MEMORIAL SEASON 2014

Was it the last Memorial ever? Time will tell but I wanted to share some shots I took during another eventful Memorial season.  With 1 day to spare we finished our VERY large territory. Our congregation of about 91 publishers had a combined attendance of 323!!  I say combined because for the first time ever, our rural group that's trying to form, San Francisco, had a Memorial.  They have 19 publishers and had 82 attending!  In Nindiri we were 241.  Needless to say we were pleased since the year before they told me there was about 250.

First day of invitation work we were like ants invading the neighborhood

Cleaning day the Sunday before. There's me, um, talking and not cleaning. Hey, I did SOME work, I promise.

Some of the hard-working brothers who dedicated so much time to making sure San Francisco had a dignified place to celebrate their Memorial. Many years ago a loving sister left this piece of land to the congregation with the faith that one day there would be a group in her territory and they would need a KH. Won't she be happy in the new world to know her dream came true!

For the 1st time, I had the privilege of preparing the unleavened bread for the emblems. Unfortunately, I found out about my assignment the day before. It was a little stressful, but everything came out great.  Even if my bread was more like a pancake than a cracker. Oops!

My student, Jamileth, came for the 1st time in years. She brought her husband, little brother, and daughter.  She was very happy to attend. About 7 years ago she was an unbaptized publisher. We've been studying about a month and she's determined to get herself back on the bandwagon. I'm very proud of her.

2014 CONGREGATION PIONEER MEETING

 Here's our gang afterwards. Back row left to right: Ivan, Alexis (one of the presenters), and Sergio (not a pioneer but one of the presenters). From row left to right: Selene, Clara, Larry, Johan, me, Argentina, and Julissa.  Yes, I realize we have one of the ugliest Kingdom Halls ever.

Argentina and Johan enjoying dinner afterwards. No, Johan's face isn't always that crazy.  Yes, he himself is always that crazy.

Ivan and Alexis.  Ivan is really enjoying that tostone, huh?

Clara and Selene.  Don't look so surprized, Clara, it's just dinner!

Here's the amazing meal the congregation paid for and Bro. Victor Gonzales cooked for us.  We had grilled chicken with cream of mushroom sauce, rice, pico de gallo, tostones (twice-fried green plantain), and refried beans.  He brought jamaica tea for a drink.  I made a banana crumble for dessert, but it went so quick I couldn't get a picture of it!  It was so much food I only ate half and took the rest home for Shelina to enjoy.

WHAT IS BIBLE JEOPARDY?

Back row left to right:  Bruno, Melvin, Johan, Ivan, Valeska.
Front row left to right: Victor, Priscilla, Adela.

A while ago my roommate came across a link for Bible Jeopardy on Instagram.  We are both HUGE Jeopardy fans so we downloaded it and made it part of our Family Worship Night one night and had SUCH a good time.  Since then I've played it with my sister and brother-in-law and recently, with some friends from my congregation.

I invited a very hospitable family, the Gonzales, over along with a couple brothers who are alone in the truth, and I made my first lasagna ever!  No, really, I'm super proud of myself.  I made my own ricotta cheese AND homemade marinara sauce.  We ate way too much then we divided into teams, I pretended to be Alex Trebek, and we played an intense game of Bible Jeopardy.  I think all the testosterone made it so intense...then again that was a nice change in our house :)

The great part about the game is that it comes with pre-made categories and answers, but you can customize it.  For instance, I made one in Spanish.  There's an American (I think) brother who created it and you just email him and he'll send you the game and directions on how to download and play.  Here's his email:  jwservicepictures@gmail.com

BEST LIFE EVER

Doesn't this look like the best life ever?!

I know a lot of you who follow this blog are also following other need-greater blogs and trying to get psyched to reach your own goals.  Have you seen one of the recent videos on JW.org?  It's an amazing story about an American youth named Cameron and the steps she took and challenges she encountered in volunteering in a foreign land.

I'd have to say it's an accurate description.  There are often very physical demands made on your body, mental anguish in adjusting to a new language and culture, and emotionally trying times.  But she's right...making those sacrifices can definitely give you the best life ever if you have the right outlook on it.  If you can focus on your ministry instead of all those crazy external factors, you can be the happiest you've ever been.  I especially encourage all youths to take a close look at this video and examine your goals.  Could YOU join the ranks of serving where the need for Kingdom publishers is greater?

BTW, all of these shots are of either past or current need greaters in different parts of Nicaragua.