Its an old blog post about Robin!
http://griffdoesguyana.blogspot.com/2012/10/going-extra-mile.html
So nice reading that and saying that I am going to leave it in Jehovah's hands... He has very good hands and this weekend was the proof!
Off for a lil rum now
Sunday 26 October 2014
Two Cool Things...
Hey all
September saw the arrival of two Scottish lads - Tim and Simon - who are going to be keeping me company for a little while. Actually, Simon was here for two-odd weeks as he has a wedding to be getting on with and this was his last hurrah with Tim. Tim, though, hails from the same congregation as my mum and brother and is staying until December. It was so lovely having some British (they are getting annoyed when I refer to everything as 'English') banter in the house and some real ripping of each other apart. Sounds strange but when you are trying to be ever-so-polite all the time to the locals or trying to navigate the cultural and satirical differences between us and the Americans, well, some Britishness is a welcome shot of reality.
So... Cool Thing Number One...
We have just enjoyed our new one-day Circuit Assembly. As with everything, Jehovah has been very kind in reducing the two-day to a one-day. The talks were on the mark and everyone was really fresh and eager. It also makes the interpreting a lot easier with half the talks!
This was a very special assembly for me because we saw Robin get baptized. My instagram followers all know Robin's face as I have had the pleasure of studying with him for the last 6 months or so. I have known him for the last 3-odd years, as he has been studying since he was young. He is Deaf and has been supported and helped by so many different brothers and sisters over the years. Due to some family problems, he stopped coming to meetings last year and got into the worldly Deaf scene. We didn't give up though and gradually he saw the friends he had for who they really were and asked me to re-start his studies... well, since then he has been on fire and yesterday saw the culmination of all his hard work and Jehovah's spirit. He is going to be an amazing elder! Since becoming a publisher, he hasn't reported less than 40 hours in a month and he has several active RVs on the ministry. He is a pleasure to be around for all of us and we all fight over who gets to work with Robin, as on a study you can just sit back and he can do it all. The real work starts now for him, but he will do it with a smile on his face, I am sure.
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| Robin 3 years ago when I first went on his study... |
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| So nice seeing these two getting on and DZ signing to Robin |
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| The obligatory shot |
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| The YES |
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| The BREATH |
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| The TEARS |
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| Bro and Sis |
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| Eeny Meeny Miney Mo... |
And Cool Thing Number Two...
We took a trip to Kaieteur Falls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaieteur_Falls), which is one of the wonders of Guyana. Its claim to fame is that it is the world's tallest single drop waterfall and is four times higher than Niagara Falls (thanks wiki). Its actually something that most Guyanese wouldn't get to visit, as it is nestled deep in the interior and you have to take a flight to get there. Over the last 3 years I have booked it 3 times and each time was cancelled... At last!
So, tickets bought, off we went, with Denzel and Michael along for the ride. It was their first time in an airplane and they loved it!
Enjoy the photos. Im off to Qatar again on Thursday for some work, so will have some pics to share I am sure. Here it is the start of rainy season and mosquito month so will be glad to be out of the country for a couple of weeks.
Later!
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| Tim doesn't seem to understand why we ask him everytime he is heading out the door what he is going to wear... "Whaaat" is his usual reply... |
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| Michael didn't know what to make of this stripey Care Bear and the guy with the weird hair |
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| Proof |
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| A determined tourist |
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| Sponsored by Apple |
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| Yep... they are tall |
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| These boys got all artsy |
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| Ignoring the 'stay ten feet away from edge' signs |
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| This was our plane - 13 seater, including the co-pilot seat. I wanted Denzel to get the co-pilot seat but some Dutch man nabbed it. |
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| They let you get right up to the edge - not at all like Niagara! |
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| DZ showing off his country like a good Amerindian |
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| Hoping to kick-start his modeling career |
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| Michael got on with these two too well |
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| Pretty chuffed |
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| Playing it cool on his first ever time in a plane |
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| The rainforest was as beautiful as ever |
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| They fly you around the falls to get pics and stuff and then you land and walk to viewing sites |
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| Good day all round... Special memory |
Monday 6 October 2014
From the Wilderness, He Returned!
