You guys have winter to ruin your pioneering...

My excuse

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Anyone out there...?

Apologies friends for the lack of posts, I know you have been lamenting my absence from the bloggersphere.

We have had a really mean vomitting virus going around just lately, which then made friends with a diarrhea bug, that then brought a weird dizziness/fatigue condition along as a plus one. It has systematically been wiping out our cong. So, three weeks later, I am out of adult nappies and can face the world once again.

It is hard when one has been sick for a time, or away on holiday or something, to get back into the physical and mental routine of pioneering. I am finding it really hard to get the motivation to go out. I think Jehovah knew that so sent one of my studies to my house to request me to come to his house and study with him and his wife! Shamed! I went down and turns out they have been having really bad troubles of late in their marriage. I was able to sit with them for three hours and look at various scriptures (and draw on my wide knowledge and experience of marriage).

It was one of those true experiences where you feel an angel was your assistant. I am terrible at remembering scriptures, but literally, I just opened the bible and it was the perfect proverb, the perfect psalm, the perfect Ephesians verse. I really felt supported by spirit and it was so lovely to see the couple take in the wisdom and be so thankful after.

Well, that lasted two days. I then go round on Wednesday for our scheduled study and all hell is breaking loose again and the man is threatening to move out. So once again we sit down and go through the same scriptures and talk and three hours later, they are in tears and declaring their love and saying how Jehovah is keeping their marriage together! The next day, they came to their first meeting! They were both so effusive about how Jehovah is helping them and they are so thankful for his support and wisdom. It made me smile a lil.

I just got in from a lovely 8 hour day of walking and burning hot sun but met some lovely people today and had a great time with my group.

Feeling a lil better about the min for next week.

Hope all the pioneers are doing okay and feeling Jehovah's support in their ministry too.

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Today's little bit of trivia

I have been living in my apartment now for a year or so, definitely over a year. I love it here - it is on the third floor of a building and has no walls! So it is open plan and has a constant breeze coming off the river in front.

Today, something seminal occurred. When I moved in all that time ago, I took possession of a used stove with a used propane gas bottle. I am not sure how 'used' it was, but definitely it was not new. Now, most people replace these every four months or so, with regular use. If you cook lots of soups and things like dhal then every two months.

Well people, ready yourselves, mine ran out last night for the FIRST TIME - that's right, it lasted a year. Now, I cook everyday, make coffee with boiled water and all such regular pursuits, yet mine lasted a year.

I have always taken pride that perhaps a biblical miracle was taking place, whereby my jars were being refilled due to my faithfulness. I just wish it worked with the rum bottles.

So, a milestone has passed. 

Interesting eh... Yes, it is my day off and nothing has happened so far. Am waiting for juice man to come by on his bike so I can buy breakfast and fresh cherry juice from him. So, just swinging in my hammock...

Wow, nothing happens here...

Oh, nice scripture : isaiah 53:4,5 - can I now count my time?

;)

Well, that was a little bit amazing...

What an amazing week - seven days spent in the Rupununi region of Guyana, at the feet of the Kanuku mountains, in the town of Lethem.

At the other end of the country, Lethem is officially in the interior of the country, on the border of Guyana and Brazil. You can get there by bus (average of 14 hours) or a plane (1.5 hours). Originally planning to go on the bus, but being denied due to overcrowding, five of us took the more expensive option of the plane. Myself, Luke and Laura (from New Amsterdam) and a Guyanese couple travelled across the country on a little 14 seater plane.

Our lil plane

Close enough to touch!

We were a little jealous of the others in the bus, traversing through the savannah and forest on the ground, but were still blessed with a birds-eye view of the landscape. I was surprised by how much was savannah and was hoping to see herds of animals but to no avail. The lil plane didnt really go that high, so as we passed through the mountain ranges, we were eye-level with the summits, blanketed by the dense rainforest. Once we had arrived, and at the end of the week's journey, we were glad that we had not taken the option of the bus. Although it was supposed to be a 14 hour journey, both ways the group had a 24-hour trip. They were stopped by break-downs, missing ferries and trees across the roads. Although they were all terribly upbeat about it and made use of the delays to preach, we could see the bags under their eyes, the crick in their necks and their hunger for a bed. Although twice the price, the plane was definitely the best option!

So, we left on the Friday and reached Lethem in the midday. A wander around the town showed us that Lethem was not going to be the mecca of joy and excitement. A small town that is a bit like Milton-Keynes, it is very functional as a border town and not really much there. The main attraction of Lethem is definitely the surrounding villages and communities of Amerindians. Friday was just there to get settled and check in with people and get ready for the next day... What follows is a blow by blow diary of what we did. I could be more eloquent with my tales, but am really tired! Look at the photos if there is too much writing.

