in California. It would have been 3:00 am, and no time to be awakened on Christmas morning. For lunch, the whole village met for a full dinner at the primary school. A special table had been set up for us in the center of the room with only vegetarian food on it. Everyone else enjoyed the loaves and fishes. Captain Peters, the elected chief of the village, introduced the program, gave us a special welcome and then had the prayer. There was plenty for everyone. The afternoon was dedicated to village sports, with all sitting around the soccer field. First the girls (both young and old) played, followed by the boys, and finally by the men. It was so much fun to watch everyone playing. The only serious mishap of the game was when Kristen (Ted and Betsy's 2nd girl) sprained her wrist and had to leave the game. She still is wearing a splint. Even Ted and I joined the men's game which pitted the older married men against the young men. Fortunately it ended in a tie. I would hate to have to admit that we couldn't hold our own any more.

Christmas morning, I opened the suitcase and pulled out the foods I had purchased for the trip and stuffed some of the candy into the socks hanging from the wall. These were actual white socks the children had put up so they

Kaikan Family Christmas

were easy to fill. There was also mashed potatoes and gravy, several types of breads, some pickles, and special cereals for everyone. There were also some small gifts from the grandparents. Not having money or a place to buy gifts, all the children created their own lovely gifts out of wood, mud, or thrown away plastic materials. There were many exclamations of wonder as each new creation was revealed. I believe there was unanimous agreement that this was one of the very best Christmases ever. We parents were thrilled that our children were learning to value the more simpler things in life, and the true meaning of Christmas - giving. The day after Christmas is boxing day in Guyana when the actual gift-giving is done among the families.

New year was welcomed the same as Christmas, with a New Year's Eve service and a 5:00 am service. Most of the family went to the evening service, where gifts for secret pals were exchanged. Becky and I spent the evening caring for 2 malaria and a hepatitis patient. We were somewhat concerned that the hepatitis would spread around Kaikan, so we worked hard to train the family in techniques to prevent cross-infection. We also made an announcement in church the following Sabbath regarding these techniques and the danger currently facing the village. As with Christmas, a village meal was prepared for noon, followed by soccer games in the afternoon.

CHURCH AND VILLAGE PLANS / NEEDS
Soon after opening the new year, a church business meeting was held. Though most of communication took place in the Acawayo language, the First Elder would frequently switch to English to ask me to address the church on a particular subject. I discovered that the heated discussion was regarding the presence of disciplined members and their participation in the choir. Many older members felt that no member in questionable standing should be allowed to participate in special church activities. So they decided to me what to do. Of course I couldn't tell them what to do, but I did present the concept of the church as a club or a hospital. I described both aspects and encouraged them to think of it as a hospital where the sick came for treatment, not as a club where only those who qualify may enter. With love and understanding, many of those that left will return. I am thankful to the Lord that the church leadership (Elders and department leaders) have accepted the hospital concept and are actively involved with many of the members in visitation programs and inclusion of strayed members in new church programs. However I was caught off guard when the time was announced for all members to meet at the church to begin visitation. It was at 4:30am which is evidently a good time to catch everyone in before they head for the fields at 5:30 - 6:00. Of course going to bed at 7:30-8:00 pm does help a bit. Due to the presence of a satellite dish across the river at a small store in Venezuela, our young people are being drawn into TV viewing and the association with miners and soldiers who are drinking while watching. Harsh church discipline only drives them further from home. Since technology cannot be rolled backwards, we cannot just ignore the temptations our youth face. I suggested that alternatives be created which might appeal to young minds. One suggestion was a church library with constructive and spiritual reference reading material can be found. Another idea mentioned that since the church already owns a small generator, we acquire a VCR & TV, along with a library of religious and educational material (such as seminars for church leaders). Only such videos that officially belonged to the church library could be used in the VCR. Both proposals brought immediate support from the members. The recommendations were forwarded to the church board for study and if approved, to develop a village-wide funding campaign in which all families would be asked if they were willing to give an extra 10% of their income until the VCR could be purchased. It is calculated that it would take approximately 6 months to raise the $300 for the VCR under this plan. The TV would need to be purchased too, but the captain who owns a TV he can't use is willing to loan his to the church until funds can be raised for a TV purchase. Acquizition of appropriate video material will come with time - some from the church, others donated, some copied, and some purchased. Anyone having any evangelistic, educational, biblical, nature, or spiritual video tapes on VHS that are not being used and which you are willing to donate, please send them to me at:
David Gates
c/o Richard Gates
760 Gates Lane
Dongola, IL 62926

Thanks. I firmly believe that God allowed technology to be developed for the finishing of the work. I am determined to pursue all avenues of communication which with God's blessing will light up the world with the message of Christ's soon return.

EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
While working together with the Conference on the aviation program during the last several years, it was pointed out that the educational needs of the youth in the interior was in a critical state. Nearly 30 years ago when the previous government had nationalized the schools, our denominational educational system and almost come to a halt. Now with the doors open, and an active policy of support toward denominational education, the

Kaikan's Primary School

opportunities are available for us to develop our schools once again. While working with village council at Kaikan, I discovered a concern on the part of parents who don't know what to do with their young people after they finish primary school in Kaikan which covers up through about grade 7 (Form 2 in the British system). They are reticent of sending them to Georgetown (200 miles away) where the cost of living is very high, communication difficult, and the flight home extremely expensive. So the youth many times just lounge around and get into trouble with alcohol and sexual problems. Many marry unbelievers, while others marry their cousins for lack of alternatives many times resulting in physical defects of the children.

