Today it was raining. Woke me in the night, coming down pretty hard. My service partner Akemi phoned to give me a way out, but I told her I was used to the rain...I am from Oregon you know! She and her husbamd Andre are with the English congregation, but were assigned as special pioneers to the Nepali group. The group is part of this cong. She is Japanese and after pioneering for 3 or 4 yrs she helped a Portuguese group in Japan, where she met her husband who had come for a visit. They worked in Malaysia for a few yrs. going in and out of Nepal to witness. They came to Portugal for a visit with Andre's family and saw the need here and stayed. There is a large population of Nepali people here and that is the work we did today, searching for Nepali. She said they are in the little fruit and vege shops usually, but they also do other work. When they come here they buy a shop from a cousin or some relative who has had it for a yr. You don't have to pay taxes for one yr, so they sell the shop, and hopefully get one better. We only found one young man, but he was very nice.
We headed for a study, but because it was raining the shop didn't open until later.
We went to lunch at a place most of the pioneers frequent. It is healthy and cheap. I told her to order for me, because I can't read the menu item. A small plate with brown rice, and heaped with salad...1.60 euros. Delicious, healthy (vegetarian), and great price. Perfect pioneer lunch.
We made one more call and I met Claudia at the mall. I finally got a phone too as it will be so much easier to keep in touch.
My nose and forehead are peeling, just in time for the circuit assembly this weekend! Of course.
Claudia got some groceries and then home. She made a wonderful pasta and fresh vege dish. I'm spoiled. Another beautiful day in Portugal.
This is Claudia :) I just wanted to say hello to everyone there. Gloria has been filling you in on our time here nicely. I just thought I would add my impressions of the people here.
Many of the younger generation seem aloof and cool. They will not make eye contact and if you meet them on the street they you are the one who will have to make room to get by. It is a symptom of the World they live in. I am sure one on one it would be different as we have found out. They are physically a beautiful people and perhaps that adds to that air. I think every other one could be on a magazine cover.
On the other hand, the older ones I find delightful. If you greet them they readily reply and if you touch their hand they will repond in like manner. They will chat freely even if you tell them you only speak english... doesnt seem to matter. It makes me smile. I just nod and smile like I am following every thing they say. It grieves me that I cannot communicate with them. When they talk on the street or cafe you would think they were arguing but no, they are just talking. Very expressive people.
In the elevator the other day there were about 10 of us and an old man was trying to push the button to go. Nothing happened. He did it again, nothing happened. So someone from the back reaches over and
Pushes it. Then all 10 start a discussion on this whole affair . Everyone had an opinion. Cracks be up.
Same thing on the bus we were on. The driver was calling out a stop over and over and the man standing by him looks at me and says something. Then the older woman behind me taps me on the shoulder and says something. I tell her I speak English. She nods and yells that to the bus driver. Then she starts telling the people seated around us that we only speak english. They are all talking and nodding. It was so cute. And truthfully, I was just glad because I thought when they were talking to me it was because when I got on I kept scanning my card and it wouldnt work so I just ignored it and went and sat down. I was afraid I was caught and they were going to throw me off the bus. :(
All said, I find I am humbled beyond words by the friends in the congregation. I feel like instead of coming to help them they are helping me. Their sacrifice is so evident when you see the effort it takes to prepare for the meeting in English, their own study as well as the parts they have in the meetings. To see a bother of whom english is a second language conduct a study with a Nepali man that english is not his native tongue, and when you see them working hard to relay information and to understand it is awe inspiring. It is holy spirit in action. It is a gift from Jehovah.
May Jehovah bless your day with good and have a joyful heart!
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