OPERATIONAL STRATEGY


OBJECTIVE

To use mission aviation to penetrate Guyana s interior with the message of God s love, and to establish a permanent church presence in targeted population centers.

STRATEGY

Following the council from the Spirit of Prophecy that nothing will open doors for the truth like evangelistic medical missionary work , medical teams involving medical professionals such as physicians, dentists, nurses, dieticians, and public health workers/educators will be flown into isolated areas to provide needed medical services to the inhabitants. Building upon relationships and trust developed by the medical teams, a lay pastor, accompanied by Bible workers and colporters will work in the area in order to establish a permanent congregation. Once established, a congregation will receive pastoral support at least once every 4-6 weeks.

METHODOLOGY

The map on the right graphically describes the two phases of penetration into the interior. Phase I routes covering the Northern half of Guyana are shown in blue. Phase II routes strategically target isolated Guyana population centers located in the Southern half of the country. These routes are shown in red.

Phase I: Its purpose is to strengthen areas where work already exists, and to develop new medical-evangelistic programs in surrounding villages. Phase I will be considered to have reached maturity when targeted population centers have a permanent SDA presence, and the plane is able to provide regular pastoral support at 4-6 week intervals. Maturity of Phase I is estimated to take between 3-4 years. During the last year of Phase I operation, and prior to beginning Phase II operations, a self- study will be performed using historical data accumulated during the previous years of operation.

Self-Study: The study will analyze issues such as economics, safety of operation, success in reaching objectives, political environment, effect of illegal activities on the program, and overall perceptions of the government, church administration and members, and public which is served. Recommendations resulting from the self-study will deal with the continued viability of the program, and steps to be taken in continuing or liquidating the operation. A copy of the self-study along with all recommendations will be made available to all parties having an interest in the operation. In the case of liquidation, all donors will be contacted for instructions in handling funds associated with the liquidation process. In the case of continued operation, all recommendations should be implemented as soon as possible.

Phase II: Lethem, located on the Western border with Brazil will be used as a base from which to conduct Southern operations. Lethem has contact with Georgetown by dirt road, and is a center of trade with Brazil. Initiation of Phase II need not wait until Phase I reaches full maturity, but can overlap by a year so that plans and contacts can be developed in preparation for a full scale effort. Maturity of this phase, as that of the first, will be reached as targeted areas are permanently entered and regular support is provided. Maturity of Phase II is estimated to take between 2-3 years.

Project Completion: By overlapping both phases by at least one year, the total time projected to achieve the desired objective should be between 4-6 years. Since the establishment and growth of a permanent church presence require continued pastoral support, regular and emergency air support will prove vital in finding pastoral staff willing to live in isolated areas. Upon completion of Phase II, continued operation of the aircraft should once again be studied. If continued operation is recommended, a new plan of operation should be developed, having new objectives and a clear plan of implementation.


[Executive Summary] [General Information] [Denominational Information] [Operational Strategy] [The Aircraft ] [About the Author] [Appendix A] [Appendix B]