Janice mentioned that before she came in the truth that she knew about three Witnesses, but the reason why she accepted the truth was because she was pregnant and a couple of Witness sisters visited her. They noticed that she was very limited in what she could do because she was so heavy with pregnancy, that one day they came over and washed her dishes and vacuumed her floors and even took down her Christmas decorations for her and neatly packed them away. She said that that act of kindness moved her so much, because she had friends that hadn't even come to help her. I learned two very important lessons from her experience. First, when she first attended a meeting, she noticed the three Witnesses there, and she asked them, "why didn't you ever try to witness to me? It could have saved me so much heartache." She said that's why she really is gung-ho about informal witnessing. Second, that act of kindness that those sisters showed to her really affected her. So it goes beyond just telling someone a witness, but it is also showing a witness by acts of kindness.
And how Juana began to study, she would overhear and listen in on her brother's Bible study. That taught me that you never know who may be listening while you're preaching and teaching. That we could be planting all of kinds of seeds everywhere and not know it! I thought that was beautiful!
So okay, remember when I said yesterday that I had the best ice cream ever?!??! Well, ummm...I'm kind of lactose intolerant, so I pretty rough night! That's all I'm sayin'! LOL So this morning, Gordon took his turn to go out and grab me a bagel, which helped to settle my stomach.
This morning it was raining like cats and frogs, so we weren't sure if we would be able to share in the ministry. But just as fast that the rain came, the sun came just as fast! So we headed out to the Kingdom Hall, Gordon still looking for great places to eat. So Stella, the woman who works at the ice cream shop, told us about Liz who has a little restaurant (you learn very quickly that everyone knows everyone here! You learn everyone's name!) In fact, Stella turned around and took us back to the restaurant and introduced us!
We finally arrived at the Kingdom Hall for the meeting for service and were divided up into our groups. Out of curiosity I asked where the Kingdom Hall bathroom was...it's out back! Should I be scared?!??! LOL
So Gordon went off on a Bible study with Brother Rick Falk, it was with a massage therapist that worked on the beach. Imagine conducting a Bible study looking at the turquoise ocean and sitting under palm trees...ahhhh! I'm jealous and I'm here! LOL
Me...I went off with the sisters and worked door to door with Donna Falk (Rick's wife). We had a great time. Rick and Donna are the two pioneers in the congregation. After spending time with Donna I fell in love with her. Last night I prayed to Jehovah to be able to see the real deal of life in Caye Caulker, and today my prayers were answered. Donna gave me the real...deal and I appreciated it so much!
It was very moving to see her break out into tears because she said that she has been praying to Jehovah for another pioneering couple to come to Caye Caulker, and also to have a pioneering elder. She just kept telling me how much they needed us here! To be honest...I got a little teary eyed just listening to her. Rick and Donna are very sweet and hospitable, they invited us over for dinner on Friday. If we did move here, I can see us all becoming really good friends.
Today, it was weird Donna and I were met with a lot of not-at-homes, but the information that she provided me was invaluable and an answer to a prayer. So I don't personally have any super deluxe awesome experiences to share today, only that Donna gave Gordon and I a lot to think and pray on. Here are the sisters that I worked with today. A few are visiting from Canada and the other live on Caye Caulker.
This is Marley. She is a young girl who's mother is a sister. They can really use help encouraging the youth here...I will say that is right up Gordon and my alley! LOL
This is some of the territory that we worked this morning...
Here at about 11:30 am, the kids come home from school for lunch, and like I mentioned before everything kind of shuts down, so we have to basically stop door to door at that time because everyone is caring for the children. So we got a few refreshments and took in some shade, because at noon it hits 500 degrees! Think I'm exaggerating?!??!?! Okay, maybe a little! LOL
Gordon and I got a couple of fresh fruit smoothies to cool down, and then we headed to lunch at the Happy Lobster! Stewed Chicken, red beans and rice and fried plantain...off the chain! Thanks Miriam and Olga!
We then headed back to the hotel, running into Juana and Andrea. Andrea was the girl that young Phillip that that I looked like yesterday...
Andrea works at a guest house. I asked what a guest house was...it's a place where you can rent a room with a shared bathroom. They had an extra little guest as well...
We walked some more and ran into Tracey's puppies sleeping...so cute!
Back to the room to rest up a bit, because the sun and heat just DRAINS you! We have our meeting tonight and are looking forward to meeting the rest of the congregation.
So we took a short stroll around more of the island before we headed to the Kingdom Hall. We walked past the basketball court and Gordon looked like a little kid that wasn't allowed to play! It was so cute! Can't get his meeting clothes dirty! LOL Some of these men play barefoot! It was wild!
We also ran across this dog that was just chillin in the middle of the street! He was hilarious! I name him Charlie!!!! Yes, Charlie the Chill Dog!!!!
We arrived and met the other elder of the congregation and then the rest of the friends arrived. Like I mentioned before, they keep the doors open of the Kingdom Hall so that people will know that there is a meeting...remember I said that....
