HOPE—COURAGE—VISION

Historic Ebeneezer Lutheran Church

Everything I do for the sake of the Gospel... —1 Corinthians 9:23

On Friday, May 1st we welcomed Bp Stephen & Jane Kristenson, Pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. They were invited guests representing the Eastern Synod (Companion Synod Program) - attending the 66th Annual Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana.

As missionaries you always are thankful for visitors - making new friends and developing new relationships...we enjoyed their company.

The Convention commenced on Sunday, May 3rd with a procession through the streets to the oldest church in Guyana, Ebeneezer Lutheran, founded in 1743. The opening worship was well attended - the weather sunny and hot even being the early hour. All pastors, deacons, delegates and guests then continued onto Skeldon where you can see Suriname (Dutch) across the river.

The presenter for the convention was Rev. Dr. Jose David Rodriguez, Prof Systematic Theology, Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. He spoke on the topics of Hope—Courage—Vision at three scheduled times.

The ELCG presently has a critical shortage of ordained pastors. The church has five ordained pastors (one being the President) - two long term missionary pastors from ELCA (one completing their term in July) and one visiting pastor from ELCIC (until June 25) — three deacons under pastoral supervision... look after the 13 parishes with 47 churches.

There were 19 enrolled in the Lay Ministry Program at the Academy with 16 interested in the diaconal program. Presently the Lutheran Lay Academy is not offering this program of on-going study but hope to in the near future.

We pray that the leaders, delegates and guests were able to find solace and encouragement in standing firm in their hopes, having courage to stay stay in focus with their visions for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana.

We struggle and work hard, because we have placed our hope in the living God,

who is the Saviour of all and especially of those who believe. —1 Timothy4:10

Evenings were spent with entertainment - singing, stories, jokes...fun was had by all. The Convention ended with a Communion Worship service followed by lunch and goodbyes.

Our drive home was rather wild - we have become used to these speedy mini-bus drivers but the excessive speed does cause one to pray for a safe arrival.

Jack listened to the story of Samson ... and then retells it to the children.

A visit up river to Sand Hills on Wednesday through sun and heavy rains and thunder proved to be a great adventure. The children of the small primary school were very inviting with story telling and singing. They enjoyed the action songs Jane and Steve taught them (us too).

Val gave the nursery children of the primary school little 'prayer bears' knit with love by Glenna in Pinawa, MB.

We have taken over 60 of her bears to children in Africa and Guyana.
Thanks Glenna or I should say "Sister Glenna".

The walk through the thick canopy of the rainforest was pungent after the rains - seeing how rainforest riverband gardening along the Demerara River, in what we would never expect anything would grow - it does! Plaintain-manioc-cocoa-eddow-bananas. Sorry we didn't see any Toucans or monkeys this time...

Ivor was a wonderful guide and his boat ride up the Demerara River was made more enjoyable by his pleasing demeanor.

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We PRAY the Lord blesses your day and

fills the year ahead with goodness and grace.

Happy Mother's Day
Jack & Val