Friday, May 30, 2008

Preaching in the mud

Preaching in Cuenca has been a delight. Sometimes it can be somewhat scary, too. Yesterday it rained a lot and thus left a lot of roads full of mud. Today we preached higher up in the mountains where the roads are narrow and full of mud. We had very little to grab a hold of and at one point we had to walk along a cliff. If we took a wrong step, down we would go about a 12-15 foot drop into the running muddy waters. Thanks to Jehovah, we were able to reach and preach to the hand full of homes that were there. Although, the people we found were busy they still accepted the tracts.

It´s a warmer day today. This morning it was somewhat cold, but now it´s around the mid 60´s. The sun is typically very bright around this time of day and we have to use our umbrellas to shade us.

There is a lot of construction going on here just like in the states. Many existing homes are empty as well as the newly built ones. When we are preaching in these areas or just walking by a construction site, the men respond just as disrespectful and many worldly men do in the states. Whistling and making rude remarks. Several times during the week, I will hear men calling out to me whisling trying to get my attention... "Morena... Morena.." The calls sometimes can be nerve racking because they are persistent. I just keep walking and ignore them. One day not too long ago, one guy keep calling out to me all the way down the street. Since I have to pass many of these street several times during the week, I think they are finally getting the hint and the calls are being much less.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

1st two week in Ecuador

My time spend thus far in Ecuador has been absolutely wonderful. I arrived in Guayaquil and stayed at the branch for a few days. I had to take care of some paperwork there and while I was their I was able to attend morning worship and a bookstudy that meets a few minutes away from the branch. There is still construction going on at the branch in Guayaquil. It´s mainly residence quarters.
Once I arrived in Cuenca, I had to get settled in and organize my stuff. It took me about two weeks to get things in order and to get familiar with the local stores. I rent a room from the Valdivieso and have my own bathroom. It took me about two weeks to figure out how to adjust the hot/cold nozzles so that I didn´t get scolded by the hot water or frozen from the cold water.
The family of Witnesses that I am staying are very loving and kind. We have book study that meets in the home on Wednesdays. I can walk to the Kingdom Hall from the house. It takes me about 15 minutes. The Willis´who are also serving here from GA, USA live about a 30 min walk for me from the house.
Preaching is great here because everyone speaks Spanish. Most are kind and accept the literature we offer. I have already started a study that Sis. Willis handed over to me since I live across the street from Narcisa. You can imagine my excitement. We have her study on Mondays. It rains almost daily and it is wise to carry an umbrella. My shoes have to be hosed down on a daily basis because there is a lot of mud ... dirt roads. The main roads are paved with asphalt but many of the roads that leads to the residences are mainly dirt roads.
There are plenty of dogs here in Cuenca. Most dogs just bark, some are scared of you when you walk by and just move out the way. However, there are those dogs that are really protective. Those are the ones we need to watch out for in the ministry.
Well I hope you will be able to see some of the pictures that I took of my time so far in Ecuador.
Within the first two weeks, we had the Circuit Assembly and then the C.O. visit. It was a very hectic two weeks. To ensure that I get to the service meetings on time or even to the friend´s house, I have to draw a small map. One day I got lost coming back from the Willis´house, but thanks to Jehovah, I arrived home without much delay.

Norma Sanchez & Jesus Almanza´s wedding

My time in Texas was well spent. I had the wonderful opportunity to visit with several friends and most of all to attend and participate in my best´s friend´s wedding, Norma Sanchez. Planning a wedding appears to be one big headache, but it has to be done if it´s going to come out beautiful. Although, several of us, including the bride and groom, received headaches along the way, the wedding turned out to be one of the best wedding´s I have ever attended. It was simple, elegent, well organized and above all the food and music was great. The pictures I have were taken before and after the arriving at the Kingdom Hall. I was too busy on the dance floor to take some at the reception.....so sorry. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy them.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

The Sole Witness?

Ever since I was baptized about 6 years ago, I have always believed that I was the only Witness in my entire family. It was not until in a fairly recent conversation with my mom did I realize that there was a possibility of other Witnesses being in the family. Mom started to tell me about how a particular member in the family had gotten into a serious car accident and that he was 'knocking at death's door". Mom said that what made matters worse was the fact that he needed a blood transfusion and he had refused to have one. What really amazed everyone was that he had a full recover, mom said. I had begged mom to provide me with the information regarding these family members so that I could get in contact with them. Much time passed and mom did not provide me with the information. So, when I went to California in March, I asked mom to get the information for me. It was not until I went to Texas the following month when mom called me with exciting news. She left me a voice mail message providing me with Roberta Wherry's telephone number. Bursting with excitement, I thanked Jehovah and called mom to thank her and then I phoned the number that mom had given me. Jody Wherry answered, the son of Roberta Wherry and told me that his parents where at the assembly and that he was going to go next weekend. I briefly explained to him who I was and how I got the information and he promised to give his parents the message so that when they returned, Roberta or her husband Herman would be able to call me.

Soon thereafter, I received a message from Roberta. I shouted, as Norma was driving, "SHE CALLED!" Roberta called! When we got to our destination for one of the many rehearsals for the wedding, I phoned Roberta. She was so kind and I could hear in her voice that she too was excited. We connected the dots as far as finding out exactly how the Wherry Family is related to the Corley family. We are related through marriage. My great aunt on my mom's side married into the Wherry family. So, before we ended our conversation, we set a date for me to drive to Wichita Falls, TX.

It was about two weeks before I was able to leave for Wichita Falls. I got lost as always, of course with Mapquest directions. But thankfully, Roberta and Herman came to my rescue and I followed them to their home. It was a very exciting and emotion time for me. I always wanted to have someone in the family I could share my excitement about the ministry. Being one of Jehovah's Witnesses has allowed me to be part of a worldwide family. But for some reason, I still felt empty. Some friends have suggested that I get married to fill that void. Well although appreciated, we can see that I did not follow that advice. :-)

Unfortunately, I was only able to stay overnight because I had to get back in time for Norma's wedding and for some of the commitments I had also made related to the wedding. However, my time with the Wherry's was well spent. Roberta had written down a list of all the family members that are witnesses along with their contact information. Based on that information, we also have family in Houston, TX and in Oklahoma. As an added bonus, many of the family members that live in Wichita Falls came to Roberta's house to enjoy a wonderful feast she and others prepared. I loved everything I ate....hush puppies, fried chicken, beans, potato salad, desserts... the list goes on.

What made this extra special, I got to take a picture with Roberta's mother who is 100 years old and who is one of our sisters. WOW!!!! I will be on this wonderful spiritual high for a very long time.

You may be wondering, who was the one in the accident. Well, it was one of Herman's and Roberta's sons, Vincent. I took pictures of this whole even but none of them came out. Although I don't have any tangible photos to share at the moment, I look forward to taking a lot of photos in the future.

Jehovah knows his servants intimately and wants the best for us. I can not articulate my gratitude to Jehovah for this spiritual and very tangible blessing. Not only do I have an incredibly wonderful spiritual family, but many of my family members are too. Although, we are closer to the end than we think, Jehovah still allows a little bit more time so that perhaps more of my family will come to know how truly awesome our God is, Jehovah.