Last meeting

Andrew and Roland have finally arrived here in Matthew’s Ridge, but as so often is the case, it was not quite as planned and not without hitches. To begin with, the steamer did not leave Georgetown on Wednesday as scheduled. We had heard rumors to that effect, so Thursday Stephan stopped where we are able to get phone signal and called ‘town to see what the status of the steamer. He learned that in fact it had been delayed due to mechanical problems (not too comforting), had been scheduled to leave Thursday morning but it still hadn’t left. The latest was it would leave later in the day. He drove back out in the afternoon and learned it had left about 1 PM. So Friday late morning he left for Kaituma.Friday about eight PM, Roland arrived on a bus with a few bags. He mentioned that Andrew’s bike wasn’t going to be brought off the boat until the next morning, but he thought Stephan was going to be coming along on his bike. About forty five minutes later, Stephan arrived with Andrew. It turned out that Andrew had gotten a ride on a cruiser with his luggage, and Stephan was going to come on the bike. But as he was leaving, Stephan noticed the cruiser pulled over on the side of the road, so stopped and discovered they were having mechanical problems, so he brought Andrew, and his bags would come ‘just now’ They finally showed up about midnight. The next day (Saturday) Stephan drove Andrew back to Kaituma after the meeting and they finally got back about 8 PM. Sunday we had our final meeting here. It was kind of strange for me, because I sat in the audience during the Watchtower study. I think that was the first time since I came to the Ridge that I had done that, every other time I had either conducted it, or had been the reader. But Sunday, Stephan conducted, and Roland read. It felt a little strange, but yet kind of nice to be able to participate as a member of the congregation.Sunday was Terri’s last class with her students that have been learning to read and write. We printed up certificates for them all and she baked a cake and they all enjoyed that afterwards. She is already signing up new students for when we come back.As I had mentioned, Saturday after the meeting, Stephan and Andrew had to go back to Kaituma. I have a couple of bible studies after the meeting, as did Terri, so the only ones going out in service were the local friends. It was so nice to see the group going out and realizing they were doing it on their own.When Andrew and Roland arrived, they had brought with them some sound equipment. So now we are working to try and get it ready for our next meeting. It can only accommodate two microphones, but should be very helpful as many times the comments cannot be heard from those in the audience. I think that will be the primary use, although it will also be useful when the rain is falling hard on the metal roof.So our remaining time will be spent handing over our studies and packing things away so the Fischers can move into a somewhat empty apartment. But at the same time, it will be nice not to have to bring all the basics with us when we return. That also makes the leaving so much easier, knowing that we will be back. And I have been telling everyone I am looking forward to see how much progress they continue to make while we are away. And letting them know they are going to have to do some explaining if they are still at the same place when we return.This week I will try to make up for last week’s lack of pictures. I have included a picture of Saturday’s service group, including our newest addition Danika Williams, There are seven, which is one more than the total group when we arrived. We have increased from six to ten. Another pictures shows all of my studies who were at my last meeting. From left to right it is Filbert, Watson, Gilbert, Lloyd, James. Eugene, and Mary. I had hoped for more, but a few are away in the backdam, and Krishna had no one to mind his shop Sunday morning. The other picture is of Terri with her class. From left to right the students are, Regina, Beatrice, Iona, Ceceilia (that’s the way she spells it), and Claudette.My next post will probably be from the airport in Georgetown next Tuesday, as we are waiting for our flight (they have high-speed wireless there) .

Sorry, no photo

Our Circuit Overseer visit was a treat. As I think I mentioned before, when serving in an assignment like this, you get to spend a lot of time with the brother while he is here. One thing he commented on was he had never seen a congregation that was able to report 100% active publishers. He encouraged us to not get so involved with the bible study activity that we were neglecting the house-to-house ministry, a reminder that I needed. I tell myself that when we return, I will be more mindful of trying to keep that balance. But for now, I am not willing to drop any of my studies to make more time for the preaching work.This week we had a new student on the Theocratic Ministry School, Danika Williams. Unfortunately, I was so focused on the CO visit, I didn’t think to capture the moment of film to share with everyone. She had enrolled in the school a few weeks ago, but just now had her first assignment. She approached me after the Sunday meeting and expressed the desire to begin going out in the ministry with the group as well. We will try to consider that request in time for Saturday’s service. We are also meeting with another young one Saturday to consider her request to join the School.Sunday before the meeting, Eno, a young person Stephan studies with, approached me and asked if he had the right answer for a question in the Watchtower. I assured him that was the right answer. He then asked who was going to be doing the Watchtower. I told him I was, and he told me that he wanted to answer it, so I should be sure to call on him. Sure enough, he raised his hand and answered. He is very very shy, so it was a real accomplishment for him. Afterwards, I commended him for answering, and he assured me he was going to answer again next week.I was thinking about our recent trip to Barimita. I don’t think I called attention to the fact that all who went were just bible studies, no one other than Stephan and I was baptized, yet they made the long walk.We are anticipating the arrival of two more workers this week. Andrew Roybal, who was here last year is returning and is planning on staying for at least a year, and he is being accompanied by a friend, Roland Rendon, who is planning on being here about three months. They are currently in Georgetown, and are scheduled to arrive in Kaituma on the steamer Thursday.I can now add another medical condition to my list of experiences here. Saturday night when I went to bed, my eye was feeling ‘a little sticky’. In the morning it was much more pronounced, and was quite red. We all decided it was ‘pink eye’, or as they call it here ‘red eye’ (I believe the medical term is conjunctivitis). So Sunday afternoon I went to the hospital, but the medic is away. I told one of the women there that I had red eye, and asked if they could give me any treatment for it. She said she could, and gave me drops to put in it. Monday morning when I woke up, my eye was stuck shut, but it has responded well to the treatment, so it seems our diagnosis was correct. While I was at the hospital I weighed myself and discovered that I had lost four pounds, no doubt as a result of the trip to Barimita. So if you are looking for a sure fire way to lose a few pounds, just come and walk with us next time we make the trip.I apologize for the lack of picture, but I had nothing outstanding to post, plus I waited to finish this posting and I stayed late on a study so now Stephan is standing over me waiting for me to finish so he can go out to send and receive emails. He also has started a phone study with a student who is going to school in Kaituma, but comes home on the weekends to attend the meetings.

