The Words of the Burrowes Family

Our Mission in Guyana -- A Brief History

Barbara Burrowes van Praag
October 1985


1976. After a church service, everyone poses for a picture.

Guyana, which means Land of Many Waters, is a nation of five races and numerous religions. Located in the middle atop the South American cone, with Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south, and Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana) to the east, the politics of cooperative socialism reign supreme. The Guyanese people are very religious -- whether they be Christian, Hindu, or Moslem. They are not aggressive in nature but when pushed to the extreme they can be as violent as any people.

Half of the population is Indian (from India); the other half is a combination of people of African, Amerindian, European, and Chinese descent. In the 1960s politicians used racial differences to incite and confuse the population. Indians and people of African descent were pitted against one another, which resulted in much racial bloodshed. Today racial strife is not as marked as before, but political differences have caused the people to be distrustful of either those on the Right or those on the Left. On both sides both chief racial groups are fully represented.

Before I present a brief history of the Unification movement in Guyana, it might be appropriate to give some information about myself. After teaching in primary and secondary schools in my native Guyana I went to England, where I became a registered nurse and midwife. In 1960, after two years of postgraduate training in Rochester, Minnesota, I went to Italy hoping to hear the words of the third letter of Fatima, which should have been revealed to the public in that year.

I intended to study opera and perhaps get a degree in philosophy as well, but God had plans for me: In 1964 Jesus appeared to me, blessed me, and after giving me communion told me that very soon he had a wonderful gift to give me but that I should change my dwelling place. I did so and in 1965 I was introduced to the Principle by Doris Walder Orme in Rome. I met True Father that year -- the greatest privilege on earth. It was in August 1965. He told me in 1969 that I should become a missionary to my own country, "not just yet but in the future..." I left Italy in 1970, and in April 1971 I was shown that it was time to leave for Guyana.


1978. Rally for God.

The Mission in Guyana

I landed right foot first at five p.m. on May 1, 1971. The May Day parades were long over and I felt filled with what I wanted to say to my family and acquaintances, so much so that as soon as I arrived I invited my school friend to join my family that very evening to hear the good news. By eight p.m. I was already teaching the introduction and the Principle of Creation to my mother, my sister, my cousin, my mother's adopted son Carl, and my friend. My mother said she was told in a dream that I was returning with a light for the family and the nation, and before she passed on in 1972 she peacefully declared: "I can feel that you love Rev. and Mrs. Moon more than can be understood; you are doing the will of God. Please continue. God bless you." She was a very staunch Catholic, and although she could not relate to the teaching of the Principle she somehow understood its value.

During that first year I witnessed to many important people -- including the prime minister of Guyana, who wanted to assign me to a special government mission. He was so discouraged when I told him I came back home to be a missionary and wanted nothing else, that he has refused to speak to me ever since.

The people who readily responded to the Principle were God-fearing Christians. I was interviewed by several reporters, so through both the radio and the newspapers people were informed about the revelation received by Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Some people responded and became members, and by 1973 we opened a new center at 89 Croal Street in, Georgetown. For the first time also the Tongil sign was put up. We set many conditions, I myself going almost three years without eating meat. Together we did many seven-day fasts and prayer vigils and had many spiritual experiences.


Los Internationales

The Families

While in the Western world parents were interfering with the choice of their children when it came to joining the Unification Church, parents in Guyana brought their children to us. Deeply religious Christian mothers, aware of society's falling standards and failing discipline, sought thereby to save their children, even though they sometimes did not even want to study the revelation. Because of the natural spiritual awareness of the Guyanese people they not only saw the good and the high moral standard but wanted to be a part of it. Even today some parents, whose children found it difficult to live such a religious life and therefore left, openly say they regret very much that their son or daughter did not make it.

Pioneering

Very soon I was no longer the only pioneer, and our work stretched even into remote country areas where there was no electricity and hardly any modern facilities. Yet those first pioneers gave themselves without complaint. I sensed that there were some people at the University of Guyana, so I enrolled in a sociology class. There I met Amanda Fullington, Megan Anderson, and Jenny Lancaster. I then continued my search for spiritual children and held many rallies. Of course we were persecuted but that never kept us back.

