My New Blog

This is going to be my new blog from now on.  I've just found out that my old blog website will be closing down the end of April so I thought I would go on a hunt for a new blog and here it is. I know shock horror that I have managed to do this all myself hehehehe.

Well next time I blog you all it will be after my Lethem Trip so be prepared for a long one. 

Sorry in advance



Take Care and stay warm

Natalie 
xxx

My trip to the interior

Hello All

Hope that you are all doing ok and the weather is improving abit now.  Well just wanted you all to know of my upcoming adventure.  Ive been invited to go on a trip to the Special Assembly day in Lethem.  It is in the interior of Guyana Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

It is a nice town that borders Brazil and yes we will all be going over there for a day trip.  Is Brazil ready for Geordie Girl.  So we leave next Wed at about 3 am and its a bit of a long journey.  Pointless guessing now.  I will blog all the exciting info and facts when I come back.  A lot from my area are coming including the missionary couple who have been here for 3 years and never had the experience.  We will be helping set up the assembly hall and will all be involved in a special invitation work to get the local tribes to come to the assembly.  We are apparently having some fun days too.  I've been told there are some beautiful waterfalls to visit and I am staying a little extra with 2 pioneers from the states who were missionaries for a long time and have a lot of experience preaching in the interior. So my dream of canoe witnessing is hopefully going to be fulfilled.

Im so so excited and I will be doing the journey with a local sister called Shelly who will be sharing the guest house with me so that is so nice.  She is a local pioneer in our hall and a really nice friend.

Cant wait to blog with all my pics and adventures.  Im sure it will be a long one so Im sorry in advance if it bores you but Im going to love it I know.

Thankyou for all your comments and support and emails.  It means the world to me.  Im so far away and soon to be farther away for my trip but feel so happy to keep in contact with you all and for your prayers and love.

I'm such a happy bunny to be here.  I've come home from the ministry 2 days in a row totally gushing about how wonderful the ministry is.  The blessings from Jehovah really do make rich.  Im loving living here in guyana and am really settling into my little flat with my room mates and my lovely congregation.  Sure we will bond further on our journey to Lethem.  

Take Care and stay warm and miss you all

Love Natalie 

Great CO visit

Hey all

Just a few little bits of encouragement from our CO visit.  First we had almost half of the congregation out each morning for field service which was really nice.  Over 34 studies have been started in the past week.  We have 72 publishers in our congregation and the attendance for the meeting today Sunday was 174 so that shows the potential here for growth.  Actually after the CO finished the meeting today he asked all of us to keep our eyes open for land as he can see we are running out of space at our hall.  Guyana now comes under the Lands with limited Resources plan so the Branch covers the costs of building halls and our hall is one that has already been built under the arrangement but today proved we are running out of space.  The second school has already been opened up as space for extra and today we had over 50 sitting outside in the hot sun.  Yesterday the local brothers had to build some benches for the meeting today so most had a seat.  Cant wait to see the attendance for the memorial.  Last year was over well over 200.  Exciting times.  And to finish off a great week I had 5 studies come to the meeting today and one of the little boys actually answered up in the watchtower so you can imagine I'm buzzing right now.  They all seemed to enjoy it and the talks by the CO were really encouraging and he pleaded with all new ones to keep coming.  They actually want to come on thursday so I will keep you informed.  I know its a random blog but it just so encouraging to here of the growth all over the world.  

Take Care all of you.  Tomorrow its off to Suriname so please pray on tuesday for me and trisha as we face immigration.  

Bye for now  

Sorry its so long

Hello all from the sunshine to the snow.

Sorry I havent blogged in a while guys.  Dont forget me please and I havent forgot about you all.  And I apologise in advance that this will be a long blog. Been really busy which I suppose is a good thing though eh. Also we have had 4 guests staying in our house for the past 3 weeks.  They are a married couple Scott and Laura and 2 single girls gayle and ashley.  They are friends of my flat mate trisha from Massachusetts.  So we have been having so much fun.  The one lone geordie girl and 5 americans but you know they are learning my lingo more than the other way around.  Hehehehehe.  They have had so so much fun learning the ministry introductions and guyanese "speak".  The house has been a bit full but weve made it work and all that bethel training was put to good use.  Seeing there reaction on the ministry has made all of it worthwhile though thats for sure.

