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!!!

Doin this thing we do...

For the past year and a half, the Bologna Inglese congregation has been very busy preaching to the many African refugees that were brought here from Libya.  Our growing congregation is proof that Jehovah is blessing the efforts of the brothers here!  I am so amazed at the growth just in the past year!  The Italian government is planning the camps at the end of the year, so many of us have been wondering-"What is next?!?" 

Bologna is known for having the oldest University in the world-founded in 1088!!  It's so crazy to be somewhere that has ANYTHING that's been around for almost a thousand years.  The only thing that old in Atlanta is dirt!  Haha.  The University has students from all over the world and many of them speak English.  The camps have taken up a lot of you time and the efforts have been well spent, but we are now focusing more attention to the University students.  One brother in my hall is already studying with two students from the University, and I am studying with an American student (I had to come all the way to Italy to get a study from America!!  haha)  who is doing so well!!  We study twice a week and she attends almost all the meetings.  I really view her as a blessing from Jehovah-there is no greater joy than sharing the Truth with someone who really appreciates it and wants to please Jehovah!! I already view her as my sister and a future pioneer partner!!

Before he left, Zech got this table together and had these posters made so we are now doing our trial run to see where and what works best.  If you watch the short video about the Annual Meeting on www.jw.org you can see a little about the success these tables have had in other cities.  So we will see what success we have!

Here are a few pics you might have seen already on fb or instagram...

 

 

These two Eritrean brothers serving in Norway saw us doing the literature stand at the University and later we happened to see them again while we were eating lunch. They insisted on paying for our meal because they said it encouraged them to see young ones serving Jehovah abroad!! So loving!! Jehovah provides!!

 

 

 

Last Thursday I had a great day in service-THREE studies!!  But the best part of my day? Conducting a study while looking on as my new brother Moses conducts his own at the next table



 

 

So there you have it!  A little service update-I'm really terrible about taking pics in service but I will try to be better!! 

 

Love to all!

 

Kimmie

WE ARE ONLY GETTING STARTED!!

WARNING: MAJOR SAP SESH...

 

 

After almost six months away, I have to say that the hardest thing about GOING somewhere is LEAVING people behind.  But as this past weeks WT brought out, to maintain our joy in this life we need to focus on the positive!  And so begins the sap sesh...

 

Is it weird to say that anyone who knows me also knows my best friend Jessie??  Even people here in Italy know her at least by name because I mention her often.  How can I not?  She has been a part of my life for 25 of my 26 years!!  Almost every memory I have involves her in some way.  Starting out as the only two girls our age in our congregation in New York with Moms as best friends, and followed by 10 years living next door to eachother in Georgia spending almost every single day together-we are closer than sisters!! Even when she got married 5 years ago (HAPPY ANNIVERSARY)  we remained super close.  Getting to pioneer alongside my best friend for so many years has really been such a privilege, and our friendship has really made me into a better person than I think I would have been without her. 

 

Where am I going with this??

 

I got a Voxer message from her the other day where she said she wanted to make a comment Sunday at the WT study on the paragraph on different life experiences published in our magazines and yearbooks that have encouraged her.  She started telling me about the article called Friends for 60 years and Only Getting Started  (which I had yet to read because we study the simplified edition in our hall)

 

Here is the link from www.jw.org:

 

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20121015/friends-for-60-years/

 

It is about four young brothers who were great friends and were super close because they all wanted to reach out for more in Jehovah's service and got to serve together in Germany for awhile, but eventually they were split up because of different responsibilities they were assigned. But even after 60 years they were still friends and still helping each other out because their mutual relationship with Jehovah kept their friendship strong even when they were far away. 

 

So here we are-me serving in Bologna Italy, and Jessie about to move where the need is great in Kentucky with her husband. So even when (if) I go back to GA she won't be there.  It's an end of an era! I don't think either of us ever thought that our lives in Jehovah's service would lead us where it has!! But I'm pretty happy with where we have ended up! 

 

I liked this part of the article:

"How wise then to rely on his leading rather than on one’s personal desires! He who has learned this lesson will be happy serving Jehovah anywhere and in whatever assignment he is given."
 

So true!  Jehovah always leads us to where we will be happiest! 

 

Before one of the brothers died he wrote:

“In all the 60 years of our friendship, I cannot remember any unpleasant moment. Our relationship has always been something very special to me.” To which his three friends, with a continuation of their friendship in the new world clearly in view, quickly add, “And we only got started.” 
 

So we are 25 years into this friendship, but like those 4 brothers-we've only gotten started!  We might be serving an ocean and several time zones away from eachother, but we are sharing in the same work and we can really be Best Friends FOREVER ;)

SUPER CHEESY!!!

