First 2 weeks over!!!!

Well me and Jen have been settling in really well.  Had an excellent couple of weeks of ministry.  We had some really long days and Jen has some excellent potential bible studies to go back on this week.  Its been so nice to be back with the bro and sis in my hall here in skeldon.  I know I keep saying this all the time but I really do feel like I am a blessed sister to have 2 homes 2 families and 2 lovely congregations to call home.  How fortunate am I eh!!

So we had our 3 day convention which was so so great as you all know.  We only got the friday of the convention in newcastle so was great to listen to the full 3 days.  We had about 1000 attendance each day and 3 members of the Trinidad Branch committee so that was really nice.  All the brothers give so many parts each.  Lack of brothers here.  But all went really well even though it mega poured on friday.  

We had different kids sitting with us each day and had fun on the wooden benches for 3 days oooohhhh numb bum oh yeah!!!!  Jen says she will never complain again with the seating at newcastle.  One thing we both agree on is the standard of singing in guyana.  Newcastle has almost 7000 we only had 1000 and the singing was utterly stunning.  Really moving to hear.  If we could of recorded it you would all love it.  Every one was singing out from their heart.  So that was really really special.  

And all the local bro and sis and other need greaters made us both feel so so welcome.

 So on sunday we travelled with a brothers bus from our hall to georgetown for the final day of the convention there.  It was so great to see all the brothers and sisters from more of guyana.  The attendance was 5579 on the sunday and on saturday guess how many were baptised.   60.  That is a whole new congregation.  There are about 3000 publishers in guyana so it tells you the amount of interest at the convetion too.  There were so many I saw in casual clothes and alot with the invitation which was so encouraging to see.  There were alot of bro and sis from Lethem and Matthews ridge and baramita so it was so nice to catch up with my friends.  Many had to save up for the whole year to make it to the convention taking on extra work to have the funds to make the long trip from the interior.  Now in Berbice convention we sat on planks of wood with also a thin plank of wood for a technical back support.  Not the case at georgetown.  And we left at 5am to make it there so we were all abit aching by the end of the day but loved hearing the sunday program again and seeing the drama again. It had poured on the friday morning and the first talk couldnt be clearly heard due to the metal roof.  And everyone in the audience got soaked.  Then when the guyanese hot sun comes out all in the front 10 or so rows have to put up their umberellas for shade.  Makes you apprecitate the assembly and convention sites in the UK.  Jen said she wont complain ever again back home.

 Side point to let you know how satan works.  I had 5 studies planning the trip to our assembly on sunday.  That is 5 days wage for the 5 tickets.  Well on saturday night a "thief" man broke in and destroyed their front door and caused a lot of damage in their kitchen and living area.  Just goes to show how satan wants to stop progress.  So I got a very apologetic text on sunday morning saying how upset they were they couldnt make it.  

So I thought I would introduce you to my studies and the few new ones I have started since coming back so you know who Im talking about. Also Jen is having a great time starting studies.  I think up to now she has 5 started and its only been 2 weeks here, amazing eh!!  Pioneer paradise it is. 

Anita and Paul Bible Teach Book

Annie and Isha Listen to God 

Tina bible teach book

So this week is a normal week and normal routine of service.  Im so happy to be back with my studies again.  I study with 6 different kids and know is their summer holidays so I gave them the option to move their study from the weekend to mid week.  And all of them surprisingly want to have 2 studies each week since they are off school.  Reminds me of how Jesus could see the humble heart of children and their thirst for spiritual food so that was really touching to me.  A few of my studies I was kind of expecting to end are really enjoying their study.  Just shows we dont know the heart. 

