In The World Today
Pray for IFES Students in Guyana
Inter-School & Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (IS/IVCF - GUYANA)
PO Box 10586
GEORGETOWN
GUYANA
Phone: +592 226 3347
Fax: +592 226 3347
Email: isivcf@networksgy.com
Fazal Ali
Acting General Secretary
Prayer Needs
Positive Prospectives
Independence from Britain came 34 years ago, but many feel it means little more than government by nationals. Despite past episodes of racial conflict, the Republic's six races try to co-exist to make our motto ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ a reality.We emphasise love, reconciliation and peace in our weekly Bible Clubs involving 12,000 students in more than 200 schools and tertiary institutions. The challenges are many, but the prospects exciting.
Guyana's major religions are Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Our groups sometimes face opposition from head teachers or parents, but most heads are supportive. If students from another faith background profess faith in Christ, sometimes the IS/IVCF group becomes their only ‘church’ experience.
Desmond Rogers, General Secretary of Inter School/Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship (IS/IVCF)
Thanks:
Professions of faith through camps and Bible Clubs;
Increased male participation in some groups;
Growing commitment to missions among students and graduates;
May's Youth Week activities, including media presentations, a prayer rally and an open-air evangelistic meeting;
June's Global Project with InterVarsity-USA on Guyana's Essequibo Coast and July's evangelistic camps;
The 12 staff.
Petition:
Follow-up to recent evangelism;
The IS/IVCF group at the University of Guyana launching a ‘Counselling for Change’ programme;
Development of training materials;
Increased financial support.
Stories
Investing in hope
Mar 12, 2001
Racial tension and poor economic conditions in Guyana are causing some of its brightest and best citizens to seek greener pastures overseas. Many of those who remain live in hopelessness and despair. The Guyanan IS/IVCF movement is, therefore, committed to investment in the architects of the nation's future - high schoolers and students.
Meet two students. Ormelia Lewis is IVCF president at the University of Guyana. 'From IVCF I learned the importance of a daily Quiet Time and developed a healthy appreciation for the body of Christ, crossing denominational barriers. IVCF provided a whole variety of exposure in leadership training, and helped me grow and develop in my walk with God. I want to give back something.'
Kerwin Stuart's parents are teachers, and lead Bible clubs in the schools where they teach. As a youngster, Kerwin was taken to camps, where his father served as commandant and his mother as counsellor. Now a second-year Computer Science student, Kerwin took time out to spend over a year as a regional staff worker, with responsibility for 40 schools, including his own Alma Mater, West Demerara Secondary.
HINDUISM AND ISLAM
We need students with this spirit of serving, as God has given us some great openings for evangelism. The three main religions are Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Through IS/IVCF, Hindu and Muslim students can hear the gospel, and many have gone home to share it with their parents. A Hindu woman said recently, 'My daughter has been going to the school Bible Club. When I was sick she sang Christian songs and prayed for me. I felt better. I like to read the Christian paper she brings home.' We trust God for this mother's salvation.
Not all students win approval to attend meetings. 'Sharda', from St Joseph's High School, made a profession of faith and was zealous for the Lord. However, her Muslim parents stopped her going to church. Schoolfriends rallied around and encouraged her in the faith, but it was certainly not an easy thing for them to part at graduation.
INTO THE INTERIOR
Quado and Narine led the group at the Cyril Potter College of Education. After graduation two years ago most of their friends opted to stay in Georgetown, but they chose to teach at schools out of town rather than settle for the 'comforts' of the city.
We challenge students and graduates to go beyond their comfort zones, to areas that may be less appealing professionally, economically, and academically. Narine and Quado see themselves not only as teachers, but as witnesses in the school and community to the Lord Jesus Christ: Narine on Leguan, one of the 365 islands in the Essequibo River, and Quado at Mainstay, on the Essequibo Coast.
We would love more staff, and at least one speedboat and an outboard engine, to take the gospel to students in the riverain and interior parts of Guyana only accessible by boat. There is much work for us to do.
Work began in four high schools in the 1950s. Now it spans 150 schools and nine colleges and universities, with some 10,000 students involved. Most groups hold evangelistic missions and camps, and these have been very fruitful.
Desmond Rogers
General Secretary IS/IVCF
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