Thursday, December 31, 2009

More help



We are currently enjoying out visit from the Circuit Overseer and his wife. Our regularly assigned one was unable to come so we are again having Bro. & Sis. Alleyne. They were the last ones to serve us as well. They had come over after the Special Assembly Day in Barimita in May. They were supposed to arrive on Monday, but Monday’s flight was cancelled so they came on Tuesday.

Sister Garner had moved to the hotel Sunday afternoon in anticipation of the arrival of the CO and his wife. There is still much work to be done the place she is getting. Stephan and I went and painted there Tuesday evening, and we will probably do doing additional work to try and assist with the preparation.

Wednesday was an exciting day here. We were joined in the ministry by a new publisher, James Daniels. James is blind. He has been studying for about a year and a half. At one point he had become quite depressed due to his having become blind. He even questioned the point of living any more. I helped him to see that while his condition posed a challenge, he was still closer to being able to serve God fully than were many of the ones coming to the meeting, such as those who weren’t married and who would have a very hard time getting married. I encouraged him to start committing scriptures to memory so he could then recall them to share in the preaching.

At first it was very difficult for him, sometimes taking several weeks to get a new scripture firmly in his mind. But as time went on, he seemed to get better at it. He was able to get one of his last ones in place in less than two weeks. I had turned the study over to Andrew while I was back in the states, and he continued to work with the scriptures. When I returned, I went on his study and heard all the additional scriptures he had learned. I commended him and asked when he was going to start in the ministry. He said he needed to get some more teachings.

I asked Andrew if I could have the study back and have enjoyed seeing him progress. He has been regular at the meetings almost since he started studying, walking about a mile to the Kingdom Hall with the help of some who he lives with. I had asked him about commenting at the meetings and he told me that when there was a scripture he knows, I should call on him. It has been a little unnerving because I would ask, “Who can tell us what (a scripture he knows) says?” I would look at him and not be sure he was even paying attention, since we couldn’t make eye contact, but I would call on him and he would share the scripture.

A few weeks ago (just before we went out for the International Convention), I again asked him when he was going to be ready to join us in the ministry. He said I would have to tell him when he was ready. He mentioned though, that he was concerned since he didn’t have any long boots and he couldn’t see where he was walking and worrying about walking into mud. When I got back from the convention I again asked him about starting and he said I should tell him when. Sunday after the meeting, Stephan and I sat with him and went over the questions to see if he qualified for the ministry. Stephan was impressed with his ability to call scriptures in answer to the questions he was asked, Tuesday morning before his study, I bought him a new pair of boots and gave them to him and told him I would pick him up Wednesday morning to come out with us.

I had spoken to Eugene about working with him in the ministry since I was concerned that some might think it was a gimmick for the ‘white preacher’ to be leading around a blind man in the ministry. Eugene said he would be very happy to work with him. As it turned out, Bro. Alleyne also joined him and he said he was so happy to be able to accompany a new one on his first day preaching. Later I heard James tell several different ones he would see them tomorrow. When I took him home, I asked if he wanted to go out again tomorrow, and he said that if I would come get him he would be happy to come. He asked about clothes to wear and I told him that if he took the ones off that he had been wearing and put them up, they would be fine to wear again the next day. I asked how he had enjoyed the morning and he said it was wonderful and he felt very happy.

This morning (Thursday) I again picked him up and he worked with Eugene. Stephan, myself, and Bro. & Sis. Alleyne went on the bikes to Arakaka to preach. I wanted to let him see the area since I think that that is some place that I would like to give more attention in the future. When we got there, there was loud music playing by the police station where we have to check in. I started wondering if going there December 31st had been so wise. But later we were able to find many people home, whereas, in the past many houses were empty since the owners were in the ‘backdam’. But since it was the holidays, most people were at their homes. We had a nice time preaching there and Bro. Alleyne was very positive about trying to expand our ministry there.

I heard some disappointing news today. I was told that the internet café was going to be closing today since it wasn’t generating enough income to justify staying open. I will have to learn more when I go tonight to send this out.

For this week’s pictures I have one of our new publisher with Eugene and myself, and one of the group getting ready to go to Arakaka.

Friday, December 25, 2009

From Jonathan





The following is a few thoughts that I, Jonathan Brewster, wanted to share. I had the privilege of working in the ministry in Guyana in September through November 2009. The experiences I had in those few short months really changed my perspective in many ways. Seeing the appreciation for the truth that so many there showed really helped me to better appreciate the great and incomparable effect that learning Jehovah’s ways has on people. Seeing how simple life can be, compared with the complexity and busyness of everyday life in more “developed” areas, certainly changed my perspective as to which things are really important, and which things are not. I can truly say that I felt more happiness, fulfillment, and contentment than I’ve ever felt in my life while serving in Guyana.

The area that I spent most of my time in during my visit to Guyana was Matthews Ridge. It took me a bit to adjust and to really get into the swing of things in such a different place than I was used to, but once I did, I can say with sincerity that I could not have felt more at home. The wonderful need-greaters I had the privilege of serving with there felt like my family, and to have the privilege of working with a group like that, so focused on Kingdom interests, was surely one the best and most cherished experiences of my life.

One of my favorite experiences while in Guyana was going to the Circuit Assembly in Baramita. As you may know from previous entries on this blog, it was a long journey, but it was such a great experience! There were about 25 local people that went, and about 30 in all. The program was translated into Carib, the local Amerindian language. Many that went said how much they enjoyed and benefited from hearing the program in their native language. One local woman that traveled with us on the 10-mile hike through the bush was in her 80s, yet she hiked right along with us and really enjoyed the program. Her example and attitude really encouraged me.

While serving in Guyana, I was helped to further appreciate that the truth just makes sense, and that even a person with a limited educational background who is honest-hearted can get a firm hold on the truth. I had the privilege of studying with multiple individuals who could not read, yet they got the sense of Bible principals, which had a very real effect on their life. Seeing this first-hand led me to a greater appreciation of the outstanding way Jehovah teaches those who want to know him, no matter what their background or how any human may view them.

The interest among the local people and the progress among those associated with the congregation made working there such a joyful experience. I was able to get to know many of these ones. There were a few in particular that especially encouraged me. Their love for Jehovah and their determination to live according to his standards, despite great obstacles and opposition, had a powerful effect on me. It really heightened my zeal to find more honest-hearted ones like these. I would highly recommend to anyone who has the opportunity the privilege of sharing in the ministry in an area like this where there is such a great need. I can confidently say that making the sacrifices needed in order to take advantage of serving is an area such as that, are so far outweighed by the blessings Jehovah gives, “a blessing until there is no more want.”

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Back to work



We are once again back in Matthew’s Ridge, although the trip back didn’t go as planned. We flew into Port Kaituma Friday morning as planned. When we got there, I started walking around letting people know that we were looking for transportation back to Matthew’s Ridge. I realized we might have trouble when I saw all the luggage that Sis. Garner had brought with her. We decided to take all our things over by Caroline’s shop and then we would have our transportation pick us up there.

The agent for the air service we flew in on had a nice new extended cab cruiser so I asked him if he would drop our things by Caroline’s, it was maybe an eighth of a mile from the airstrip. Granted the box on the cruiser was short, but our things pretty well filled the truck. I also was planning on picking up a new mattress in Kaituma, so that would add to the load.

