Sunday 24 February 2013

The Zone Visit - Im cheating

Hey again! Twice in one day!

I felt bad that I kinda jumped over the Zone Visit - my notes are in my iPad, which is on the other side of the room! So, to make amends, I will refer you to my friends' blog - Nick and Emily. They are in New Amsterdam (an hour or so away) and did a nice little write up.

http://nickandemilyguyana.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-zone-visit.html

Enjoy ;)

OK... So I Am Lame...

Belay the last, call off the search helicopters, calm the sirens calling for justice - I am alive! I have had a little absence from the blogosphere, but as I lie in my bed waiting for the minutes to turn, I thought I would share my non-stop life with all of you vicariously gaining your thrills through me - so many to have! ha... :/

So, I have been back in the fair old Guyana for just over a month now and, well, thing have been busy. I arrived with a week or so before the Zone Visit to a lovely and warm welcome home from the congregation here in Skeldon. I really missed quite a number of the characters here, not least my 'lads' - my studies and the collection of youngsters who always manage to bring a smile to my face. It is great to be back amongst everyone here and feel so at home in a place so foreign.

The Zone Visit was amazing and was so encouraging. I think it felt better than all others as this is the first time that we have not had to sign at the Visit. We had the sign language interpreting beamed from Trinidad this time round, allowing us to sit and enjoy the programme - coming up in the world! The programme was much more 'user-friendly' this time, almost modelling itself on a Gilead graduation - there were lots of interviews with missionaries and lots of experiences and such. We all left on a high. There were massive amounts of people, but sadly I cant remember off the top of my head!












What has happened since? Well, not a lot that I can think of...

We had a 'lads night' with some of the brothers from the hall. It was the first time we have ever done anything like that and it was lovely. One of the guys cooked Creole fowl and duck, dhal and rice, whilst we played dominoes, swung in the hammocks and drank coconut water and as the evening progressed, a touch of rum. Was a lovely afternoon and evening, although we stayed too late and were stranded up the coast in the pouring rain trying to flag down cars!





Since then, things have been business as usual. My ministry seems to have become english-heavy since being back, with my meeting and starting studies with some really interesting people. One of the has started coming to meetings right away, and others are very open and sincere with their questions. They are all testing my knowledge and I sit there frantically pawing my Reasoning book as they speak. It is a nice change from sign language and the inherent feeling of limitation. The ministry has been fun of late, with the congregation really making an effort. We have 78 publishers in our cong, and at the Wednesday group there has been a steady number of at least 34 each week - thats half our cong! The rains havent even dampened people's spirits, with us taking up the challenge of letter writing one very wet day, and taking on some of our muddier territory. We had the talk about the memorial campaign and we were advised to take it slow as we generally finish in 2 weeks - we are selling our services to neighbouring congregations to help with their territory, as we always finish so early - a nice problem to have!

Hanging at the missionary home writing letters (I drew pictures for deaf people) - fresh stream of coffee and Kingdom Melodies... nice
At one house, this man came back from the back-dam (bush) with his bow and arrow. He had been killing wild boar and small animals called Watrash that have been eating his crops. Brian (missionary bro) couldnt resist. The man yelped a bit when he realised Brian was pointing it right at him!

Denzel - my little star right now. He has the goal of 20 hours this month and called me yesterday fretting about his hours as he only has 16! Love him
The reason I was late for hall cleaning yesterday - I went to see one of my hearing studies and he was telling me about this snake he had killed that was really poisonous (he laid it out on a barrel for me to see). Then as I was leaving I went around the street and this was lying across my path - I almost stepped on it. Not sure if this one is as poisonous as the last, but freaked me out. Had to call the study for him to announce he was scared too! We left it to his wife to come out and flick him back into the trench to give me time to get past and out. They ran back to their house! Very funny.


 So, the only news left to say is that there will be a short absence from the blog-net for a week or so (makes a change, eh). I am - very excited!!! - heading down to Lethem for a week, leaving this Friday. We are heading down to attend their Special Assembly, and to help with the campaign. Lethem is in the  proper rainforest of Guyana, and borders Brazil, for which we need no visa. So a week of play and walking and waterfalls and wildlife awaits me - oh and ministry. This road you see is the road down to Lethem - when it rains, the drive can turn from a 14 hour drive to a 24 hour drive, comprising of pulling and pushing the bus. So... I am flying! I promise to return with plenty pictures.

x