Guyana-Portland Reunion

For some time, Dania and I had been inviting our friend Josh, who served with us in Guyana (read his Guyana blog here), to come and visit Portland...and he finally did! We had a blast catching up with him after two years. We showed him around Portland, took a day trip to Seattle and arranged to have a Guyana Reunion dinner with some of our other friends who have also served in Guyana. So here are some photos of the weeks activities, and some familiar faces, I hope you enjoy them!

Portland Arrival: Picked up Josh and his brother and hung out and had dinner with Mike and Lara (read their Guyana blog here). 

Seattle Day Trip: The following day we took a short road trip up to Seattle Washington. It was such beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest! 

We walked around the city, saw some tourist attractions such a Pike's Market and the pier...

...the Space Needle, Experience Music Project

...Fremont Troll, and of course, the Gum Wall :-) 

Our Portland activities consisted of a lot of sights, so I will share the highlights. First off, we took them 'round the city, which I always love to show off to people who visit. It's such a great city! Dania showed off her musical side with singing with Def Jazz at Family Band Night. And because it was ridiculously hot that week, we went out on boat with a few of our friends on the Columbia River. 

Oh, and we were easily entertained in a photo booth.

photo booth madness

...

And finally, Guyana reunion time!

We were all super excited and happy to see each other, but no one was as excited or happy to see each other than Joshua and Michael...

L-R: Dania, me, Michael, Josh, Lara's mom, Lara, Faith and Abi

There were a lot of pictures, videos, memories and experiences shared, for example Josh telling us about how he and and Tom got lost in the middle of no where Guyana while they were in the ministry only to find their way back by accidentally stumbling onto a cricket field while there was a match in progress. 

I, of course, shared the story of Dania on the edge a panic attack (...some where in the background I heard Dania saying "Oooo, noooo!") before boarding the government boat to Orealla. I love that story. (sorry Dania).

Faith and Abi had some really cool photos and unique experiences since they served in the ASL while they were there. All in all it was a great evening!

Michael and Lara go back to Guyana at the end of the month, Faith is in the middle of getting sorted to go very soon and Josh is planning his third trip back for December. Dania and I still have the desire to go back some day soon!   

Guyana still needs lots of help so if you are looking to expand your ministry to serve where there is a GREAT need, consider Guyana! It's a beautiful country with lots warm and friendly people.

I hope you've enjoyed reading!

mic check, mic check 1, 2, 3...is this thing on?

It sure has been a while since I updated my blog, but at last I have something worth sharing. I hope you enjoy the following photos and brief descriptions of the activities of the summer!

To start things off, you may remember Dania was one of my roommates for my last 3 months in Guyana. Well in April, she drove 2,000 miles across the country from Pennsylvania to Oregon to live here!

We have two other roommates and it’s very encouraging to live in a house where we are all striving to serve Jehovah to our fullest. One of our roommates, a regular pioneer, had the privilege of attending the international convention in Ireland and the other (started regular pioneering in September!) went to work unassigned territory with her congregation last month.

Most recently, a group from my congregation (15 of us!) went to Burley Idaho to help the local congregation with their seldom worked territory. This was a completely new experience for me because 1) I had never been to Idaho 2) the territory was very rural and 3) the major religion in that area is Mormon. We were there for a week and by the end of the trip I had so much fun and the congregation was so warm and kind that I didn’t want to leave!

The drive from Oregon to Idaho is 10 hours, but because we left late Friday evening, we stopped for the night in Baker City Oregon and the next day got to a little sightseeing. 

The house we stayed at:

After the public talk and Watchtower study on Sunday we relaxed with 

food & music before the start of the exciting week ahead.

 Monday: First day of field service in Burley Idaho!

Figuring out the territory and dividing it was a long process, but 

eventually it got all worked out.

 Dania and I took the first door. I was a bit nervous but the householder was 

very nice and I got to read her a scripture!

On Tuesday night, a few from our group were able to give parts on the 

Theocratic Ministry School and Service meeting:

And as a treat we all went out after for frozen yogurt! ...which was delicious.
(New York cheese cake frozen yogurt with coconut sprinkles and cheese cake chunks!)

More beautiful scenary the next day in field service:

We preached to anyone who would listen:

(I don't think he was interested...)

A very friendly cow indeed!

Territory in Elba:

Sightseeing after field service at the City of Rocks:

Thursday was our last day of field service and we were invited over for dinner by some in the Spanish congregation:

Dania put on a show for them and she rocked it acoustic style!

By the end of the week, we were all tired but we had such a wonderful time that we could have easily stayed another week. 

Other fun events of the summer:
Road trip to Vancouver British Columbia.:

 Seattle Washington day trip:

 Dania's Portland musical debut in “D# & the Wedding Bandits" 

for a dear couple's 20th wedding anniversary:

Gearheart, Oregon Bonfire:

Flicks on the Bricks in our backyard: 

1979 The Muppets Movie

Elder appreciation garden dinner, also in our backyard:

Until the next adventure!