While I was walking around, I checked out mattresses. They only ones they had were double mattresses and they wanted $17,000GD. I also looked at sheets of bare foam which were about six inched longer and wider than the mattresses and were $4500. I made arrangements to pick up two pieces of foam. I also went by a shop where the man who lives next to us in the Ridge works and asked him to keep an eye out for vehicles coming from Matthew’s Ridge. He said he had recently seen a cruiser pass by. I walked around and found it, but he said he was on a private hire. He said he might be making a second trip later in the day. I told him if he did to check by Caroline’s.

Shortly after I got back by Caroline’s, a man came by with a bus and said he had heard we were looking to get to the Ridge. Since it was looking like rain, I thought a bus would be much better than a cruiser. It was still early, but I knew that both Ellie and Terri were quite tired, so I decided that I best seize the opportunity while it presented itself. I asked Stephan if he would be upset if we left him to do the study and then drive back on his bike. He gave me a funny look, so I said I would be willing to stay as well if he would ride me back on the bike. He asked if I would be willing to stay and drive his bike home. He had hurt his foot while swimming in Tobago and it was hurting him so much he was getting a headache. I told him that would be fine. I gave him the receipt for the foam and told him where to pick it up.

We ended up having a small group for the study, just Juliet, Sharon, and Caroline. I later told Terri that I didn’t know if the smaller group made it feel like a personal bible study, or if it had just been so long since I had had the joy of doing a study, but I really enjoyed the study, in spite of the fact that it wasn’t what I had been hoping for. It rained quite heavy during the study, but it had stopped by the time we finished. I drove back to Matthew’s Ridge on wet road, but kept dry and didn’t have any mishaps on the way home.

When I got back to the Ridge, I learned that the house we had hoped to get for Sis, Garner was not going to be available. Andrew and Eugene had gone around and found another possibility. Terri went with Andrew to look at it because Sis. Garner was not feeling well. Terri said the place needed a little work but she thought it would turn out nice.

Sister Garner ended up being sick all night long. When she was still vomiting in the morning, Terri had me take her on the bike to the hospital. The medix gave her three different kinds of tablets to take, but she chose not to take any thinking instead it would pass and it did. Sunday afternoon I walked with her to look at the apartment and also the hotel since the woman who owns the apartment is the mother of the woman who runs the hotel and they had said that she could stay at the hotel until the apartment was ready. It turned out that they were asking as much for the apartment as had been asked for the four bedroom house ($150US), plus they wanted an additional $50US for current.

Everyone here thought that was way too much, so we told Ellie we would try to find something else. The next morning a couple came by the Kingdom Hall because they had heard we were looking for a place to rent. They said they had a place they would rent for $75US and that would have current from 6 PM until 11 PM. I said we would come by to look at it later. I had studies to go on so I asked Andrew if he could take her around to look. He said he would. As I was walking to my first study, I saw Eugene and mentioned that Andrew and Ellie were going to look at the other place. He said he would go with them. When I got back in the afternoon I learned that after seeing the other place, Ellie had gone back to the first place and got them to agree to include the current in the $150 so she agreed to take that place. Now it’s just a matter of them getting it ready.

There is a bit of a push though because the Circuit Overseer and his wife are scheduled to arrive Monday morning for their visit. I think Ellie has decided that if the place is not ready, she will take the offer to stay in the hotel.

Andrew went out Wednesday. He is flying to Barbados on Friday to spend a week with his father.

School is closed for the holidays so we had a nice group for service Wednesday. All of the locals were out and Sis. Garner joined the group for the first time.

For this week’s pictures I’ve included one from the convention in Trinidad, this was our hosts, Tony and Donna DeGale. The other one is of Ellie Garner so her friends can see she really came to Matthew’s Ridge.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Trinidad II




Well the International Convention is now history. We had delegates from 26 countries. Our peak attendance Sunday was 20,834, with 160+ baptized. Brother Barr from the Governing Body gave about three talks and the concluding prayer. Every day they would do the morning session with the speakers facing one way and the afternoon session on the other side of the tents facing the other way. Sunday morning the speakers were on our side so I figured in the afternoon when they did the drama, we would only hear it. When they were introducing the drama, they mentioned they had had two brothers working with their groups in preparation. I wondered if that was in case people got sick or something. But then it was announced that the drama would be performed simultaneously on each side of the stage. Everyone on our side started applauding wildly. I spoke to one brother who mentioned he had sat on our side in the morning and after lunch, he had walked around and stood on the other side. When the arrangement was announced, he walked back and sat in his seat.

The stage area was set up on an area of interlocking tiles. I had noticed that each day the walkway out to the stage was in a different location, and I figured it was done to minimize the impact on the grass of the playing field. What I didn’t know until it was mentioned in the concluding remarks was that all the tents and the entire stage area was taken down (or more accurately up) each evening and then reassembled early in the morning.

On the second day of the convention, we were walking around and as we were passing a sister, she and Terri stood there looking at each other, and Terri said, “You look very familiar.” The sister looked at her and said, “Terri?” It was a sister from her old congregation that she went to when we were first married. They hadn’t seen each other in about ten years. So a period of crying out and hugging followed, just like you see pictured at large gatherings like that.

During the program, there were six parts where they gave reports from the different lands or interviewed missionaries, asking what things they had had to adjust to or what obstacles they had had to overcome. One sister mentioned the challenge of learning a new language, and how difficult it was to go from being able to comment freely to having to, “fight with the children for the opportunity to offer comments like ‘Jesus’ or Jehovah.’” Another one had spoken of the practice of eating from the ‘common bowl’. There the custom was to cook what ever there was to be cooked in a large pot, and then everyone would just reach in and take out food with their hands and eat it. And in that pot all kinds of things were cooked, including small fish that fed on human excrement in the swamp. The children referred to them as “poo poo fish”.

Tuesday, our hosts took us to a beach on the north shore of Trinidad. There is a ridge of mountains (3,000’ elevation) along the north side of the island and the beach is just beyond them. The drive over was breath-taking and the beach was incredible. It was crescent shaped in between two arms of cliffs that stretched out into the sea. The water was clear, the bottom was all sand, the water was warm, and the waves were great. It was a nice added treat. While there, we had one of the local delicacies, ‘bake and shark’. It is like a fried dough, sliced open and a large piece of shark served on it. You then add your choice of a wide variety of condiments. It was delicious.

Wednesday morning we went out in service. It reminded me a lot of preaching back in the states, many were not home, others chose not to come to the door, and others just waved us off, saying they were too busy. It made us appreciate the blessing we have to be preaching where we are. In fact, by the time we had to leave Trinidad, we were starting to get anxious to get back home.

We had a nice treat at the airport in Georgetown (besides being let back in without incident). As we were standing in line, a sister approached Terri to introduce herself. Terri just looked at her and said, “You look familiar. I know you. From Africa.” It turned out to be a missionary couple who had at one time been assigned to the Ivory Coast. Because of political turmoil there they had been evacuated to Ghana, and were serving there when we were serving as International Volunteers, working on the branch in Ghana in ’03. Two years ago they were reassigned to Guyana, but serve in the east of the country, so we had never met them. As they say, “It’s a small world when you are not in the world!”

Tomorrow we will be getting picked up at 4:45 AM to travel back to the northwest. We will fly into Port Kaituma and then find a vehicle going to Matthew’s Ridge. Gary mentioned Ellie Garner is ready to travel with us. He ended up spending three days taking her around to get things she wanted to take with her. She is serious about staying for a year, so picked up everything she feels she might need. He mentioned she has filled a small suitcase with various pills and crèmes and such. We of course know what is and isn’t available there in the northwest, but I guess she wants to be prepared.

