"When Life Hands You Lemons...

  ...you make lemonade." Boy oh boy, could I ever use an ice cold lemonade right about now! The hot season is here and temperatures in Guasave are routinely around and above 100F  lately. The extreme weather is taking a toll on our ministry as it's very difficult to stay out for more than 40-45 minutes before you are totally drained. We have adjusted our schedule to preach more in the evenings as it's a bit cooler. Yesterday evening for example we were out and at 7:00 pm the temp was still 94F ! The high temperatures however aren't the only worries we have now though.

   On our recent circuit assembly program, we had a needs of the circuit part which placed much emphasis on preaching to people in their native tongues. Under direction from the faithful slave, this means that for example a native Spanish speaker should be witnessed to in Spanish even if they speak another language. This adjustment will greatly affect the English field in Guasave. Why do I say that?

  Well to be honest many of our Bible studies and calls probably should be Spanish studies. Previously we would study with almost anybody. If they had a pulse and could speak a few words of English ( "hello, yes, no" ) we would study with them. The new emphasis however severely limits whom we can study with. In Guasave, there really is not a population of expats so the only ones left are Mexicans who may have been schooled in or lived in the U.S. and prefer to learn in English. How many people are like that in Guasave? We don't know so it places special emphasis on our census work we are now doing.

   Some congregations nearby have been dissolved, some have been changed into English groups. Change is never easy but we see the wisdom in Jehovah's ways. We often are told that a person may understand a foreign language but to reach their hearts what could be better than your native tongue? Also in the English congregations here in Mexico, there are a number of faithful Mexican brothers and sisters supporting the work. Not all of them are fluent in English. Surely it would be a blessing for some of these to return to meetings and be able to worship in their native tongue would it not? In this way they can fully understand all that is being taught and this will no doubt strengthen the congregations.

   Change is never easy. What will become of us here? How will our congregation and territory be affected? We don't know; but until we receive further instructions we will try not to be anxious but keep ourselves busy with the preaching work. By doing so we hope to keep pace with Jehovah's chariot as it moves ahead. And we'll enjoy the lemonade as well.

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   In other fruit related news mango season is in full swing and everywhere we go mangoes are cheap and plentiful. Even the thousands of stray dogs we have here in Guasave are enjoying it as they get to feast on all the fruits that have fallen to the ground.

harvesting mangoes from the tree in our yard

 Indeed in some areas the smell of fermenting mango is high in the air. Oh well, when life hands you mangoes; you make mango sherbet!

Mango Sherbet

1 cup simple syrup

2-1/2 cups mango puree(3-4 large mangoes)

1 cup milk or cream(use cream for a rich sherbet)

pinch of salt

1/4 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons of alcohol (vodka, rum or Tequila!)

*the alcohol is not necessary but will help the sherbet keep a softer consistency

make simple syrup by combining one cup of water with one cup of sugar in a saucepan. heat until sugar is dissolved and then cool. use one cup of this mixture in the recipe.

stir all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. taste and adjust for sugar( depends on how sweet mangoes are)

add mix to ice cream maker and freeze according to directions.

to make without an ice cream maker: place mix in a metal bowl in freezer. stir every 20 minutes or so to help maintain a smooth product. freeze until firm (about 3-4 hours)