Jordan - Hampstead boy - good example to all

Saturday saw us all walking to the next village  - St. Ignaecious - to the site of the Special Assembly Day to be held on Sunday. The structure is called a 'benab' and is a traditional meeting place for villages. It is when the village council would meet, where meat would be shared and judgements made. What an amazing place for an assembly. Expecting around 250-300, we helped clean it up, lay out chairs, make general repairs and tried to cover over the pagan signs and symbols covering the place. It was a chance to meet some of the locals and learn some names and faces.

Such a cool venue

After about 5 hours of work, someone suggested driving out to some waterfalls - yes please! So, we cram into my congregation's bus, who had driven down, and head off into nowhere, with a 14 year old at the helm. He navigated us through scrub land and forest with no discernible tracks for over half an hour, with big holes in the road and lined by massive ant hills. Eventually, after turning back three times, all having to get off to traverse a rickety-looking bridge and feeling thoroughly beat up from the journey, we arrived at some beautiful waterfalls at the foot of the mountains. Truly a sight for sore eyes and a welcome relax and time for play.

My cong having fun

Luke and Laura - Like somehow pulling off a flat stomach!

Sunday was the day of the assembly and we were very excited. Luke and I had been asked to do the only demonstration on the programme and we were both very nervous, not knowing the audience and all. We realised how 'English' we speak when talking to each other, rather than the Creole accents we usually push. As we set off, it started to rain, so I managed to thumb-a-lift from a passing Chinese man - nice! We were amongst the first to arrive and thus were there to see people arriving in trucks and tractors from the far away villages. They mostly wore casual clothes for the two hour or so journey, so as to preserve their meeting clothes. The assembly was honestly one of the best I can remember. It might have been due to the fact I didnt have to interpret, or the venue, or the intimacy of there only being 260-odd there, I dont know, I just know I loved it. There were three baptised, and we got to watch them get baptised in the nearby river. I have always seen pics of Africa and other places where this is done and felt so honoured to see this for real.

This brother was sent ahead to check for pirahna!!!

The walk to the baptism - I tried to start off some singing, but didnt happen :(

People arriving from the villages

After the assembly, we all went for food. They have something down there that they call 'roasts'. It is basically BBQ - but you get a skewer filled with meat for less than a quid! Luke and I devoured the cumulative poundage of a few animals and still hungered for more. It set the theme of our dining experiences - perhaps it is the origin of the Atkins diet of something, but I felt near to getting meat sweats.

Monday we had the massive privilege of going preaching in some of the villages. We hired a mini-bus for the day (really expensive) and a driver (insane) and set off for an adventure. Prior to leaving, we had a pep-talk from an experienced brother about the culture of the Amerindians and some of the customs that should be respected. It was very different to the way we preach normally to the Indian and black people - humility was paramount. They are very proud people (in a good way) and obviously due to colonialism, are very funny about a bus load of white people turning up and spreading like locusts. Nevertheless, we had some lovely experiences and discussions and it felt natural, not at all as sensitive as they led us to believe. We managed to visit two villages, one of which had not been preached to apparently for two years. As you enter a village, the first thing is to seek out the chief or 'Tushou' and ask his permission to enter the village. In many, they love the witnesses, in others have never heard of us and in a rare few, are controlled by the Catholic churches and therefore deny entry. Thankfully, the two we visited were lovely and immediately welcoming. 256 magazines later, 66 bible teach books and a shed load of invitations placed (both english and a local language Makushi), we were completely spent. The people were so hospitable and welcoming and really hungry for the truth. We managed to arrange studies for those who travel out to Lethem once a month, left phone numbers for those who cannot and can study on the phone and email addresses for those who access the internet at an NGO library. All of us felt so blessed and privileged to have represented Jehovah to these people and we were all buzzing for days after.

So appreciative!

Michelle - Gilead graduate - doing a presentation to a school

They loved it

Makushi translation of the invitation

Tuesday we took the day off and took a trip to Brazil. I needed to go out of the country to re-enter and get a new stamp for three months, but all of us felt 'why not' when Brazil was literally 15 mins away. Luke, Laura, the Guyanese couple from the plane and myself crossed over with a local brother who spoke Portuguese as a guide. Although the Guyanese immigration hate us, the upside of being British was that we dont have to pay for a visa to Brazil, whilst the Americans do. So, it was really easy for us. Talk about a culture-shock - just an hour away was a real metropolis and a proper city - Boa Vista. We shopped around and looked like freaks, yelping whenever we saw nice bread, jams, cheese... I dont know: everything that we cant get in Guyana. We grabbed some wine and some goodies and then headed off for another meat fest at a restaurant.

Food glorious Food

A huge iguana!!!