We had a congregation dance party which was so so nice.  We all met at a sisters house at the back of the kingdom hall.  A brother reversed his truck down the drive and the back of his truck was a music system.  The american brothers have these fab group dances like line dancing but not country style.  So trying to get all the cong going was so much fun.  The personality of most guyanese is really shy but we were surprised by how many just went for it including one of our elders.  They are all abit mad.  So the night ended with all of us doing Gangam Style with a sky full of stars.  We never stopped dancing from 4 - 9pm.  

A summary of our ministry in guyana.  A typical door is walking up to the gate and yelling "Inside!" several times. When they yell back (something they and sometimes me can't understand but assume is Hello) We say - "How you do? Have some time?" They say yes, open the gate and let us come in. Most homes are built up on stilts and the bottom floor is open with chairs and hammocks.

They invite you in to sit. Which we are so thankful for because it is so hot and you are just walking and walking. We have hats and umbrellas  but coming in out of the sun and sitting down is such a blessing!! Something strange was you then say "Cooking? or Chores?" which is basically asking them what they are doing and if they have finished their work for the day. Anyone older than you is called "Auntie" or "Uncle".  You then can have a wonderful scripture conversation. Using your Bible all the time. The Good News Brochure has been working beautiful. After sharing the first couple paragraphs. You ask if you can come back to continue and everyone says "Sure. No problem." When you ask when? They say "Me home." So you could easily go back the next day.  So in a week you can return twice and can start a proper study with them.  Really this place is a pioneer's paradise!!! Something else that is strange is asking people if they can read. Which would offend someone in our country. But you just ask 'You for read?" For those that can't the Listen to God brochure is perfect.

Yesterday we started witnessing at the Market at 6:00 then met the brothers and sisters at 9:00 and didn't get home until after 6:00 - most of the entire day spent walking. Several people appreciated our visits so much that they gave us fruit. One woman picked us mangos, pomegranate and star apples from her trees. We came home with three bags. During one Bible study the "Bread Man" came by, hepedals his bicycle around selling fresh baked bread, the Bible study sent me home with a fresh loaf of wheat bread for our dinner. What's amazing is how poor these people are and yet they are generous.

I spoke to a Hindu woman for quite awhile. She was so amazed that we would travel from so far to teach in Guyana. She said that she has only seen that from Christians - not her religion. She agreed to study and when I left she hugged and kissed me.

You walk home tired. But you are so happy. We all get home and we are just beaming and gushing over the tremendous response. AMAZING!!! That the people here share food is great for us all at home. So the help with the food is great.

The week in the ministry was again amazing. Not one single person has not been interested or refused literature. I am sending along pictures. One day we worked at a village further away. We all walked to the main road and then caught a car to take us to the service group. Thankfully no matter how many times that driver beeped and tried to get people to get in the car - no one was going our way. So we actually got to ride with only 3 people in the back seat! One afternoon we were squished in the back of a "tapier" - we all started to laugh because we complain back home when we have to sit three in the back seat in the ministry. Scott was so folded up and bent in the back of that thing that when we had to get out he just looked up and said "I don't think I can move." We eventually pried him out. When we arrived in the territory they actually conduct their meeting for field service at a bus stop. It was great! So everyone standing there for a bus, listened to a full 15 minute meeting for field service and prayer!  