One morning last week, while having personal devotions with Becky, we discussed this need and she suggested the possibility of starting up a secondary school. Immediately I remembered that the church used to run a boarding secondary school at Paruima (3 days walk and 15 minutes flight from Kaikan). Paruima is centrally located, is very fertile with all types of fruits and vegetables, and has an existing infrastructure. The 4 large buildings and property still belong to the church and smaller buildings could be erected easily with the cooperation of the villagers from our 4 SDA villages surrounding Paruima. By giving the secondary school an industrial base, our youth would graduate with a skill as well as a HS diploma. An additional benefit acquiring a Christian education, is that they would be studying with other SDA youth from 4 neighboring villages which would provide many more alternatives to forming a solid Christian home. In addition to all other benefits, my brother-in-law Ted holds a BS degree in Industrial Arts. Finding a qualified person to design the program is usually difficult, and yet God had already sent him ahead of time. I was so excited over the idea I went to visit the Captain who also became enthusiastic. Praying that God would continue to reveal His will in this matter I took the matter to the Conference after arriving in Georgetown last week. Both the President, Pastor Lindon Gudge, and the Director of Education, Bro. Winston James, were very optimistic over the plan. Discussions with the government supervisor of education for the upper Mazaruni area where these villages lie is a close friend of Winston James, and an SDA. Introduced to him on Friday, I met him at church and mentioned the idea to him after the service. With a big smile, he assured me that he was fully in favor of the plan, and asked that Winston and I call him later to discuss the details. Permission to start an immediate feasibility study will be taken to Conference committee in a couple of days. When I asked about teachers, I was told that there were three SDA teachers already at Paruima working at the government primary school. One was qualified to teach secondary school. Additionally, the wife of the new church pastor for the district who will be living in Paruima is a qualified secondary school teacher as well. It seems that the Lord is already a step ahead and has been moving in qualified personal in anticipation of our needs. The plan is to have the school up and going by this August/September for the new school year. There is no doubt in my mind that resources, equipment, tools, and industrial personnel will become available as we follow God's leading in the direction He wants this program to go.

NOT BY MIGHT NOR BY POWER
On Friday Winston James and I went to visit Mr. Pierre, Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Department, and the one person we have been dealing with for several years. We were wanting to know the status of our medical aviation proposal which was submitted in November. Though last year he was pretty friendly, he has been cool lately. Friday we was more than cool, he was cold. He acted like he didn't know us. He went on and on about how they wanted to discourage any foreign registered aircraft, and so on. Very negative. I kept silent and let Winston do the talking. On the way to the CAD, I had picked up a book in Winston's car and read "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit" I suddenly felt I should praise the Lord that He was in charge, not Mr. Pierre, so I praised the Lord for His mighty power and that the program was His, not ours. I then begin to pray for the HS to surround Mr. Pierre's mind with a positive attitude and keep the negative influences away. I thanked the Lord for hearing and doing. Less than 2 minutes later, Mr. Pierre suddenly did a 180. He visible relaxed, started chatting, and as if he was another person, he started talking about the benefits of the program, and called his secretary to find out how the project was coming. He ended up by stating that of all the programs they were considering, our program would certainly have no problem. When we walked out, Winston began commenting on how it seemed Mr. Pierre had appeared as two different persons. "Very

River Washing

strange" he said until I explained how it had happened. Definitely this is God's program and the devil is trying his best to fight it. But if God is for us, who can be against us. Lets keep these CAD leaders (Moore, Pierre, Mohammed, and Chung) in our prayers.

STRATEGIC DECISIONS
While in Kaikan, I noticed that most of our days, outside of handling medical emergencies, were splitting wood, cooking, baking, and washing clothes. I discussed my concerns with Ted who admitted that though our needs were being met, little time was left to work with the community as had been planned. It was obvious that something had to be done strategically in order to change the situation and reach our goals. I went across the river to visit Jorge, one of my Spanish friends, owner of one of the two small stores on the Venezuelan shore across from Kaikan. I asked about the possibility of bringing in a kerosene stove by helicopter. Jorge suggested gas which he said was easily brought in by helicopter. The cost for a large 4-burner

Becky and Betsy Washing

stove was about $500, big enough to handle two families plus visitors now and then. Ordering the stove, I went home to announce that within a week, a new stove would arrive. Everyone was delighted, even Ted who usually has to spend 3 hours stoking an oven to bake what the girls prepare in 30 minutes. An additional strategy was to hire two neighboring ladies to wash the clothes each day. Though now having increased expenses, Becky and Betsy are now free each day and have begun visiting each home to complete a health survey of the community. Ted is directing a certificate health class with 50 adults in attendance.

HEALTH SURVEY
Becky's survey shows urgent dental needs. While some teeth can be repaired, others require extraction. Having performed several hundred extractions in Peru, I would be willing to do these. However, we have no instruments. If anyone knows how I might acquire some inexpensive instruments, kindly let me know by email at Gates@Andrews.edu, or my Dad at TECNO1844@aol.com. Thank you so much.

TV BROADCASTING STATION FOR GEORGETOWN
I am currently trying to negotiate a TV Broadcasting permit here in Georgetown. One of my dreams for many years has been to set up a downlink station to 3ABN and rebroadcast the signal. Danny Shelton assured me in December that if I was able to acquire the permit, he would certainly assist me with raising the funds to build the station. Please pray for God's clear direction on these plans.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you during 1997. May your life be hid in His so that whatever it may bring, you will face it together in His strength.

Your brother in Christ,

David Gates

You might write to David at: GATES@ANDREWS.EDU

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Last Updated: March 10, 1997

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