A Few days left - Sosua Congregations we will miss you...

Janine and a newly baptised sister from Spanish who has several studies

Jerome Tompkins, the Espenozas and us

Jazelle and Kared and a few other sweet girls from Spansh

So we are at the end of our trip and we've seen some amazing things and done some very fun things - but the best part of it all has been the friends and the Service.  We were warmly welcomed into the English Congregation and we have thoroughly enjoyed the friends there - people from all over like the Brownmillers from Canada,Marlin and Kathy Seawood, the Grahams from England, Rasmus from Estonia, Jerome Tompkins from California, Ryan from Florida and the Espinoza family from Texas.  Each one has interesting circumstances and their own unique story.  We got to visit the Spanish Congregation - a very warm and excited hall - that was so fun.  And we got to spend some time with them in the ministry as well.  We have made great friends with people from there too like Janine from Australia, and Karen, Abel, and Jazelle from here in Sosua. We were able to spend some time with old friends from home who are in the need greater work too like Amy Hamburg and Quinn Hering   What a blessing to be part of such an international brotherhood - So many great people to meet and get to know - Jehovah knew how happy this would make us and experiencing it firsthand has been an incredible blessing.  We hope to be back someday - sooner rather than later.  Thanks to all who have been a great part of our experience!  We love and will miss you!

27 Charcos!!

Hi everyone. So today we went to the 27 Charcos or Waterfalls. Once we got there and bought our tickets, we went into a little hut to get our life jackets and helmets. Then we start the hike to the waterfalls over two rickety bridges. We had two guides named Cecilio and 'Omega'. After a hike through shin high water and over some rocky paths that took 20 'Dominican Minutes' we reached the first waterfall. The first waterfall had a deep, beautiful pool that we swam through before we climed up the waterfall to a ladder going to the next waterfall. We kept going up through 10 other waterfalls and caverns filled with water before taking a rest at a small pool that we jumped into. Then we hiked up a steep hill through the forest. It was beautiful but a bit exhausting. After a long walk through a few smaller waterfalls we reached the 27th. It was gorgeous. We climbed up a rock ledge with a rope and the had to "aim for the middle" and jump off. It was so much fun! Then we started the descent down the waterfalls, sliding down them and jumping off the cliffs into the blue water below. Some of the jumps were not deep enough for diving so our guides told us " Tuck your legs in. Like cannonball." Even when I did that I would hit the bottom of the pool, and slowly float back up. We went through waterfalls both small and big. Some up to 20 feet. The first one that was a really long fall down you got to decide whether you wanted to jump into the pool below or slide down a natural waterslide. Jess, Dad, and I climbed up to the ledge and I had to jump first into the small pool below. You can't hold back, you just have to go, or you'll get hurt, so I just jumped. It felt like I fell forever, and I was just about to scream when I hit water. It shot up my nose and mouth, but I had to get out of the way quick so Jess and Dad could jump. We did a few more waterfalls that were small, and then came to another big one. I don't  think any of us can ever be afraid of anything after doing all those jumps. Coming back went by way too fast and we are definitly going to do this again if we come back. Dad said it was the most exciting thing he had ever done in his whole life, and we all agreed. We had lunch in a little grass hut resturaunt and came out to the parking lot to find one of our guides and four others playing dominos. They all went super fast, and before the other had bareley finished playing, the next would already have a domino slammed on the table. They had one game done in about 2 minuites. I thought it was all very entertaining. Loved today, it was absolutly amazing, anyone who comes to the D.R has to do the 27 waterfalls. Hope all is well at home! Only one week left here. Much love-4js

pictures

We didnt get a chance to post pictures from our Santo Domingo/Bethel trip so here are a few.

made it to S.D. and stayed with Amy in her need-greater house - where other need greaters - like Harry -live.

Mirka Pena gave us an Amazing  bethel tour!  Her husdband Jose and  her really made our stay extra special -  Thank you Pena's!!

Some of the beautiful  Orchids that grow very happily with some loving care  from Bethelotes there.

A view of the D.R, Bethel from our room.  The area that looks like rocks is actually Coral -  the entire branch was built on this!

A map of  the country with all of the congos, missionary homes, special pioneers and various languages marked.  We are staying HERE!

