dem eh watch meh

Hello Everyone,

Whats going on?  How early is too early to start a party?  1pm, 3pm, 10am?  Well, the other day our neighbors started partying at 4am.  Started, not finished.  The houses here do not have double pane windows

Salima and Jaide

and insulated walls.  They're made of just some wood and the windows are paper thin.  Our neighbors might as well have been in our bedroom partying.  Then in the midst of the talking and laughing, we hear someone sweeping.  The wife next door is a little O.C.D when it comes to sweeping.  She sweeps around her house at least 3 times a day.  Now, in the midst of a party she decides to sweep.  Really, that couldn't wait.  We were so tired that day.  4 am, come on!

Guyana trash service

Two weeks ago, we found out that a deaf Bible student, Salima, that used to live in New Amsterdam had moved to our side of the river.  She knows ASL pretty well.  So, upon finding her, she was happy to see us and start studying again.  On Wednesday, Jaide, Tinisha and I (Graem) went to study with her.  We started discussing death.  She already understood clearly what happens when we die.  But, when we started discussing the resurrection, she would sign, "No, we die and go back to dirt.  Your family or friend dies you are sad, you go home pray and God helps."  She did not understand the resurrection hope the Bible promises. By using pictures and reasoning on scriptures she was able to grasp it.  It was wonderful to see her learn it.  We explained that in the future Paradise she would see her mother again and she would be happy and hugging her just like the pictures show.  Her smile was priceless.  Those are the moments that keep us going.

Another moment like that came when I was studying with Daio.  Daio is a man who does not know any sign language.  He has home signs, and knows a few we have taught him.  This week he learned God has a name. First, we had to teach him what a name is, and then the sign for name.  By using my driver's license and his ID card we got the idea that we all have names.  From there we went to God.  I drew my representation of God and signed, "his name what?"  Then I showed him part of the "God's Friend" DVD which explains God's name.  I pointed to the sky and signed, "His name what?"  Daio signed, "JH."  That the ASL sign name for Jehovah.  The best part was that he continued to use it.  Even at the end of the study when we reviewed, he remembered!

Guyanese word/song of the day: "dem eh watch meh".  Translation: They are watching me.  This is a popular song in Guyana.  Now, what the Guyanese tend to do is play a popular song over and over and over and over and over again.  When I hear this song, I want to rip their speakers out of their car or home.  For months, this song has been playing.  Also, when there is a popular song, people have stickers made for their cars with the lyrics (this is how we figured out how to spell it).  Every where we go we see or hear "dem eh watch meh." I'm starting to feel a little paranoid.

Love,

G&J

The secret ingredient is . . .

Hello Everyone,

How are you doing?  I learned something new this week.  I have noticed that under and around some of the homes here in Guyana the dirt seems different.  It looks more smooth and soft.  Well, I have learned the secret.  The secret ingredient is. . . . cow poop.  We had just arrived at Vicky and Popo's house.  They are two deaf brothers.  I saw that Popo was walking back with a bucket full of something.  He proceeded to dump the bucket out a few feet from us, fresh cow dung.  He then fetched some water in the bucket, came back and started mixing in cow dung by the handfuls.  Elbow deep in the bucket, kneading the special concoction.  The smell, sound and sight of it was almost to much to handle.  I know its just cow poop, but that's nasty.  I controlled my urge to dry heave, and continued the study.  Popo then dumped the bucket out and started spreading the cow dung paste around with a broom.  Cow dung mixture flinging everywhere, getting closer and closer to us.    I made sure Popo kept his distance as now he was pretty well covered in the mixture.  The deaf sister I was with said it was making her feel sick.  So we finished up and left.  I guess I am no country boy.

At Memorial we had 98 in attendance, of which 54 were deaf.  So we fell short of our goal of 100.  From our side of the river 14 deaf and 8 hearing went.  We were stressed about getting everyone there. We hired a bus, and called over and over again to make sure they were still going. We had so many that wanted to come that we had to ask one of the students, Imran, who has a car to drive.  We were relieved that he was happy help out. Well, picking everyone up went well.  The only hangup was that one deaf man wasn't ready, which didn't surprise us because we don't think he ever learned the calendar. We had tried to call his neighbor to tell him to get ready. But when he saw us, he hurriedly got ready and jumped in the bus.  

