I did indeed stop today to start the study with young girl and her newly interested mother, and although the mom cried for quite a while (she has a lot of problems) we were able to share some comfort with her and start the chapter on "Why Does God Permit Suffering?"...she seemed to feel better after the study and even had a smile on her face. She told us she DEFINITELY wants to continue her study and asked us to PLEASE come back next week. Goody!
Guess who enrolled in the TMS tonight at the meeting? Jessica, the young girl that I study with in the mountains! I have never had the privilege of sitting with a bible student as they enroll in the school....I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face! She was soo cute! It was funny that Chad was the brother asking the questions (for me anyway!) She seemed glad it was Chad since she knows him well!
Well, I have an early start tomorrow, it is my FAVORITE preaching day...Sunday! So, I better get to bed, but hope things are going well. I am sooo jealous of your snow! I hope some of you have been sledding for me! Miss you all!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Meet Jorge Monje....
Hello again...how are you all doing? We are doing well. This past weekend we had our circuit pioneer meeting and our Circuit Assembly! It was wonderful! What a wonderful program! Each year just gets better and better.
We continue to be flying high on bible studies...getting into a routine! The past week I was a little under the weather with a killer sore throat and a cold, so haven't been out as much! But I got to start my first day back out in service with my favorite day of the week....Sunday! Just one great bible student after another....from 8am until 4pm and then I float home! Remember the bible study I started "by accident" and just directly offered the study? She was home today, we had a really nice visit...then a few minutes into it her mom comes outside...I was thinking, "oh, great, here it goes...", but she just sat there and listened. I decided to explain the bible study program to her, she readily accepted and went right inside and got out her Bible! WOW! Good first day back out!
I wanted to introduce you all to Jorge Monje. He is a pioneer here in our congregation and a wonderful example! He is 25 years old and just came back from the USA a few months ago. He went to the USA when he was 15 yrs. old in search of the "dream". He found the truth while there, and got baptized last year! He has SUCH a spiritual appreciation!
Because of not having legal papers to be in the USA, he could not have privileges in the congregation there. His goals were to be a pioneer and MS. So, even though his mom still lives in the USA, he made the ULTIMATE sacrifice and decided to come back to Ecuador to progress spiritually...and boy are we glad that he did! He is sooo zealous! He works 4-5 days a week and still puts in over 100 hours in service a month! He has accomplished his goal of being a reg. pio. and is super happy about it!
We feel that Jehovah really guided him to come back to his home country. Why? Well, he lives up in the "mountain area" of the territory (Cochepamba) ...it is quite a walk from the end of the bus line. Anyway, the people up in that area, while definitely improving, have been pretty opposed as they are VERY catholic! There have even been some attempted "stonings" and "whippings" of the brothers and sisters up there in the past! Anyway...that is where he lives. He has a lot of family and acquaintances up there and he leaves no stone unturned! He preaches to EVERYONE! And he is having HUGE success! He currently has 18 bible studies, the great majority of which are up there near his house! At any given meeting there are 5-10 people that attend with him! Some of the people that are studying, we know for a fact never listened to us before when we knocked on their door!
He has been such a good influence here in the congregation and also, has opened a HUGE door of activity in the "mountains"! What a good example of self-sacrifice, having left his "former life" in the USA to come back here and serve Jehovah more fully! We treasure his friendship and wanted you all to meet him, too!
P.S. We wanted to say hello to Cathy Schnerr and to the Sukilanda family who both recently viewed the blog and wrote comments! Thanks for reading and for the words of encouragement!
We continue to be flying high on bible studies...getting into a routine! The past week I was a little under the weather with a killer sore throat and a cold, so haven't been out as much! But I got to start my first day back out in service with my favorite day of the week....Sunday! Just one great bible student after another....from 8am until 4pm and then I float home! Remember the bible study I started "by accident" and just directly offered the study? She was home today, we had a really nice visit...then a few minutes into it her mom comes outside...I was thinking, "oh, great, here it goes...", but she just sat there and listened. I decided to explain the bible study program to her, she readily accepted and went right inside and got out her Bible! WOW! Good first day back out!
