The Circuit Assembly

You probably noticed some pics from the Circuit Assembly here in Guyana.  I just wanted to say a little bit about the experience of attending an assembly in a third world country.

There were around 1500 people in attendance and it was all bleachers seating.  So we had no backs to our seats and within about 20 minutes we couldn’t feel our backsides anymore!!! :)  Especially after holding the kids who naturally, would pass out on our laps at some point during the day.  I never realized just how luxurious our seating is at our assembly hall back home! The second day a loving sister lent me a foam pad so I could have some cushion while  Rayah slept all morning.  I was so thankful and never so glad to have a cushion in my life!!!!  :) Also, it was outside so we were exposed to the sun at times but umbrellas took care of that pretty well.  There was a constant breeze so it wasn’t stifling hot, as it can be here. 

It may sound strange but even the stadium seating in some ways added to the experience of attending an assembly in Guyana.  Everything was different, some things were slight, some things much more noticeable.  For instance, there was no mother’s room and there was one bathroom for each gender.  It wasn’t the best conditions for a bathroom so it rarely had a line! Pretty much everyone I talked with was trying not to consume too many liquids so they wouldn’t need to use the facilities! The other very noticeable thing was how no one walked around during the sessions.  Everyone remained in their seats not wanting to miss any of the information.  When Rayah did go into a full blown meltdown there was one other sister with her baby and I who were the only people I could see walking around. 

The other really noticeable thing was all the Missionaries and Special Pioneers we got to meet personally.  I had never met missionaries before.  They were of course, very loving, humble and  fascinating people to get to talk with.  One couple that we met (who were in our pics  also) was Tom and Michelle Sanchez.  They had been missionaries who graduated I think in class of 99 (maybe, I can’t remember the exact year but that is close I’m sure) anyway they had served in Dominican Republic and then in Guyana when Tom became very very ill.  So they came off the missionary status until he was able to find a successful treatment.  That was 6 years ago and now they are still serving in Guyana as “self supported missionaries” which means they still put in the hours of (if I remember correctly 130 hours per month) however, they are responsible to financially sustain themselves, at this point.  It was remarkable to spend time with them.  Between the two of them they conduct 43 bible Studies PER WEEK!!!!  I could not believe it when they told us.  Clearly Jehovah is using them and they are helping so many different people!  They were truly delightful and we felt privileged to meet and spend time with them!  We are hoping to be able to visit them and Michelle’s brother and sister in law, Mike and Lara Alston(who we have a link to their AWESOME blog – you should check it out!) in the Brighton Congregation.  It’s quite a drive from here, at least 3 hours from what we have heard from taxi drivers.  Hopefully we will be able to fit it in before we leave.

So those were some of our observations from the assembly.  Thank you to all of you who have emailed us or posted comments.  It has been very encouraging to us and helps us feel a little closer to you despite being so far away.  We do miss home but are excited about the rest of our trip! 

We’ll keep you posted! 

Warm, Christian Love, 

Brandon, Angelique, Jace, Kaden and Rayah

we meant to add this in the post with pics but it got overlooked...we think the picture says it all!!!