Spoiled

For our last two days in Guyana we stayed at the branch office as guests. After 8 months enduring heat day and night, many cold showers, and vicious mosquito attacks staying at the branch made us feel so spoiled. There are only 8 Bethelites who live and work at this branch so we were able to meet “the whole Bethel family”. Because it was the weekend and no one works on the weekend we didn't get an official tour or get to go to morning worship, but it was fine with us. Just having a weekend alone to relax and enjoy a nice clean air conditioned room was more than satisfying. We felt refreshed and ready to back to work in the States.

All in all, our stay in Guyana was a little challenging but the blessings we've received in the ministry and in the congregation have definitely outweighed the hardships. We feel so thankful for this experience and we thank all of you who took an interest in our blog and all our friends and family members who supported us. May Jehovah bless you just as he has blessed us.

Going Away (Pt. 3)

On Monday night the missionary couple from the other congregation, Joe and Elia Keller, in town invited us over. Every week they have a different family over for Watchtower study and they had us join them so we could spend one last evening together. After the study the sister served us brownies and flan. We felt really privileged to have gotten to know this couple. They gave us a lot of good advice and encouragement in our assignment. We pray Jehovah may keep blessing them and all the other faithful pioneers and missionaries preaching in Guyana.

Going Away (Pt. 2)

The week after the going away party we had a few of our bible studies and some of the young brothers and sisters over for pizza, cookies, and a movie. Our bible students came over in the afternoon and the mother of the family and the rest of the girls from the house cooked a meal together. They made a traditional Guyanese meal: dhall, curry potato, roasted chicken, and rice. It was delicious. After they left Cat started making pizza and cookie dough. As soon as she finished cooking two pizzas the power went out. But, our friends still showed up so we served pizza and drinks in the dark and huddled around our portable DVD player and watched Breakin' 2 (those poor young people had never seen it before...tragic.) Then, after about two hours or so the power came back on so we cooked three more pizzas which were quickly eaten by the 18 or so young brothers and sisters who had come to the house. Cat made 8 trays of M & M cookies which soon met a similar fate. Then, we all watched “A Knights Tale”, another fine American classic. The kids had a great time, we were exhausted but happy we could host one last gathering for the young people in Linden.

Going Away (Pt. 1)

So, we decided to leave on December 5^th. The congregation wasn't about to let us go without giving us a proper goodbye, however. One Saturday night all the need greaters were invited to small dinner over a one family's house. The family sat us down in their living room and spoke to us for a few minutes and then invited us outside to look around the area that they use during the week to tutor school children. We suspected something was up and sure enough we were greeted with a hearty “Surprise!”. A least 20 brothers and sisters from the congregation were there waiting for us. They put on skits and sang songs and one sister wrote a poem that she recited for us. Then a few of the friends got up one by one and told us how much they appreciated the time that we spent there and how much they would miss us. We felt truly honored and encouraged by such warm expressions. We will miss all of them very much.

Our studies

We've been conducting quite a few studies in our territory and some have been making remarkable progress. In September the young deaf girl Cat has been studying with attended our monthy ASL meeting at our kingdom hall. It took some work to get her there, she lives a car and a boat ride away from us. So, altogether it took us an hour to pick her up and an hour to take her back home. But, it was worth it. Although, she and her mother have often been out of town lately, she is making wonderful progress with her studies and her knowledge of sign language. Its been a true joy and a blessing to teach her.

Months ago I began leaving magazines with a woman named Carmelle who works as a butcher at the town market. Soon the placements led to questions and good bible conversations and before Cat started a study with her. However, she was very interested in getting her kids to learn about the bible as well. So now Cat and I can be found on various days during the week studying in her butcher stand with either her, her son, and her daughter. Her husband is a Hindu but he respects all religions so although he hasn't accepted a study yet he and I have regular bible discussions and he regualarly accepts the magazines. Carmelle and her children have started attending Sunday meetings.

Circuit Assembly

On October 23^rd and 24^th we had our Circuit Assembly in Georgetown. The program was wonderful and 40 deaf and 17 Chinese were in attendance. Cat and I were assigned to interpret for the pioneer and seminar and the assembly program. Following the pioneer seminar a few of the pioneers from Georgetown and the surrounding areas got together for a meal. We played one of the hardest games of bible Jeopardy ever devised and two pioneer brothers from Kukwani performed a few songs and did a skit for us. We spent the weekend at our friends DC and Sarah's apartment in Georgetown. It was truly a memorable and encouraging weekend.

