Guyana Indigenous Aviation Update by Lincoln Gomez

By Jenyve Greenlaw | June 27, 2025

“Father save us!” I prayed silently and frantically before I declared an emergency in February of 2019. What happened a few minutes later was nothing short of a miracle! Without a shadow of a doubt God himself guided the airplane to a spot where my passenger and myself would not be killed.

Back in 2008 after graduating from the Bethany Medical Missionary College (BMMC) in Guyana I went to do Bible work and help build churches on the eastern part of the my country Guyana. Later, I helped Uncle David Gates in coordinating helicopter flights that would bring in building material to help build a Bible Workers Training School in Kaikan Village, Guyana which is near the country of Venezuela.

Later I went with him to Bolivia to learn to fly as a mission pilot and go wherever God would lead me. Inspite of insufficient funds with God’s help I was able to do the private pilot training course and the instrument rating within 5 years. Also in 2012 I got married to Monica who was among the first batch of students to study at BMMC.

After successfully completing my course I went to a GMI boarding school in Bolivia for 2 years to serve as a teacher along with my wife. Later, after our second child was born I flew for a couple months with two GMI senior pilots in said country. God provided the funds for the flight expenses through a former missionary teacher and her husband.

Later my family and myself went to Guyana where I flew with Pastor/Pilot James Ash for several months before flying with Uncle David. I was eventually checked out and started flying as Pilot in Command in December of 2017.

It was a great privilege to fly missionaries, their supplies, Pastors, Colporteurs and also patients who were saved from death since they had a few hours to live due to venomous snake bites, appendicitis and other serious medical conditions that could not be treated by the health workers in the interior.

I am joyful to know that many people gave their lives to Jesus through baptism as a result of consecrated and dedicated Pastors from the Guyana SDA Conference who went to preach the word in the interior. “In the sweet by and by we shall meet on that beautiful shore.” May God help us to be faithful so we can meet on that beautiful shore with many people who gave their lives to Jesus as a result of our sacrifices and efforts.

Unfortunately, in February of 2019 an accident happened that would cause the medical aviation missionary project to come to a halt for a couple months. A few months later another accident happened to another pilot but he walked off from the site unscathed along with his passengers.

He who knows the end and the beginning knows why these things happened.

My passenger and I were spared that evening in 2019 when the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. Later it was discovered that the fuel monitor was not installed properly in Puerto Rico. My passenger and I were injured but we have recovered with God’s help. I’m very grateful for all who supported me monetarily during this tragic event. I’m also very grateful for prayers that were offered on our behalf.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority did their investigation and concluded I should obtain the Commercial Pilot Certificate in order to fly again in the Guyanese airspace. Three years after the accident, I spoke with Uncle David about the possibility and with God’s help I went to Bolivia again to do the course in 2023 since it could not be done in the USA. After about year I was joined by my family. By God’s grace I completed the course successfully in April of 2025 for His honor and glory. I have learned also that a “good pilot is always learning” which I’m trying to do each day whenever I have the opportunity.

God has also provided an airplane which would continue to fly in Guyana in the near future. Presently additional tanks among other items are being added to it in Tennessee, USA so it can be more efficient in the mission field.

I came to the USA in May of 2025 to help in the construction of the new GMI headquarters in Bolivar, Tennessee and later fly the airplane with God’s help to Guyana.

Please pray for the medical aviation project knowing that we are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

“Those who place themselves under God’s control, to be led and guided by Him, will catch the steady tread of the events ordained by Him to take place. Inspired with the Spirit of Him who gave his life for the life of the world, they will no longer stand still in impotency, pointing to what they cannot do. Putting on the armor of heaven, they will go forth to the warfare willing to do and dare for God, knowing that his omnipotence will supply their need.” – Testimonies for the Church 7:14.

May we be inspired and put on the whole armor of God and go forth to the warfare willing to do and dare for God knowing the He will supply our needs.