Go Hoatzins? :)

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Is it now the big rush to get ready for Christmas? Not quite. Give me a minute. My son, Joel sent us a Thanksgiving greeting and entitled it “What does your Thanksgiving look like?” Good question--What do you think?

When I was kid it was awesome—we got a 4 day weekend with a great meal on Thursday and turkey sandwiches for a week with mayo and mustard—great stuff. Mom (the more spiritual one in our family) would make sure that we invited others to dinner that were lonely or needy so I never remember a meal at Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter with just our family. We would play sandlot softball or football in Florida or just play outside a lot. We did a lot of visiting too as I remember--oh, the good ole days, eh? Later on I always tried to be thankful for the blessings God had given me and not focus on Christmas yet. For me it was great. Share a memorable one with me, wouldya?

The Thanksgiving we just had was great. After speaking on Sunday in the interior of Guyana at a river town called Kwakwani and helping to dismantle an old house (I love being positively destructive—destructive in a good way) in order to build a new church building, Thursday found us with another missionary family remembering Thanksgiving back at the coast. We had a swell (that is a retro word, I suspect) time singing, praying, reading a couple of Psalms, sharing and eating together (victualizing, if you are inclined to play Scrabble.)

After dinner while you perhaps watched football to settle your stomach we bounced around in the back of a truck to a special area in the bush called the backdam where we were able to observe the National Bird of Guyana, the Canje Pheasant also called the Hoatzin (It is quite unique with spurs on its wings, I think.) ¾ of the residents in Guyana have never seen it so we are blessed.

So what really made Thanksgiving special for me was the worship time and fellowship that we had with our friends—the food didn’t hurt the day either, believe me! Our God is so compassionate to forgive our life-long sins, provide eternal life and a relationship with Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Do you know Him for sure? Write me.

I miss you all, especially at the holidays but I have found that if I pray intensely for those I miss I become quite content knowing that God will bless them in my absence and provide people in my neck of the woods to befriend or have fellowship with.

Well as I sign off I want you to know that we have been treated real well down here lately. I am sipping “Yuban Coffee” from my French Press Starbucks cup because I am running low on coffee filters. The entire country of Guyana seems to out of stock of them. However—as God would have it, I mentioned my need to a store owner who is friendly with me and he said that he would have his wife pick some up for me when she comes from Canada for Christmas on December 3rd. You see how God provides even in little insignificant ways as well as the major ways. I also used our microwave for the 1st time since in Guyana this go around because we have full voltage now (115 V instead of 90-100 V). We now have hot water for our shower too so I starting to feel guilty as a missionary—like I am not really being deprived of much!

I am thankful and trusting that the Lord will use us for His Glory as we interact with others this Christmas. I prayed this morning that I would not be in such a hurry this season that I would not listen to the Holy Spirit as He leads me to opportunities to share the Love of Christ with my neighbors and those I interact with this during this special, wonderful season.

Love to all ~ Joe

One hop ahead this Thanksgiving

After our work was done in Kwakwani we took a relaxing
boat ride up the Berbice River with our new friend,
Candace--a teacher with WorldTeach.

You know those big, big toads that we used to say give you warts? (or was that from kissing girls?) Well that is our story in the States but here in Guyana there is another side to that old toad story. The old timers here have told me that the extremely deadly Fer-De-Lance snake in Guyana called here the Cropa-Labariah eats these toads and gets it’s venom from them. Incidentally the name of the toad here is “Cropo.” Well guess what? I think the toads here in Guyana are related or are one in the same since the US years ago imported the toads from down here to help control mosquitoes. So watch out if any snakes up there eat the Cropos.

This reminds me of what I was reading in Psalm 119:25ff.

The psalmist says that he is lower than a snake’s belly.
He talks to God about his bad days and God answers him.

His response to God's answer in his grief is:

“Strengthen me and teach me—
Make me understand Your ways—the truth,
Then I will stand amazed with my awesome God."
This is "the faithful way" he says.

Take away the “false way—my distorted thinking”
because I have chosen “the faithful way—help me to not slip!”

I have put Your Words before me,
I cleave to Your Words
I will run in Your Ways
Strengthen my heart for the journey.” (This is the Faithful Way.)

So like I must choose between the "old wives' tale of the toad and the snake or the truth, I must choose between "the faithful way" and "the false way."

