The Special Assembly Day went off without a hitch. Although Compton and I had spent the Wednesday before, visiting and inviting a number of people out in the Wauna area, and had made arrangements for a bus to bring those who wanted to come, since everyone always would mention the problem with transportation, either availability or cost, Sunday morning arrived, and there was no bus from Wauna. Compton called during the morning break and the man we had made arrangements with said no one showed up in the morning for the bus. We were both disappointed. It will be interesting what story he hears when he goes out next Wednesday. Speaking of our Wauna trip, you may remember I had mentioned the man whose son had died and he told how he hadn’t worked since. Well when we went to his house to have his study, he wasn’t there, he was working. So we were happy that our visit had helped him in getting on with things, but at the same time, felt bad that he was once again unavailable to study.
Shortly before the program started a busload of people who had traveled down from Matthew’s Ridge and Kaituma arrived. There had been so many that the boat driver in Kaituma had tried to get them to leave someone behind, but they had said everyone was going. Due to the heavy load, the trip took longer than expected. So then everyone had to rush around to change into meeting clothes before the meeting started. In the middle of all of it, someone realized a person was missing. In the midst of everyone rushing around in Kumaka when they arrived, one woman had been left behind. Just as someone was about to set off to find her, as the music was playing to begin the program, she came hurrying down the road. She had got on a next bus, and asked to be taken to the Kingdom Hall.
One of the high points of any assembly is the baptism, and we had one person get baptized, Alexandra Morris, Norma’s daughter. Alexandra had mentioned to me when she first approached me, that she would like to keep in a secret, so she could surprise Rasheida, who had studied with her. I think we might have pulled it off, if Norma hadn’t told Rasheida herself.
I was asked to serve as chairman for the morning session. As you may know, the chairman’s remarks introducing the speakers, and then thanking them afterwards are written out in manuscript form for the chairman. I had to do a little improvising, since I had a part on the morning session. I didn’t think it would have seemed appropriate to thank myself when I finished. Our peak attendance for the program was 92 for the second session in the morning.
Sunday evening there was a congregation get-together at the house. Sort of a combination send off for Terri and me, as well as a chance to spend time with those who had come out from ‘town for the program. Then Monday morning it was off to the airstrip. One of my final acts in Mabaruma, early Monday morning, was to make some modifications on the front gate at the Kingdom Hall because Chigger had recently figured out he could jump over the gate to get out of the yard.
Every time before, we had flown out of Georgetown as soon as possible. In fact the first year, we had flown into Ogle, and then drove to the international airport and left the same day. Ever since, the departing flights leave too early, so we have had to spend the night in ‘town. We had booked our flight from Mabaruma for Monday, since we were originally scheduled to leave for the states Tuesday. Then our flight was pushed back to Thursday. Rather than reschedule our flight from Ogle, I decided we would just spend the extra time in ‘town. This would allow us to try to take care of our visa extension. In the past, I hadn’t bothered with it since we were leaving. But since we are planning on returning for an extended stay, I didn’t want to be denied entry due to always overstaying our visa.
I asked Gary when he picked us up about going to start the process. He said it was too late, we’d have to wait until the next day. Then he said that it wasn’t far out of the way, so we might as well go, as you never know what Jehovah can work out. We went and were able to take care of the first task on Monday, and Tuesday we were able to complete the process.
This will be my last posting for this visit to Guyana. For those of you who have become ‘regulars’ to the site, and want to keep up the routine, you will have to be happy with ‘reruns’ and go back and read over earlier postings. And as with any good serial, there needs to be a ‘cliff-hanger’ the last episode, so here goes. This morning I had a chance to meet with the brothers here at the branch to discuss where they would like us to plan on going when we return to Guyana in August. And rather than let you know of the direction we received, I will say, “Tune in on August 1st and find out where the Newtons will be on their return.” Of course in this, as in all things, we must not presume to be able to make plans, but rather must add, “If Jehovah wills.” (Jas. 4:13-15)
For our final episode of this season I’ve splurged on pictures. The first shows the bus arriving with the ones from Matthew’s Ridge and Port Kaituma. Doris, who started preaching when the first Kingdom Hall was at the Ridge, is in the lead. The next picture shows the group together as they were getting ready to leave to go back up the river. The third picture is of the brothers who are currently at Matthew’s Ridge. Stephen is on the left, Blake is on the right, and Andrew Roybal, a brother from northern New Mexico who will be at the Ridge until the beginning of August, is in the middle. The next picture was taken during the program. Then there is a picture of this year’s baptism, and finally a picture taken during our final gathering in Mabaruma, Margaret is on the left, Norma is in the middle, and Joy Kissoon is on the right.
