Friday, August 29, 2014

Sorry I haven't been posting.
 On the other hand, I'm not. Realizing I can't be living up my time here if I'm busy writing about it.
Of course, I run the risk of not reflecting on things so much because things have been go go go. Most times, at a faster tempo than my life back in NYC. Can you believe it? (It's a problem...) Then again, this blog hasn't become overly personal. I know you guys don't want to read my diary. So I'm sparing you all. Just leaves more to talk about when I'm face to face with you sooner or later...
I have been loving your wonderful emails!
Fall has already begun. It's been raining a lot. It hasn't affected my activity, though. Always out and about, managing to escape the heavy rainfall by ducking into cafes, museums with friends and walking around when it's a drizzle.The weather is still really hot and humid. I still don't know how Koreans get by. I've read blogs before heading out here, about how foreigners end up explaining to locals how they just sweat so much more. The entries were written in disbelief. I read it dismissingly, thinking I wouldn't have a hard time because of inheriting my parents' body chemistry and all. Boy, was I overconfident. How others manage to look comfortable without any air conditioning is beyond me. Public spaces have a government enforced temperature standard after a power outage months back.  Why some homes I've visited chose not to turn their A/C on isn't a simple one. Some older folk brag "we didn't turn it on last year, not once!"
I've been adjusting too. It's a relief to stay with friends who are like me. Otherwise, there's nothing two or three showers a day can't fix.
Be prepared for an overload of random snippets of my meanderings throughout not so little Korea. I'll be posting unpublished drafts while taking advantage of wifi.
Currently typing away in sweet couple's place. I'm growing fonder of cats. (The cultural consensus towards cats is changing, by the way. Cats are just as lovable as dogs.)
I met the couple this afternoon, engaging in the same volunteer work as me. Totally clicked, and they invited me over for the next two nights! How crazy is that? Crazy loving and crazy trusting.
I love how there's a chinatown in every part of the world. This is my favorite obsession at the moment. This order fed 6, don't worry BrBrown!

Friday, August 15, 2014

a souvenir gift for me!

"When you buy something in another country, you always have a story to tell about where you got that particular item".

What’s the big deal over overseas retail therapy sessions? Well, it’s just that: big deals.
There’s a reason why I see people toting empty suitcases for Seoul-Hong Kong flights,or onto coach buses to Outlet malls in NY, or at 6am outdoor lines during NYC secret sample sales. For me, it was the 80-percent-off sale at the Garment District by Ralph Lauren this winter.
I ended up weighed down with so many bags my mom and I agreed we might as well open up a shop. Still, it's hard not to justify the shopping when I was thinking about what to wear to the wedding in Cali. Into my suitcase went in my formal, deep blue floor-length evening gown I'd scored previously for $30!
Then there’s the emotional value.
Jill Fairchild, founder and publisher of the “Where to Wear” city shopping guides, told Forbes magazine, “When you buy something in another country or another city, you always have a story to tell about where you got that particular item. You create lasting memories with your purchases.”
Amen.
That’s exactly why it was so hard for me to part with a beloved rope bordered green Amazonite ring, scored during a summer trip to Brazil. Every time I wore it, as tired I get of seeing the distinct crack on the gem, I could still remember the subtropical heat as my sisters and I navigated the homey, steep streets in Liberdade District. We were hungry but too intrigued by all the little shops to waste time eating. We were hungry for adventure. After my purchase, I temporarily stopped admiring my latest purchase to taste that smelly durian a man was selling from his wooden cart off the street.
You see, this is what a beloved purchase does: it crystallizes your memory of a particular time and place. And hopefully, in the future trips, it is these memories that lure you back for more, regardless of the tangible.
I won't mistake quantity for quality. For now, these will have to do.
They give me the same mixed amount of excitement and nostalgia two bags filled with clothes and accessories would have years ago. 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

