Rosarito Baja News- 3

Hello!!!

  So, I've been well this week. I suppose every week is a good one as long as I'm obedient to Jehovah and out their helping people. Last Friday we I went to the service meeting and only 2 other sisters showed up. All three of us went to the territory and had a succesful morning. Though the weather was getting cold and was a bit foggy, we each spoke with at least one person. I found 2 men at their homes, and I shared a Bible text with each one. I was apprehensive for a moment with the first man. He seemd like a know-it-all and I thought he was going to be synical. I was wrong! He accepted the December magazines and allowed for a return visit. The second man I spoke with was obviouslly deported. He said he has many questions about life and God. He believes in God, but isnt interested in religion. He's gone to various churches but none have satisfied him. He is currently going to Calvary Chapel and likes the Pastor. He knows that the world situation is getting crazy and thats why he's turning to the Bible for anwers. I told him I understood his feelings regarding religion and commended him for searching for the answers. Then, I read Tim 3: 1-4, 18 and asked him to tell me if he's noticed any of these descriptions now. He was very enthusiastic about the fact that what was mentioned, is actually being seen now. I also lead him to the Truth Tract and explained how we, as JW's, are looking for people who want answers from God'sWord. I read the first question box with him. We spoke for a few minutes afterwards, and I promised to return with a Bible. I need to go back tomorrow, hopefully.

 After finishing the territory, the sisters took me on my call Pedro. Remember my bird poop experience? Well, thats Pedro!Though I had gone by about 3 times during the week, I found him there that morning. I read about 6 paragraphs with him and various scriptures. I noticed that he has very low reading comprehension. So, I would ask secondary questions, and stress certain clue words. Repetition is something that I have to continue to use too. His reading is good, but he also doesnt ahve a wide vocabulary. I did a brief review afterwards and I think his understanding overall is well.  Patience will help me, and of course, Jah's spirit. Pedro seems like hes truly appreciative about learning and says it, so I wont stop going!

 Our meeting time has changed with the new year. I wouldve prefered an earlier time, but 4pm it is! Thats okay, at least we have somewhere to meet! About two weeks ago I had heard of a fire damaging a KH in SD. Now, yesterday I heard of a second fire, at the same KH and vandalization being done to it. It made me think of how the situation will continue to worsen, not just abroad, but also in our area. Nothing that serious has happened to our KH's locally, but we never know!

  Today my mom, brother and I were ready to go out in the ministry, but the car never turned on. We each tried, but the car wouldnt even squeak. We walked to the main boulevard and did 'public witnessing'. I visited a lady call, but she wasnt home. My brother checked up on two, and he has nice brief conversations with them. My mom spoke to about 2 different men, who were both working at seperate locations.  they both spoke good English and were also deportees. She placed mags with them and hopes to return to continue the conversation.  It was a pleasant morning and also very dry and windy. It almost felt like summer. Tomorrow is Teen Nite, and Friday is our meeting. I will write more next week!

Facts of Mexico: All of the work that was being done in the Central American branches, have now been directed to the Mexico Branch. Mexico is now in charge of the literature for those countries, amongst other things. Another cool fact from June, is that 12.9% of the Publishers work as Regular Pioneers.


  Hope I hear some of your cool experiences!!!!

     Your little sister,

          Izmir

rOSArito Baja News-2

Hello Friends,

 

  So this week was eventful. We had a family visit Rosarito from Washington and they joined our congregation in the preaching work. On Tuesday my mother and I went to study with a mother and daughter, respectively. For lunch we had some Salvadorian Pupusas. Wednsday morning service and for noon time, a sister had some girls over. We made some jewelry. Thursday we had a busy day. That morning I was partnered with Christina, the daughter of the family which came to visit. It was a great morning, and I showed her some Spanish expressions and introductions. She was able to place a book with a woman who showed interest. Her dad, Bruce, also found a woman who had just been asking for someone to visit her and comfort her. She has known about the witnesses for over 20 years, and after just having heart surgery, she wants to start studying. He was very excited and I think the whole group felt happy. Around 11:20 we stopped doing territory and moved onto doing calls. I had the Pioneer Mtg with the Elders at 12pm, so they dropped me off at the K.H. The information that was discussed was encouraging and definitely stimulating boosts. We all need to be joyful! Since a small lunch was prepared for the pioneers we went to an elders home immediately after. We had taquitos and some rice and beans. I thought it was nice and the food was yummy. The Washington fam picked me up and took my brother and I to the beach. We walked around osme curious shops, walked on the pier and soaked our feet on the icy cold ocean water. We had some icecream and the they drove us home.

 About 3 months ago I started to have this small gathering at my home every week, and we've chosen to call it Teen Nite. We read one chapter of the Young People Ask bk Vol. 1 and once we're done, we usually play a boardgame, cards, etc. It allows the young ones in the area to become familiar with one another, and also lets us express our thoughts on various themes in a spiritual manner. I know that many of the youth have appreciated it, and are upbuilt by their peers opinions. We each are trying our best to serve Jehovah and individually have our setbacks, so its motivating. It is always conducted by a teen bap brother, and my parents though not involved in the discussion, are chaperoning. Anyways, Thursdays at 6pm we have it at my place. The 2 teens from WA, Paul and Chirstina, helped my brother and I set up the living room. Soon enough, we had the house packed iwth 14 kids! We did the chapter on Health and had a lot of feedback and comments about it. I think each individual set a goal and hopes to implemetn what was learned.

