Out in Service this Evening
 

Day 72:

With the memorial quickly approaching, of course we are going to be hitting the cobblestone like crazy! Today, I had plans with brother Antonio to meet for a study with Bobo- a Bengali man who had recently decided that he wanted to learn the truth about God- and then to continue distributing invitations in our territories.

Walking along the streets, talking with Antonio, I appreciated the company, the city, and the work. It was a beautiful day, and as we made our way through the territory we passed many sights that touched me. For example, the old couple on the bench watching the sunset in the park. Then there was Bobo, smiling joyfully as we parted from our study of the bible. There was Antonio,  and looking happy as  he invited a Nepali man to the memorial. Everywhere I looked, there was joy and love. It was a good day.

Today's Positives:

Spent my time making sure more people got an invitation to the memorial of Christ's death tomorrow

Enjoyed getting to know Antonio more and talking to him about life and Jehovah

Had the privilege of seeing the joy on Bono's face as he learned more about Jehovah and saw the sincere happiness he felt when he learned about the fact that we can actually be friends of God

Soaked in the sun and the sights of beautiful Lisbon

The Aqueduct

Walking Down Avenida

 

Day 71:

When 80% of the publishers show up to the field service group, you know it is going to be a good day. Today was very unique in that, instead of working in groups of two, we divided all 38 in attendance into 3 groups (obviously not 3 equal groups, but 3 groups nonetheless). Within our groups we were assigned one of three major territories, the remaining cards of the 30% of our territory that has not been worked in our campaign. The mission- invite as many people as possible to the memorial of Christ's death.

As we walked down the narrow streets of Lisbon, it truly amazed me to see our rows of witnesses. This feeling of awe and pride sunk deep in the pit of my being- I get to work side by side with my brothers and sisters forever if I choose. Not a single face didn't have a smile on it as we marched through the streets. We preached together, we laughed together, we ate together, and at the end of the day, we went to meeting together. Overall, day 70 has been one of the most encouraging days spiritually.

Today's Positives:

Tried a new form of service that was fun and successful

Worked side by side with my brothers and sisters in the campaign work

The sun was out for us today

Gave an invitation to a return visit of mine! 

 

 

 

Days 65-70:

A dark, dirty, and unfamiliar bus station is hardly the Spain we had envisioned when we sat those six hours on that bus, dreaming of the adventures Seville might bring. It was six in the morning when we arrived. The sun had not risen and neither had the city, it seemed, so we waited anxiously in the bus station for the sun to shed some light on the world. We had no idea where we were or where to go or even what to do, but that was the best part about being there.

Armed with a map and a few shots of espresso from the café in the bus station, we set off to find something to do. Watching the sunrise on the river, we stopped at a kiosk that was legendary in Seville for its churros (words of the tourist map of all things Seville). I will tell you now that churros are not the same in Spain- no sugar or cinnamon, just fried dough. As we sat at our table picking at our 'churros', a man and his friend who were behind us in line approached us and handed us some dipping chocolate. He insisted that churros had to be eaten with chocolate and, as drunk and somewhat vulgar as he was, he was right. We were happy to have the chocolate and we were happy that his friend, Joanna, was keeping him somewhat contained in his thrashed state. I remember Makenzie and Meghan and I were all nervous and slightly irritated when he pulled his chair up to our table...

Long story short- you never know with whom or where you will get to give a witness. This was our vacation, he was a drunk man from Whales who had a sailor's mouth and bought us chocolate so he could try and have a conversation with us. What started out as a dreaded, "so what brings you to Seville" wound up turning into a beautiful discussion on God, creation, faith, purpose, suffering, death, and hope. An hour and a half, six churros, a few tears, and a handful of scriptures later, we said our goodbyes to Danny from Whales and Joanna from Poland. Danny said he had witnesses come to his door on multiply occasions- all of which he rudely sent them away. Yet, here he was accepting our literature ands telling us how beautiful Revelation 21:3, 4 were. Just goes to show that there is still time for people to make their mind over. Spain started with the best discussion we have ever had with strangers.

 

 


Seville's Famous Churro Kiosk



After our breakfast, we set off to find the Plaza de Museo for a market that local artists go to on Sundays in order to display their work. It didn't take long at all, but we had a couple of Italians approach us on the street and give us directions. The rest of our two days in Spain were filled with food, shopping, sight seeing, boat rowing, and sleeping in a lovely little 'hotel' in the town center. It was so nice to have a vacation in Europe. Yes, we came here to serve and help, but having a little fun was a good way to recharge as we push through our final weeks.

The bus ride back was an adventure. Midnight, hot and humid, dirty, bus ride with some stranger reclined in your lap and no sleep. I think we laughed more on that bus than we did at any other point of our trip.

 

 


The Art Market at Plaza de Museo

 

 


Random University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spain, greeting us with horse-drawn carriage

 


Metropol Parasol-the largest wooden structure in the world. Said to resemble a mushroom



Rowing a boat... in Spain



 

My first Sangria. So refreshing on a hot day

 

 

 

 

 

Crazy cramped bus ride back to Lisbon

 Something about packing up from Spain to Lisbon broke my heart a little. I think I realized then that going home is really happening soon. This whole time has been like some kind of extended slumber party with spiritually strong girls who just encourage and build up one another and support one another and make each other laugh. It's great to be here, having this adventure, with my friends and I don't want that to end.

Back in Campolide, it took us a day to rest and get to feeling normal again. A few days ago, a couple of pioneer sisters from Oregon showed up to serve here in Lisbon English for six months. Claudia and Gloria joined us for a day of field service as we showed them the ropes, so to speak. It's kind of endearing to be the tour guide this time around- the one giving pointers and tips. Anyway, we really like Gloria and Claudia and admire their zeal. They both have had opportunities open to them that allowed them to pack up and serve here and are looking forward to hopefully joining the School for Kingdom Evangelizers in the future.