Being with the american brothers and sisters has been so nice and encouraging.  They have been so kind and generous to us both and helped us both realise the amazing blessings of being here in guyana.  So an update on my studies.  Shannon is now back from the states so I passed her 4 studies back to her but the lovely family I study with John and Tina and the boys she has let me keep.  She comes with me but told me she could see we have a nice bond and since I've started the separate studies with the boys I can still keep taking it.  I tell you what its so intimidating doing a study with a gilead graduate sitting by listening she is so experienced so I just pray to Jehovah as always begging him to help me. /I study with john and tina on wed pm and we do the learn to read and write brochure first with john then the teach book with tina and john listens and comments along.  Then sat pm we do the study with the boys which is usually 2 chapters of the bible story book and then a small section of the new YPA book for the 2 older boys.  They know there bible stories well but each week they learn something and we try to help them get a principle from the stories to help them in the family.  And as Ive already mentioned the bible study tools we have from the faithful and discreet slave are so so amazing its also that you have to change the way you teach here.  You cant presume they will know whatever you read so you have to go really slow and keep asking them little questions all the time.  So it takes some time but already I can see the bible truths reaching the hearts of my studies.  The study I started that is on my street is going really well with anita and she has asked me to call by twice a week and her friend has now also asked for a study.  I went by our local chinese take away ( by chinese take away I mean rice and noodles only) and offered the lady some magazines.  She said she had already read them and also read the great teacher book that was left for the owners son.  So I told her about our bible teach book and she asked me to give her one asap.  So I dropped it off on a monday and then passed by her shop on tuesday and there she was sitting at the front table of the takeaway reading it.  Pick me off the floor again.  So I asked if she would like to study and she said yes now.  So we had a study there and then in the restaurant since it was a quieter time.  I pop in at least once a week for a study and she always tells me she cant put it down ever.  She keeps reading and reading every chance she gets.  So that is so great.  I've been working on getting studies locally to our place so that is great for getting around and for getting locals to come along too.  If the studies are up or down the coast you need to use public transport and that is costly for the local sisters.  I also met a great girl called Jessica who is in a village up the road.  We started in the good news brochure and just covering the first page she said Wow if this is a promise from God for the future what can I do to get it.  Goosebumps again.  Its a constant occurance for me.  To come home overwhelmed by the reaction on the service.  Right now I have 14 studies which when I write that down is so strange.  But as I have already said and will continue to say this is really pioneer paradise.  Remember I met that young girl called cami.  Well Ive been struggling to find her at her relatives house on sundays so Ive been praying alot as she is a great girl and seemed to really enjoy her studies.  Well I passed by her house with ashley and gayle and her aunty wasnt at home but a neighbour was watching us.  3 white girls do stand out.  So I asked her did she know where cami actually lived and she walked us around to her home, she lives with her grandma.  So we have our study again.  It has to be after her chores on a saturday but her granny is really happy we are teaching her about the bible and Im much happier meeting her at her home so that is great.

So guyana had a really special treat of a zone visit.  We are under the branch in Trinidad now but large groups of guyanese met up in different schools all over the country and it was streamed via the internet. We rode in a small bus with all of Trisha's deaf Bible Studies. There were 15 of us. Wetravelled 1 1/2 hours to get to a school that we were using. You will see in the pictures. The brothers had to carry out all the school's desks and then pick up chairs from several congregations and deliver them to the school. You will see how they transported them in the pictures. It was a packed full house (or school) of brothers and sisters. The program was amazing. We heard reports on Trinidad, Tobagoand Guyana.

Guyana had a 5% increase last year. They had asked brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago to consider moving over to Guyana to help with the great need for preachers there. The brother calledGuyana a "preaching paradise". That is exactly what it is.

There are 23 missionaries in Guyana. They interviewed 9 of them. One couple that are in thetravelling work spoke about the preaching in the interior of the country. They talked about all the different modes of transportation they have to use. Like air plane, speed boat, canoe, horse cart,bus, BMW - the brother interviewing asked "BMW?" Yes the missionary said "BMW - Better Me Walk!" We were laughing - because that is our favourite way to travel in Guyana - "Better Me Walk" otherwise you are taking your life in your hands with these drivers.

One very touching and exciting report was from the Carib People that live in the very interior jungles of Guyana. They only have a spoken language - not written. Until now. The brothers have worked on developing a written language for the people and have printed the "Would You Like To Know The Truth" tract and "You Can Be God's Friend" Brochure in their language. So the brothers and sisters that go to the interior must teach them how to read their own language and then teach them the truth found in God's word. Isn't that beautiful! There is only one congregation of 65 people. Almost all are the Carib people. That one congregation makes up its own circuit. When the Circuit Overseer Visits they will have over 200 people attend. When they have a Circuit Assembly 500 attend.  The memorial was almost 2000 attendance so there is huge potential in the area.  So almost everyone that goes areCarib people that want to learn more about Jehovah. When the brothers go out in service they will bring a English Bible with them even though they can't read. They have memorized the Bible verses and then they share them from memory. We were told that the "Would You Like to Know the Truth" tract will be available on line in Carib shortly. So this unknown, unwritten language will now be on the world wide web!!!