While we are in Kaituma, we will have a study with the group there. Since Andrew has been alone at the Ridge, (although Compton Baxter traveled up to help him with the meeting last week) we had told the group no one would be coming for the study for those two Wednesdays, but that since we would be flying into Kaituma, we would have a study before we leave for the Ridge. It should be a nice one since Stephan and I will both be there as well as Terri and Ellie. Hopefully we will find a vehicle going to the Ridge, but if not, we may just hire one for ourselves.

For this week’s pictures I’ve included one of the beach we visited and a couple from the convention. Terri enjoyed going around and taking pictures of the delegates in their native dress.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Trinidad I




We are presently in Trinidad. We arrived Tuesday afternoon. We had flown to ‘town on Friday. When we arrived, Gary picked us up and we ran a few errands, including stopping by the branch. We mentioned to Gary that we had about a day of errands and discussed whether to do them Monday before we went to Trinidad, or wait and do it Thursday. Gary mentioned that we should do it before we went because when we get back the holiday shopping would be in full swing and what would normally take 15 minutes to accomplish would take over an hour. He mentioned that most people get their holiday bonus on the 15th and after that the stores are packed.

Saturday morning we went out in service and then we caught a bus to take us into Georgetown where Terri got a haircut and we picked up a few more things on our list. Then we went to meet a sister who had recently arrived in Guyana from Washington state. She is hoping to spend up to a year in Guyana. She mentioned to the brothers at the branch that she wasn’t a city person and asked if there was somewhere they could suggest she go. Brother Hazel suggested she consider Matthew’s Ridge. She had somehow gotten in touch with Stephan and he told her that we would be in ‘town Friday and she should give me a call. We made arrangements to go by where she was staying to share with her info in the Ridge and see wheter we thought she would be able to function there.

Her name is Ellie Garner. She had previously served in Ecuador as well as Mexico. She is 66 years old. One of the big issues was housing. I mentioned that there is a house there that is fairly nice. It is next to a hotel and gets current from the hotel whenever the hotel’s generator is running which is about 10-12 hours a day. It is expensive by Guyanese standards, but it has four bedrooms. We mentioned that if she could see her way to rent it, that it would open the way for other young sisters to come and serve at the Ridge and then they could help with the rent. The long and short was she is going to travel back to the northwest when we go back. She will stay with us for a short time while she checks things out first hand and decides if she thinks she can make a go of it. We shared with her things that she would need to get to stay in the ridge and made arrangements for Gary to take her around on Tuesday.

After we left Ellie, we caught a bus to take us back into Georgetown where we caught a next bus to take us back where we were staying. As we were making our way back, I asked Terri is she could have imagined going around on our own like that. She said. “No way.” But then she mentioned that no matter how comfortable in Guyana, unfortunately we will always stand out in the crowd. Monday we met Gary in ‘town and took care of all the things we needed.

Tuesday we flew to Trinidad with about 40 other delegates. When we were leaving the airport in Trinidad, we were greeting by a group of witnesses singing a welcoming song and then there was an even larger group to welcome us to the Assembly Hall where we were given a light meal and then introduced to our hosts. Wednesday evening the congregation that our host goes to had a gathering for all the delegates that were being hosted (14).

Tuesday when we were traveling to the Assembly Hall, Bro. Rainey was asking how things were going at the Ridge. I told him about the attendance we’d been getting and all the studies we had. He asked about the studies and I mentioned that I didn’t have the exact figures but it was something over 70. He asked me if I could get the number and get it to him because he had a part on the convention and he would like to use that. I had put most of the report together before I left, but Stephan had to get the report from a few others and he was bringing the report with him. I was able to email him on his phone and he passed the numbers on to me. I wasn’t sure if I would see Bro. Rainey in the stadium, so I emailed the info to him, figuring he would have some way to check his emails.

Today, he was interviewed early on the program and he related some of the things happening at the Ridge (without specifically saying where in Guyana it was from). He mentioned that when he had last been with one group, they had been conducting 56 bible studies but now there were 13 publishers conducting over 70 studies. I realized he hadn’t gotten my email because last month, we had reported 86 studies and 12 publishers. One reason for the jump was that Jonathan had left and all the studies he had been conducting previously had been reported back where his cards are, whereas now we had them and so they were added to our report.

Today before the session, we were walking around the stadium looking to see who we might know since there were a number of delegates from the states. We saw a couple, Lou and Frocine Travis who had been in Warwick when I was there. They used to be at Watchtower Farm, but are now serving as Special Pioneers in Maryland. We also saw a couple from Walcott how are one the WNY RBC as well as a couple from Orchard Park. The attendance today was 15,034.

For this week’s pictures I’ve included one of the welcome group at the airport, one of the delegates and hosts from the congregation get-together, and a panoramic of the stadium, or as it’s officially known as the Queen’s Park Oval (that’s what they call a cricket stadium).

Saturday, December 5, 2009

It's different here



I had written last week about possibly getting material for a ceiling soon. The man who said he was coming to get the money never came by, so I figured it was one of those ‘just now’s. But Sunday morning about 8:30, a large truck stops in front of the Kingdom Hall and someone called out that they had plyboard for us. We unloaded the truck and put the sheets on some sawhorses under the house. I asked Stephan how he felt about leaving it there and he said he would worry that it might ‘walk off’. I said I was thinking the same.

We decided we could store it above the Kingdom Hall. I figured since we had it and since that was where we would put it, we might as well try to put it up before the meeting and spread it around between the webs of the trusses as much as we could to start benefiting from it. So I climbed up in the trusses and Andrew carried the sheets into the hall and Stephan passed them up to me. By that time the sun had been shining for awhile so it was like a sauna up there. We got them laid out with about half an hour to spare before the meeting. I mentioned that I was so hot from working that I could not judge whether they made any difference or not. We will paint one side of them and then attach them to the bottom side of the trusses.

Last week on the way to a study, I was on my bike and I passed a group of people sitting by the road. They waved as I went past, so I waved back. As I was passing I heard one of them call out, but I had a study to get to so I just kept going. On my way back from the study, I saw the person walking toward me on the road and he again waved at me and as I was passing, I could tell he definitely wanted to talk to me so I turned around and came back. I could tell he had been drinking and I could see he was a little agitated. He asked me why no one came to study the bible with him. He said we study with ‘everyone else’, but why not him. I asked him where he lived and I told him I would be happy to come and study with him. Afterwards I marveled at how that was the first person I had ever met in service who was irritated because someone wasn’t calling on him, rather than the other way around. When I went by this week he was not there, but his daughter studies so I told her to tell him I would study with him on Fridays after her study.

Andrew mentioned that one of his studies, Juliet, had been approached by someone who was trying to get her to start coming to their church. He told her that if she would come, she would be given clothes and money. She asked him what good clothes and money would be if she wasn’t learning about God. He then asked what benefit she was getting for going to the Kingdom Hall. She offered to get her ‘book’ (the Enjoy Life brochure) and show him what she was learning. He then told her that the white people were just waiting to kill her (alluding to the incident at Jonestown). Must be one of the churches is about to be visited by one of its supporters from the states and they want him to see the church full of people so their funding will continue.

We were so encouraged to hear that. Because sometimes when we are trying to teach people who can’t read, and whose first language is Carib so you aren’t even sure how much of what you are saying is actually getting through, we wonder what is actually being accomplished. Truly we are experiencing the truth of 1 Cor. 3:6.