I wanted to introduce you all to Jorge Monje. He is a pioneer here in our congregation and a wonderful example! He is 25 years old and just came back from the USA a few months ago. He went to the USA when he was 15 yrs. old in search of the "dream". He found the truth while there, and got baptized last year! He has SUCH a spiritual appreciation!
Because of not having legal papers to be in the USA, he could not have privileges in the congregation there. His goals were to be a pioneer and MS. So, even though his mom still lives in the USA, he made the ULTIMATE sacrifice and decided to come back to Ecuador to progress spiritually...and boy are we glad that he did! He is sooo zealous! He works 4-5 days a week and still puts in over 100 hours in service a month! He has accomplished his goal of being a reg. pio. and is super happy about it!
We feel that Jehovah really guided him to come back to his home country. Why? Well, he lives up in the "mountain area" of the territory (Cochepamba) ...it is quite a walk from the end of the bus line. Anyway, the people up in that area, while definitely improving, have been pretty opposed as they are VERY catholic! There have even been some attempted "stonings" and "whippings" of the brothers and sisters up there in the past! Anyway...that is where he lives. He has a lot of family and acquaintances up there and he leaves no stone unturned! He preaches to EVERYONE! And he is having HUGE success! He currently has 18 bible studies, the great majority of which are up there near his house! At any given meeting there are 5-10 people that attend with him! Some of the people that are studying, we know for a fact never listened to us before when we knocked on their door!
He has been such a good influence here in the congregation and also, has opened a HUGE door of activity in the "mountains"! What a good example of self-sacrifice, having left his "former life" in the USA to come back here and serve Jehovah more fully! We treasure his friendship and wanted you all to meet him, too!
P.S. We wanted to say hello to Cathy Schnerr and to the Sukilanda family who both recently viewed the blog and wrote comments! Thanks for reading and for the words of encouragement!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Paute...
Last night Chad had a talk in Paute, a cute little town about an hour from here. So, Fernando (our ride), Chad and I go for the talk...very nice congregation. We were invited to stay for hospitality from a couple in the hall. We headed back to their house after the meeting, and after a few minutes, the brother hosting us gets a phone call...it is the other cong. that shares the KH. They are about to start their meeting, but don't have a speaker. Can Chad come back and give it again? So the brothers run out to the car, Chad grabs his books, runs up on stage, and goes for round 2! He said he was much more relaxed the second time around! Never a dull moment.
This morning he has another talk at 8:30 in another cong...and a different outline! So, he is practicing his little heart away! Just thought that it was funny how he is giving 3 public talks this weekend...
This morning he has another talk at 8:30 in another cong...and a different outline! So, he is practicing his little heart away! Just thought that it was funny how he is giving 3 public talks this weekend...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Just had to tell ya....
I wrote my first blog at 5:00pm and was exhausted from the day...but I knew the group was coming to do not at homes at 6pm and then phone witnessing at 7pm. I REALLY didn't feel like going back out...but I did. And boy am I glad! It is almost getting ridiculous here...haha...so, we are standing at the first door of the evening, and this woman walks up to us. She asks if any of us live close by...I thought she must have wanted directions, and since we only live a block from where we were, I told her that I did. Well, guess what she asks me!......
"Can you study the Bible with me? I just got back from spending 3 years in Germany, and I was studying the Bible Teach Book while over there. I would really like to continue my study and I live right around the corner!" So, with a HUGE smile on my face we exchanged phone numbers and I am supposed to call her in the next few days to set up a study....
"Can you study the Bible with me? I just got back from spending 3 years in Germany, and I was studying the Bible Teach Book while over there. I would really like to continue my study and I live right around the corner!" So, with a HUGE smile on my face we exchanged phone numbers and I am supposed to call her in the next few days to set up a study....
I know that I said I didn't want anymore studies, but hey....
sleep...who needs sleep? I think it is overrated!
ahhhhhhh...life is SO difficult here! hahahaha
sleep...who needs sleep? I think it is overrated!
ahhhhhhh...life is SO difficult here! hahahaha
Serves Me Right....
Hi everyone...things continue to be going well here. We are gearing up for our Circuit Assembly in 2 weeks! Always a special treat, and we have the visit of our CO at the end of the month...lots of spiritual activities to rejuvenate us!