Wednesday was a day in, preparing for the meeting. Jordan (Aussie but from Hampstead congregation, London, like me) is an elder and has been here for 4 years. He invited Luke, Laura and myself to join him to attend a meeting about 40 minutes away for an isolated group. Lethem cong has only two elders currently, yet each week, they send out an elder to conduct the meeting in Moca Moca by himself, to feed the 15-20 publishers they have there. He asked me to do a talk on the school and for Luke to do the highlights. As we were lazing around, preparing, I got a call from Jordan saying he had got bitten by a spider and couldnt put any weight on his foot. So, he asked for Luke and I to care for the whole meeting!!! What a privilege. We drove out with Samantha (english, been in Guyana for 3 years and Lethem for 2 months) and her friend from Trinidad who was visiting and man... BEAUTIFUL. They had built the little hall themselves and was essentially a hut. Luke conducted the study and the school, I did the highlights, and the number three talk, and then Luke and I did a Service Meeting item each. It was amazing to do those talks, with just 11 locals in attendance. What a privilege. Luke and I were just beaming all night - it meant a lot to both of us, and the locals were so appreciative as without Jordan, there would have been no brothers to conduct anything.

Kingdom Hall in the middle of nowhere

Lil old me being allowed to do talks :)

Cleaning out the lizard poop before the meeting

Last minute changes to the talks before the meeting under a mango tree

The sound system - Samantha's mobile phone and some speakers

As always - the kids are amazing

Thursday was a down day where we slept in and saw off some of my cong who were visiting (the others had left by now). Lunch with Jordan and some other need greaters, and then the meeting again with Lethem cong. This cong is a bit bigger, but only has two elders at present and one servant. The servant is due to go back to England soon, as is one of the elders... so soon they will be in real need - Jehovah will care for them as He always does. I was asked to do the number 3 talk again, this time to an audience of about 35. After, meat again!!!

Friday we packed and again took the easy flight back to town and to Berbice. A real culture shock to return to civilisation and black people and the different accents. Although we think of where we live as 'Guyana', I guess where we had just been is the real Guyana. Most of the country is savannah and rainforest and the Amerindians are the original inhabitants. The coast is the only area with the racial mix we are used to and much of the rich culture of Guyana has been lost to these ones. The Dutch and the British claimed the coast and drove the natives into the interior, so I guess there is a lot more to see of the country than the coasts I have visited.

I really cannot explain what an amazing week this has been - in sensory terms (the beauty, the mountains, the animals, the hawks, the sunsets, the colours), in spiritual terms (preaching in isolated villages, to those who have not been met for 2 years, to those whose first language is Makushi, being privileged to help out with the meetings, seeing ones at the assembly who travelled in the back of trucks for hours just to be there) and in learning about Guyana (different foods, words and ways of the Amerindians). You might gain a glimpse through my uncouth words, through the pictures, but really, the only way is to see it yourself. Guyana is in massive need - on the front line heading in the unknown villages, and on the back line, strengthening the 'spiritually-young' brothers and sisters and training them to study, preach and teach. If you can spare any time at all, think about making a visit!

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

We are not in Kansas anymore Toto...

Well my lovely readers, are you ready for it? The "Post-London-Scotland-Wales-London-Debrief!" - something I know you have all been waiting for... ’where did he go’, ’what did he do’ - all those questions bubbling out there in the combined consciousness... Well, who would I be if I deprived you of this? (Thanks for playing along with that).

Well, I have been away from my pseudo-assignment for about a month. Jetting from Guyana, my first stop was the lovely Che and Natalie in Trinidad. These guys hosted me for pioneer school and well, opened Spa Afong, by treating me to an awesome time each time I have visited. A week of sleep, food and beach led to a great pre-London chill out and the start of the great weight gain, blimping-out, of moi. ;)

So, off to London and to be met by my lovely twin with life saving tools of two jumpers, a hat, scarf and Costa-coffee was just amazing! Here are a few highlights of my first week in London:

Then it was a crazy trip up to Scotland to see my lovely parents and family. It has been a hard year for the rents and my absence has probably not helped much either. A twelve hour drive from London to Scotland with my sis and hubbie was... Well, a hairy but funny highlight. Seeing my nephew playing the cello (!) and watching my dad climbing a frame in the park, all topped of with a lovely pic of mum and dad having a chuckle. The visit was short (sorry mum) but so worth it:

Through wales and back to London, it was so good to see everyone and catch up:

This trip has been an amazing time for me and I want to thank everyone for making it so. The kind words, unexpected generosity, down-to-earth conversations. The seeing of old friends, the making of a few more and the re-alignment of others. I have realised that I have an amazing group of people back in the uk and that has made it even harder to leave this time. But, I have. I am going to try and use the really positive experience I have had to more appreciate the opportunities I have in Guyana and figure that if I am going to leave the special place that is London, then I had better make it worth it.

Enough rambling... Onwards with the poo stories, ministry stories, rants about Americans (sorry!!!) and all that jazz...

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