Are you a real white guy?

Hello Everyone,

How are you?  The weeks just keep flying by.  I can tell that February will be gone before we know it.  Tomorrow, all the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses are invited to the zone visit.  This is the first time I have ever been to one.  We found out a couple weeks ago that the Guyana branch is closing.  Guyana is now going to be under the supervision of Trinidad.  That means this is the last zone visit in Guyana.  Our congregation has arranged for 3 buses to take us all up to the stadium.  We have to leave early, but it will be fun.

Thursday, during meeting we had a black out (power went out).  That is not all that unusual.  Everyone knows the routine.  Flashlights come out, a couple brothers start working on getting the lantern going.  What made this night unique, was the amount of small gnats that were attracted to the flashlights.  So for us giving talks, that meant we got a little snack. As I was giving a talk, I had to use a flashlight to see my notes and scriptures.  This attracted a swarm of gnats.  As you can imagine, you have to open your mouth to speak, and in they go.  You take a breath in, in they go.  After 10 minutes of swatting, snorting, coughing and spiting, my talk was done.  The gnats didn't taste bad.  Plus as one brother noted, "a little extra protein."  That may explain why I wasn't starving after meeting.  After my talk I did have to go outside to try dislodge one that somehow had got stuck in my throat.

Yesterday, I was waiting to meet Jaide and Ashtyn.  School had just finished, so a great mass of students were walking by, when one young boy walked over to me and said, "Please excuse, are you a real white guy?"  To which I replied, "Yes, I am a real white guy."  He scampered off to his friends.  A few minutes later he came back with a friend and told him, "go ahead, ask."  I could tell his friend was nervous, so I said, "Yes, I am a real white guy."  To which the boy told his friend, "See, I told you."  See, I told you?  I didn't realize my tan was so amazing!  I am finally becoming Guyanese.  Now if only I could master the accent and Creole vocabulary, no one would ever know where I am from.  My plan is ahead of schedule.

The first picture is of laundry day.  The second is the Kingdom Hall's bathroom.  It is very green.  In fact, this toilet uses no water.  We are going green here in Guyana.

Guyanese word of the day: torch light.  Translation:  flash light.  I can't remember if I had done that one before, so if I have sorry.

Love,

G&J

The world's most perfect dessert, the Mcflurry.

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.

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!

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.

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

Guyana Graem's Red Table Wine

Hello Everyone,

Our Neighbor

How are you all doing?  We are doing good.  Time just keeps on flying by.  Next week we already have to go back to Suriname.  This trip we are going all the way to the capital.  We are really excited.  From what we have heard, Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, is a beautiful, fun city.  The population of Suriname is very diverse.  That means a variety of delicious food from different countries.  Yay!  A break from curry.  I even hear they have a Tapas restaurant.  And a McDonalds!  I usually don't eat the old Mickey'D's, but I am going to crush a big mac.  In addition to eating our way through Paramaribo, we are going to go to the Sign Language meetings there.  It will be in Surinamese Sign Language, but no doubt will be fun.  We are going to stay with a couple we meet at the branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses here in Guyana.

Jamun wine on the left, Pineapple wine on right.

I have channeled my hill billy roots and started making liquor at home.  To be exact, wine.  My first batch is some pineapple wine which will be ready for drinking in one week.  My second experiment was Jamun wine.  Jamun is a small fruit that resembles a grape but grows in clusters on a tree.  We have a tree.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get enough fruit to make more than a glass of wine.  We all tasted the jamun wine and the verdict was, a little tart.  I want to do it again, but try a different recipe.  I will let you know what happens.  But, don't be surprised if you see a bottle of Guyana Graems Red table wine in your local purveyor of fine foods & libations.  Here is a link to an article about Jamuns:  http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/the-scene/10/17/it%E2%80%99s-purple-it%E2%80%99s-grape-like-it%E2%80%99s-jamun/

Renny

The Bible studies continue to be good.  We want to go and try to meet more deaf in some other villages, but we just don't have the time.  We need some help.  Come on down.  Teaching here is a mixture of frustration and joy.  Frustration in that at times we struggle to explain ideas or concepts.  It took 2 weeks to explain the concept that God made everything.  Really, it was the concept of 'make' that Renny didn't get.  He would tell me he understands, but it was obvious he didn't.  You can tell on a person's face and by their body language when they really understand.  So after explaining 'make' in as many ways as I could, with as many different pictures I could draw, it finally clicked.  Before, he would sign it right.  "All around God made."  But this time you could see ii in his eyes, face and body. He got it!  The light bulb flicked on.  And in true Renny fashion, after he gets a point or answers right, he shakes your hand.  Not sure why, but that hand shake brought me the joy and satisfaction in knowing he got the point. 