Davey and her 4 daughters Good news brochure

Ronaldo and Ravoldo Debbies sons listen to God

Seeta and her grand daughter Good News brochure

I will blog again in another 2 weeks at the end of Jens trip Boohoo. Im going to miss her so so much.  I will add the pics of my other studies and Jens new studies in the next blog too.  Were going to have so much fun in our last few weeks.  We are planning on having a fun day at the only hotel in guyana with a pool so that will be nice.  And see if we can go and have a swim in the sea at 63 Beach.  Be like a holiday day.  I've been abit sick for the past few days fighting some nasty germs.   Jen has been taking such good care of me so my next blog I will let you all know Im feeling so much better. 

Samuel Joey and Romel Bible story book and YPA

Take Care and miss you all so much.  Enjoy the sun back home too

Love Natalie 

 

Im back in guyana by way of a week in New York !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello All

Sorry I haven't been blogging for a while.  I had to head back to UK to visit my lovely family and friends.  Wow what a time I have had.  I think if I tried I couldn't fill anymore time.  So so lovely to see my family and friends.  Helps me see that however far away we are we are never alone.

So I'm back in guyana.  In a new home.  Behind the kingdom hall.  Below the missionary couple brian and shannon.  Its so so perfect for me and much better for my budget.  So Jen has been a super star helping me unpack and get all settled in.  My new room looks like a princess palace.  I will be living with a fabulous New York sister called melinda but for now she is state side making some $$$$ to come back so we both have our own room

So as I said we came back to guyana via New York.  What a trip is all I can say.  I think again I couldn't fit more into our great week if we tried.  We stayed in the city for 2 nights in apartments owned by bro and sis and had a great city day.  Nice and warm.  We went on the Staten island ferry to see the statue of liberty and walked a bit across the brooklyn bridge.  It along with alot of the city was covered in scaffolding as its all being repaired after the hurricane.  Then we explored central park and just wandered and stumbled accross the boathouse restaurant and bar so well 2 single girls in the city what can you do but have a sneaky cocktail eh.

 Also we walked around the entrance of the Museum of Natural history but unlike the movie the dinosaurs didnt come to life.  Ah sad eh. Then monday morning we caught the train from Grand Central which is spectacular to Patterson and thats when I saw my trisha.  Wow a month apart from the girl I have lived so closely with for 6 months was so great.  It was pouring with rain but that was ok as we went to visit Patterson and Walkill Bethel.

 We had a yummy scrummy lunch in patterson and great tours in both properties.  There is so much work and expansion going on there.  WE couldnt see the new tuxedo project but loads of the bro and sis are working on it and its almost complete so then loads of construction bro and sis can move in there and be near to build Warwick the new Headquarters.

 Right now its just flat land waiting for the final stages of planning permission.  So the tours were so amazing.  You can really see Jehovahs chariot from the watchtower a few weeks ago charging.

Then we had the best 4 days in the most beautiful part of America.  Massachusetts.  They live on the Mowhawk Trail which is huge for tourism.  Right out in the middle of the woods.  Sometimes they see deer and even bears in their garden.  

So it was so great to meet up with trishas parents again that had been over to guyana and we also met up with scott and laura underwood who also had visited us in guyana.  And what a great day we had with them. We went for a hike to tannery falls and sat at the bottom of the magnificent falls to have our picnic then a great BBQ that night with a lovely older couple.  He likes to hunt so brought some of his specialities.  Bear and elk.  Mmmmm.  

When it comes to meat Im up to try anything.  We sat around a huge campfire and watched all the hummingbirds flying around there lovely garden.  

They like many others have been involved in the new projects so I have some photos of theirs to share.  Also they have done alot of work on the disaster relief work in the states so shared some really emotional stories.  How loving our brother hood is.  We helped out at trishas circuit pioneer school with the food for the day so that was a lovely added privilege.  The journey there was beyond breathtaking.  Wow america is so huge and vast.  I can see why so many like to visit this area in the "Fall" to see all the trees turning.  A pioneer school for the deaf and a relatively quiet lunch as most were signing.  The bro and sisters we all so happy to have a school in their language.  