Open Air Assembly Hall - Totally Cool! 

Many thanks to Jose and Mirka

bethel coridor leading between office complex and Home - Beautiful

Santo Domingo

Hello everyone. Yesterday we took the long drive all the way to the other side of the island to the capital. We left around 1 and got there a little before 6. Along the way we went through lots of little towns and some very nice beaches. When we got into the capital we were amazed by the difference from where we are to the big city. We met Amy Hamburg at the need-greater home where she is staying and then we went out to dinner with her. It was so nice to see some one from home and share stories about how we are adjusting. We spent the night with her which was so nice and so much fun! This morning we came to the Dominican Republic Bethel. We got a wonderful tour and had lunch. Afterwards we got to talk with Jose Pena, and the Branch overseer Rainer Thompson about need greater work and how much of a need there is here for any that are willing to come, even for a little while. It was so encouraging! Everyone here is so hospitable and excited to meet you, we can see the united brotherhood and the wonderful organization so well.  Right next door to the branch is the assembly hall. It was the first open air assembly hall we had ever been to. It was so big and beautiful. We walked around and went to the kingdom hall next door. To our surprise there was a Creole pioneer school going on inside! the instructor a CO from the 69th class of Gilead invited us in, introduced us, and told us to get up and take a picture of everyone, to wake them up! Overall it was such an encouraging day. We get the privilege of staying the night here at the branch tonight, and tomorrow we make our way up to Bonao, and then La Vega after that. We are having such a wonderful time and are definitely being blessed by Jehovah. We hope all is well where you are. We don't know if there will be internet there because it is up in the mountain. Thank you for all your support, we love and miss you all. - 4js
P.S. There is no way to upload pictures here, but we will put them up as soon as possible.

Storms

Boy reading tract we gave him.

Jen and Jeanine starting a study
under a tree.

Hi everyone. Not too much has happened in the last couple of days, but as usual what has happened has been wonderful. On Friday we went in service. Our big group all went to the main street of Cabarette where we spread out. We did a few doors looking for English. At one house we found Spanish as usual, but as we were walking away after placing tracts the man called us back and pulled out a bible teach book and started reading it to us. He wanted us to study with him right there so bad, but we knew no Spanish and he knew no English. So we promised to bring someone back from the Spanish congregation. After our long day we went to a sisters house to swim and have dinner. It was really nice meeting and getting to know new witnesses from the area. Today we were woken up by a HUGE thunder storm. It was the loud, bone shattering type, but very enjoyable to watch. It stopped for about and hour but then off and on kept going all day. There was so much rain coming down in buckets and lightning right in front of our porch. Our time here is going by so fast and we are enjoying it very much. Much love -4js

A visit to Rio San Juan -memory lane

So since Im the only one who has not posted a blog - we figured its appropriate I post about the return to my assignment in Rio San Juan.  It was exciting to see how its changed in 20 years, and to try and show Jared and the girls what I remember of the town.  We tried to find my old apartment, but after a bit of searching - there are a lot more houses now than there used to be and the neighborhood has changed a lot so we were not able to find it.  We found the beautiful new kingdom hall I heard they had built - Much improved from the one i had attended -  so that was awesome.   We were able to find some landmarks I had remembered such as the Gri Gri Lagoon, a freshwater body of water that leads to the ocean thru some mangrove trees, Bahia Blanca  - where we spent the afternoon snorkling with the local Dominican Kids who had gotten out of school, the Bahia Blanca, where I used to spend many evenings for dinner, either with my roommate, or with brothers and sisters from around the world for the French Onion Soup and the Ambiance,  After snorkeling where a Haitian Girl attached herself to us and hung out with Jess and Jazz most of the afternoon, we drove down the hightway a bit to a rocky road that led to the awesome beach where I used to spend many a afternoons - Playa (beach) Caleton.  Its still as beautiful as before but full of people and tourist - which I must say i dont care for.  But we all were able to appreciate its beauty.  A little further driving down the road led us to the renound Playa Grande.  A beautiful Dominican beach.  It was getting late so we needed to head back home before the sun went down (driving gets conciderably more dangerous in the dark) but plan to return because near there we found an unspoiled not crowded beach we want to check out.  On the way home we stopped for a good old Dominican Baseball game.  its a couple hour drive from where we are staying but Rio San Juan has a unique friendly feel, and it was really great to go back there .  I didnt remember everything but was glad i remembered a lot of my previous time there.  the beaches are still beautiful there.  Tomorrow Service again - always a hightlight and always an adventure.