Guyanese word of the day:  Pickni.  Translation: Children.  For those who got our emails 3 years ago you will recognize this word.   Recently I had a auntie tell me that I was "a bad pickni", meaning I was a bad child.  That was Renny's mother.

Love,
G&J

A call to duty

Hey Everyone,


Hows it going?  We are doing good.  We saw a croc!  In the trench in front of our house, just sitting there on the surface.  We left it alone but took a photo.  See below for picture.

Okay, its time for some recruitment.  We need help in the Sign Language field down here.  Our trip is half over, and the work still to be done is massive.  Plus, we need someone to take over when we leave.  Honestly, being here is wonderful.  There are challenges, and it is hard work.  But, the ministry more than makes up for it.  It truly is a privilege to be here.  This is the best way of life.  Your whole life and time is focused on spreading the good news about God's Kingdom.  And really helping people.  Not to be overlooked is the joy of hammock time.  The stress of work and a busy schedule fades away, replaced by satisfaction and joy.  If you are even thinking about coming, please email me.  My email is: graemb@hotmail.com.  Our house will be available to rent.


One thing I love about Jaide is how she handles drunk guys.  We seem to be magnets for drunk dudes.  Of course, they always want to hug you or shake your hand.  When this happens to Jaide she just stares at them.  Gives them one of the classic Jaide stares, you know, can melt ice.  One guy even said, "What, you don't want to touch me?"  Usually they smell and don't appear to be that clean.  Yesterday, this one man stopped us.  He was making no sense, and was wanting to discuss the Bible.  After a few minutes of patiently listening to him, Jaide said, "Allright." and started walking away.  It works, normally they are so drunk they don't mind.


 The pictures, a croc, get it?  Its not a pair of crocs, its a croc.  Its lame, I know it.  The top is a Christmas card Haresh family had hanging.  Notice anything familiar?  Yup, that the picture from the cover of God's Friend.  The last is Ashtyn's first Guyanese meal.  Cook-up rice and roti.  She loved it!

Guyanese word of the day:  Maamu.  Translation:  Your uncle on your mom's side.  Now you have something to call your uncle and surprise him.

Love,
G&J

Garden of Eden

Good afternoon everyone,

How are things?  I have found it!  The Garden of Eden.  Its here in Guyana.  It doesn't quite look the same as the pictures in the publications.  I never saw a chicken farm in those pictures.  But, Garden of Eden, Guyana, has a chicken farm and some run down houses.  Tropical, yes, but Paradise, no.  There is also the village of Land of Canaan, Good Faith, Paradise and Fairfield.  At least those names I can pronounce.  The cities that have names from when Guyana was under Dutch rule, I can't pronounce.  Like, Beterverwagting and Blygezygpht.

We have had two bats come into our house.  The first time, Jaide and I were watching a movie, and I noticed
something moving.  At first I thought it was large moth that often come in the house.  But, then I saw how it was moving.  That ain't no moth, its a bat.  I told Jaide," Jaide, don't panic, but there is a bat in the house."  She got up and went into the bedroom with her head peeping out.  I armed myself with a box.  That wasn't going to work.  Next, I armed myself with 2 brooms.  One Guyanese broom (made from frawns of the coconut tree) and a normal broom.  I managed to knock him down, then sweep him out the door.  He wasn't happy with this, with beady eyes glaring at me and his hooks digging into the porch, he tried to scramble back into the house.  Like a seasoned warrior, I stared him in the face and screamed like a little girl.  Once I composed myself, I sent the bat flying with a swing of the broom.  The other bat showed up a few days later. This one was more skilled at dodging my blows.  I failed to knock him down with the broom.  He flew into the kitchen and I hear Jaide say, "No, not the bok choy!"  Yes, our little friend decided to hide behind the bok choy on the counter.  I began to move things around him and he crawled into the corner, (see photo) where I was able to trap him in a bucket and throw him outside.  This time no screams from me, just whimpers of fear.  I hope our experiences with bats are finished.

This weekend, we went to Linden.  Its a village about 3 1/2 hours from us.  There is a small, official sign
language group in Linden.  Saturday was the full sign language meeting.  There was 10 in attendance (see photo). They have the only deaf baptized Guyanese brother in the country.   It is a new group, less then one year.  It was fun to go and see a new area and meet the friends there. Linden is more hilly than where we are, and had white sand everywhere.  As with us, they need some more help.  All the friends are really new to the language and are trying.  I felt so rusty giving a sign language talk.  For the past 5 months I have been giving English talks.  When we interpret and are on Bible studies, we sign very simply because most deaf here don't know any sign.  Now, to try to sign true ASL, I felt awkward and sloppy.  We will have to learn ASL all over again when we get back.

