Trenches of Guyana

In order to get to many houses, you have to cross these planks or bridges as they call them here. We were doing a little exploring and saw these kids who wanted a picture with us. So we all made our way onto the plank for the perfect picture. That trench below is where the little caiman alligators and who know what else live. We never did touch the water, but my friend, Sister Bullock fell in once at night. Creepy.

A glimps of nature

We often interact with nature out here in Guyana. We compete with roaches, ants and tiny frogs on a daily basis. But the creatures I love to watch are the birds. We have two kinds that really draw our attention. The first is this bird that jumps. Every morning we look out our bedroom window and watch this bird hop off the wall or branch of a bush about 3 feet in the air and down again. He will do this repeatedly. We call him the jumper. But there is this other bird that we love to watch. This colorful character is called a kisadee. This kisadee is sitting on the wall, watching for grasshoppers in the field below. He enjoyed a wonderful breakfast.

Shampooing in the Rain

I was taking a shower one morning and as it happens often, the power went off. Now, I don't really understand why the water goes off when the power goes off, but it does. So there I am with a head full of shampoo and no water. I wrap myself in a towel and head downstairs to see if Scot has any bright ideas and he does. He reminds me that it IS raining. Surely there must be a pipe that catches the water on the roof and drains in the yard somewhere. And sure enough, right outside my kitchen door I see the pipe above. So towel and all, I finish my shower, under the drain pipe and in the rain. What a refreshing shower it was. Only in Guyana.

There's a New toy in town

We figured that there really wasn't a lot of things for the elders to do here. I remembered Nathan played ping pong on his mission. So we purchased some ping pong balls and paddles, taped up a paper net on our dinning room table and let them have at it. They were thrilled. Let the games begin!!! The chocolate chip cookies at the end completed the activity. We'll have to restrict this activity to preparation day, but it is nice to have laughing young men with a little competetive edge in our home again. We sort of miss all our hockey-boy live ins. We are responsible for 8 of these fine young men in our District. If they have any medical needs, need supplies, need help with interviews, or need an occasional meal, we are the parents away from home.

Power of the Priesthood

We visited the little branch of Parika yesterday. After everyone had left, I had just finished picking up and arranging chairs after a YW lesson. On my way out, I caught sight of this sweet moment. A new member, David, who was baptised the day before, and given the Holy Ghost in sacrament meeting just hours earlier, was quietly being ordained to the priesthood. His wife and daughter were present along with a 17 year old who had been a member 1 week. He was next to be ordained. It was a sweet, quiet moment. Just a little family, 2 elders, 2 priesthood visitors, the branch president and the only other active priesthood member. I was thrilled to be a fly on the wall this day to see the kingdom strengthened with Christ's priesthood authority.

A visit to the Parika primary

Yesterday, we went to a small branch about 40 minutes away. The branch usually has more people, but this particular day, this was the wonderful size of the primary. The primary president was scurring to prepare a lesson and cover for a teacher, so I got to teach these children some primary songs. They didn't know hindges, a happy family and teach me to walk in the light. We had a great time together. I just happened to have some chocolate chip cookies with me and there was pleanty to share. This was such a great group of kids. I have 7 new great younger friends there. Each time I go to visit that branch, I get to teach a few more primary songs. Guess I'd better get learning. They are hungry to learn and sing.

Caiman's make good pets

Here we are with Elder Leishman and a few boys in the neighborhood who caught this caiman in the trench that lines the streets. The boys said that it is their pet, but I know that people eat them. Our friend sister Bullock, who is taking us on visits in her area, has had occasion to fall into one of these trenches. Who knows what else learks in these trenches. This is the first one we have seen, but something tells me it won't be the last.

Caiman for dinner???

While we were walking to our car in Canji, some boys noticed us and invited us over to see the Caiman they had caught. They have him by a rope by the tail. They just pull him out of the trench when they want to play and let him live in the trench during the night and when they are at school. This Caiman was about 4 feet long. That is a missionary tag along side his mouth. Isn't he cute? Other missionaries have been known to cook and eat Caiman.

Kids in the neighborhoods in Canji

When we were strolling down the streets in Conji earlier this week, we stopped to visit with some of the neighborhood children. They were all smiles and totally delightful. As we walked through their streets, I was struck as to how little they had. But they seemed so happy. Most of the homes didn't have real runnng water, or electricity, and in this particular area, homes were made of wood slats and very small. Happiness is an attitude. I guess that is why the elders love teaching the gospel here in Guyana. Theses humble people are hungry for the gospel.

The latest Gumboot Fashion

Now it isn't all sister missionaries that have the opportunity to wear these fashionable gumboots, but here we are. These three friends, Sister Hymas from BC, Sister Leishman from St. George, and Sister Bullock from Oregon have been reunited in the wonderland of Canji, Guyana for a day. We were told that if we click our magic gumboots together and say we want to go home, it will happen (one day). But for now, we are more interested in showing off our stylish boots, our lilly white knees and sharing the day together. What a lovely combination. I'm quiet sure that these special addition boots are only sold here in Guyana. Perhaps we can take special orders.

Mundy's Angels

Here we have the three amigas, Thelma, Louise and their side kick. Elder Mundy prayed all three of us here to Guyana. He thought we would be his dream team, but because we are separated two hours apart geographically in a triangle, we will have to be Mundy's angels.

Here is another family who travels to church together. Everyone knows their spots and travel in the most economical way they can think of. How daring. What some people will do to keep their covenants and bring up their little family with the life changing principles of this gospel. WOW!

Priesthood bretheren bike to their meetings

This is one of my favorite all time pictures. Here are two members of a branch biking to their leadership training meeting. They biked about 10 miles each way to get to their meetings. Most of the members here don't have cars. It makes me pause to wonder if I would be as dedicated to do the same. Where there is sacrifice, there is growth and power. Love to see those ties flapping in the wind.

We have a neighbor named Layla. She is so sweet. We were driving by her home and saw here out watering her plants. So we stopped to introduce ourselves. She knew who we were and took us to her back yard, where she cut open a couple of coconuts, gave us the coconut water and jelly and introduced us to her parrots. They were beautiful. She then introduced us to her two grandsons ages 6 and 8. How nice to have neighbors who are willing to share themselves. She even invited us to dinner on the spot, but we had to decline. We have been told not to eat at anyone's home for health reasons. So I guess I might have to learn how to cook after all.

A few sights of Guyana

There are about as many dogs as there are people in Guyana it seems. We live outside Georgetown. This was a little bit of an unusual sight. Every where there is building going on, there are these piles of white sand, which aid in the making of cement used to build houses. Her we have one lazy dog sitting as king of the hill. He was so relaxed, off the road and didn't seem to bother anyone. That is kind of how it is here in Guyana.