We have had a rather busy week this week with everyone working to getting for this year’s Memorial observance. We have nearly completed going through all our territory to give everyone their invitation. We only have one territory that hasn’t been started and two others that are more than half completed. So this next week will easily allow for that to be completed, although there will be a few less workers. Joe, Compton, and another brother who recently arrived from the states, Jason Andrews from Rhode Island, are going to undertake a three day river trip to reach some untouched territory, while Terri and I will be traveling up to Matthew’s Ridge to assist with the Memorial there.
Yesterday, we had a major cleaning day to prepare the hall for the Memorial. We worked in a nearby territory in the morning, and then returned early to start the cleaning work. Everything was taken out of the hall and the walls and the floor were given a thorough brush scrubbing. We also worked on the area outside. The flower beds were weeded and a fresh layer of mulch was added, and all the morning glory vines were removed from the fence. It will also help when it comes time to prepare for the SAD program April 20th. We recently received word that the branch overseer, Bro. Hinds, and his wife will be coming out for that. I am looking forward to being able to spend a few days with him to help make plans for our return.
Elroy Smith returned on the steamer Friday. He had been away doing work to try and support the family. He had a nice story to tell on his return. The bus he was traveling on encountered a police security checkpoint along the way. Everyone was made to get out and all their luggage was thoroughly searched, requiring them to take everything out of their bags and spread them out on the ground. In addition, all the men were subjected to a very through search including taking off their pants.
Elroy had been the last on to get off the bus, and an officer asked him who he was. He told him he was on of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The officer told him to open his suitcase. When he did, his magazines and books, and bible were there on the top. The policeman told him to zip his bag back up and get back on the bus. So while everyone else was being searched “fine fine” as Elroy put it, he said on the bus waiting. When the others got back on, someone asked him why he had not been subject to the same search, and he said he had told them he was one of Jehovah’s witnesses. I had read of similar things in the magazines, but it was nice to get a first hand report like that.
Last week I had mentioned our new publisher Margaret had started a study which she was going on for the first time this week. The study is in Hosororo, which is too far to reasonable walk to. Margaret made arrangements to meet near the hall and then go together to Kumaka where the group meets on Tuesday, and then go on to Hosororo. I had told Terri she should be prepared to pay Margaret’s bus fare as they have very little money. I said maybe she will pay her own way, but don’t be surprised if she expects you to pay.
When they got to Kumaka, Margaret paid the conductor for her passage. She said she had enough money to pay her bus fare for the day, but she was worried, as that was her whole amount of money for the week. While in Kumaka, they ran into Margaret’s father who lives out towards White Water. She hardly ever sees him or speaks to him. While talking, they exchanged phone numbers, as they both have cell phones. Her father then slips her a thousand dollars ($5 US). Later in the morning he calls her on her cell phone to tell her how proud he is of what she is doing and the way she is living her life. So not only is she able to go and start helping someone learn about the bible, but she also receives the praise of her father, and gets home with more money than when she started. Once again, Matt. 6:33 is proven true.
Today was the second Public Talk delivered by one of the local brothers. Solo Fazarali gave the talk. He has been baptized less than two years, but he did a fine job. During the Service Meeting this week, we had had a part on the importance of attending the meetings. He gave a very nice comment. He mentioned that before we was baptized, he had his personal bible study, but since he was baptized, he has learned so much more at the meetings than he ever learned in his personal bible study. One might think that having that personal one-on-one attention teaching would be more educational, but he said being at the meetings was even more educational. Next week, Bro Baxter will give his first talk. Unfortunately, I will not be here to hear it. I may try to get someone to record it for me.
The weather here has recently become more seasonable with clear skies and bright sun. I think we have had four sunny days in a row. I’m hoping that this will be the pattern. I think that even if we were to get no more rain, we have enough water in our tanks to carry us through the remained of our time here. We have five weeks left, but next week we will be at Matthew’s Ridge, so we only need water enough for four weeks. And I can’t believe we won’t be getting a fair amount of rain between now and then.
We recently had an uninvited guest. We heard something scuffling around in the dark, and we were starting to find unwanted droppings around. I tried to rig up a trap using a water bucket we keep our used dishwater in for use flushing the toilet. Whatever it was fell into the bucket, but was able to get itself out. In the morning we found a packet of peanuts that had been in Terri’s backpack hanging up on the wall lying on the floor next to a mint that had been in her purse. We decided to name our guest Earl after a song by the Dixie Chicks. I ended up borrowing a rattrap from the front house. Joe had brought it with them, but said they had not been able to catch anything with it. I looked it over and made a few adjustments and set it before going to bed. In the morning there was a mouse on steroids in it. I will set it again to see if he has any kin.
As I have mentioned a few times, we will be traveling to Matthew’s Ridge for a week, so don’t be concerned if there is no posting next weekend. I’m hoping to arrange something so I can get something posted, but again, if it doesn’t happen, don’t be surprised. We are still not sure how we will get to the Ridge. I’m hoping to be able to get a plane ride there, but most likely we will do the boat-bus thing, which takes most of the day, as opposed to a 30 minute plane ride. I’ll let you know what happens in my next post.
