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January 2, 1998
However, a phone call from 3ABN staff a couple of days later brought the exciting news that there was a one-day opportunity to shoot the interview. They wanted to know if the Gates could make it. Absolutely! The day fit exactly within a plan to drive up to Andrews University, so the interview was shot on schedule.
The interview's primary focus was on God's faithfulness in providing for the needs of those He calls to service (which is all his children). After clear evidences of God's leading, the Gates' made a decision to resign their salaried work, move into the jungles of Guyana along with their 5 children, to start up a medical missionary aviation program. When they made the commitment, they also decided that they would not do any fund raising of any kind. Rather, they would put God to the test.
Had He not promised? " When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing." Luke 22:35.
Had he not assured? "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." 1Thes 5:24
Starting up an aviation program requires significant funding. it would certainly soon become clear if God meant what he said. Within a week of having made their commitment to go, the Gates began to receive voluntary commitments from friends and family to provide for their needs. Praise the Lord! But what about the purchase of an aircraft? That too was taken care of. Within 3 months of their move to Guyana, sufficient funds were on hand to purchase a small plane. The preparation of the plane over the next 6 months continued to progress as funds trickled in to cover the costs.
In June of 1997, the plane was flown from Andrews University in Michigan to Guyana by David Gates and volunteer aircraft mechanic Leif Aaen. It has since been serving the Western interior of Guyana (Upper Mazaruni River district), flying nearly 100 hours a month. Where does the fuel money come from? Unsolicited funds arrive each month, sufficient to cover the bill. Other resources have come in to cover medications, construction materials for the new Davis Indian Industrial College (a boarding industrial secondary school) being built in the village of Paruima. Six college students (three couples) from Caribbean Union College have volunteered to teach at the new school. Every need is presented to the Heavenly Father who has shown Himself to be faithful in every way to his promises.
"Our Heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet." Ellen G. White -- Desire of Ages, p. 330.
The fields are white for the harvest, and opportunities are everywhere. As medical services are expanded, and schools are built, a second and third aircraft will be added to cover new unserved regions. God's love, in the form of loving health care and educaiton is saving lives as well as opening hearts to the message of His soon return.
The Gates hope their experience will encourage you to be willing to follow your Lord into whatever field of service He calls you, and to be willing to do it by depending not on human but Divine providence and support. They joy of experiencing God's provision day-by-day, will be yours.
You may send E-mail to David at:
gates@andrews.edu or
GAMAS@solutions2000.net