The Road To Macedonia

So, you want to serve abroad? Have the experiences in the Yearbook or in the “They Offered Themselves Willingly” series in the study edition of The Watchtower roused your inner missionary? Have you looked at your personal circumstances and seen where you could make room for an assignment outside your local territory, even for a little while? Do you just think my Instagram pictures are cool?

Whatever your reasons, congratulations are in order. Just considering the possibility of preaching in a foreign land is already the beginning of a fascinating adventure. Lately a few friends have asked for tips on how to get started. I cannot improve on what has already been published in our literature, so below is my essential reading list; when I seriously started working toward doing this long-term I started collecting them and compiled them into a book that I called “The Need-Greater’s Encyclopedia” and prayerfully studied them all repeatedly. I became a big fan of the articles and videos on Gilead graduations. I’m still finding helpful articles as I go along. I’m nobody; nothing was going to happen if I didn’t pray for Jehovah’s help and listen to his voice. In general I really started trying to step it up with my personal study. If I was going to go somewhere and help, I had to have something to give, so I needed my “bank account” full.

The Needgreater’s Encyclopedia (According to April)

They Offered Themselves Willingly
In Micronesia (w14 7/15)
In The Philippines (w13 7/15 pp. 5-6)
In Mexico (w13 4/15 pp.4-6)
In Norway (w13 1/15 pp. 5-6)
In Brazil (w12 10/15 pp. 3-6)
In Ecuador (w12 7/15 pp. 3-6)
“Can You ‘Step Over Into Macedonia’?” (km 8/11 pp. 4-6)
“Can You ‘Step Over Into Macedonia’?”(w09 12/15 pp.4-7)
“Can You Serve Where The Need For Kingdom Publishers Is Greater?”
(w09 4/15 pp. 20-23)
Guidelines-Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will pp. 111-112
“How Should We View People As Jehovah’s Day Approaches?” (w03 7/15 p. 20)
Pretty much all of the Yearbook volumes
Links:
http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/ministry/video-witnessing-isolated-territory-ireland/
http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/family/teenagers/what-your-peers-say/video-best-life-ever/

Preparations

Personal needs and tastes vary; so I suggest I NOT be the only person you listen to! Talk with other brothers and sisters who have either served in other countries or are currently doing so. This way you will be able to have more of a 360-degree picture of what to expect. Talk to your Circuit Overseer and your elders (they’ll be sad to see you go, but they’ll help). Several months before coming to Nicaragua I sat down and made a list of the things in my life that were hindering me from taking the leap (bills, not wanting to leave my dog, not knowing how I’d support myself once I quit my job and left, the costly medicine I depend on to stay vertical) and the steps I’d have to take to circumvent these obstacles. With the help of Jehovah and my parents, obstacles just seemed to dissipate. I’ve learned that that happens when you start making steps to turn dreams into goals. Kind of like how the Jordan river only dried up once the priests put their feet in the water…

I also started to think about where I’d want to serve. I knew I wanted to keep serving in Spanish (although EVERWHERE there is a need for English) and since I had already been to a few Latin American countries and enjoyed them, I was already leaning in that direction. My friends Shannon and Nelson were already living here happily, Jenny and Oscar from my pioneer school class were finalizing their plans to move here, and several other friends had served here temporarily and really enjoyed the service. I started doing a little research. The cost of living, as it turned out, was low enough for me to live here and cover my expenses with the disability check that basically only pays for my gas in the States. The case for Nicaragua was strong. Then one day a [not-so] chance meeting with Danielle turned my “maybe” into a “yes…” and the rest, as they say, was history. 

Now, Danielle made my job easy because she had already written to the Central American (formerly Mexico) branch to request information on countries where volunteers were being directed to serve. Had I not already connected with her that would have been my first step. The information the branch provides is thorough and useful. They’ll tell you some things about history, culture, terrain, climate, and about how much you'd need per month to live there. Danielle was given the names of a few congregations here in Nicaragua to contact; Brother Gutierrez, the coordinator here in Sébaco, was the first to respond to her within a record six hours. Basically, things were already in motion and I just hopped on the back of her truck. Still, since I would be here for a considerable amount of time, I wrote a personal letter expressing my intentions to come and for how long, that my elders sent to the branch along with a letter of introduction that they composed and my publisher cards.

We talked to Brother Gutierrez about our budget and what we were hoping for with respect to accommodations. Although it cannot be expected that living conditions be exactly what they are in our home countries, one of the truest statements that I heard from a special pioneer once was, “This is not an extended camping trip. Be comfortable enough in your assignment that you will want to stay for a while." A great advantage is that we already knew people here, so they let us know in advance certain things we’d need to bring or be prepared to buy here in order to transition smoothly, like mosquito nets or a water filter. (One thing I strongly suggest packing is a small pot or pan and few cups, plates and utensils in order to prepare your first meal. Nothing worse than getting to an empty apartment after traveling all day and not even being able to fry yourself an egg!) Once you arrive to your destination you will probably need to do a little more shopping in order to get situated. The sooner you can attend a meeting the better. Make friends with the local brothers and sisters. It’ll help you learn your way around; where to buy gas to cook with and where to pay your utility bills. You’ll learn the best places to shop-they may even shop with you, which is great because it might keep you from getting ripped off because of that invisible sign on your forehead that says “Clueless Foreigner.” More than anything, it will help you immediately begin creating a spot for yourself. Homesickness and boredom happen, but connecting with your brothers right away will help to fill the empty spaces.

