The Adventures Continue

What started as a group of six in Corn Island English group less than a year ago, has flourished into a vast majority of those thirsting for spiritual truth from all over the world

Picnic- friends from Australia, Italy, Leon, Honduras, Mexico, the UK, and (of course) the states

Meeting- with 18 publishers, our attendance is usually around 50

Out in Service during a tropical storm

Boarding a plane to Bluefield. Though it is more expensive, we have only heard horror stories about the six to ins hurt boat ride that most of the brothers and sisters take to get to assemblies

With our friends from Switzerland (and one rom Tennessee) at Spanish assembly, 'Siamos Buscando la Justcia  de Jehová'

 

 

With almost a month completed in our three month journey,  I think it is safe to say that we are finally feeling settled. There are, however, moments when I question that last statement. Moments when somebody sees a snake the size of a small palm tree... Or when all you have in your "pantry" is stale bread and expired 'Oreos'.... Or when the power goes out every morning at 6... Or it rains something terrible and the cold water showers actually feel warm but somehow you still sweat not two minutes after... Or when you realize that plumbing isn't a thing in some homes...

This trip is a wonderful reminder of how privileged we are to live in a developed country, but more so to be here experiencing this. Though the day to day activities are often a struggle, I have never felt more accomplished than I do here surviving and learning to be self sufficient in ways I had never thought I would have to be. Then again, I have also been blessed to be a part of a wonderful organization where I can find friends anywhere in the world who literally would give the shirts off of their backs to help somebody they just met. There have been so many occasions where the love and support of those related to us in faith is all that gets us through the day.

Take, for example, this weekend when Makenzie and I decided to venture to Bluefields, Nicaragua for the Spanish assembly. By the time we arrived we had felt so lost. The language was different. There was no running water or electricity or clean place to lay our heads at night or ceilings in the house we arrived in. We tried our best to lay on the concrete tiles of the room a family had so graciously offered and to laugh and make the best of a situation we didn't know how to handle. When dawn broke and it came time for the assembly, all I remember was praying for strength to not hop on the earliest flight back to corn island. Then, as always, Jehovah provided an answer to our prayers. The warmth and the

Love of the brotherhood is something without compare. A couple from Switzerland had approached us, after many warm greetings from local brothers and sisters. True, the love that those related to us in faith have for one another is one that is conveyed without the barriers of language to mute it. But when this couple from Sweden approached us and exclaimed in English, "seeing you here is such a comfort from Jehovah to us", we felt so uplifted and renewed in spirit and strength. The rest of the day only got better from there. We made new friends, we were strengthened through the experiences of others, and for one of the first times in our lives- we felt like we truly strengthened others by our example of reliance on Jehovah. I remember the last thing the couple from Switzerland said to us as they walked away- "What you're doing is not for the weak. You two are very strong girls and you're making Jehovah proud." And that's all we needed to get through our adventure in Bluefields, for the next two months in Corn Island, and for any challenge we might face in the future.

Week Two

Walking through town, kids ask to watch Caleb and Sophia videos from jw.org

Let me just tell you right now that two weeks is a major accomplishment. Looking at some of these pictures, you might not be able to tell that we are living in a third world country. I can assure you that we are in fact living in a third world country... sometimes the sunsets and the blue water and the white sands make you forget for just a moment that food is hard to find at times or that a good cup of coffee doesn't actually exist here. But the major factor- the thing that makes the mosquito bites, tarantula visits, lack of convenience and comfort and home, the unbearable heat, being hundreds of miles from family and friends- that makes it all worth while is the ministry. Already, we have multiple bible studies and each day we meet people who ask us about the bible. Even children! I met one eighteen year old at a door this week who promptly asked if I would return in two days... and then the day after that... and any other time I can come so we can study as much as possible before she leaves for college in Managua. It's simply astounding how much interest there is here on this tiny little Island. When you take away the hustle and bustle, the distractions of every day life in a highly developed country, it's amazing what you find time for.

So, now that I have finally achieved internet connection (with the help of some in the congregation), I hope to post more pictures and experiences as they happen. Tonight we meet at the kingdom hall for a public showing of the jw.org broadcast for February 2015. Everyone on the island is invited. What a promising opportunity to give such a fine witness! Stay tuned for updates in the near future.

Our First Week

In the ministry, the children seem just as eager as their parents to learn the truth about God. One of the little girls I was showing the Caleb and Sophia videos to kindly asked to see my tablet... she said she took this picture because she wanted to remember me when she grew up.

 

I guess it’s safe to celebrate the fact that we have survived the one week mark. Life this past week has been many things- difficult, trying, faith strengthening, up-building. Everything wrapped in to one roller coaster of emotions and experiences. Corn Island has proved to be both exciting and absolutely terrifying.