Back to Suriname

Our 3 month extension in Guyana was up in October. To “celebrate” such a milestone we ceremonially observed our government mandated trip to Suriname. It was good to see our friends in Suriname again. We got to work out in service a few times with our friend Franklin and we stayed at the apartment of a couple we're close friends with, Cedrick and Charlotte. They were nice enough to take a day off from work and take us swimming at a place named “Cola Creek”. It's fittingly named because the water is the same color as Coca-Cola. Don't worry, it was safe. The water is only that color because of the minerals in the soil. The congregation was just as warm and friendly as the last time we went there. We wished we could have spent more time there but before we knew it our week was up and we headed back to Guyana for our pioneer seminar and circuit assembly.

Berbice

During the last weekend in September we went to Berbice to give a talk for the New Amsterdam sign language group. We were able to spend the weekend there and we stayed at the apartment of another need greater couple, Chris and Renee Turner. They are originally from Canada and they have been serving in Guyana for six months. We had a great time that weekend. There are many deaf in that area and Chris and Renee brought us with them on a few of their studies. The meeting was wonderful. It was really nice to see so many deaf there. 65 were in attendance, 35 were deaf. Quite a few were deaf children and they eagerly participated in the Watchtower study (we had to fight to comment ;0) ). Following the meeting we back to Chris and Renee's and barbecued at their apartment. A perfect ending to good weekend.

convention in georgetown

On the weekend of August 8-10 we attended the District Convention in Georgetown, Gy. The program was amazing, of course, but one of the true highlights for us was meeting all the need greaters and missionaries who are serving here in Guyana. We traded stories on how we're adjusting and some even invited us to come visit their area.

We sat in the sign language section where the whole program was interpreted live for the benefit of the deaf. It was really encouraging to see how many deaf showed up for the program. We were also surprised to see a Chinese language section. Two Guyanese sisters and two missionaries (who formerly served in Hong Kong before being assigned to Guyana) interpreted the whole program for the 5 Chinese interested ones in attendance. Also, it was beautiful to see just how much overall growth is taking place in Guyana. There were 51 baptized on Saturday.

When we write this blog we have no idea how many people will actually get to read it. One experience at the convention helped us to understand just how far reaching our words can be when we post them on the internet. Cat and I were walking around the convention site during the lunch break when we heard a voice call out to us, “Kurt and Cat Christie!” We turned around and saw a brother we had never met before. Confused, we said hello. The brother then asked us how things went in Suriname, and how things were going in our sign language group. We were freaked out. He laughed at our shocked faces and explained to us that he was a brother from London, England who found our blog online when he was planning a preaching trip of his own to Guyana. He liked our site and he had begun reading every update. We were so surprised. I took his picture and promised that I would put it on our site (Here it is Marlon).

All in all, the convention was a great experience. Being with our brothers for three straight days is truly a blessing from Jehovah.

Preaching in Suriname

Preaching in Suriname

During our week in Suriname we were able to go out in service with the Sign Language and English congregations in Paramaribo. We enjoyed working with our brothers and sisters so much. It was very encouraging. Working with the sign language congregation we had the opportunity to preach in some more remote areas, such as an Amerindian village and an abandoned mansion that had been taken over by Bush Negroes. That is not a joke. We had some really nice experiences in this areas.

In the Amerindian village of Powakka we joined a 3 special pioneers from the area who regularly conduct bible studies with three deaf who live in the village. One deaf man had been studying for years off and on. Recently, however he really started to show increased appreciation for the things he had been learning. He traveled on his own to the memorial, much to the surprise of his bible study conductor. Also, he recognized that he needed to start telling others about the bible truths that he is learning. He told his parents that he was planning to start preacing door-to-door. Worried for his safety, they told him that he could only preach to people that he knew. So, he started stopping at the houses of other deaf people in his village. He actually went to the home of a deaf mother and daughter who were themselves already studying. The women explained to us later, “some guy came by here to tell us about the bible..he didn't know too much though.” Nevertheless, his zealous effort was a good example.

Cat was able to go on a bible study with 2 sisters from the Sign Language congregation on a bible study with a 55 year old deaf woman. She lived in a rundown abandoned mansion with 30-40 other members of her family. She is originally from the interior part of Suriname. Her family moved to Paramaribo about a year ago. She is what you call a maroon or bush negro (a descendant of runaway slaves). She is the oldest of her family and so she has what is called the family demons. In Suriname there is a HUGE problem with spiritism. Her family practises old african religion. So traditionally the eldest in the family has the family spirits. Now this woman had started to progress to the point of wanting to attend meetings so after her 1st meeting that night she was attacked by the spirits. They informed her that she needed to stop going or they were going to harm her. Now she had just studied a few days before about prayer to Jehovah. So she prayed to him and they left her alone. When we came to study with her she explained what happened and thanked the sisters for helping her know how to pray. She then asked to be shown how she could walk to the meetings by herself because she wanted to attend.Truly she is thirsting for the truth.

