Betania

On Friday of last week we were invited by Josias, our elder and friend, to go in the ministry with the congregations in Betania. Betania is a small town about 25 minutes south of San Cris. There most everyone speaks Tsotsil, which is one of the indigenous languages of Chiapas. We met with the group at 9am. Although they have recently finished a beautiful brand new Kingdom Hall they are still meeting across the street in a small room with dirt floors and wood slat walls. We sat down very anxious and excited to be meeting a new congregation and a new language at that. The brother conducted the service meeting in a mix of Spanish and Tsotsil. We were assigned partners and into two separate groups with about 10-11 in each group. We were all sent to different parts of the same neighborhood high on a mountain with a spectacular view! The group I was in rode a Cambi, which is the public transportation here in Mexico, and Lacey drove with group, ending up with 11 people riding in Jairo (the name of our Ford Explorer :)). That was quite a sight!

My partner for the morning was a sister named Suleima. She was raised speaking both Spanish and Tsotsil making her an asset to the congregation because she speaks both languages fluently. I quickly found out why there is so much growth in the indigenous languages, at every house she was able to read a scripture, and we did not have one not at home all morning! The branch is translating the Watchtowers, Bible Teach Book, and some tracts and brochures in the language but they do not yet have a New World Translation. Not everyone was willing to accept literature but most listened respectfully. After several houses of listening to her speak Tsotsil we came upon a house where the girl spoke spanish, Suleima looked at me and said, "Okay you can take this house." I was not prepared to witness in Spanish, but who knew the day would come when Spanish felt like home in a morning of a more foreign language.

I got through the presentation I quickly whipped up and was glad that the girl was really friendly. On one other occasion during the morning I had to witness again in Spanish, this time I made a big mistake because I asked her if she had a bible or if her family owned a bible, when she said no, I simply said "Oh que bien" (which means Oh, thats good, or thats nice) and went on talking! I wasnt meaning to say that! I now have even more appreciation for those that step out of their comfort zone and witness in another language.

Lacey was in another group and was assigned to work with a sister named Andrea, her sister is at Bethel and is on the cover of the Enjoy Life Forever brochure in Tsotsil. Andrea taught her to do a presentation in Tsotsil and Lacey read the brochures title and a paragraph from the brochure to the householder and she accepted it! To read in Tsotsil is not easy. The language is very guttural and some letters dont have the same sound as they do in english, for example an x makes the sound sh. The sister told Lacey that my name in the language is Korixma which pronounced is Korishma. Some other words we learned is "Li'ote" which is the greeting for morning, afternoon, or evening. This is what was said to get the householders attention if they didnt hear the knock on the door or gate. Also to say thank you is "Koloval", and to say Whats your name is "Kusi abi' ".

After service, at noon, I met Lacey and Josias back at a sisters house for lunch. A friend of Josias' named Jefte and his roommate Fabian were also in service and joined us for lunch. They are two brothers assigned to the Tsotsil from MTS school. They were really fun to be around, especially with the language barrier it made for interesting conversation. Something I've learned though, is that laughs dont need to be translated.

We ate lunch at the sisters home, it had a leafy plant really similar to spinach in a soup with meat in a really tasty limony broth. We had fresh corn tortillas and of course, Coca Cola. Afterwards we got a tour of the new Kingdom Hall. I had the opportunity to help on the construction about a month ago, so it was such a treat to get to see it finished finally. It was truly beautiful with the most amazing view over the mountains. I think the entire community is in awe of the structure that will bring so much praise to Jehovah. In view of the previous meeting place, this new building was very much needed. There are two congregations with about 30 publishers each and attendances well over 100! There is so much potential for growth, and now everyone can fit comfortably in the new Kingdom Hall.

After a brief photo shoot in front of the hall and with our new friends, we had to head back to San Cris. We enjoyed another spiritual blessing, which seem to come so often for us here in our life in Mexico, and felt priviledged and joyful to spend this time in Betania. We hope to return soon!!