June 22



I've had the pleasure of going out in field service with the English group. I'm also including some pics of us doing park witnessing. We are always looking for English speaking people wherever we go. During door to door, we look for multicultural marriages. Usually the wife is a mail-to-order bride or something from Vietnam, Cambodia or Bangladesh. They are women escaping their weak economic system in hopes of something better abroad. It is sad for me just thinking about how dangerous that can be. They may be without basic rights in a developed country. They don't have a voice. They cannot speak Korean and have to learn throughout the years. They sometimes speak a little English. But to get through to them, the sisters in the English field must be on good terms with the mother-in-law who usually lives with them. We write letters to areas we cant get to. But get this: they speak/read Vietnamese or Thai so basically, we find a paragraph to copy on the website and copy the funny characters/letters one curvy squiggly thing at a time!
Since this day, I'm enjoying learning how to meet that specific populations' needs, as I consider them my neighbors and want them to enjoy a higher quality of life.

Not all parts of this now developed country are glamorous. 
Boon-shik (inexpensive streetfood/little dishes) for lunch!
Writing letters.
Ddok Bok Ki for a pre dinner snack.

A walk in the park doing informal.


A friend needed to pick up her sister's wedding photo album.Got to tour a wedding hall. Korean weddings are held not at all like the ones back home. It's really efficient. You rent the dress from the studio. After the hair and makeup team doll the bride up, they move onto the picture taking room where friends and family come through in an organized fashion. Then moving onto the food. People give a monetary gift, the larger the sum if you're closer to the couple, in order to receive something like a ticket in for the meal. The gifts are then traditionally given to the parents of the couple. Interesting, right? <--Standing on the catwalk the bride enters on with the works-dry ice, fog and lights. Needless to say, I had fun!!! I'm not the type to think about a fantasy wedding or anything. But I don't think I'll be getting married in Korea.

I'm going to prison, guys...

Military service in Korea has always been an extremely sensitive social issue. Particularly among Korean men, there is a (justifiably) huge sense of sacrifice for devoting two to three years of their prime of youth to serve the country. Few ever enjoy the military, alternately filled with mistreatment(from older ranks and same ranks as well) and boredom. But they all must report.  Here's how one guy feels about how the collective experiences of the Korean military can reduced to this image: 
"...  gives an idea of what Korean military experience is like. (That pose is called Wonsan pok-gyeok, which translates to "bombing of Wonsan." Wonsan is a port city in North Korea. This punishment is applied liberally for various causes, such as being slow in marching, losing a soccer game, or overcooking sarge's ramen.)"

How preparing for this mandatory duty affects an adolescent male's psychosocial development when others his age in other parts of the world are preparing for adulthood and other goals is an interest of mine lately. It isn't exactly dinner conversation.
Especially not for family members of males in that age who are Jehovah's Witnesses. These men make personal decisions based on teachings,as one puts it, like " 'people will learn war no more’ and to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ I also learned that principled love can motivate us to love our enemies. Based on these and other scriptures and as a result of my firm personal convictions, I made the decision to refuse military service.” It isn't to get out of anything. It's strictly a moral decision.
If you're looking for a good small production film, try a South Korean indie film called "Frozen River" about one Korean Conscientious Objector.
The film does a great job of conveying the internal struggles Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as other pacifists, deal with when faced with conflicting attitudes from family members. For an objective director, the motivation of the politically neutral conscientious objector was pretty accurately portrayed. At least I thought so.
Here's an article from Wall Street Journal by Jason Strother that you don't need a login to read.

So I will be going to prison to visit a conscientious objector this Thursday. If you have any questions for him or words to share, comment or better yet, email me.







