Gaunt-emala

Thursday, 2 January 2014

Midsomer Sights Dream

Check out our next blog

Photos of Winter in Somerset

called

midsomersightsdream.blogspot.co.uk/

Monday, 30 December 2013

Guatemala Service Facts

Guatemala Facts

Population 15,169,000

2012 peak publishers 34,144

Ratio to population 444

2012 average publishers 33,017

Increase over 2011 8%

2011 average publishers 30,512

2012 baptised 1,388

Average auxiliary pioneers 1,983

Average pioneers publishers 3,817

Number of congregations 670

Total hours 7,999,415

Average bible studies 43,634

Memorial attendance 89,231

Since arriving back in the UK, a few friends have asked us about the facts and figures relating to the preaching work in GT, so here some of that information (gleaned from the JW Yearbook 2012).

We could deduce from the remarkable increase percentage of 8 that the potential for growth is about to erupt! A kettle about to boil!! An active volcano of interest!!

8% increase over 2011 wow........

Most countries with a publisher population ratio of this size who show a 4 or 5 percentage increase that alone heralds something special is happening; so an 8 percentage increase is more than encouraging maybe an indicator of something special on the horizon?

Guatemala - the place to be!

From the little experience we had in the country with the three congregations and the one group we worked with, they seemed to have more interest than they appeared to be able to return on. That said, all the brothers and sisters are diligent workers and it was very faith strengthening for us to associate with them. For instance, if you were to join Monjas, in Jalapa District you would definitely be able to generate for your ministry 10 bible students to study with in a relatively short space of time. There is a new group set up in El Chaperone, Jalapa too, they have some 'pioneer routers' with them now & more on their way, I wonder what good things are happening as a result of their work?

How are you Vaughn & Joanna? What has happened in El Chaperone - did your visitors arrive? Did you get beds for them?

Also check out some of the 'Need Greaters' blogs for more information on the tremendous service experiences that the brothers and sisters enjoy serving in the English Congregations (3) & Spanish field.

one such:

twoguatemalanneedgreaters.blogspot.com - (love your blog Monica)

Start learning Spanish .........................................

We have a Spanish Group in Bristol - that meets once a month in the Easton Congregation Kingdom Hall

Thursday, 19 December 2013

Somerset, UK

Safely home in the UK after 24 hours journey time, with American Airlines via Miami to London Heathrow.

It is just 5 C degrees - cold with clear blue sky at 9 am

On the road across Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, during the two hour drive to home - Midsomer Norton, Somerset.

Clay Hill near Longleat ..................

Our house

Still there!!

Out in service - back home

Foul wet weather appeared on Saturday, just as we left the service arrangement!!

What a contrast to last Saturday with Altos de Sonora!

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Farewell Guatemala

It's very painful to say goodbye

We hope some if not all our new friends keep in touch (sooner rather than later) & plan their tour to the UK.

Come & visit us!!!

See previous post - with our contact details

All our fondest love & gratitude

Jehovah's rich blessing on the kindness you've shown to us.

Eccl 11:1

Xxxxxxxx

Sunday, 15 December 2013

Guatemalan Sign Language

Barbra's friends Sergio, Karla & Wendy serve with the one of the many Guatemala Sign Language Congregations.

They are kept very busy in their territory and search out and conduct many bible studies with people.

Their territory is vast.

They signed to us song number 92 Preach The Word

And served us a Guatemalan favourite dessert made from chocolate, tomatoes & plantain

Here is Wendy with cute little Johney

Saturday, 14 December 2013

Service with the Altos de Sonora Congregation

Altos de Sonora, Linda Vista Congregation Circuit Overseer week

I accompanied Linda today, she spoke in English with me during our morning in the Spanish speaking territory. I also had the chance to practice my Spanish with her, when an opportunity presented itself I would read the scriptural texts to the householders in Spanish from Linda's Bible.

She said 'what & how I read was understandable'.

Linda uses her enlarged S8 pad to record her interest.

Out here there are no road names, so detailed records are vital if you are going to locate interested people on a return visit!

In the woods at Los Planes

These tin homes have just appeared in the last month. For the people who live in them they will be unbearably hot in the day & very cold at night. They have no electricity supply or water!!

Manuel & Linda married in December 2012.

L > R

Afri, Phil, ? & Edgar

At the end if the territory assignment one brother brought some fizzy drink for everyone, another polystyrene cups & another crisps.

This was very generous but apparently normal.

We had worked in the dusty roads in full sun in this colony for over two hours. The pregnant sister Vanesa & the little children, Sophia, Malti, and older ones alongside the circuit overseer Rigoberto & Martha his wife did not tire out.

Barbra & Martha (above)

Lorraina, Vanessa & Nidya (above)

Rigoberto, Martha, Ruth, Phil & Barbra (below)

Onto Barbra return calls

Bemi's dear family take very good care of Marbellita who is a baptised sister of 41 years of age. She is Bemi's neice. Getting to the Kingdom Hall at times presents a problem as her family work & cannot attend but do give her a lift there & back when they can - she loves the talks & songs - Canticos, & likes to sit with Barbra.

I recall on our last visit to this congregation some 5 years ago we met her & her grandmother Sister Eulalia who sadly passed away 4 years ago.