Back on the Grid!!!

Yes, Ava and I have joined back up with the world of electricity..! Jehovah blessed us by way of our landlord a beautiful sister that is renting us her basement.  She knew we didn't have a refrigerator and so she kept her eye out for one. Well, she spotted one in a brothers house not being used and she asked him if she could use it. Now you can see how pretty it is..! it's perfect with a small freezer compartment. We are soo very happy not that we didn't like the ice chest but restaurant and gas stations were getting tired of us begging for free ice!

(see the magnet it's from the International) ( - =

“I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.”—MICAH 7:7.

Is Jehovah a Computer Tech.....?

He becomes whatever he needs to be and in our case he has helped us fix computer issues beyond our realm of understanding.

Since we are not able to pay someone to fix our computers and we use them to make a living computer issues can be a major problem for us. 

 Recently, Ava had serious problems with the skype application the very program she uses to earn a living, was dropping the calls with students repeatedly this could, of course, lead to her losing students. She was so frustrated because the situation lasted for about a good week. Some of her students were not happy. But, by not allowing the situation to take first place in her life and repeated prayers she was able to determine that it was a software issue. So, she deleted and reinstalled a program and now her computer is working pretty well. 

(Selena) Right before my service day was to begin my hard drive died with the 'blue screen of death'.  I took it to a computer tech who confirmed that my hard drive was 9 years old and deserved a decent funeral. I was really a little down about this because I had some important things on the drive. I prayed on the way home from service about the matter but knew in my heart my hard drive was gone. When I got home I sat down in front of the computer and plugged the 9 year old drive up and tried to get it to turn on well after two hours..old betsy fired right on up!! I tell you maybe my hard drive had not really died but Jehovah helped me to get it going again because I felt defeated and thought it was all over. 

  

 So the lesson we both learned was don't be so quick to buy stuff, persist in prayer and maybe just maybe your 10 year old computer can surprise you!!

How Foreign Language Found Me....Ava

I will be honest and admit that I hadn't set out looking for a foreign language per Se. I was merely looking for a way to make my time. It was getting to be fairly difficult to manage in English. So, like many of us, I dabbled in Spanish for a minute. I even started a few studies but I handed them over. I looked into Sign Language. I even went as far as going to an ASL Convention in Toledo, OH. I took my sister who is hearing impaired. It was super amazing! She attended a few congregation meetings with me while she visited but she didn't continue studying. I think if she had continued I may have stayed with ASL. At any rate, it just didn't seem to be for me.

Struggling with trying to keep up my hours while working a full time job wasn't working well and I began feeling as though I may need to come off the pioneer list. During this same period I had the privilege of attending pioneer school. One of my classmates invited me in the ministry with her. This is what saved my life! I would leave my home no later than 6:30 am in order to make it to work in Marietta by 8:30. By 4:30 PM I was on my way to Clarkston, GA for Bible studies in Burmese. I would get home to Loganville by 8:30 at night. It wasn't easy but Jehovah saw me through it and I am thankful to him and that dear sister for having enough confidence in me to introduce me to such a wonderful ministry!!

Since then I have not turned back. I began to pick up the Kayin language. Of course I had to pick it up because at one time I had no less than 12 studies and they all spoke Kayin. I did finally learn how to read Kayin but I also learned some Karenni words, a little Burmese and even less Nepalese.

I would have never thought in a million years that I would ever be able to wrap my mind around another language, ESPECIALLY an Asian language. But because of Jehovah's spirit not my own strength, my roommie and I have had the privilege of having a part in forming the Kayin group and have moved on to support the Laotian Group. We are now learning to speak and read this new language which will prepare us for our move to Thailand.

Why I choose Foreign Language.....Selena

Almost, anytime I encourage someone to consider foreign language they usually say something like, I can barely speak English. So, some may wonder what makes a person want to go into a foreign field, in which, they basically have to start over. For me it was the sheer thought of how much FUN it would be. The thought of meeting people from around the world excites me greatly. Learning a new language is like decoding a secret message. I love every minute from learning to speak it and read it and all sorts of languages. It has increased my understanding of others and my love for mankind. 