For this weeks pictures, I’ve included one from our Saturday cleaning day, a picture of Solo giving his first talk, and finally since I mentioned Margaret’s experience, I’ve included one of her as well.
Hoping all are well and looking forward to being together as we all observe the Memorial wherever we may be.
Yesterday, we had a major cleaning day to prepare the hall for the Memorial. We worked in a nearby territory in the morning, and then returned early to start the cleaning work. Everything was taken out of the hall and the walls and the floor were given a thorough brush scrubbing. We also worked on the area outside. The flower beds were weeded and a fresh layer of mulch was added, and all the morning glory vines were removed from the fence. It will also help when it comes time to prepare for the SAD program April 20th. We recently received word that the branch overseer, Bro. Hinds, and his wife will be coming out for that. I am looking forward to being able to spend a few days with him to help make plans for our return.
Elroy Smith returned on the steamer Friday. He had been away doing work to try and support the family. He had a nice story to tell on his return. The bus he was traveling on encountered a police security checkpoint along the way. Everyone was made to get out and all their luggage was thoroughly searched, requiring them to take everything out of their bags and spread them out on the ground. In addition, all the men were subjected to a very through search including taking off their pants.
Elroy had been the last on to get off the bus, and an officer asked him who he was. He told him he was on of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The officer told him to open his suitcase. When he did, his magazines and books, and bible were there on the top. The policeman told him to zip his bag back up and get back on the bus. So while everyone else was being searched “fine fine” as Elroy put it, he said on the bus waiting. When the others got back on, someone asked him why he had not been subject to the same search, and he said he had told them he was one of Jehovah’s witnesses. I had read of similar things in the magazines, but it was nice to get a first hand report like that.
Last week I had mentioned our new publisher Margaret had started a study which she was going on for the first time this week. The study is in Hosororo, which is too far to reasonable walk to. Margaret made arrangements to meet near the hall and then go together to Kumaka where the group meets on Tuesday, and then go on to Hosororo. I had told Terri she should be prepared to pay Margaret’s bus fare as they have very little money. I said maybe she will pay her own way, but don’t be surprised if she expects you to pay.
When they got to Kumaka, Margaret paid the conductor for her passage. She said she had enough money to pay her bus fare for the day, but she was worried, as that was her whole amount of money for the week. While in Kumaka, they ran into Margaret’s father who lives out towards White Water. She hardly ever sees him or speaks to him. While talking, they exchanged phone numbers, as they both have cell phones. Her father then slips her a thousand dollars ($5 US). Later in the morning he calls her on her cell phone to tell her how proud he is of what she is doing and the way she is living her life. So not only is she able to go and start helping someone learn about the bible, but she also receives the praise of her father, and gets home with more money than when she started. Once again, Matt. 6:33 is proven true.
Today was the second Public Talk delivered by one of the local brothers. Solo Fazarali gave the talk. He has been baptized less than two years, but he did a fine job. During the Service Meeting this week, we had had a part on the importance of attending the meetings. He gave a very nice comment. He mentioned that before we was baptized, he had his personal bible study, but since he was baptized, he has learned so much more at the meetings than he ever learned in his personal bible study. One might think that having that personal one-on-one attention teaching would be more educational, but he said being at the meetings was even more educational. Next week, Bro Baxter will give his first talk. Unfortunately, I will not be here to hear it. I may try to get someone to record it for me.
The weather here has recently become more seasonable with clear skies and bright sun. I think we have had four sunny days in a row. I’m hoping that this will be the pattern. I think that even if we were to get no more rain, we have enough water in our tanks to carry us through the remained of our time here. We have five weeks left, but next week we will be at Matthew’s Ridge, so we only need water enough for four weeks. And I can’t believe we won’t be getting a fair amount of rain between now and then.
We recently had an uninvited guest. We heard something scuffling around in the dark, and we were starting to find unwanted droppings around. I tried to rig up a trap using a water bucket we keep our used dishwater in for use flushing the toilet. Whatever it was fell into the bucket, but was able to get itself out. In the morning we found a packet of peanuts that had been in Terri’s backpack hanging up on the wall lying on the floor next to a mint that had been in her purse. We decided to name our guest Earl after a song by the Dixie Chicks. I ended up borrowing a rattrap from the front house. Joe had brought it with them, but said they had not been able to catch anything with it. I looked it over and made a few adjustments and set it before going to bed. In the morning there was a mouse on steroids in it. I will set it again to see if he has any kin.
As I have mentioned a few times, we will be traveling to Matthew’s Ridge for a week, so don’t be concerned if there is no posting next weekend. I’m hoping to arrange something so I can get something posted, but again, if it doesn’t happen, don’t be surprised. We are still not sure how we will get to the Ridge. I’m hoping to be able to get a plane ride there, but most likely we will do the boat-bus thing, which takes most of the day, as opposed to a 30 minute plane ride. I’ll let you know what happens in my next post.
For this weeks pictures, I’ve included one from our Saturday cleaning day, a picture of Solo giving his first talk, and finally since I mentioned Margaret’s experience, I’ve included one of her as well.
Hoping all are well and looking forward to being together as we all observe the Memorial wherever we may be.
