When we got to the meeting there was a visitor outside and he spoke english! We got to introduce ourselves to him and it turns out that his wife is a witness and he decided to come to the meeting that night with her. After meeting Tyler ended up giving him and his family a ride home and found out that he is Italian but grew up in Holland and speaks 6 languages. He told us that he has a restaurant where he lives about 20 minutes away in a little town called Ojochal and we should come by and try his true Italian pizza. Tyler agreed that that would have to happen real soon! So as we came into the meeting and found our seats, the kids quickly disappeared. They were already right at home with their friends from english and their new friends from spanish playing alongside the Kingdom Hall. As the meeting started I was very quickly lost. All of a sudden I really couldn't remember what I had studied. What was this lesson about again??? Im still trying to figure out if I should listen and follow along in my english publications or listen and follow along in my spanish publications. It seems like everyone has different methods for learning the language in our group. One thing is for sure, our study at home has to be thorough otherwise the kids are missing out on valuable spiritual food. Tyler & I started studying together last week,on monday, for the mid week meeting. Then for family worship we study it again with the kids in english. Then (next week) we will go over it again before meeting and translate our english answers into spanish. There has to be a better method for this so I'm open to suggestions:) One thing I know for sure..I will learn spanish...eventually:) Now for some highlights from the meeting!
This is Fritz. He is from Denmark. He is in his mid 60's & English is his 2nd language, Spanish is his 3rd! Here he is reading for the congregation bible study.
These cute little blondies kind of stand out:)
Here is Tyler running a microphone. It was a challenge for him listening for the questions in Spanish so he would know when to run the mic up the aisle. Then he had to really pay attention because he doesn't know anyone's name...but as you can see by the smile on his face, he is happy to do it!
This is Don he is the secretary for both the congregation & our group. Here he is conducting the school and he doesn't speak much Spanish. He was reading a lot of what he is saying. He also filled in for the bible reading! Wow, I'm still in awe over this brother!
The sister on the right is Spanish speaking only. The sister on the left, Amy, doesn't speak Spanish but this her 2nd time as a householder! She told me that there are so few sisters in the congregation that she wanted to get right on the school to lighten the load for them. She's so awesome!
This is Josh. He is our service overseer and he is giving the opening part for the meeting and speaks very little Spanish. He is mostly reading his part. There were a few chuckles from some kids in the audience but he didn't let it phase him. He did great!
He even did a demo in Spanish! The sister who is playing the householder speaks no English.How did they pull this together, not speaking the same language???
And here is Don being interviewed about his duties as the secretary. Again he mostly read what he had translated earlier since he speaks very little Spanish.
So that's it! It was a great meeting. The Spanish friends are being so patient with us. I imagine we all sound like kindergarteners to them :)
Next week we have CO visit for Spanish and he doesn't speak English and neither does the only Spanish elder so I'm not sure how that works.. But it will! I wanted to share one thing with you guys that was so encouraging to me. Some of the friends in Spanish don't read well at all and because of this they are reluctant to join the school or reach out in any way. Since we have combined with them they have seen us in English fumble our words and make mistakes from the stage. But they are so encouraged by the spirit of the friends to try, that now some of them have joined the school and are reaching out. They no longer feel embarrassed or that they can't do it. When I heard that it in turn encourage me to not give up!
In closing we went to Ojochal today and tried Fabrittzio's pizza and he wasn't kidding! It was fabulous! He said the only pizza that comes close is in Italy! He served our pizza with imported Parmesan & fresh homemade Pesto sauce! We agreed that all of our visitors have to try out Fabrittzio'z for themselves! Love you guys! Can't wait to get some visitors!!!:)
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