Barrancas,VENEZUELA
- Sandra Turkington
- Oct 6, 2025
- 6 min read
Allan and I were commended to the Lord’s work in Venezuela in 1994. We moved to Barrancas, in the state of Barinas, where a small assembly was struggling. Our very first visit confirmed the Lord's direction: we arrived to find just one brother and six sisters breaking bread. We knew we were in the right place when one of the sisters confided that they had often gathered in the kitchen, specifically praying for the Lord to send help. Thus began our work in His "field," which continues today through the Lord’s strength and the faithful prayers of His people.
Over the years, the Lord has graciously blessed this work, allowing us to see four more assemblies formed in the state. Since 1994, Allan has been directly involved in the building of twelve gospel halls. The hall in Barinas city is the only one he could not complete before his home call. We attempted construction several times, but the country’s economic situation, a fuel shortage, and the pandemic all created serious impediments. Even since his passing, we have spent a few months every year working on it. The third phase of construction was completed from February to May. We were grateful that a retention wall beside the canal was completed just in time, before heavy rains caused flooding throughout the country. What a blessing it was that the water didn’t enter the hall! The next critical step is to install the floor, which we hope to accomplish during the dry season. It’s a mind-boggling task to attempt without Allan, and we ask for prayer that the Lord will continue to give us courage to proceed until completion. One of my daughters and I had always longed for the opportunity to help needy children. Ten years ago, amidst an economic crisis, the Lord began bringing us destitute children. One by one, they came, and we embraced them as a gift from Him.
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). I would like to briefly recount the story of Alexander, one of the first children we received. When he was four years old, his mother brought him to me, asking me to take him because her latest partner didn't want him. (His biological father, who had never given them a sideways glance, had passed away a year before.) Before coming to us, Alexander had been living with his grandmother, who was the town's beggar. She took him out on the street to beg with her and beat him severely when he wouldn't obey. He arrived at our home a significantly hardened little boy. He literally did not know what a hug was, nor how to give or receive one. Our first hug left him as stiff as a board and extremely confused. Thankfully, he soon connected with our youngest daughter, Rachel (then 15), and quickly transformed into a super-loving child. Several months later, his two older sisters came for a visit during the summer. We fell in love with them, and when their mother returned to live with the depraved grandmother, we took the girls in permanently as well. As we learn more about their dire family background, we realize it's God's mercy that He intervened on behalf of these three precious
young souls. Each child the Lord has brought to us has arrived with a unique and profound story of hardship from their young past. Many have known more sorrow in just a few years than
most of us are spared in a lifetime. It has been such a joy and a privilege to love and care for them, all because He first loved us! (1 John 4:10-11).
We’ve been blessed with the care and raising of 16 children at home. Two years ago, we were entrusted with five babies and toddlers; three of those started preschool this year. Four of the children who came to us ten years ago are now adolescents in high school. The ongoing economic crisis in Venezuela has filtered through every aspect of life in this country. It precipitated a mass exodus of millions of Venezuelans, leaving many essential services decimated. The country lost countless teachers, and parents were initially forced to pick up the baton until schools began closing altogether. For four years, the educational system was essentially non-existent, leaving many children illiterate. While public schools started opening again two years ago, many have very poor facilities. Schools are plagued with structural damage (like leaking roofs), non-
functioning washrooms, and no access to water. Furthermore, teachers’ pay is minimal, resulting in a very low level of commitment.
In the midst of this vacuum, we recognized the need to start homeschooling our school aged social orphans. We began at the kitchen table. At that time, one of our daughters was studying education and was praying about starting a Christian school someday. That future quickly became the present when she saw me struggling to teach four children to read and write. She immediately took them outside to the school room Allan had built for our family’s high school studies, and that very day, class commenced! A couple of sisters from the assemblies started helping her and brought more children. This continued to grow until we had three teachers and 46 children. We proceeded with the legal requirements, and this year marks our third year as an official institution. We now have 115 children enrolled, ranging from two levels of preschool to grade 6, taught by ten dedicated teachers from various assemblies.
When vacation starts each year, the books go away and out comes the construction equipment! By necessity, we’ve had to build another school room and two bathrooms to accommodate the children moving up through the system. These endeavors could not have been realized without the efforts, prayers, and provision of many people. We are humbled and thankful to the Lord for the good testimony He has allowed this school to have in the community. Visiting inspection authorities have encouraged us, saying they had not seen any other school with such an orderly environment and peaceful atmosphere. The teachers meet each morning for a time of prayer before receiving the children for instruction. The children’s first hour at school is dedicated to Bible choruses and a Bible lesson. It is amazing to think—and we are thankful to God—that parents have even asked to put their unborn children on the school’s waiting list! We are currently completing the construction of two new classrooms and four washrooms for the students moving up to the next grade. Since the school’s opening, we’ve hosted four gatherings for parents, and on each occasion, over sixty have respectfully listened to the gospel message. The home front is never dull! We provide a home to sixteen children of various ages and stages, each with their unique needs and special personalities. There’s mealtime, playtime, skill learning, laundry, and all the regular, wonderful things that happen in a family home. The children receive a Bible class daily and attend all the assembly meetings with us. We truly covet your prayers for their salvation. We are grateful we’re able to take all the children to the December and August conferences, and afterward, we enjoy a short but enjoyable two-day trip to the beach. Despite mechanical challenges, we were able to get four cars in condition just in time for the twenty of us to travel! They each bring us so much joy. Lupita, who arrived with severe debilities, continues to improve; she was recently fitted for glasses and marveled at her newly acquired vision. She loves to hear the children's chorus, "Jesus Loves Me," and one of her first words was "Jesus." We are grateful that our four high school students did well in their studies and attended all assembly meetings: the oldest, Nelson (15), professed faith after Allan's passing. Please pray for the three high school girls: Gabriela, Antonieta, and Belen. We are thankful to be able to provide a meal a day to children from the surrounding neighborhood. This, we pray, will be a witness of God's love and care for them.
Written by Sandra (and Allan)Turkington turkingtonallan8@gmail.com