Saturday, July 19, 2014

Public Restrooms

[[sometime within my 1st week]]

Got a prepaid phone AND unlocked my phone myself! Had forgotten what freedom felt like. I definitely took for my phone for granted back home.I always knew where I was going. My aunt and I separate ways now that I can roam as I please. I venture out on the bus and metro to Yongsan where I need to purchase an universal electric jack plug thing. I may have just made up that word to describe a converter I need to plug in my computer, camera battery charger, curling iron and phone charger. So as you can see, this little plastic thing could not be more valuable to me.
As I'm on this conquest, I'm feeling mighty good- finding the right buses and reading all the signs. I could not be doing better. With a phone in hand, I've begun calling other friends in other cities to fix dates. I'm really doing it! I'm on my own, getting around with such ease former travel-only-with-a-buddy Grace would be proud! I might as well have been born here, or raised here!! At a station, I figure I oughta check to see if the public restroom is clean. Turns out Korea masters cleanliness. There's nothing that can convince me I may be finding things a little too easy, at this point.
Imagine my dismay when I saw this.
This is a toilet. It's kind of like a urinal, only installed horizonally in the ground. This is not a restroom for males. This is, however, the reason why my 11 year old self avoided using bathrooms while out and about. I mean, most girls squat anyway in any public bathroom but this requires a deeper squat. Don't worry, I've gotten better at knowing which restrooms have standard Western toilets. On a sidenote, I wonder how I appeared to passerby as I took this pic.

A Saturday off in Seoul

6.21
I walk the streets and it feels surreal. Food is good and cheap. It's hard not to look for ways to just "treat myself". Walked around Hongdae, a really kitsch culture hub filled with good eats, street fairs, trendy dessert spots, wall murals, fashion, underground music and art festivals.  


 Met EunJin in Seoul for DakGalBi. 


Back home, I hardly ever take a Saturday off. Being on vacation, I have a valid excuse to take it all in. Still, it's starting to let a little old as I've been away from home 4 weeks now.

I am trying to keep my focus on personal study before I can get a phone and make service arrangements and then to get busy in field service. It should be my focus, anyway but not knowing whether I will be here for 3 months or 6 or a year can be quite anxiety inducing. When my working papers come through, I can support myself tutoring privately, unless I get that elementary school teaching job I interviewed for back in the States. If so, I would have a set income and a set list of expenses but if I don't get the job, I have no real reason to keep a one year commitment to staying here. In that case, I would have to find enough work to get by which wouldn't be so bad either. So as you can see, things are quite up in the air. 

Trying to Get Responsible...

6/20
Last night, I was able to attend the meeting. I got the addressed from JW.ORG and even found out there was weeknight meeting locally held in Korean which also hosted a English speaking group. (It's not a language class; it's the same meeting as the religious services being held in Korean, only held simultaneously to provide services for the multi-language population in the area.)
My aunt dropped me off as she doesn't care much for religion. We agree that I'll call her using someone's phone at the end of the meeting if I need for her to come pick me up afterwards. Even she knew that it was likely a fellow believer would offer me a ride home once they knew I were visiting. NOW, as unsafe as that may sound, and as cautious as I am, that's just how trustworthy I've found fellow Jehovah's Witnesses to be. I know I've done the same back home.
Only....Guess what? I had left the notebook with my aunt's number and home address in it at home! HA! Not very responsible. It was quite embarrassing making all these new acquaintances and explaining my situation. Some cool couples wanted to take me for a cup of coffee/tea. But I was afraid my aunt and her husband would worry as I had no way of contacting them to not wait for me(which, realistically, I knew they would do anyway).
As the two young Korean couples stood in the parking lot discussing which cafes were open and then postponing those plans altogether, a petite elderly sister(fellow believers are considered spiritual family) approaches me. She goes "Do you have a way to get home?" "Yes, I do, I'm grateful for your concern." (Btw, of course this interaction is all in Korean. It's so much cuter that way.) "Well, I'm glad because my kids are spread all over the place and when I visit my family, I just find my way to any Kingdom Hall on the website and never miss my meetings. It doesn't matter if I've never been to that part of Korea before. So I know that feeling when you wonder how you'll get home. I've been there. I was going to take you to my house if you didn't have a place to spend the night."
She was so sweet and adorable, I won't forget her face.
So I once again, I accepted the hospitality of some wonderful friends who pieced together where I need to go based on the measly clues I gave them. They solved the mystery. Literally, all I had to share was....it took only about 10 minutes to get here and the apartment complex is called "Switzen". (go ahead, try saying that in a Korean accent and being understood. I was glad this couple frequents London.)
I did, however, have a memo of the security code at the entrance of the building( there's no guard on staff in these apts in Korea) and the code at the door. I only felt half-relieved to be home, though. I was glad I made it but half sad I couldn't associate more.
* The most annoying thing about this mini-adventure is that I actually did have a copy of the address in safe keeping in another compartment in my bag. WOW, yay me.