Barimita

Barimita is now history. We ended up with 20 making the trip. We left the Kingdom Hall at about 10:00 AM Friday and as we walked farther, we picked up more people until we had everyone when we reached the airstrip. We walked for six hours Friday and reached our intended destination about 4:00 PM. The group consisted of Stephan and I, Grace and little David (2 ½ years old), Shondell and Latisha, Victoria and Geneva, Fonda and Nicola, Beatrice, Patricia, and Melissa (3 years old) three generations, Regina and her baby (I don’t know if he has a name yet), Coretta, Eno, Devon, Cecilia and Michael. Stephan and I shared a tent the first night, the others had hammocks which they we able to string up under a house the first night. I had said I wanted to get underway at 6 AM Saturday, as I expected it would be eight hours of walking that day. I heard most in the group wake up about 4 AM. A little before 5 Stephan and I were comparing notes on the previous night (everyone had turned in by 7 since there were no lights where we stayed). I slept most of the night, but he said he didn’t get to sleep until about 2 AM. When the group heard us talking in the tent, they knew we were awake, so all these voices started telling us, “Good morning”. Then they all started walking by the tent, telling us they were going ahead. We got out and took the tent down.Our host had told us he wanted to go across with us, which was nice, because no one in the group felt they knew the way. So at 5:30, we collected our guide and set out to catch up to the group. Our guide was 72 years old, so his pace wasn’t too fast. After about an hour, we caught up with the rear of the group, the rest were waiting for us at Black Banana Junction, which we reached about 8:30. There there was a good bit of discussion between the group, the guide, and people in a shop there. I think the route changed two or three times, but finally the guide said we were going to Barimita by way of Black Banana.We had a bit of concern, because when we reached the first shop at the edge of Black Banana, we asked if a white person had passed by there recently because Stephan always leaves most of the group in the dust. We were told they had seen no one. The trail between the junction and Black Banana had several side trails going off, so I had visions of him lost in the jungle somewhere. We were assured that all trails eventually reach Black Banana, so he was sure to show up. When we got farther, we found him sitting in a shop waiting for us. He had indeed taken a different track, but had still reached ahead of us. So once again the group was all together, and we left Black Banana about 12:15.We were now on just a trail through the jungle. To make a long story short, or a long walk short, we finally reached Barimita just as it was getting dark, a little after 6:30. So most of the group had been on the trail 13 ½ hours. Everyone said we had taken a long way around. But we were just glad that we had all made it with no major casualties, other than very sore legs and feet.The program Sunday was excellent and all appreciated it very much. There were about 560 in attendance. I asked some in the group who knew Carib, how they enjoyed hearing the program in Carib. Most said they had a hard time understanding it, because they spoke so fast. I mentioned that to a few of the brothers there, and they said they thought the problem was that they would have been unfamiliar with the theocratic vocabulary, and since they couldn’t understand those words, they would feel like they weren’t understanding anything. They mentioned that they had talked with them between the sessions, and there had been no communication problems then.We had been told there would be some shuttles flying between the Ridge and Barimita on Monday, so we could come across that way. We learned Sunday night that they had been pushed back to Tuesday. I told the group that if there were any who felt they needed to try and get back sooner, I would leave with them at first light Monday, but unless we walked straight through, the ones that took the plane Tuesday would get back before we did. All assured me that they were happy to wait for the plane. So Monday morning the group moved from the school to the Kingdom Hall.Tuesday morning everyone was able to come back on planes (a fifteen minute flight). The CO, his wife and I were on the first shuttle. When we reached the airstrip, there were no vehicles there, so I said we could either sit there and wait and hope something came along, or we could start walking. I said if we were walking and a vehicle did come, we could always get in it then, but if we sat and waited, and nothing came, we would just be wasting time. Brother Allyn said that if all those people could walk all the way to Barimita, they could walk to the Kingdom Hall from the airstrip (about an hour walk), and so we did.In spite of the distance walked, everyone who went was glad they went, and I think the trip did, and will continue to, spark quite a bit of talk in the community. We are already planning on what we can do better next time. There will be a Circuit Assembly there in October, and I anticipate a bigger group, since a number had attended the SAD in Mabaruma, but no so many will be making the trip into ‘town for one there. I could imagine closer to 40 going next time.We were very happy to learn recently that a couple from British Columbia, Gary and Marion Fischer, will be coming to the Ridge to take our place while we go out. We had hoped they would be able to reach before we left, so we could show them around and explain how various things work. But they are in the process of selling their house to open the way to come to Guyana, and that won’t be complete until late in the month. However, they will arrive in Georgetown the day before we leave Georgetown, so we will at least be able to spend some time together. It is so nice to see the way Jehovah is continuing to support the work here in Matthew’s Ridge. Thanks to all whose prayers have been with the work here. Keep up the good work!!I’m going to try two pictures again. Unfortunately there were so many great shots that weren’t taken, but after many miles and many hours, that Kodak moment looses its appeal. What I do have is a picture of the ‘mother’s group’. Grace and David are blocked by Patricia. That’s Patricia in the red skirt with the red and white umbrella with Melissa on her back. Behind her with the green umbrella is Regina with her baby. Beatrice (Patricia’s mom) is in the red top, carrying both hers and Patricia’s backpacks. Behind Beatrice is Victoria, who is in her 70’s (she doesn’t even know how old she is!). The other picture is of the CO and his wife getting a taste of the Barimita trip (only in the opposite direction).

