SUBJECT: First experiences...the power of prayer

AUTHOR: Pam Nickel serves as a volunteer teacher and women's dean for the Davis Indian Industrial College, an Adventist, self-supporting institution in the Upper Mazaruni River district of Guyana, South America.

DATE: October 30, 1998

Hi! To All!!

As we get caught up in the everyday duties of life, we can thank God for His wisdom in knowing we needed a day of rest. If it wasn't for the Sabbath, life would never give us a break. It seems, even in the jungles of Guyana, there is never any time to sit and write and share God's blessings. A full week of classes and work has gone by and finally I have some time to say, "Hi!" and let you know how I'm doing. There were allot of things to do, getting the college started.

Pam receives loving welcome to Paruima by young Amerindian residents

I promised so many people regular e-mail or letters. You've probably realized, as I have, communication in South America is not the same as what we're used to. David Gates will still be my communications link. I hadn't realized his travel plans when I promised to send update reports every week or two. He has been in the U.S. for the past few weeks with the hope of returning for the end of October or the first of November. The weeks he was here, when I first arrived, were not conducive for sending reports, at the time I didn't have anything to report. However, some friends and family did receive e-mail and letters from me during that time.

Another week has begun, and I just heard, over the two-way radio, that David Gates' return will be delayed. The airplane he went to the U.S. to pick up, which was donated for the mission at Guyana, was in dire need of repair. I guess it is taking longer for the repairs than they judged. I hope at least some family and friends receive some assurance that I'm okey while our communication link is put on hold. They should receive an e-mail, which was requested by radio, letting them know about the delay. I'm sorry if you are hearing from me for the first time. I hope I can send a few e-mails and letters when he gets here near December before he has to go back to the U.S. again to pick up his wife. Once his family is re-established at Kiakan Village in Guyana in January, you should receive mail on a regular basis, as promised. Please have patience with me and know that I'm not neglecting you on purpose. I miss you and I hope all is well with you. I hope you receive a blessing from my reports of the Davis Indian Industrial College, Paruima Village, Guyana.

"I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." John 9:4

This text comes to me from my favorite daily devotional by Ellen G. White "Our High Calling", for Oct. 23. I can relate to this text in more ways than one. Here in Paruima when the sun goes down no man CAN work, unless you turn on a very loud, gas guzzling, generator. However, the coming night which Jesus was talking about is a time soon to become part of our history, at least we Adventist's believe so. Even here the signs of the end times are noticeable. Last spring Guyana interior experienced a very dry, Dry Season and then had to battle with a flood that wiped out everyone's farm for miles in the Paruima area. The college and many parents of students have had to plant and re-plant from scratch, with only recently some produce finally harvest able. It has been hard for many here, but these people are not without hope. The miracle of the College has inspired many to pray and praise God. He has blessed us with fresh produce to feed the 40 some odd staff and students for the first whole week. God tells us not to worry and to take one day at a time. He will continue to feed "the multitude" because of His love and mercies.

Thursday, Oct. 22/98, during our Committee meeting, we earnestly prayed for God to send more food. I stopped in to the Girl's Dorm before going over to the kitchen, after the meeting, and pulled out one of the promises from the "Bible Promise Cards" (thanks to Cheli and Jeff Loucks at AIM, many people have been blessed already from the one's I've given out, so far) and it said, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Prov. 3:5) I knew right then that everything was going to be taken care of. When I went down to the kitchen I found out that, while we were praying, parents of the Paruima students were dropping off provisions. (Before we even ask, God answers our prayers.) Praise God.

During that same meeting we had a visitor. A beautiful green with red, yellow and blue Parrot (for you bird watchers, a Mealy) flew in through the college classroom window and walked and flew around the room, perching here and there, chirping and checking us all out as if to say, "What's going on?" before it walked out the doorway. I found out later that the parrot is one of the student's pet. Cindy Edmund has had the parrot for about two years and once "Lidi" found out where Cindy has been staying he decided to move into the dorm with us.

Let me tell you about another bird story that took place during the first Committee meeting we had after David Gates went to the U.S. I love birds and God knows this, one of my favorite text is, "He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust." (Psalm 91:4) The meeting was taking place in the Pastor's House, where I was staying at the time. There is a family of white & blue swallows that roost in the rafters every night and the meeting was running late. The birds were coming in to settle for the night and, as usual, two of them were having a little argument and while they were wing fighting on the floor of one of the bedrooms, Selvelio Rueben (our, very hard working, Campus Grounds Manager) scooped them up in his hands and passed them to me. I was so thrilled. When I opened my hands both birds froze and looked up at me with the sweetest expressions. I patted them and told them that they shouldn't be fighting and was slowly bringing my hands to the window where they leisurely took flight and then came back in to settle once more for the night. There are dozens of beautiful birds all around here. One of the villagers lent me his book on birds of Venezuela and I have been able to name quit a few. Most are big and colourful. In the future, I can list off the different types that I see on a regular basis, if someone has access to a bird book of South America and is interested.