Cat also met another deaf maroon woman who is going blind. Her brother is also deaf and while Cat and the other sister were visiting them he showed them his pet monkey. It was 24 years old and bad tempered.The woman and her brother are both very interested in the truth. Because she will eventually lose all her vision the sisters who visit her are teaching her how to tactile (sign language signed in her hands). There was another bible student with a similar vision problem that one of the brothers in the hall took me to visit. Since they haven't had any deaf and blind students in the congregation as yet, he asked Cat and I to tell him about our experiences Interpreting for deaf and blind individuals in Brooklyn. We were able to give him some tips and a simple demonstration on how it can be done.

Our whole reason for going to Suriname was to extend our visit in Guyana. We had originally requested an extension from the Guyanese ministry of home affairs that was denied (no comment). So at the end of our first three months we decided to spend a week in Suriname. All in all it was truly a wonderful and refreshing experience. When we returned to Guyana we were granted an additional three month stay from customs. So, the adventures continue...

Surinamese Sign Language Congregation

While in Suriname we spent some time with the sign language congregation there. The use Suriname Sign Language (SSL) which is very similar to ASL. Even though, it differs slightly from ASL we were able to understand it for the most part and comment at their meetings. The congregation was truly warm and so hospitable. They took us to a few of the restaurants in the area (Javanese food!), out in service, and they even had us over for a world cup championship party. One evening a bethelite couple serving at the local branch had us over their room and they even gave us a tour of the branch and showed us some of the renovations that they are making to their facilities.

On the way to Suriname

This is how our journey started...The night before we were going to head to Suriname we went up to Georgetown to stay with our friends fellow need greaters Don and Sarah. At the ungodly hour of 4am the Bus picked us up from their house and the journey started. Now for those of you that have never been on a bus in Guyana well let's just say that the trips are always interesting...From the moment you step into the bus till the time you arrive you will be going at unreal speeds and the bus driver will be making hairpin turns all the while listening to some of the most colorful music I have ever heard. So we are on this particular bus till about 9am and then we make a stop in a town called Skeldon. There everyone gets out to try to relieve some of the effects of our journey. My backside felt like it had been given a pummeling that I would never forget ;0). After this stop we all get back into the bus and drive about 45 minutes further and arrive at the Ferry which is called Moleson Creek. Now the ferry only leaves for Suriname once a day so that means you get to wait till it decides to show up. So while we were waiting Kurt and I got to witness to a man from Venezuela that only spoke Spanish. So we tried to rustle up our rusty Spanish skills and explain about the hope for the future. Mean while a man that I will politely describe as crazy decided to but in on the conversation and ask Kurt questions. Now he believed that we can attain perfection by the fruit of the earth. Kurt tried to show him a few scriptures about the what the bibles speaks of for the hope for the future. Meanwhile the man is misquoting scriptures and then he is joined by a friend and they begin heckling Kurt. And saying: “don't you know the bible?” which proves the theory crazy people travel in groups because after the conversation the men began speaking rather loudly on a variety of topics to anyone that would listen. Meanwhile the Spanish man looks at us and says that guy is crazy and shakes his head. So he accepted a tract in Spanish and English and was very interested in what he was learning. Kurt showed him where he can contact the branch and receive more literature, which he said he was going to do. It just shows you should always carry tracts with you. So we ended up waiting till around 2:00 pm and then the ferry showed up. We got on and the ride lasted about 15 min. Then we piled into the bus waiting on the other side we hop in the bus and we drive for a half hour and stop at a gas station and next to it is a little shop that sells food made by the Amerindians. The food was delicious and very spicy. YUM! We get back into the bus and head to Paramaribo which is the capital of Suriname. So we are on the bus till around 6:30 pm and arrive at our destination a wonderful couples home Joep and Anne Van Hjinigen . They are in one of the English congregations in Paramaribo. When we entered their home they were sooooo warm and wonderful. The house was GORGEOUS. I felt like I left the desert and entered an oasis.

Service in the Bush

Recently we were recognized as an official sign language group. This was really encouraging, but our goal is to help more deaf ones find the truth. So we've stepped up our efforts to search for deaf in our territory. Linden, the town we live in, is divided into groups of developed lots with houses on them know as “wards”. But, as you go deeper into the wards the houses get more and more spread out until you look around and ask yourself, “when did I enter the rain forest?” Such was the case last week. We started canvassing a residential area going house to house asking if people knew of any deaf ones in the territory and before we knew it...jungle.

