GIRWARNAUTH’S UPDATE

Address: Grant 1780, Lot 4,
Crabwood Creek, Berbice, Guyana
E-Mail: andy.girwarnauth@gmail.com Website: www2.gvsu.edu/~girwarns

Andy & Kathleen founded the Association of Bible Churches (ABC) in Guyana, a national church planting organization. Their goal is to establish independent, self-supporting, national-run, Bible churches. They began in 1988 with a vision to plant 20 churches in 20 years (they have planted 18 churches so far!) through the process of evangelism and discipleship, while maintaining a high level of pastoral training in order to facilitate the great commision. They are pictured above with their children and grandchildren during their most recent visit to the States. Check out their monthly update below and visit their website if you want more information.

JULY UPDATE:

Dear Praying Friends,

It is with joy that we send this note of praise to you who so faithfully pray for us and the ministry of church planting in Guyana. These past few weeks have seen much spiritual struggle, but great victory as our great God worked in the villages of #64, Crabwood Creek, and Bath. We have focused specifically on these villages with the US teams, for VBS and crusade outreach. Thank you for praying for the leadership here, and for the teams who came to share in the work. In each village, there was a harvest of souls, both young and old. Each church reports new believers coming to worship. Follow up has begun, please pray that the Word would continue to grow and bear fruit in these lives.

Just this past week, the team from Grace Bible Fellowship, IN, came to work alongside us in Bath Settlement. This was a group of young people and adults, who individually and collectively poured themselves into the VBS and crusade ministries. In addition to that, there was one man on the team, Kevin, who worked alongside our pastor in training, Willow, to complete phase one of the Bath parsonage project. We praise God for allowing us all to work in dry weather, for safety, for team unity, for health and strength. There were close to 300 children in VBS on the last day! The boys enjoyed learning to play soccer, while the girls did crafts each morning. The gospel was clearly presented each day, which reached into the hearts of these mostly hindu and muslim children. Only eternity will tell the full story of the impact on Bath village. Evening crusades were well attended, even those who didn't come could hear for several blocks, the sound system was that loud! We saw a harvest of MEN, several were in church on Sunday. The church was packed out, all the pews were full, the Bath church resounding with praise and worship to our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. As a bonus to our sister churches in the Association of Bible Churches, each team left behind many extra supplies for the other VBS outreaches. Our God supplies every need! Thank you, Trinity and Grace Bible, for your generous assistance!

Things are quieting down a bit now with the teams gone, but we will continue our weekly routine of minstry, tv broadcasts, mentoring and discipleship. After we took the last team to the airport, we had the opportunity to rest in Georgetown for a couple of days, which was "just what the doctor ordered". We feel refreshed, refueled, and ready to go again. We know that after great victory there is also great opposition, so are grateful for the chance to "restore our souls" in advance of whatever comes next. We are grateful that the Lord knows the way, and where He leads, we will follow.

Once again, we covet your prayers for our family in Michigan, and for the needs of this organisation (Bath parsonage project, national pastors fund, Hampshire expansion project, land for #64 church). As national director for PIEI in Guyana, it is our responsibility to share the needs and prayer requests for this field. We appreciate your faithfulness in prayer and encouragement as together we partner in reaching Guyana for Christ.

Grateful for His grace,

Andy and Kathleen