Let’s begin with the least exciting aspects of life here on this floating nugget of land. The mundane. There exists in one’s mind a plan- an idea of the day’s activities all mapped out according to our idea of a schedule. For example, back in Oregon there were always a billion and one things to do in the span of a day. By the saving grace of cars and technology we somehow managed to keep this fast-paced schedule up day in and day out. Here, it is almost as if life itself has slowed, time leaks by as you find yourself struggling to accomplish in 3 hours what you might have done back in the United States in a matter of minutes. The struggle to adjust has been overwhelming and has caused me much anxiety… but by now I feel as though the reality that deadlines aren’t much more than a figment of one’s hopeful imagination here is beginning to set in.

 

Typical Island Food. Plantain, Gallo Pinto (painted rooster= rice and beans)

Monday is 'Fun-Day'. The Brothers and Sisters head to the beaches on our 'day off'

 

Our New Home on the Island. Addresses (and post offices) just don't exist here

Visiting Irwin in the ministry. He has trouble walking... but he still makes it to the meetings

 

 

A group of eight Spanish and  English speaking brothers and sisters came from Big Corn Island this past Saturday in order to preach and support the only baptized witness of Jehovah on all of Little Corn Island. Among us were two special pioneers from Leon and Honduras, a pioneer sister from Mexico, a pioneer sister from the UK, a 13 year old pioneer sister, a pioneer sister native to Big Corn Island, and Makenzie and I (of course).  The stories of our companions are ones worthy of sections in yearbooks. It was the longest, dirtiest, most encouraging and exciting days I have ever experienced in the ministry.

On our way to Little Corn Island. We took a tiny tourist boat with about 40 other passengers. The ride was fun for the first 10 minutes... but 35 minutes of natures version of Disneyland's 'Matterhorn' is too much for my stomach. It's amazing how even 'calm' waves can thrash you around.

Typical home on the island. Most days we are greeted by children in the ministry, running around the streets without a care.

 

Now the ministry on this island- Non stop work. One day in field service=at least three new calls. Yesterday I was walking down the street and a man stopped me. The words that come out of the mouths of those thirsting for truth is almost infathomable. “I am addicted to the Atalayas. I search for people to give me new ones each day”; one man even exclaimed that he loved me and all of God’s people for the work that we do as he begged me for any literature I had on me. At ‘doors’ (the openings in the walls of sheds) people respond to, “We were in the neighborhood showing people this bible based literature…” with eager, “yes, I will study” or “sit down, show me”, and even, “I was just praying to God for someone to talk to me”. One family here studies at 6:30 in the morning and had asked if we could come back and study the next section of the brochure in a couple hours! We are overwhelmed with return visits and each have a handful of studies already. It is amazing how eager these people are to learn about God and his word the bible.

The congregation. Where do I begin?! The hospitality and love that the brothers and sisters extend is truly remarkable. Most nights we receive at least two dinner invitations. Get togethers, such as barbeques or snorkeling at the beach happen multiple times a week. Working together in the ministry with such a diverse group of people who extend such love to one another is only possibly in Jehovah’s organization. Each day we receive such kindness and help from those in our brotherhood- from learning how to adjust, to education on island customs, even advice on the best ways to get groceries- the friends have been nothing shrt of amazing.

With eleven weeks remaining, we are excited to see how our ministry, our involvement in the congregation, and our own spirituality  flourish here on Big Corn Island.

First Experience

 

Service Bound

January 30th

How do you know when Jehovah is watching after you? When a fairly aggressive stranger insists that you follow him to find bananas and water.... And the group of three across the street (wearing jw.org badges) cut in and rescue you.

It was about four thirty in the afternoon when Makenzie and I decided to hunt for good and water, seeing as we were surviving off this morning's toast and had to wait for the tropical rainstorm to pass before leaving the room once more. Looking lost and defeated, a man native to the island approached us, insisting that he knew where to find the items in which we seeked if we would just follow him into the jungle. At seeing our hesitation, the man quickly grew agitated and aggressively insisted that we follow. "Excuse me", a woman from across the street interrupted, "are you girls alright?". It didn't take long for us to recognize who these people were. Long story short, we all went to a sister's house not too far from our scary little incident and talked amongst the friends over coffee and cake. It's little instances like these that make us even more positive that Jehovah is truly watching out for us.

January 31st

First Day if Service!!! Not only do we get to spend the day with the English group of pioneers out in service- but the first ever English circuit overseer is visiting and we get to enjoy the pioneer talk this afternoon! 

I had the privilege of joining Tabitha, a sister from Bend, Oregon (go figure) on her studies this morning. It was so wonderful to meet some of the locals- to see them stop what they were doing and eagerly await their study. The highlight of service this morning for me was seeing the look on Shantigua's (best shot I have at spelling the woman's name) face when the concept of the ransom of Jesus and the love that Jehovah has for us finally clicked for her. She had the biggest grin on her face, showing a beautiful white smile that spread from one sun-kissed cheek to the other. After studies and a tour and slight run down of the island, we all met for the pioneer meeting. Yet another example of how Jehovah provides exactly what we need... I prayed I would get to be a part of it somehow, though I missed it back home. Tomorrow we get to enjoy the Circuit Overseer again at meeting and then we have been invited to a picnic in the afternoon. We are all very excited!

Fish are friends... not food