Guyanese word of the day: duck chicken.  Translation: baby duck.  I don't know why a baby duck is a duck-chicken, but a full grown duck is a duck.  At first I thought it was like the turducken that John Madden always talks about.

Also, our friend Ashtyn from back in Sac, just arrived Wednesday.  She will be here for the next 2 months.  Yeah!!  More help.  We need help.  If interested please contact me.

Love,
G&J

Umm, rule universe will I.

Hello Everyone,

Hows it going?  Jaide and I are bracing for another loud night.  For holidays, the popular thing here in Guyana, is to set up literally a wall of speakers,  measuring 10-15 feet tall, by 10 feet wide.  Then you blast your music as loud as humanly possible and offer food and alcohol.  People flood to the streets.  A massive sea of people walking, somewhat aimlessly, from one beer stand to the next.  Liming around and sporting it up (hanging out and drinking/partying).   For some I think its a Pavlov's dog's response.  They see large speakers, hear insanely loud music and start to feel the need to walk the streets and drink.  I don't know, maybe I need to get some funding for an experiment.

In the top picture, you see Ramzan and what he learned from his study.  This is the man who we have been slowly explaining the issue of Universal Sovereignty.  Well, if you look closely at the picture he has drawn that he will support Jehovah's rule and not Satan's.  And yes, that is Satan on the your right side of the paper, not Yoda. ( UMMM, rule universe will I.) He may not understand all the details, but he gets the point.

The other picture is of our sign language class.  Or, as we refer to it 'informally teaching sign language to some friends from the hall.'  Nothing official.  Starting from the left and going right, we have Roxy and Mary.  Now they are supposed to be doing the sign for Satan.  Where the learned the sign they are doing beats me.  Both at the same time, like they had been practicing, made horns with both hands.  The class has been really fun.  A good reason to get together, laugh and eat some good food.  The best things in life!

The Guyanese word of the day:  sleeping officer.  Translation: speed bump.  The first time I heard a brother use that expression I was looking around for a police officer asleep.  The brother noticed me looking around and asked, "isn't that what you call them at home?"  I responded, "yes, or sleeping police."  Another brother then explained what it means.  They all got a good laugh.

Love,
G&J

You only eat sandwich's!

Hello everyone,

How are things?  Jaide and I are doing good.  Last Sunday, we had our full sign language meeting.  There was 55 in attendance, 25 deaf.  We only managed to get 3 deaf from our side of the river to go.  As usual, we hired a private bus to take us.  This time we hired Rafeek, aka tall boy ( He is the Muslim man who knows 5 deaf that he is supposed to help us meet).  After we picked up everyone that were going, there was still empty seats.  Rafeek looks at me, shakes his head ands says, "Graems, next time tell me what this is for and I will fill this bus with deaf and blind!"  I appreciate his zeal.  Man, can he talk.  Oh, my favorite moment was when he told us, "white people don't cook, all you eat are sandwiches."  We explained that we like to cook, in fact we even cook Guyanese food.  That was the funniest concept in the world to him, he just kept laughing at us cooking curry and roti.  He said he was going to come by our house and teach us how to cook Guyanese.

How do you explain the issue of Universal Sovereignty to some one with a very limited sign language vocabulary?  That was the the dilemma we faced on Ramzan's study this week.  The hardest part was explaining what a challenge is.  To illustrate what a challenge is I drew a picture of a woman cooking, and a boy.  I explained that the woman is a very good cook, but the small boy comes up and tells the woman she is a bad cook and that he is a excellent cook.  What does the woman do?  Slap the kid?  No, she says, "okay, you go ahead and cook some food and I will cook some food, give it to people and see what they say.  Then, we will know who is a good cook."  Both cook, once finished they give their food to people. The woman's food everyone loves.  The boys is disgusting, it makes people sick.  Proof, the woman was right.  After, drawing and explaining that, I drew the same picture but with Jehovah and Satan.  Not cooking, but ruling the world.  Then I showed a picture of what Satan world looks like.  Followed by a picture of what the earth will look like under Jehovah's Kingdom.  I think he is starting to understand.  Next week we will work on it some more.

The cutest thing is trying to watch Mukesh do the sign for Jehovah.  You see,  he can't make the handshape to sign a J.  To sign the letter J, you make a fist, and leave your pinky sticking up, than draw a shape of the letter J.  Mukesh has to take his other hand and hold down all his fingers except his pinky finger, than draw the J.  The H he has no problem with.

Guyanese word of the day:  Plait.  You don't braid your hair, you plait your hair.

Love,
G&J