I've been keeping a secret from you....

I'M FINALLY TAKING SPANISH LESSONS!!!!!

That's right.  No more days of me laughing hysterically when I have absolutely no idea what the point of a Spanish joke was.  (I don't really do that....often)  I will no longer need to utilize the "mirroring" skill I've picked up since I've been living here either.  'What is mirroring?', you ask?  Well, the family I live with only speaks Spanish.  Most of the family members can however, piece together a few English words along with my broken Spanish and that is how we communicate.  The grandma here is a different story.  She has NO desire to learn English.  Not only does she always speak in rapid fire Spanish, she is very sweet and holds long, endearing conversations with me everyday.  The problem is, I have no idea what she is saying!  (I have gotten alot better over time but it still takes me a little while to piece it all together).  I don't want to disappoint her since she is always so excited to share her day with me so, I developed "mirroring."  Basically, I mirror whatever her expression is.  For example, if she is telling a story and is smiling, I smile back and at just the right moments exclaim, "Si!!!" or "Ahhh!!" and look equally excited.  As the conversation progresses and her face becomes serious, I frown too and again at just the right moment, I  issue a "Si" and shake my head like "what a shame."  It sounds funny but we can have "conversations" for 20 or 30 minutes like this where she walks away happy to have had someone to share with and I walk away wondering what just happened.  This has worked well the entire time I've been here except on one occasion when she asked me, "Verdad?" Which means "true" or "isn't that right?"  To which I responded, "Si."  But then she asked, "Really, when?"  I paused and frantically tried to back pedal in my mind for any hint of what in the world she had just asked me.  She just stared at me, patiently awaiting an answer.  So, I said, "Oh, I think I misunderstood, I meant no."  To which she replied, "Oh! why not?" and again stared at me.  I don't even remember how I got out of that one but I do remember thinking, "I have GOT to learn Spanish at some point!"  Sooooo.....back to my point, I am taking Spanish classes.  I've tried all kinds of studying on my own, but I'm just not disciplined enough to consistently study alone.  Fortunately, I went on a Bible study with a sister and the lady happened to mention that she teaches at a local school.  I felt comfortable with her so I asked if she could help me.  What's really great is that it's tailored specifically to help me with teaching in the ministry.  She helps me with Bible terms and regular conversation.  Also, I wanted help reading better so we practice with the "Bible Teach" book where I read then she has me answer the questions in my own words then we switch and she will answer questions and I have to determine what she is saying.  Whenever she asks a personal Bible question, I give her a quick answer and let her know her Bible teacher will answer in detail.  Then I give the sister a heads up on what she is going to ask.  It's a win, win for everyone!  With Jehovah's help, I hope to greatly improve in the next three months.  I'll tell you why, soon :-)

I did it!!

I just finished reading the bible through for the first time!!!  This was a goal that I set when i came out here and now I did it, woo hoo!!  So....um now what?  I guess Genesis 1:1 in the morning to start it all again lol.

The little things Jehovah does...

I was just thinking about our lesson this week from the yearbook which gave experiences of how being known as one of Jehovah's Witnesses can be a protection.  It can also be a help in other ways too.  I had two very simple unexpected experiences that stemmed from my always being out in the ministry.  One was with a taxi driver.  We have meetings for service almost everyday and I try to always support the group if I'm able.  That means I'm back and forth to the Kingdom Hall everyday in the morning and in the afternoon like clock work.  Sometimes I take a taxi if I'm running late but I try to walk to save the money and since the mile hike is good exercise.  On the occasions I do take a taxi, I usually chat up the driver and try to give a witness.  Well, I was walking the other day and a taxi pulled up beside me and offered me a ride.  I recognized the driver but declined telling him I didn't have any money.  He told me it was OK.  So, I went ahead and took the ride.  As we were driving, I thanked him and offered him a tract to read but he declined saying he was happy with his religion.  I started to think, uh oh that means he's about to hit on me!  Why else would he give me a ride?!  Why did I get into the car!??  But as I was silently chastising myself he said that he sees me everyday in all parts of the city, always walking and preaching to people.  Although he didn't want to visit the hall, he said that he really respects what the Witnesses do and that God told him to help me that day in my ministry.  It's funny as soon as I got in he said, "You are going to the Kingdom Hall right?!"  It's nice to know that even if people aren't always interested in the message, they do see us and appreciate the work we do for Jehovah.