 This is such a cultural thing. There was additional elevated seating area in the back room. The friends took their shoes off.

Everything Is Exciting and Interesting 6/18

Arrived 6/17
So as far as acclimating to the 10 hour time difference, it has not been too bad. I've learned the trick is absolutely torturing yourself the first day. Strictly no naps, even if that means being around people like a complete lifeless, personality-less weirdo. The new people you may meet and the old friends you haven't seen in awhile will forgive whatever slip-ups you make. Blame it on the ah-ah-ah-ah-ah... jetlag. This is the only chance you get to say inappropriate things. 
In all seriousness, I was so glad my good friend EunJin came out to meet me at the airport. It was like being immediately transported two years back when she was out in the States to learn ASL and English in Brooklyn. Got right back into the swing of things and caught up over the 1.5 hour ride to my non-JW aunt's house. She's a darling. I would have otherwise had to take public transportation in a new country to a temporary home in the outskirts of GeongGiDo, all by myself! 
It starting raining once we got in the car. I was told to expect lots of rain but I wasn't prepared for it quite on the first day! It's been pretty muggy weather wise. I'll be doing a lot of running back and forth to Seoul these upcoming days, trying to get my working papers sorted out. Hopefully tomorrow I can get a phone so I can make service plans with the local hall.
Out to dinner with my Aunt and her husband. Korean BBQ in resort-style lodges. She thought I wouldn't want to sit outside!

Neng-myun and Galbi and Soju was the way I wanted my stay to start off.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Reflections during sometime in between time zones somewhere over the Pacific Ocean...

I've been taken in so many times. Every time I've come out to the West Coast, or traveled anywhere else for that matter, I've been invited in to my friends' homes. The nights I spent in hotels were completely voluntary, if I even got a chance to! Of course, their circumstances allowed but the giving attitude I've witnessed from my spiritual family and friends is so overwhelming. The warmth I've basked in over dinner tables and good nights' sleeps fill my heart with gratitude.
This time was no different. I couldn't have experienced all that I did without you. (You know who you are.) I'll remember the good eats, the chats and exciting moments I've had the privilege of being a part of. Loved, loved loved being invited into your lives, the impromptu meetups, purposeful days out in the ministry and just making time for me! I cant count how many times I've heard "It's up to you. What do you want to do?" I've had the pleasure of extending such hospitality to some, too, back home but still, this was neither expected or warranted! I've learned it really pays to give. It's been my experience that there is so much happiness in giving (Acts 20:35) Or else, I would feel more indebted to some! I look forward to getting a chance to forward the love and hospitality to the rest of my friends. Until then, I'll continue to pay it forward in the meantime.

The Portal 

So I'm at the airport. Things are pretty surreal as it has come down to the moment I've wondered about for the past ten months. As I approach gate 22, being lowered with each step on an escalator, thinking about what cultural clashes await me, I see an attendant at the bottom. Her smile's a bit eerie. She was standing in that classic chorus class stance where her hands are placed strategically at her bellybutton and her body language conveys "I'm here to help." She may as well be a hologram. As the escalator descends a step at a time, I head on the overhead another airport attendant call out my name. It's in the language and accent my parents have spoken to me in all these years. It's what I've grown accustomed to and yet I'm moved to take in a deep breath. I'm still in shock I'm going through with this plan. I'm not anxious or scared, though. It's definitely thanks to the wonderful program from Regional Convention. I got really timely reminders on anxiety and where our focus should lie.


