You'll never believe it! The Branch did not approve the C.O.s recommendation to delete the Valle de Bravo congregation!!! We got the news yesterday afternoon. Prayers, letters and phone calls prevailed! Can't tell you what a relief it is to get off that roller coaster.
There are a few new pictures to the right.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
800 miles later.....
Hello everyone. We drove to Jalapa with our friends the Luders and spent 4 days driving and looking things over. Jalapa has between 400,000 and 800,000 depending on who you ask! Personally, we liked the weather which seemed kind of like spring in San Franciso. Warm in the day and then the cold cloud bank comes in at night. But, we didn't like the city. Way too big for us. The congregation is flourishing with about 30 young ones between 18 and 30 yrs. of age getting the work done.
So we are back to square one so to speak. Hope to hear the final word from the Branch this week.
Hope all is well with everyone!
So we are back to square one so to speak. Hope to hear the final word from the Branch this week.
Hope all is well with everyone!
Monday, February 2, 2009
In "Limbo"
Hello all. Not much new to post. Many from the congregation here in Valle have written letters to the Mexcio Branch asking them to reconsider the decision of the C.O. Ultimately the C.O.s recommendation goes to the English service committee for approval, so we'll see......but we don't hold out too much hope.
Our friends here in Valle, the Luders, and us are going to go check out Jalapa. It's probably 6 hrs. from here. 4000 ft. elevation above the bigger town of Vera Cruz on the Gulf of Mexico. First, we need the name and number of a witness who lives there, in case anyone out there knows someone! We'll call the Branch for a contact if we need to before we head out.
This week there is an international parasailing competition going on here in Valle. People from all over the world are here. The downtown area is just packed with people. Also this is a Mexican holiday so of course there are parades and fireworks all day long. A good day to stay away from downtown!
Hope all is well with everyone. Let us know how you are if you get a chance.
Our friends here in Valle, the Luders, and us are going to go check out Jalapa. It's probably 6 hrs. from here. 4000 ft. elevation above the bigger town of Vera Cruz on the Gulf of Mexico. First, we need the name and number of a witness who lives there, in case anyone out there knows someone! We'll call the Branch for a contact if we need to before we head out.
This week there is an international parasailing competition going on here in Valle. People from all over the world are here. The downtown area is just packed with people. Also this is a Mexican holiday so of course there are parades and fireworks all day long. A good day to stay away from downtown!
Hope all is well with everyone. Let us know how you are if you get a chance.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Astounding News!
At the elder's meeting last night, which Mike was allowed to attend, the C.O. announced that the Valle de Bravo English congregation is being disbanded!!
Everyone is in shock. There was no indication that this was in the works. The poor elder who has been taking care of everything alone for the last 6 months knew nothing about this plan. He was so happy that we had moved here and another couple from San Jose was about to move here.
We will rely on Jehovah to direct us to a new place here in Mexico if that is where he wants us. We have always liked Guanajuato so I think we will drive over there this coming week to check out the English congregation.
Say some prayers for us!
Everyone is in shock. There was no indication that this was in the works. The poor elder who has been taking care of everything alone for the last 6 months knew nothing about this plan. He was so happy that we had moved here and another couple from San Jose was about to move here.
We will rely on Jehovah to direct us to a new place here in Mexico if that is where he wants us. We have always liked Guanajuato so I think we will drive over there this coming week to check out the English congregation.
Say some prayers for us!
Friday, January 16, 2009
We're Here!
Haven't had a chance to sit down with a functioning internet for a while and let everyone know we made it safely to Valle de Bravo!
We figured that altogether we drove 2400 miles. The van ran great but did develop some squeeking sounds toward the end. Poor baby!
We did our paperwork at the border in less than 15 min. Then drove about 1/2 hr. to the checkpoint. The young man who glanced into our van just laughed and waved us through. He wasn't about to get into all that stuff!
We got into San Luis Potosi about 6 PM and could only spot one hotel. We had to go a ways into the city and double back to find it again. Don't know if any of you know about the "Auto Hotels". This was one of them. They are rented out by the hour if you know what I mean! They must have felt sorry for us because they decided to rent one of the units to us for the whole night for $25. They are like suites at the Marriot with a garage you drive your vehicle into and then shut the garage door and you are safe and sound in your unit. It was one of the nicest "hotels" we've ever stayed in!
We have hardly driven since we've been here. We are walking 3 to 5 miles a day! Discovering what's in the town and looking for English speakers. We have gotten 5 RVs by doing our "walk abouts".