We are currently without a Post Office here at Matthew’s Ridge. I understand that an inspector had come in last Friday to audit the accounts and he sent word to the Post Master that he was to come in Saturday so they could go over the accounts. The Post Master sent back word that Saturday was a holiday, so he wouldn’t be available. The inspector then put a lock on the building before leaving so that nothing could be tampered with until he returned. Monday was the first of the month when people normally pick up their old-age pension, but when they got to the Post Office they found it locked. I have no idea when the matter will be resolved and the Post Office will reopen. No doubt, just now.

A new air service is starting flights into Port Kaituma and as a result there is a price war going on. We had seen a flyer which one of the existing companies was circulating which listed fares of $11,000GD to fly to ‘town and $13,000 to fly into Kaituma, also $95/lb for cargo. Currently it costs $21,500GD to fly either way from the Ridge and $150/lb for cargo. So when I was in Kaituma Wednesday I went to see about arranging to fly into Kaituma when we return from the convention and then pay the $3000/person for travel to the Ridge. I was told that they have reduced the outbound fare to $9000. I mentioned it to Stephan because he still had to get a ticket to fly to ‘town whereas we had come to the Ridge on a round-trip ticket so ours was already paid for. He checked first with the new service and was able to book a flight Monday for $7000. Hopefully the new company will consider adding service to Matthew’s ridge and our prices will improve.

It appears our cat is no longer with us. I don’t think Terri is too distraught though. I think she recognized how it was just one more thing to have to worry about. But maybe we’ll be surprised and find him waiting for us when we get back. There is still no sign of activity at the internet café here so I will wait and send this out when we get to ‘town on Friday. My next posting will be from Trinidad. I will try to get something up next Thursday after our first day of the convention.

This week’s picture feature Juliet. One is of her at the Kingdom Hall, the other is taken at her house with Stephan and Andrew. She is standing next to Andrew. But it helps you appreciate how little she has and yet the offer of money didn’t influence her.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Comings and Goings



This was a week of comings and goings. Stephan finally made it back from Lethem. He says he’s happy to be back but I fear he is getting ‘itchy feet’. While he was away, he attended a Circuit Assembly in Brazil, which is just across the river from Lethem. He met a brother who had spent a number of years on a witness boat on the Amazon River. I think that planted a seed that may be hard to resist. Only time will tell.

This week Jonathan Brewster left to return to the states. He had originally planned on staying for one month because that was all he could afford, but by the time he got ready to leave the states, ‘somehow’ things worked out to where he had additional funds. Once he got here and saw what things were like, he changed his ticket and stayed almost three months.

We have a new student on the Ministry School, Eno David. When he first started coming to the meetings he was super shy. It took him a long time to get up the courage to comment at a meeting. For a time, he would have an answer prepared, but he couldn’t bring himself to raise his hand. Now he is even commenting on auxiliary questions. It’s a good thing we have the microphone because he still speaks very soft. Another obstacle was having suitable clothes for being on the school. Andrew somehow was able to come up with some that would fit him. It was timely for him to be joining the school since there will be a set of meetings while Stephan, Terri, and I are at the International Convention in Trinidad that may have Andrew here by himself. We are hoping a young brother from Mabaruma, Alex, will come to help.

The internet café continues to be closed. I was told today that the young man who had been running it is coming back from ‘town Monday coming. I had earlier been told he was coming Monday past, and had seen no sign of activity there. So we are having to drive out to where we get cell signal.

I think we are going to be getting a ceiling in the Kingdom Hall soon. It will keep it much cooler during the meeting since it will block the heat radiating from the sun on the metal roof. I had put one up in our living quarters shortly after we got here and it made a real noticeable difference. It will also help to lessen the sound of the rain on the roof which can be almost deafening.

A man who has recently started coming to the meetings approached me after the meeting Sunday and offered to buy some ceiling fans to help with the heat. I mentioned I would be concerned that it would just be blowing more heat down, which he agreed. I told him we were hoping to get plywood for the ceiling, and were saving for it. He said he would be willing to make up any short-fall we might have. He told Terri today that he was going to stop by to pick up the funds as he was going to Kaituma Friday to see about the plywood.

We recently received a shipment of literature including new songbooks. Unfortunately they greatly reduced our order. We had ordered 15 small songbooks and 30 large ones. We received the 15 small ones, but the 30 was reduced to 3. Probably they were able to check the number of publishers and see it was 13 and felt we had very much over-ordered. I think they have no way of knowing that our Sunday meeting attendance is between 70 and 80. We may have to scramble now to have enough songbooks for the first of the year.

For this week’s pictures I have one of Eno with his new clothes and I also have one of me at a house in the ministry. I can’t imagine how hot it must get inside. Years ago there were many company buildings with metal roofs and sides. When the companies left, the metal sheets were ‘appropriated’ by the locals. There is one property here that has a fence around it constructed entirely of metal sheets. But as you can see, there are no windows in the house. I suppose it would be great for sleeping in except once the sun comes up, you would bake.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Nothing new



I will start by apologizing for the delay in the last posting. I had planned on going to the internet café Thursday evening and sending it out, but when I got there it was closed. It remained closed all day Friday. Saturday afternoon I saw the young man that operates it and asked about it. He said they had been having problems with the generator but assured me it would be opened around 6:30, but when I went by later it was still closed. So I got up early Sunday morning and drove out to where we get phone signal and sent everything out over my Blackberry. I had come to use the internet café since it was a little cheaper, saved driving an hour on my bike, and now gas is $6 US/gal. (so stop your whining). I saw the internet café opened once earlier this week, but not the last few days, so tomorrow I will drive out again to send and receive emails.

There is not much new to report on this week. I am continuing the project under the house (still no gold), and finished the new benches. Thursday is my work day, so I should be able to get them sealed for this weekend’s meeting. I learned today that Stephan is still in Lethem. He had said he planned to get back to the Ridge tomorrow, but it seems the bus didn’t run today. I guess things are pretty well the same throughout the country. He said he’s hoping to make it back Saturday. I hope so since he is scheduled to give Sunday’s talk, but I will probably have something ready just in case.

I had mentioned last week that I was going to inquire into the quality of that large eddo I had pictured. I asked at this week’s study but was informed that Evelyn’s sister had taken it, so they didn’t know how it turned out. I think I heard that they were going out to their farm in the back-dam, so I might not see them at the meeting this weekend, so it may be a bit longer before I can report on that.

The cat has learned to open the screen door to let himself in and out of the house. I told Terri that we now have to teach him to close it behind him. He has been getting beat up at night, which is why we were keeping him in the house at night. A few days ago he went out in the morning and didn’t come back in the evening. There was no sign of him the next morning and we thought he might have been finished. But that evening we were sitting in the house when the door opened up and in walked the cat. He had been worked over a bit, but wasn’t as bad as we had feared he might be. We are thinking we might try to perform a little surgery on him to enhance his chances of surviving here.

I had someone pick up some wire mesh for me in Kaituma and built a small enclosure (4’ x 2’) for the chick so that it doesn’t have to be kept in a box in the house while we are out on studies. We are waiting to see whether it is a he or she. I asked Terri if it turns out to be a he, how big we should let it grow before we eat it. For some reason, she said that there is no way she could eat it.

For this week’s pictures I’ve included one taken in the Kingdom Hall before a meeting as well as one of three of our young publishers. From left to right it’s Danika, Latisha, and Sonia.

