Get to know our Need Greaters- Bev
Ok first let me preface this interview by saying I asked her these questions many many moons ago but never had a chance to post it. She has since served in the Dominican Republic and is currently assisting a congregation in the States. Nonetheless, this is one of my favorite interviews so I still wanted you to see it! Ok, without further ado, here's Bev!
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Missouri originally; before I came here I was in San Diego, 17 years.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A NEED GREATER?
It just more or less just happened. I needed lower living expenses and at the same time I wanted to be where there was a need.
WHY NICARAGUA?
It was between a couple of other places but I had extended family in Leon who would bring pictures when in the States for work. Then, a friend of my son's was in Masaya and he put me in touch with a family in Granada.
HAD YOU SERVED WHERE THE NEED WAS GREATER IN THE PAST?
No, only unassigned territory in the States.
DO YOU PLAN TO SERVE ANYWHERE ELSE?
I plan to move to the Dominican Republic (which she did!) to an area near my granddaughter. I've been in Nicaragua for almost 11 months.
HOW DID YOU PREPARE TO SERVE IN NICARAGUA?
Well, almost two years before, I started downsizing with plans to sell my mobile home. At that point, I was not sure where to go because my purpose in downsizing was for economic as well. Then I realized I could actually go to another country. So, I distributed all my things of value to my grandchildren and now it's just the clothes on my back and a few photo albums!
WERE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING BEFORE COMING TO NICARAGUA?
Not really. The brothers gave me a lot of information and I knew they would see to it I was in a secure place.
DID YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME ANY CHALLENGES TO GET HERE OR WHILE SERVING HERE?
Well, Satan is going to make sure you have obstacles. I have been pioneering almost 35 years and every year is a challenge. Of course, things did not go smoothly getting here and the language is a challenge for me.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HIGHLIGHTS OR GOOD EXPERIENCES FROM BEING IN NICARAGUA?
There is not enough time to relate how exciting the ministry is here! I have been able to use many assets of service; I was able to give a witness to several that would be hard to find. Just warmth and caring is a witness in itself. But the highlight for me is seeing Jehovah's organization in action. I can never wait for the year book to come out, but to be somewhere and see Jehovah's hand in so many ways is an experience beyond compare. For example, they hand a pioneer route in all Central America starting in January through June. 14,050 pioneers from Central America and 3,035 from Mexico. Some came for as many months as possible, and some for all six. They covered every nook and cranny. Not only did they have excellent experiences but they encouraged the congregations they worked out of, also. This was all rural. They forged rivers, climbed mountains, slept in hammocks in the wilderness as well as walking two to three hours to the territory. The second thing is, that to see young and old, mostly young, make the sacrifices they do to be here. They live here as long as they can before return to find work and then back again. As they put up with indescribable conditions, they are happy to do so. Need greaters are very close to each other because they need to keep encouraging each other. And, they still find time for recreation. This is a non-stop ministry!
HOW HAS THIS EXPERIENCE HELPED YOU TO DRAW CLOSER TO JEHOVAH?
When you go to where the need is greater, you realize how much we all have to do. Even though everyone checks on each other, you realize that they have alot to do so this draws you closer to Jehovah because he will help you with everything. Also, we are really in a goldfish bowl, so everything we do or say can be a good or bad witness so unity is very important. So many prayers in order to bring praise to Jehovah and the work his son is doing.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Study, cook, clean. There are times for trips but just getting together with the friends is so encouraging.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS THINKING OF SERVING WHERE THE NEED IS GREATER?
Just get in the car and start turning the wheel. Most of all, a great matter of prayer. Do not build the tower without it.
.JPG)
Ok first let me preface this interview by saying I asked her these questions many many moons ago but never had a chance to post it. She has since served in the Dominican Republic and is currently assisting a congregation in the States. Nonetheless, this is one of my favorite interviews so I still wanted you to see it! Ok, without further ado, here's Bev!
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Missouri originally; before I came here I was in San Diego, 17 years.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A NEED GREATER?
It just more or less just happened. I needed lower living expenses and at the same time I wanted to be where there was a need.
WHY NICARAGUA?
It was between a couple of other places but I had extended family in Leon who would bring pictures when in the States for work. Then, a friend of my son's was in Masaya and he put me in touch with a family in Granada.
HAD YOU SERVED WHERE THE NEED WAS GREATER IN THE PAST?
No, only unassigned territory in the States.
DO YOU PLAN TO SERVE ANYWHERE ELSE?
I plan to move to the Dominican Republic (which she did!) to an area near my granddaughter. I've been in Nicaragua for almost 11 months.
HOW DID YOU PREPARE TO SERVE IN NICARAGUA?
Well, almost two years before, I started downsizing with plans to sell my mobile home. At that point, I was not sure where to go because my purpose in downsizing was for economic as well. Then I realized I could actually go to another country. So, I distributed all my things of value to my grandchildren and now it's just the clothes on my back and a few photo albums!
WERE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING BEFORE COMING TO NICARAGUA?
Not really. The brothers gave me a lot of information and I knew they would see to it I was in a secure place.
DID YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME ANY CHALLENGES TO GET HERE OR WHILE SERVING HERE?
Well, Satan is going to make sure you have obstacles. I have been pioneering almost 35 years and every year is a challenge. Of course, things did not go smoothly getting here and the language is a challenge for me.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HIGHLIGHTS OR GOOD EXPERIENCES FROM BEING IN NICARAGUA?
There is not enough time to relate how exciting the ministry is here! I have been able to use many assets of service; I was able to give a witness to several that would be hard to find. Just warmth and caring is a witness in itself. But the highlight for me is seeing Jehovah's organization in action. I can never wait for the year book to come out, but to be somewhere and see Jehovah's hand in so many ways is an experience beyond compare. For example, they hand a pioneer route in all Central America starting in January through June. 14,050 pioneers from Central America and 3,035 from Mexico. Some came for as many months as possible, and some for all six. They covered every nook and cranny. Not only did they have excellent experiences but they encouraged the congregations they worked out of, also. This was all rural. They forged rivers, climbed mountains, slept in hammocks in the wilderness as well as walking two to three hours to the territory. The second thing is, that to see young and old, mostly young, make the sacrifices they do to be here. They live here as long as they can before return to find work and then back again. As they put up with indescribable conditions, they are happy to do so. Need greaters are very close to each other because they need to keep encouraging each other. And, they still find time for recreation. This is a non-stop ministry!
HOW HAS THIS EXPERIENCE HELPED YOU TO DRAW CLOSER TO JEHOVAH?
When you go to where the need is greater, you realize how much we all have to do. Even though everyone checks on each other, you realize that they have alot to do so this draws you closer to Jehovah because he will help you with everything. Also, we are really in a goldfish bowl, so everything we do or say can be a good or bad witness so unity is very important. So many prayers in order to bring praise to Jehovah and the work his son is doing.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Study, cook, clean. There are times for trips but just getting together with the friends is so encouraging.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS THINKING OF SERVING WHERE THE NEED IS GREATER?
Just get in the car and start turning the wheel. Most of all, a great matter of prayer. Do not build the tower without it.
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Thanks Kim. This was a very encouraging interview. I hope Bev is enjoying her new congregation and hopefully we'll see her back here in Nicaragua some time.
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