Declarando Las Buenas Noticias: School Days

"...“I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself..." - Isaiah 48:17

School seemed to be the theme for the month of June. As schoolchildren across Jamaica entered their summer recesses, our family was thoroughly involved with schools of one type or another.

The first of these was the Bible School for Christian Couples, class #68 which graduated in late June. The school was conducted at the Old Harbour Assembly Hall here in Jamaica, the same place where our family regularly volunteers to work. During the time the school was in session, we were privileged to increase the number of days we worked there as much help was needed. We were happy to help create a pleasant environment for the students to learn in. In addition to our regular duties we helped in serving meals, cleaning (somehow, there's always cleaning to do), running to the market to buy veggies for the meals, and many other necessary tasks.

While working we enjoyed meeting the students and instructors of the class. What a joy to associate with such spiritually focused people! We were happy to hear some of their experiences, and get to know their various backgrounds. Some of the students had served for a number of years in full time service, some had served as Bethelites at the former Jamaica branch, one couple we met had multiple family members in special full time service! Being in that environment really fueled the fire for Suzanne and I as we too hope one day to attend the School for Evangelizers.

We also enjoyed a special privilege in June that I had been looking forward to for many months now. We were able to attend the Pioneer Service School together as a family. Since we had started in September of last year this was one of the things we have most looked forward to; attending the school as a family.

We Got Schooled!

We received so many encouraging remarks from our classmates and instructors. Again it was a joy to associate with spiritually focused ones. A good number in the class were attending for the second time, some even for the third time. For this "rookie" pioneer it was a joy just to be in the room.

One surprise to me was the content of the class. I was expecting to spend much time learning how to preach, how to conduct studies, etc. But I would estimate that about 60% of the class was not on the ministry but on how to be more effective in my personal study, on meaningful prayers, cooperating with the body of elders, strengthening my relationship with Jehovah and other such topics. For those who will be attending this year the new book is awesome! as well as the format for the school. There is a lot of interaction and some nifty videos that will surely be enjoyed as well. All in all we have been well instructed and fortified to carry on our ministry.

As the calendar changed from June to July we continued to enjoy instruction at our ~~District~~ Regional Convention. We really can see how Jehovah is uniting his people and getting us ready for the new world. It was exciting to be tied in with the internationals (not quite as exciting as being there :( but I'll take what I can get) and to have members of the GB speak to us. One thing I took away was that we really need to spend time thinking about our lives in the new world. Not just in passing but really think about it. Where would you like to live? What type of work would you like to do? What kind of animals would you like to play with? As I listened to the parts it made sense to me. If you are planning on a vacation we spend lots of time looking up where we are going and what sights we want to see, right? Why not do the same for the Paradise? See yourself there. Make it real, no really real to yourself. This is something I plan to do more of as admittedly at times due to all that is going on in our lives, I don't really think about life in the Paradise. But as I have learned it is something to make time for, so I am planning some serious deep thought time for the coming weeks:)

One thing that we can always count on is that as long as we serve Jehovah, we will be instructed. We are grateful for all that we have been taught of late and hope to put it into practice as we continue our journey on this Needgreater life we have chosen.