After knocking out for a good eight hours, (that's what an exciting weekend will do to ya, gooodness!) I wake up to be realize where I am. I'm really just taking this whole trip one step at a time. I guess I am pretty happy about the decade I'm living in. Living during such times of connectivity and globalization, it eases the blow of moving through different time zones. As I'm awaiting my destination to Asia, I'm momentarily distracted by watching the XX, Vampire Weekend, Arctic Monkeys, Phoenix, Monsters and Men, Mumford&Sons play at a Coachella type event in Gastonbury. Although Pandora isn't accessible in Korea, I have at least my playlist.

This is a comfort. It's interesting to think about how others did it in times when knowledge, music, goods, ideas weren't so easily accessible from one part of the world to another. When traveling was so much more of an adventure. Instead of being able to plan out before arriving what one would be ordering that night, having to leave it up to the moment one actually arrived? Travel had much more of an edge then- if not mystery. Imagine the type of stories one would bring home and the smug expression along with it. There was a time when each hilltop held uncertainty. Dwelling on such times deliver a delicious pang of melancholy. Still, what's in the past remains in the past. 

Smartphones and the apps along with it have become a necessity in my life- GPS, Yelp!. Must leave those simpler, lovelier times behind on my own adventures in a very modernized Korea.

Entry from 6/16
Three weeks have gone by so fast and it's that time again. Time to bid Hasta Luegos. I knew this time would come. These days were so worth it, though. Nothing short of fabulous.Spent some quality time with some of the realest people I know. I leave with much to reflect on. Thanks for taking me in for the past three summers-the times just get better and better! Thanks for showing me what life is like on this side of the world. I've been able to experience great weather, scrumptious Mexican food, bike rides in woods, the wine country, west coast parties, road trips through golden hills and much more thanks to you all. Most of all, I'll be missing you. So grateful I got to be present for some momentous occasions as well as witness some exciting shifts in the lives of dear ones.
It's been real, California.See you all when you visit me wherever I am.
So long until next time!

Convention Weekend

The Best way to spend my last weekend

left: Met up with Michelle, my spiritual mother and sister whose been in Kissena with me for 10 years. SO great meeting up with you on the West Coast. It suits you so well! Middle: starting walking towards the meeting for Kingdom Evangelizers as soon as the song ended and yet we found the first section already full! Still, got to sit second row in the next section over. Top right: Driving over to the Ponce's but got to skype chat with Jentzen, Melissa, Daisy, Nicole, Roberto, Eduardo. Right left: Got to fit in one last salsa party. 

Left: meeting for Kingdom Evangelizers had over 1200 in attendance. What willing spirits! Top right: Out to dinner to welcome a new sister. It was so encouraging to get to know the family better. Can't wait for the family to visit NY! Bottom: Tied into the regional convention going on in New Orleans, we got to wave back to the missionaries from all over the world! Got to read banners from international delegates. Just makes you well up with joy and tears. So pumped to experience it firsthand at the International held in Seoul in September.
The In-n-Out fries really starting to grow on me after 3 years. Also, adding chilies in my hamburger made it so much better. I'm sorry Five Guys. The only thing keeping you at my #1 rank was your jalapenos. Placing tracts and inviting cashiers to the last day of convention as we go!

Got to be tied in to other conventions going on in Alaska, Bakersville in CA, Illinois, Kansas City, Long Beach, Colorado, SF for a grand total of 107,000+

Monday, June 30, 2014

6.14 Just returned from camping at Yosemite National Park
Looking out at a 22 hour hike we were thinking of doing. It starts at the valley, up along two waterfalls, around that smaller rock mass and towards the Half Dome, seen on the left.




I can hear the excited and worried chatter of some Japanese onlookers who couldn't stand to watch and, at the same time, couldn't help but stare at my friends so casually crawl out to the edge. It's a straight drop down into the valley, thousands of feet. The view must have been worth it.

"Might has well take photos."-Jav


Heyz and Jav exploring the valley.