I chose the Faithful Way of His Word and reject the False Way of my own choices without regard for God. (Lord, give me your strength to run in it.) I have been on that False Way many times but I am more quickly coming back to Him. :)

May this Thanksgiving find us gratefully in His “The Faithful Way” and not embracing some false toad ideas! I have had enough of that in my life.

On a current note we are spending Thanksgiving dinner with the Colbys--another missionary family here. How about you?~Joe

Delays

There seems to be a theme here these days - delays, in little things and big. The third world lends itself well to this theme. Here they say: "just now." Joe has been searching for certain car parts to repair our car that was damaged back in April. He still hasn't gotten them. The streets where we are living were supposed to be paved, hopefully before rainy season. There are piles of dirt everywhere, but little has been done.Rainy season is almost here. Delays. We have been praying continually for Jon to get a job. Nothing has developed yet. Our co-workers, Jeff and Cheryl Garr, have to go back to the States to treat a medical problem. They treated the problem while on furlough, but it has gotten worse. As much as they want to be back in ministry, God has other plans. Delays. Just today we were on the road with Scott Adams and the Glovers driving to Kwakwani for a brief visit. We started smelling burning rubber and had to stop to check it out. Praise the Lord for cell phones! Scott was able to call the mechanic who said it sounded like wheel bearings and should be repaired ASAP. So, we turned around and went back. Delays. The list could go on and on. It appears that the problem has been fixed and we plan to head out early Thursday morning. I couldn't help but think of Proverbs 16:9: "Man makes his plans and the Lord directs His steps." We have been planning and praying for this trip for weeks. God knows. I am so glad I can trust Him. There may be delays in your life right now. The Guyanese believers like to say:"God knows the best." What peace comes from placing ourselves completely in His hands because He knows the best!

Polly wants a cracker.

Saturday night and all's quiet here per usual. I am wiped out, not looking forward to older age if it is any worse but looking forward to heaven more than ever especially since I realized that the new earth will be similar in physical features to the present earth with the exception of no curse. That means there is a good chance that I can get some serious hiking in when I have time too. I would love to take up snow shoeing too.

Tomorrow being Sunday and all I have an interesting project that I could use some ongoing prayer for. A man I met at a wake house (nights preceding the funeral) in Tain has asked me to visit him at his house. His mom and sister really need the Lord as they are Hindu and having plenty of difficulties in the home. It makes for very uncomfortable living at home. He has asked me to come to meet his mom and sister and if possible talk to them about salvation or at least how to have a better home life. I plan on taking one of my disciples and the pastor with me. Terri wants to go too so it will be a real opportunity. The same disciple that I am taking tomorrow has led a friend of his to the Lord and is quite excited. He is growing and getting quite involved at church so I am quite encouraged at that. Thanks in advance for the prayers.

Boy third world countries give you ample opportunities with basic science projects like clearing air out of water lines for the house so the toilet, pure water system and washing machine work.

I will close with an observation of my 2 parrotlets (green and red small 8" long) Well, Benjamin told me to give them crackers every afternoon at about 4 pm. So dutifully I do that. Then comes the reward. One bird will descend, pick up the cracker with her beak, and carry it back up to the branch at the top of the pen. Then he/she will dip the cracker in her water dish, transfer the cracker to her claw and then proceed to eat it. His/her partner bird will try to crowd in for a hit on the cracker if possible. Then when they are finished they will return to their obilatory destruction of the limb that they are standing on. Interesting at the least. Well, my eyes are buggy. Good night. joe

Knock, knock, who's there?

And you thought this was a joke!
No, it is only a question? I wanted to know the audience of our blog site, if possible so if you check this at times drop me a short email telling me that you are there. I know the family uses it from the comments but I am not sure of others.

Love to all. Joe

One of Those Weeks

This has been "one of those weeks." It started out with a phone call at 6 AM on Monday with the news that Saby's father, (Saby is a lady I am discipling)
died. "Uncle Stanley" accepted the Lord about three months ago and we had been praying that he would get well enough to come to church. God saw fit to take him home instead. That same day, I went to the doctor to remove the stitch from my knee and he said I could walk a little more and do more around the house, but still take it slow. Every night we went to Stanley's home to hold wake services. God enabled us to share the Gospel and encourage a few people at the wake house and we are always thankful for these opportunities. People in this culture "keep wake" at the home by playing card games, dominoes and just "gaffing." (Drinking among the men, too.) It is grueling for the family because they get very little rest. The funeral was on Friday. We also had workmen here most of the week building screens and washing the house. Things have been in some what disarray and disorder. Then, Joe had to run down (I mean, drive) to New Amsterdam 3 different days because of some business matters. Meanwhile, I was at home trying to do my ETA prep. Some how, it got done and I was able to teach. The screens are almost done, and the housewashing, too. In spite of everything, I have tried to take it easy and not do more than I should. The knee seems to be healing well! We have to remind ourselves that not every week is like this week. God does give extra strength, but we are tired today. TGIS - Thank God it's Saturday!

