Update & Experiences

My apologies; it has been several months since the last blog update. Since the last update, I went to NY for a week, we had 7 of Missy's family come for two weeks, Apryl & Kendra come for three weeks, we had District Convention, I went to Kansas City, we had my parents for 3 weeks, our 8th anniversary, Circuit Assembly, two weeks in CA, Circuit Overseer visit, friends from CA for 2 1/2 weeks and now we are ready for two couples to come today for a week and a half. There are many stories to tell that go with that brief update... I'll save those for another post.

Of course, between all of our visitors and events, we continue to stay focused on our purpose for being here: starting bible studies. Below are a few of the experiences we have had

Fabian

You might recall Fabian's experience; it was our first experience during our visit in November 2011. At our first door on our first day of service we met Fabian who is our age. We started a door-step study with him that day for 20 minutes. We came back the next two days and studied with him for 2 hours each day. He then came to the Sunday meeting to hear my talk. I turned him over to an elder while we were gone to the states. When we permanently moved back, he turned the study back over to me. Fabian and I continue to study. He grabbed on to 1914, Death, and so many other doctrines very easily. We just watched the Faith In Action Part 1 DVD which he was amazed to see.

Elizabeth

Missy also found Elizabeth during our first visit in November 2011. Elizabeth had studied in Spanish previously, but had not studied for a few months. Missy started the study in English with her and turned it over to Jaime (far right of picture). When we returned permanently, Jaime turned the study back over to Missy. Since then, Elizabeth has been studying, came to a few meetings and even gave her first comment. 

Joanna

One sister had found Joanna at a farmer's market while visiting. She turned it over to another sister who then turned it over to Missy. Her and her family work almost every day in the field and then bring their produce to market on Saturday.  Missy studies with her every Saturday, a few paragraphs at a time because she is working.  Her appreciation continues to grow for bible-based truths and its nice that she  doesn't mind  that others see her study. In fact, her regular clients recognize and always say hi to Missy.

Jonathan

After conducting a study with Joanna (see above), Missy went with another sister to get a pupusa (Salvadorean snack.) They found out that one of the family at the stand, Jonathan, spoke English. Missy gave him a Bible Teach book and told him that I would come back. I did and we have been studying ever since. He works Wednesday and Sunday nights, so it is hard for him to come to meetings. However, when we had our Circuit Overseer visit, he was able to come to the Thursday meeting. (See left)

Adrian

One of the sisters in our hall does massage therapy. Her co-worker, Adrian, came to take her to her next appointment after leaving our house. She introduced him to us and later explained why we had moved to Costa Rica from California. He thought that was amazing that we would move from CA to here and told her he wanted to talk with me. As he only speaks Spanish, I invited another brother over to help translate. He brought one of his daughters, Suzie, with him and I was able to demonstrate a bible study in the Bible Teach book. We also setup a time for Missy to study with her. In time, his oldest daughter, Stefanie, also joined Missy. They came to the English District Convention and also went to the Spanish International Convention. But because of their limited English, we found it best to have them continue their studies in Spanish. They were sad, but understood. They have continued their studies in Spanish and are also taking English classes so that they can join the English one day. Adrian plays soccer with us also, and is by far the best player. The family has made many changes in their personal lives. Adrian is now witnessing to his patients about what he is learning from the bible and Suzie has also witnessed to her mom.

We have had experiences while shopping, eating and just in walking down the street. Of course, like anywhere else, the hardest part is finding them again. We are happy to have planted many seeds and pray that they take root in the hearts of these individuals.

There are other experiences to tell and also more experiences to have. When are you going to come down and have your own experience?