Beach Witnessing

Very nice day in service today.  Jasmine was able to go on two studies with a sister in the hall and Jessica went with two Russian sisters.  Jen and I did some territory and then went with a brother who had a study on the beach, in the rental hut you see behind me in the picture.  He had said while he studies that we should talk to others around on the beach.  I have to tell you, bookbag, tie, and slacks on the beach do look a bit odd, but no one seemed to mind.  Found a very nice young man who is the brother of the one Marland and Bill were speaking with.  We had a very nice conversation, placed the magazines, and even read several scriptures, as Jen captured above.  After this I was able to go into the Hatian Barrio, as I would find out this was a real treat.  As we walked farther into the neighborhood it strikes you on the low economic conditions people live in and the need for the new system.  When we reached Joseph's home he had us in and we sat down.  Out with the Bible and Bible teach book, and we started the study.  Joseph read all of the paragraphs and the scriptures, as he did the neatest thing was happening.  His young son, perhaps 5 or 6, copied him word for word.  He had a Spanish Bible Teach book that was his Mom's, (our study was in English) and he found the page and would recite outloud everything his Dad said.  Even when his Dad was reading the scriptures.  It was very precious.  Then part way through the study a neighborhood boy about 4 or 5, came in and layed on my arm and just smiled and followed along in my book.  All in all a very good day.  We enjoyed  beach witnessing, it was our first time, but I hope it will not be the last.  --Jared & Jen 

Week one.

The view from the gondola. 

Out service group today and some from the Spanish.

Hi everyone, sorry we haven't updated in a while. Our first week here has been great. I'll tell you a little about the past few days. On Sunday we had our first meeting here. There were 34 people there including the Russian group, some bible studies, and a few from the Spanish hall who are trying to learn English. Meeting was very nice, one thing that was especially nice is that 3 languages were being sung at the same time during the meeting. After the meeting a group of us went down to the beach. We swam, played soccer, did bible charades, and just enjoyed each others company. It was really nice. Afterwards we went out for pizza, and then had our first experience of driving here in the dark. It was very scary, but after a big traffic jam and a lot of praying we got back to our house. On Monday there was no service so we went to Puerta Plata and rode the gondola up to the top of Mt. Isabel. There was a wonderful view of the whole city, and a botanical garden that we got lost in. We went into some little shops and dickered (or argued over the price) of some jewelry made of the national stone. It was a little stressful but interesting. Then today we went in service again. We all worked in one territory on this street that had around 120 houses on it. There were all three congregations on the one street at a time. Creole, Spanish, and us. It was very nice because we were just taking a census of who spoke English (only like 4 people did). We had another meeting tonight and for such a small congregation it was very nice, yet quiet. We are enjoying our stay here and getting a little more used to it now. Hope you are all doing well. Love ya lots- 4js.

The real Dominican Republic

                                     

Jasmine and Kathy

   Service was really great again today. One fun thing about service       here is that there are no addresses, so you have to write down a description of the house and places that it is near, along with the number it has listed in the territory. That can make things a little difficult when calling back. For example if you wrote down white house, yellow roof, and black fence, there might be five other houses that look like that on the street. So you have to be very detailed in your notes.
     So today about 7 of us went into a territory. The English is more of a foreign language here so Marland said we were doing the 'Search and Rescue' work because we are searching for English speaking people.  

Marland and Jessica after starting the study

                   We found mostly Spanish people but found a few english. One house that we went to had a huge                                              gate and warning signs on it. We called on the intercom and said that we were Jehovahs witnesses. The gate    opened and i started speaking to a spanish man cleaning there. Then a man from Gana, Africa who spoke english came up. I placed the magazines with him and then he asked us to sit down. A few minutes later Marland offered to come back and study with him next sunday.
       It is so neat to see how people will stop their daily activities to listen to our message. The ministry here is awesome.
Miss you all a lot and cant wait to tell you more. We have our first Meeting tomorrow, cant                       wait!!

