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.

Hope and Despair

Tuesday afternoon is usually a busy time of ministry. This week was no different. We had discipleship meetings early so that we could go on visitation. Brother Michael took us to meet a couple who know a lot about the Bible but don't understand that salvation is a free gift received by trusting in Christ. We shared some verses with them and prayed together. Next we met a young single mother in desperate straits - she even shared that the night before she considered ending her life. She has some very difficult things going on in her life and we spent time sharing what Christ has done and how He can help her. Although she still doesn't fully understand the Gospel, we were able to give her some hope and encouragement. Please pray for M. that she can fully understand the Gospel and trust Christ as her Saviour soon. When visitation ended, we hurried over to Claudette's house where they have been keeping wake since last Wednesday for her mother our friend, Grandmother, who went home to heaven last week. Claudette was so relaxed and willing to talk. Joe began sharing the Gospel and Claudette acknowledged that she is trusting Christ for her salvation. She was real clear about it. We are so excited as we have prayed for her for years and shared the Gospel many times. Will you pray for Claudette and her family as they adjust to life without Grandmother, but life with Christ as her Saviour?
-written by Terri

Ring Ring!!

Ring, ring, what is that funny noise—the phone??

Whoops, they hung up!

God has answered all of our prayers by giving us a dial tone.

We praise God for His timely help. Now the funny part is that we can receive calls but we can not make calls until we go through another hoop. I want to think that I had learned enough patience for one lifetime but even at 58…!

Truly though we are rejoicing. I often go by the phone and pick it up just to listen to the dial tone and smile. YES!! Give us a shout. 322-3518 and internationally you may dial 011-592-322-3518

Connected,
Joe and Terri

The second invasion—Dragonflies

First you read of the amphibian invasion, now this: Like hundreds of squadrons of miniature Apache Gun Ships rising up silently out of the marsh heading due south on some secret quest, 1000’s of brilliantly green dragonflies filled the sky with their wings for 45 incredible minutes as they flew all at the same speed, same direction, and same formation. Our wonderful Creator-God treats those of us around the world to some awesome displays of His unique creative genius. By the way we are still amused with the many frogs around the house. Mosquitoes are still among us at night for a few more weeks I think. They are the real Gun Ships—they bite, dragonflies don’t!

Now is the time to say a prayer for our phone situation. It may actually happen by Tuesday evening, so they say. We have heard it before but we are encouraged to pray again for this new deadline. Terri faithfully carries our laptop over to one of 3 friend’s house for a working phone to hook up to. She then fellowships, does all the email and internet business and then walks back home. There is so much more that we really should do but without a phone we are limited time-wise as to downloads and longer tasks.

Happy Dad’s Day. Pray, Pray, Pray! J

Temple Worship

6/11/06

As we were preparing our hearts to pray after breakfast this Sunday morning we were interrupted by a band of 5 Hindu men ceremoniously walking down the street collecting vegetable offerings from any of the faithful. This is done in preparation for their morning service. Every evening and some mornings the 2 young neighborhood men in their thirties collect hibiscus and oleander flowers as part of their daily worship in their family’s own idol house. While burning incense, waving something like sparklers, and ringing small tinny bells they appease their gods. If they stop doing this, sometimes they are plagued with demonic harassment. Many are afraid to stop being Hindu for this reason. Even now more drums are beating.

About one month ago during special ceremonies with the Kali Temple, worshippers dance and chant in the streets to the beat of their drums to call on the demons (they think they are calling on their gods) to indwell them and the demons do indwell them at times showing super-human strength! This special Kali ceremony goes on for a week and thankfully is only once a year.

In light of all that has happened in Guyana in the last 4 years we are clinging to the Lord being reminded of the Apostle Paul’s statement in Romans 8: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Progress??

Hot showers – wireless internet – roads without potholes – Popeye’s Fried Chicken – Bath and Body Works products - is this really Guyana? In some ways, there has been some real progress towards moving into the 21st Century. A new cricket stadium is being constructed for the International Cricket World Cup to be held in the Caribbean in 2007. Hotels, new homes and restaurants are being built every where.
On the other hand, there are other things that haven’t changed – if anything, they have gotten worse: execution style killings, violent crimes, robberies, suicides, political unrest. A dear brother in Christ, who was a security guard, was shot to death on the job this week, leaving behind a loving wife, son, daughter and precious 10 month old grandson – all for a mere $1,500. Life is so cheap here. We know that these things are happening around the globe, not just Guyana. However, it really hits home when it directly affects someone you know.
We used to visit this brother at his work place and are grateful that Br. Allan knew Christ as his Savior and had a good testimony in the community. As I (Terri) sat with his widow, Sis. Yvonne, I could sense the peace and comfort she has in the Lord. “He’s home with Jesus,” she told me tearfully. “I know where he is.” So many people live and die without the comfort and peace of the Lord. That is why we are here – to share the comfort, peace and joy we have in knowing Christ. People are frightened and worried. You can sense how vulnerable and insecure they feel. Will you pray for us 1) that we can make a difference in this dark place 2) that God will use these difficult times to bring people to Him 3) and for our safety and protection as we go about our daily life and ministry? “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:5, 6
>written by Terri on June 8, 2006

Amazing!

Check out Joel and Bethany’s blog site: danielael.blogspot.com
Amazing things!

Pray for us as we settle in to our discipleship ministry for real. We will be working with 7 total—4 ladies and 3 men including one couple. For this reason we are here. We are not here to complain about the present blackout (no electric), the flooding at times (like can we get to the street without getting stuck in the mud type of thing, the 75 volts of electricity that greatly damages your electrical equipment, or the lack of a phone where we can do our own email (isn’t that a fundamental right like free email?!