The Memorial started at 6 pm, so we started picking up people at 3:30.  We had the goal of having everyone picked up by 5.  That worked out perfect. But there was one problem.  To get to New Amsterdam, where the Memorial was taking place, you have to cross a bridge.  Everyday, this bridge closes for an hour and a half to allow boats to pass.  It was scheduled to open at 5:20 pm.  That would be fine, great we would arrive by 5:45.  Well, the bridge opened late.  It stayed closed waiting for a tug boat.  It finally opened at 6.  Needless to say, we were late.  As I was the speaker, everyone waited for us.  That makes for a rushed, stressful feeling as I was trying to deliver the most important talk of the year.  Oh well, the deaf all seemed to enjoy the Memorial.

Jaide brought snacks to give everyone on the bus so they would not be tempted by the bread being passed.  She fed everyone cheese crackers and banana bread. After the Memorial, they got oatmeal raisin cookies.

Guyanese word of the day:  dhol.  In a sentence, "get a dhol with me."  What does it mean?  No, it is not a foreign Barbie.  It means to quarrel or get in a argument.

Love,

G&J

B.O.

Hello Everyone,

Sign language section

How are you?  We are doing good.  Been real busy lately.  Yesterday, we had our Special Assembly Day.  The attendance was 888, including 22 deaf.   The whole program was interpreted.  That is a stressful job, both before and during the assembly.  Our friend, Brian, did a fabulous job organizing it all.  It made me appreciate having assemblies and conventions in full sign language. Also, there are no assembly halls in Guyana, so we rent a school hall.  This requires a lot of work.  Before the sessions, we are busy moving out all the desks, cleaning, and setting up all the chairs that have been trucked in from all the Kingdom Halls in the area.  After the program, since school starts the next day, we have to break everything down.  We load the chairs back in the trucks, clean the hall again and bring the desks and chalkboards back inside.  Jaide regretted wearing her heels which stick perfectly between the wood boards on the floor.  Thankfully, she managed to not fall on her face. Oh yeah, the hall we use is on the second floor.  We got a good work out loading and unloading the chairs.  I will never take an assembly hall for granted again.  Afterwards, some Missionaries and those who have moved to help where the need is greater got together for some encouragement and Chinese food.

Speaking of Chinese, recently, a group was established in Georgetown.  They have four Chinese unbaptized publishers and one baptized. If only, my Dad taught me some Chinese! Oh well, I'm pretty stuck to ASL anyway.

Jamacia & Niasha, deaf students

We are looking forward to the Memorial.  We have been trying to make sure all the deaf in our area are invited.  The goal is to have 100 deaf in attendance.  Last year, 69 deaf came.  We will let you know how many show up.  So, last week and this week we are explaining to, or reminding our students why the Memorial is so important.  Its a challenge to explain the concept to people with a limited language. We're beginning to learn how to simplify our teaching.  We are so thankful for having so many pictures in our publications. Also, the Great Teacher DVD's explanation is awesome.  I showed only half of  it to one student, and without me even telling her, she got the point and signed "Oh, we need to thank Jesus".  Fabulous!

The other day there was one of those moments that I will always remember.  We were on a minibus going to New Amsterdam.  We have talked about the joys of public transportation in Guyana, crowded, hot and frustrating.  It was a typical ride, the bus was full, yet they squeezed one more person in Jaide's row.  Making a Jaide sandwich, with two old Aunties on each side of her.  The driver was taking his sweet time, stopping to run errands every few minutes.  We stopped so he could air up his tires.  Jaide, who is in the row in front of me, turns her head ever so slowly with a sweet smile on her face.  I expect her to make a comment about needing patience.  Instead with that sweet smile still on her face, she finger spells B.O. (body odor) still with the smile on her face, she slowly turns to face forward again. I couldn't help but laugh.  Poor Jaide was literally stuck to a person with bad stink.   Another adventure in transportation in Guyana!

Guyanese word of the day: Sweet meats.  What is that?  Bacon dipped in syrup?  Honey glazed ham?  Chocolate covered grasshoppers?  No.  Translation: sweet pastries.  You know, they are like meats. . . I guess.

Love,
G&J