 

Yeah...I think this pretty much sums it up ;p

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep Calm and Preach On

Well here I am, five months into my Italian adventure!!  And I have internet!  Yay :)  November has been a crazy month so far.  On the 1st I moved into my new apartment.  I was only supposed to stay in my last apartment for August, but one month turned into three...and yeah-I was ready to move!  Now I am in a great apartment right in the Centre of Bologna which is super convenient.  I honestly couldn't ask for a better place!  Jehovah always provides more than we even ask of Him!

I wish I could say that my Italian is awesome after five months here, but I have been super LAZY!! My mom just sent me this though:

So far I am on page 3...

Time to get motivated!

So some highlights?  October flew by-I was sick for a week during which all I accomplished was rewatching about 3 seasons of Gilmore Girls and drinking like 37 cups of tea.  I think my getting sick may have had something to do with only having packed sandals and sleeveless shirts and refusing to spend my money on warmer clothes/shoes until my friends came bearing a HUGE suitcase my Mom packed full of boots, heels (now I have more than just my one pair of black heels!!  yay!), warmer clothes, and CANDY!!!  All the important stuff ;)

I had a great time when Elliot and Rolando visited.  A little piece of home came here to Italy! It was so cool to show them around and let them see my life here. 

For example, remember the yearbook part a few weeks ago about the sister who slept on a kitchen floor for a winter because she went to serve in northern Norway without a place to stay?? Well this was my "bedroom" for a month. Elliot was trying it out ;)

For many people, being able to reach inside the fridge while still in bed is a dream come true!!  So I guess you could say I was living the dream ;)

They also got to experience grocery shopping and the 15 min walk/5 min bike ride to the bus stop...

Oh that bike-what adventures we shared!!!  Especially since 95% of the time I was wearing a dress while riding it-even in my 5 inch heels ;) Bad brakes, low tires, poor design that discouraged (by discouraged, I mean you would wreck if you did) pedaling while turning.  Good times that are all part of the ADVENTURE!!

Plus we got to do some traveling!!

Venice...



My study Ilta, Rolando, Me, and Elliot



All in all, a great visit!!  They were so generous with me and the other need greaters serving here too!!  Love you guys!!

I enjoyed my first Circuit Overseer's visit here in Italy as well.  They are a great couple with a lot of experience in preaching successfully to Africans.  We were reminded that serving here in the English field is more than just knowing the language-we need to know the culture of those we preach to so we can be more effective.  So much to learn!

Another first for me was the Circuit Assembly last weekend.  There we welcomed ten new brothers and sisters (11 if you count the baby one sister is pregnant with ;) ) four of which are from the Bologna Inglese congregation!!  How exciting is that!! 

Kindess studied with Arielle and Paolo.  Despite his reading limitations, he has made SO much progress.  Every time I hear him comment at the meetings I feel like crying-I'm so proud!! 


Last time I was here 10 months ago...

 

And now!!  My baptized brother!

 

 



Moses, Me, Kindess

Moses has such zeal for serving Jehovah!  And it is contagious!  He was known as "Pastor Moses" but now he is our Brother.  He is so excited to share the Truth he has learned with others.

Nonso was raised around the Truth, but has finally made it his own.  Super proud even though he is always telling me I talk too fast and no one understands me!!  Haha ;)

Here he is after service one day with Elliot and Rolando...

And then there is Sister Faith!! She always give very well-researched comments for the Bible Highlights-a very good student!!  After becoming a publisher LAST MONTH, she was in service almost every day!!  I think she made more time than I did!!  Talk about hitting the groud running!  She is very bold in her ministry and when she joined me on one of my studies I got to see what a great teacher she is. 

 

 

 

For me, this was one of the coolest experiences from the Assembly.  I have mentioned Kenneth before on here.  He gave his first talk on the school a couple weeks after I returned to Bologna and I was AMAZED at the progress he had made in the months I was gone.  So proud!!  Anyways, I saw him on Sunday afternoon during the lunch break with a woman smiling ear to ear.  Turns out, she is his cousin who he hasn't seen in TWENTY YEARS!!  And she is also studying and making progress towards baptism!  We all talked about how awesome it would be for them to get baptized together at our next Assembly!  It was so touching to see how excited Kenneth was to have family in the Truth! I am so excited for him.

 



 

 

 Here are just a few random pics from the Assembly (mostly for my mom since she always complains about never seeing any pictures) :p .  Sorry they are so huge-I'm terrible with technology. 

 

I'll try to be better about updating this thing now that I have internet.  I still have to write about my awesome study!! 

 

Life is good my friends, preach on ;)

 

Love to all!

 

Kimmie

 

 

Two cutest Australian/Italian kids I know and already love

 

After months of teasing Burgo for wearing clothes most grandfathers would consider out of style, he showed up for his part wearing something from this decade :p

 

 

We finally have a baby in our hall!!  I want to steal her-she is so cute!!