This walk up was so worth this shot. You might be able to see the steep walkway on the left. The mist coming off the fall really helped offset the summer heat.

Preparing to go up the Half Dome. Friends help friends out. [photocred: Jaclyn]

Wish I had a recording of this mountain squirrel. It was hissing at this snake nearby as we were passing. The sound was more of a chirp and every time the squirrel made a loud chirp, its bushy tail ticked from side to side, like a minute hand on a clock! We figured the squirrel's babies must be close and threatened.[photocred: Jaclyn]

Glacier Point[photocred: Jaclyn]

Sorry Jaclyn, for almost sending your sunglasses down the waterfall!![photocred: Jaclyn]

See how clear this water is??? Thanks to Terry for this candid! We swam, laughed and swung on rope swings.

Campfires at night. [[Insert Melissa and Rob here]]


Saratoga, California

June seventh 2014


Wedding of the year goes to the Roques! May Jah richly bless you two in fulfilling this new potential you have as one body!!
Had a great, full day working along with these women. At the end of the day, we were covering a cul-de-sac with the most beautiful homes.We were canvasing for the deaf or hard of hearing as Amber is in the Sign Language Congregation. Taylor and Janiece get to their last door and find a staff member of the household open the door. He lives in the next town over and works there during the day. He actually has two twins who are young and deaf. It just so happens Punjabi is his mother tongue. Taylor speaks Punjabi. Such a rewarding day.


Service Shenanigans (wish I'd take photos with El Cerrito English!)
From top left clockwise:
1.Out with a zealous youth right before we knocked on the door of his next return visit with an adult. His goal is to start a door step Bible study! 2. Driving on the new Oakland Bay Bridge while covering the Portuguese territory. I was tempted to marvel at the industrial looking 77 year old Bay Bridge being demolished. How different the world was 30 years ago! 3. We had missed our exit. Not having eaten for seven hours since breakfast, having to take a toll bridge into SF with traffic was NOT fun. Although we make it seem so. 4. Metropolitan cart witnessing at the local BART station during rush hour. 5. Working Portuguese territory. 6. I'm hungry. But wait. First, lemme take a selfie.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Entry from May 29
As much as I love my family, I wonder if I should be missing them more. The truth is: I'm constantly around so many spiritual brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. They are there to visit cool sites with me and give me a listening ear. They invite me to their homes and make sure I'm safe. I realize I'm having a really unique experience because of the brotherhood. I love to travel but it is made that much better by having real friends to see along the way. I've truly gained more by serving Jehovah than I ever thought was possible. It's such a privilege to be a part of a worldwide brotherhood who show genuine, unhypocritical love as imperfect as we are.
         
   Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, no one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who will not get 100 times more now in this period of time—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, with persecutions —and in the coming system of things. ( Mark 10:29,30 )

I never knew nor imagined I could be having this much fun. I can't believe that during my teens that I did not want to be a witness because I thought that Jahs requirements were restrictive and I would not be able to have fun. How wrong I was.
So to my younger friends back home:
                    Keep working hard to resist temptations and please Jah in your worship to Him and He will surely bless you over 100times.

On my itinerary today:
~Field service with super sweet friends near Twin Peaks(a lookout spot in the hilly parts of San Francisco)
~Out to lunch in downtown San Francisco(it's actually a lot like Manhattan) with others finishing their shift at Metropolitan table and cart witnessing
I'm practically a SF native! The Bart makes getting around on my own pretty easy.
~Study for meeting.

