Oh, I forgot to mention. When getting home from Tequis (Teh-keys) we found there were intruders in our home!!!!
Well, sort of. We give our keys to different brothers and sisters with an open invite that if they need or want to use our house for anything while we are away they have our permission. Sunday night Janiece (a sister from North Carolina who soon will be leaving Pachuca to serve in Monterrey) had arranged to have some from the congregation over to see a slide show of her recent trip to the International Convention in Chile.
So we arrived home just in time to have pizza, pop, cake and a slide show. What an encouraging experience.
What affected her the most was ... well before that ... she grew up in the truth. For many of us who grew up in the truth it is the love of the brothers that proved to us that we are really in the truth. That was what affected her the most. She literally came back with bags full of memorabilia and gifts that the local brothers handed out. Gifts of homemade cards with contact information, bags of candies, gifts too many and varied to explain. She allowed all of us to have some of the gifts because there were so many.
If ever you get the opportunity to go to an International Convention I'm sure Janiece would be the first to urge you to take it! What a thing to belong to such a loving worldwide brotherhood.
Love to all.
Monday, November 30, 2009
An update from Mazatlan
Yesterday was our Special Assembly Day here in Mazatlan.
It is usually held here in our city, and this time the venue was new, a Fiesta Hall (that they usually rent out for parties – kind of like a community hall.)
Two things were unusual:
1. There was a party in the hall on Saturday night, so we didn’t get ‘possession’ until 3 am. They decided to start cleaning and wiring for sound and preparations at 5 am and asked for volunteers.
I know we are supposed to have a willing attitude, but there is just NO way I could be up and dressed and ready and arrive at 5 am and still be awake in the afternoon.
I thought this was the craziest thing I’d ever heard, but apparently it is very typical here among the Spanish. Yikes! They must really love God!
So we arrived at the godly hour of 8:40 with plenty of time to visit before the 9:40 program started. And we had extra time, because (2) the sound system didn’t work. So I think the program actually started at 9:55 and we had to skip the music altogether.
There were two interviews that stood out in my mind.
One was a young single pioneer sister who said that she has determined to stay single and pioneer for a few years and that one thing that discourages her is people who act like the only real goal for young sisters is to get married. That can be sooo true!
Another interview featured a young pioneer sister who was witnessed to by her grandma starting at age 3, and eventually was studied with by local Spanish witnesses, and got baptised in her teens. She talked about the
challenge if coming into the Truth all alone. It was very touching.
After the sessions, our neighbors (we live in a duplex) hosted a rooftop party. It was to start at 7:30, which meant by 7:45 there was still no one here, but eventually about 9:30 everyone arrived and there was quite a party going on upstairs.
Folks kept trickling down though my open doors into my place so our living room was like a drop in get together of it’s own. We talked about the assembly, and shared ‘coming into the Truth’ stories.
My daughter, Chelsea, called on her cell phone from the last day of the International Convention in Honolulu to let us listen in on the last song, sung simultaneously in English, Spanish, Japanese, Cantonese and Korean.
People travel here for the assembly from as far away as Hermosillo, which is about a 10 or 11 hour drive.
Which leads to a funny story.
A few years ago a brother asked me if he could pass on my email address to a young brother from California who wanted to get a taste of Mazatlan, Devin. Devin did indeed email me, but seemed, well, immature. I got the impression that he was more interested in surfing than in the Truth.
He didn’t end up coming to Mazatlan, but instead visited in a city in Northern Mexico for a month or two, and then travelled the world (well, Okay, only 4 or 5 countries in Europe and a few in South America...) and
surfed and jammed and visited friends.
He said after he was back living in California again, he realized that after doing all those fun things, the place he had the most fun was in Mexico when he was pioneering. So, he moved back to that same city, Hermosillo, and has been regular pioneering there for 2 years or so.
I guess our brief email exchange put me on his ‘emailing’ list and ever since then I’ve been getting email updates from him, for the last 2 ½ years or so. He has really grown up. His accounts of pioneering in Hermosillo and his bible studies have really shown, not just a talent for writing, but a deep love of the service, and of Mexican food.
