Ok, so let me tell you a little about our time in Boquete! A missionary couple, David and Julie Reynolds from Sacramento, CA have been serving in Panama for the last 5 years. They were SO great! They invited us to stay with them in the missionary home, which we did. Flopped a mattress on the floor in the living room... OK with me! It's better than having grout lines in my face like my "sleeping on tile" experience in Changinola. Bah! .....

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Having the blessing of a literature display table in the park in the center of downtown Isla Mujeres has enabled many people from a wide range of language groups the opportunity to learn the truth about Jehovah in their native tongue. Some become very excited and begin to tell others about what they have found. As the following experience demonstrates, the results are unimaginable.

One morning a Tzeltal speaking man named Manuel who had lived on the island for a short period of time approached the literature display table. He explained that the previous week he had come requesting a Bible in Spanish, however, the next day when he returned, the display was not there. Very patiently, he again asked for a Bible and the location of his home was recorded so that the following day the interest could be followed up. However, on Isla Mujeres very few homes have a recorded address, which can, at times, make them very hard to find. Because of that, the sister talking with him explained that if they could not find his home, the Bible would be there at the table the following week when it was open again. The next day, the address that had been given could not be found so it was hoped that Manuel would soon return to the literature display, which is exactly what he did the following weekend. On this visit, however, he had a few friends with him and they were all waiting at the location where the display is normally set up for the brothers and sisters to arrive. The Bible in Spanish, along with brochures in Tzeltal were given to them, and Manuel explained that he had many questions about the Bible that he needed answered and he was eagerly awaiting the visit of someone who could help him. His wife, back in his home state of Chiapas, wanted him to find the true answers to those questions for the benefit of his whole family. He again explained his address and an appointment was made for the following weekend. Once again, though, his home could not be found. With a great deal of persistence, Manuel returned to the display table the following day. ‘Do you not want to study the Bible with me?’ he asked the brother who was there at the time. The brother explained that each time an appointment was made with him, someone went to find him, but they could not. He was assured that all involved most definitely wanted to teach him the truth of the Bible, but his home was very difficult for them to locate. Another appointment was made, this time for outside a nearby school to avoid confusion. This time, however, the time for the meeting was misunderstood, so he was missed once again.

The very next morning two sisters, one of whom had spoken with Manuel at the display table on various occasions, were on a return visit and as they were about to leave he and a friend were walking by. He explained his disappointment that once again he had missed his opportunity for a Bible study the day before. But, he had time right then, if the sisters did. His friend also wanted to study. They all returned to the area in which Manuel lived only to find four others who had an eager interest in a Bible study. All spoke Tzeltal, along with some Spanish, so the study commenced in the Spanish Require brochure. All paid very close attention and excitedly looked up the scriptures in their own Bible, if they had one and if not, they looked on to the copies that others had. At times throughout the lesson, different ones who lived in nearby apartments would come over to listen in too. At the end of the lesson as arrangements were being made for the next study, it was found out that Manuel as well as a couple others were returning to Chiapas the following weekend, but since they wanted to study again before they left, the sisters returned with a brother in the afternoon, this time equipped with Bibles and enough Require brochures for all in attendance. At that study, there were eight who participated. After the consideration of the lesson, the students were so excited that they wanted a photograph of the group. All held up their new Bibles and Require brochures proudly. An invitation was extended to all to attend the meeting that Friday night, and how much joy it brought to the entire congregation to see twelve newly interested persons walk into the Kingdom Hall. All had just completed a hard day’s work and had not even had time to eat yet when the brothers had arrived to take them to the meeting, but all were happy to go. There were so many new ones there that six brothers were used, most with a newly interested person sitting on either side to help them follow along in the Bible. Shortly after that meeting, another study was conducted with the growing group, and the following week, thirteen attended the School and Service Meeting. The week after, much to everyone’s surprise, a total of nineteen attended! And how enjoyable it was for those nineteen to see a special part on that meeting demonstrating how the literature display table was being used, and some of the experiences that were being had as a result of it. All in attendance could clearly see how Jehovah was blessing that new form of spreading the good news of Jehovah’s kingdom.