Monday, November 16, 2009

From Gary Fischer




OUR TIME IN GUYANA

We would like to share with you our experience in Guyana. We have recently had the last of our children move out, and wanting to do something exciting in Jehovah's service, we wasted no time selling the nest and flying to Guyana. The branch suggested that we serve in Matthew's Ridge while the Newtons were away. We were quite excited about our trip to Guyana, but, as we came close to our departure date we really started to wonder if we knew what we were getting into. Would it be too hot? Would we get malaria? Would our insides be devoured by loathsome parasites? We prayed for courage and followed the example of others who trusted in Jehovah. And we all know that if you come up with a feasable plan and put your trust in Jehovah, things will work out. We arrived with certain expectations; we expected it to be quite warm and we weren't disappointed. We expected a small village in the middle of the jungle like the Ridge to be a quiet place, but the day we arrived, it was anything but that. Marion said, "If this is how it is going to be, I can't stay here". Well, things didn't change much but we survived the first week. After the second week we felt that we could at least tough it out for the three and a half months until the Newtons returned. After the second month we were really starting to enjoy our ministry but weren't sure if we could handle a place like Matthew's Ridge on a permanant basis. Then we went to the convention which always gives you a boost, but this was the best one ever. Many of the local brothers and sisters approached us and would say, "We really appreciate you coming to Guyana and helping us out". That meant so much to us, and when we returned to Matthew's Ridge, we were having the time of our life.
So, what made it such a good experience? Well, on arriving we were handed 15 Bible studies to handle between the two of us. At first that seemed daunting to suddenly have that many studies not knowing really anything about them. We soon got into the routine and really enjoyed what became the main part of our service. It was really rewarding to see how the truth changes lives and in one case, a new baby girl was born because her mother learned about God's view of abortion. Many in these parts never went to school and can't read. Some of the Amerindians hardly know even spoken English. Others did go to school and learned to read, but the English they speak can be very different from the written English. So, comprehension usually comes with at least some difficulty. We needed to learn to adjust our teaching methods to suit each student. It was truly rewarding to see their faces light up as they learned about the Kingdom hope.
By the time the Newtons returned we handed back about 22 studies. Leaving Matthew's Ridge was hard. People kept saying "When are you coming back? You have to come back!" Well, we feel very positive about returning to Guyana, it was the best experience we have ever had. Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of Jehovah, that is what makes rich". Those words are so true! All the comforts and conveniences that we have in North America mean little in comparison to the blessings we experienced in Guyana.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Just another story



I realize before I do anything else, I need to clarify the one picture from last week. I had said it was a picture of the group here and you may have been trying to figure out who everyone was. Obviously Terri and I are seated in the front, and then from left to right in the back is Andrew and Jonathan with one of their studies, Eno. He comes here for his study and then they do something together like watch a movie or play some games. He is continuing to make fine progress, commenting on his own at the meetings. Terri was holding the cat, but it was past the chick’s bedtime, so it’s not in the picture.

After letting Andrew go to Kaituma last week, I decided I was sufficiently healed to go again (I didn’t decide for sure until Wednesday morning when I was able to comfortably put my foot into a long boot). The trip there was thankfully uneventful, it didn’t rain until just as I was getting to Kaituma. I went by most of the ones who come to the study to let them know I had arrived, and then went and visited a couple we had studied with a number of years ago.

When I got to where we have the study I was happy to see Monica there waiting. She was the only one I hadn’t alerted since her shop is in the other direction and I didn’t feel like driving through the rain to go there. I asked her if someone had gotten in touch with her to let her know I was there, or if she just came expecting someone would be there. She smiled and said the man she is with had called her to tell her he saw me pass by on my bike on the way in. She said he told her he had seen one of the young brothers pass by. We both laughed and I told her to be sure to thank him for me.

The lesson we had done was dealing with imitating Jesus’ faith and courage. We were reminded how Jesus was strengthened by his knowledge of the scriptures. So I asked the group how knowledge of the scriptures can help us. Sharon commented on how once you learn what the bible says, you know it’s the truth, and you just have to speak up when someone says something that teaches otherwise. It was nice to hear her express her conviction.

It had rained quite a bit while I was in Kaituma, so I had to drive slow on the road. I was about half an hour ahead of where I had been the last time I went, so I was happier about that. There is a very bad spot in the road just before you reach Fallstop. I had made it through on my way out, but coming back, I got in a deep hole and stalled the bike and kind of went over. The rut was so deep you couldn’t fall over too far though. I got myself righted and started the bike, but it didn’t want to come out of the hole. I was pushing and revving the engine, when the chain made an ugly sound as they say here, and it became clear that the engine was no longer connected to the rear wheel.

I tried to push and pull it out, but was not able. I waited for a bit and a vehicle came through and stopped and a man helped me get the bike out of the hole. While we were dragging it, the back tire was just slipping. We got it somewhat out of the mud and I told them I could manage from there. I thought the chain had probably come off the sprocket (there is a chain case which covers it so you can’t see it). When I took the chain case off, I discovered that the chain had broken. I was almost to Fallstop and it was getting dark, so I pushed the bike to a shop where I could see. I had no repair links with me, so I could only hope a vehicle would pass by on the way to the Ridge and give me a ride so I could get repair parts and come back for the bike.

It kept getting later and still no vehicles were passing so I went to the government office of mining that is there and asked if they had a place I could stay the night. They said they had a spare room that I could stay in and gave me a set of clean sheets for the bed. Early in the morning a four-wheeler stopped by the shop and I asked the two men riding it if they were going to Matthew’s Ridge. They said they were passing through the Ridge on their way to the back-dam. At first they said they didn’t have room, but as they were getting ready to leave they motioned me over and told me to climb on, and gave me a ride back to Matthew’s Ridge.

Everyone at the house was happy to see me in one piece as they had been concerned when I didn’t come home Wednesday night. I gathered up what I needed to fix the bike and then kept watch for a vehicle heading for Kaituma. After a bit a cruiser was passing so I waved it down and asked if it were going to Kaituma, which it were, so I asked if they could give me a drop to Fallstop, to which he said that would be no problem. I was able to repair the chain and head for home. Before I made it back, the luggage rack on the back broke and my box for carrying supplies fell backwards causing the rear fender to rub on the tire at any sizable bump, so I had to drive back subspeed. All in all, just another story.

On a more positive note, I will share some highlights from our service report for October. Our Sunday meeting attendance average for the month was 80! I am in the process of making a couple of more benches (if you build them, they will come). Our publishers averaged 25.2 hours and 3.3 bible studies. The total number of studies reported was 77. Between Terri and I, we reported 34 studies.

For this week’s pictures, I have one I took of Michael and Evelyn after our studies on Monday. He is holding the largest eddo I have ever seen. I commented that and he said it was the largest one he had ever seen as well. I’m going to have to ask them how it tasted seeing as it was so large. The other one is Terri with the latest up-grade to our house. Now she has an actual oven to bake in.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

The family grows



Last week on my way to Kaituma I ‘fell down’ on my bike. I was going along fine on dry road when I ran into a heavy shower. Just about that time I crested a hill and was going down the other side. Between the wet road, the added speed of down hill, and some deep ruts I went down. My leg under the bike got scraped up pretty bad, and the one on top of the bike got burned on the exhaust pipe. So the rest of the ride to Kaituma wasn’t so nice between the wet road and the injuries.

As I was continuing on, I started questioning in my mind why we continue to make the effort to go a hold the study in Kaituma. When I reached, I stopped by Caroline’s shop to let her know that I had made it in, and then I went on to Sharon’s to let her know as well as try and clean up a little. When I expect the road to be nasty I usually wear short pants. Otherwise the legs of my pants get all dirty from mud splashing up off the front wheel. With shorts, I can easily wash my legs off. I had a pair of pants with zip-on legs, but I must have left them behind in the states.