So yesterday we were working in a territory that we work pretty often. But there has always been a gated entrance that we have always just knocked on the gate and nobody has ever come out. Since the last time we worked it, I was given a bible study who lives in there. It turns out that there are some small rooms that they rent out (it is pretty poor), they have a room they rent, and they share a bathroom and kitchen...anyway, because I now have a study in there and know someone, I decided we could go in and try to knock on some of the other doors. When we got back there, there were about 4 people outside doing various things, but all relatively near each other. So, I of course, with my fear of preaching to a group, was a little nervous. But....what else could I do?
CHICKEN OUT! So, thinking that I would get an automatic "no" and I could get out of there faster, I decided to offer the first girl a bible study directly....and "serves me right"...she surprisingly says, "Yes, I would like to study the Bible with you!" and accepts the Bible Teach Book, so we talked for a while and made arrangements to continue the study the next week! Then, I ran into my bible student, she was really nice, and we confirmed our study for Friday! Then, I knock on the next door...she is already studying the Bible, and very nice! So, now I am on a roll and ready to keep going. So we run into another lady coming out of her door. I thought, "well, why not?" and I offer her a Bible study and show her the book...SHE ACCEPTS ALSO! I almost fainted...the bad news is that she was here visiting only for this week and next week she is going back to the coast. But, we made arrangements for me to go back on Friday, and at least get the study started and show her how to use the book and then she will look for the Witnesses when she gets home! I just couldn't believe it! The preaching just gets better and better...and just so happens that my new bible student picked a day that I had a slot open for a study!
I just keep thinking about all of these people that want to learn the truth here. When the magazines tell us that there are still people out there, I used to think, "Well, there can't be that many", because I was preaching in English in the USA...no offense to all of you hard working pioneers there ( I know you are working your little hearts out) ...but to be here and actually see it in action really makes you appreciate the patience of Jehovah in allowing these wonderful people time to learn about Him. Well, enough of my preaching...it is just such a cool feeling to be here! Are you all sure you don't want to come on down? hahahahaha
So yesterday we were working in a territory that we work pretty often. But there has always been a gated entrance that we have always just knocked on the gate and nobody has ever come out. Since the last time we worked it, I was given a bible study who lives in there. It turns out that there are some small rooms that they rent out (it is pretty poor), they have a room they rent, and they share a bathroom and kitchen...anyway, because I now have a study in there and know someone, I decided we could go in and try to knock on some of the other doors. When we got back there, there were about 4 people outside doing various things, but all relatively near each other. So, I of course, with my fear of preaching to a group, was a little nervous. But....what else could I do?
CHICKEN OUT! So, thinking that I would get an automatic "no" and I could get out of there faster, I decided to offer the first girl a bible study directly....and "serves me right"...she surprisingly says, "Yes, I would like to study the Bible with you!" and accepts the Bible Teach Book, so we talked for a while and made arrangements to continue the study the next week! Then, I ran into my bible student, she was really nice, and we confirmed our study for Friday! Then, I knock on the next door...she is already studying the Bible, and very nice! So, now I am on a roll and ready to keep going. So we run into another lady coming out of her door. I thought, "well, why not?" and I offer her a Bible study and show her the book...SHE ACCEPTS ALSO! I almost fainted...the bad news is that she was here visiting only for this week and next week she is going back to the coast. But, we made arrangements for me to go back on Friday, and at least get the study started and show her how to use the book and then she will look for the Witnesses when she gets home! I just couldn't believe it! The preaching just gets better and better...and just so happens that my new bible student picked a day that I had a slot open for a study!
I just keep thinking about all of these people that want to learn the truth here. When the magazines tell us that there are still people out there, I used to think, "Well, there can't be that many", because I was preaching in English in the USA...no offense to all of you hard working pioneers there ( I know you are working your little hearts out) ...but to be here and actually see it in action really makes you appreciate the patience of Jehovah in allowing these wonderful people time to learn about Him. Well, enough of my preaching...it is just such a cool feeling to be here! Are you all sure you don't want to come on down? hahahahaha
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