Beginning of Forever

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!

 



Yesterday it snowed about 5 inches, and today another few inches.  In Atlanta that would mean the city shuts down for a week, but here in Bologna we PREACH ON!!  But who am I kidding???  I'm still a little bit of a baby and just did my studies inside where it's nice and warm :) 

Arielle and I met my study Desmond at the Sala Borsa library in the Centre for his study.  I have to say that I really love using the Listen to God brochure to teach!  What a gift from Jehovah to help us teach people the truth in such a simple way!  I actually find myself using it now even on my studies in the Bible Teach book because the pictures seem to really help people make clear and remember what they are learning.  Today we talked about Jesus and the sufferering he endured in our behalf and how today we too may have to suffer or be persecuted when we try to do the will of God.  He said that he wishes that God would just strike our persecutors down right then and there so that people would KNOW that we are His servants.  We shared that rather than needing that way to identify us as Jesus' true disciples, we follow the words of John 13:34-35 and let our love for one another identify us.  I think that way is a lot better :)

So when my Aunt and Uncle were here in December they saw my crappy winter coat that was super thin and knew I had no money to buy myself a warmer one so they treated me with a BEAUTIFUL down coat from Zara.  I honestly don't know what I would have done without that coat!!  But, two days ago the zipper totally busted (right in time for all the snow!!!)  so I have been walking around with my coat open like a crazy person.  I am accompanied by Arielle who also has a zipper that doesnt work-she has to step in and out of her coat because the zipper is stuck at the bottom.  Oh!!  And to top off our crazy appearance as a duo-she tripped in the snow this morning and broke her boot in half but solved the problem by wrapping a hair tie (purple btw) around the toe to hold it together!!  We were quite a pair today!!  But we did find a place to fix both of our zippers- 4 euro yo!!!  Super excited-I almost kissed the lady when she fixed it!! 

Last night after a LONG day of work and service my English student asked me to meet but this time to teach him the Bible.  His request was followed by a long "PLLEEEEAAAAASSSSEE!!!!!"  How can I say no to that???  So we arranged to meet after he got off work tonight.  Arielle and I had some much needed "chill time" (also known as let our socks dry out time) before we went out yet again in the crazy snow.  We studied for  two hours after which he was like "I can't believe how fast time goes when we study!!"  We covered so much today-my head is spinning!!!  He has so many questions that he is constantly apologizing for asking.  We kept assuring him that it's great that he is asking questions!!  But since English is not his first language and he really knows almost nothing about the Bible, it takes a lot of effort to make everything as simple as possible.  Questions like, "Why didn't Jehovah kill Satan immediately?"  "Why did Jehovah put the tree in the garden and ask them not to eat from it?"  "Why do we have to suffer because of the sin of Adam and Eve?"  "What kind of structure will God's Kingdom have?"  and the list goes on!! With the combination of our third coffee of the day and Holy Spirit, we were able to answer all of his questions using the Bible.  I also assured him that he would be able to get all his questions answered as he continued to add "bricks" to his wall of knowledge.  It's so cool to have a study like this who really WANTS to know the answer to all these questions!!  There are still people out there thirsting for the Truth. 

We finished with Daniel at almost 9pm and I went home to rest my brain.  Haha.  At 10pm as I was about one sentence into this post my American student study who moved back to the States asked to skpye.  Again, how do you say no?!?!?  So we did!!  After about 5 minutes I realized that it was more than just a "let's just catch up" skype sesh so I suggested that we have a study.  She said that was just what she needed.  We went through the first half of the chapter about baptism in the Bible Teach book.  I can't believe how far she has come!!  We only have a chapter and a half left!  I am so proud of her!!  I feel so privileged to have been handed her request for a bible study back in September.  She knows this is the Truth and it is becoming so real to her.  She even said she is starting to picture herself in Paradise!  I can't wait to be there with her!!  I told her to remember this day because one day we will be sitting on a beach somewhere together with not a care in the world...and know it's just the beginning of forever ;)

Much love to everyone!!