Sharon immediately saw my injuries and while I was trying to wash off a bit, she came out with some gauze and peroxide and antibiotic ointment and told me that I needed to get the wounds as clean as possible and then put some ointment on them. While I was tending to my wounds, she washed my sandals for me. I decided it would not be a good idea to try and put long pants over the wounds since I didn’t have anything to dress them with. I started to put my sandals on and she called out to me from the upstairs that I should come and eat some food and by the time I finished, my sandals would be dry. Her concern and hospitality made me feel bad that I had questioned why we continue to go to Kaituma. It reminded me of Paul’s words at Php.4:17.

While I was in Kaituma, I was able to locate a wheelbarrow which I was able to purchase and get taken to Matthew’s Ridge, so the project under the house continues to move along nicely.

Andrew returned from ‘town Friday afternoon. He had planned on coming Monday, but when he got to the airport, he was informed he would not be allowed to fly into the interior since his visa had expired. He explained that he had applied for an extension, even showed them a copy of the letter, but they said they could not allow him to fly. He contacted the branch and Bro. Hinds made some calls and was told that if they could get a letter from the Office of Homeland Affairs acknowledging receipt of the application, they would let him fly. That was going to take a few days, so Andrew went with Stephan and Roland to visit Lethem and returned Thursday afternoon. Friday all the seats into Matthew’s Ridge were booked, so he had to fly into Kaituma. They almost weren’t going to let him go even though he had the letter they had requested, but at the last minute they relented and he was able to travel.

Last week Jennifer stopped by on her way home from school with a baby chick that someone had given her. She told Terri that she had brought it for her. Terri told her that she didn’t really have a place to keep it and that Jennifer should just take it home with her as they had a number of hens, some with broods of chicks. Jennifer told her that since this one was so much smaller than the ones at her house, the other ones would just peck it to death. Terri couldn’t accept that so now we have another member in the family. It is amazing the way maternal instincts seem to over-ride normal thinking. Terri is usually very fastidious when to comes to keeping the house clean. But now we have a small chick roaming around in the house (actually more like following you around and getting under foot) and doing what chicks do whenever they feel the urge. But Terri just matter-of-factly wipes up the spot with a bleach rag.

Wednesday when we were out preaching, Adolphus stopped me and asked me what I knew about the teaching of ‘generational curse’. I told him I wasn’t familiar with that and asked what it was. He said it was based on Ex. 20:5 where Jehovah had said he would bring punishment for the error of fathers upon their sons to the third and fourth generation. I shared what the bible said plainly at Eze. 18:20. He then mentioned how that when Achan had sinned, the whole family was punished. I reasoned with him on how Achan had hidden the articles under his tent, something that it would be difficult to do without the family have knowledge. He smiled and said, “So they would have shared responsibility.” He mentioned he had been asked to preach on the subject in his church, and he knew that we studied the bible carefully, so he wanted to check with me before he gave a teaching that was wrong.

Before it gets too old, the other two ‘Baramita moments’; Jonathan was just amazed to see 525 people come walking out of the bush to come to an assembly. You have to understand there is really no village per say at Baramita, everyone just lives in the bush. There are in fact no roads other than the one in from Matthew’s Ridge, there are just a network of footpaths leading off in different directions. Stephan’s came one afternoon when he happened along just after there had been some kind of difference between a few in the group. He mentioned he heard Evelyn tell all involved that everyone had come to learn from the bible, and that it would not be proper for them to be fighting amongst themselves, they all needed to get along together, that was what the bible taught. Evelyn is an older woman who hasn’t been studying too long and who has a hard time with the English language, having always spoken Carib.

This week’s pictures are of the newest addition to the family (they were sharing dinner, we weren’t trying to feed the chick to the cat), and a group picture just so all the folks back home can see their member. I look a little strange, but I was concentrating on no blinking when the first flash was followed by the second, of course some would probably say I look strange anyways.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Endings and Beginnings



This week was a week of beginnings and endings. It was the end of Roland Rendon’s time here at Matthew’s Ridge. He had arrived the end of May with the intention of leaving after the District Convention in August, but he decided to extend his stay. He will be leaving Guyana November 10th, but rather than coming back here after the Circuit Assembly and then having to fly back shortly, he will stay in ‘town until he leaves.

Roland and Andrew were supposed to have gone out on the steamer, leaving on the Sunday we were in Baramita, but Andrew was sick. We think he may have had malaria. He had the symptoms and went for a test, but his ‘smear’ was on the same slide as another person’s and they read the one but not Andrew’s. In the meantime, the medix gave him the treatment for malaria and he seemed to get better. Stephan, Andrew, and Roland ended up all flying out on Wednesday. Stephan and Andrew would attend the pioneer meeting Friday, and all three of them would attend the Circuit Assembly on the weekend.

Jonathan returned from Baramita not feeling well. He mentioned he had a nasty headache, and he just felt completely worn out. A couple of days ago, he mentioned to Terri that he had a strange rash on his arms and stomach. It appears that he must have had a mild case of dengue.

This week was also a week of beginning in that a new class for learning to read and write started. There were thirteen who expressed a desire to learn. A number were ones who had been in the first class, so Terri is going to have to figure out how to make it challenging for them, but yet also accommodate the first timers.

Before it gets too old, I had mentioned last week about sharing some ‘Baramita moments’. Mine was on the last day. I was waiting to hear what was going to happen with the last shuttle flight. I was at the house Bro. Hansraj lives in and where the District and Circuit Overseers were staying. Stephan came walking by and said that there was going to be another flight so we needed to get all the bags off the truck, which was parked about 1/8 mile away. So I got up to go get the bags with him and Brother West. The DO, called to everyone in the house to come and give a hand with the bags. When I got to the truck, I looked back and here came the DO, the CO, Bro. Hansraj, Bro. Monroe, and several of the wives, all coming to help us carry bags back to the airstrip.

Terri’s ‘moment’ was her early morning breakfast preparations. She mentioned how nice it was to see the various ones from the group all working together and laughing as they were getting the breakfast ready. In a similar vein, there were a few in the group who had family living in Baramita, but they chose to stay with the group in the school, rather than with family.

The weather is starting to change here. It is becoming what the locals refer to as, ‘in and out’, which means one minute the sun is shining and the next it is pouring rain. On the positive side, it has not been so hot, but it also means more mud and muddy pant legs when you walk.

The work of digging out underneath the house is continuing. It is approaching half done as far as area, but probably closer to one third in terms of amount of material to be moved. It is getting more difficult since the dirt has to be moved farther. I am hoping I can find a wheelbarrow to use. The digging isn’t so bad, but it’s the moving the dirt that takes all the effort. At one point I had been thinking that if we end up with a Special Assembly Day program here (as I have been told may happen), we would hold it underneath the building since there will be almost twice as much room. Now I have decided we will hold the Memorial observance under the Hall, since last year we had over 200 attend. So now I have a deadline to keep me motivated.

For this week’s pictures I have chosen one of Terri with her new class and one of the kitchen in Baramita. That is Patricia with her face turned, her daughter Melissa behind her, Nicola is helping with the ‘bake’, and Fonda is in the back.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

We didn't bust



All in all, the Baramita trip was a success. We had 30 make the trip. We ended up arranging for a cruiser to take us out in two groups. On a sad note, Eugene wasn’t able to make the trip. When we were driving back from taking the provisions across, the road was muddy and on one of the log bridges, I dumped the bike and the rear foot peg mashed down on the top of his foot, and it was still swollen Friday morning. I told him that since husband and wife were to be one flesh, he could now sympathize with his wife who is unable to walk far due to an old injury. I had recorded the Assembly program before we left the states, so I burned it onto CD’s so they could listen while we were away. I stopped by when we got back and the swelling had gone down and he was again walking.