I started reading his emails with the kids and told them, “This brother’s emails are an advertisement for being a young single pioneer serving in a foreign country!”
Tonight, he happened to come to the party and (surprise!)we got to meet in real and in person. He has turned out to be quite a nice brother, who clicked right away with Chad. Devin has a friend with him, Ryan, and they talked about their love of surfing. The boys decided, right then and there, to go for a midnight surf. (Well, ok 11pm surf, but it lasted until midnight.). So off they went, down to the bay at the bottom of our hill.
When they came back, the party had ended so I cooked them up some cheese quesadillas and jicama (a root veggie that is great with French onion chip dip!) We got to talking more, realized that they loved guitars and drumming and surfing and pioneering, and ended up asking them to come back and stay for a
few days with Chad. So, they went back to their hotel, slept and instead of going back to
Hermosillo on the bus in the morning, they came to our place for a few days.
What a great life for young ones – to be fully immersed in Jehovah’s service
and at the same time having the time of their lives.
Thinking of you...
The Goodman's
(Thanks Crystal - Update to this - I met Devin at an English Language Teaching course in Vancouver, BC in May 2006. It's a common joke in Canada that some people come to Mexico to "surf where the need is greater." Well, 90% of those who are 'immature' and do that are infused with Holy Spirit once they experience the service down here and they end up pioneering.
I'll see if I can dredge up some of Devin's emails (with permission) so that you can see what Crystal was talking about. Devin certainly does have a way with pictures and words. His pictures are amazing at capturing the heart of people and places. His ex-roomate from Hermosillo is now serving at Mexico Bethel.
Lots of love,
Troy
It is usually held here in our city, and this time the venue was new, a Fiesta Hall (that they usually rent out for parties – kind of like a community hall.)
Two things were unusual:
1. There was a party in the hall on Saturday night, so we didn’t get ‘possession’ until 3 am. They decided to start cleaning and wiring for sound and preparations at 5 am and asked for volunteers.
I know we are supposed to have a willing attitude, but there is just NO way I could be up and dressed and ready and arrive at 5 am and still be awake in the afternoon.
I thought this was the craziest thing I’d ever heard, but apparently it is very typical here among the Spanish. Yikes! They must really love God!
So we arrived at the godly hour of 8:40 with plenty of time to visit before the 9:40 program started. And we had extra time, because (2) the sound system didn’t work. So I think the program actually started at 9:55 and we had to skip the music altogether.
There were two interviews that stood out in my mind.
One was a young single pioneer sister who said that she has determined to stay single and pioneer for a few years and that one thing that discourages her is people who act like the only real goal for young sisters is to get married. That can be sooo true!
Another interview featured a young pioneer sister who was witnessed to by her grandma starting at age 3, and eventually was studied with by local Spanish witnesses, and got baptised in her teens. She talked about the
challenge if coming into the Truth all alone. It was very touching.
After the sessions, our neighbors (we live in a duplex) hosted a rooftop party. It was to start at 7:30, which meant by 7:45 there was still no one here, but eventually about 9:30 everyone arrived and there was quite a party going on upstairs.
Folks kept trickling down though my open doors into my place so our living room was like a drop in get together of it’s own. We talked about the assembly, and shared ‘coming into the Truth’ stories.
My daughter, Chelsea, called on her cell phone from the last day of the International Convention in Honolulu to let us listen in on the last song, sung simultaneously in English, Spanish, Japanese, Cantonese and Korean.
People travel here for the assembly from as far away as Hermosillo, which is about a 10 or 11 hour drive.
Which leads to a funny story.
A few years ago a brother asked me if he could pass on my email address to a young brother from California who wanted to get a taste of Mazatlan, Devin. Devin did indeed email me, but seemed, well, immature. I got the impression that he was more interested in surfing than in the Truth.
He didn’t end up coming to Mazatlan, but instead visited in a city in Northern Mexico for a month or two, and then travelled the world (well, Okay, only 4 or 5 countries in Europe and a few in South America...) and
surfed and jammed and visited friends.
He said after he was back living in California again, he realized that after doing all those fun things, the place he had the most fun was in Mexico when he was pioneering. So, he moved back to that same city, Hermosillo, and has been regular pioneering there for 2 years or so.