Then we had a great walk in Albany on a island surrounded by rapids and again there were deer just relaxing.  Then a great surprise.  Despicable Me 2 at the movies.  To some you may think how immature but wow we all loved it. The first movie has very happy memories for me and trisha and lucas in the jungle watching via candle light with bats flying overhead.

So we shopped like mad to get all the goodies and needed things for coming back.  Wow it really does make UK shops so tiny by comparison and expensive.  All to help make Jens impressions of Guyana a bit easier.  And really who doesn't like yummy food eh!!!!!!!!!  We went to trishas deaf meeting on Tuesday night.  So nice to see how happy she is there and how lovely all the bro and sis are.  You have to answer into a camera and then it goes onto 2 huge screens either side of the platform.  I answered.  One word happy.  But it was a great sign to do.  And I really am happy so that was another nice experience.

So Friday we were offered accommodation by a lovely elderly Trinidadian sister in Brooklyn so we could see bethel there.  We hit the road after a fabulous final brekkie from trishas wonderful mam cathi and then off the Brooklyn we went.  BTW don't even get me started on the most delicious huge T bone steak she cooked for us on tuesday night.  Got to the city in time for the afternoon tour.

 WE were told to let you all know the rumours of Brooklyn disappearing aren't true as of yet.  The family is getting bigger as they are preparing for teams to move to tuxedo.  WE had a really great tour and the tour guide was so funny.

 What a privilege to work alongside with the Governing Body.  Saw the entrance to there office.  The picture was so fitting.  Then we got to tour the self guided Archive Room.  Its like the proclaimers book right up to date as a tour.  What great efforts the bro and sis have gone too to help us see how much Jehovah has blessed us down through the years.  

I wish I could of done a full video for you all to see but the pics will have to be enough.  

Please if you ever get the chance you must go and see it.  Its so well actually words cant describe it.  




We ended our new york trip with one more action packed day in the city.  Lucas was our super tour guide.  We had a great day.  Walked miles and miles.  What a great day we had.  We saw times square and had a great final meal at Dallas BBQ. 

For those that know I love my meat.  Mmmmmm.  The last meat feast I will be having for a while.  And who can say no to a cocktail eh.  Then trisha drove us to JFK to start the next part of our journey.  

Me and Jen have just survived our first day of ministry in guyana.  We had a great day.  Walked miles.  We both had some excellent talks and the potential for about 4 new studies between us.  Then spent the afternoon walking between my studies checking how they are.  It was so so amazing to see them all again.  Cant wait to get stuck in next week after our convention.  Take Care all of you and please continue to keep in touch.  Makes me feel not so far away.  Will blog again really soon and let you know about the assembly and how we are getting on with our pioneer paradise.


Love Nat

2nd Adventure for the memorial and special talk

Hello everybody.  Hope you are all well and are finally getting some spring weather. 

First of all I have to say I was in the jungle for 2 weeks!!!!! The jungle!!!!!!  What a great great experience.  I will try and keep this blog as brief as possible as I have also sent you all a link to another little movie I have made but wow how to do this trip justice.  What a wonderful blessing again from Jehovah.  I am just buzzing.  So I went to 2 different towns.  It was a 2 week trip.  First we spent a week in Baramita which is deep in the interior of Guyana.  We had the memorial there and some amazing jungle preaching.

I know sometimes you read blogs from different bro and sis and they say we are living the yearbook.  Well actually I have, for real. Some of you may already of looked up the 2005 yearbook on guyana with me going on about it all the time.  Well please look up when you get a chance page 178 through to 181.  The story of Ruby Smith and progress of the baramita cong.  We were there.  We were guests in her home.  We lived the yearbook.  

So when you see the video you will see our little plane. 


You literally get on, buckle your seat belt then off we go.  Then the plane lands and we get off and collect our bags.  New passengers get on and the plane is away again within about 10 minutes.  We flew over about 100 miles of jungle and gold mines.

