Hello Everyone,
Whats going on? We have had a busy week. I will start with the full sign language meeting on Sunday Jan 30. We had made arrangements for a bus and we actually had almost a bus full going, including 7 deaf. A couple hours before we were to leave to go pick everyone up, the bus driver cancels on us. Its too late to hire someone else because they need passes to cross bus routes. So with a little frustration, scrambling and sweat, we got everyone there. And, it was completely worth it! There was 66 in attendance, 35 of which were deaf. We believe it was the first time that deaf outnumbered hearing. My top 2 moments came after the meeting. First, Renny, the Bible student from the last email, kept telling me how beautiful the meeting was. He signed to me, "The meeting in Rosignol (where we interpret) is okay, but this meeting, this is beautiful. This is better." Second, as we were waiting for the bus to pick us up to take everyone home, all our deaf Bible students started chatting with each other. Now, maybe you think, "so, whats the big deal?" It's a big deal because they normally do not sign to one another. They just sit quietly on bus and smile to one another. Now, they were chatting! Even the hard of hearing ones that we have been struggling to try to teach the concept of signing, were signing away. Hopefully it helps them to understand the need to learn sign language.
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| Suriname Branch Office of Jehovah's Witnesses |
Then, it was off to Paramaribo, Suriname! We visited the Branch Office of Jehovah's Witnesses. They have about 50 volunteers. They were all very inviting and welcomed us back. We were invited for lunch, so we were able to meet many brothers and sisters. Thankfully, they are could speak English for us. They work hard translating into a few local languages, including Surinamese Sign Language.
We also went to the Sign Language meeting. Even though, it was a different sign language for us, we understood most of the meeting, except the part when the brother introduced us. All of the sudden, our faces were on the TV. I panicked a little bit, but then Graem caught on that he was asking us for our names. Whew!! good thing Graem saved us! Again, the friends were very loving and welcomed us back. The Deaf understood our signing quite well and were very friendly. Afterwards, a brother took us out to Javanese food. Delicious!
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| Looking crazy at McDonald's |
Basically, we ate our way through Suriname. We had McDonald's, Chinese food, Suriname ice cream and beer, and sandwiches! We had coffee and tiramisu at real coffee shops! I don't eat McDonald's, but I have to say I was oddly very excited to step foot into one. There is something about it that brings me back home. Okay, I admit, Mcflurries are pretty fantastic.
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| Killing of the spider |
Upon arrival home we were greeted by a large spider. I (Graem), was putting my clothes away when something moved in the suitcase where I keep my clothes. There it was, the biggest spider I have ever seen. Plus, she had this huge egg sack attached to her. After a brief grossed out dance, I grabbed the can of bug spray to put an end to this. Ashtyn and Jaide wanted to see it and get a picture. Well long story short, Ashtyn is in the living room dry heaving (she is deathly afraid of spiders, and seeing it caused this reaction), Jaide is snapping photos like a paparazzi and I am emptying a can of bug spray on it trying to kill it. Graem: 1, spider: dead.
Love,
G&J
