Blackbush 2

Yesterday we headed out to Blackbush again. This time we rode in with one of the sisters from our congregation who was going in to meet some of her studies. We started with Shabana. Shes about 12 and has been studying for a long time so shes knows a lot of ASL. Her Mom and sister sat with us and seem to be really involved in helping her with her signing. Which is really nice and very uncommon. Normally the families don't try to learn any sign which makes things really difficult. After we finished her study we stuck around for a little while enjoying the unusually cool weather. Then we were off to the other side of Blackbush. Its a few miles between the two studies so we started walking with hopes of getting a bus. I took some pictures of the rice fields. Last week most of them were all dried up and empty. But it only takes a week after they have been flooded with water for them to be bright green. Its really cool to see. While we were walking this car of older guys drives by and starts yelling at us. Shameniel told them to shut up and they drove off. A little while later they came back and told us they'd give us a ride and were leaning out the windows asking us where we live and our names. I told them I was Bob. They got very confused and drove off. After that we noticed an ambulance coming down the road. Shameniel said we should lay on the road so they'd pick us up and we'd get a ride. But before we did that he pulled over and said to hop in. So we sat in the back next to a shady looking stretcher. The driver was very nice and pretty funny. He said hes in the area alot and asked what we were doing. We explained that we were helping teach the deaf about the bible and Tuesdays are the days we study with the ones in Blackbush. He said he'd keep an eye out for us to see if we need a ride, and he also knows of some other deaf ones in that area and told us he will help us find them! We made a couple stops with them on our way. The first was to give someone a shot of some sort. The nurse with him hopped out, grabbed her obviously not sterile equipment, and was back shortly. We noticed she put the used needles and stuff right back in with the unused stuff. Yucky. The next stop was grand theft vegetable. We stopped next to a field, the nurse jumped out and grabbed some sort of vegetable and hopped back in and we drove away very Dukes of Hazzard style. They started talking about whether or not the man that was working in the field saw them take it. Finally we arrived at the other side where our study, Andrea, lives. When we got to her house the first thing we noticed were the puppies. So while I studied with her, Shameniel and Faith played with the dogs. I think next week Shameniel is taking one home with her:) The study went really good. She has also been studying for a while and knows a lot of ASL. We had no idea where she was in the Great Teacher DVD and she didn't have any of her notebooks to help us figure it out so we just started at the beginning. Then about half way through she grabbed my book and flipped to the page where they had left off. I think she would have studied all day if we had been able to. Normally I draw a picture that goes with the lesson but before I could, she grabbed the paper and started drawing her own. I'm really looking forward to studying with her more.
After we finished we headed to the bus shed to wait for one to take us out. It started to pour while we were waiting. A bus came and we headed over the first bridge over the river. Because of the rain, and the dirt on the wooden bridge, we started to slide. There is no guard rail on this bridge. We ended up going across almost completely sideways. Very scary. There are alligators and big snakes in that river and I really wasn't in the mood for swimming with them. Maybe another day. When we came home we had to go to the store to get more drinking water. We had tried on Monday but everyone was sold out because the truck hadn't come to deliver any. But they had some yesterday. The bus that picked us up even waited and then took us back home:)
Our fridge hasn't been working for about a week now. The last time the power went off the fridge never came back on. So we've been using a different fridge but only the freezer works. You know how the cable guy or plumber always tells you they will be there between 10 and 3 and your expected to hang out all day till he arrives? Well...we were told the guy to fix the fridge would either come last night or today. We were supposed to go out in service this morning but instead we are waiting for him to come by. Hopefully we can go out this afternoon. And hopefully by then we will have a cold fridge:)
Not sure if I already told everyone this, but we just finished making plans for January 10 to go to the zone visit in Georgetown! Our congregation was invited so the brothers have arranged for a few buses to take everyone in together. We are really looking forward to it!

Pioneer Meeting, Bible Studies, and New Amsterdam

Friday was our pioneer meeting with the elders in our congregation. It was a really encouraging meeting and we had 12 pioneers. We added up the years and all together had over 125 complete years of full time service! The meeting was at a pioneer couples house and afterward a couple of the local sisters made us all dinner. It was amazing! We had all sorts of Indian/Guyanese food. One of the pioneer couples, the Hollenbecks, served in Africa for a few years and just got back from the international convention in Trinidad. They had some wonderful experiences that they shared with us from both.
This weeks been a little hard trying to reach some of our studies because of the holidays. Not only is there Christmas Eve and Christmas, but the day after is also a big holiday here. Saturday we had 7 bible studies planned, but only 4 were at home. They went really good. We usually study with the Great Teacher or You Can Be Gods Friend DVDs. We also draw a lot of pictures to help explain things. After the studies, we stopped by Shameniels aunts house. They made us lots of food, and let us feed their monkeys! They have two. One is Jack and he's really friendly. We gave him cake and a piece of candy. The other was really small and not used to being around people. He took candy from us but then started hissing at us so we left him alone. We did a lot of walking on Saturday, got a little burnt. Also received two marriage proposals and were called red and white meat. A successful day if you ask me.
Yesterday we went into New Amsterdam. There is an ASL group there that has a full ASL meeting the last Sunday of every month. It was really nice to meet all the friends. So many bible studies came! We brought 2 with us. Niasha and Natalie. Both of them and almost all the other studies commented during the Watchtower which was really awesome:) Everyone stuck around for a while afterwards, but we finally had to leave before it got too late. We cant wait for the next one!
Today we have no studies planned so we're just hanging out around home. Tomorrow its back out to Blackbush:)