 Ok, so Friday I also went out preaching and was really hoping a young girl would study with me. All week, since Tuesday, we had been calling eachother to set a time, and it did not work out! I hope that this week we actually do get together. I had my meeting that night and we were told that our Circuit Overseer visit is in 1 month. Im getting very excited about this upcoming visit. He is Rick Malet-veale and was one of my Instructors. He's originally from Canada and has served all over Mexico, as well as in the Caribbean. His oldest daughter got very sick last year and she had to go to Canada. Since their daughter was in a critical condition, aftr having one leg amputated, their service here was put on hold. He is finally back and Im really hoping to see him. Oh, one quick fact. When we first moved to Mexico 4 years ago, the whole country was divided into 4 Enlgish circuits. Now there are 7. Still, since one circuit alone is so large, we needed Sub C.O.'s throughout the country. For example, when Rick was here he had so many congs and groups to visit throughout baja and sonora, like 40 or more, that he just couldnt do it within the year. The work here is increasing tremendously!! We need brothers who are willing to work hard and give their energy to Jehovahs service. A scripture that is often used is 1 Corinthians 15:58...we should always have 'PLENTY to do' in the work of Jehovah.

 

 The weekend was also pleasant. Service in the mornings, and dinner invites. I will include more facts about service here in Mexico too. Oh, and thanks to those who sent me your experiences. I enjoyed them thoroughly and its evident how Jah, everywhere, is speeding up the work!

One last thing, remember the family I mentioned that came to visit from WA? Well, it was their first time in Mexico. They drove all the way from their town to check out the service here. They were able to stay at the house of a brother who lends his home to anybody that is going to focu on the ministry. ( He'll do the same with you too! Unless, you stay with us...) After being here only one week, they have chosen to move here. They will start to arrange matters back home to make that a possibility. Paul still had to finish HS, so once thats over, they seriously are planning to come to Mexico. I just wanted to share that quickly and ask that we pray for them too.

 

   Bueno, eso es todo for now! Keep it Up!!!!  

 

 

Izmir :) ;)

rOSARITO bAJA nEWS-sAT dEC 17TH

Hello Friends Everywhere!

 

  I had mentioned to some of you that I would start to share how the ministry is in Mexico, and this will be my first email! I have begun to take pictures of my congregation while in service and will now share some with you. Everyday we have success in one form or another and Ill share some experiences with you too. Not only are we in a different country but we are looking for a specific group of people. Those who speak English. It is very different from preaching in the US and the needs of poeple are also particular to here.

 The majority of the people we find are men, and men or women who have been deported. They have ugly pasts and also some have just gotten out of jail. Though they are in their homeland, they are so hopeless, distressed, and suffer since it is a complete change of lifestyle. The majority have grown up in the States and dont speak Spanish fleuntly or at all. Others because of their inability to communicate, their appearance, and background cant find work. They are brought here with nothing and usually have their whole family in the states. Well, these are the types of persons we preach to and almost always they will listen and many become sincerely interested. So, when we walk by someone who looks tatooed up, or is dressed with baggy pants, and has a shaven head.. we usually approach them. This is in contrast to what we might be used to doing in California or elsewhere, but we have success! Yes, sometimes we do find bilinguals and they also progress. Americans though are almost never interested. They have moved to Mexico to relax and enjoy the weather. 

  Just this summer, I know of at least 3 Bible studies that have progressed to the point of becoming Non-Bapt Publishers and are already in the school and active in the ministry. I find it to be soo exciting and a real adventure to preach here. Our 'public' witnessing skills have become sharper due to the fact that we are always, always looking for someone who might fit the descrpition I mentioned. And our hearing has also become more acute, because we are listening to people around us, checking if they might speak English. Its sometimes very funny because a group of us might be walking on a street and then we all realize that the person walking by is speaking English. Anyways, I dare say that everyday one person, if not the whole group, finds an iterested English speaker.

 Its also easy to start Bible Studies because these persons are so desperate for hope and want to know of a solution to their problems. Door-Step Bible studies are very common here, and tend to be constant. The only problem is the finding them at home again. Im not sure why, but the move a lot. They also might have not moved, but have found work and immediately take advantage of it.

  On Thursday a group of about 20 went out to do some territory, rv's and studies. From those 20, 8 are reg pios and 3 are aux. pios. I had a return visit that morning with a man at a bakery and I chose to just lead him to the BT book. I showed him page 6 and  and the few questions that are mentioned. The one that interested him was family happiness chapter though he has no kids, and Im not sure if he's married. What he did say was trhat he has all of his fam in the States. It seems like he's alone here. Well, we read 2 pargraphs of chapter 14, and we were about to finish, when drop-drop-splat!! I hadnt realized we were standing below an electricity wire and some pigeons were on them. Yeah, they chose at that particular moment to detox and what not. It was gross. It all splattered on my book and part of my sweater. It was funny afterwards, but still kinda disgusting. Anywyas, he said he thinks he already has a copy of the BT book and is expecting me and a brother next week. I will pass him on then. The group of 5 that I was with did some informal or rather, public witnessing at that flea-market around lunch time. Flea markets or open swap meets are very popular here. Every day of the week, in some part of Rosarito you will see one. Well we each got to speak to someone and I met a woman who spoke good English at her stand. We spoke a bit and I left her a mag and I hope to also start a door-step study.

 Ok, thats it for now. I will share more next week or in two. Here are some photos too. Oh, and dont forget we are always welcoming visitors and love hosting! Or if you know of anyone who would like to come, invite them right over! Mexico is something that is not out of reach for many and even if you were to come for a weekend, we'd appreciate it. Mexico is in need of those who want to step over!

 

  Many Hugs!!! Izmir:)

 

PS: Could you also please share some experiences of the ministry where you are with me?

 

(: Step on Over into MEXIdonia-Acts 16:9 :)