Entry from 5/24

She had just gotten home from work and was preparing dinner when she opened the door to us. Because she was in shorts, she invites us in. The evening air is cold around the bay area.
She tells us she does not have much time. "That's alright", we say, "We came here to show just a 3 minute long video entitled "Why Study the Bible?" As watching the whole thing on her couch, she makes a comment on how impressed she is at the quality of the video. 
At the end of the clip, she asks "Really? These are the questions that are answered in the bible? I've read the bible and I haven't seen all that." Obviously, at this point, Heyz and I are so excited to see her enthusiasm. She feels "the bible is hard to read. I make time, sit down, open it, but find it hard to understand." My partner encouragingly says we can all accept a little help. We mention how much like the eunuch, who humbly asked the passerby, we all want to be. H asked T if T prays for holy spirit before reading the bible to get a better understanding.
At some point, we get complimented on how we volunteer ourselves while so young.
T shares how she grew up Catholic but decided against its teachings. Now she is 41 and in awe that we volunteer in this manner. H so earnestly shares her experiences of how "Listening to Jah through the Bible only brings happiness and not listening to him brings regret". After all, his commandments are not so burdensome. T asks, "in what manner?" She is curious what is required in listening to Him. "Do you mean i must live as a Witness?" We explain in terms of why we follow Jesus teachings to preach door to door and how the things that bring us happiness increase as we get more involved with God’s Word, mastering its understanding, then applying it in order to help others get to draw closer to our Creator. Also, H illustrates an example where listening to Jah’s admonition to beware of our association protects us from consequences . Whenever we justify, or deceive ourselves with false reasoning, for let's say spending time with bad association, and make a bad decision and feel regret, then we realize all that heartache could have been prevented by abiding by the basic principle “bad association spoils useful habits”.
T agrees. T brings her Bible out to show us something she was reading recently. It is Joshua 1:9, about how courageous and strong we are encouraged to be because God is with us. She was so moved to the point she wanted to tatoo it. That is how dear that scripture was to her. Shes far from home and is at a point in her life where she is searching. Her words were that she was open minded, as long as she was directed to the Bible. We encouraged her to not give up in this search, using Matt 7:7
She asked where we met for religious meetings! She was happy to hear the nearest Portuguese meeting at a Kingdom Hall was held on an evening when she was not working. She said she would visit. She even declined a ride to be picked up. She said she does not want to be the type to be obligated to going because it is easy. She would rather prepare her mind by going through the extra step of getting there on her own to make sure her motives were pure. If that is not self relative and humble, I don’t know what is. She looks forward to visiting. We told her that collections are never taken. Once hearing this, she tells us a story of how she swore off going back to the last church because she gave what she could and yet felt guilty. She was uncomfortable all those time the pastor spent 30 minutes of his sermon talking about money supporting the church. He specified how some attendees only give $20. She felt it was her duty to pay the sermon for all the services he makes available but did not appreciate how she pressured she was to give more than her means. We told her about the words “received free, give free.” She responded with how odd it is that the pastor bases the commission of 10% on the Bible. It's difficult because I pays rent on my own while sending money back home to Brazil to support her family." This reminds me of the latest Watchtower study article so we went into depth through three paragraphs of how praiseworthy the act of the needy widow was, whose contribution was given out of a proper heart condition. The amount was what mere humans could see, but in the eyes of whom approval really matters, it was very valuable. She asked more bible based questions but we decided not to allow the excitement in the room as an excuse to bombard her with too much information. Hopefully, there will be many exciting and deep conversations that will stem from tonight.
All in all, the invite into T’s home was a monumental moment. She opened up about how she thirsts for answers. So grateful to have been there at the right time, on a Friday evening at 8:30pm. It really pays to pull long days. Afterwards, Heyz's mom's chicken tostadas and Heyz's avocado spread could not have have tasted any better.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Well, I guess I'd better go now from the all the send-off gatherings...

5/22/2014
There's no need for goodbyes. It is hard enough saying "see you later". The nicest part about leaving home is hearing from those who appreciate you. I'll carry all your words of advice and love with me! I stored up all I got this weekend. I hope it's enough to last me through the year. Thanks for everyone who came out Sat and Sun! It was great having everyone together. Still, the date marks the day I realized I don't like surprises. Can't wait to read all the cards, still. Thanks for a better sendoff than I ever imagined! ( Special thanks to Melissa and Daisy, Shirley and Teddy)
I'll be reading the cards I took snapshots of later on :)