I guess our brief email exchange put me on his ‘emailing’ list and ever since then I’ve been getting email updates from him, for the last 2 ½ years or so. He has really grown up. His accounts of pioneering in Hermosillo and his bible studies have really shown, not just a talent for writing, but a deep love of the service, and of Mexican food.
I started reading his emails with the kids and told them, “This brother’s emails are an advertisement for being a young single pioneer serving in a foreign country!”
Tonight, he happened to come to the party and (surprise!)we got to meet in real and in person. He has turned out to be quite a nice brother, who clicked right away with Chad. Devin has a friend with him, Ryan, and they talked about their love of surfing. The boys decided, right then and there, to go for a midnight surf. (Well, ok 11pm surf, but it lasted until midnight.). So off they went, down to the bay at the bottom of our hill.
When they came back, the party had ended so I cooked them up some cheese quesadillas and jicama (a root veggie that is great with French onion chip dip!) We got to talking more, realized that they loved guitars and drumming and surfing and pioneering, and ended up asking them to come back and stay for a
few days with Chad. So, they went back to their hotel, slept and instead of going back to
Hermosillo on the bus in the morning, they came to our place for a few days.
What a great life for young ones – to be fully immersed in Jehovah’s service
and at the same time having the time of their lives.
Thinking of you...
The Goodman's
(Thanks Crystal - Update to this - I met Devin at an English Language Teaching course in Vancouver, BC in May 2006. It's a common joke in Canada that some people come to Mexico to "surf where the need is greater." Well, 90% of those who are 'immature' and do that are infused with Holy Spirit once they experience the service down here and they end up pioneering.
I'll see if I can dredge up some of Devin's emails (with permission) so that you can see what Crystal was talking about. Devin certainly does have a way with pictures and words. His pictures are amazing at capturing the heart of people and places. His ex-roomate from Hermosillo is now serving at Mexico Bethel.
Lots of love,
Troy
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Rodrigo's Talk
Rodrigo gave this talk on Wednesday night, November 25, 2009. That night he turned 10 years old. I'll let the video speak for itself. Enjoy!
Say hi to a future Bethelite or possible CO / missionary.
Thanks for the GREAT talk Rodrigo!
Say hi to a future Bethelite or possible CO / missionary.
Thanks for the GREAT talk Rodrigo!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
I made someone cry today.
Today was a study day. After getting to bed late last night I crawled out of bed at 9 am. After washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen Rachel cut my hair. Then she pinned a few suits that were too large on me, getting ready for the District Convention. Maybe I can't always buy a new suit for the convention, but I can get mine altered so they finally fit me and I look good! After that preparation for the meeting, last minute practice for my part and away we go.
Ivonne and family were all at the meeting. Frank was there. It's so nice to see them regularly attending.
After the meeting I shared some encouragement with one of our 12 pioneers (for a congregation of 29 publishers that's not to shabby, eh?). After I finished she said "Don't go yet, I want to take the opportunity to tell you something." Of course the mind starts racing and bracing for worst case scenarios. But then she says "I want you to know how much it means to me that you and Rachel are sacrificing your lives to be here and help us. I don't have much family in the truth but I feel you are my brothers. I love you very much and I want you to know how much I appreciate you. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
The whole time she is talking I can see the bottom part of her eyelid retaining an increasing flow of liquid. The surface tension pressure of the water soon reached it's maximum limit and the tears flowed freely from under her glasses. She must have been wearing good make up because it didn't smear at all. Her next statement shed light on that though "I'm sensible." Well, of course she meant sensitive, and that was the reason she was crying. Likely it happens a lot and thus the water proof make up. I had to concentrate on the details - like the fact that the tears almost covered 3/16ths of an inch of her eye before descending her cheek, the incorrect use of sensible. Without details like those to concentrate on I would have been crying too. I managed to escape this round unscathed and dry eyed. We'll see what happens next time.
After dropping Frank off at home and getting off easy with only an additional hour discussion I was home by midnight to do some quick reading in our new book about Acts with Rachel. Unfortunately these experiences fill my mind and don't allow me to sleep very quickly. So here it is 12:30 and I am doing the most therapeutic thing i know to encourage sleep. Sharing. Thanks for listening.
