Bermudians continue to show their benevolent side as the Guyana Mission Trip 2007 received a much-needed shot in the arm.

Representatives from six countries, including Bermuda, helped with feeding orphans, church restoration ansd vocational Bible study.

The event was spearheaded by Gillian Grannum, Leopold Blythe, Hortence Forrest, Blondell Warner and Rodlin Davis and, according to Bermudian entertainer promoter L.A. Virgil, who was on the trip, "It became my most challenging experience since South Africa.

"From the moment I read it in the church bulletin I knew this trip would be an integral part of God's plan for my life. Like my grandmother, known prayer warrior Nevida Joell, it was in my genes to follow with missions in the 'real' world."

Some 30 individuals flew to the South American country for the Church of God of Guyana's 90th anniversary. Theme for the event was based on the biblical scripture Luke 4:18-19.

"This was very fitting since the churches have united to see how they could assist their country in moving forward and making a positive impact. The celebration was held for the most part at various churches, Guyana City Hall and the Cultural Centre as well as Marion Academy," she said.

Ms Virgil explained the mode of transportation for many of the people (clad in red life jackets) was by riverboat, which resembled a motorised canoe ride for hours across the raging Essequibo River to learn more about Christ.

"People attended from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados as well as representatives from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, England and New York. Groups were pre-divided as we volunteered to either work at a church site, which involved restoring one of the churches, assisting with vacation Bible study or the actual conference."

Ms Virgil, who was a youth facilitator for the project, described the experience as "enlightening".

It was during this period that she was inspired to write out a three-day lesson plan and her head Vacation Bible Study co-ordinator Hortence Forrest and the Guyanese leadership division agreed to let all of the teens adhere to it.

"That section of the lesson plan was entitled Guyana's Teens Must be Equipped for Life's Journey in Order to Make a Positive Change. This resulted in structured, open debates and how the Bible can be applied to everyday challenges," she said.

"My favourite book is Proverbs. I must say this reminded me of what my former producer says of the now defunct show Fast Forward, that has produced some outstanding members of Bermudian society such as Glenn Jones and Koshea Scott-Millett. The students actually told me how they were positively influenced by our interactions and if we return five years from now, we would see how the seeds that were planted have grown.

"In addition, we assisted in feeding orphans and other poverty-stricken individuals. Some members of our team had the pleasure of walking hand in hand with a ministry team of Jesus Loves You Ministries Guyana. Our contact with this team was Sister Goldie Callender, fondly referred to as Sister BiBi, who happens to resemble my cousin Rev. Conway Simmons' wife Joan.

"The Jesus Loves You Guyana team led us into areas that visitors would never get to see. Jesus Loves You Ministries Guyana, registered in Guyana, began in 2000 when Rev. Daphne Bobb answered God's call to minister to the needy in the streets.

"Since then, the ministry has been faithfully showing the love of Jesus by feeding the poor, clothing the needy and reaching out to the broken hearted. They have been literally continuing the work of Jesus Christ," Ms Virgil added.

She praised Bishop C. Milton Grannum and his wife, Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Bobb-Grannum, for not only for allowing her to be a part of their tireless efforts of unifying the populace by leading as opposed to idly occupying space on a church pew.

"She recalled how she felt her calling in life would be to make a positive impact in individual's reactive minds. I told my class that Jesus-like actions contribute to the universal flow of positive energy. Just as we listen to a song, it brings back memories ¿ well, the same applies to our deeds.

"The beauty of it is that you know these children are appreciative. Unlike many locals who prefer to live in a fake, materialistic world, these souls truly worship and thank God by signing his praises for surviving," Ms Virgil said.

She also did a mini-documentary and asked the impoverished youth and orphans why they thank God and the answers were astounding.

"Here they were, visibly poor, but they still felt God was good and He protected them. I sometimes hear from my students when I don't hear from numerous individuals whose lives I know without a doubt I have made a positive impact on.

"We ministered to 120 children and I needed this experience to remind me that there remains joy in the simplicity of God's creation," Ms Virgil beamed.

When asked what locals had to be thankful for, she matter-of-factly said: "It is not the car you drive or designer clothes that you wear, but the fact that God blesses us with bare necessities.

"I have watched people enjoying life with no shoes, ragged clothes, entire families travelling via donkey or horse-drawn carriages. I got to swim in the Amazon River and experience my childhood dreams of doing missionary work and actually come face to face with the indigenous Amerindians."

She recalled the first night of her stint in Guyana.

"I cried profoundly because I told one of our leading co-ordinators, Minister Gillian Grannum, that I am so blessed that God would spare my life to travel this far to make that difference. You know my saying from Gandhi, 'Be the change you wish to see in the world'.

"After all, life is a journey that simply consists of interwoven moments that can either be more positive or negative. I recalled talking with my now deceased cousin Michael Fox, three weeks exactly before he died, about his experiences in Trinidad before his death.

"He provided me with much needed laughter about his experiences which would end up being his final mission before he passed. Then he stated that he wasn't sure what difference he had made there and I reminded him that he was sent there to make a difference in those children's lives and to bury one of their mothers. You see, it is all about the legacy, your dash and what you want it to read."

When asked what suggestion or words of encouragement for Bermudians who feel their calling is in missionary work or to be a more effective role model, she replied: "I'm asking all of Bermuda's churches to come together and bow before the throne as we proceed into another election. When it comes to mistakes in people's lives, they cannot be easily deleted for some mistakes can and will be life impacting."

For those who wish to support the ministry of assisting to feed, clothe the poor or heal the broken-hearted in some way, may write or send donations to Jesus Loves You Ministries Guyana, 3688 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.