Service

Me and Mom

Me and Kathy

Hey everyone. We went in service again today. Jasmine got sick this morning and had to go back to the house with my dad. So just me and

Our Territory.

mom went out. We went out with some very nice brothers and sisters, Kathy and Marland Sea-wood, and Jerome Tompkins. We went into a territory in a poorer area of Sosua. As soon as we got out of the street and went down the road Jerome ( who is in the Haitian Creole congregation) and Marland were approached by 2 Haitians. They recognized us as witnesses and were so exited to talk to them. They talked for about fifteen minutes and we passed them sitting on the sidewalk reading the truth tract that they got. We met a man who invited us in as soon as i said that we are Jehovah's witnesses. The people here are so relaxed and so happy to hear the truth. After doing territory we went on some of Kathy's 'Spanglish' bible studies. We gave one of the study's a Bible, and when she saw it her face lit up and she said "thank you, thank you!" It was so encouraging to see what a hunger the people here have for the truth! Then we were walking down the main street in Cabarette and Kathy knew someone in almost every shop. She had witnessed to all of them and they smiled, waved, and kissed her when she came up. Overall service was awesome despite the heat. The joy, love, and zeal that all the people here - especially the brothers and sisters - have is amazing and so encouraging. We miss and love you all and hope that things are going well  back home. -4js

Day 3 DR SERVICE

The largest tree in the DR

Today was our first day out in service, and we all got put in different groups! I was with a wonderful older sister from England, I believe her name was Joyce, her husband,Ray, and Dennis, an elder in their hall. We did territory and when you go from house to house you are trying to find all the English speaking people. To do this, you go up to a house's gate (all houses are gated), bang on it with your fist or a rock and yell out "HOLA!" If they come, you say "Hello!" if they look like they might be tourists or foreigners. If they are Dominican, you say "Hola, Ablo English por favor" They will either tell you that they indeed do speak English or do not. If they do, you continue your presentation in English, if they don't, tell them why you are there in Spainish. So that is what we did. I got a Haitian woman who spoke a little English, so I placed a magazine with her. She promised that she would come to the Creole meeting on Sunday! After service, Dennis took the group to his house and I saw the largest tree in Dominican Republic! The roots were huge! I had a very good day in service, and now it is thundering again! It seems to be a weather habit to thunder and lightning around six every day to Thunder and Lightning! I like it very much!  Hope all is well in the states!

Dennis(front)
Ray(back)

Me and Joyce

Jasmine

2nd Day.

Hey everyone. It`s our second day here in the Dominican Republic. This morning we took a walk down the street to a little restaurant in a group of condos. One thing i have noticed so far is that all of the people are very nice. They also want money from you, but they are overall very kind people. They smile, wave, and say hello to you on the street. We ordered breakfast  (It was delicious!) and met a nice family who came and sat at the table next to us from Canada. They gave us some tips and then showed us the coolest thing. Down the beach was... guess what?  A hole with turtle eggs!! The water from the restaurant said there had to be around 300 of them. they were so cute. It was amazing. The family that we had met said that they had been here 7 different times for about a month each time and had never seen turtle eggs. But we saw them on our second day of being here. I think this is going to be a good trip. Tomorrow we go in service for the first time here. Now if only we can find the kingdom hall...

In the D.R.

We are finally here! Yesterday we flew to Dallas Fort worth and then to Miami where we spent the night. This morning we flew in to puerto plata. It is absolutely Beautiful here! But it is also crazy, for example the driving is insane  There are not really any rules to driving here. There are lines but they don't matter much. You go REALLY fast and dodge the oncoming motorcycles and cars. Another thing is the heat. It is very hot and on top of that you are quite sticky and wet from the humidity. But overall this place is an amazing adventure. Earlier tonight we had our first tropical storm since we got here. The thunder was so loud! It sounded as if Jehovah was hitting a drum above your head. The lighting was right in front of us and the rain came down in buckets. It was beautiful! We are having a really good time and enjoying the beauty that is here. Hope all is well at home. Love you all- 4js

Leaving Soon!

Hey everyone, were getting ready to go to the Dominican Republic! We wanted to set up this blog before we go... so tell us if you get this. Thanks and see ya later!