Six Months in Guyana!

Dear Friends and Family,

I have been in Georgetown for six months now and I figured it was a good time to do a recap.

September

(Picture - Us in the New York Airport... our Last photo in the US... we look terrible!!! )

September was a crazy month for me. I left my friends and family back home to a place where I was unsure of everything. I was embracing on a new beginning. I began my journey by meeting plenty of people who are now a very active part of my life, and also by meeting the mosquitoes who have also never left me. I reminded myself as I left the states that I was not alone, God has always been in Guyana I am just going to do His work there, and it was nothing new to Him.

I began my job as a care for the elderly teacher. I was amazed at the low levels of my students. They really fit the definition of the uneducated. I found students who would make me laugh and cry. Some students gave me so much hope by their attempt to become a better person.

I also began my one day a week job as an HIV counselor at Saint Joesph Mercy Hospital where I would learn to love the marginalized of the world.

I learned how to navigate the market and take the mini buses.

I also learned that Audrey Sarah and I would laugh and laugh a lot. We went out for the first time to a place called Jerrie's and began our adventure of our social life here.

(Picture - The Sisters of Mercy in Guyana + two Candidates)

(Picture - Our first spirituality night... Creating a prayer wall of our friends and family back home)


October

One of my students has a small child and one of my best memories from October was holding the child and walking around with the student. The small things in life can sometimes be big things.

I learned that I can wear jeans at 90 degrees and that I love life in the big city.

I took a trip out with the girls to a local festival called "Guy-expo" where we had our first experience with El Dorado rum! It was a great day.

I learned that church festivals here are full of games, good food, and LOUD music.
(picture - Me and one of the Orphanage boys)

I was reminded by a friend back home that friendships can still grow despite the distance. He shared with me his experience of counseling back home and I was able to relate with my experience here when he said: "I have been given the opportunity to love deeply and that love is life to me. I think we are united in that reality".
He was completely correct in saying that. We are all united when we love.

November

I spent a couple of Fridays with two of the older sisters, Sister Celine Marie, and Sister Noel. We would go to church together and then over to their house for dinner. They gave me an interesting perspective on Guyana and how it has changed over the years. They gave me strength and grandmotherly attention when I needed it the most, they are a great part of my life here.

I met my British friend Anna who has played such a great part in my life. She and I have great conversations and she can always put insight into my life. I am glad we have developed a great friendship.

I learned that my students not only respect me but that they also have a great protection for me. I learned that all the work I had put in during the previous months had paid off by their shown respect. I have learned to get respect you must first give respect.

I had a five minute conversation with my Uncle Warren and he reminded me that I was and am always fighting for something - whether it was back home or here... this helped me to realize that its okay - I still am the same person even on a different continent.

Diwali or the Hindu celebration of lights happened. It was a great and wonderful parade full of hundreds to thousands of what we would call Christmas lights.

(Learning how to make Pine Tarts from our Friend and Sisters of Mercy Candidate Joanna)

(Sarah and I at the beach)

December

We had our first retreat at Splashman's resort. I wish that I could say it was a great time but I spent most of it sick in bed.

I went to a carol concert at the Cathedral which helped me to remember the Christmas spirit even without all of the snow!

I learned that Mass at 5 in the morning can be difficult, but when its a Novena you just push through. I made it every day for nine days and one of the sisters even bought us chocolate at the end!!

I learned that Georgetown is CHAOS around Christmas time and that if you want to go shopping you better bring a shield with you to make it through the crowd.

(At the Christmas fair by the Orphanage... Me and two of the beautiful boys...!!)

I learned Christmas is not about the presents or the commercialism. Rather it is about loving - I learned to love three little boys who have now forever changed my life. They are sweet and beautiful boys who I could never forget. I also ate rice on Christmas day.

(Ms. Yvonne Nelson and myself at the Mercy Wings Staff Party - She teaches Catering)

(Me face painting at a children Christmas party!! My specialty was butterflies, hearts and stars!! HA!)

January

Lisa came to make her sight visit which was a good break from the normal routine in life. My schedule changed so I was working two days at Saint Joesph Mercy Hospital as an HIV counselor and three days at the school as a teacher. I love both of my jobs and find my joy in them. I have learned to love people from all backgrounds and this is something I am unbelievably thankful for.

