Columbia Gorge and other sights

Back in Portland again. Some of our class room sessions were quite intense – we had to do a group project on case studies that took some extra time. Also, we were working on papers concerning our observations of the Chinese culture and what we believed were the dominant themes. These conclusions were drawn from all our field notes on movies about China, the Chinese Gardens and times spent at the Chinese churches. However, the leadership at World View tried not to stretch our brains too far. With this being such a beautiful part of the country, they planned a different kind of field trip for our last Saturday. Our group caravanned to the area known as “Columbia Gorge.” There are many waterfalls in this area, including the well known “Multnomah Falls.” It was a refreshing change to be outside, with great company and getting some physical exercise after being in the classroom all week. We sure appreciated the interest and care given to us by the staff of World View. I haven’t even mentioned how great our meals were. Joe and I tried to take walks everyday to keep the weight off. Mount Tabor, an extinct volcano and mountain park, was right behind World View, so we were able to get some great exercise and see some awesome scenery, including Mount Hood and the Portland skyline. After seeing so many beautiful sights, how can a person not fall down and worship the Designer and Creator of all things? “Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.” Psalm 48:9, 10

Ooops!

… Or ouch! That was more than papaya you were cutting. That’s a thumb. So, it is another trip to the doctor. Just recently I remembered that a year ago was when I was dealing with my knee injury and had to make a number of trips to the doctor. The knee sure has healed nicely. This thumb thing isn’t that bad – a good excuse to not have to wash dishes. (Thanks, Joe.) We recently received permission to use the Albion Estate pool, but they are presently painting it, so I am not really even missing swim time. I have faithfully cleaned and rebandaged it twice a day, and done my best to keep it dry. In a hot country like this with impure water we have to be a little more concerned about infections. I have a very good doctor who is extra careful. He checked it yesterday. A nice little scab is forming and it is well on its way to healing. Typing is a little challenging without the right thumb, but I am managing just fine. I am back to driving again. Most of my regular cooking and cleaning have gone on as usual, except Joe is cleaning up my messes. (Thanks, again, Joe.) And, thank you, Lord for your care in all the details of our lives. (I will be back to blogging about our summer very soon!) “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

Portland Chinese Gardens

"Only by contemplating nature, can truth be found." This was a quote in a brochure about the Portland Chinese Gardens. Our group from World View scattered throughout the Gardens, armed with notebooks and cameras. You could see people scribbling away in their notebooks and discussing what they were seeing with their partners. The idea was to record observations of what we were seeing through the grid of the 12 signal systems of communication. Proposition 11 in "Creating Understanding" states:
"All human communication occurs throught the use of twelve signal systems." These are: verbal, written, numeric, pictorial, artifactual, audio, kinesic, optical, tactile, spatial, temporal, olfactory. Any observation from the Chinese Gardens would fit into one or more of these signal systems. For example, there were 2 banners at the entrance of each building with six Chinese characters - these would be: written(the Chinese characters) numeric (the number of banners, number of characters), pictorial(the banners themselves), tactile (made of smooth metallic)and spatial(the location of the banners). There is much that could be learned about any culture and its beliefs through these signal systems.

By the way...

In case you hadn't noticed, this blog is like a journal of our travels over the summer. To follow it chronologically, you have to scroll down to an earlier entry (August 26) to follow the progression and then, go up. Hope this isn't too confusing for you. There were so many interesting facets to our trip, that I am trying to do it chronologically, but the blog format makes it a little difficult. Anyhow, every few days, I will make another entry and eventually we will catch up to the present. While I (Terri) am doing the writing, Joe took most of the pictures. One of these days, I need to learn how to add captions to identify the pictures. In the mean time, happy reading!!

Portland, Land of the Green and Home of the Different

After a great day at the coast and visiting some more good friends, Kameel and Rachel Kilada, we began our course at World View Institute on cultural understanding. It was intense, but immensely practical. They had a good balance between class room sessions and “field trips.” The interaction with fellow CrossWorlders was so beneficial and mutually enriching. One of the main concepts we were taught was the “12 signals system” or “12 languages of culture.” We went to several places in the Portland area to make observations and take extensive field notes using this 12 signals system. Later on, we went into studying the culture of China from many different angles. This included a trip to the “Portland Chinese Gardens.” We especially appreciated the teaching of Dr. and Mrs. Don Smith, who have developed this unique approach to learning cultures. Many special relationships were developed through the month with staff members of World View and other Cross World missionaries. The principles we learned should revolutionize how we do our ministry. More about this next time...