Winding down

Another week has come and gone. Not a lot new has happened. Today Stephan gave the last Public Talk we will hear him give before we leave. Next Sunday we will be in Barimita, the following Sunday the Circuit Overseer will be here, the following week I will give the talk, and that will be our last Sunday here. So I mentioned to Stephan that today was the first of the ‘lasts’.With our time rapidly running out, I am having to figure out which projects I need to really focus on, and which ones will have to wait until we get back. I had really hoped to get some paint on the railings, but wanted to be sure that they were good and dry before I put paint on them. It seems that the rains may have returned early, since we have not had two dry days in a row for some time now. It could make for a wet walk to Barimita, but on the bright side, the sun shouldn’t be too hot during the walk.I never cease to be amazed at responses I get while trying to teach some of the students here. Between the complete different mindset, and the miscommunication that still happens, I get some pretty amazing responses to what I think are obvious leading questions. One week I was discussing the gift of the ransom with my study Michael. I was trying to make the point that all gifts are not equal. So I asked him which he would appreciate more, someone giving him a papaya, or a chainsaw. He said, “A papaya.”. I thought he hadn't understood, so I said, “Which would make you happier, if someone just picked a papaya off a tree and gave it to you, or if someone when out and bought a new chainsaw and gave that to you?” He thought a minute and said, “I would say the papaya.” I was blown away, but then asked. “Why would you say that?” He said, “Well, a papaya can keep you alive, but you never know when a chainsaw will just mash up, and be no good.”Another time when I was trying to help a student appreciate that we should listen to Jehovah, since he is the one who gave us life, I asked her, “If someone were to give you a brand new generator, and then he were to tell you you needed to use a certain lube oil in it, would you use that lube oil?” She said “No.” I thought she somehow hadn’t been listening close enough, so I basically repeated the question, and she thought and then said again, “No.” I was so taken aback that I didn’t ask her why. Later I thought about it and decided that here most call two-cycle oil that you mix with gas, lube oil, whereas they call four-cycle oi,l sump oil. So she was thinking that even if she were to be told to put two-cycle oil in a generator motor, she would know better. At least that’s the only possible explanation I have been able to come up with.Last year before we had left Guyana, we learned that Guyana had been invited to send a number of delegates to an International Convention in Trinidad. Terri has always expressed a desire to attend an International Convention, but I have always said that the $3-5,000 cost for a few weeks at an International Convention would support us for 6-8 months in Guyana, and I couldn’t justify the expense for the time and benefits received. However, the expense to attend the convention is Trinidad was estimated at about $400/person. Since we were planning on being in Guyana when the delegates were chosen, we submitted our applications before we left. I just got a letter last week informing us we have been selected as delegates to attend the convention. Needless to say we are quite excited about that. One reason the cost is so much less, besides the fact that it’s not that far to travel, is that rather than staying in a hotel, we will be staying with a local family while we are there. We very much prefer that as it gives us that much more opportunity to meet the local friend there. The convention is scheduled for early December.I hadn’t taken any pictures of note this week, so I had to go back and pick one from a few weeks ago. This is a picture of Vidya standing next to that big old tree that had been chopped down with an ax. Granted, Vidya isn’t very tall, but it still helps you to appreciate how massive the tree was. It is a little depressing, but we know that nothing man can do to this earth, can not be undone by means of the Kingdom. That is one thing that motivates us to continue speaking to others about the good news of the Kingdom.