Ladies Meeting
Our trusty wheels
Sand dunes by the "Trail"
The straight and narrow way from bush pool

Kaboom!!

To me, the Guyanese ladies are some of the most fun-loving people I have ever been privileged to know. They are so unsophisticated and simple. (Just like me!) We had a lot of fun “gaffing”, telling funny stories about ourselves, singing, etc. Though most of them don’t know how to swim, some were eager to learn. We went to the “bush pool” and between using life jackets and lots of encouragement, at least 3 of them learned to float and do the doggy paddle. However, there is a clumsy side of me that almost always shows itself. First of all, to get to the bush pool, you have to walk on a narrow bridge made of a thick beam. Every time I got to the other end, I lost my balance. Thankfully, I always caught myself and didn’t fall in; just got my feet and legs muddy, plus looked rather foolish. Speaking of foolish, I did a foolish thing and succumbed to peer pressure, something I rarely ever do! There was a rope swing with a seat that goes really high if you get on it from a 5 feet high platform. I kept saying no because I didn't want to hurt my back. Well, finally, I decided to try it. Up until the moment I jumped, I questioned my sanity because I could tell it goes very fast and if you don't get your legs up and over the seat, "Kaboom!!" Reluctantly I grabbed the rope, hung on for dear life and "Kaboom" my knees hit the sand because I didn't lift my feet in time. The ladies were really upset that I got hurt. I thought they were going to cry. So, I tried to minimize the pain I was in, but it really stung. It is especially painful to go up and down stairs and get in the car. One knee is very swollen. Thankfully, I was wearing jeans so I didn't scrape the knees, just bruised them. Maybe I will learn the lesson "When in doubt, don't". On Sunday at church when Pastor Michael was sharing about the trip, he said, “Sister Terri was swinging from tree to tree.” Well, no one can say that I didn’t try, right??

Home at Last!

(written by Terri) The weary traveler made it home at about 10:15 PM Friday but not without a little adventure and drama. Our journey began in Kwakwani at 3:30 AM. It seemed like the drive home was going well, when we noticed smoke coming from beneath the truck and something black dripping. When we stopped, a large amount of oil gushed out. Not a good sign. We prayed and Michael decided to drive back to a small village which was about 30 minutes away. If we ran out of oil on the way we would have had to stop driving and have the vehicle towed. However, we were able to locate a mechanic with tools who was able to make the necessary repairs only a short distance away from us; after a delay of two hours we were back on the trail again. Praise the Lord for providing the right mechanic so quickly - a miracle in itself. Other than a couple of car sick ladies, the trip proceeded without incident. We enjoyed some beautiful scenery along the way, including some sand dunes, Guyana's "Grand Canyon", a man-made wonder created by bauxite mining and a little water fall. Also, we enjoyed singing our way through a Maranatha Praise chorus book, sharing testimonies, and telling jokes and funny stories, so the trip didn’t seem too long. We were behind schedule by a few hours, so stopped for a not so quick lunch at "Qik Serv" in Linden. then on to Georgetown. Another stop for food at KFC, then on to the stelling, where this journey began 4 days ago. Any travel in Guyana is usually an exercise in patience. With it being Friday evening, we had a two hour wait before we could get in a ferry to make the crossing back into home territory. One more stop to add water to the radiator which was overheating, then home, sweet home!
This trip was one of the most enjoyable times I have had in Guyana. I was healthy the whole time and had a lot of fun. We went on a boat ride, walked around the market area, and went swimming at “bush pool.” I even gave swimming lessons. God worked in some wonderful ways through our times in the Word and personal sharing, as well as cooking together, playing games and just “gaffing”. (what Guyanese call talking) Many of the women come from difficult family situations. It gave me a greater appreciation for the "normal", functional family I have been blessed with. God had impressed upon me to do a study of 2 Cor. 1:3-11 to share for our devotions and I challenged our ladies to allow God to use them to comfort others, because of the ways God has comforted them. It was so encouraging to see them do just that. There were a number of unsaved women at the ladies’ meeting and the Gospel was clearly presented through testimonies and a message from Psalm 40. One woman did accept the Lord. What a joy to see many of our ladies spend time with the ladies from Kwakwani. Please pray for many others who have not yet come to Christ, but know what to do, and for the others who are believers, but need so much growth.
Thanks for your prayers! I felt well in body, soul and spirit, except for a little tumble that bruised my knees. (can’t play young any more and take chances!)

Ah, life by the river is a little wet at times.

Well, my friends Terri made it over the trail amazingly. She called to tell me that she was doing well. The trip was fatiguing BUT uneventful. The Dyna truck didn't even get that dirty--now that is disappointing to me as a guy. The journey is as much fun and challenge as the destination. I'm sure Br. Mike, the driver was relieved since he had so many ladies and 2 small children too. They arrived at 630pm after 14 hours on the road. The most challenging part was when they arrived at the flooded riverfront of Kwakwani. Their truck stalled 3 times going through high water getting to and from the ferry and just driving through the streets on the way to the house but bless God the engine didn't suck any water in.