Once again I start this post with my head in my hands and apologies on my lips - Sorry! I know most of you have been getting by without hearing my drivel but I like to think that some of you enjoy reading this thing from time to time. It is funny that with the ease of Instagram, my blog has somewhat migrating to a visual medium that can be updated at the touch of the button and doesnt require so much cerebral action.
Anyhows, I have a few mins, so here I am. I am ashamed to see that the last time I posted was back in May! So, now we are in October, what has happened...?
I guess the major thing is that the temporary move to New Amsterdam Sign Language Group has become a permanent thing. It has been a strange transition as I came over for a brief 'toe in the water' and have just ended up staying (familiar story for those that know about my Bethel and original Guyana stories). Deciding to stay and assist has opened up a whole load of new blessings and challenges, along with some of those rather special ones that come with serving in sign language. That said, I do feel Jehovah's support on the decision and don't regret it. I have still been going back to Skeldon to conduct one study that I am not ready to give up and so I manage to catch up with most people still.
So, I am now in my new 'pad' - which is next door to the house I was squatting in, next to Luke and Laura. Although I am sure I annoy them, they look after me really well and Laura is the 'back-step fairy' who leaves amazing dinners on my steps and disappears into the night. I have a strange apartment that feels like a villain's lair (original Batman series reference) as it is basically like the leaning tower of Pisa. The place is big, though, and has been great to be able to entertain a little. My favourite thing is I have a veranda where I can sit outside on a morning and watch the world go by with my coffee.
I guess one of the most amazing things that has happened was the convention - I know you will all agree for your own reasons. I decided not to come back to the UK for the convention as many from here were going home for their conventions and we were running on skeleton crews somewhat. After all the instagram posts, I really regret that decision as Twickers looked amazing. Thanks for all of you that posted from there though, as I could live vicariously for a month with all the preparations and the actual event. Here in Guyana, though, we had a special time with the baptism of two of our young Deaf ones: Niasia from Skeldon and Anthony from New Amsterdam. Both of these have been studying since they were young. Anthony is now 17 and Niasia is 16. They have both blossomed into amazing young people. Niasia is the proof that a village raises a child - she has been studied with by every sister that has come through Berbice. A few years ago she was a Beyonce wannabe who could not string a coherent sentence together - just garbled sign language. With great effort and many prayers, though, the sisters have worked with her to become a publisher, be able to take picture notes in talks, give assignments on the school and get baptised. I had the privilege of conducting one of the sets of questions with her and she blew me away with her maturity and ability to articulate her understanding of the truth. Her baptism was a really emotional time for many of us. I also got to interpret the baptism talk and direct the questions - seeing them both sign 'YES' with conviction was a tear-jerker.
Other news is Robin - a young lad who has appeared through this blog from time to time. He was actually my first instagram post from over three years ago - a 13 year old lad who showed such promise. Sadly, due to his parents splitting up and some other big changes in his life, he kinda dropped out from coming to meetings and got caught up with the world. Scott and I never gave up with him though and kept visiting him even though at times he would walk past us without saying hi or would tell people that he was never going back to meetings. Eventually, he saw the world for what it was and he suddenly asked me to resume his study. Since then (around May), he has progressed to become a publisher, giving assignments on the school once again and has the goal of baptism firmly in his sights. He is absolutely amazing on the ministry and has been reporting over 40 hours a month each month - so cool for a 16 year old Deaf lad. He has a few RV's and is developing into a beautiful teacher.
I have two guys from Scotland staying with me at the moment - a brother from my mother and brother's congregation, and another brother. It is so nice to have the humour and banter from home, thought they are both 21, so I am definitely feeling my age! Going to bed at 9pm and hearing them play fight and laughing til gone midnight is doing nothing for my self-deception of being young and fun. They are finding Guyana a challenging place and are very intimidated by the more special parts of living in Guyana and a 'third-world' country. It has been funny to hear them and reflect on how much I have made this place my home.
Anyway, enough of all that - here are some pictures:
Anyhows, I have a few mins, so here I am. I am ashamed to see that the last time I posted was back in May! So, now we are in October, what has happened...?