Blackbush

Tuesdays are going to be the days we head out to an area called Blackbush. There are two deaf girls that are studying but haven't been contacted in a very long time. That area also hasn't been searched much, so we have a lot of work to do there. Blackbush is in the middle of nowhere. In South America the middle of nowhere is very different then it is in the states. We first walked down the main road to get to the bus stop that takes people into Blackbush. Once there were enough people waiting to fill a bus, we loaded up and headed in. Mr. Toad would be very proud. Disneyland could easily have a new attraction. The road is not traveled a lot so it's not really taken care of. Lots of potholes. The drivers swerve back and forth to "avoid" them. We also crossed a few bridges. I'm not sure if the boards going across the river we're even secured in any way, but we made it. We we're on that road for a while before we arrived at the middle of nowhere. Then continued walking even farther. Neither of our bible studies were home, but we made plans for next week to study. This week all the kids are off for Christmas break so one was off visiting family. The other was at Sunday school. I know. Its Tuesday. But both of their moms said they will make sure they are home next week. We're looking forward to that:)
We did a lot of walking, but it hasn't been too hot today so it was actually really nice to be outside. There are tons of goats and cows roaming freely and rice fields in that area. At one point we had to walk through a group of about 100 goats that were hanging out in the road. The baby ones are pretty cute. There are also alligators in the waterways out there, but we didn't see any. It's a really pretty area. Probably my favorite place here so far. Lots of coconut trees. I'll be taking lots of pictures there. When it was time to come home we found a bus stop and waited, and waited. Finally one came around. He had no fear of potholes. Just kept his foot on the gas and took them on head first. People were bumping their heads, sunglasses were flying. And on the rare occasion he did swerve to avoid them, it was a very last minute decision that resulted in everyone sliding to the left or right because of the fancy leather seats. We made one stop to drop off a woman at her house. Once she got off we realized she was very pregnant. Not quite sure how she kept from going into labor. But we made it out in one piece. A lot of excitement. Can't wait to do it again next week:) Hopefully I'll have good experiences to share about our studies there!
Sorry I haven't posted any pictures. I really wish I could. Our internet's pretty slow. I will keep trying though.

Everything's been going good this weekend. We did a few bible studies yesterday morning. Shameniel joined us. Shes been hanging out with us and staying at our place a lot. Lots of fun! And shes been helping us cook Guyanese foods;) We're hoping she picks up some ASL while we're here. The brothers talked with us after meeting today about encouraging a few of the sisters to learn a little ASL so that when we leave they can help continue the interpreting and studies in this area. One of the sisters they want us to help is a sister from England. Shes been involved with British Sign for many years and her and her daughter are planning to move here permanently very soon. So she really wants to learn some ASL since that's what the deaf use here. Our bible studies are all doing really good. Hopefully we can get more to come to meeting. Oh! Niasha commented today. She was so proud of herself and we were pretty proud also:) She said "Jesus disciples changed their personalities". We ended up working on that one during meeting, but we're hoping to help her plan comments as part of our study with her during the week. Everyone has been saying that she seems to be paying attention more now that we've been here. Hopefully shes understanding us. The interpreting still makes me really nervous.
Last night was really nice and cool outside. Definitely a good change. It was really hot while we were out walking to our studies in the morning. While we were waiting for a bus to come home a 16ish kid across from the stop started singing to us lol. Then we get on the bus and there's about 24 people in this bus made for 15. Little kids were sitting on strangers laps and when one person wanted to get off or on, everyone had to climb out and then reorganize ourselves. We felt like clowns. But it was better than walking home 9 villages. I walked in the house, changed, grabbed my book and music then ended up falling asleep in the hammock. Which I'm probably going to do again this afternoon...
Love you all!

Shopping

Just got back from the market. We have to head into Rosehall to do our shopping. Last time we were there the store we tried to go to, Spreadys, was closed because the power was out. So we went there today. Its almost like a Safeway! Except the employees dont greet you or take you to the items your looking for. Oh well. They do have tons of American stuff. Like Oreos and Kraft cheese. Its about the same price as you would pay in the states, but compared to how cheap everything else is, it seems like alot. So we just got a few of our favorites and then stuck with the local stuff. It's our new favorite place though:) Air conditioned also which is always nice. Then we headed back home, on the mini bus of course. Almost hit a cow in the road. Would have been fine if we hadnt been flying around that corner, but oh no, that wouldnt have been as fun. So the driver slammed on his breaks and the cow was granted another day of life on the streets. We also passed a guy laying on the side of the road. Jurys still out as to whether or not he was alive. Maybe just drunk.
Tonight we have our meeting. We meet at 5 here so that theres a better chance of finding a bus home afterward. Last week a sister gave us a ride home because no buses passed. Usually they stop when it gets dark. Tomorrow is laundry in the morning, by hand. Then more bible studies.
Hope everyone is doing good, love and miss you all!