As usual with apts. in Mexico we have lost our electricity and water several times. And run out of gas. But everything is functioning now! We decided we don't like the apt. the friends found for us. Not to be ungrateful but everyone has their preferences. There is nothing in the apt. which I guess is typical. No stove, no fridg, no furniture, no window coverings. A sister took us out looking the other day and we put a deposit on another apt. but it's not available until March; possibly sooner. It is full of furniture, appliances and curtains! And has a great view of the Lake. So we will be content with what we have until the new apt. empties out.
We have about 24 publishers in our congregation. A small but mightly group. 24 publishers to canvass an area with 65,000 people! They sing like a group of 124. We have the C.O. visit next week. Mike is giving the public talk this Sunday.
I will post pictures as soon as I can. Adios mi amigas!
We figured that altogether we drove 2400 miles. The van ran great but did develop some squeeking sounds toward the end. Poor baby!
We did our paperwork at the border in less than 15 min. Then drove about 1/2 hr. to the checkpoint. The young man who glanced into our van just laughed and waved us through. He wasn't about to get into all that stuff!
We got into San Luis Potosi about 6 PM and could only spot one hotel. We had to go a ways into the city and double back to find it again. Don't know if any of you know about the "Auto Hotels". This was one of them. They are rented out by the hour if you know what I mean! They must have felt sorry for us because they decided to rent one of the units to us for the whole night for $25. They are like suites at the Marriot with a garage you drive your vehicle into and then shut the garage door and you are safe and sound in your unit. It was one of the nicest "hotels" we've ever stayed in!
We have hardly driven since we've been here. We are walking 3 to 5 miles a day! Discovering what's in the town and looking for English speakers. We have gotten 5 RVs by doing our "walk abouts".
As usual with apts. in Mexico we have lost our electricity and water several times. And run out of gas. But everything is functioning now! We decided we don't like the apt. the friends found for us. Not to be ungrateful but everyone has their preferences. There is nothing in the apt. which I guess is typical. No stove, no fridg, no furniture, no window coverings. A sister took us out looking the other day and we put a deposit on another apt. but it's not available until March; possibly sooner. It is full of furniture, appliances and curtains! And has a great view of the Lake. So we will be content with what we have until the new apt. empties out.
We have about 24 publishers in our congregation. A small but mightly group. 24 publishers to canvass an area with 65,000 people! They sing like a group of 124. We have the C.O. visit next week. Mike is giving the public talk this Sunday.
I will post pictures as soon as I can. Adios mi amigas!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Day 3 . . .
This was our 3rd day of hard driving. Since P.S. I think we've gone about 900 miles. Wish I could say it's been a pretty drive, but overall, it hasn't been. Las Cruses, New Mexico looked interesting. South Texas is not attractive! But we did see an armadillo on the side of the road today, a few deer, some vultures and lots of hawks.
Tomorrow we cross into Mexico at Laredo, TX. We're told it's not hard and that everything will go just fine, so that's the premise we're holding to!
We'll talk to you next time from "the other side"!
This was our 3rd day of hard driving. Since P.S. I think we've gone about 900 miles. Wish I could say it's been a pretty drive, but overall, it hasn't been. Las Cruses, New Mexico looked interesting. South Texas is not attractive! But we did see an armadillo on the side of the road today, a few deer, some vultures and lots of hawks.
Tomorrow we cross into Mexico at Laredo, TX. We're told it's not hard and that everything will go just fine, so that's the premise we're holding to!
We'll talk to you next time from "the other side"!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Ready, Set, Go!
Tomorrow is launch day; finally! We have had a lot of fun here in P.S. with our wonderful family and friends.
Our first drive is to Tucson, then Fort Stockton, TX, then Laredo, TX and then down into Mexico. We should only have about 12 hrs. of driving in MX. Hope to reach Valle de Bravo by the 8th.
Our friends, Hans and Uschi Luder found us an apt. so we will only have to unload once!
Michael has a public talk scheduled for Jan. 18th. I'm sure the brother has a lot more planned for him!
We may take some pictures along the way if there is anything noteworthy. Feel free to comment on our blog.....it's easy!
Our first drive is to Tucson, then Fort Stockton, TX, then Laredo, TX and then down into Mexico. We should only have about 12 hrs. of driving in MX. Hope to reach Valle de Bravo by the 8th.
Our friends, Hans and Uschi Luder found us an apt. so we will only have to unload once!
Michael has a public talk scheduled for Jan. 18th. I'm sure the brother has a lot more planned for him!
We may take some pictures along the way if there is anything noteworthy. Feel free to comment on our blog.....it's easy!
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