Finished product... almost

We've been working on renovating the building we use as a Kingdom hall for some time now here in Pearl Lagoon, and it just occurred to me that I haven't posted any "after" pictures. Very sorry about that. The outside is all but done, we just need to put in a pathway using the oyster shells you see on the right, as well as a fence.

In other news, we had the CO visit, as well the congregation Panga has been making trips up the lagoon weekly with a rotating crew. Tomorrow a group will be going to La Fe, after that I imagine Marshall point will be on the list as people from the territory have been requesting that we come and hold a meeting. Its also been many years since it was worked. The trip will require more planning however, as due to the size of the community and the distance it will likely involve staying a night or two in the territory.

The Circuit overseer encouraged us to learn and use the Creole dialect ourselves. I've been trying somewhat but honestly have been reluctant to put it to use. Its a bit hard to try and speak what you perceive to be your own language in a different way, as well as to deliberately change your accent. But with Jehovah's help I believe we can all do it. Some local sisters have even talked about giving classes. I find I'm at the point now where many times I know in my mind how to phrase what I want to say in Creole, its just a matter of working up the courage to actually say it that way rather than reverting to English.

Does this boat look familiar?

The Mensajero III is back on the water! After some hard work and care from our visiting boat expert we are once again using the congregation Panga to reach the territory. In this picture we are about to leave for Kakabila. Although we have worked it twice in recent months, it was the ideal destination for a quick test run for the engine. As well the people in Kakabila keep insisting that we visit them more often. This time one of the locals asked us to announce on the radio the next time we are coming, so they can prepare the community hall for us to hold a meeting.

We had a group of 7 this time. The captain stayed with the boat, but managed to do plenty of witnessing due to the attention it drew. We arrived around 10 AM and went back at 3 PM. In that time we managed to work half of the town. The people really seem to enjoy our visits there, and are eager to hear about the bible.

The first language of most in Kakabila is Miskito, but nearly all of them can speak English and Spanish fluently as well. The children however speak only Miskito, as they do not learn the other two until going to school. Neither can they read or write. I was able to play the video "Why study the bible" in Miskito for a family. The mother had been listening to my presentation in English, while the children played and did their own thing, but once the video started and they heard it was in Miskito I had their undivided attention. The entire group of about 6 children became completely silent as they watched the video. Realistically this would be the children's first contact with the truth in their own language, its times like this I remember why I came here.

Why Study the bible?

Kid's home made sailboats

On the way back to Pearl Lagoon we came across some fishermen, and since we still had some daylight we pulled along side them and bought some fresh shrimp. We peeled them at the dock when we made it back and I learned how to process and cook them for the first time. Results were delicious.

Peeling the shrimp

Frying the shrimp in butter, garlic, and coconut oil

Circuit Assembly in Ticuantepe

Last weekend was the English Circuit assembly in Nicaragua. Since there are few English congregations in Nicaragua our circuit encompasses not only all of Nicaragua but several other countries as well. The assembly was held in Ticuantepe, a city just south of Managua in the same Department. This area is actually very close to La Concha, where my first congregation was when I first came to Nicaragua 2 years ago. It is a beautiful mountainous area where many tropical fruits are cultivated.

Salon de Asambleas - Ticuantepe Nicaragua

Hotel Costa Verde - Rama

For those of us on the Atlantic Coast the trip is a long one. For myself, I left Wednesday, spent a night at a hotel in Rama, then met up with a chunk of the congregation who were also coming by bus on Thursday. They had decided to make the trip in one day. Its 5 hours from Pearl Lagoon to Rama, then another 5 to 8 hours to Managua, so breaking it up makes it a lot more pleasant. By going a day earlier I was able to buy the tickets for the rest of the group the day before to ensure that we all made it on the express bus. Meanwhile others were flying to Managua, and others still had chartered a large van.

View from hotel balcony - Rama

Bus to Managua - but not the one we took

Somewhere near Juigalpa

A long the way we were stopped and searched by the military, apparently they were looking for someone specific. They told all the men to get off the bus and we were patted down, then they searched all the bags. As we were about to leave some genius snapped a picture of one of the soldiers with his phone (which I might add was not even set to silent). The soldier turned around and with a tired, irritated expression asked him why he had to do that. The man was told to get off the bus, and they searched his phone for the picture in order to delete it, as it is illegal to photograph police/military or official buildings in Nicaragua. Rumor on the bus was they couldn't find the picture in his phone so they smashed it.

While most stayed in Managua to the north, I opted to stay in Jinotepe, south of the convention site higher in the mountains. Having plenty of contacts there from my first trip to Nicaragua I was able to spend some time with old friends and enjoy the cool mountain climate during my time there. We also had the Pioneer meeting on Friday which was as encouraging as it was crowded. Most of the English circuit here in Nicaragua are people who have come here from other countries to serve, some commented that it was like a mini-international assembly.

I learned a few things about the English field in Nicaragua at the assembly. For example there is now an English group in San Juan del Sur, and another in San Marcos. I was surprised about San Marcos because it is they neighboring town to La Concha, and in the entire time I was there I did not meet a single soul that could speak English, but apparently there is now a sizable field. I also learned that much of the territory on the pacific side consists of Nicaraguans that have learned English and speak it well, in some cases for the sake of finding better employment. Much like it was in Merida. They also spend much time witnessing to tourists. Whereas on the Atlantic coast we see few tourists, and witness to the local Creole speaking people.

During the assembly I met up with some of our future visitors that are now with us in Pearl Lagoon, and we spent the evenings in Managua after the program. It felt very strange to be in a big city like Managua again. It kind of felt like being back in Merida, or in Canada even, with all the cars and restaurants... We even got to eat at a Pizza hut. I kind of felt like the movie Castaway where the main character is fascinated with a lighter after being stranded on the island for so long without modern conveniences.

I went back a few days after the assembly due to being held back by a cold, and took the overnight bus to Rama. This may not have been a good decision, as it turned out the bus was standing room only, for 5 hours... Afterwards i was crammed into the back of a truck to Kukra hill, followed by one more bus to Pearl lagoon. We left Managua 9:30 PM on Wednesday, and arrived in Pearl Lagoon 11:00 AM Thursday. Next time I think ill be staying the night in Rama again.