Most important carryon items

The very best things you can bring with you: Humility and a heart full of love for the brothers, the people in the territory you serve, and Jehovah. There is no way to know exactly what to expect or what challenges may arise, but those qualities will help you see the beauty in your assignment, wherever it turns out to be. Whether you reach out to serve in Timbuktu or you pick a discouraged publisher to adopt right there in your hometown, Jehovah will richly bless your wholehearted efforts to extend yourself in his service. Trust me.

The Best Life Ever ( from jw.org)

After six weeks in my native California, I am back in Nicaragua, and happily so. I'm not done here just yet. But what if  my circumstances had changed and hadn't allowed me to come back right away? I am certainly glad that's not the case, but had it been I would have been forever grateful for the time that I was here. These experiences show Jehovah's guidance and protection in remarkable ways. But enough from me. Let's hear Cameron's story! 

http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/family/teenagers/what-your-peers-say/video-best-life-ever/

It's not ALL vanity...

I established one simple beauty ritual when I was living in California. No matter how much, or how little makeup I wore at any given moment, my eyebrows had to look good. They frame my entire face. Makes sense, right? So every three weeks I spent 10 bucks plus tip having them waxed. It wasn't all vanity: I had a magazine route going with the Vietnamese-speaking estheticians, and they even taught me a few words in their language.

Seven months into my assignment, and I find myself looking like Bert from Sesame Street. A friend of mine from the special pioneer campaign, who works secularly as a stylist in Mexico, did me a solid by shaping them up for me once in August. But no matter how much I've plucked, shaved, and drawn, I just haven't been able to get that down. Of all the "sacrifices" made when coming here, that was probably one of the biggest. 

Doña Angie has a salon a few blocks away. Danielle, her mom, and our friend Shalina who has been with us since the beginning of December, had all gone to her for manicures and pedicures. I knew she had at one point lived in Northern California and spoke a little English. I poked my head into her shop one  day while  I was in service, and asked if she waxed eyebrows. She said she did, for about $2. Sounded like a deal to me. I let Shalina go first so I could make sure this lady wasn't going to leave me looking permanently surprised. Shalina looked good, and today I had a couple of studies cancel. I took advantage and went to see Doña Angie.

We made small talk about her life in California and how much better she liked it there than in Miami, but we agreed that life is much more tranquil here than there. The TV was on, and a news report was recounting the results of Paul Walker's autopsy report. "What a shame," she said. "He was so handsome." But he isn't with The Lord, is he?" She knows we are Witnesses, and she seems to trust what we have to say, so she has no problems posing her Bible questions to me or any of the other friends who have gone to see her, from what I've heard. I explained to her the Bible's viewpoint on the condition of the dead, which led to a few other questions. Then she began to tell me about how she used to be a Catholic but left the church because she didn't want keep images in her home and was criticized for it. She then joined the Baptist  church but later left because of the expense of contributions. Recently she had begun to attend La iglesia los carismaticos (The Church of the Charismatics, yeah, I don't know either), but something happened there that turned her off. I quickly prayed and then spoke up. "There are so many religions out there that don't follow the Bible. That is God's word. Would you be open to attending a meeting of people who do try their best to correctly teach and apply God's word?" I told her the address and schedule of our congregation meetings. But everyone knows where the hall is. Time for heavy artillery. "Do you know Doña Lebia? She was Catholic too, then Baptist, the Evangelical, but she studies with Jehovah's Witnesses and attends meetings because she likes learning what the Bible really teaches."  Doña Lebia is my most progressive student and, because of her relatively affluent roots, is very well known here in Sébaco, so dropping her name has proven to be very effective in the local ministry.  " I do her hair!" Doña Angie exclaims. "Ask her if you can join her for a meeting!" I suggest. (All this time, by the way, she is still working on my face.)

She walked to the back of the shop and brought back a big, beautiful Reina Valera Bible that she had bought in Mexico. "Let me show you what I love about this bible," I said.  Since my head was still tilted back I had her teenage assistant Ashley turn in the Bible to Psalm 83:18 and read Jehovah's name. Another lady who was in the shop had a small bible with her and also looked up the scripture. I  talked about how that name is painted on trucks and buildings all through Nicaragua but not used in worship as it should be. "I used to have a study, did you know that?" she said. "When I lived in Panama. I finished that yellow book, and I liked everything...until I got to the part about blood. I didn't like that. But I get it now." I asked her if she'd ever seen the scriptural basis for our beliefs about blood. I had Ashley turn to Acts 15:28,29 and read it. "What's fornication?" asked Doña Angie sheepishly. Ashley has obviously gone to Sunday school. "It's when two people are doing, you know, when they aren't married."  Doña Angie has been in a common-law union for years. "So I'm a fornicator?" Awkward. Now what do I say, Jehovah?  By this time, Doña Angie is done with my eyebrows, and she, Ashley, Doña Omara ( the other lady waiting in the shop), and her little nephew Christopher, are all gathered closely around the barber's chair where I am still sitting. "Well, a lot of us have made decisions and found out later that Jehovah God doesn't approve of them. But love for him and understanding of his Word have helped them make changes." We read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, with emphasis on the part of verse 11 where it says, "that is what some of you were."  "But look how Jehovah treats us when we do try to make changes," I said. We read Isaiah  1:18. They all just sat quietly, smiling slightly. I had to pause to take in the scene for a moment. I'm in a beauty shop, surrounded by people, two of them with bibles open, all hungry for Bible truth. This is so cool, I thought. At the end I left " Truth" tracts with them all and pointed out the explanation of our Bible study program. Doña Angie gave me her card and asked me to call her and remind her about the meeting. I walked out of the shop with a joyful heart and nice eyebrows (see photo above). Jehovah's always working to draw people...even when I'm just trying to be cute.