GIRA RIO COCO!

Drapapa...

Perdon el internet en Waspam es increiblemente lento! Esto lo escribi a finales de Enero. Compartire fotos cuando llego a Puerto. Perdon tambien porque esta mitad en Ingles y mitad en Espanol, por lo menos no esta tambien en Miskitu;)

Hello friends and family. Drapapa is mud in Miskitu. And boy has there been plenty of it.  Our CO visit got pushed back a couple of weeks until Feb 4^th, so our week long excursion down Rio Coco got moved forward.  Our team was the Leuciels:Daniel and Evelyn, brother Hiroki (sans Megumi), Eliezer, Marbeli, Maureli, Rosa and myself. 8 of us total. We started off in the community of Kumm where we left the truck and the 8 of us loaded onto the boat.  As soon as we arrived to Kumm about half the men in the town were gathered around to see what we were up to. Hiroki was able to mass preach to them as we discovered would happen in nearly every community we arrived to.  The men all then helped carry the boat to the canal for us and showed us the way to the river from there wishing us success on our journey.

 Our original plan was to preach door to door in about 10 major communities down river until reaching Cabo Gracias a Dios where the river disembarks into the Atlantic.  We soon found out there were MANY more houses than we expected and from the penultimate community to the last were hours and hours in between and a dangerous stretch into the ocean plus hours of walking to the next community where we would get transportation by land back home.  This would mean much wasted time. So we decided to work all the territory pertaining to our congregation instead, including some Honduras territory that is nearly impossible for the Honduras brothers to reach from their side of the country.  Cabo Gracias a Dios can be reached by land thru a safer route on a future trip.  The result we had with this plan was more than we could have expected.  Twenty communities were preached door to door!  Some as small as 5 houses and others over 200. Sorry the rest was easier in Spanish for some reason..

 Marbeli lo dijo mejor al describir la predicación rio abajo como darle un bocado o plato de comida a alguien hambriento.  Algunos nunca habían conocido los Testigos de Jehova y la mayoría no tenían biblias.   Otros nos dijieron que por 10 y 16 años no nos habían visito. Un señor que no había visto Testigos de Jehova en 16 años nos dijo que nos esperaba y estaba ansioso de saber cuándo regresaríamos. Dijo que tendra muchas preguntas para nosotros para la próxima vez que llegábamos.  Muchos quedaron impresionados que llegamos hablando su idioma.  Los últimos testigos en llegar solo hablaban español y como pudieron dejaron el mensaje.  Pero la mayoría de los habitantes rio abajo hablan solamente Miskitu. El mismo señor nos sacó un folleto Exige en Miskitu muy conservado y bien estudiado que habían guardado por 16 años y otra señora tenia las paginas del folleto Disfrute guindadas  en su pared de su corredor, los tenia allí desde el 2006.

difícil fue la falta de publicaciones. No llegaron a tiempo antes del viaje.  Asi es que tuvimos que usar bien el tiempo en ensenarles algo valioso con la biblia.  Dejamos tratados mas que nada pero a los mas interesados les resultábamos dejando nuestras propias publicaciones personales cuando ya no había mas, y una hermana dejo su propia biblia en Miskitu.   Cada comunidad era un poco diferente pero lo que se destacaba de todas fue lo humildes y receptivos a la verdad.  Casi en todas, el reverendo o pastores de las iglesias nos aceptaban amigablemente, apuntaban los textos que citábamos y se quedaron con nuestras publicaciones para ensenar a sus filigreses.  Habia quienes nos seguían de casa en casa para oir el mensaje que dabamos en las próximas casas.  Asi que aveses teníamos un grupo caminando con nosotros a cada puerta.  O predicabas a una señora en su hogar y volteábamos para ver que hay 15 personas detrás de nosotros escuchando.  Los niños en especial siempre nos seguían, a veces hasta la próxima comunidad.  Y no importaba que enlodados estuvieron nuestras botas, todos los amos de casa insistían que nos subíamos a su corredor y tomáramos asiento. Por eso, casi todas mis saludos incluían, “Nara pain sna, kan suski uba taski sa!”  que significa  “Aquí estoy bien porque mis zapatos son muy sucios!”  Y todas las comunidades eran generosas a pesar de ser muy pobres.  Muchos nos regalaban Filipitas o platanos maduros y verdes, huevos, pescado, cana, arroz y siempre siempre, COCO!  En  todos lugares querían cortarnos coco de sus palos para que tomáramos agua allí mismo. Eran tan refrescantes!