Terri mentioned that one lady trusted the Lord to save her by the end of Tuesday so the ladies were all excited as was I and the angels in Heaven. Jesus is an awesome Savior. Lately Terri seems to be really impressed with how much God helps those who trust Him as their Savior in the struggles of daily life, not only the wonderful gift of eternal life. Godly women look at things so differently than us men (at least me). Didn't God say it was not good for man to live alone? We men need their input to round out the picture. Well it's not the best for this man to live alone. He looks forward to seeing his honey again. Bye.

bumpity, bumpity, bump, bump, bump

Well, at this writing I am not sure where Terri is yet. Hopefully she made it through "The Trail" I talked about yesterday. God has given me a peace about it so far. This morning at 4am Terri said she was doing pretty well. Then she saw The Dyna. It is a flatbed truck with removeable sides and a sheet steel roof arched over the entire back of the truck for protection from sun and rain. On the right and left of the back bed are 2 narrow bench seats about 10 foot long by about 10 inches wide. There is a little foam rubber underneath the stretched-over plastic covers.
Can you imagine that 10 hours? There is enough breese that you don't smell diesel fumes.

Now The Trail. I get uncomfortable just thinking about it. It is a mud and dirt road that takes about 3 hours in good weather with dry roads.
Now the rainy season is over so you would think that the road would be dry and nice. Think again. Rainy season just means it rains more then. During the "dry season" it still rains, just not as much. On some trails I have heard of people having to winch themselves from tree to tree in some spots where the worst mud has developed. It really isn't that bad on the KK trail. You just sort of weave your way back and forth around the mudpuddles ( 3 foot deep in places :) in the worst places. The road is literally 40-50 feet wide in places to give you more road to pick from.

I loaned them a come-a-long and some heavy nylon strapping for towing in the event that they get stuck. Sometimes big military type logging equipment come by and are almost always willing to pull you out for a small cash gift.

Well, I am getting offline just in case "Bumpity--my love" calls. See Ya.

Are we there yet?

What happened to bumpity? She bumped off my screen. Sorry. But Terri is going to be bumping her way to Kwakwani (prehistoric baxite mining town--actually 70 years ago it was hopping), Guyana somewhere in the jungle of Guyana. She and some ladies from the Tain Bible Church are having a Ladies Retreat. Pastor Mike and Maria, his wife ministered in Kwakwani in the past. He is the chauffeur. As you know Terri has been sick and is now recovering due to God's intervention. She is sleeping at the moment. She is being picked up in a Dyna, Toyota truck at 4:10 am tomorrow. We will be there with the camera for your added interest. Then its off to the stelling (Dutch for dock and ferry, I think). After an hour's wait, the 5:30 ferry will carry the truck with over with about 20 vehicles and 100 passengers across the Berbice River. Then it is a 2 hour trip over smooth countryside and village roads to Georgetown. After a pit stop in Georgetown they rush off to Linden arriving at Noon. And then, THE TRAIL through the lesser jungle ! More about that tomorrow.

bumpedy, bumpedy, bump, bump, bump

Citizens of Heaven and Earth

Last week we had a memorial service for a lady in Rose Hall called "grandmother". For 9 nights after her death traditionally people coming over each evening to play dominoes or cards, gaff (have conversation), enjoy snacks prepared by the family and 4 times we shared a gospel message from the Scriptures and sang Christian hymns to this those that came. We were all touched. A few years ago we buried a dear friend of ours that was the daughter to Grandmother. She too was a Christian.

Here is a comment we received from Rebekah, our daughter who was close to all these people too. " I was saddened to hear of the death of Grandmother, but so thankful to know that Claudette is now a believer (She trusted Christ to save her while at the wake services) -what a neat blessing to come out of all that. I'm sure that if Sister Violet knows what's happened up in Heaven, she sure is excited! I wonder if she ever meets up with Nana? That's just a random thought I had but do you ever wonder what it's like in Heaven for those who are there? Like I wonder if Aunt Rena and Nana talk and if they know any of our friends from Guyana who have already gone to Heaven, people like Leenie and Violet and Sister Ruby. What a conversation that would be! I am so thankful that God put you guys back in Guyana. He is using you in neat ways there, even if you don't always see it."

We are thankful that God put us here again too.

~written by Joe

Time Out!

No, this is not a football (soccer to some) time out but a personal time out for Joe and Terri. We came to Georgetown to do some city business and enjoy the 4th of July with the American Ambassador to Guyana as well as other Americans and missionary friends. We even played a little friendly badmitton (not like competitive badmitton in Indonesia where the cock flies at 100mph) and then swam some laps in the very refreshing pool. Today on the 4th we joined our missionary friends (Ken and Karen Glover with CrossWorld and Bev Dawson with Wycliffe in Guyana for 32 years) at a "Lake Resort" for a day of frolic, food and friendship as well as team building.

We have gotten haircuts, had our teeth cleaned, done our bi-monthly shopping in town, gone on a couple of dates, slept in, ate carrot cake, watched Brazil get beat in World Cup Football :( and generally relaxed with a number of good books and even an old Western movie.

So tomorrow it is back to work with zesto--or at least some enthusiasium.