Emoticons for hire!

Here we are in a 3rd World Country wanting to keep in touch with our kids in this electronic age. It's the end of a long day so--we Skype Jon on our computer. He suggests that we make it a conference call with Bek who just happens to be checking in with her brother. We confer for a while but 3 to 4 people on one call leaves too much dead time for me while waiting for that perfect word picture to add to the conversation. My eyes lazily wander over the Skype home page and a bright yellow funny looking face stares back at me--Emoticons. So while the girls are talking I insert a little funny face on a side bar. Eventually it gets noticed. What's this? So we start throwing Emoticons around like slow-pitch soft ball. Soon we are all laughing at each other's latest barrage of funny faces. The conversation goes totally downhill (thanks, Joe! Hey--how WAS I to know?) We confer on our conference call with funny little faces for the rest of the evening with plenty of laughter. So much for intelligent conversation but a very memorable evening was had by all AND it was all free.

Until next time here is my homemade emoticon ;)

PS Pray for Terri as she teaches ETA tonight and has her knee procedure on Monday.

Dead Works

Here is a picture of 2 generations of followers of the Lord.

We went to a Hindu home today. Ever been there? This is what we saw: Today was a special day to do a “Dead Work” in remembrance of a 14 year old boy who drowned in the waters by the sea where we take our walks! The service was most interesting—conch shells for a nice trumpet sound, a brass gong with wooden mallet for a “gonging” sound, and a long steel rod that is stuck to make a “chinging” sound. So then there are prayers that are sung and all kinds of Hindu worship that is done with lily pads, flowers, food, oil lamps and more.

That was what we saw with our eyes but now here is what we only could see with our spiritual eyes. The boy named Vijay had attended the Nigg VBS this summer and we are sure that he responded to the gospel presentation and we think he “trusted Christ to save him!” His parents are oblivious to this—ahh—but God isn’t oblivious, for Vijay trusted the Lord in the knick of time! The angels rejoiced before God on this one! This is our passion and reward.

Many speak to us about the success we have had in raising a family where all our kids are passionate about sharing Christ and His glory to the nations. We are cautiously optimistic but we should all be vigilant so that we do not slip from our steadfastness. May we continue to encourage each other especially since the rapture is nearer than when we believed.

Our prayer, like Asaph’s recorded in Psalm 78:5-8
is that our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will keep their confidence in God, not forget the works of God, but keep His Word.

Jehovah jireh!

I am so encouraged about a special answer to prayer for one of the ladies I am discipling, Sister Nalin. Nalin, who is a single mother with two boys 16 and 18, has raised those boys alone. She has to work hard to keep food on the table. Joe is actually discipling her older son, Vishal. Nalin is one of the most committed ladies I have ever had the privilege to know in Guyana. Her love for the Lord just bubbles over and she is such a joy to be with. One thing that really discourages her is that she can barely read - how she desires to pick up her Bible and read it for herself and be able to share it with others. Watching her struggle to read is a rebuke to me, as I can so easily pick up the Bible and read it for myself. It is hard for her to memorize very well. Every time we meet we try to sing Scripture songs, and of course read the Word together. She so much wants to do it without help. God gave me the thought that it is possible to get the Bible (NIV) on CD's. I even found out that you can download from BibleGateway.com which I would be be more than happy to do. Also, there are nice Scriptures choruses that would really encourage her and help her learn Scripture. Only problem is she did not have a CD player. We began praying that God would provide - I thought about contributing some money towards getting one but couldn't cover the whole cost - to get a good one here you have to pay $75 and up. I did not give her any money because I wanted to pray about it and see if the Lord would provide. Would you believe that when I went to meet with her on Wed. she had a CD player? She could not wait to show it to me. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but it was very significant to us. You have to realize that it takes a month for Nalin to earn this amount of money. Some one sent her some money from the States, which she was not expecting. That along with a little bit of savings was exactly what she needed to buy this particular player. God is so good! Now I need to get downloading - I asked her which book of the Bible would she like first and she said "Job, because God saw him through terrible times." Wow! Don't you love that faith and desire to learn more of God? If anyone knows a reasonable way to purchase the Bible(NIV), or at least the New Testament on CD would you let me know. Hold on! Let's pray about it.

