New Experiences in the Ministry and the Kitchen, Plus a Dose of the Familiar at Home

I am happy to report that two weeks ago, I officially acquired my first study here in Grand Turk.  What makes this an especially new experience is that it is with a woman from the Dominican Republic.  Yes, it is almost entirely in Spanish.  So, with much preparation and prayer, I am learning the language by way of total immersion.  I am grateful for her sincere interest and patience.  The first study required so much thought that it literally left me with a severe headache.  I am happy to say that this week's study was much easier comparatively.  I already see baby steps being made as the thoughts come to mind more quickly and I am able to comprehend her comments with less difficulty.  I can understand much more than I speak, but I am constantly gaining more vocabulary particularly when it comes to the theocratic language.  I find listening to the information in Spanish via the jw.org website extremely helpful in learning proper pronunciation.  It is very exciting to see her learning despite my limitations and to be increasing my own language skills which will make me more useful to Jehovah.  I am trying to find time to regularly follow internet lessons as well as take up a Spanish sister's offer to help me.  Fortunately, I also have an English study now that gives my brain a break.  Multi-language service also builds muscle strength.  Our bags are weighed down with literature in three languages at all times.


Chad has taken advantage of a number of opportunities to witness to our British neighbor.  He is a writer who moved here with his wife in the last year after she received a job offer with the local hospital.  She is a pediatrician originally from Venezuela.  He had expressed that he was in search of a church to attend on Grand Turk, but had been disappointed by the services thus far.  We, of course, invited him to the Kingdom Hall which he had never attended anywhere before.  On the last visit we made before our trip, he came to do the door and said he was just on our website.  We were thrilled to get word while in Florida that he did indeed attend the meeting on Sunday though we regret not being present to welcome him ourselves.  He said it was very different from any religious meeting he had attended previously and was especially impressed by the thorough use of the Bible.  Chad is following up in hopes of cultivating any further interest.


In regards to new creations in the kitchen, I have now successfully made homemade whole wheat pita bread!  It is a time consuming process especially without the aid of equipment, but it yields a large batch so that it doesn't have to be repeated often. With our own fresh pita bread, the possibilities are endless.

The Monday before we traveled to Florida, we took advantage of our day off exploring new ocean territory.  We joined a local dive group for a trip to an area known as Coral Canyons.  It was absolutely incredible!  The ocean floor dropped in tiers each supporting beautiful reefs teaming with schools of fish.  There are so many good dive spots around our island, many just a quarter mile off shore at the wall.  We look forward to diving as many as possible.


Flamingos annually migrate through Grand Turk.  We got our first glimpse of them recently.  Though more are usually present from what we have heard, it was neat to see these three for a few days.  Another local thing we love is getting coconuts from a sister who works at the cruise center.  Coconut trees are not native to Grand Turk, but have been brought in by the cruise lines to beautify the tourist areas.  The water inside is so refreshing when chilled.  It's a perfect treat after a hot day in the ministry.

Our week back at home for the convention flew by so fast!  What an amazing program with incredible new releases!  It was also refreshing to see so many familiar faces in the crowd of over 10,000.  We are grateful for all the encouragement we received from our dear friends and family throughout our stay.  The travel back to Grand Turk on Thursday was extremely exhausting.  It required an early start with many bags packed full of groceries and three flights.  We arrived with just enough time to rush home, drop our luggage, eat a quick bite, and head straight to the meeting.  However, we were immediately invigorated by the warm reception at the Kingdom Hall.  You would have thought we had been away for a month or more!  The children ran up to meet us and we received hugs and kind greetings in abundance.  We were reminded why we are here and it all seemed worth the effort!  We jumped right back into our routine on Friday with great joy.  Though packed in the back seat with three other sisters on yet another hot day, it was an encouraging start back in service.  We will be home again likely in the late fall.  We hope for some visitors between now and then as well as phone calls and e-mails.  Please keep in touch!