Bringing light to the edges

By 
Gregory Quan Kep

Acting on Christ’s commission in Mark 16:15 –“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”–the Jesus Explosion (JE) Mission Team journeyed from Trinidad to Guyana from July 25 to August 4.

The mission was based in the remote and rugged Region One, within the Catholic parish of Hosororo, one of the most underserved areas in the Diocese of Georgetown.

The team from Trinidad comprised:

Fr Ian Taylor–JE Spiritual Director

Lesley Taylor-Gouveia–JE Coordinator

Gregory Quan Kep–JE Leader and Acting Principal of St Benedict’s College

Kathy Webb–Teacher

Dr Danielle Gene Leben–Medical Doctor

Billy George–Music Minister

The mission team was further strengthened in Guyana by local missionaries:

Kent Vincent–Coordinator, Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Gail Vincent–Music Minister

The main organisers on the ground were Br Paul Fernandez, a longtime missionary and spiritual leader in Region One, and the Missionary Sisters of Charity, who continue to serve the poor with humility and deep commitment.

The Hosororo Parish spans 26 church communities scattered across forest, riverine, and mountainous terrain. Two of these communities were recently established through the missionary efforts of Br Fernandez and were officially blessed—one by Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB of Georgetown and the other by Fr Joel Thompson SJ. The parish has had no resident priest for over three years. While a few Religious orders have expressed interest in taking up ministry in the region, no long-term commitment has materialised.

At present, a priest visits once per month, usually travelling from Georgetown—a journey that takes 22 hours by boat or requires a US$235 light aircraft flight, underscoring the immense geographical and financial challenges.

Despite these limitations, the JE Mission brought renewed spiritual vitality and pastoral care to the faithful. Communities visited included Hosororo, Wanakai, Hotoquai, Barabina, and others.

Daily Masses, praise and worship, healing services, youth ministry, and intercession were central to each mission day. The team also conducted two home visitations, bringing comfort and prayer to the elderly and shut-in—moments that highlighted the beauty of personal outreach in the mission of the Church.

The mission continued with outreach in Mabaruma, the administrative centre of Region One. The experience revealed a people resilient in faith, hungry for the Word of God, and in urgent need of regular sacramental and pastoral presence.

The JE Team left this mission deeply moved, having witnessed firsthand both the spiritual thirst and the missionary urgency in one of the Church’s most hidden corners.

Their efforts were a spark of hope and renewal, lighting a path forward for continued evangelisation, accompaniment, and prayerful advocacy for more labourers in this ripe harvest field.