What an Opportunity.

March 22, 2014

 

We had the great pleasure of attending a Baptism in the Ocean.  Elder Moore was one of the witnesses for the baptism.  This was a very special and spiritual occasion.  Even though the baptism was at a public beach there were not many people there and those that did come by respected the dignity of the baptismal service.  The entire service was conducted there on the beach, singing hymns, praying and giving talks even a chance for a few testimonies to be shared.

 

The group who went to the baptism.

 

 

 

Elder Shariatmadari, Elder Hale, Junior Sagon, Elder Moore.

 

And to think the just 5 feet away the water was only just over our ankles.  This was the perfect area with the perfect pool and the water was just the right depth.

 

This is definitely one of the highlights of being on a Mission here in the West Indies and living on Barbados.

 

 



 

 

On to Suriname. March 2014

When we left Guyana we flew to Suriname.  Here we worked with Elder and Sister Cullimore on preparation for a Wheelchair project.  The Church donates wheelchairs through LDS Charities to a local organization and teaches people in the organization on how to make sure the wheelchair is the right one for the individual.  Elder and Sister Cullimore are the same specialist who work on the Food Production Projects.

 

When not meeting with our partner organization we had time to tour.

 

The Jules Wigden Bosch Bridge over the Suriname River.

 

Sister and Elder Moore on the walking bridge in Fort New Amsterdam.

 

Canons and a mortar at Fort New Amsterdam.

 

One of the many buildings in the Fort.

 

 

 

 

Sister Moore in front of the carriage and wagon display.

 

Powder storage building.

 

Elder Moore by an interesting shaped tree.

 

Elder and Sister Cullimore, Elder and Sister Moore.

There were a lot of these wire type sculptures on the grounds of the Fort.

 

Sister Vanderbeek, Elder Vanderbeek, Elder Moore, Sister Moore, Sister Cullimore, Elder Cullimore.

Getting some refreshment after touring Fort Nieuw Amsterdam.

 

Enough making like a tourist, now down to business the reason we went to Suriname.

 

Mrs. Pinas

She is in charge at our partner organization for the distribution of wheelchairs.

 

Sister Cullimore, Sister Moore, Mrs. Pinas.

Elder Cullimore, President Havercamp, Elder Moore.

 

 

Here we are with President Havercamp our interpreter.  President Havercamp is a local leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

This is where we went to church on Sunday.

Can you imagine not understanding what was said, the talks and the singing were all in Dutch.  This is a very unique experience.  You have to listen to the spirit and pay attention to your feelings to get anything from the meeting.

 

This is the sign over a business in Paramaribo.  Makes you wonder what they sell.

 

Buildings in Paramaribo.

 

 

 Only in Suriname can you find an Islamic Temple and a Jewish Synagogue side by side.

 

 Islamic Temple

Jewish Synagogue

 

 

 

Missionary transportation.

 

 

 

Up the Creek Without a Paddle!

March 2014

After a few days of diving around Guyana it was time to let someone else drive, or at least steer.

 

 

The blue boat being loaded was our transportation to the Santa Mission, an Amerindian Village.  This is at the dock on the Demerara River.  We crossed this river and went up a small tributary, Kamuni Creek.  Santa Mission is about 20 miles up this creek.

 

 

Sister Moore getting helped into the boat.

 



This was our guide, David.  The water is chocolate brown and the farther we went up stream the darker it became.  The color is not sediment it is from the vegetation (leaves) that fall in the water and decay.  The locals call it Black Water and consider it very healthy to bath in.

 

See how peaceful the water is.

One of the places we passed.

Does she look like the missionary on the "African Queen"?

One of the few birds that stayed still long enough to take a picture.  We saw many more but did not get good pictures.

The sign at the Santa Mission.

 

Boat dock at the Santa Mission.  Here under the roof we ate the lunch that our guide picked up as we were on our way to the boat.  Remember them loading the boat?  That was our lunch, chicken, beans, and rice with juice, water or soda to drink.

 

Here is where the local residents have community meetings.

 

This building is where the residents sell their arts and crafts.

 

Yes, we did buy some of their crafts, a cane, a basket, jewelry, etc.

 

Carving at the Santa Mission.

 

One of the houses at the Santa Mission.

 

Pineapple?  No, it's not Hawaii!!!!

 

This little fellow came to look at us.

Off the beaten path and out in the jungle on our nature hike.  If the guide had left we would still be there, we were so lost!!!!  And yes that is the cane I bought at the craft store.  It's made from purple heart wood.

 

 

King fisher.

 

 

The water on the Demerara river was much rougher when we came back than it was when we left.  The boat rocked from side to side.

 

 

One note of interest.  As we were coming back from our visit I looked back at our steersman, he had one hand on the tiller and was using the other hand to bail water out of the boat with a can.  After we got back and were safely on the dock I told Sister Moore.  She said she was glad she didn't know about it as we were going in to the village.  She said she didn't want to walk back 20 mile through the jungle.

This was one great adventure.



A bit of deja vu....Back to Guyana for Humanitarian Projects.

Here we go again back to Guyana to check on Humanitarian Projects and to work on starting a new Humanitarian Project.

 

The people we worked with.  In the restaurant at the Cara Lodge.

Sister Moore, Sister Cullimore, Elder Cullimore (they are Short Term Specialists with the Chicken Projects), Elder Moore, Elder Jensen (He is a Short Term Specialist with the Neonatal Resuscitation Project).  We looked at Chicken Projects with Elder and Sister Cullimore and met with hospital CEO's with Elder Jensen.

 

People we met with from the local Humanitarian Committee in Guyana.

Front row:  Sister Cullimore, Sister Surujbhan, Sister Carter, Sister Moore.

Back row:  Elder Cullimore, Roger Ramnarain, Elder Surujbhan, Elder Carter, President Taylor, Elder Moore.

 

A member of the Church who was a recipient of a chicken coop and chickens (Family Food Production Project).  She has a new baby and her husband recently passed away.  Her chicken coop is in the background.

 

Several people live in this house.  They are the recipients of a chicken coop and chickens.  We had to cross the "bridge" to get to the chicken coop.

 

Walking the planks!!!!!

 

Nice sidewalk.  Well, it would have been nice if the boards had been nailed down.

 

Are we really on a bridge?

 

What you mean I can't buy a chicken on Sunday!!!!

 

This house really was occupied.

 

Agricultural class room at local school.

 

Ag students at work while Sister Moore supervises.  She's at it again.  She used to substitute teach at North Gem High School and worked with the Ag students a lot.

 

This is what the rest of the school rooms are like.  If you have an individual desk don't complain.

 

This is the van we traveled in.  Elder Moore was the driver.  YIKES!!!!!

 

Nice road?  We really did take the 2 wheel drive van on this road.

The Cara Lodge in Georgetown, Guyana our "Home Sweet Home" for 1 1/2 weeks.

Sister Moore relaxing at the Cara Lodge after walking all over looking at chickens.

Elder Moore is totally beat after driving all over Guyana, at least it seems like all over.

Baptismal font at one of the Chapels in Guyana.

This little fella got on Elder Moore's arm.  Then Sister Moore said, "Let me have him."

Lilies in canal by the Georgetown Chapel.

The Stabroek market in Georgetown.

 

Horse and wagon all decked out for a wedding.