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![[Pam Nickel]](../images/pam.jpg)
SUBJECT: Report #3 from Guyana
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: March 6, 1999
I hope you all received the other reports. I'm sorry for not being able to communicate every week, like I promised. I'm not going to give any numbers or times anymore with regards to reports or e-mail (with the way communications are here in the Interior). I'm just going to send out as many reports and stories as I can when I get the chance. Please send me e-mail or letters at any time. When you write me, please type the date in the body of the letter. I receive my e-mail, sometimes, after it's been through two ports and I never really know when you replied and I don't get to see your address either. Anyway, if you're missing any reports or if you know someone who would like to be on this e-mail list, let me know. I want you all to know that God is good and that He cares for you – and me.
In this letter, I would like to share the story of how Jesus walked me out of a potentially, very dangerous situation.
It was a beautiful Sabbath afternoon. The Paruima Village Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church was going to have a "Singspiration" at 4:00 p.m. for their Adventist Youth (AY) program. Around 2:00 p.m., I decided to go to the nearby water falls for some quiet time alone. When I asked Ruth Reuben, our cook, how long it would take me to get there, since I hadn't been there before, she said it would only take about half an hour. I assured her I would be fine and said I'd be back in time to go to the program.
The trail leading to the falls, from just below the dorm, wasn't as clear or kept-up as I thought it would be, but it was passable. With water bottle, books, etc., umbrella and Bible promises in my "Novacks" handbag, I headed out. Several times, the trail was obscured or fallen trees cut it off completely. I didn't let it bother me and kept going, marveling at the beauty all around me. I kept seeing butterflies fluttering around these flowers that were in the shape of a pair of lips, deep red & waxy looking, they had a dark blue bud and gave off the fragrance of blueberries. The butterflies had some very modern colours on them – black & deep blue, with turquoise & hot pink! It was beautiful. I was really enjoying myself.
The forest smells and scenery made me think about the times when I would walk my dog, "Cuda" back home at the Pinafore Park in St. Thomas, Ontario. What a difference. I remember the Holy Spirit promising me better trails and days ahead, if I would trust in Him, and here I was.
When I finally made it to the area passed the falls, I noticed it took me longer than a half an hour. I was determined to sit on one of the big rocks in the sun to relax and read. I slipped off my rubber boots and made myself comfortable. I was getting caught up in one of the books I brought but still noticed the time, it was 3:30 already. I began to feel maybe I shouldn't have promised to be back in time for church. Then I thought, I'm not going to make it back on time anyway, so, I may as well read some more.
All throughout the afternoon, I felt the presence of my friend and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Around 4:00 p.m., I started getting the impression that, if I didn't head back soon, I might end up sleeping outside tonight. Among all the stuff I packed in my bag, a flash light wasn't one of them. So, I reluctantly packed up, slipped my boots on and started back.
On the way back, not far from the falls, I lost the trail and debated on which way to go. I figured I'd just keep as close to the river as I could and eventually I'd find the trail again or come out by the College's river landing, no sweat. Well, right from the beginning, I was led further and further away from the river due to the large rocks and ravines. Soon, I found myself caught in the middle of thick brush with no trail to be seen. With my favorite Bible Promise Calendar in hand and a song in my heart, I barged through thorns & vines, climbed over stumps and ant nests, rocks and streams. If it hadn't been for the encouragement I received from the Bible promises and a very special scriptural song in my head, I don't know if I would have made it out before it got to dark to see.
Some of the promises that kept me going were:
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong." (1 Peter 5:10)
"He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4)
"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." (2 Samuel 22:33)
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13)
"Without God, it is utterly impossible. But with God everything is possible." (Mark 10:27)
"I will protect those who know my name.... I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them." (Psalm 91:14,15)
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
The scripture memory song in my head was from the "Integrity Music" tapes I bought from a Bible & Book Store in Goderich, Ontario. It was getting late, the sun was beginning to set and the jungle was dimming. The song, from Isaiah 30:21, would start up loud and clear, at the beginning or the middle -- left or right. (Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.") I was led through the bush, and down a little creek to a path that led me out. I found myself about 100 feet above the dorm instead of 50 feet below it, where the old trail began.
Was I ever thankful! It was just after 6:00, sun sets at around 6:30. I jumped out of my clothes and into the shower. The only damage done was a few insect bites, some permanent stains on my clothes and the loss of my green umbrella. It must have gotten tangled up in the brush.
That night, I had a very scarey, vivid dream (I rarely have dreams, usually I sleep right through the night unless the Lord wakes me up to pray). The enemy was not happy with me. I woke up with my heart just-a-racing and grabbed my Bible Promise Calendar and started flipping through it for reassurance and help from the Lord to banish the devil out of my mind.
I still remember the dream; it started out pleasant enough, I was in bed with someone I loved and feeling safe and happy. As I turned to my partner to say good night, he turned into a living corpse and grabbed me, with force, by the arm and began pinching my left hip, causing a sharp pain, while at the same time began yelling into my face, "Don't help anyone else, or I'll kill you". Wow! Again, the promises of the Lord our God calmed my soul and gave me peace and assurance. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (John 14:1) I was also given the impression that the devil desired to have me that day, and if I hadn't of trusted in God to help me out of the jungle, I would have been in serious trouble. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)
Two weeks later Ruth, and her husband Selvelio, wanted to see where I turned off the trail and maybe re-track my footsteps to find my umbrella. As the three of us walked through the bush, Selvelio in front with a cutlas, they would point out from time-to-time potential dangers. We all praised God for His protection for me that day. We never did find my umbrella but that walk through the bush, a second time, was a real eye opener for me. God really loves me and watches over me, even when I put myself in danger, He will never leave me nor forsake me.
God Bless and take care. Bye for now! Love from your "Lady Guyanna". (Pam Nickel)
"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long." (Psalm 25:4,5)
"Be content with what you have, because God had said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
"He which testifies of these things says, surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20).
You may send E-mail to Pam at:
gates@andrews.edu or
GAMAS@solutions2000.net