Been Away To Long.

Seems like not so long ago that we posted the "House for Sale" sign in our front yard and began our first steps toward serving in another country.  Now, here it is almost two years later and we're getting around Guyana like natives, (with the exception of the local accent and word usage).  Anymore, (speaking for myself)  when I ride around town I find myself waving to countless people I know, the local snackettes and restaurants know my eating habits and begin getting my order ready as they see me coming.  I'm known by many who I myself do not know.  However, even with all this familiarity I still feel like we've been away to long and think often of what was, not so long ago. 

With Jehovah's support, Crystal and I have managed well and have settled into a comfortable, yet busy lifestyle. 

Pictures of our house and yard. 

 Together we're preaching long days, getting plenty of exercise and meeting good people all along the way.  Yet, not a day goes by that I don't see in my mind the face of some family member or hear the voice of a good friend whose company and conversation I miss.   I think a lot of the evenings I would go trail riding or when it was just me and my dog watching TV on the couch and eating way to much pizza, more me then him. 

My father and daughter.

 

Good friends...Jason & Danya

 

Mr. Gus, waiting on the pizza.

Serving in another country is amazing, but sometimes you feel like you have been away for so long.

I think it's important for any who are considering this avenue of service to GOD that they understand the unending list of things that you will forgo and at times painfully wish for again.  And what can also be difficult when trying to adjust to a new culture and lifestyle is accepting the fact the majority of the local congregation will not understand how much you've sacrificed, (although Jehovah is fully aware).   They see you as another one of the many who will come and eventually leave, so they might tend to be more reserved at getting close to you or embracing you as a "real" member of the congregation.  Now, let me be clear.  I'm not saying any of this to dissuade someone from taking a leap of faith and putting your complete trust in Jehovah because let me tell you the rewards of such courage is unceasing.

For instance, Crystal and I have drawn closer than we have ever been in our 19 years of marriage and we can't wait to see what's around the next corner in our sacred service. 

 

 

I can not begin to imagine what our lives would have been like had we stayed status quo, although I'm certain we would have been happy.  However our desire to do more has compelled us toward something many will never experience.  We have come to realize that so much of what we had we truly did not need, it was an anchor holding us in place.  We feel more prepared for the challenges that will come as we drift ever closer to the end of this system of things, especially when it might require walking away from our worldly possessions.  And of course the incredible privilege of helping deaf persons to learn bible truths in a language they can grasp and understand. Here a but a few....



This is Emil.  He is deaf and 71 yrs. old yet he rides his bike to the meetings, he lives near 15 miles away.

This is our beautiful Marianne. She will soon be going over the questions for baptism, she is 16 yrs. old and all her family are Hindus.

Me with Cordell.  He hopes to get married in December and build a house for his family.

Sorojini, Rosie & Crystal.  They are both deaf and recently baptized.

 

 So, at this moment this is where we are and if in the future we must move on and begin a new chapter in our theocratic history book, so be it.  And no doubt as time goes by in that new place I will inevitably start yearning for the days when we served in Guyana and feel once again that I have been away too long. 

We miss EVERYBODY!  Stay safe.
Scott & Crystal