I had a great celebration into the New Year with friends! It made me look forward to the upcoming year and that it would have to offer. I even got to see some fireworks, which may or may not have made me jump! :)

I learned that my family from back home is a rock in which I lean on. They sent me so many wonderful and generous Christmas cards that I could never forget the love that I felt when I recieved them. (And they are always welcome to send more!!)

I celebrated the Feast of St. John Bosco with all the boys at the Orphanage. We shared ice cream and laughed all night. I learned how much I had grown to love the boys in the few months I have been here. They bring a smile to my face each time I see them. I don't think I could ever leave the Orphanage without some positive experience each time I go there.

(Some US short term volunteers came to Guyana and we entertained them... We were playing dominos, something we do often here!!)

February

Mercy Wings had their 11th Anniversary and I was able to take part in the Church service and lunch afterward. It was a good day and Father Edwin the priest who gave a talk helped me to remember to look at the light even among darkness. He told us all that their is always hope and we can never give up on that.

(My girls in the Computer room!)

I took stickers to the boys for Valentines day and I learned that there is nothing better than have 20 little boys for a Valentine.

Masharmani, Republic Day, was a great celebration had by all. (Equivalent to our Fourth of July) We watched a parade, we danced a little and we stayed out late enjoying the celebration of the nation! I even went to the Mash celebration during the weekend in one of the outer districts (Berbeice). It was a much smaller celebration but fun was still had by all. I learned that the Guyanese really do know how to celebrate well!!


Blessings of Life in Guyana

1) Community... I have learned to rely on two other very wonderful and beautiful women. I will always cherish their friendship and I look forward to the rest of our time together.

(Me, Audrey, and Sarah)

2) Warmth of the Guyanese Sisters.... I will always be thankful for the Sisters of Mercy in Guyana. I have learned to find love in them in hundreds of different ways

3) Simplicity... Life here can be much more simple than my life in the states in some aspects. I don't have to worry about the pressure of my future. Here I get to focus on my every day life and live life each day - Let tomorrow hold its own worries.

4) Warmth of Guyanese People... At first I never thought I would fit in here, however I have found many people here who treat me as if I was also part of their family. I have a great community of friends who help me when I feel homesick. I feel very supported and feel like I always would have someone to turn to in a time of need.

5) Self Growth... They say that there are many points in a persons life in which they question everything that they once believed. Guyana has helped me to change my view of the world and question my current beliefs of the world. Its good to be streched and challenged because that is the only way we grow.

6) The food... Guyana has some of the best fresh fruits in the world. I will never enjoy a pineapple as much back home as I do here. Also I can get 10 mangos for $5 US!!! Fruit is plentiful, wonderful and cheap. Even other than the fruit I have learned to love many Guyanese foods such as Chicken Curry, Cook-up, and Puri!!

7) Spiritual Growth... Coming into a city where everything is always moving I have had to learn to find God among the noise and chaos. I have had to learn to let my everyday actions become a prayer because sometimes its hard to find time to stop and sit down for prayer. I have learned that no matter how difficult life is turning away from prayer only hurts you more than helps you. Coming to Guyana reminds me of the story about Mother Teresa. One day there were twice as many people in line at the soup kitchen she was working at and one of the sisters insisted that they cut out the hour of prayer and continue to work, Mother Teresa then instituted an extra hour of prayer that afternoon, Not only did they get all of the work done after prayer but they also had time left over. Sometimes we think we know what we need to do in order to finish everything. However, I wish that we would see if we give the time to God he will be faithful to us and make sure things follow through. The majority of the time with prayer one of the greatest problems is just showing up. I've learned no matter where you are in the world showing up for prayer is the most important part of the day.

8) Sea Wall... I enjoy spending time walking and sitting on the sea wall. The ocean may be brown but there is always something calming about a large body of water.



Well I feel this has been an adequate covering of the basics of my last six months. I wish that I could completely capture what I have experienced here but that would take me a couple more hours. To end I would just like to say the most important thing I have learned since being in Guyana and that is that life can be difficult and hard but you are the one who decides what you will do with the difficulty. No one was ever promised or granted a simple or easy life. However you can still enjoy life amid all the turmoil. If life rains on you learn to dance in the rain. I hear the music of life here and rather than being a wall flower I've decided to dance. Let me tell you dancing is much more fun than bracing the wall.

May God Bless and Keep you,

Love,

Ashley Ann