Los retos que afrontamos fueron 1) el clima: mucha lluvia, muuuuuucha drapapa, y toda nuestra ropa siempre mojado y enlodado. 2) Dormir en piso de cemento con solo sabana por 6 noches (este creo fue mi mayor obstáculo, falta de dormir!) Otros incomodidades: las porciones de comida reducidas ( tanta caminar da mucha hambre), tomar agua de lluvia, sancudos sin piedad, sin electricidad en la noche y andar en la oscuridad, cocinar sobre leña/carbón, y bañarnos y lavar en el rio. Miedo más grande: casi cayéndome en una letrina… pregúntenme mejorJ

Dos días nos alojamos en casa de familia de una hermana de nuestra congregación en la comunidad mas grande de Andris. Los otros días en escuelas primarias que ahorita están de vacaciones y vacías , un dia en un centro de salud vacía, y el más cómodo de días, nuestra última, en la playa a lado del rio.  Las estrellas en la noche en esos partes son increíbles!  Desayunábamos juntos cada mañana y consideramos el texto diario, tomamos turnos de hacer el almuerzo lo que mayormente fue frijol y arroz, y algunas noches cantábamos canticos en Miskitu, Español, y el hermano Hiroki en Japonés.  La ultima noche cuando no teníamos mas que una libra de frijol que cenar entre los 8.  La señora a quien predicamos en lado de honduras al cruzar el rio de donde nos acampamos, nos regaló bastante arroz que ellos mismos depilaron. Ni acepto pago que le insistimos. Y mientras la cocinábamos, cruso el rio en su bato y nos vino a regalar un gran pescado fresco del rio que allí mismo asamos con limón y ajo y sal.  Aluih! Que rico fue!   Jehova nos cuidó tan amorosamente toda la semana y este fue mucho  más que nos podíamos imaginar.  (Ah si, “Aluih” es expresión Miskitu de asombro, como el “Hijole” Mexicano.)

Terminamos nuestro viaje cansadísimos, y muy listos para un buen baño. Dormir sobre mi cama inflable fue como dormir sobre una nube. Jamás lo tomare por sentado. Llegamos cansados pero satisfechos y muy felices! Cumplimos la meta de trabajar toda nuestro territorio rio Coco abajo. Solo con la ayuda de Jehova fue posible. Y  La bienvenida de nuestras hermanas y congregación fue tan alegre también. Nos sentimos muy queridos.

Es muy común que personas tengan miedo a lo desconocido.  Esto puede hacer que con muy buenas intenciones algunos traten de desanimar a quienes quieran cumplir ciertas metas.  Lo bueno es que con buenos arreglos, mucha oración y el respaldo de Jehova, aun lo que parece ser un riesgo puede tener excelentes resultados.  Lo imposible para los hombres no lo es para Jehova. Solo somos instrumentos y tenemos que hacernos disponibles y dispuestos para que él nos use.  Si nadie tomara riesgos y salieran de su lugar cómodo, no creo que habría el artículo en nuestras publicaciones “Se ofrecieron de buena gana…” ni tanta gente abrazando la verdad en estos últimos días.   Con eso dicho, quiero  decir cuan orgullosa estoy de mis hermanos y amigos y en especial mi mejor amiga en todo el mundo y al otro lado de ella, Jessey.  Que Jehova los cuide mucho y les sigue dando tanto el querer como el actuar en esta obra salvavidas.  Los quiero mucho!

Esta semana tendremos la visita del superintendente  del circuito. Y tenemos planes para otra gira rio arriba a mediados de Febrero.  Las congregaciones de Rosita y Bonanza empezarán a construir sus nuevas Salones del Reino dentro de muy poco.  Espero poder participar en ellas el próximo mes. Mucha actividad por delante!  Reciben un abrazo grande de parte mía, hasta pronto.

Naksa Muihni Lakri nani!!!

Hi my family and friends!

I’ve completed a month back in Nicaragua.  I arrived exactly one week before convention in Puerto Cabezas just as planned.  Jehovah is so generous to have permitted me to come and though I had many doubts due to lack of work back at home,  when I arrived to Puerto I felt a huge sigh of relief and as if I was exactly where I needed to be.  I felt Jehovah give me a warm hug and loving welcome thru my friends and congregation and even some prior students of mine who I ran into the first morning out preaching.  I want to especially thank my wonderful congregation back home for all their love and support.  I love you all with my whole heart and wish I could be with you during this difficult time.  You all and sister Ayala are in my prayers daily.