So we landed on Monday 25th March and the Memorial was the next day so we all helped get the outdoor kingdom hall clean.  Wow the memorial was an experience I will never ever forget.  People just came from everywhere.  To clarify my last blog I was given some wrong information.  So there are about 2500 carib speaking people in guyana.  And the memorial had official count 1393 but the special pioneer elder Bonny said there was at least 1500.  Yes that is right I typed 1500.  Carib people just flocked from all sides of the kingdom hall.  And as it got darker we could see under the light of the moon people all through the bush.  The carib people are painfully shy so they like to hide away.  Hard work for the brothers serving the emblems.  Later on we found out how far some of the caribs had travelled.  Some walked for over 2 days through the deep deep jungle from the borders of Venezuela just to hear the memorial in their own tongue.  And a large group walked over 5 hours including small children from deep in the bush.  The are a isolated village that never mix with others so it was a brave thing for them to come out that special night.  What a praise to Jehovah and his name and a real appreciation for the ransom sacrifice.

So it was an amazing privilege to see.  The congregation has 65 publishers and on average can have up to 200 at the meetings.  The potential in this area is phenomenal.  Jehovahs Witnesses are the only religion the carib know. No other church wants to put in the effort of translation.  They have a translation office working mega hard to publish literature in the written form of Carib.  On the movie you see a clip of a language course.  The brothers and sisters from the translation office are teaching the carib people to read their own language.  The plane that we came in on had copies of the Listen to God brochure.  When we saw the brothers and sisters faces as they learnt that this wonderful brochure was in their language it brought tears to our eyes.  How we can take for granted all our spiritual food.  You can clearly see Jehovahs blessing on this lovely congregation of faithful zealous brothers and sisters.

So then onto our jungle preaching. We spent 2 days following unseen tracks trusting the local brothers and sisters.  Then all of a sudden you would see an opening and a tent or 2 with families living off the land and mining gold.  And now armed with the listen to God brochure the congregation will be able to teach the people better.  The sisters all just had flip flops on and me and trisha and shannon were all kitted out with wellies.  White girl overkill but the jungle is full of who knows what.  WE came home both days full of joy and amazing pictures and stories to tell. We were all encouraged to speak a little carib so armed with my notepad I was raring to go.  The carib people dont make eye contact with you but what a lovely blessing to see them raise their chins off their chest when they hear you trying to speak their language.  The general greeting is JAFFEY LA LEY POH.  Apologies for my attempt to spell it.  When they understand you and are happy they make a MMMMMMMMMMMMM sound in the back of their throat.  That is their way of agreeing with you and saying thankyou.

One local brother in his 60's travels about 1 hour through the jungle to get to the group and then often you have to walk upto 2 hours to get to the territory.  Then he preaches for the day then its a 2 hour walk back to baramita town then a hour back home through the jungle.  What a fine example they set and wow I can tell you I got alot fitter over these long days of preaching.

Brian conducted a bible study with a family of 4 who walk 1 hour each way each week for their bible study.  True appreciation.

And we had our tour of the local gold mine and I got to keep a little nugget.  Its going to be a gift for my Dad.  Im having major Only fools and horses flash backs "One day we'll be millionaires Roddas".  The brothers that work below me in the gold shop said I should crack it open and who knows it could have a huge gold nugget hidden inside.  All I can see is a minuscule dot of gold but hey you never know.  Each ounce of gold they find is worth $250,000 GYD which is about £750 so its a lot of back breaking work.  All in the pursuit of riches.  The gold miners love hearing about the truth and chance to get true spiritual riches.

