During the months
of March and April our congregation here in Waspam has had quite a bit of
activity, as I’m certain was the same for every one of you. First off, our CO visit was very encouraging!
Our C.O Hugo Hernandez and wife Margarita were at the school for traveling
overseers in Mexico City so Brother and sister Alverado were sent to our
circuit as subs. We have three new
Ministerial Servants following that visit. Brothers Hiroki, Eliezer and Emil. And the Leuciels informed us last year during
pioneer meeting there was just the two of them and two special pioneer
sisters. This year we had 13! Nine of us
here at the time as volunteers, two
assigned specials, one local young pioneer sis and a young brother serving as
auxiliary pioneer.
Two weeks later was
our special day assembly in Puerto Cabezas, Miskitu on Saturday and Spanish on
Sunday. It was great to see everyone
again coming from very far to arrive. A
Miskitu sister from Asang was baptized on Saturday, having to travel approx.8 hours
or more on a very narrow boat down the river Coco and then another 6 hours on
an extremely bumpy, cramped and dusty bus to arrive. The trip is also difficult
due to the cost and the poverty in her area.
They live off the land and it is very difficult to save money for a trip
like that with no income. The sacrifice
she did to arrive with her kids was huge, and evidence of her love for Jehovah.
On Sunday 3 from Puerto Cabezas Spanish
were baptized and the attendance was 355. I was able to spend a few days after the
assembly eating the best Puerto has to offer including mangos and good home cooking
courtesy of family Antonio. Also
spending time with my wonderful friends
and family, especially my lovely Javi. Waspam is definitely lacking my two best
roommates ever.
The following Sunday was to be the zone visit at the Central
American Branch in Mexico with visiting speaker brother Loch. This year with the
translation department in full swing, internet capability for the brothers is
much faster and the congregations were able to enjoy the wonderful banquet
prepared.
On our way back to Waspam as I fill my lungs and layer my
hair and body with 10 lbs of dirt on the the bus ride back, I was actually
feeling very nostalgic for Waspam and happy to arrive home. This is a good sign
I think as this assignment is becoming my home.
I was eager to visit my students and jump right into memorial
campaign! That week the congregation did
a thorough cleaning of the Kingdom Hall and we painted it as well! It looks SO
pretty now. We were able to finish all of Waspam with the invites and a
neighboring community about a 45min walk away named Ulwas. We worked so incredibly hard to finish the
territory and have everything ready. I
had the privilege again of the flower arrangements and helping out with the
making of the bread. Jehovah definitely
blessed our efforts. We had a packed
house on Monday and an attendance of 106. With only about 12 local publishers
and us volunteers currently in the congregation, I think it was a success. Another
personal feat was being able to understand the entire talk this year in
Miskitu! Something I definitely couldn’t say last year.
Today we walked two hours to the community of Kisalaya. We spoke to many interested people, one of
which was a lady who wrote down all the scriptures I read to her and she
wouldn’t stop thanking us for our visit. I think I’ll take my bike for the return
visit. Another family who listened very intently offered every one of us
watermelon, we were 11. A very lovely
Friday, as are most working rural territories.
I met a girl door to door around 15 years old who has come
from a community about 6 hours up river for school and is staying with
relatives… from what I gather. She speaks mainly Miskitu. I asked her what she thought about the bible
and if she thinks it can help us. She
mostly freely expressed how fondly she thinks of the bible as Gods word and she
always wanted to understand it so she prayed and prayed to Him about it. As she
would see us walk by she hoped we would come to visit her and she was so
excited that today we did. I left her Gad Sturka Yamni brochure (Good News) that Sunday and arranged to return
Tuesday morning. She said she would be
waiting for me. We arrived and she was
ready with her bible, the brochure and a notebook where she had written down
many scriptures she’s looked up. We studied lesson one and I showed her how to
prepare. She said she would be ready with lesson 2 by my next visit. Her enthusiasm was unbelievable. I hope to start a good foundation prior to my
departure.
The Leuciels were last week reassigned to Puerto Cabezas
Spanish congregation. They did an amazing job in Waspam during their stay,
worked so incredibly hard! I admire how
much they managed to work all the territory, no matter how far, and the loving
care they gave to the congregation. They
have a very joyful, self-sacrificing spirit in their service to Jehovah. They are greatly missed, but we are all very happy for them and the
receiving congregation.
I have about a month to go in the country, I hope to work
hard during every last minute. I
definitely hope to return and serve here in Waspam longer with Jehovah’s help. I
absolutely love it. I feel a steady
progress with the language. The last
part I gave at the theocratic ministry school I was able to translate all by
myself, the one before I did half, and
the one before that I did only one sentence.
So it’s refreshing to feel actual progress. I know it’s not at all by my
merits but Jehovah’s hand that gives power beyond what is normal. I apologize for my lack of pictures this time
round. Hopefully I can get some from the friends here so you can see what we’ve
been up to. Love you! Please take care
and may Jehovah bless you.
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