This was my first time traveling by land from Managua to Puerto. And surprisingly it was, according to the Miskitu Managua congregation, the “smoothest” trip they’ve ever had.  We left Managua at noon on an old school bus. The seats are small, hard and narrow, and my knees dug into the seat in front of me. With every seat taken and about 15 people in the isle standing throughout the 24hr journey, the bus was considered by the friends to be “empty.”  This was a good thing, as at least we all had seats and the cargo on top of the bus was not as high as the bus itself which is very common and can cause it to tip over on the road. Just last week this happened and 4 people died. I was fortunate to sit next to a Miskitu sister named Anita who was very fun and encouraging.  There is no way of sleeping on an aisle seat, lest you fall into the aisle or onto your neighbor. It is an extremely rough ride because the road conditions are horrible. By early morning I asked to rest my head on Anita’s lap and around 5am I got to sit by the window to get a couple hours of sleep.  The cool thing about traveling by land was the beautiful scenery.  And of course, being with your friends you feel like you’ve accomplished something together and feel so much closer to them.  Much like long hikes do for us back home. Only this journey is for a much greater purpose!  We arrived by noon the following day with very sore bottoms but very happy hearts. With only a flat tire about half of the way, which was quickly repaired; our journey was quite perfect… relatively speaking.

There was much to do in Puerto!  We were greeted by brother Antonio at the bus station who took us all coconut bread sandwiches and soda.  Oh how I missed coconut bread!!!  It was a great week. We went out to preach early the next morning in the muelle, left tons of invitations AND the campaign which was still going on because the all the territory had not been covered.  Thursday we cleaned the locations where the friends would be housed and the convention site.  This year was extra exciting to have all three days of convention instead of an abbreviated program.  We had a max attendance of 625, and 12 were baptized!  Because the district is so small, I especially was excited and touched by all the interventions because they were nearly all dear friends of mine, the speakers, interviewees, demonstrators, monologers (made up word), the drama participants... we were so proud of all of them!

I spent a week and a half in Puerto following convention where I was able to preach my old territory and spend time with the friends.  Then I was off to Waspam with a couple from the states, the Leuciels, who have been volunteering in the country for quite some time now.  Waspam is a town and department further North-West from Puerto but still part of the RAAN. It’s right at the rio Coco which is the boarder of Nicaragua and Honduras.  In fact, there are so many more Miskitos in Waspam, there isn’t even a Spanish congregation.   It’s composed of approximately 15 publishers.  One elder is Marcos Cano, and his wife Eneida, they are a young special pioneer couple. I had the privilege of getting to know them the last time I was in the area.  And the Luciels, Daniel and Evelyn, our other elder and his wife.  Currently there are many volunteers here from other parts of the country and abroad, including my two other service partners and housemates Marbeli and Maureli from Managua, the Fuchinos from Japan, and myself.  The five of us are sharing a house owned by a very generous sister named Adela who built her house large with two rooms and a small apartment on top with the sole purpose of housing volunteers.  Sister Adela lives on the bottom floor.  The house is extremely comfortable and more than I could ask for.

Our territory here is huge! Every Friday there are arrangements made to preach a rural territory nearby. We’ve so far worked the communities of Bilwas Karma, Kisalaya and Ulwas.  We walk about half hour to 2 hours away for these, crossing rivers and attacked by mosquitos.  But just as before, most everyone we visit is willing and eager to hear what we have to say and accept any literature we have for them. It’s so refreshing!  But oh how much I have to learn in the Miskitu language! This time around it is much harder to fall back on Spanish when I run out of my limited Miskitu presentations as I did in Puerto.  I am obligated here to conjugate sentences and questions and add to my vocabulary, because many don’t understand Spanish at all.  I hope to report back to you all my progress.

  

This month will be busy and exciting. We have our annual pioneer meeting with the elders this Saturday, CO visit starting next Tuesday, and at the end of the month we have planned a week long excursion down the rio Coco. We hope to preach to about ten communities all the way to Cabo Gracias a Dios which is where rio Coco meets the Atlantic.  We have our boat which will fit about 9 of us and are preparing for the arrival of our motor and to purchase the gas to get there and back. We would appreciate your prayers that it all goes as smooth as possible and that many people are able to hear the good news by means of this trip!  -Prov.16:3

Though internet is slow and scarce in this area, I hope I can keep you all updated.  I hope to hear from you as well!

