The Guyana Congregational Union takes this opportunity to express sincere condolences to the grieving who, on Saturday, July 18, 2026   suffered the loss of family members in that tragic and devastating incident involving the MV Barima, which, as it was en route to Port Kaituma, Region One capsized and sank. Never in the history of this country have we ever recorded the loss of so many Guyanese in any single disaster.

As a country, we have been robbed of a great deal of human potential which will never be realized as we think of the lives of youth and children who perished over that fatal weekend. Alas! Death staked its claim when it took those young lives – not to forget the adults who were also part of the tragedy – in the cold, cruel and boisterous waters in the darkness of night. Those lives, young and old together, are gone, never to be reclaimed. The circumstances around this great loss of life make it difficult for us, family, friends and sympathizers, to simply move on.

In this time of devastating grief and hurt, we join with the Psalmist, entreating: “May the Lord God show us His unfailing love, and grant unto us His salvation.” (Ps. 85:7, NIV.)