Here's looking at you--I wished!

I am not too inspired today. Mosquitoes. Mosquitoes will do it to you. Actually not too many really but when they buzz around and you know that killing them would not really change the percentage of the house's population--why get flustered. Every night it is the same thing. Maybe eventually we will get our screens installed. This isn't the wet season so this is the better time.

Actually the reason I wrote was that a great thing happened on Sunday. A young lady came to church that I had witnessed to while buying some ginup (local fruit) the day that we went to Here's one guy I wished was looking @me!
talk with people after the bank robbery. She is
going to the Ladies Class too. She may have
trusted the Lord between the 2 presentations. :)
She knew some of the young people at church too so that is a plus. Thanks for your prayers.

Well, it continues to be quiet here in Guyana after the election. This is the first time in the 40 years of Guyana's short history that there has not been election violence. Personally it is such a relief too.

At the last election back in 2001 it was an entirely different story. I had gone to Georgetown to buy ceramic tiles so we could finish up the church before we left for furlough in the States--a necessary trip at that time. While in town one of the sales guys that I had befriended said "you know that you will have to pay a toll to get back to Berbice where you live, right"? I asked him how much the toll was--he said "everything you have"! Gulp.

While still in town, an entire city block worth of businesses were burned up in protest. The nurses at the hospital where I was visiting were excited about it--"like isn't this great, you can see the fires from here."

Another friend of ours had tried to get back to Berbice but had to turn back after protesters started throwing bricks at his windshield.

Then while talking on the phone with Terri explaining the situation and telling her about the fire, we were disconnected and unable to get a connected again!! Do you sense the pressure rising. After praying with the other missionaries in town I decided that I would try to drive back at 4 in the morning. There were smoldering bridges but no road blocks and burning tires on the asphalt roads. The money I had was in the aircleaner of the engine. All the tile was there under the protection of I don't know how many angels. I admit I didn't pay much attention to the speed limits on that trip. There was no traffic, no protesters, no problems. Closest I have even been to war. But God.......

I shared that just for praise for this time. YES!

Walking to the sea

We enjoyed a brisk stroll to the ocean with our neighbors, Manet and Zena. They walk there 3-4 times a week. Usually, they don't go all the way to the ocean, just to one of the trenches that runs into the ocean. Pray for us as we search for creative ways to get to know these and many other neighbors.

Terri is getting ready to send out the following update. You will get it first (with her express permission.) The picture represents our 45 minute "one way" walk to the sea with some neighbors.

It is hard to believe that as of September 8, we will have been in Guyana 6 months. Time flies when you're having fun! (or not!!) Really, we are thrilled to be back in active ministry. However, that is tempered with the realities of life in this third world country. Election Day has come and gone. Everyone was anxiously waiting for the official results to be announced. Last night, the announcement was made and the same party is back in office again. Up until today, it has been so quiet and peaceful. So far, so good! However, tensions can boil over if the losing party is not willing to accept the outcome. In the past, there has been rioting, looting, burning buildings and bridges, stopping, robbing and sometimes injuring vehicle occupants as well as threats of disruption of business in many areas. This has not happened this year. Other than an upsurge in crime prior to the elections, things have been unusually peaceful. Praise the Lord for this peace, and pray for it to continue.

The month of August was very fruitful all around the ABC (Association of Bible Churches) with the help of teams from the US. There were 9 nights of crusades and VBS held at 3 different churches. (One church staffed their VBS with mostly Guyanese workers and had no help from teams) It was a joy to help with personal counseling at the different crusades and see people respond to the Gospel. In Kwakwani, another part of Guyana where two CrossWorld families minister, there was an eye team that cared for over 500 individuals. All of these special ministries resulted in many decisions for Christ. Please pray for effective follow up and growth.
While all the special ministries were going on, we still continued with our discipleship program. Since we are developing our own materials, it is a constant challenge to tailor what we are doing to correspond with the maturity and literacy levels of each individual. Many of them have been experiencing trials and difficulties that have needed special attention, such as deaths, illness, rebellious children and depression. We are very encouraged with the growth taking place and the desire to share what they are learning with others. That is what discipleship is all about – learning, growing and sharing with others!!