I thank God for the opportunity to live in probably one of the few places left on earth that hasn't been corrupted by the perversity of man. The people here live a difficult life but one free of the cold, cruel, concrete jungle realities of downtown New York or Toronto. There may be theft from time-to-time, but when someone needs to go out at night on some urgent errand, it's not a mugger or murderer they are leery of, it's the snakes and whether or not the flashlight batteries are going to last the trip. When I have time to sit and gaze out the dorm window at the beautiful coconut trees, the breathe taking view of the mini-mountains that encircle the whole valley area of Paruima, and listen to the colourful, musical birds that fly everywhere, it is then that I truly realize how fortunate I am to be here. And I thank God.

I realize being a missionary overseas automatically makes me seem, to some people, like a model Christian. Let me be frank with you, I'm learning some hard lessons here. Perhaps in these reports I can also share some of the Christian struggles I'm faced with to encourage you in your daily life. For starters I think I managed to bring with me everything but the kitchen sink. When I first arrived and took inventory, my selfish heart wished I had more. Then the Lord had me look at the average life of an Amer-Indian and I thank God for the abundance of things I have. I'm learning daily how the Lord will provide that which is needed. Georgetown in Guyana may not be downtown London, Ontario or South Bend, Indiana and it may be a two hour flight from here, but it has everything one might need, if one has the means to get it.

I came to Guyana to help the Amer-Indians, and to find that peace I once knew with myself & God. I figured I would have to place myself in a situation, or circumstance where I would have to totally depend on Jesus, and then my hope was and still is, to draw close to God so that He would draw close to me. I found out already that whether I am here in the little Village of Paruima or back home in St. Thomas, Ontario, if I'm sincere in pleading to God for a new heart changes will take place. I still have to learn the same lessons here or there, in order for my walk with God to be genuine. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12) "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. We've been justified as a gift by His grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24) "To every soul thirsting after holiness there is repose, there is rest, there is the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit, and then the holy, happy, peaceful walk and precious communion with Christ". "Christ is ‘the Prince of Peace,' and it is His mission to restore to earth and heaven the peace that sin has broken. ‘Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Whoever consents to renounce sin, and open his heart to the love of Christ, becomes a partaker of this heavenly peace." Ellen G. White, "Sons & Daughters of God", pp 226 and 306.

It's the gift part that I have come to realize is one of the most important lessons we can learn as Christians. Nothing we can do or have done will ever give us peace. The peace I came here to receive has been given to me and as long as I continue to abide in Christ it remains. Everyday I have to renew that peace with God or the enemy will take it away. With that peace you also receive a deep desire to do something, to be apart of this great plan of redemption, to let other people know about it and how to obtain it, but, I have also discovered that no matter where we are Satan will try to keep us so busy that we never find time to do the work God, through Jesus, has commissioned us to do. And time is running out. The night draweth nigh.

"Could the ledger of Heaven be opened before us, we would be greatly astonished at the large proportion of professing Christians who really contribute nothing toward the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom, who put forth no efforts for the salvation of souls. Such are slothful servants. Many who are satisfied not to do much good, flatter themselves that they are doing no harm as long as they do not oppose the earnest, active workers. But this class are doing much harm by their example....

The slothful servant was not condemned for what he had done, but for what he had not done. There is no more dangerous enemy to the cause of God than an indolent Christian. An open profaner does less harm, for he deceives no one; he appears what he is, a brier, a thorn. The do-nothings are the greatest hindrance. Those who will not bear burdens, who shun all disagreeable responsibilities, are the first to be taken in Satan's snare, the first to lend their influence to a wrong course.

Watch, pray, work – these are the Christian's watchwords. Let none excuse themselves from labor for the salvation of souls. Let none deceive themselves into the belief that nothing is required of them. No less is required of any than was expected of the man with one talent. There is work to be done for Christ in our families, in our neighborhoods, everywhere. By kindness to the poor, the sick, or the bereaved, we may obtain an influence over them, so that divine truth may find access to their hearts. Opportunities for usefulness are on every hand. All who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ will show themselves to be fruit-bearing branches of the living Vine....

It is ours to make the record which we desire to meet hereafter. Would we have its pages filled with the history of earnest work for God and humanity? Let us follow in the footsteps of Him who declared, ‘I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.' (John 9:4)

We have a personal work, an individual responsibility, a personal account to render, and it is our own salvation we must secure, for it is a matter of individual concern.... The piety and obedience of others will not save us or be doing our work. Their efforts will never be registered against our names as ours....

God has left to every one of us our work – not the temporal labor as planting, sowing, reaping, and gathering in the harvest, but to build up His kingdom, to bring souls to the knowledge of the truth, and to regard this as our first and highest duty. God has claims upon us. He has endowed us with capabilities and given us opportunities, if we will see them and improve them. These obligations to God none but ourselves, individually, can meet. The delinquencies of others... will be no excuse for any one to follow their example, because Christ is lifted up as the only true Pattern – faultless, pure, uncorrupted....