I led the first group across, with Jonathan bringing up the rear. In our group there were, myself, Terri, Doris, Keeza, Stephanie, three of Stephanie’s granddaughters, Caretta, Colleen, and Saneefa, Cecilia, Mavis. Claudette. Beverly, and Jonathan. We started walking about 9 AM and reached Baramita about 4 PM. The other group started at 11 AM. Stephan mentioned on the way out he was thinking who he could get to bring up the rear to make sure no one got left behind. He said he had thought about asking Fonda. When they were ready to set out, he asked for a volunteer to walk in back to make sure nobody got left, and Fonda said she would do it. In his group were, himself, Patricia and her three year old daughter Melissa, Grace and her three year old son David, Regina and her 10 month old son Shamere, Victoria, Genefa, Caretta, Evelyn, Nicola, Ivon, Latisha, Sonia, Fonda, and her five year old daughter Jeanie. Because of all the little ones, it took them longer. They reached Baramita after dark. Since we had no way of knowing if they had even started (for all we knew the cruiser broke down) there was no point in starting to go look for them. I was very relieved to see a white person coming walking in the dark.

A brother who was supposed to have come from ‘town to help with the program never got his assignments, so they were a little short-handed. As a result, both Stephan and Jonathan got to have parts. They both served as chairman for a session, and Jonathan handled the consideration of the daily text on Sunday morning. I ended up with four parts and a share in a demonstration.

I had asked Terri to oversee the food preparation. We were given access to an outdoor kitchen with all the necessary utensils. So she arranged for different ones from the group to be responsible for various meals. We did breakfast and dinner each day. It required that she get up at 5:30 each morning to oversee breakfast. Fortunately, we had been to the Assembly before we had left the states, so after breakfast was finished, she would go back to bed. But she kept things going very smoothly.

It was hard because the family we stayed with (the Smiths (see box p. 181 yb05)) wanted to have us eat our meals with them, but we wanted to be able to eat with the group. I said that next time, we will make it clear to our hosts that we will be taking our meals with the group. Sunday evening we purchased some deer meat and the sisters cooked it up and served it over rice. I at least got to taste a piece of the meat and it was excellent. Our hosts served us smoked alligator, which was also excellent.

When we got there, Brother Smith suggested that we consider staying an extra day because there was a possibility that there would be some flights between Baramita and Matthew’s Ridge. I discussed it with Stephan and we decided that since it wasn’t a definite thing, we would head out Monday morning as planned. Then Sunday morning I learned that flights were scheduled for Monday morning, it just wasn’t clear how early and how many. So I made a prioritized list of everyone as to getting on a plane to return, with older ones and mothers and children first. We also learned that a bush truck was leaving Baramita Monday morning. We decided we would put all the bags on that so it wouldn’t detract from the number that could fit on a plane, plus any who had to walk would be able to do so lightly.

There were supposed to be five shuttles, with about five able to fit on each. But the first flight also took two sick people over to go to the hospital at Matthew’s Ridge. Since we had so many small and not so small children, and even the adults for the most part were small, we were able to squeeze more on the following flights. The fourth flight fit everyone except myself and Stephan who was going with the bags on the truck. The pilot mentioned that there was not cargo enough at Matthew’s Ridge to warrant a fifth flight. So they got on the radio and called across to figure out what was happening. Meanwhile I wasn’t sure what I would do. Jonathan had wanted to stay back so I wouldn’t have to walk the bush line alone, but I told him to go. We soon realized that if there was a fifth flight, Stephan and I could go with all the bags. When we got word that there was going to be one, we hurried and got all our bags off the truck, which had been scheduled to leave two hours earlier but had been delayed, and down by the airstrip. We were able to get everyone and everything back to Matthew’s Ridge through the air. A nice final treat.

Monday night at our family study, I had asked the ones from the house who went, to pick a ‘Baramita moment’ to share. I will try to include them another time. I think this entry has gone on about long enough. Thank all of you who made our trip a matter of prayer. It was a positive experience for all.

This week’s pictures are one from along the trail on the way there, and a picture of the group at the Circuit Assembly.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Barimita or bust



I never made it to Kaituma last week. About 8 miles out, I got a flat tire. I had a new tube with me so I decided I would just take the wheel off and put the new tube in. I found a mound of dirt that I could park the bike over to hold the back tire off the ground. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a right sized wrench to get the chainguard off, so I couldn’t take the tire off. I ended up just opening the tire up and finding the leak. It was right next to where I had patched it before, so I ended up putting a new patch on, half on the old one and half off. I put everything back together and pumped it up and it seemed to hold. I considered continuing on to Kaituma, but decided a patch on a patch wasn’t the best thing, so I turned around and headed back.

After about a mile and a half, the tire went down again. I figured out that I could take the new box I made for the bike off and use it as a stand for underneath the bike, so once again I opened up the tire to find the leak. This time it was leaking out of the other side of the original patch. So I again patched it and put it back together and drove again. I hadn’t gone too far and it felt like it was going down, so I stopped and pumped it up and drove on. After a bit it felt like it was getting soft, but I looked at it and it looked ok so I kept going. About 2 miles later it went flat and it wouldn’t pump up. At that point, I parked the bike and walked home. Stephan gave me a ride back with tools to take the wheel off, and then he went on to Kaituma. I put the new tube in and then drove home.

As you may remember, this weekend is the Circuit Assembly in Barimita. A number from here are planning on going over. One of the men I study with has a cruiser and I believe he is going to help with the transportation. I have repeatedly told everyone who wants to go that they are going to have to walk with food for the entire time. Since there are no flights into Barimita recently, we don’t want to take food from them. Knowing the way many don’t listen so well, Stephan suggested we carry some provisions across in advance. We figured that if four of us went across, we could get a good amount over, plus it would give a few more a chance to get acquainted with the trail. We decided we would each carry fifty pounds. I was worried about putting two people and 100+ pounds of weight on my bike. Sunday evening we bought a hundred pounds of rice, forty pounds of dried fish, thirty pounds of flour, and ten pounds each of sugar, onions, and garlic.

We planned to leave at 6 AM Monday and go over and back in the same day. When we got up it was raining, and we were very concerned about trying to drive the heavily loaded bikes on the slippery road. I saw a cruiser passing that transported the foreman of the road crew out to the job, so I stopped them and asked if they were going out to the end of the road. He said he was, so I asked if he would take our packs and passengers out. He said he would, but he wouldn’t be leaving for some time. He said if it could wait, the next morning he would be leaving at seven and would take everything then, so we put it off for a day.

Tuesday we were ready about 6:30, since Stephan mentioned that 7 AM can mean anything from 6:30 – 9:00. We waited and waited. Finally I rode down to where the foreman lives and found him waiting too. It seems that the driver had gotten an early hire and hadn’t returned yet. We finally got underway about 8:30, which put us on the trail a little before ten. Eugene, Stephan, Jonathan, and I made the trip. We walked together for a while, but then Eugene and I went ahead. At one point we stopped to wait for the others to catch up. After we had sat for half an hour, I left my pack and started back down the trail. After about six or seven minutes I reached them and walked back with them. We rested a bit longer (for them) and then set off. We walked together for a bit and then Stephan said he needed to rest. He told Eugene and I that we could continue on, but just asked that every so often and at all junctions, we would leave a mark so he could be sure to find the way. So we continued on and reached Barimita about 4:30. They were having a meeting when we got there. We sat in and got to hear a nice service talk by the District Overseer. Stephan and Jonathan arrived about 5:40. Needless to say, we stayed overnight before heading back in the morning. As we were walking back, I mentioned to Eugene that there were plenty of people in the states who would pay good money to be able to do what we were doing. It is a serious deep jungle trek.