The brothers ask Gordon if he would mind handling the microphones and of course he didn't mind. You know we are so use to having a brother on each side with a microphone, well the hall is so tiny that Gordon was the only microphone handler! LOL It was so cute watching him run around from side to side. He's a hot mess because he would hand you the microphone from your right, and then by the time you finished commenting you look to hand it back to him and he done swung around to your left! A hot mess! LOL
It was so interesting seeing just three brothers handle the meeting. I mean from all of the parts, to the school overseer, to adjusting the mics...it was interesting and shows things that we take for granted.
There was a young brother who did the Bible reading. His name was Brendan. He was so cute. He told me later that he has the goal to share in the ministry every Saturday, and that his goal is to reach 20 hours! He's about 12 years old!
The meeting is chugging along...now remember that the door is open, and all of a sudden you see a bee. Everyone's eyes go to the bee...I was about to take it OUT! when a sister was able to step on it! Okay good...we're straight...ummmmmm not so much!
Next thing we know, Gordon is waiting for someone to finish commenting and feels something on his shirt and tie. He swipes it thinking that he got it, and he looks down at me and I was shaking my head like, "no he's still on you!" So I had to get up and use my Bible to get the bee off of my man! Everyone started laughing! You should have seen his face! And Richard, the young boy that I spoke about yesterday was there, and when I looked over at him he was doubled over CRACKING UP at my poor husband!!!! Gordon beat him up after the meeting for laughing at him! LOL
We were told that one time a swarm of bees came in during the meeting because they were attracted to the light and stung a number of people including little Richard!
Oh yeah! I found my Belizean Warren Hargow in Richard! He followed me around after the meeting and we even played Rock Paper Scissors like Warren and I do! It was a nice taste of home...I miss my little Warren! He's irreplaceable, but Richard would be the next best thing!
We hung out and talked to the friends after the meeting. Here are some of the friends that were at the meeting...
This was Zane (the baby) and Miguel. Zane is hilarious because as Gordon was handling the microphone, I looked back and he grabbed Gordon's hand and was just holding it...was so cute!
Okay, see the young sister standing next to me? Her name is Mirella (I hope I spelled it correctly) and she is from Nova Scotia. I love her already! She kept trying to photo bomb all of my pictures so that she could be in my blog...so here she goes! It's kind of like where's Waldo, well where's Mirella! Some pics she was too slow so she didn't make it in, but she tried real hard! She's a sweetheart!
Remember I told you that they keep the doors open during the meeting, well during the prayer it was hilarious because this random dog comes to the door and just starts barking! He was trying to get someone's attention. The sound kept getting closer and closer... I had to open my eyes and look at my ankles cuz I did not want to get bit!
Gordon thinks that he is so cool in his whip golf cart! If you notice, Richard is giving Gordon rabbit ears and Brendan is giving Richard rabbit ears and Richard has no idea! Hilarious! The brother standing is Rick Falk (I worked with his wife this morning). He is one of the servants in the congregation and he and his wife are the two pioneers.
It was so funny because the were cleaning up and sweeping like we all do after the meeting, but they are sweeping up sand!
We walked home with Juana and Richard. We told Richard that we would be in San Pedro tomorrow and he asked why. We told him that we have to go check out different areas and congregations. And he asked, "so you can decide where you want to live?" and I said yes. What he said next just touched my heart.."Pick here! Pick here!" I said..."Ah...you like us!" It was so cute!
I was able to talk to Marly the young girl that I mentioned that I met earlier today in the ministry. Her mom is in the truth, and you can tell that well, she's just there. So after the meeting I wanted to go speak to her, but I was so caught up with other people, but I saw her slip out the door. I went out after her, "Marley! Why you trying to sneak out!" LOL We laughed and gave each other a hug. I asked her how she felt about the truth and she wasn't really sure. She mentioned that she was raised in the truth. I expressed to her that I was as well, and that I was the youngest of five children and for years it was only my mom and me in the truth. But I told her that now some of my sisters are coming back to Jehovah because there's nothing out there. She just really touched my heart because she seems so lost. She only 17. She reminded me so much of my Jenean when she first started attending meetings, I think that's why I was so drawn to her.
I then spoke to her mom and let her know that I spoke to Marley and she thanked me and gave me a hug, and thanked me again for taking the time to talk to her. I told her mom about my Jenean. Her mom said that Marley just started a new job and told her boss that she couldn't work on meeting nights. There's something there...there's a spark! I so wish that I could be here to encourage her! I already told Juana that if we move here I'm all about adult sister slumber parties and scavenger hunts! She laughed! I said, "we'll have scavenger hunts on Caye Caulker!" I'm sure she thinks that I'm crazy! I'm so moved to try to encourage young ones because if it wasn't for sisters taking an interest in me, I'm sure I would not be a servant of Jehovah today. So I feel the need to pay it forward...and hopefully those sisters will then pay it forward.
It was a great day. A weighty day. A lot to take in and consider and pray on. I really do love it here. But I have to keep telling myself to keep an open mind in regards to San Pedro and Big Falls, and to look to Jehovah and rely on his spirit and directions to help us to decide where we are most needed to serve.
I'm done rambling for the night. We have to catch a 7am water taxi to San Pedro in the morning so I'm out!
Love you all and thanks so much for the support and your many comments to my blog posts! We both appreciate it!
WHERE'S MIRELLA!! I love it! :) Miss you already, hope all is going well! :)
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