Lots of love,
Troy
Ivonne and family were all at the meeting. Frank was there. It's so nice to see them regularly attending.
After the meeting I shared some encouragement with one of our 12 pioneers (for a congregation of 29 publishers that's not to shabby, eh?). After I finished she said "Don't go yet, I want to take the opportunity to tell you something." Of course the mind starts racing and bracing for worst case scenarios. But then she says "I want you to know how much it means to me that you and Rachel are sacrificing your lives to be here and help us. I don't have much family in the truth but I feel you are my brothers. I love you very much and I want you to know how much I appreciate you. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
The whole time she is talking I can see the bottom part of her eyelid retaining an increasing flow of liquid. The surface tension pressure of the water soon reached it's maximum limit and the tears flowed freely from under her glasses. She must have been wearing good make up because it didn't smear at all. Her next statement shed light on that though "I'm sensible." Well, of course she meant sensitive, and that was the reason she was crying. Likely it happens a lot and thus the water proof make up. I had to concentrate on the details - like the fact that the tears almost covered 3/16ths of an inch of her eye before descending her cheek, the incorrect use of sensible. Without details like those to concentrate on I would have been crying too. I managed to escape this round unscathed and dry eyed. We'll see what happens next time.
After dropping Frank off at home and getting off easy with only an additional hour discussion I was home by midnight to do some quick reading in our new book about Acts with Rachel. Unfortunately these experiences fill my mind and don't allow me to sleep very quickly. So here it is 12:30 and I am doing the most therapeutic thing i know to encourage sleep. Sharing. Thanks for listening.
Lots of love,
Troy
Monday, November 16, 2009
His First #3 Talk
How would you feel about giving a #3 talk? Great we'll schedule you in ... just kidding, we got it covered. But this is about a #3 talk.
Remember back when you had to prepare your 1st outline. No, not a reading but your first "TALK." Yes, remember waaaaaaaaaay back! How old were you?
Well one young brother in our congregation will give his first #3 talk on Nov. 25, which happens to coincide with the day he was born. On that exact day he will be 10 years old! He is planning on giving this talk from an outline. What a privilege it is to help him prepare and practice, and I must say, he is rather amazing for a 9 year old.
This young brother, who is being raised by his widowed mother, helps with the mics in our congregation. He also gets about 30 hours a month in service, despite being in school 4 days a week. He is working on getting studies and RVs and is conducting his first study with and older gentleman who owns a book store in Centro. Often he will take doors himself and even engage in approach work.
Don't you wish you started life with the same focus? Where would you be now? He already has the goal of going to Bethel when he is 19 years old. I look forward to visiting him there in 10 years.
It is one of the greatest joys of being here, serving alongside such focused and dedicated ones like young Rodrigo. It is amazing how much we can help widows and orphans, but is also amazing how much we receive in return, a hundred fold more than we ever give.
It's a pleasure to share the experience of my best bud here in Pachuca. I hope you enjoyed!
Remember back when you had to prepare your 1st outline. No, not a reading but your first "TALK." Yes, remember waaaaaaaaaay back! How old were you?
Well one young brother in our congregation will give his first #3 talk on Nov. 25, which happens to coincide with the day he was born. On that exact day he will be 10 years old! He is planning on giving this talk from an outline. What a privilege it is to help him prepare and practice, and I must say, he is rather amazing for a 9 year old.
This young brother, who is being raised by his widowed mother, helps with the mics in our congregation. He also gets about 30 hours a month in service, despite being in school 4 days a week. He is working on getting studies and RVs and is conducting his first study with and older gentleman who owns a book store in Centro. Often he will take doors himself and even engage in approach work.
Don't you wish you started life with the same focus? Where would you be now? He already has the goal of going to Bethel when he is 19 years old. I look forward to visiting him there in 10 years.
It is one of the greatest joys of being here, serving alongside such focused and dedicated ones like young Rodrigo. It is amazing how much we can help widows and orphans, but is also amazing how much we receive in return, a hundred fold more than we ever give.
It's a pleasure to share the experience of my best bud here in Pachuca. I hope you enjoyed!
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