We invited many ministers and tried in vain to set up a strong interfaith movement. Individual ministers were very often positive but their superiors sometimes were not. There were church bodies who preached out against us and still do. Guyana is only five hours away from the United States, so publicity reaches the nation very fast. Many ministers were afraid of losing their members and their tithes.

By 1974 we were obliged to seek larger premises, at 104 Croal Street, which is still the headquarters. We numbered already over 70 people. Late that year, when our church was incorporated, one government official said that if we had waited we would never have been given permission. This became clear, for by 1975 the government began to openly accuse us of wanting to overthrow it. Of course this was all farcical and probably was intended to intimidate us. Public denial was made in the press and that was that.


1984. Street preaching during a workshop.

Spiritual Experiences

Guyanese family members have had and still do have many spiritual experiences. Sometimes on special celebrations the spiritual activity is much greater. On two World Days while praying at the holy ground members experienced a miraculous vision of the sun. The sun spun around the heavens emitting various colors and bright light and the Heavenly host and True Parents appeared. The entire globe was shown with its wars and confusion and then a light came spinning from the East, enveloping the globe. One member who was not very spiritually sensitive, after actually seeing the phenomena like everyone else, waited eagerly for the next day to see if it would be reported in the media. She could not believe her eyes. Only those who were present were given that privilege.

On another occasion St. Paul manifested himself through our member Robert Hall and said, "I am Paul of Tarsus; I persecuted my Lord Jesus Christ. I have come to tell you that my Lord Jesus Christ has given over all authority to Sun Myung Moon." Nora Chuck- a-Sang, who pioneered the Northwest district and brought the first Amerindians into the church, has experienced many deep things through Jesus. Today one sister receives messages constantly from Heung Jin Nim and Jesus; her visions are remarkable.

Cultural and Social Activities

With so many young people in the church and the need to vary activities, Robert Hall and I started a choir in 1974, then called The Unified Family Singers. Everyone was involved, both parents and children. At first we were invited to sing by church groups. Later we had our own rallies and functions, and the performances got better. The choir was renamed The Hallelujah Group. Soon not only Guyana but other Caribbean nations began to applaud the group. The young choreographer Hugh Harper showed unusual talent, and I composed music and wrote some plays.

The group and soloists were given awards at various festivals. In Suriname, Trinidad, and Barbados they were hailed as the best cultural group in the region. A record was made in Barbados. Young pianist and singer Raoul Joseph used to send the crowds in Guyana wild, and Irma Bovell singing the old songs charmed the hearts of the more mature audiences. I would like to mention everyone, but I hope you will see them perform one day. The group later left the Caribbean and won greater laurels in Europe and elsewhere.

We will never forget the electrified audiences in Guyana who hardly wanted to move after a three-hour performance. Whether swinging to the beat of beautiful gospel music, or dancing to the drums of the spicy Caribbean, the group warmed hearts both young and old. The group -- now Los Internationales -- is no longer on Guyanese soil, but we now have The New Hallelujah Group, for God has continued to send us many wonderful singers and dancers throughout the years.


1984. Workshop in Guyana.

Special Project: Joshua House, Home for Indigent Children

In 1975 we found property that we wanted to buy and use as a church center. However, it became apparent that there was dire need in the community for another children's home or orphanage, since only the Catholics had such a facility. Joshua House was created out of the love and sacrifice of many brothers and sisters. The building on the site showed signs of deterioration soon after its purchase, so for many years we tried to get it restructured.

Later the International Relief Friendship Foundation (IRFF) began giving some financial assistance, and at present they are assisting in the rebuilding of Joshua House. More than 700 children have been housed, clothed, and fed through this project, and we are truly grateful that with the help of IRFF and noble-spirited citizens we have been able to continue this mission.

Growth and Changes

The Guyana family grew rapidly until 1978, by which time we had a full-time membership of over 100 brothers and sisters.