"You Do All Things Well"

"You Do All Things Well" by Chris Tomlin

Mountain maker
Ocean tamer
Glimpses of you
Burn in my eyes
The worship of heaven
Fills up the skies

You made it all
Said "Let there be"
And there was
All that we see
The sound of Your voice
The works of Your hands
You do all things well
You do all things well

Star creator
Wind breather
The strokes of Your beauty
Brushed through the clouds
Light from the heavens
Touching the ground

Imagination runs wild
And breathes the breath of life
Across the fields
Across the miles

Traveling...part 2

Traveling… Part 2

It seemed like the trip to Oregon was perfect. When we got to the airport, our luggage arrived and we went to pick up our rental vehicle – they did the usual upgrade (for free) and we got a really nice Jeep Compass SUV, instead of an economy car. Following excellent directions to the World View Center, we settled in for the evening. It was hard sleeping past 5 AM (We were still on Eastern Time which was 3 hours later.) So, we got up and headed out to the Pacific coast. It was so pleasant driving down the highway and stopping occasionally to check out the trees and local scenery. Oregon is such a beautiful state with the mountains to the east and ocean to the west.
Our plans were to rendezvous with Bill and Glenda Gray at Starbucks in Lincoln City. From there, we proceeded to a nice park right at the ocean and had a picnic lunch. Terri and Glenda were roommates at Florida Bible College. Plus, we worked together at Arvada Christian School in Colorado. The last time we had seen Bill and Glenda was in 1980 when we moved away from Colorado. Although we have kept in touch through letters, phone calls and e-mail, we had not seen each other in “donkey years.” (Guyanese expression!) What a wonderful visit we had. It felt like old times. We sure appreciate the special friends God has blessed us with. After our visit with Bill and Glenda, we made our way north along the coast. The Pacific Ocean is so different than the Atlantic. We could not get over how clear and blue the water was. It was magnificent. Chris Tomlin’s song “You Do All Things Well” gave wonderful background music for the beautiful sights we were seeing.

Traveling...

We did not get back to Bekah’s apartment until close to 3:30 AM. All of us got up around 8:30 AM, enjoyed some good bagels and coffee and exchanged some gifts we had gotten for each other in our travels. Just 12 hours after leaving JFK, we found ourselves back in the car headed to Newark Airport. The trip to the airport was peaceful. What a relief to not have to drive back through New York. This trip was turning out to be pretty normal. The flight was on time. So, we were on our way for our first trip to the west coast. It was disappointing to have so little time with Bekah, but we would see her again in a few weeks. Everything about this flight was so different than the flight from Guyana. There was a nice meal, a movie and the flight attendants were so helpful. This was our first time flying so far west and it was awesome to see the Rockies. Imagine our surprise to see a very distinct mountain peak sticking up through the clouds - Mount Hood. (There is a picture of it on the previous blog.) How inspiring! There were other visible, well known peaks on the other side of us: Mount Ranier and Mount St. Helens. The beautiful views made us forget the frustrations of the previous travels. Here we come, Portland! Hopefully, those traveling travesties are behind us now. We are moving on... (Did you like our "Jeep for a day" and relaxed look Joe has - that's Oregon for ya!!!)

Traveling Travesties

After a few months “hiatus” from blogging, I thought I should bring you up to date on the comings and goings of Joe and Terri. There have been plenty of comings and goings and it will take more than one entry to bring you up to speed. I really wanted to blog while we were on the trip, but it seemed like every minute was occupied. We have decided that our family could collectively write a book called “The Potters’ Traveling Travesties.” Others have told us that this summer has been a horrendous time for people who are flying – many more delays, flight cancellations and lost luggage than usual. Little did we know…
At the very onset of our travels, it seemed like we were not going to be able to get out of Guyana. We left our home in Berbice on June 26 and were scheduled to leave on June 28. This particular airline, which we have never flown with before and hope never to fly with again, changed the date of departure, then, cancelled/ postponed the flight three times. They were nice enough to give us a hotel room in Georgetown, three meals and transportation to and from the airport. So, it wasn’t all bad. However, it wiped out the 2 1/2 days we had planned to visit with Bekah before flying out to Oregon. After all those delays, we finally reached JFK and found huge lines at customs and immigration due to computer glitches. Were we doomed to an all-nighter at JFK on top of the other travesties already experienced? Thankfully, they got things going and we finally met up with Bekah who had spent many hours and cups of coffee with her friend, Emily, while waiting for us to arrive. A kind person in the customs line let us use his cell phone so we could call her and let her know that we were there in the airport. It was Saturday morning,1:30 AM June 29 with 12 hours and counting until we were to fly to Portland, OR. To be continued.....