So after our amazing week in Baramita it was off the Matthew Ridge about 2 hours drive away.  Our driver was drunk and still drinking and the clutch wasnt working properly on the bus but with alot of prayer we got to our new home behind the kingdom hall safe and sound.  We actually had to use the local bus 3 times and we weren't charged one $ which was really kind of him and a great saving for us all.  So Trisha and I stayed in an apartment behind the kingdom hall and Tom and Michelle Sanches were in the apartment next door.  They are missionary's from California and I went with them to Lethem.  We had no electicity and not much running water and our apartment was home to alot of fruit bats and cockroaches but we had a really great time.  Its amazing what you find out you really need and dont.  Actually a lovely spiritual brother made this comment THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT YOU NEED AND WHAT YOUV'E GROWN ACCUSTOMED TOO and that was very true of our trip.

So the brothers and sisters are only classed as a group for now.  They still come under Baramita congregation.  They have 15 zealous publishers including a new publisher Dominic who is 8 years old and full of enthusiasm for the ministry.  They have 1 pioneer and no elders or servants.  So the 2 local brothers have a lot of work to do.  Sisters do the microphones and alot of the extra duties.  Bro Kennedy has only been baptised 1 year and conducts the WT.  We heard while we were there that the branch in Trinidad is sending 2 special pioneer couples to help them out as soon as they can find homes for them to rent and then the 2 back apartments will be refurbished for them.  So that got a huge round of applause.  So as you can imagine Tom Sanches was very busy for the 2 full weeks he was assigned there training the brothers and Lucas (who is trisha my flatmates boyfriend who has come to guyana to visit) was really busy too.  Tom also said he was grateful that we as sisters came along to offer training and example to the many new sisters in the group which was really touching for us to hear.  

The congregation although small was so warm and friendly. Lots of hugs and kisses.  But for their memorial they had 208 which is incredible for 15 publishers and for the special talk they had 98 so Jehovah is showering his holy spirit on them.  The family in this picture are all studying and come to all the meetings even though it is a 45 minute walk up a huge hill.  Matthews ridge has 2 massive hills coming in and out of it.  HEAVENS HILL AND HELLS HILL Dont worry the kingdom hall is on heavens hill.Hehehehehehe

So we had some great ministry days when we were there as you can see on my video.  Tom wanted to go to Port Kaituma which is about a 2 hour drive away as it never has been properly preached.  Every single publisher volunteered to come along even though the costs were really high for the bus hire.  So off we went 6AM to 8PM with 7 boxes of literature.  We preached and preached and preached until we had no literature left at all.  We placed all together 95 BROCHURES 182 BOOKS 20 BIBLE 937 MAGAZINES AND ALOT OF TRACTS.

Tom prayed for us at the beginning of the day that we all cope with the long day and keep a happy positive spirit and as you can see we kept smiling all day.  The front left is Sister Scott a 81 year old amerindian.  She was full of stamina.  We walked and walked and walked but always kept smiling.  WE all had so many addresses and phone numbers for the local brothers and sisters to call back and start studying with the spiritually hungry people.

 

Then our final mega preaching day

was on ATV which as you can see on the video I actually drove for about 30 seconds.  But hey I drove it thats the main thing.  So again a early start and the again so many volunteered so the ATV had to do 2 trips.  Again the gold mining area was full of people actually begging for a bible study.  So we tried to answer ???? where we could and again took down phone numbers.

By the end of our week in Matthews Ridge 2 married couples have said they are seriously considering and praying about starting regular pioneering and 2 other single sisters too.  So watch this space.  Both congregations we visited over the past few weeks are blossoming constantly and will continue to expand under Jehovahs watchful eye.

So now our trip has come to an end.  WE had a great flight out back to georgetown and a safe 3 hour drive back to Berbice side and home.  What a trip - What an adventure - How many more joyful memories I can take!!!!

We found out since coming back that our hall had 233 at the memorial which was great.  And I had some of my bible studies come along too which was so nice to hear.

So its back into my ministry here which is really really wonderful so my next blog will give you an update on my studies if you can cope with reading all of this.   Sorry if its a bit long and boring but as you can see once I start gushing I cant really stop.

Take Care and Hope you enjoy       Love Natalie