We held several workshops each year and had a weekly session of internal guidance. When our first Sunday services began in 1972 there were about ten people attending. By 1978 almost 200 came to the 11 a.m. service. Many members learned how to teach, and from time to time not only Principle workshops were held but Unification Thought and VOC were also imparted to all.

But then something happened in Guyana which would later influence the world: the Jonestown tragedy. Our church has never been the same since. We lost many newcomers. The older members remained because they knew everything there was to know about the movement. Fear gripped many people, and those churches who were against us had the fuel to become even more vicious in their attacks from the pulpit. We continued our usual evangelical work, and although many responded by listening to the lectures they were never willing to join wholeheartedly. Many responded to our cultural work, so through The Hallelujah Group we were able to build up a home church type of relationship as we were invited to homes and receptions. We had to close some of our out-of-town centers, and so we concentrated on Georgetown. Because we observed that the Indian community was not responding well, we did many witnessing conditions in which we witnessed only to Indian people -- Hindus, Moslems, and Christians -- but they still have not come.

Our ICF work opened new horizons for us. We were able to mix with the intelligentsia, and after they attended ICUS conferences many of them became our true friends. In February 1981 the local chapter of PWPA was officially inaugurated. In April 1984 ISUM and PWPA seminars were held with great success. Many of the professors attending the Principle workshop were deeply moved. Some have said that they are studying the Principle more deeply and intend to teach it. With this activity there is the hope that once more our building will be filled to capacity. Our present church attendance is between 70 and 80 every Sunday and on celebration days about twice as many.

Through New ERA we are in contact with many ministers, and the videotapes put out by the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Freedom have been viewed by many, but there is still the old reserve. A Guyanese chapter of NCCSA will soon be established through the few ministers who are positive. We were unable to establish CARP on our university campus, but there are some important figures who are the initiators of CAUSA in Guyana.


1984. Workshop in Guyana.

Other Activities

For several years now we have been running two half-hour radio programs. We have a radio audience of thousands, and many people recognize some of us as soon as we speak. It is heartening that some people write us and ask many questions. During the programs we are free to discuss the Principle, but we must never engage in any political discussion. Sometimes we discuss common Christian ethics and practices. Lucine Harris is presently the producer of the program; and he also diligently teaches members the Korean language.

One of our brothers started a small candle factory, and there is another shop called "One World Bargain Center," managed by a sister. So far our members have not been very successful in business attempts, but we feel that this is a new period of development for us.

The latest of our social outreaches is the East Garden Youth Organization (EGYO), founded on May 15, 1984. This organization brings together young people from age 14 to 30 of all religious backgrounds. The United Nations has declared 1985 International Youth Year, and EGYO is designed to teach ethics and etiquette, to help solve the problems of youth, to encourage various educational pursuits, to impart languages, to develop musical abilities and all forms of culture, to train athletes, and to raise the moral standard on the individual and community levels.

After thirteen years

In 1982, 30 members of the Unification Church of Guyana, including those members who were already involved in overseas missions, were blessed in divine marriage in America and Korea.

When in 1965 I saw a vision of Moses standing behind me with his staff, I realized that God called me to release my own people. So far I have experienced many exciting things. It's a very beautiful experience to see open faces looking with eagerness to learn and to understand the Principle. I have witnessed the countless tears and sacrifices of those who truly accept the Principle and seek with all sincerity to feel the heart of God and the heart of True Parents, and whose desire is never to leave them. I have felt the deepest sorrow when those who struggled to understand could not, and when others gave up and left and were no longer willing to try again.

I have never been a physical mother, yet I have felt the pains of giving birth and the grief of losing a child. Today I feel like Mary at the tomb, who looked eagerly for Jesus. I have never visited Danbury, but these words come to me almost daily: They have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have put Him. Yet in spirit I am with him there. My burdens and sin are on him. I cannot leave him there. No matter how much I have done along with my Guyanese brothers and sisters I have not done enough; we have not done enough. In this thirteenth year of our church in Guyana we are really trying to go beyond our limitations.

God be with you and us all... "he will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more...." He is the one who has suffered most -- let us wipe away His tears. With His love, with His wisdom and deep faith, let us all persevere until the end. 

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