Now all that remains is the actual trip over for the Assembly. A new concern is that the weather is starting to change. It’s nice that it’s not so hot, but that’s due to the more frequent rain. I don’t know how many of the people will go if it rains. Every time I have been to Barimita, everyone asks for Terri. I assure them that she will be with me for the weekend. I just have to pass along a highlight from September’s Service Report. We had 14 publishers report a total of 82 studies for the month. That just blew me away. Another little bit of news, there is now an internet café in Matthew’s Ridge. A company came and put up a dish and have two computers and charge $5US/hr. That may be useful since as I mentioned the weather is changing and the rainy weather seemed to interfere with the signal we had gotten over the cell phone.

I’ve included a couple of pictures from our latest trek to Barimita, one shows us before we set off, the other is a picture of a break on the trail.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Adopted



After our first Sunday meeting when we had had 82, we were trying to decide if that was the most we had ever had for a regular Sunday meeting. Well this week we had 87, so we agreed that that was definitely a record.

Terri has always wanted to have a cat here. Last time we were here she even schemed to have someone bring a kitten by, but I reminded her that I had told her I didn’t want any pets here. This time, a cat wandered in on its own and Terri proceeded to feed it, so now it has adopted us. I guess that just shows Jehovah will provide the things you ask for (her, not me).

The heat here is oppressive, especially since we had gotten used to the unusually cool weather back in the states. Terri has tried to say that it is hotter now than before, but I can remember the heat when we first got here last year. One thing that helps is it cools down at night. In fact, Terri has had to sleep with a blanket the last few nights. Another thing that helps is spending the heat of the day under the house. The guys usually just stay on their side of the house. I can’t understand how they can deal with the heat. I guess they are just more accustom to it.

I have started digging more out from under the house. We had had just the first twenty feet dug out so we could use the space. I am going to dig the next twenty feet out as well. I had jokingly said I was doing that to make room for the Fischers when they returned. Terri corrected me and said it was for us, and the Fischers could have the space above, since the bottom area will be so much cooler.

Before we left we had given all our studies to other people. Now that we are back we have taken some back (the ones the Fischers had had). But not all, so we have been looking for more. Terri has already picked up five new ones. I started my first new one today. Stephan has suggested a few others I might approach. He said he had been holding back since they are with ‘older’ people.

I recently again heard the rumor that cell service will soon be coming to Matthew’s Ridge. We have been hearing that almost since we first arrived here last year. This time someone told me that it had been reported on the television in Georgetown, and as you know, if it was reported on television, it has to be true. I continue to say that I will believe it when I start getting service here on my phone. I had bought a signal booster before I came, but I tried it several places here and got no signal, so I sent it out with the Fischers to return. It had had a thirty day unconditional return on it.

This week’s pictures are of Terri with her cat and the project of digging out under the house.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Back in Matthew's Ridge



We are finally getting settled in here at Matthew’s Ridge. We flew in last Friday (9/18). Our driver was supposed to pick us up at 5:15 AM. About 5:25 we got a call that he had a flat tire on his car, but was going to try and get it changed. He called back about 10 minutes later and said he wasn’t able to get the wheel off. We ended up getting one of the brothers at the branch to take us. Then we were informed that one of our suitcases was going to be held back because they had too much weight. When we reached Matthew’s Ridge we discovered they had taken two more of our bags off without telling us. Monday we received all three.

We got to spend a few days with the Fishers before they left. They shared what a hard time they had had their first week here, but by the time they were leaving, they mentioned how much they had come to appreciate and enjoy their time here. When I was talking with Stephan, he mentioned how he had appreciated how encouraging and supportive they had always been. He said it wasn’t until they had been here some while that they shared with him their early feelings. He said that they had not complained or let on that they weren’t happy, something he really appreciated. It will be interesting to see if they decide to return to Guyana.

It seems as though we may have about fifty who want to go across to Barimita for the Circuit Assembly. After our last experience, I wanted to try and find a better route across. They have extended the road a good bit since we had gone out, so Wednesday we decided to take the day to go to Barimita. I planned on walking through on the old line I had heard about, and Stephan said he thought he would drive the road as far as they had improved it, and walk from there to see which was faster.

I was able to get one of the road workers to show me where the trail joined the road, so Roland and I set out. It was about 8 AM when we started walking. The trail wasn’t used much and was very narrow with the jungle grown up all around. Several times I had a hard time seeing the trail, so I would have Roland stay were he was, because I knew the trail was there, and then I go ahead and try to figure where it went. I would end up calling out to him so I could find my way back. One time I called and got no answer, I called again with the same results. I was starting to think that I had gotten myself lost in the middle of the jungle. Finally, the third time I was able to hear his response and make my way back to him. Each time after walking around trying to find the trail, when I got back to where he was, I could make out the trail. I guess I just needed to readjust my eyes to see a faint trail, compared to no trail.

Between the sessions of wandering around looking for the trail, and not walking real fast when we had the trail for fear we would lose it, or due to nagging doubts that we were on the right trail, it ended up taking us a little over five hours to reach Barimita. I was very surprise that the other group hadn’t already gotten there. I was able to talk with some of the brothers there about our plans to bring a large group, and what they could do on that end to assist. One thing I had wanted to find out was whether it would be better for the group to carry food for our stay with us, or plan on buying it there. I was informed that since no planes were flying between the Ridge and Barimita, not only was it significantly more expensive, but also the fact that if we bought our foodstuffs there, it would take it away from those who lived there.

We left Barimita about 2:30 PM. The brothers were very surprised to learn that I was planning on returning that same day. I decided that rather than go back the way we came, which would have had us in the bush after dark, I would just walk on the big road, since I knew we wouldn’t get lost, plus I was concerned because the other brothers hadn’t showed up. It ended up being another 5 hour walk to get back to where we had left the bike, the last hour being in the dark. When we reached the bike, we then had another two hours of riding on a muddy and slippery road. When I finally got back, I was so stiff, I could barely get off the bike to walk into the house. I figure we walked about twenty miles. I thinking I’m going to try to arrange to have someone from Barimita meet us at the trailhead and then guide us through. The trail through the jungle was less muddy than the road, and was basically level, while the road had several fairly big hills on it.

Everyone in the group seems to be doing well. We had 82 at the meeting Sunday, and a few of the ‘regulars’ weren’t there. It was nice to have a sound system to be able to hear the comments easier. But of course it slows the meeting down waiting for the microphone to arrive. Especially since we only have one microphone for commenting.

While we were at the branch, I was informed that due to some delegates backing out, an invitation to attend the International convention in Trinidad was being extended to Stephan. So I got to have the pleasure of informing him and seeing his face light up. He mentioned he basically had forgotten all about it, but was thrilled to have the opportunity. He made sure he sent his money in with Gary when he went out.

I’ve included a couple of pictures. One is of a bug convention that we happened upon while walking through the jungle. The other one is of the guys. I wanted to be sure to include a picture of our newest helper, Jonathan Brewster, from Massachusetts. From left to right you have, Stephan, Eno a local young man, Roland in the back, Jonathan, and Andrew.