Children of Guyana's Interior

SUBJECT: Children of Guyana's Interior
AUTHOR: Uncle David, Aunt Becky and three of their five children - Katie, 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: December 1, 1997

AMERINDIAN CHILDREN OF GUYANA

Kaikan: A young girls watches the rain fall from inside

Kaikan: While outside, the boys play football (soccer) in the rain

Circling over the village, I turn the plane on final approach and descend for landing. Cutting the power just before reaching the runway, the plane touches down and soon comes to a stop. As I turn the plane around and taxi back for parking, the first persons running toward the plane are usually children. Waiting for the engine to stop, they then run up to the plane with big smiles on their faces. Some of the children who have proven most willing to assist with carrying items from the plane to the village, are invited to fly with me when I have an empty seat now and then. In a few cases, I have invited some of the kids from nearby villages to spend the weekend with us in Kaikan. To most villagers and children I am "Brother Gates, Elder Gates, Pastor Gates, or Captain Gates." However to a few I am "Uncle David" which is my favorite title. I so much enjoy being family (Uncle) to children in every village I land at. The smallest ones I love to carry on my shoulders, while some I just walk with hand-in-hand.

[Canoeing in the water]
Paruima: Rain or shine, my personal canoe will take me anywhere
When I am very lucky (which is quite often), the parents will bring their small kids to welcome "Uncle David" with a kiss. Even when I am in a hurry and just have
[Chinowieng girl]
Chinowieng: I am glad you came to visit
time to unload and run again, I will take time to receive a kiss. When kissed, I always let them know that I am the luckiest pilot alive. Children around the world are always beautiful. However, I must say that I have completely fallen in love with the Amerindian children of Guyana. When possible, I try to bring small presents to give to the children, to reward them for their help or just for their kisses. The parents of the children and other adults seem to deeply appreciate the love and interest I show to the children. It seems to endear them and draw them closer to myself which of course is what I want to do anyway.
[Cookies from my mom]
Kaikan: I brought you some cookies

Not all children are friendly to me. Some of the, especially those that don't know me well, are afraid and cry when I get close. However with time and effort, I am usually able to reduce that fear, and draw them into a friendly relationship. One of my favorite memories was of the 3-year-old daughter of one of our Amerindian missionary families. I had recently moved the family to the village of Arau from Paruima where they were working to build up the new church there. Since it is my habit
[Welcome to Sabbath School]
Kaikan: Welcome to Sabbath School
to always pray before each flight, I asked the missionary to have the prayer for us. However, he asked if it would be OK for his little daughter to pray since she had been learning to have prayer in public. Her prayer went something like this:

"Dear Jesus, please bless Elder Gates in his flight. Please protect the plane and help it to keep flying. We need the plane. Thank you. Amen"

As I taxied to the end of the runway for takeoff, I felt extremely privileged to have been the recipient of the prayer of that small missionary child. I knew our
[Smile]
Waramadong: Smile, here comes Uncle David
Heavenly Father had heard it and had already answered. No wage can be higher than to receive a kiss from a small Amerindian child in thanks for being her Uncle David.

[Smile]
Waramadong: This is my best smile

A letter from Samantha

"Hi Uncle David.

How are you this morning. I hope you're O.K. As for me I am find. This morning I hope you have a happy Sabbath.

I really want to say thanks so much for taking me to Arau. I enjoyed flying alot. And I want to say thanks for the beautiful aerople too.

Samantha and friends: Uncle David's big helpers in Kaikan
I never experience that our village will have a beautiful aeroplane like that. I will miss the aeroplane and you family alot. I hope you will bring the aeroplane back. I hope you will have a happy Christmas. thank you for being a sweet pilot. You are a kind and loving sweet pilot.

So that's all I will write this morning. Thank you so much again.

goodbye
I love you

Love
Samantha"

A letter from Candy

Candy: I always greet Uncle David with a kiss

15th November

Hellow uncle David. How are you doing this morning? I hope you are doing find.

Thank you for taking me to parima. I enjoy flying I hope I will go next year again.

I.L.U.

Happy Sabbath.

I am Candy"

By the way, I am Tio David (Uncle David) to children all over Peru, Bolivia, and Mexico. If you are a child, why don't you adopt someone today as your Uncle or Aunt? If you are an adult, what about you being some child's Uncle or Aunt today? They will love it.

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

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