Today, service once more. Makenzie and I headed to a few return visits, making sure they got their invitations to the upcoming memorial. Afterward, we studied in our favorite café that only has coffee and chocolate cake on the menu. This evening we headed over to sister Decker's apartment for dinner- it was so much fun. I have had such a wonderful past few days getting to know those who are related to me in the faith better than ever. Let the adventures continue.



 Out in service with Claudia and Gloria

 


Going to miss studying in the hidden treasures of Lisbon



Positives of the Past Few Days:

So much...

Spain! amazing witness and discussion at a Kiosk

Tried all the traditional foods- sangrias, tapas, paella, orange wine

Saw so many beautiful sights

Had a blast with two of my wonderful roommates

Got some sun

Been out in service finding so much joy in the fruitage of the territory as well as in the company of my brothers and sisters

Memorial is so close!!!!

I am finally blogging after a long break.... sorry about that

 

Day 64:

Hopped on a bus to Seville, Spain. To be continued...

 

 

Makenzie and Cátia at dinner (well, it was dessert by this time)

 

Day 63:

Getting over being sick is never easy when the rain and the cold keep pushing you back into compromised immunity. Despite the weather, Makenzie and I decided to give service a go this morning. It felt good to be out of the apartment again, roaming the streets and trying to find people and places. Was it the most wise decision- probably not. Nonetheless, we put ourselves out there and, sick or not, we are going to Spain tomorrow night after meeting!

Tonight was also fun- though the other girls are still too ill to leave the house- Makenzie and I met with Cátia for dinner. Being raised very catholic, Cátia began to question her faith at the early ago of twelve. Searching for truth, nine years down the road, Cátia found Jehovah's Witnesses and began to study. Getting to know Cátia was amazing- her faith and the fact that she had such a strong sense of awareness at such a young age makes me admire her. It also makes me feel extremely happy to call her my friend. Just like Cátia, I know many out there are still questioning and wondering. Age, race, gender, language- it doesn't make a difference when it comes to sharing the truth. You'd be surprised at how much living proof there is of the fact that Jehovah draws people from all crowds to him.

Today's Positives:

Got out in service today despite the weather

Packed up for our bus ride to Spain

Had a great time with our new friend Cátia

 

 

Staying in Seville for the sunshine!

 

out in service

Day 62:

Funny how small the earth begins to seem when your surroundings start to feel familiar. Wandering the streets, looking for my territory, I begin to notice that all the things that once seemed so new and so foreign are the things I see everyday, things I am familiar and comfortable with. Not saying it isn't beautiful or that I feel as though I have seen all of Lisbon and have become bored- I'm just saying that here seems like most anywhere in a certain way.

Pedro asked me this evening while on our way back from service if I had thought about a future here in Lisbon English. It seemed possible. Initially, it was terrifying but exciting. After  time passes, it is comfortable and familiar. But any place could be a home if you try hard enough to make it one. It made me think about going home next month and how, once again, I would have to adjust. I guess life is just about changes- constantly shifting until you're just comfortable enough for it to morph again. In ways, it scares me a little to go back and try to find a place in the home that adjusted to not having me there for three months. In other ways, I'm looking forward to adjusting again and growing into something better and just a little bit different.

I told Pedro that I had no idea what the future holds, because I don't. Sometimes I think I do, but I never know what I'm going to get tomorrow, and that's okay. Portugal is good for now- service is great to get to search and help those who are considered foreigners here, the congregation is strong and new, the streets are alive and loud, the architecture is old and the people within the buildings are always different seeing as everything keeps changing. All I do know about my future is that in one month I will return to my loved ones in Oregon, and what happens after that- I will allow Jehovah to guide me, but every day has its own anxieties so I will just focus on now. Each day I will try my best to make the best of my remaining days in Europe.

Today's Positives:

The sun was out for a while

I spent some time in the ministry and completed a whole territory on foot, placing nearly all the invitations I had in my bag

I had the opportunity to get to know Anna and Pedro (a married couple in our hall) better by working with them today

We are all excited to leave for Spain in 46 hours!!!

 

Rossio- out in service

 



some nights you just need burgers



Day 61: The puffy pink clouds were a pleasant surprise considering the forecast called for lightning. Service seemed like a good idea since we had the opportunity to get some sunshine. Ellie and I worked some territory this evening... it was all I could do seeing as walking down the stairs this morning made me feel like I ran a marathon. Being sick has a way of sapping all your mental and physical power.

After a couple hours of service, we made our way back to the kingdom hall for meeting. I recall feeling a bit drained and highly lethargic before meeting, but somehow by the end o had caught a second wind. Coming home on a bus that was half filled with witnesses and an armful of fresh brochures I got from the literature counter made me feel so happy and excited. Even thought the stranger in the bus seat next to us snarled in our direction and was murmuring things in Portuguese under his breath at us, we were still all so happy. Sitting in the apartment after meeting, we decided that eleven was just as good a time as any to get hamburgers from a food truck- so we did. Sometimes we forget that the buses stop running at eleven thirty five but it's okay because if we didn't have to walk the mile home in the freezing cold, we never would have stumbled upon the park or made the memories we made tonight. Between the spiritual fulfillment and the crazy adventures with my amazing friends, it kind of makes knowing that this is our last month a bit depressing.

Today's Positives:

Had my first hamburger in 6 months... we will see if I catch some sort of weird parasite from the sketchy food truck. Even if I did, it was worth it

Had a good time out in service with Ellie tonight. I missed her and the day was beautiful.

Started feeling a bit better from the illness

Had so much fun with the friends after meeting and with the girls on our midnight hunt for junk food

We still have a month worth of memories to make