I guess the major thing is that the temporary move to New Amsterdam Sign Language Group has become a permanent thing. It has been a strange transition as I came over for a brief 'toe in the water' and have just ended up staying (familiar story for those that know about my Bethel and original Guyana stories). Deciding to stay and assist has opened up a whole load of new blessings and challenges, along with some of those rather special ones that come with serving in sign language. That said, I do feel Jehovah's support on the decision and don't regret it. I have still been going back to Skeldon to conduct one study that I am not ready to give up and so I manage to catch up with most people still.
So, I am now in my new 'pad' - which is next door to the house I was squatting in, next to Luke and Laura. Although I am sure I annoy them, they look after me really well and Laura is the 'back-step fairy' who leaves amazing dinners on my steps and disappears into the night. I have a strange apartment that feels like a villain's lair (original Batman series reference) as it is basically like the leaning tower of Pisa. The place is big, though, and has been great to be able to entertain a little. My favourite thing is I have a veranda where I can sit outside on a morning and watch the world go by with my coffee.
I guess one of the most amazing things that has happened was the convention - I know you will all agree for your own reasons. I decided not to come back to the UK for the convention as many from here were going home for their conventions and we were running on skeleton crews somewhat. After all the instagram posts, I really regret that decision as Twickers looked amazing. Thanks for all of you that posted from there though, as I could live vicariously for a month with all the preparations and the actual event. Here in Guyana, though, we had a special time with the baptism of two of our young Deaf ones: Niasia from Skeldon and Anthony from New Amsterdam. Both of these have been studying since they were young. Anthony is now 17 and Niasia is 16. They have both blossomed into amazing young people. Niasia is the proof that a village raises a child - she has been studied with by every sister that has come through Berbice. A few years ago she was a Beyonce wannabe who could not string a coherent sentence together - just garbled sign language. With great effort and many prayers, though, the sisters have worked with her to become a publisher, be able to take picture notes in talks, give assignments on the school and get baptised. I had the privilege of conducting one of the sets of questions with her and she blew me away with her maturity and ability to articulate her understanding of the truth. Her baptism was a really emotional time for many of us. I also got to interpret the baptism talk and direct the questions - seeing them both sign 'YES' with conviction was a tear-jerker.
Other news is Robin - a young lad who has appeared through this blog from time to time. He was actually my first instagram post from over three years ago - a 13 year old lad who showed such promise. Sadly, due to his parents splitting up and some other big changes in his life, he kinda dropped out from coming to meetings and got caught up with the world. Scott and I never gave up with him though and kept visiting him even though at times he would walk past us without saying hi or would tell people that he was never going back to meetings. Eventually, he saw the world for what it was and he suddenly asked me to resume his study. Since then (around May), he has progressed to become a publisher, giving assignments on the school once again and has the goal of baptism firmly in his sights. He is absolutely amazing on the ministry and has been reporting over 40 hours a month each month - so cool for a 16 year old Deaf lad. He has a few RV's and is developing into a beautiful teacher.
I have two guys from Scotland staying with me at the moment - a brother from my mother and brother's congregation, and another brother. It is so nice to have the humour and banter from home, thought they are both 21, so I am definitely feeling my age! Going to bed at 9pm and hearing them play fight and laughing til gone midnight is doing nothing for my self-deception of being young and fun. They are finding Guyana a challenging place and are very intimidated by the more special parts of living in Guyana and a 'third-world' country. It has been funny to hear them and reflect on how much I have made this place my home.
Anyway, enough of all that - here are some pictures:
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| Robin and I on the campaign. He loved it! He did over 50 hours and was definitely what we needed to keep us motivated |
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| Dillon! This lad and I are in the group together. He and his wife are here from the States and have moved here and work from here. They are an amazing energy. |
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| This was one of my happy days where Skeldon's Denzel came to NA and attended the sign group. Having him and Robin side by side was so lovely |
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| A happy day! Denzel's sister and cousin got baptised at the convention! |
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| Niasia and Anthony. Can you spot them in the picture below from years ago? |
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| Robin teaching another of my studies! So cool |
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| The campaign was a weird one as most people do not have internet or computers. Regardless, we have the new signs on our halls! |
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| Robin and his hair - a constant battle lol |
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| Having fun with this group on the ministry |
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| Another one of Robin - this time with a 5 year old deaf boy! |
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| Me and the lads - Michael is now 18! and Denzel is in his final year of school! |
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| Michael's first legal cocktail! |
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