Sing unto the Lord...

Guyanese version of hopscotch

Fun, food and fellowship

Some time ago, we had a special opportunity to get together with our national co-workers and families for a day of fun, food and fellowship. Most of the group participated in playing games such as Uno, Rap, Dominoes and Hopscotch. Later on, we feasted on many Guyanese delights such as chicken curry, roti, fried fish, rice and dhal, katahar, pumpkin and shrimp, mittai, sweet rice and cake. This enjoyable gathering concluded with a time of singing rousing choruses and songs. (See pictures above.) “A good time was had by all.”

Kites at the seawall, Georgetown, Guyana

Happy Kite Day!

It is Easter Monday here in Guyana. What an interesting collection of people, vehicles, kites, etc. We have a ringside seat here at the Bible College as the center of all the action is right across the street at the seawall. When we went out to fly our loaner kite this morning, there were only a few people. The crowd kept building and building. By 5:00 PM it was quite a mob with people, vehicles and kites everywhere. With plenty of loud music in the background. Police were at various posts regulating traffic. It seem like a pretty orderly bunch of people. There were lots of vendors selling food, drinks and snacks of all kind. We haven't seen any drunkenness to speak of. Maybe that will come later. This is a highlight of the year for most Guyanese. Even up where we live in Berbice, most people go to the beach or a ball field or any open space to fly their kites. Many of them make their own. It was fun seeing the colors, sizes and varieties. We enjoyed success with the kite we were flying until a neighboring kite (The store bought variety with nylon string) flew too close and clipped our string. One of the boys we had befriended ran across the road and retrieved the kite, so we gave it to him. Joe had a neat time sharing the Gospel with the other boy, Chris. It has been an enjoyable time for us here. After a "rousing" game of ping pong we went out to get some burgers and delicious ice coffee drink and milk shake. Now, the crowd is slowly dispersing. The loud music is gone and the kites are, too. People are still milling around, enjoying the sea breezes and end of the long holiday weekend. We are thankful, as always, to know that the real meaning of this Easter season, is the joyous reality of Christ's resurrection. What a blessing to fellowship with Guyanese brothers and sisters in Christ! What a privilege to have a message to share! What a responsibility to do all we can, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to reach the many who do not know this joyous reality of Christ, who is risen. "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death has no mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God." Romans 6:9, 10

Anniversary Reflections

This is a special anniversary. One year ago today we returned to Guyana, after an absence of four years. There is much to praise the Lord for. Five years ago, on this same date, we left Guyana. What a difficult time that was. We have certainly come a long way! I (Terri) am awed at the wonderful healing God brought about in me personally. A counselor we were seeing at that time even made the statement: “Five years from now, you will be amazed to see what God has done." Here we are five years later, back on the field, actively serving and ministering to the people we dearly love, a little stronger and wiser. We are so grateful for the prayers and encouragement that many gave us in our journey back. It was a painful process, but God blessed so much along the way. Just this week I was sharing with a 20 year girl a little of the journey God has taken me on. She is going through a lot of trouble and trials in her family, and is really hurting. I thank God that He can use me to help bring comfort and encouragement because of the way He comforted me.
Some of the ways God has blessed me:
1) A closer walk with my God and my Saviour.
2) A greater appreciation for my wonderful husband, Joe, who stayed close by me through everything.
3) Three fantastic kids, Joel, Bekah and Jon, a new daughter, Bethany, and new daughter-to-be, Christine.
4) An awesome grandson, Jack, who I love and miss so much.
5) Many special friends who were so supportive and affirming all along the way.
6) A great group of faithful supporters and prayer partners.
7) Open doors of ministry here in Guyana.
8) The privilege of being ambassadors for Christ in this very needy place.
I could go on and on. Let me close with some verses from the NLT: “All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God gave us.” 2 Cor. 1:3, 4

Not a Cloudburst but a Songburst!

We have our share of Cloudbursts here in rainy Guyana but we also get Song bursts! Sometimes in the morning shortly after 6am during my Intentional Time with God the Songbirds that hang out around our house :) go crazy--each bird with his/her own songs but bringing praise to their Creator by singing what God has put in them--loud rambunctious chirpings. I add my thanks for the sounds too.