I had a similar experience a few days ago as well.  I tend to wear shoes out very, very fast.  My current shoes were barely staying together.  (You know it's bad when in the middle of a bible study the student looks down at your feet and says with great concern, "Dear, you REALLY need some new shoes." :-)  Anyway, right around that time, a visiting sister left some shoes for whomever could fit them and I happened to be that very fortunate person! Although they are quite sturdy, I already had a strap break on them and needed it fixed. ( I never thought I'd be excited to have "sturdy" shoes... my how times change!)  Anyhow, there is a man that shines shoes on one of the corners I pass quite often.  I happened to notice that he had shoe repair items as well so I asked him if he could fix my shoe, to which he replied yes and said he could fix it then.  I told him I'd return since I was headed to a call.  He asked if he could see the shoe closer so I held up my foot.  "A little closer.." he asked.  As I came closer, he snatched my shoe off of my foot and immediately pulled out his tools leaving me hobbling awkwardly on one foot.  As I looked perplexed he smiled and said, "I have time!"  He worked quickly as the sister and I looked on.  As I slipped my shoe back on I asked him how much the repair was.  He paused then said, "No charge!"  I gave him a suspicious look to which he replied, "I see you walking all the time, often passing by many times in the same day.  I know you are hard on your shoes because of all the preaching you do." So, this was his gift to the work!

Jehovah has such a warm way of working through different people to give us just what we need, right when we need it! Even when we don't see a response in our ministry, we never know what affect we are having on people.  Ecclesiastes 11:6 "In the morning sow your seed and until the evening do not let your hand rest; for you are not knowing where this will have success, either here or there, or whether both of them will alike be good."

First Ever English Circuit Assembly

English is BOOMING in Nicaragua!  As of this service year, we have three new congregations in the country (including Granada English!!!).  This past weekend, we had the first ever English Pioneer meeting and Circuit Assembly.  It is so refreshing to be able to fully understand what is being said in the assembly!!  Before this, we would just attend the Spanish.  Before, it was like coming to a meal with nothing but your favorite food.  You arrive starving and ready to eat.  All of your friends are there and they are feasting and telling you how great everything is but, you can't eat because your jaw is wired shut.  But now, oh now I am able to eat spiritual food to my heart's content in English!  What a loving provision.  Our peak attendance was 280.  Our CO and DO explained just how rapidly the English field is growing here.  Central America may be getting more English circuits soon especially since we have our very own Circuit Overseer now :-)  We had two sisters baptized.  I was extra excited about this since I had the opportunity to sit in on one sister's bible study while I was serving in Pearl Lagoon. It's always exciting to see our friends from all over the country- especially those who have to travel nearly 20 hours to get here.  Our congregation rented a school bus for the 45 minute ride to the assembly hall at our former Bethel.  Here are some pictures from the pioneer meeting and the assembly.

Friends from the Atlantic Coast at the Pioneer meeting

We all serve in Granada

Granada English girls

Pearl Lagoon!

Glee at the contribution box.  Everything we do is supported by voluntary donations.  No plates are passed. Anyone desiring to make a donation can discreetly do so with the contribution boxes.

Bluefields!

Mic check- 1,2,1,2 :-)

Visisting sisters from Missouri

Sign Language

We were all so happy to see one another!

Young ones serving Jehovah

Our new District Overseer and his wife.  So sweet and humble.

Demonstration on helping our young ones.

Chinandega

Sister from Mexico who just arrived to help out with the work here.

He was sooooo well behaved for the entire assembly.

More Granada girls :-)

My Nica BFF Jean.  If only we were assigned to the same side of the country we would be the best pioneer partners EVER.  At least we can catch up at the conventions every few months :-)

Cheeeeeese!!!!

My "sister from another mother" Heather.  Such an inspiring special pioneer.  She and her husband have taught me alot. 

We are a large army, indeed!! Psalms 68:11

Sister serving in a rural territory.

So many encouraging talks....

We were so giddy we even took pictures in the bathroom mirror, lol.

The kids letting out some energy outside.

Another friend from Bluefields.  She and her family always take good care of me when I'm on the Atlantic Coast.

Relaxing after lunch

Oh my goodness...this family is AMAZING!!!  Their kids are perfectly attentive and polite all the time.  As you can see they have three boys (and now another boy on the way!)  Not only are the parents pioneering where the need is greater but the two older boys (ages 6 and 8) are pioneering as well.  What a great example for us all in putting Jehovah first no matter our circumstances!

