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Church of God Home

Church of God Home Dedicated in Guyana

Tyler Carver

On September 27, 2008, the Bless the Children Home in Honor of Tyler H. Carver was opened debt-free in Georgetown, Guyana and dedicated in honor of Tyler Carver, son of Hugh and Nona Carver of Cleveland, Tenn. Hugh Carver is director of the Church of God Men and Women of Action.

On hand for the ribbon-cutting and dedication were the home founders Rev. Ron and Sheila Surujpaul, Rev. John Mohabir, overseer of the Church of God in Guyana and over 140 guests including a delegation from Cleveland, Tenn. Guests from the US included Dr. Douglas LeRoy, General Director of Church of God World Missions; Hugh and Nona Carver, Heather Carver, Jack and Lucille Smith (grandparents of Tyler), Kevin and Zach Brooks and Jose Minay.

Church of God Men & Women of Action, under the direction of Hugh Carver, sent a team to Guyana to work on the Bless the Children Home while under construction. During the final stages of the project, finances became difficult and a generous donation from The Lazarus Foundation enabled the orphanage to be completed. The benevolent gift was given in memory of the life of Tyler H. Carver, son of Church of God Men and Women of Action Director Hugh and Nona Carver. A plaque honoring Tyler and his love of missions work hangs in the entry foyer of the new orphanage.

The idea of a home for children in Guyana, South America, started in the heart of founder Sheila Surujpaul in July 2005. Sheila lived with her husband and family in Pennsylvania, but owned a piece of property at Lot 42 Industry, East Coast Demerara in Guyana, South America. Sheila desired to donate the family-owned property to build a home for children in her country of birth. She prayed fervently and discussed it with her husband and family. All were thrilled with Sheila’s vision and encouraged her to proceed. A bank account was opened in Pennsylvania on September 16, 2005 and the first donors were Sheila and her family, depositing a total of $490 US.

A trip was planned from November 2005 to pursue plans of getting the project underway. Rev Ron Surujpaul, Sheila’s husband, accompanied her on this missionary journey. Once in Guyana, plans were immediately put into operation: inspecting the property, completing relevant paperwork for Home’s registration, securing an architect and opening a bank account in Guyana. One of the many miracles to occur at the children’s home is that, Bro. Sundar Singh, a local contractor in Guyana, committed to build the orphanage without charging a fee for himself.

On October 01, 2008, the Bless the Children Home in Honor of Tyler H. Carver opened to receive its first official residents. It will be the new home for 66 children of Guyana, 33 girls and 33 boys. All areas of the children home were designed for common living, dining and social areas with separated sleeping and bath areas. House Parents will reside upstairs with the residents, while House Guests have separate quarters on the main floor. The main floor can accommodate up to 140 guests for a service and has kitchen facilities to easily prepare food for large gatherings. Safely surrounded by a fenced wall, the residents find that their new home is one of the finest facilities in the city.

Should you wish to donate to the Bless the Children Home in Honor of Tyler H. Carver in Guyana, please contact Church of God World Missions at www.cogwm.org.