Fortunately, we have a sister, named Crystal, in our group who's very familiar with the territory having grown up in the area. We saw a lot of simple one or two room “squatter houses” made from scrap wood and tin. “Squatter houses” are simple houses that people erect on unclaimed land and live for as long as they possibly can without anyone claiming some legal right to their land. Crystal told us that most squatter homeowners employ an ingenious way of making sure no one takes their land from them. They plant coconut trees around their house. Since most people don't have a backhoe or heavy excavating equipment uprooting the coconut trees is an extremely difficult and expensive task. So in effect, if anyone is trying to build on squatter land they have to first find a way uproot the trees and then they can try and level the house. Most people deem it to be too much of a hassle and so the squatters are able to secure a nice life for themselves. We also found it interesting that even though a lot of people out there have no electricity running to their house it seemed like everyone had a good stereo and/or tv running off of a generator. Priorities.

While we were out in the “bush” two young boys who lived in a little house there started is follow us. We have our theories on why this happened. They were either curious, concerned about our safety, or they just didn't get many visitors in their area and were just excited to see something other than trees. In any case, they led us down to the water and entertained us by diving in and showing us how they can make bird noises and whistles with their hands. We didn't find any deaf in that area, but I placed a few magazines with a man I found out there. And if nothing else...the kids were happy to see us.

Home-Foodsickness and Studies

Food and Service
Even though we love our preaching assignment here in Guyana, there are still some things about home we just can't help but miss. For example: food. I never thought that I would miss the simple things but after being away for a few months you tend to develop a slight craving for a decent slice of pizza or a good burger. I'm such an American. So, in order to deal with the “home-foodsickness” (new word) from time to time we take matters in our own hands. We go to the nearby market and search for necessary ingredients and make the best of what we can find. We've made some pretty good homemade pizzas, but we can't help but wish the people of Guyana liked pepperoni or Italian sausage enough to stock it in any of their stores. Oh well, chicken pizza it is. Burgers are easy enough to make here so we've done that a few times. Cat has also made roasted chicken and mashed potatoes. Don't get us wrong we like the local food (roti, cook up, bake, etc.) but having something more familiar has a real satisfying effect on you in unfamiliar surroundings.

Preaching here has been a real joy. Cat is still studying with a deaf girl named Kelita. She isn't going to school because there is no deaf school in the area of the country that we live in. So, Cat shows her flash cards of letters and simple words with pictures to match. Then, she shows her how to sign what is on the card. We visit with her for about an hour each week and in between visits her mother practices what she has learned with her. We have been amazed at how much this little girl is able to remember. With each visit she is progressing so much in her ability to sign her alphabet and to identify the signs for different things she sees. Her mother tells us now when she recognizes an animal or object she sees on the street or on tv she automatically will sign its name. You can imagine how happy both the mother and daughter are because now they are being taught to communicate with one another in a more meaningful way. Of course, she still has a lot to learn and she makes some beginners mistakes. For example, the sign for goat involves stroking your chin to indicate a beard and then moving your fingers to the top of your head to indicate two horns. Her mother told us they saw a man with a beard and Kelita caught her mother's attention and signed “Goat!” Her mother quickly corrected her. Recently, we showed her the My Book of Bible Stories DVD in ASL. We hadn't shown her this before because she needed some basic sign vocabulary before she could understand it. Nevertheless, she loved watching the brother sign the story explaining how Jehovah created the earth, and the plants and animals. Her eyes got real wide and she began mimicking the signs the brother was using and she was excited to see him using the signs we taught her. There is nothing like someone receiving the truth in the language they understand the best.

We live in a fairly rural part of the country. There are a lot of areas in our territory that don't have any paved roads, buses and taxis don't frequent often, and the streets are unmarked. Thus, searching for interested deaf ones can be a challenge. But, somehow we are always directed to where we need to be to find them. Last week, Cat and I were taking a break after we just took a boat to the other side of our territory. A young woman happen to pass by and had a brief conversation with us. I told her what we were doing and asked her if she knew anyone who was deaf. Coincidentally, her cousin was deaf and she was able to exchange information with us to go visit him. Today, I went to visit a deaf man that I'm studying with. Unfortunately, he wasn't home. But, just before I was about to get on a boat to go home I passed by a man and I noticed that his speech was garbled. I quickly stopped him and signed to him to see if he was deaf. Sure enough, he was. It took me an hour (including a bus ride and a boat ride) to get to a not at home, but it was worth it to find another deaf person.