We received some wonderful news from Indonesia. It looks like the Potter family is growing and an addition to the family is expected in April 2007. As you know, they are in Salatiga, Indonesia, on the island of Java, and are in language school five days a week. Pray for Joel and Bethany as they search out doctors and all medical options and for good health and energy for Bethany. Bekah enjoyed a little break in her hectic summer schedule and is now gearing up for the beginning of school and start up of all regular Sunday school classes and children’s programs. Pray for the ongoing need for volunteers to work in different departments. Jon is still seeking a full time job at a local orthopedic company. He has begun taking Hebrew at Grace Seminary, and is able to work his library and computer jobs at the school while waiting to get a more permanent job. Christine has settled in at Black Forest Academy and needs prayer as she masters driving a stick shift van and continues to adjust to the many responsibilities of a “Resident Assistant” in Germany for one year.

The long awaited sea

I was just experimenting with how much time it takes to uplift picture. Only a couple of minutes tonight. This was taken as close to the sea as you could get without getting wet. It is maybe 100 yards to the edge of the water after the sandbar.

It took about 45 minutes of brisk walking over flat trails and over the tops of about 25 piles of dirt dredged out of the channel in the center of the picture.

Election day has come and gone and tomorrow or Thursday we should hear the result. At that point we might hear something if there is going to be disruptions. So far so quiet:) Thanks for your prayers. Our roads and towns are almost like ghost towns. The streets are empty. Some shops closed for 2 weeks because of anticipated post election violence. We'll keep you posted. Joe Joe

honey in the belly of the lions

He has done it again. God. After heavily armed bandits with AK 47 assault rifles hold up 2 local banks and get away with millions, God has done it again! In the most unprecedented way, the Guyanese police and army went after these guys with a vengeance it seemed.

After 4 days of pursuit through the very snake infested Canje swamps of the interior all the robbers were shot and killed including some with a criminal record an arm long. Several bags of money were recovered as well but not all of it.

Terri has described the feeling of the locals as “feeling the same as if terrorists were in the country.” So where is the honey from the belly of the lion?

One of our national pastors had begun a friendship with one of the managers of one bank whom he had led to Christ a short time before. The man has since been out to the pastor’s church with another employee and his wife as well. He is now affectionately considered the Bank’s Pastor. After this robbery by the "lions" the pastor was called on to lead the staff in prayer and sharing the Word. Psalm 23 comes alive at a time like this.

I praise God for the pastor and his fellow workers that Terri and I are working ‘behind the scenes’ with. Please keep Guyana in your prayers as elections are coming on Monday, the 28th.

We serve an awesome God with thanksgiving.

It's 2 bank robberies simultaneously!

Well, it is getting late and I am getting tired (its almost 9pm and you would understand if you were over 50 and living at the equator) but I just have to share this.

On Friday morning at about 11:30am in the town of Rose Hall 2 banks were robbed simultaneously by a total of 15 heavily armed bandits (actually they each only had 2 arms but several guns). I was at church with about 6 other youths/men helping to build a basketball court about a mile away. Word on the street got to us as we were trying to buy "form lumber" for the concrete pad so we all left the church and went to a home of one of the guys whose dad was home and who is a member of the Guyana Defence Force (the Army) to wait it out. Br. Mike our pastor and another believer had just been at the bank and left before this whole thing happened. Everyone in the villages were really frightened. The bandits got away with a good amount of money and only wounded one person. But they created chaos and fear by the way they were shooting up the area with AK 47 Assault Rifles. This was Friday as I said.

Today Monday, Terri and I went back in to Rose Hall where the robberies had taken place to just visit around. I realized that God was leading us to spread comfort and peace through the Lord Jesus Christ to several of the vendors that Terri normally deals with at the market as well as several others that we met along the way. As they shared their stories (some were right on the street in front of the banks almost) we were touched by the terror they had dealt with. 2 or 3 young people who sold "ginnup," a small fruit) at the road side stated that they wanted to recive Christ as their Savior. A Hindu lady is becoming more open and several others are opening too. Praise God for His care for us.

This was certainly not our normal day off but what a treasure it has become--sharing God's peace in the midst of trouble--that's real peace. God wanted us to be there with the vendors to share God's Peace that is available in the midst of terror. "He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord that He is my refuge and shelter, my God in whom I trust. " There is no better place to be.