There are those who associate together to do evil and seem to think in this they lose their individual responsibility. But God holds them accountable for every act performed that has the slightest tendency to counteract the work of Christ; whether they are united with many or with the few, the sin is the same. We are individually responsible. We ourselves should be our concern. Are we in all our words and actions building up the kingdom of Christ, or are we tearing down? Christ says to each one of us, ‘Follow me.' Then let us be found followers of Jesus Christ.

Now is our time to work. Now is the time for us to form characters after the divine Model.... If we know Christ, we shall reveal Him to others. ‘As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.' (John 17:18). He came into the world to represent the Father; and the work He has given us is to represent His character. We cannot be excused from doing this work." Ellen G. White, "Our High Calling", pp. 302-303

I lean on God daily, hourly. I need to here. I have been given the responsibility of Girl's Dean to 16 Amer-Indians females who love God, but need further guidance on their pilgrims progress to the Kingdom. These people are hard working and uncomplaining, they have very little if any of the luxuries of North America. God is a reality here and daily you can hear songs and hymns of praise to God for His love and mercies. I have devotions with the girls every morning at 6:30 a.m. while the boys meet in the Chapel with Patrick, the Boy's Dean. We have named the school, "Davis Indian Industrial College". The students work in the morning and go to class in the afternoon. Every evening we have Chapel together at 6:00 p.m. At Chapel, for the first two weeks, we have been listening to Elder Morris Venden's "1982 Spring Week of Prayer at Andrews University" audio tapes (thanks again to Lorraine Ford for giving them to me, we are all receiving a blessing).

The students are learning Farming, Carpentry, and Cooking in the morning and every student works very hard. In the afternoon they go to class for English, Spanish, Religion, and Music for this quarter and maybe Math and

Pam greets Patrick and Rosi Gotin and girls on their arrival with David

Science as well next quarter (we are expecting 2 other missionary teachers). I am teaching English and teach two classes, Reading and Writing. Patrick Gotin teaches Religion and Music and his wife Rosy teaches Spanish. The Gotin's have two little girls (Gabriela & Jedida) and they come from the French Island in the Carribean, Gaudeloupe. They are French, but are doing really well with their English.

Everyone you meet greet each other by, "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon" what ever the case may be. I'm trying to get some to just simply say, "Hi" or "Hello", but no luck yet. And when they are wanting to leave they say something like, "Miss, I'm going back". I always say, "Okey, see you later", or "bye for now", or just "see ya". Anyway, there are 30 students in all, with their ages ranging from 15 to 25. The College's opening day for registration was Thursday, October 15, 1998. Some students walked 2 to 3 days to attend the College. Food was shipped down by boat or carried. In order to feed everyone, we had to require every parent to send along approximately a month worth of provisions for each son or daughter. A great effort was put forth to ensure enough food would arrive on time to feed everyone, but the amount was miscalculated and after only one week we found we were running low, as I mentioned earlier. An urgent call went out to the villages involved and by Sunday, October 25, 1998 the Kitchen was filled with enough provisions to last a good few days, and more is scheduled to arrive later in the week.

God has been good to us. We have begun classes without all of the furniture completed, no bunks either, everyone's in a hammock for now (except for the missionaries). We have borrowed pews from the Church and have temporary long narrow desks the length of the pews for now. The teachers have a desk and chair, and both classrooms have two huge chalkboards. We've begun without much of the land cultivated too. I brought some seeds and beans with me (thanks to Millie and John Youngberg) but some things didn't take, while others are still very young. It will be another month or more before we are living self-supported. Our Mission Statement is: "The Davis Indian Industrial College, as a self supporting co-educational institution founded upon the philosophy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, provides Christ centered industrial, academic, and religious training in a work-study program primarily to residence of the Upper Mazaruni District." We look forward to the day when we are harvesting crops of peanuts and corn, to sell peanut butter and corn meal & flour, for much needed supplies and equipment.

The people of Paruima and the surrounding Villages realize the nearness of Jesus' soon return and are very evangelistic thinking. Two missionary trips are being planned within the next 2 months. One towards the Brazil boarder on Dec. 2nd for a week (Rosy and Patrick with their children are seriously considering accompanying this group) and the other towards the Venezuela boarder in Nov. that will last about a month. The village elder and a few of the committee members will attend this trip, which is to build a Church in Venezuela.

I'll sign off for now, but like I promised, I will send reports as often as is possible. Please know that your prayers are needed. We are discovering the power of prayer is very strong and the more we pray the more assurance we have that He hears. So, I want you to know you are in our prayers and thank you for your support. I hope you enjoyed this letter. Please send me letters and soon e-mail (e-mail in December ). I will share your letters with the students and staff, unless they are personal. My address here is P.O. Box 10191, Georgetown, Guyana, South America. You can read about the College on the Web Page too! (probably in December). God Bless and Take Care, Sincerely, Pam Nickel. Oct. 30/98

PS Please share this e-mail with friends, family and church members.

You may send E-mail to Pam at: gates@andrews.edu or GAMAS@solutions2000.net

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