Within days the Tzeltal congregation located in Playa del Carmen was contacted and on that very Sunday a group of brothers and sisters arrived to meet this growing group and conduct the Watchtower study in their mother tongue. A number from that congregation is now visiting Isla Mujeres on a regular basis to follow up on the increasing interest they have been finding. Many more Bible studies have been started in recent weeks. Currently, a study of the Watchtower is conducted each Sunday in Tzeltal, and many from the community are able to attend. They are also continuing to attend the School and Service meeting in Spanish each Friday night.

As we have seen so clearly demonstrated in this experience, during these last days Jehovah is continuing to “rock all the nations,” and the “desirable things of all the nations” are certainly coming in! (Haggai 2:7) And we as a growing English group serving here are thankful to Jehovah for having a small part in this activity in the Tzeltal field.

Well, this is a long time in coming but finally I have the story for all of you. The Memorial, April 12th 6:45pm - Cancun, Mexico English Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. What a success! There was 143 in attendance at our Kingdom Hall (though only 40 publishers). I was able to invite around 10-15 people, and 8 of them came. 4 Bible studies, 1 husband of a bible study, and 3 children.

It was the best memorial that I can remember, even though I could hardly pay attention due to the fact that I was finding scriptures, explaining what was happening, and entertaining children through the whole thing. But that was A-OK because it was such a delight to have my students come to the memorial and share in this with me. It's a privilege that I thank Jehovah for and that I'll never forget!

I know I haven't told you stories about my studies yet... here is a little information on them and more detailed stories will come soon.

Fauzia and her children: Ruvi, Faukiss, and Faubee. Fauzia had started the Require Brochure and switched over to the Bible Teach book and has been studying since November. She is making wonderful progress and this was her first time to the Kingdom Hall. She and her children enjoyed it so much that on the way home she told me that she really looks forward to coming to the meetings more often. (As the children were chanting "KING-DOM-HALL! KING-DOM-HALL!") Fauzia overcame MANY obstacles and it was against ALL ODDS that she was able to come. But determination and the strength from Jehovah's spirit was on her side and I am so pleased that I was able to share that evening with her and her children.

Miguel Angel, I met him street witnessing. He works at a tour company for vacationers and he speaks excellent English. On the initial call, I sensed a lot of interest and I offered him a Bible study. He accepted. "There has to be a true religion, but there are so many religions." he said "You say you have the truth... so show me." With pleasure, Miguel! We've started studying the Bible Teach book and when I invited him to the memorial he immediately accepted. When Mike Henry gets down here I'm going to pass the study on to him, so I'll let you know how it goes!

Rosie & Memo, my landlords! I have been so incredibly fortunate to have such a beautiful home to live in, right in the downtown of Cancun. And it makes it 5 times better that my landlords are wonderful people, AND they speak fluent English! Great! I often spend time with them just discussing world events and their interests and we have a really nice time. I started studying the Bible Teach book with Rosie who was raised very religiously by her Catholic mother. Her mother taught Rosie that God's name was Jehovah. ( yeah, so that makes it REAL easy for me! ) Rosie's been very interested in learning the deep things of the bible and though we work around her very busy schedule, she has such a love for Jehovah it is always apparent. Her and her husband have been to the Kingdom Hall before, but this was the first Memorial that they have attended.

Isauda, I met her in November right after the Hurricane. We've had very different schedules so it's been hard to settle down on a regular study, but her story is a bit different too. Her parents became Jehovah's Witnesses when she was 17. She didn't want it though. Years later when she was in her twenties, she started studying and in her late twenties she became an unbaptized publisher. Her progress was hindered though when health and family issues came up and she didn't get much support from her congregation. It was more difficult too with her unbelieving husband and she stopped her study and attending meetings. Years later, Linki and I knocked at the home of her sister in field service. Isauda and her JW mother were there and we had a really really nice discussion and Isauda said she was determined to start her study again. Her determination has been rewarded because Jehovah gave her the strength to endure some really difficult moments and to get to the Memorial.

These are just a few blurbs about the people I'm in contact with regularly here. Jehovah's spirit is working hard finding the people who are still longing for truth and righteousness.

From Left: Eloy, Conchie, Teresita, Gaby, Faubee, Julie, Iliana,Yonathan, Paola, Baby Ruvi & Fauzia, Faukiss, Miguel