Kimmie

Highlights

The longer I pioneer, the more I view my ministry as a gift FROM Jehovah rather then a gift I am offering him.  What a privilege Jehovah has offered us!  It amazes me how much joy I get every time I get to share a scripture containing the Truth and the only real hope for mankind.  The other day I joined Paolo on his study outside the train station before we met the group for service.  Like many other Africans, this man travels by train to Bologna to sell small things like tissues and socks-not the easiest way to make a living, especially in this cold.  He has demonstrated a real appreciation for the Truth though because he is willing to stand outside in the FREEZING cold as we try to answer his many heartfelt questions about the Bible.  Like many honest hearted ones, he sees that what is being taught and done in the churches is not in harmony with what the Bible teaches.  For example, "Why does my pastor speak in tongues if no one can understand him?  Are the miracles he performs real?  Why does he charge money for them?"  After sharing several scriptures with him, he said that Jehovah's Witnesses are the only people he knows who answer his questions using the Bible.  He is very humble and reasonable! 

After being stood up for my 1st study in the morning (some service issues are universal!  haha) I met my English student to help him study his Watchtower for the meeting.  I'll be completely honest, going into our study I kind of suspected that his main reason for wanting me to meet him was more to improve his English for free than to actually learn the lesson, but that pre-judgement has left me feeling pretty guilty.  After our study he put his hand on his heart and said, "Wow, I have much emotion!!!  This is the best study we have ever had!"  I will not take it personally at all that he prefers learning about the Bible more than my lessons in English because I definitely enjoy TEACHING the Bible more than English! 

My other study, Desmond, is doing really well too.  He told me on our first study about a month ago that his main reason for wanting to study is because he wants to learn to read better.  His reason?  He says he has been called by God, but he wants to know how to read the Bible so he can preach it's message.  Well we can help with that!!  Like many Africans, he has a deep respect for God and His Word.  He accepts anything we share from the Bible.  A few times after we have read a scripture he has asked, "but if this is what the Bible says than why do the Pastors teach something different?"  In fact, my other study Gladys asked me the same thing when we were talking about the Cross and idol worship and she read Exodus 20:4-5.  Good question!  All we can do if share what the Bible Teaches-each of us has to choose what to accept. 

I posted this my my facebook, but I'll share it C&P style here:

So a few weeks ago Arielle Kristine and I were doing search work and we were buzzed into an apartment where some college students live. The girls that met us at the door ended up not speaking English but said their roommate did so we left a tract for them to give to the roommate. Then, because I am apparently a ridiculously unorganized and forgetful pioneer (Whoops)...I never went back. Today we decided to recheck some names and I finally remembered the college student. We were buzzed in again-and AGAIN by a student who didnt speak English but was super nice. She invited us in and told us there are now TWO Americans living there. After being distracted by their super cute bunny (I swear I don't know why Jehovah lets me pioneer) I finally noticed that taped to the door of the American student's room is the Peaceful New World tract I had left the last time!! Say what?!? The angel with us was probably banging his head against the wall! Haha. So I dont know whats going to come from this call, but it was a good lesson in Jehovah directing the work despite His imperfect servants!

 

So those are just a few highlights that I can remember from service.  I am sorry I am so terrible at updating this blog-I'll try to be better.  We have so many great experiences in our service here, so I really should try to be more regular in writing about them. 

In other news, the camps are supposed to be closing at the end of this month.  We have 4 baptized brother currently living in the camps as well as many studies.  None of us know where they are going to go when they close.  Kindness told us today that they might let them SLEEP in the camp for a few more weeks, but there will be no more food or hot water for bathing provided.  They are all teaching me a valuable lesson in DON'T FREAK OUT cause they all seem pretty chill about it...Kindness even insisted on buying my coffee today on his study.  He is currently looking forward to giving his first talk in the school!!  Maybe in June.  If we start practicing now I really think he can do it.  His reading has improved so much and he is very excited about being on stage.  I think Arielle and I will miss the whole thing cause we will be crying too much when that day finally comes!! 

Ok, so I know this post is already super long, but I just want to add one more thing.  This week in the Jeremiah book we talked about Jeremiah's choice of friends, and we were asked to examine our own friendships.  Our COBE asked us to think about our friends what ask ourselves, "what draws me to this person?"  I have to say that I feel so priviledged to be part of a congregation and group where I can truly say that my friends are those who have the same love for Jehovah and are willing to make so many sacrifices in His service.  I am humbled by their examples-hopefully I will be just like them when I grow up :)

OK basta-here are some pics!!





Kennedy, Kindness, Me, Arielle on our study today



Pioneer Meeting with the Elders



The return of Jon!!!