SUBJECT: How GAMAS Affected one Village

AUTHOR: David Gates, his wife Becky, and three of their five children - Katie, Carlos, and Kristopher, work in a medical aviation program in the jungles of Guyana, South America.

DATE: February 28, 1998

Dear friends,

How empty our house in Kaikan appears now without the company of the Duerksens and Burgdorffs. Time, however, has a way of healing the wound. However we did enjoy a 4-day visit of my parents which was a very special privilege. Due to drought, extremely low river levels have made river travel almost impossible,

Malaria-ridden mother travels with daughter to Kamarang

especially for the seriously ill. It has been less than a month since we received our renewed 3-month operating permit, yet we already have performed a record number of mercy flights into some of the most isolated villages.

During our first few months of operation, many of the residents of non-SDA villages seemed afraid to believe the program was for real. This year after renewing operations, I've discovered a lovely harvest of hope and good will. Take the village of Phillippi for example. It is located about 30 miles South of the nearest medical attention in Kamarang, near the Brazilian border. With river transportation out, it takes four days on foot to walk out. Carrying a sick person in a hammock certainly would take longer.

"Thank you for coming to help us!"

The population has grown significantly over the years with several hundred children currently in primary school. At Phillipi's request I determined last year to request permission to begin serving the community, but encountered some difficulties. By flying into Phillipi with a local pilot on several occasions, I was finally able to acquire the needed permission and made several medivac flights to Phillipi last year before we had to interrupt our service during the elections at year-end.

Last week I flew out 3 seriously ill patients out of Phillipi. The enthusiastically grateful response of the villagers was heartwarming. One lady came up to me calling "Pastor..Pastor. Do you remember me? I am the lady you flew out last year. I am better now, and I don't know how to thank you." She was beaming. "Your smile is payment enough for me," I smiled back. Taking advantage of the friendly environment I found myself in, I asked the village Captain what he

The Gotin family from Guadaloupe - Enthusiastic pioneer teachers (two small daughters not shown)

would think if I brought in a video projector to show some videos on health and the Life of Christ. As the captain started to give his approval, at least a dozen voices from behind me shouted "Yes! Please do." Of course the captain gave his hearty approval too.

I thank God for all of you who daily hold this program up in prayer. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the villagers of Phillipi.

In His Service,

David Gates

The Mathieu family from Guadaloupe - "We love mission life in Paruima"

PS. Initial classes have begun in Paruima taught by volunteers; two enthusiastic French couples from Guadaloupe the Gotin and Mathieu families, and our experienced Guyanese volunteer, Martin. Construction is continuing on the classrooms, and temporary male dormitories. Hopes are to begin construction by Summer on a library.

Classes for small children are also being taught in small village of Arau, as research for starting a Primary School there one day soon. Classes are being taught by Beverly (a Guyanese), Katie (our daughter) and Julie (Katie's good friend). They are being enthusiastically cared for by the villagers who have been begging for primary education since the village was organized 5 years ago. These girls will soon be joined by another volunteer from Antigua.

As volunteers, they depend on God from day to day for their needs, as we do. Please include them in your prayers, won't you?

David Gates

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

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