Week 3 and Beach Day

Hi all!

All is well here. We have had some exceptionally hot days (high 30's) with no wind this week, so it has tested the antiperspirant to the limits!

This week of ministry has been educational. The guys here have been getting back into the swing of things after the convention, and back to normal ministry. This has allowed a bit more time to take me round and show me some of the deaf men that have had a study previously, but sadly there has not been enough people here to take it. So, hopefully I can restart some of them and have a chance to get my time in for the new service year. The downside to studies is that they give you food - all milk based and have generally either got hair in it or has been earlier sacrificed to an idol or two. They also love showing off that they have cold coke for you to drink by putting a load of ice in it (usually composing of swamp water) - eeeek - trick is to drink it before the ice melts and the evil parasites are released.

I had my first talk on the TMS this week - my first sign language talk in almost two years and in ASL! It went really well and I didn't slip in any BSL at all - very proud. I also interpreted a talk and a prayer, so I am getting into the swing of things, which is encouraging.

So, the big event of the week was Beach Day 2011! This saw the whole of the congregation trundle up to 63 village (the villages are numbered, I am in 78) and to the clay beach and dark water. Guyana, would you believe, is actually below sea level. This means that there are loads of sea defenses keeping the sea from reclaiming the land, and you can walk a couple of miles out to sea and it doesn't come past your knees. The downside to this is that the water is all silty and there is no sand. It is horrible! Nowhere to sit so you stand the whole time. Everyone was playing football and cricket, but they were covered in mud and apparently you have to throw away your clothes after as it is so horrible, so everyone (local) was in boxer shorts over boxer shorts as these can be thrown. Everyone in the hall got there by travelling in a big truck - about 60 people all standing in the back - so funny to see. Whilst at the beach, they served food out of the back and people had made enough for a hundred or so to feast. The cong are so generous and kind, it was a lovely day. I took photos and will post when I have the time to upload on to my picassa.

One of the girls (the girl who I thought had a name beginning with S - it wasn't, it was an A), Amber, leaves today to go back to the States, so we are at their house to say goodbye. Amber hopes to return next year. So, its all change here. Dum Daaa Duhhh

Ciao for now peeps.