One missionary sister made a comment that she learned at Gilead. It touched us because we could relate to it. She said that when you look around you can concentrate on the bad - how poor and dirty and hot it is - but she says she will always remember the counsel - "Don't look down at the dirt. Look up at the faces." That is so true. It is the people that you are teaching that you see. That is why you are here.

Brother Walls from the U.S. Branch Committee then gave a fantastic talk on "Open Your Eyes and See". Guyana has 2,756 publishers and 5,459 were tied in throughout Guyana listening to the program!!  All together there were almost 18 000 in attendance.  

The program ended with singing song #134 - which was very, very emotional. We couldn't get through singing the last verse we were crying so much - as were many, many there. The local people sing out very loud and strong, especially the children. They sing the loudest. So in that large gathering we heard the children singing the most and it was so touching!!!

You will also see pictures of the "beach". The beach is called 63 beach but the locals say "tree" instead of 3.  So ashley my room mate heard something different.  So around the dinner table one night she said can we go to "SEXY TREE BEACH"  Sad to say she hasnt lived it down.  Laughter is the best medicine.  We spent the afternoon there. The other need greaters warned me not to have the same expectations of a beach that we would have at home. You can see the debris everywhere in the pictures. The water looks like chocolate milk because the Amazon River runs into the ocean and makes it all murky. You also can see the many, many jelly fish that were washed up. All of us had a great swim.  It was so warm and refreshing.  

As you can see by the pictures we had a great time playing games and racing. We had a picnic lunch. And best of all - the COWS!!! Where can you go to the beach and share it with cows? Guyana!!! You might wonder why are there cows on the beach? Well at night there is a "religious" group that practices black magic and sacrifices on the beach. When we got to the beach we saw what was left over from their ceremony. We saw what was left over from a sacrificed chicken, and they lay out fruits and vegetables. So of course the cows come down and eat the fruits and veggies. And thankfully with the gentle tide, Jehovah just wipes away all that horrible Satanic stuff.

So the guests leave wednesday and we have our CO visit which will be so encouraging.  We are feeding the co and his wife on thursday.  They are from the states too.  And then next monday we both are going to suriname to get our visa renewed so say a little prayer for us both on tuesday am as we have to face immigration.  Only through Jehovahs blessing are all of us need greaters allowed to stay in guyana.  Then Trishas parents then also come for 3 weeks.  So its going to be mad but great.  Scott has been our bob the builder these past few weeks.  He has fixed all our lights and fans and our 2nd shower and all our light sockets and then trishas dad is bob the builder 2 so we are getting plenty of jobs done which is so great.  Scott works alot for the rbc and branch in the US and also has done alot of work for the disaster relief including hurricane sandy.  He said after sandy hit within 4 days there were over 26 000 volunteers ready to help and that all the branch building work was put on hold for Warwick to focus on caring for the brothers.  What he said was just as was said in the DVD last thursday.  The most important work is not rebuilding homes and kingdom halls but caring for the spiritual welfare of the brothers and sisters.  He has had us all in tears a few times sharing his stories so we have all been upbuilt by that a feel even closer to the world wide brotherhood. 

WEll I did apologise in advance about the length of this blog.  Any queries you have on the pictures just ask.  And yes the first one is of a baby alligator.  My studies dad caught it in the back dam and gave it to the boys as a pet.  It is quite cute in a weird way.

Hope you aren't too cold and managing to stay healthy in the cold UK weather.  For those of you that know me you will understand when I tell you that I am so so happy here.  I'm happier here than I thought I could ever be so thought you would like to know that.  Keep me up to date with your life and everything else.  Miss you all.  Time is zooming by eh.

Love and hugs Natalie