Thursday, August 29, 2013

Habla inglés?

 So two amazing things happened to me back to back this past week and I wanted to share them with you. 

       Amazing thing número UNO:
It was one of those mornings that you kind of feel bad about counting your time. You know the ones I'm talking about where you take forever to get to the territory and talk to like one or two people who quickly brush you off. (Or in this instance pretend they don't speak English  because they're there with there prostitute but you know they speak English just fine.) We were going to a territory they you had to walk through the beach to get to and we were doing a little less than a pioneer stroll the 2 sisters in the front with me were also getting a bit anxious about the time it was taking. Just as we hit the other end of the beach we turn around and see the two sisters who were right behind us the whole time had stopped a while back because they ran into a Spanish sister on her way to work. It was starting to really feel like a bum service day. So after the longest 10 min ever the sisters catch up and were back on our trek to the territory. The next challenge we encounter are the stairs of death. I'm pretty sure if they added a few more steps it would lead into heaven. When we get there it's apartment buildings and our leading lady is directing us where to go using one of our gloriously confusing maps to guide us. As we're standing there I start to notice the growling tiger in my tummy "dangit I didn't eat his mourning! You have to take care of yourself out here!" Is going through my head. Then a Dominican man who's cleaning the pavement out front starts screaming "TESTIGOS DE JEHOVAHS!"  "TESTIGOS DE JEHOVAHS !" The sisters are like "Si, Testigos de jehovah's, Que pasa ?" "Aquí ! Ahora! Aquí! " at this point were all wondering what he wants as he screams here right not here lol so as we walk over a lady comes out of her apt with a big smile and invites us in. Then we realize that this is one of our spiritual sisters the man was telling us to go to this apartment lol. So as we go in I say a quick selfish prayer to Jehovah that she offers us food. She doesn't as a matter of fact she says I'm sorry I don't have any food to offer you but would you like something to drink? Lol I almost burst out laughing but I contained it with a grin and a thank you. As we're resting and drinking were talking about various things like Germany where her and her husband came from. How she speaks German Spanish and English and her husband only speaks German... Then she almost made me cry when she started saying how pioneers back home have it eaisy because they barely have to give up anything, how we're a blessing because we give up our homes our comforts our friends and families to go to a third world country to struggle all for Jehovah. It made me feel so good and reassured about my decision to come here. Then even more amazing she starts pulling out groceries and putting them on the table. Then she goes" we're moving to a different area tommorow I thought we'd be staying longer so I bought food but I don't want to waste it so you Girl's take it. I started laughing because just this morning I was telling my roommate we needed to go food shopping. Jehovah had answered my prayers in such a bazaar way but they were definitely answered  I received food just as I had asked for it. But then she does something else. She takes out her wallet and hands each of us a 20 I was so shocked I just gave her a huge hug and thanked her and said she should put it I the box  and she goes no thank you I just want to help you guys out a little. So then we conversed a bit more before leaving. By the time we were done we had to quit service for the time to get lunch and as we made our way back to the main road I was so happy that she gave us the money because it would pay for the gua gua. (Van) into town. But then a sister goes that's not 20 pesos its 29 euros! Now I'm even more grounded because 20 euros is 25 usd which goes a really long way here and I was starting to go broke so I was so floored that day that Jehovah was so awesome I didn't know what to do.

         Amazing thing número dos: 
The very next day I went out In service and was working with my little sis Anais (a adorable British girl who's absolutely incredible) and Susu was put with us as we'll. We were sent out back into my dreaded territory. I say dreaded because the 1st time I did it was my 2nd week here, the brother gave me a territory and said go preach. Thankfully the day beforehand I was in service with his wife and asked her how there territory maps worked so I had a bit of understanding. Susu was with me that day as well so we spent the morning walking to the territory then not being able to find one house on the map. Or any English speaking people. Come to find out Dominicans love to paint so what the map says one day is not valid the next. But this would be our 2nd time trying and I was down a little scared but still down for the challenge. I said my prayers and we were on our way. When we got there it was like a new territory! I could read it and found most of the places everyone we talked o was awesome. We got some great rvs including a young girl married to a American guy who owns a kite surf shop  . She speaks English but reads in Spanish she wants a Spanish bible -and we had a awesome conversation. It was a great day. I definitely felt like Jehovah was with me!

 But those were my 2 awesome experiences that I wanted to share! 

     But thanks for checking up on me. Leave me some love. Let me know you've been here, ask questions. make faces. Pray for me!!!!   

                                                                 Until next time.....
                                                                              Sincerely, your friend the Alien


This is a pic of the stairs of death and my service group from the 1st experience 


Monday, August 19, 2013

"Hehehe..." Guilty Chuckles....

Sorry my friends...


          I know I said Id do this 2 weeks ago, but 2 weeks ago came and left and now its been 4 weeks since I said Id do this in 2 weeks. Sorry... Hehehe. 

         But anyhow its been a roller coaster being down here. I really like it though,the awesome definitely out weighs the Eck. Lets see what aspect should I fill you in on 1st , The service? The congregation? The environment? My Situation...? Lets start with service... Its definitely something I have to rewire myself to get used to. I kind of expected the growth and dramatic acceptance of the truth that I experienced in St. Lucia, but its def. not like that in the English side of things here. Its more of... "Hi do you speak English...." " no..im on vacation... Jehovah Witnesses.... no im not interested..." Not to say everyone's like that because the friends have quiet a few bible studies here, its just that its not so easy to get them and it takes time. You can tell that there is growth here though some bible studies are regulars at the meetings, like a young boy who is kind of integrated himself into the congregation with the help of the brothers. And a Sister who is from the states but moved here a few years back and started studying while shes been here and was baptized about 6 months ago. So that's pretty sweet. I wont lie service is hot, I love when I'm put in a group with a car because though I love walking, its hot lol. Good thing is that everyone sweats so my sweat soaked face/dress is acceptable here. 
 
         The congregation is awesome. Right now the English side is small, I keep hearing that a big group of friends come in the winter. I'm glad I came now so I get a chance to know and get kind of close to the "core" congregation. The friends keep busy with service and each other, I don't think there's a day that goes by down here that you don't run into a friend while your out. Its encouraging to know that your not alone while your away from family. Jehovah's Organization ROCKS! The Spanish friends are awesome as well, they are all so nice and quick to try and understand my very poor/ very broken Spanish. ( I'm working on it lol) But I definitely feel a pull to go to the Spanish congregation, maybe in 6 months when I can understand more and I'm more settled.

       The area I'm in is beautiful. I've made it a point to never live anywhere else without a ocean. I've fallen for the ocean, Its so beautiful every time I'm in the water I ask why anyone would want to live anywhere else. The only thing I would change are the mosquitoes and HUGE roaches and even bigger spiders. But for real the roaches fly and jump and have 4 wings, what the crap. The locals are.... well the men holler at anything with legs and the women don't say much. The situation between foreign men and the local girls is quite sad. Its common to see a local girl who looks 20 or younger holding hands with a older white guy and you know whats up... 
  
      My living situation. I've been doing a lot of praying and with Jehovah's direction I'm getting my own apartment. It will be the 1st time Ill have my own place, Hopefully one of my current roommates will be back in 2 months and shell move in with me but if not ill rent out the 2nd room to some other sister but either way- its a big responsibility that I always wanted I just thought id be older in the states for my 1st place lol. 

     But thanks for checking up on me. Leave me some love. Let me know you've been here, ask questions. make faces. Pray for me!!!!   

                                                                 Until next time.....
                                                                              Sincerely, your friend the Alien