Nosbal sharing snacks on the ride home.

Wow

I was walking through town this afternoon and saw something that really made me stop and think.  There were two men coming towards me.  One was in a wheelchair.  I didn't pay much attention but as he passed me, I noticed something really unique about the man who was pushing him.  The second man was blind!  The two of them seemed to be so content laughing and joking as they helped each other along.  The man in the wheelchair made use of the blind man's legs and the blind man now had someone to help him get around town.  Incredible!  Even if we think we have nothing to offer and feel that we can barely help ourselves, if we make ourselves available, we never know how Jehovah will use us.  We might even make some great friends in the process :-)

Yucca-Not so Yucky :-)

Yucca (pronounced Yoo'kuh) is one of the more popular vegetables here in Nicaragua.  Most people boil it and serve it plain as a side dish.  Although somewhat like a potato, I'm not a big fan of it.  Being on a budget as a need greater however, calls for us to use the local foods since they are much more affordable than some of the foods with which we may be more familiar.  Potatoes are expensive here and since I had a taste for french fries, I decided to experiment with fried yucca.  Everything tastes good fried !!  I looked up the health properties online and it also seems to be pretty good for you.  Jehovah made soo many interesting things for us to eat! So here's my yucca experiment:

A small yucca root

I got a little grossed out at the veiny texture as I started to peel it.  The more I cut, it started to smell a kinda strange too.  So strange that I actually stopped cutting and put a pot of rice on in case it tasted equally nasty Bleh!

Sliced to somewhat resemble fries.

I fried them for a few minutes in vegetable oil.  After I added a little salt and ketchup they actually weren't half bad!  Maybe I can sell the idea to McDonalds :-)

Stopping Traffic

How in the world is this supposed to stop traffic??! (three soda bottles on a string)  I guess the joke is on me cause I'm the only one who went all the way down the street!

Mmm meat on a stick!

These are some photos from awhile back when we had a small gathering to end the service year and talk about good experiences in the ministry.  We watched the sun set and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows.  Ahh life's simple pleasures!

Welcome sign outside of Michelle and Alexander's

Turkeys watching us from the fence

I can't breathe but this is so much fun! 

There were alot of funny stories to share...

Mmm fresh corn and good friends

Filthy McNasty on the Bus

You know how sometimes you see something so gross you just have to share it with someone?  Well, you are the fortunate person I'm sharing it with right now.  I just got off the bus coming home from a bible study.  Typical body to body pressed so tightly you can feel the person next to you breathing.  No big deal, I'm used to it.  I was  fortunate to have a seat this time though.  Or at least I thought  I was fortunate.  Right after I got on, more people crammed on to stand up for the ride.  As soon as we started moving everyone reached up to hold on to the bar to keep from falling.  I just so happened to glance up at the man standing over me to realize his armpit hair is staring at me.  It was so long he could have braided it!!!  The more I tried not to look, the more I couldn't help but stare in awe and disgust wondering if he was trying to get into the Guinness Book of World Records or something (do they still have that??!!).  I finally shifted in my seat and found myself face to face with a man using his peculiarly long nails to eat his boogers.  I didn't know what to do so I just stared at my lap for the rest of the ride, scared to even look up to see my stop.  I know that is absolutely horrible to write but I just had to get that off my chest.  OK, I feel a little better now knowing someone else is grossed out, too.  Thanks.  

In other news, the kitten has been adopted by my friend Klaudia who unbelievably is more of a cat person than I am!

Unexpected Roommate

I got home two nights ago to find an unexpected visitor.  One of the brothers at the house waited for me to get to the front door to see what he had placed there- a tiny little kitten (They know I love cats).  He can't be more than a couple of weeks old.  The brother joked that it was a "gift" for me as it had simply walked up to the house.  I petted it for awhile and then left for my room only to be followed.  So I figured I would at least give it something to eat.  Something to eat led to "ok I'll let it stay the night and find a home in the morning."  Yesterday I asked everyone I could think of and one sister decided to take him home on a trial basis for the night.  A few minutes ago I received a special delivery as he was returned to me due to a "no pet policy" in her home.  So, at least for a little while I have a little roomie.  Anybody want a kitten?  :-)

I refuse to get attached so for now he is simply called "cat"

He likes sleeping on my seafood cook book.  I guess it gives him happy dreams :-)

He was trying to fall asleep sitting up and kept falling over!

That "other cat" is quick!