But first a few highlights of This Year's Story:
We start with a bit of difficulties, but wait Jehovah comes through!
Last summer was the worst ever for secular work. It's normal to have some clients fall away but 70% of Dane's clients or jobs fell through - which has NEVER happened in the past. We prayed and studied and talked with experienced ones. At first it looked like we only had enough to get down to Mexico and stay for about 5 months. In the spirit of Matthew 6:33 we decided to go, until the money ran out - even if that wasn't for very long. Then when we got there Dane's wallet was lost with our important Mexico Resident cards. It looked like another month's worth of income was gone! The last blow was Dane had a client set up to do monthly computer work and repair remotely but that fell through too! We were SO discouraged. We wondered if we were hearing Jehovah's will correctly.
But then good news came!
First we reworked our budget several times. Then we paired down our budget to the bare minimum.
Then Dane's wallet was found! If you missed that story it's a good one - BLOG POST: http://daneandemilyadventures.blogspot.com/2013/12/back-in-mexico-again-this-makes-3-years.html
Then Dane was offered one day a month of online work. IF NOTHING went wrong we figured we should have just enough to stay for the whole 8 months!!! We knew it would be tight and there would be things we couldn't afford but we were so grateful that we'd get to be in our assignment for the full time.
And then..... A treat!
We had been in Mexico for 3 years and hadn't been able to see any of that fascinating country. We had the opportunity to take a small road trip but didn't know how we would pay for it. I was telling my Mom our predicament and she helped us out! It was such a delight to go to Mexico City and the Central American Bethel Branch. Thanks Again Mama!!!
We were able to complete our 8 months and get over 90% of our service time in Manzanillo and its all thanks to Jehovah.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serving Where The Need is Greater. But not the Greatest.
There were many challenges for us coming down here for this service year. When we were in Portland last summer we were hearing some discouraging reports about serving in Mexico. By word of mouth and we had received an email that had been circulating that sounded like there was no need to serve in Mexico. After everything we'd gone through to get back down there it was discouraging to keep hearing that. Well we're glad to be able to give positive updates to that.
There have been a LOT of changes in Mexico English over the past two years. Change can be difficult and sometimes confusing. Some of the changes have been in what actually is our territory to preach to.
When we first arrived back to Manzanillo last fall we immediately asked for updates from one of our elders. He confirmed that a lot of changes had happened over the summer and everyone was adjusting to them. It was nice to hear that a lot of new studies were coming out of our newly defined territory and that the congregation was feeling positive about the new service year.
Over the months we had more refinements and adjustments from the branch in understanding our territory.
Toward the end of our time there it was nice to have the branch confirm that there is a need in English there. At the Circuit Assembly there was a letter read from the Branch. They apologized for the misunderstanding and expressed their appreciation for the work that is being done in English. They gave several great experiences that had happened in our circuit in English over the past 6 months.
They also said at the Circuit Assembly that while the need is greater in Mexico English it is not always the greatest need. They have been having a hard time getting enough people to stay long term in Indigenous languages and rustic, remote Central American territories. So if you feel up to learning an indigenous Mexican language like Nahuatl, Purepecha,... or try a remote, rustic area in Central America there is a need for long term support in those areas. It also has been a real challenge in Manzanillo for people to stay long term. It's weird for Dane and I to already be considered "long timers" after just 3 and a half years.
One of the things that helps us feel good about serving in this territory is a sports illustration someone gave. Apparently there is something called an "assist" where you don't make the goal but you set it up so that your teammate can. That well describes what we do. Our numbers never look great. A major reason for that is a lot of our territory are Mexicans that have moved down after decades of living in the States. Most of those end up moving back to the States if they are able to. So we have a window to develop interest and then hope they continue. Another very common situation is that we study with one or more members of a family where the children or spouse are not fluent in English. When they have progressed to the point of becoming publishers or baptism they move to Spanish for the spirituality of their family. This service year we had 3 women get baptized or become unbaptized publishers - but they took those steps right as they switched over to Spanish. So we just try to keep in mind that everything is for the brotherhood as a whole and feel blessed that we get to have many neat experiences in the ministry. It's a privilege that we are able to be a part of people's spiritual journey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We had lots of fun service partners this year. We mentioned the Payne Clan in the last blog. Here they are again!
We also had many fun times with Chris's mom Janet who was with us for 6 months. And of course Rosie one of our newlyweds (Eric's wife).
At the public witnessing table Dane started a study with a man. He came back on another day and they studied in the park.
Here Laura is studying with a street performer.
Recently we started doing two public witnessing tables - one is now English only.
Jordynn had more ideas for our witnessing
It was a treat to be with Jordynn the first time she did witnessing late in the evening - we try to stay out until 8pm or sometimes 9pm two evenings a week because it is so common for men to work until late.
For me one of the highlights of my time here this past year has been studying and spending time with my dear Paulina.
When one of the sisters in our congregation was sick Paulina, Naiya (Paulina's new buddy in the hall) and I had fun making cards for her. The pics below are Paulina's creations:
Paulina came up with the idea of making it a pop-up
She's such a funny, bright, lovable kid. She's been doing a great job studying a head for her studies and comes regularly to Sunday meetings. And she has started answering at meetings recently.
Sometimes we get treats in the ministry. This was given to us when we were doing public witnessing. (It's made from palm fronds)
Here's Tristan, Chris and Mason
One day Paulina's Grandmother made lunch for our car group - Dane and I, Harold and Sureyma - we enjoyed spending time with them this last year and the one before when they visited for a couple of months.
A lot of the fun sights we see while we're in Mexico is in service. The next group of pics were all taken out in service.
Horses and cows are sometimes seen wandering around neighborhoods - without supervision or possibly even an owner.
This cow was very well behaved - he stayed on the sidewalk the whole way
This man was guiding his goats home in the evening through their neighborhood
Sometimes we take a break and watch the sunset
Often we hear a noise or rustling above us and see if we can find out what it is
This is the biggest iguana we've seen in the wild. The coconut below him is about a foot long so we guessed he was around 4 feet from head to tail.
This dog found a smart way to cool off
Above pic courtesy of Tristan Payne.
A lot of hotels and homes were so damaged by an earthquake years ago they've been abandoned for years. Sometimes we go exploring...
Wait, is that an elephant walking down the road???
When we saw this we screeched to the side of the road and jumped out. Maddie is in front of the elephant in this one.
Avery walking back... You never know what you're going to see when you head out in the morning.
BREAK TIME
When we need to take a few minutes to rest...
Or sometimes we'll make iced coffees at our house while our companions take a rest in the hammock
Ruben gives us the 411 - in style...
There are limitless roadside treats. We often stop for fresh cut up fruit or veggies. This woman is making us "Raspados" - Mexican shave ice with flavors - my favorite is the real guava fruit syrup.
And of course tacos. These are called "Pastor". It's fire roasted pork, seasoned, with shavings of warmed pineapple
And then we all conk out
With that we'll give our blog a bit of a rest too. We're working hard and look forward to returning South in the fall. We wish all of you a GREAT summer and would love to hear a little note about how your last year went!
Much Agape,
Emily and Dane
