Always Ready To Make A Defense

"Even when we're not in service, we're still in service" - Danielle

   This evening we had an interesting experience at the bus station while trying to buy tickets. We had just finished up evening witnessing and went to purchase tickets for our upcoming trip to Mexico City and Bethel.  Even though we practiced ahead of time when it came our turn to go to the window, I just goofed, I couldn't figure out the schedule, and wasn't clearly understanding the woman as her speech was garbled by the microphone.
   A kind gentleman who had been watching came over and spoke to us in English and offered to translate for us. "Yes, thank you" I replied and told him we just needed to find out the schedule for departures. After getting this info I proceeded with the purchase but the man and now two other people are around us at the window, awed by the sight of English speakers trying to buy bus tickets began plying us with questions. "Where are you from? Why are you here? Are you on vacation?..." the usual questions we get. Suzanne and Danielle answered as I completed our transaction.
   One of the persons in the group was a young man who appeared to be about 20 or so years old. When he found out we were Witnesses he said that he had spoken to Witnesses some time ago and they left literature with him. He then asked in amazement after finding out we were living in Guasave: "So you moved here just for your ministry?" I must admit it felt really good to answer that question yes!
   So after finishing our purchase, Dani returned to the car to get some literature, I mean we have a captive audience they're waiting for their buses! We approach the first man who helped us and when he saw the brochure he said "Oh, you're Witnesses!". It turns out that he is having a bible study conducted with him and he was on his way back home to Phoenix. We then spoke with the young man after he bought his ticket and he too listened and accepted a Good News brochure. He also asked about meeting locations in Los Mochis, the town where he attends school and we directed him to the jw.org website.
   Interesting turn of events for us. We weren't expecting an opportunity to preach to anyone but found ourselves surrounded by a small crowd at one point all curious about us. It was a joy to hear my wife give glory to Jehovah and to identify ourselves as his Witnesses and tell about our work.  I learned two things this evening: 1) I've really gotta work on my Spanish, it's a little rusty. 2) Always be ready because you never know when you will have a chance to give a witness. The folks we talked to today probably didn't wake up thinking "when I go to the bus station I hope there are some Jehovah's Witnesses there to talk to me." But then again if they did we are just happy to have had the chance to encourage them to learn more about Jehovah God.