Saludos a mi amorosa congregacion de Dinuba Magnolia, los quiero y extraño mucho! Gracias por su animo y apoyo.  Espero reflejar su mismo celo y generosidad en mi nueva assignacion. Que Jehova los bendiga.

Juli

 My beautiful territory

 Rio Coco!

                                                     

My roommates making Arroz con Leche to sell. This will allow them to continue to serve here where there is greater need.

 Our home

    -Jehova Witniska nani Asla Aidrubanka Watla- Our Kingdom Hall after a rain.

 Baptism at the convention in Puerto Cabezas

Our new brothers and sisters!

 Our territory has lots of animals and amazing scenery. I'm one happy girl.

 Preaching to these kidos on the way to Waspam while stuck in Sisin due to a suspension bridge repair. They didnt want to smile

Sisin bridge

both these brothers are needgreaters within their own country: Emil y Eliezer

Aisabe, Yu wala kat!

 My last month in Puerto Cabezas was memorable and full of tears, both happy and sad.  Our wonderful Matus couple left for Bethel Mexico, leaving a huge void in the hearts of both the Spanish and Miskitu congregations.  We will miss you greatly!  Thankyou Isaac and Laura for your hard work, your love and friendship.



We were privileged enough to be able to work a community about a half hour away on bus, called Bon Sirpi.  Though many in town were not at home due to a funeral, those that were received us eagerly and warmly.  The first man I spoke to told me that something told him we had the true religion, and I was able to place a Baibil Smalkisa (Bible Teach) book with him.  He was going to look for the KH the next time he was in Puerto because he also wanted a Greatest Man and Revelation book he had seen once.  Another young man stayed home from church that Saturday thinking he would learn more if he stayed and read his bible, which is exactly what we found him doing. He also gladly accepted a Bible Teach book. The following happened to some brothers that day but Jess related it best:   Interestingly enough, as the man lay on his death bed he told his niece (who is the one that told us the story) that the “true religion and genuine love was not marked by people donating food.  Rather, it was marked by people that would go out and teach others.” So she was very pleased when the following day, who other than the Witnesses show up at her door. She wrote down all the scriptures that the brothers cited to her so that she could read them to her family members when they returned.  
The morning went by quickly as we finished the whole town and the last two hours were spent waiting for the bus and... napping:)

                   

 << Saying goodbye to the most wonderful couple ever, the Matamoros.  They are a huge blessing from Jehovah and helped us tremendously throughout our stay in Puerto. Such a fine example in so many ways! I'm SO happy they're my friends.

Our CO visit week.  The second time Hugo and Margarita visited our congregation since we've been in Puerto.  Sister Margarita special pioneered 10 yrs before she married and then they were specials for 4 before they got assigned to the circuit work.  I was so happy I got to learn from and share in the ministry with her. On Wednesday of the visit we had the privilege of having pioneer meeting at our house!  And then the Video at the meeting, Wow! Goodness how my eyes swelled up to see how 'Jehova esta haciendo Maravillas'- Exodo 15:11 And to have an itty bitty part of it fills me with so much gratitud.

             

My going away party was thankfully not a sobfest,

 I was able to contain myself and it was really fun 

and the food delicious!  

These two groups of brothers were the teams for the biblical charades. 

I won't mentioned who lost but you can tell from 

their faces, except Hiroki who is always smiling 

no matter what.

With my Jael

Yasuara, Kenya and little Dayton

<< My pollito Cora's gift to me was a folkloric dance which I loved SO MUCH!  She was beautiful.  

  

                                                              

The Fuchinos: Hiroki and Megumi, another amazing couple!

     I can't express how difficult it was to leave Puerto Cabezas, I never imagined I'd feel as if I was leaving home and family. Which explains why I cried like a baby on my flight to Managua. I'm grateful to Jehovah I was able to know all these wonderful people, work along side them in the greatest labor ever, and establish friendships that will last an eternity.  Thankyou to all my family and friends in Cali and other parts of the world who've been so supportive of me and shared in my experiences.  Since Jehovah is so generous and there's still so much work to be done, this adventure is to be continued....