So much has happened since I last wrote. Let’s see…. Mine and Olga’s last few weeks in
San Dionisio went by passing over studies and return visits to the special
pioneer sister Ana who was to inherit EVERYONE since we were leaving the couple
all by themselves in the town as the only Witnesses. Though convention is about 2 weeks away and
we all have hopes a few of the publishers will get bapitized. Plus, we got amazing news the week before we
left that 14 pioneers from the pioneer route will be passing thru San Dionisio
and Esquipulas a couple months at a time starting in Dec/Jan. Just what we were all praying for, more workers!
The Monday before leaving, the congregation had a party for
Olga and I down the Flores’ house with good food and dancing and games, and singing
canticos and everyone expressing their goodbyes and warm thoughts and memories
from our time there, it was so sweet!
Packing didn’t take too long but man were we exhausted when
we finally arrived by bus to Masaya, Olga’s hometown, on Friday with all our things. We didn’t know who’d be waiting for us, but
then again we never do and somehow it always always works out! Jehova takes such amazing care of us! Saturday we’re off again by bus to Managua
and to pick up my AMIGASA Jessey from the airport!
Our Miskito orientation was Sunday morning and we were stressed the fact that when learning a new language,
the more mistakes you make, the more you will learn. And basically to remember to laugh at
ourselves, have a good sense of humor and not to take ourselves too
seriously. The instructors were Hamilton
Padilla who serves with his wife as a special pioneer in a Miskito congregation
in Bonanza. And Abner Matamoros, also a
special pioneer with his wife who serve in Puerto Cabezas, our next
destination. They made the two weeks of class fly. It was SO fun! They both had a great sense of
humor, the class was quick and there was always movement, juggling scarfs or hitting
balloons up in the air as we conjugated different verbs. Every day starting with day 1 we went out to
the territory in Managua after class to preach to Miskitos. We used the written presentations we learned
that very day. It was exciting. Complete reliance on Jehovah is needed. It really makes you humble yourself as you
read from a paper a very simple presentation and hope they understand you. You know it’s ALL Him at that point. Fortunately the Miskito people in the
territory were very supportive, impressed even, and grateful for our
efforts.
The two weeks in Managua for the class we stayed down a
sister’s house. Her name is Angelita and
her daughter Mariana who’s about 21.
This sister is above and beyond hospitable. When we arrived, a family who came to the
city for a doctors appointment were just leaving after staying a few days and
the day after we left a group of friends were staying a week for some other reason. She is constantly housing everyone who needs
a place and she makes you feel completely at home. We were so blessed to stay there.
We took a whole 3 days of preparation for our stay here in
Puerto, buying things we’ll need in bulk, even 3 bikes to ride around in, we had it all boxed and ready to come on the
congregation bus that will be heading here on Dec 9th for
convention. Meanwhile we only brought
the bare necessities. Jess and I flew
here on Tuesday the 20th and Olga came by bus with the Matamoros,
our elder Abner and his wife Daisy.
Our adoptive parents are Conrado and Jackie Antonio.
They are renting us this house right next to theirs and have been taking
THE BEST care of us, the first 5 days without
our stove, they had us eat with them every meal
AND they bake coconut bread!!!
Oh my goodness! The smell of
fresh warm bread everyday is so wonderful!
Plus they have a cat who resembles my lola and many loving dogs…
needless to say, Jess and I got used to this place REALLY quickly. They are a loving, and so very generous, spiritual family.
Puerto Cabezas is breezy, rainy, humid, hot and cold, the
weather is all over the place right now.
But their “cold” is actually quite perfect for me. Their dirt is red and it gets blown all over
the place. Houses are on stilts and
many are painted brightly. Sometimes out
on service we get a nice view of the beach. The people are hospitable, and respect the bible. We get to practice Miskito door to door so
we’re hoping to learn quickly, with Jehovah’s help.
This week is CO visit! Hugo and Margarita Hernandez from El Salvador. It’s been so nice getting to know them. We had our pioneer meeting yesterday. Our congregation has 8 pioneers, including us 3, and 2 special pioneers. I’m sure we’ll learn so much from all of them.
The Miskito congregation has 29 publishers 3 elders and 2 servants. There is a Spanish congregation here too we share our hall with. A much bigger congregation with only one elder, a special pioneer couple from the states, Isaac and Laura Matos, who live on the KH lot. Today I accompanied a 10yr old little sis from the spanish on her studies for 3 hours this afternoon, she is a nonbaptized publisher with 6 studies, one of which is a teacher.
Door to door has been awesome, great conversations and many return visits gained this past week, can’t wait to start studies! Sorry these pics are all out of order and scant, will send more soon! Much love, Juli
Olga and Cora taking refuge under a house