Things we're learning.

So today we went and did some deaf search in our village with Shemeniel. The Guyanese people call them dumb. It feels a little weird asking people if they know anyone who is dumb but if we say deaf they dont really know what we're talking about. Everything was going good until we got to the last house. The house right across from ours. The man that lives there is single and has 2 sons. He was very nice and even studies with a couple from our congregation...but he made it very obvious that he's looking for a wife either for himself or his sons. So now we have to time our exits from our house everyday so we dont run into him again. Apparently all the single men around here are looking for a wife. Good to know. Shemeniel told us to wear rings so people just assume we're married and hopefully leave us alone. Yikes.
Another thing is the mini bus. They honk for everything! At first we thought it was only when they think we're doing something wrong. But no. They honk to say hi, goodbye, move, slow down, go faster, im stopping for you, im passing you or the bus is full. And the music they play...um, wow. When I hear it my first response is to want to pull out my mp3 player and listen to some Jack Johnson, but at the same time its so disturbing I cant stop listening. Mostly Indian. But the girls singing are very high pitched and not natural. Occasionally they play 'American Music'. None of which I've ever heard before. I'll try to get some CDs to bring back with me. This morning before we left Indranee brought us fried bread fruit. Its amazing. We also drank coconut water right out of the coconut. Not too bad. I think I got more on my skirt than in my mouth, but thats not too surprising.

This is going to be a long one...

We finally have internet at our house!! Big relief, we dont feel so lonely now that we can email everyone whenever we want:) So Thursady we moved into our new house. Later that night we interpreted our first meeting for Niasha. Shes about 13 and doesnt know much ASL and is no longer going to school. It was definately a challenge but we try to keep it simple so she atleast gets the main points from each talk. Oh and we took our first mini bus ride to the meeting. That was interesting. We were going about 80 mph and had, of course, no seatbelts. This wouldn't be a huge deal if we were on a straight road that didnt have donkeys, goats, pigs and dogs darting across. But we made it in one piece.
Friday was our service day with Chris and Renee Turner from the New Amsterdam ASL group. We did bible studies all day with them and two other sisters. Eventually they will be turning over a few of those studies to us. One of the studies, Natalie, wasnt home so Faith and I met with her Saturday morning and had a really nice study. She has come to meetings before so we're hoping that now that were here interpreting she will come more often. Over the weekend we also tried to get the internet working. That was a big mess, but finally we were able to connect. Guyananet made a typo that was keeping us from being able to log on. The typo also gave Faith a new nickname, Saith.
After meeting on Sunday, Larica, a young sister from our hall came over and hung out with us for the afternoon. Shes about 16 and really sweet. She even helped us cook! Everyone in the congregation is very welcoming. Another young sister, Shameneil, has been interested in learning ASL so she will probably be joing us for service alot. Shes also applying for reg. pioneer soon. It'll be nice having her with us, especially since she knows where everything is!
The house were staying at is really nice for this area. And the couple that lives in front of us, David and Indranee, are very sweet. He works alot so she is happy to have us here in the back house so shes not completely alone. They always bring us fruits and vegetables. Davids sisters call us everyday to make sure we are doing ok and yesterday Indranee and her niece and nephew had us over for ice cream:) We discovered very quickly after moving in that we have bats. More than one. We even named them. Thomas and Shakira. So before we go down stairs every morning we pound on the wall to try and scare them away. Then we slowly make our way down carrying a weapon (umbrella, broom, flashlight or our favorite new pest killer, BOP). Then once we're down there we take turns using the bathroom and showering while the other is 'keeping watch'. Usually the bat decides to fly back in and fly around us at some point during this whole routine. We're kinda pathetic when it comes to the bats. But today David came and filled in the holes that he thinks their nest is in. Hopefully that helps keep them out. Other than that we've been dealing with the spiders and bugs just fine.
Well, now your pretty much caught up on how things are going here. Love and miss you all!

Hey everyone, we've made it through day 2!!! Today we went on a bible study with Michelle, we sat outside and studied, there was a really nice breeze so that was muy bueno. AND to get to the house we walked across a piece of wood over a water trench and i didnt even fall in!!!! I'll try to post that picture later. Oh and we were sitting on stairs and a donkey walked under us. The study thought it was funny we were so excited about the donkey, crazy white girls:) Still really miss you all, but im not as tired as i was yesterday so its been better. Were moving into our house tomorrow and friday were going to the market again to try and get internet for the house. Hopefully we are able to, is it okay to pray for that? I need to keep in touch with my fam so i dont get sad:) Anyways, hope your all doing well! Love ya

Here

Hey everyone!!! We made it! Were exhausted and already really missing home:(Internet conections kinda a mess so i probably wont be able to update that often, sorry. I miss you all though and will do my best! Love ya:)

Hello!

Hey everyone, only a few more days till i take off! Gonna miss you all. I'll try to keep this updated regularly with pictures and stories from my adventures in Brighton, Guyana:)