We are excited about the possibilities.

Pray for Terri too as she is helping to head up the Ladies Rally that happens in about 10 days. Will keep you posted.

Record Cold Spell!

It was 80 degrees with a wind chill that made it about 65! We shivered! Then it rained and rained and now I am blogging. Get the soggy point? You gotta love the coolness.

On a different note we visited friends from our former church in Canje and what an afternoon. Listen to what we soaked up as we listened to the way the children have for the most part gone on for the Lord. There are now about 125-150 kids a week between 4 locations—Canefield, 2 in Adelphie, and Padduck by Poohal—You gotta love these names. Older kids—Balram, Maranda, Odessa, and Shawn (Sis. Sano’s son) and 4 adults—Narine, Shoba, Pam, and Robert have been leading them. Thanks Joel, Bekah, and Jon for the time you invested in the kids in Canje. Not being here, you still reap!

Some teens have made poor choices and married Hindu or Muslim spouses. One family had a derelict dad murdered and a physically abused mom of 6 who eventually committed suicide. God knows our hearts cried and praised over seeds planted, destroyed and some on to tremendous fruit.

The church still has its difficulties with all the baggage of the past but God isn’t finished yet. We keep praying. Aslan is on the move!

Mud Derby

5-19-06

Well, we returned to Guyana only to find that the rainy season had begun in earnest. The dirt road in front of our house became so much mud in places that we would specifically pray each time before driving because of the strong possibility of becoming another stat in “the stick in the mud” scene. Joe loved the sliding turns that were required to negotiate the corners—“Yeehaa!”

Speaking of turning corners—we are turning one here by getting more involved in ministry as our set up chores are slowing down to make room for discipleship. I still have a lot of work to do but it will have to get done a little at a time sort of like chores around the house.

Our back yard is most intriguing. Flooding. Mosquitoes L (Some.) Mongoose (or is it mongeese?) travel through our yard to hunt in the neighbor’s overgrown yard. (So, little chances for cobra snakes, right? They aren’t in Guyana anyway. Terri says J!) We now have 2 three month old puppies for the mongoose to share the back yard too. Sort of a Rottweiller—Ridgeback (like a more docile Doberman) mix. The question is this. Will the puppies live long enough to rule the back yard or will the mongoose chase the puppies back into their pens? If they live long enough (only kidding) they will become watch dogs.

Thanks for your patience while we were offline. Hope you missed us. We look forward to bringing some interesting tidbits from life in Guyana.

The Invasion of the Amphibians!

The invasion of the Amphibians

Our rural, breezy pleasant existence has been invaded by small frogs with big eyes. Now I know how Frodo and Samwise Ganges felt when they were tailed by Gollum—that frog-like creature. Our amphibious friends are not as sinister though—actually they are rather cute up to now. When you enter the bathroom you are serenaded by frogs singing “Ribbett-Ribbett!”—A rather watered down version though I must say. J My only fear is that they do not produce tadpoles in the toilet— Oh I’m Aghast—a plague?

I am reminded in James to not give in to the little frogs of sin around us which ends up with a lot of lust that becomes sin. Our defense is found in Romans 8, “If we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

Lately if you were here you would have seen us hard at work. Terri is sewing lacy type curtains and “installing them” as well as putting up knick-knacks, cleaning and preparing yummy meals. Today was BBQ Chicken sandwiches and the Potter’s favorite salad—Terri’s potato salad. I have been transforming a shipping crate into a dog pen, setting up our water filtering system and securing some doors and cleaning up some in the yard.

Well, we are off to Jon’s graduation on Wednesday at 2:00 A.M. so until we get back, watch out for the Amphibians.

OOPS!

Blog 4-26

Oops! What do you get when you cross a backhoe and a Toyota Wagon—read on?

A crowd of people waiting to see if this white man will get angry and yell and scream at the backhoe operator for messing up his nice silver car.

Pray that it will result in people hearing the gospel that might not have otherwise. The Lord enabled me to be cool, calm and collective. J

We have a nice car down here that we were able to purchase through the gifts of God’s people like you 2. It is a 1999 Toyota Station Wagon--Silver in color. Already it has had 2 altercations. One was with a taxi driver who thought I wasn’t merging fast enough and tried to get around me but didn’t fit. The other was an accident today when I stopped at a crosswalk (the law) and a BACKHOE rammed me at the back right corner. His brakes were faulty. Can you believe that It only broke the light assembly and crunched the quarter-panel about an inch. So our Toyota is initiated real well. The owners of the construction company are paying for it since they admitted that it was their fault.

Pray for our safety down here.

Aiming to drive safely and sanely.

Wow-Are you an ornithologist?

Wow—Are you an ornithologist?

Just the other day we spotted a Great Black Hawk, several Snail Kites and some swallows chasing about a thousand bugs in what looked like an aerial dog fight—all during our time on the veranda.

Still no phone and our voltage is 80 volts at night and 90 during the day so we limp along trying to make do while we get up to speed. We have to run a generator to do the laundry. Please pray for the new electrical lines to be installed in this community by next month as they are scheduled to do.

A few days ago one of our governmental ministers was assassinated. He seemed to be a good man but we do have our troubles down here. Politics here gets kind of dirty before the elections especially.

On a good note, we went back in to Canje Sunday to visit some of our former church folks. What a blessing it was to see people carrying on for the Lord in the face of adversity. More on that later. Gotta run as we say in Guyana, no no, I mean in the States. Bye.