The Northwest

Hi Everyone!

Two weeks ago I spent 6 days in places where most people in the world never have the opportunity to go. And I was blown away. There are too many words that are still not enough and even the pictures don't do justice to the journey.I wanted to post more photos but it takes eons to upload them so these will have to do for now...

Pastor Orpha (PO) planned the trip to visit communities her church is helping and new ones who need help building a church. PO and I connected quite comfortably. She reminded me of Gadgette from Rescue Rangers: spunky and sweet but when it comes to business (preaching), she's a tough cookie.

We left Charity 8 hours later than planned due to a no-show boat driver, a motor in disrepair and at last, no gasoline. Once on our way up the Pameroon River to the Atlantic we turned back briefly to try to recover Sister Helen's kerchief but it sank.

Night fell by 6:30 and we only got as far as Barsina by 10pm, shivering in the wind as Roly took turns at full throttle. He's pretty much my hero for not getting us lost. From broad stretches through low branches, hanging vines and fallen trees in narrow passages, the waters are Roly's race track (or obstacle course). And he knows the Northwest like the back of his hand. Even in the dark, he'd only put up a flashlight every once in a while to make sure we weren't headed for disaster. He said he can tell when we're coming up to a turn because the branches are lower. We only had a coulple of close calls when coconut husks got caught in the motor. I think I could navigate those rivers for a thousand years and still have no clue where I am.
At night, in the boat we'd bundle up for the wind chill factor. On the shore, it was because of the sand fly factor. Sweating while cooking dinner in 2 pairs of socks, 2 pants and longsleeves was better than losing my mind from the ever-repetitive bites and I-can't-believe-how-itchy-I-am dances.
PO said we traveled about 1400km all together . Sometimes we would see people in canoes disappear behind huge jungle leaves and ferns and there's no way you can tell there's a creek in that spot except that someone just disappeared in it. And people live there! I couldn't get enough pictures of beautiful people, and I didn't. They were joyful, hospitable, timid and generous. This particular gathering in Hooboo Creek worshipped and prayed without shame.

Most people need basics like a water tank to collect rain so they don't have to use creek water for cooking and bathing and going to the bathroom in.
Sturdier housing is also necessary. All homes are on stilts because of the tide and some places looked pretty hazardous for children, but they've been living this way since they were born of course. Most people seem to have access to fruits and vegetables if they have a place to grow them -but the majority can't afford a motor boat to get far enough to a place where they can sell them. There's some minor trading that happens with a cabbage factory at a particular junction (ie. 1 bag rice for some wild cabbage). Young boys catch parrots to sell as pets.We visited this pastor and his family in Venezuela and I got to translate for us at the “border.” -Which was a dock with a small house and a Guyanese border guard and a few metres away, another dock and border guards for Venezuela. Their uniforms were shorts and in some cases also a t-shirt. PO said the people want their communtities to develop – to have schools (some have none) and closer medical help. And church leaders are eager for teaching because their only resource (besides the Holy Spirit), are people who travel in to teach them. There was opportunity in every place to speak and pray.
And then, when I thought I couldn't be more amazed, we went “not far” to Almond Beach, a village on the northern coast, lined with coconut palms, where tiny crushed shells made for sand and the wind in the palms mimicked the sound of a gentle rainfall.

This was my introduction at the service that night, “We are happy to have Sister Shirley with us tonight -”
“It's Emese.”
“We are very thankful to have our sister here with us for the first time. Her name is --very difficult to say --but she has come from far away so she must have something important to tell us...”

Mr. France, the community leader/elder for Almond Beach told me to come back any time. He'll even build me a house if I want to move there and I'm pretty sure he meant it.

And Pastor Orpha said when ever I want to bring out a team, she'd be more than happy to take us. So let me know if you're up for it.

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea. Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:9-10

Thanks for your love and prayers.
eM