This past week in Matthews Ridge was an interesting one that included some changes, as well as exciting preparations for the upcoming Memorial.
As was already mentioned on the blog, Stephan Johnsen said goodbye to Matthews Ridge last week, a departure that left few with dry eyes. A further departure was to come, though, and this unexpected to most. As you know from the previous entry, Jim Newton had traveled to Georgetown about two weeks ago now to look after some stomach trouble he had been having. He flew back into Matthews Ridge this past Friday. One and all were glad for his safe return and were hoping that this chapter was over. However, Jim’s symptoms of stomach trouble continued and just could not be shaken. If you know Jim at all, you know that it would be hard to find a more hard-working and determined worker than he. And so it was very sad to see Jim, obviously not feeling himself, still held down by these issues. And so, at last, Jim and Terri decided that since things were not taking any substantial turn for the better regarding Jim’s stomach trouble, returning to the states temporarily to resolve these would be the course of wisdom. And so, on Monday morning, a number of publishers and Bible students went to the airstrip for another emotional goodbye. Jim and Terri are out of the Ridge for the time being, but we have received word of their safe arrival in New York. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and if it be Jehovah’s will, we await their return with great anticipation.
This week was also a week of continued preparations for the Memorial. The decision was made to hold an additional meeting for field service during the week to facilitate a thorough coverage of the territory here in Matthews Ridge. This arrangement has been well supported. It is such a joy to see Jehovah’s people spreading out through the town, inviting people to recognize Jehovah’s goodness toward us! We had the opportunity to share in a special Memorial invitation distribution effort this Wednesday when a group of us from Matthews Ridge traveled to a nearby town named Arakaka. We hired a cruiser, as they refer to pick-up trucks in this area, to carry us to and from Arakaka. There were 12 of us in all who made the trip: Eugene, Mary, Doris, Stephanie, Aletha, Justina, Danika, Letisha, Sonia, Andrew, Jared and myself. We had a meeting for field service at the Kingdom Hall here in Matthews Ridge, and then we headed out on our way. 11 rode in the cruiser, and I took one of the motorbikes and followed, as we figured it might be helpful to have a bike there to reach some of the houses set back from the road. It took about 50 minutes or so to get there, the route being about 9 miles or so from what I figured with the help of a GPS. Once there we split into three groups, the “divide and conquer” approach you might say. We covered the main part of Arakaka in about two hours, and then we worked our way back towards Ridge, covering houses spread along the road as we went. And so after heading out of the main part of Arakaka, we spent about another two hours covering these additional houses. We invited those we met to the Memorial, but we also read scriptures and left additional literature where possible, as Arakaka does not get worked in the ministry routinely. It was an exciting day, and I can say with confidence that all who went enjoyed this eventful day of service.
Lastly, I wanted to share some expressions that were made by some in the Ridge that I found particularly encouraging. One of these was from a man that I’ve started to study with whom Jim was studying with named Lloyd. He was telling me how he attended other churches in the past but never really learned anything from the Bible. He said it was only after having studied with Jehovah’s people that he really starting learning Bible truths. Another man named Filbert who I’ve begun studying with since Jim left expressed something similar as to his appreciation for learning real truths from the Bible from Jehovah, something he never could do before he started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s people. Although these may seem to be simple statements, seeing their appreciation for learning the truth really affected me.
The pictures included with this week’s entry are of the preaching trip to Arakaka.
As was already mentioned on the blog, Stephan Johnsen said goodbye to Matthews Ridge last week, a departure that left few with dry eyes. A further departure was to come, though, and this unexpected to most. As you know from the previous entry, Jim Newton had traveled to Georgetown about two weeks ago now to look after some stomach trouble he had been having. He flew back into Matthews Ridge this past Friday. One and all were glad for his safe return and were hoping that this chapter was over. However, Jim’s symptoms of stomach trouble continued and just could not be shaken. If you know Jim at all, you know that it would be hard to find a more hard-working and determined worker than he. And so it was very sad to see Jim, obviously not feeling himself, still held down by these issues. And so, at last, Jim and Terri decided that since things were not taking any substantial turn for the better regarding Jim’s stomach trouble, returning to the states temporarily to resolve these would be the course of wisdom. And so, on Monday morning, a number of publishers and Bible students went to the airstrip for another emotional goodbye. Jim and Terri are out of the Ridge for the time being, but we have received word of their safe arrival in New York. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and if it be Jehovah’s will, we await their return with great anticipation.
This week was also a week of continued preparations for the Memorial. The decision was made to hold an additional meeting for field service during the week to facilitate a thorough coverage of the territory here in Matthews Ridge. This arrangement has been well supported. It is such a joy to see Jehovah’s people spreading out through the town, inviting people to recognize Jehovah’s goodness toward us! We had the opportunity to share in a special Memorial invitation distribution effort this Wednesday when a group of us from Matthews Ridge traveled to a nearby town named Arakaka. We hired a cruiser, as they refer to pick-up trucks in this area, to carry us to and from Arakaka. There were 12 of us in all who made the trip: Eugene, Mary, Doris, Stephanie, Aletha, Justina, Danika, Letisha, Sonia, Andrew, Jared and myself. We had a meeting for field service at the Kingdom Hall here in Matthews Ridge, and then we headed out on our way. 11 rode in the cruiser, and I took one of the motorbikes and followed, as we figured it might be helpful to have a bike there to reach some of the houses set back from the road. It took about 50 minutes or so to get there, the route being about 9 miles or so from what I figured with the help of a GPS. Once there we split into three groups, the “divide and conquer” approach you might say. We covered the main part of Arakaka in about two hours, and then we worked our way back towards Ridge, covering houses spread along the road as we went. And so after heading out of the main part of Arakaka, we spent about another two hours covering these additional houses. We invited those we met to the Memorial, but we also read scriptures and left additional literature where possible, as Arakaka does not get worked in the ministry routinely. It was an exciting day, and I can say with confidence that all who went enjoyed this eventful day of service.
Lastly, I wanted to share some expressions that were made by some in the Ridge that I found particularly encouraging. One of these was from a man that I’ve started to study with whom Jim was studying with named Lloyd. He was telling me how he attended other churches in the past but never really learned anything from the Bible. He said it was only after having studied with Jehovah’s people that he really starting learning Bible truths. Another man named Filbert who I’ve begun studying with since Jim left expressed something similar as to his appreciation for learning real truths from the Bible from Jehovah, something he never could do before he started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s people. Although these may seem to be simple statements, seeing their appreciation for learning the truth really affected me.
The pictures included with this week’s entry are of the preaching trip to Arakaka.
