1 down, 4 to go!

It has officially been one month... a good time for reflections.

Learning the language:
At times it can be frustrating and I feel like the learning curve has been very flat...but I do think I had unrealistic expectations of being fluent in one month. Jehovah has not granted me that miracle. So since I have not seen any flames on my head, I may have to actually crack open the textbook:)
Between the two of us however, Jessica and I are able to get our points across. (Much thanks to whoever gave Jess the translator!) When you first start to listen to another language, all the words seem to blur together and everything sounds alien. I am proud to say that I can now differentiate between all the words, I just don't know what all of them mean. Still, it is progress. Now that we are used to our surroundings and more comfortable in our routine, we can really apply ourselves to learning.

Service:
This city is very interesting. When a place is such a gold mine for Bible studies, that usually means the area is pretty harsh. We live in the country so most people are poor and have pretty labor intensive jobs. There is not much for young people to do but hang out in the streets and go to dance clubs. (The dance clubs are the nicest building in town). It is easy to reason with them about the need for a change in the world because most of them have experienced struggles of life first hand. Many agree to a Bible study but have a hard time finding time to prepare or attend meetings, or have a hard time changing their lifestyle, so most do not progress too rapidly.
On the other hand, you have those who study and the whole family becomes pioneers 6 months after they get baptized! There is a surprising amount of studies with little kids. The parents don't have time but the kids really like learning about the Bible so they make the decision to study.
All in all, almost everybody has some sort of Godly devotion and appreciates the Bible, most just don't know too much about it. It has been very interesting seeing the different responses and different methods of preaching.

Some good experiences:
We were walking in the territory as a man on a horse passed by and saw a brother with magazines. He was looking pretty intently, so the brother approached him and started a conversation. It turns out the man had read a Watchtower once and really liked it but had not seen the witnesses again. The brother left a set with him and promised to meet the man at his house that afternoon to talk more. When he got there the man had been waiting all afternoon, magazines read, and welcomed a study.

The other day, a sister and I came out of a house after having a really great 40 minute discussion with a young guy. I expected all the other sisters to be far down the street, finishing the territory. When we came out, almost everybody was exactly where we had left them, having their own 40 minute discussions! It was so amazing to look around and see all our sisters really getting into the Bible and teaching people about Jehovah. I was able to visualize Matthew 24:14 and appreciate that I get to be a part of it. So next time you are in service, look around at your brothers and sisters at the door and take a minute to think about the great work you are sharing in!


We are really enjoying service and the new friends/family here. Although I have been a little homesick, I am really looking forward the next 4 months! Hopefully they will be filled with many interesting stories to share.

Estefanie

P.S. I have officially spread the Bible Teach picture presentation to Colombia! Three sisters have used it...my work here is done:)