My prayer today is that I can make a difference for Christ in the long run here in Guyana. I do want to show Christ's love today and yearn for disciples to carry Christ's love and obedience to future generations. Have a great weekend for the Glory of Christ.

Joe

Growing older gracefully

Now I remind you that I am not, I repeat, I am not getting older any faster than anyone else out there reading this frivolous message. Terri is still my inspiration to stay young at heart! And I have to say (quietly you know) that I am glad she does.

My 59th birthday was not without all the special attention that practically embarrasses one. Different celebrations including Apple Pie, Chocolate Cheese Cake, and Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting stretched over a week including 4 missionary families with three great MK’s and 3 home staff missionaries as well. Really though our Guyana Field Conference brought everyone together in Georgetown so I was psyched to have a lot of extra fellowship and fun times concurrent with my birthday week.

I am grateful that I am only 59 and able to continue serving my Lord and Savior with all my heart as a discipling missionary here in Guyana. We head back to Nigg Saturday to begin discipleship in the Edinburgh Bible Church but we will continue to fellowship at the Tain Bible Church and maintain the relationships that we have already made there.

My tumultuous life with Buzz, the parrot

It is Sunday afternoon and I am relaxing at the keyboard waiting for 4:30 pm to come so we can call Bekah via our computer for only 3 cents per minute. How civilized. Speaking of civility, I am sipping one of my last cups of Barney’s coffee named Santa’s White Christmas and the 8 O’clock Hazelnut brand combined. This coffee is so good that Buzz my pet parrot, who is on my shoulder pesters me for a nip as well. Thanks Bekah for the Java/Joe/ Cafe. Then it is back to “New ERA” Guyanese coffee which I like too so it’s a win/win situation. I hope Buzz's former caretakers don't mind the coffee--really it will not continue. He gets too much of a buzz from it.

I have “discovered” a money saving scheme that works for me but I wouldn’t want to publish it too much except when we need the extra income! Right? I DON’T THINK SO! One can re-use a paper coffee filter for up to 10 times by just dumping out the grounds and rinsing the filter and replacing it carefully while still wet back into the filter bin. Has this Baby Boomer crossed the line on gourmet coffee etiquette or what for all you Busters or is this something that you have known about for years but never admitted to like eating Sugar-Frosted Flakes? I would really feel quite guilty now to use just one filter per pot of coffee. In spite of all that—please do not send me your used coffee filters. All this came about when the country ran out of coffee filters—yes the country. “The” distributor must have run out just before Christmas. A friendly business man had his wife bring back some for me via his wife who was returning to Guyana for the holidays. I was using paper towels—ohh this story is getting worse. Anyone for another cup before I send this?

We had a wonderful Church service with a great time to worship God too. We were able to bring 2 new people to church today. One asked for prayer because she regrets that she has believed in the wrong things all her life and wants to now make a change. Her recently deceased husband of 26 years just trusted Christ before he died. Pray for Pastor Mike and his wife Maria as God works in this vital church. Pray for us too as we mentor them and disciple others down here.

Bye for the 2 of us.

The wayward sheep has returned!

Did I tell you that the wayward sheep has come home? Well, he has so they are all accounted for now. We are working with them again to help them be stronger for the next trials.

Thanks for all the prayers. God is merciful, has been and always will be merciful—and His righteous kingdom is in my view. God is teaching us as we go in this discipleship thing and has encouraged us tremendously as well.

How is God working in your life? Let us know. We would love to hear a short story from you. Bye, Joe

Life with the hiccups

We love what we are doing here and God has blessed us immeasurably while we have been doing it. We trust you can say that too. However life also comes with a hiccup or two!

Here is the hiccup. Discipleship is a give and take proposition. Sometimes its “we give our all to them and they take it all for granted anyway.” Thankfully it’s mostly not like that.

We love what we are doing and know that you know that it’s not all peaches and cream. Recently a situation has come up in our church involving some of our disciples that has required a lot of extra counseling and attention. Thank God that it is mostly all dealt with now but pray that those involved will now become stronger and wiser in the Lord because of it and that the church will become better as a result of the personal growth. Pray for one holdout too!

Satan is still a roaring lion looking for weak Christians to devour. "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen 1Peter 5.8-11

~Written by Joe on safari with the hiccups