 

 

Valentine trying not to be tall lookin all 007, me, and Luke

 

The Pantano family along with 3 of the 4 new baptized Brothers and Sisters in our hall

 

Basta per adesso

Turns out that having extremely limited access to the internet is kind of a blog killer :( I have been here in Bologna now for two months now!  Time flies when you are having fun, right??  I am working on getting internet, so hopefully I will be better with keeping in touch with everyone.  I have to admit that today I miss home.  Maybe having some kind of internet access and being able to keep up with friends and family will help that a bit though.  Here is why I am here though...:)

 

August in Bologna…I was either mildly sweaty or SUPER sweaty the entire month.  Everyone clears out for the month for holiday (I can see why!!) so the city was pretty empty.  The meetings mostly consisted of need greaters and studies!  Remember the two weeks we studied about the wild beast and statue prophecies?  We only had 26 in attendance, and half were not baptized!  We made it through though and somehow I managed to make my last 87 hours for the year!  The best part about coming back to Bologna has been seeing how much some of the studies have progressed in the few months I have been gone.  Two studies became publishers while I was gone, and one got baptized at the convention this summer.  I arrived just in time to see him do the microphones for the first time at the meeting.  It’s so encouraging to see how seriously he takes his assignment!  One study named Kenneth gave his first talk in the school right when I got back. 

I almost cried watching him on stage doing the Bible reading in his suit.  Last time I was here he came to all the meetings in jeans and a sweatshirt, and this time he looks just like a brother.  Based on his comments and getting to sit in on his study, I don’t think it will be long before he will be J

One of my favorite moments here was with a study named Moses.  I sat in on his study one evening and before we started he mentioned that he had gone in service the day before!  We were like, “What?!?”  Haha.  He said that he and another study just walked down the street from the camp and started to preach!  We asked what he said and he told us that he had John 3:16 prepared to read but asked us what literature he should give people.  What zeal!!  Even though he needs some training, it was so encouraging to see what learning the Truth does for people.  He has been moved to share what he has learned with others.  It made me think that I need to increase my boldness and zeal as well!  As of September 1^st, we are both publishers of the good news!  I hope to work with him soon in the ministry-we can learn a few things from each other!  Just to give you an idea of how things are going in our congregation, our local needs was about training the studies in our congregation to study properly for the meetings and training them in the ministry because they are our future brothers.  Usually back home we may have one or two studies at any given time making progress towards baptism.  Here we are almost outnumbered!  Now our focus is to help the studies really make the truth their own by doing their own personal study for the meetings and helping the new publishers progress in their own ministry.  I can’t tell you how privileged I feel to be serving here! 

Pretty much since I arrived back in Bologna, I started being convinced to stay here longer.  Money was going to be tight with me only staying here as originally planned, but I decided to let Jehovah decide for me.  Through some very specific prayers, things seem to have worked out for me to stay here a few months longer than I planned.  So how to best describe the life of a need greater??  You live day by day.  Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread and a lot of us here get exactly that-enough for NOW.  I'm not going to lie-I freak myself out everytime I look at my bank account, but somehow there is always just enough to get by and pay the bills!  Being here really has taught me to rely on Jehovah completely.  I really feel like I can't make it one day without Him, and He never disappoints me.  I think sometimes we tend to rely on ourselves too much.  I know I catch myself doing that all the time.  We feel like we need to provide for ourselves and we never give Jehovah the chance to provide for us like He promised He would.  I have seen what it is like to get by with a lot less than I am used to and realize that I am way more content with much less. 

This is where I do service everyday...not quite Loganville, GA!

 

 

More to come soon!  To everyone back home-Love and Miss you!!

 

-K

Love to go, Hate to leave

If you had asked me a few weeks ago if I would be sad to say good-bye to my job in Forte dei Marmi I would have given you a big "Heck no!!"  but this is my last day here and I'm feeling a bit nostalgic.  Yes, Paolino had his moments where I didn't know if I was going to make it the full six weeks (or if he was), but I have to say I am going to miss the kid.  It doesn't hurt that the beach is amazing :)  The real treat of being here though has been getting to know such great people in the Viareggio Inglese congregation.  Everyone has been amazing and now I am just adding to my super long list of cool people I now know from around the world!!  I will be sad to leave them when I head to Bologna, but a few of them have promised to visit me while I'm there.  So it's only a short good-bye!

Today marks the longest I have ever been away from home!!  It doesn't feel like I have been here that long.  The time is really flying by.  Here are a few pics.  Nothing too exciting-more to come from Bologna!

Gelato in Cinque Terre

Beach in Cinque Terre



Broken car made of cardboard : )



 Random Parade we came across while we were in service in Pisa

The tower that leans