We ended our day by taking an hour's walk to the Atlantic Ocean with our Muslim neighbors.
Thank you for all you do to keep us here to train the nationals to Carry the Banner of Christ.

The wedding house is not over yet!

The Wedding did take place and we did see some people that we have not seen for a long time. But weddings are so different here that it sometimes is difficult to predict what will happen. Loud music, good food (Seven Curry served on a lily pad and mango chutney for dessert--tastes like apple pie :] Attending has helped our relationship in the community I think.

Now if we can only get them to pull the plug on the loud music--day 3. At least I think they will pull the plug on the music around 11pm, I am guessing.

This is only one of several things going on here. Terri is singing in the Crusade Choir for the 7th, 8th, and 9th night this week and helping with refreshments for 2 VBS. Joe is helping build a small basketball court at Tain Church. Last week he helped repair a foot bridge leading to the church building over the large storm drain. And then there is discipleship and counseling opportunities a plenty.

Pray for our sanity, sleep, safety, and sensitivity to opportunities--the 4 S's!

More wedding house

The big news here is the noise—actually its loud music—a wall of large 15” speakers—about 16 in total. Our house actually vibrates with the sound. This is going to be happening for about 36 to 48 hours. Even though the it is a wedding according to Hindu tradition the music is popular music here in Guyana. There are noise nescience laws on the books but police are reluctant to enforce them. Well, I have survived 2 hours thus far!

Actually we are hoping to meet some more of our neighbors through this so come back on Sunday or Monday and we will fill you in.

This is a cultural experience, enjoy it. I am swaying to the music at times. Otherwise I could consider it some type of torture to break me down in some way………I choose to be cool. It is part and parcel to another culture. By the way the ear plugs do help a little!

the Wedding House

“The Wedding House”

It is 6:30 pm Friday night. Hindu drummers accompany a processional to the Hindu Temple and then to the house. The participants dance around to these drum solos for about 3 hours. Its 9:30—gotta get a good night of sleep for what is to come.
Now Saturday morning has arrived—a good night’s sleep. There is a beach ball on a 15 foot tall bamboo pole symbolizing their Hindu wedding that was put up last night. They will leave it up for years. Recently today several ladies donned saris and daubed mud on themselves for some reason—beauty perhaps—nay.

You know, we do things so differently in the States. Here the female members of the extended family come over days earlier to “pick rice”. That is where you buy cheaper rice that might have pieces that are not editable and then they sit around a table and pick out the bad pieces while they talk—sort of like a quilting bee. Then today there is more food preparation time under the carport by 15 or so ladies and guys as they cook the food over outside pots with a wood fire. They use something like a large wok about 2 feet in diameter—very labor intensive. Seven Curry is the favorite for “wedding houses.”

This is their solution to catering. Some people here do cater events but it usually consists of a Styrofoam box with vegetable fried rice (chicken or beef too, if they are not Hindu), some roti perhaps and a small paper sack of sweet bread with the consistency of dough—called sweet meat.

Focus and breeze

As I sit at the keyboard, sweating without moving, I pray for focus and for breeze. Some countries are more hospitable than others to work in.

Now, the kids outside are focused. They are trying to catch a tilapia (fish) in the drainage ditch in front of our house. They are focused and jumping up and down at the same time. I was hoping to catch that fish on my day off but it looks like they might get there first. Kids love it here although they have so little compared to cutting edge countries but then again they are not comparing.

One very young little kid a while back was nearly waist deep enjoying a relaxing bath in the middle of a large mud puddle in the road. Now that same road is as hard as concrete.

Some people here have to go to their neighbor's house to get a shower but that gives them an opportunity to visit too. So it's cool.

Right now, the ABC that we work under is having 3 evangelistic crusades at night and 3 Vacation Bible Schools with a team from PA. Terri sings regularly in the Crusade Choir and I sing "one and far" (not very often) with our church crusade choir. Several people may have trusted Christ to save them. This is the easy part. Now pray that follow-up will take place in each of the churches.

We are focused and working hard at creating effective discipleship here inspite of the heat. Pray that we will learn what God wants us too so that the Guyanese can realistically reach their own country by applying Biblical discipleship.

The next big distraction that we know of is a "Wedding House" two houses away--nearly 24 hour a day house rocking music for 2 days! We will get a chance to meet some more neighbors if we can stay awake long enough after the loss of sleep.

Until then.

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