So until next time, may Jehovah keep you safe, and may your prayers continue to be with those in Mabaruma, Guyana, and wherever those “rightly disposed for life” may be.
Shortly before the program started a busload of people who had traveled down from Matthew’s Ridge and Kaituma arrived. There had been so many that the boat driver in Kaituma had tried to get them to leave someone behind, but they had said everyone was going. Due to the heavy load, the trip took longer than expected. So then everyone had to rush around to change into meeting clothes before the meeting started. In the middle of all of it, someone realized a person was missing. In the midst of everyone rushing around in Kumaka when they arrived, one woman had been left behind. Just as someone was about to set off to find her, as the music was playing to begin the program, she came hurrying down the road. She had got on a next bus, and asked to be taken to the Kingdom Hall.
One of the high points of any assembly is the baptism, and we had one person get baptized, Alexandra Morris, Norma’s daughter. Alexandra had mentioned to me when she first approached me, that she would like to keep in a secret, so she could surprise Rasheida, who had studied with her. I think we might have pulled it off, if Norma hadn’t told Rasheida herself.
I was asked to serve as chairman for the morning session. As you may know, the chairman’s remarks introducing the speakers, and then thanking them afterwards are written out in manuscript form for the chairman. I had to do a little improvising, since I had a part on the morning session. I didn’t think it would have seemed appropriate to thank myself when I finished. Our peak attendance for the program was 92 for the second session in the morning.
Sunday evening there was a congregation get-together at the house. Sort of a combination send off for Terri and me, as well as a chance to spend time with those who had come out from ‘town for the program. Then Monday morning it was off to the airstrip. One of my final acts in Mabaruma, early Monday morning, was to make some modifications on the front gate at the Kingdom Hall because Chigger had recently figured out he could jump over the gate to get out of the yard.
Every time before, we had flown out of Georgetown as soon as possible. In fact the first year, we had flown into Ogle, and then drove to the international airport and left the same day. Ever since, the departing flights leave too early, so we have had to spend the night in ‘town. We had booked our flight from Mabaruma for Monday, since we were originally scheduled to leave for the states Tuesday. Then our flight was pushed back to Thursday. Rather than reschedule our flight from Ogle, I decided we would just spend the extra time in ‘town. This would allow us to try to take care of our visa extension. In the past, I hadn’t bothered with it since we were leaving. But since we are planning on returning for an extended stay, I didn’t want to be denied entry due to always overstaying our visa.
I asked Gary when he picked us up about going to start the process. He said it was too late, we’d have to wait until the next day. Then he said that it wasn’t far out of the way, so we might as well go, as you never know what Jehovah can work out. We went and were able to take care of the first task on Monday, and Tuesday we were able to complete the process.
This will be my last posting for this visit to Guyana. For those of you who have become ‘regulars’ to the site, and want to keep up the routine, you will have to be happy with ‘reruns’ and go back and read over earlier postings. And as with any good serial, there needs to be a ‘cliff-hanger’ the last episode, so here goes. This morning I had a chance to meet with the brothers here at the branch to discuss where they would like us to plan on going when we return to Guyana in August. And rather than let you know of the direction we received, I will say, “Tune in on August 1st and find out where the Newtons will be on their return.” Of course in this, as in all things, we must not presume to be able to make plans, but rather must add, “If Jehovah wills.” (Jas. 4:13-15)
For our final episode of this season I’ve splurged on pictures. The first shows the bus arriving with the ones from Matthew’s Ridge and Port Kaituma. Doris, who started preaching when the first Kingdom Hall was at the Ridge, is in the lead. The next picture shows the group together as they were getting ready to leave to go back up the river. The third picture is of the brothers who are currently at Matthew’s Ridge. Stephen is on the left, Blake is on the right, and Andrew Roybal, a brother from northern New Mexico who will be at the Ridge until the beginning of August, is in the middle. The next picture was taken during the program. Then there is a picture of this year’s baptism, and finally a picture taken during our final gathering in Mabaruma, Margaret is on the left, Norma is in the middle, and Joy Kissoon is on the right.
So until next time, may Jehovah keep you safe, and may your prayers continue to be with those in Mabaruma, Guyana, and wherever those “rightly disposed for life” may be.