I was at a District convention and the brother from the stage said, (I can still see him in my mind) why don't you consider doing a foreign language. Forunately, this was during one of my lucid moments ( I have a hard time staying awake) anyway, I thought to myself "yeah why not?" Once I determine this was something I really wanted to do, I next decided which language. I really liked three: Russian, French and Spanish. Spanish seemed too common and not new and exciting. Russian had those horrible symbols so I decided French is it.  

When I first walked through the door of the French East Congregation of Atlanta..I knew one word of French and the was "Oui". But, my sister so loving bought me a audio set of Primseuler language cd's. I listened to them every day and when I came home from work I would pour over my books and internet until sometimes 3 am in the morning. I was total in love with the ministry. This increased my zeal to extreme high heights. I began to understand the truth in a whole new way. Of course, all this lovely stuff doesn't come with out persecution and it rained down hard but Jehovah carried me through and I survived. I realized that I couldn't learn and grow to maturity unless I suffered in the same way Christ learned. 

I went from French to Swahili to Burmese and now to Laotian. I am having the time of my life. I got to go to Myanmar for the special convention and now have the hope before me to travel to Thailand to preach. 

So, I don't mean to write a book I guess you guys can tell I am long winded. I'll end my monologue now and insert some pictures of my ministry.!!

Thanks for visiting!

Linda and Day Meh-She has since had surgery and looks (as she will tell you) Beautiful!

It is not unsual in the Burmese field to have may 5 or more friends assist in studying with over 10 or 15 people in one home. You take off your shoes, sit on the floor and get to work!

This is a Dear Sister Helen who has presevered to assist her students. Sometimes in the middle of night or long hours at the hospital. 

This is a Karenni student that used to attend meetings with her father. 

A Karenni Family the mother could read Burmese and learned to read English rather quickly. The son used to attend meetings. 

This is my Nee Nee, she is Kayin and studied for 2 and more years. At first she did not speak one word or English and now she is pretty fluent. 

This is me- a rare dress up moment!!

This is Mika's study-she was so sweet and studied for a long period of time but didn't want to give up betel nut so she quit. 

This is Mika, she joined the group and got busy and now speaks Kayin fluently. She since married and now her husband had joined her in Kayin also. 

It was soo funny for several meals we ordered for Nee Nee since she spoke very little English at the time and was not used to Restaurants and menus. I'm guessing she did not like our choices for her. So, she found enough English wordd to tell me that she likes 'Vegetables and Meat.' So now finally, as you can see she is happy with her meal!!

My Kayin bag 

Brother Henry Graham and Nee Nee. Brother HG has been a value asset to us sister in the field!

Bo Shi Shi -is Kayin and draws like the best of them (self protrait)

Young brother Tray was a natural teaching the Students Alphabets

Mon Bee-Aye, Aloise, Pourquio-G, Can't remember-At the South Deshon Kingdom Hall

My nephew on the right-Kalan involved with Bulgarian would come down and help me out with studies-This weekend was practice putting on a Tie..looks like the tie is winning -!

Pah-See-claw

Brother Pau..he is Chin and helped us out with studies also, since many Karen, Karenni understand Burmese he was a value asset. We also have many chin in Atlanta..!

Sis Pau-had many health challenges but now she doing much better-she was right by his side in service-Love her too much!!

Pourquoi-Love studying the bible-when he leared Jehovah's name he was so zealous about teaching others..it was beautiful to see!

A bible student was so appreciative of our help, he gave my nephew a matching Kayin shirt!!

Seour Phillip was my right hand in foreign language-I picked her up in French and she was by my side in Swahili and Burmese. She is resting now but I looked forward to seeing her in the Paradise!

Jerome and Aloise at the 2-day assembly in Conyers..They were dressed to impress!

Young sis loved to work with me and help teach-She was an excellent partner..!

Basement life

Ava and I decided to give up our apartment with it's endless stream of bills coming in..! Water, trash, sewer, cable (only got this b.c the bundle was cheaper then straight internet), internet, gas, electricity, insurance, phone. It never stopped and there was no way in the world we could save up for our dream to serve where the need is great with so many bills coming in. So, we prayfully made a decision to give up the money hog (our apartment ( - =  ) and live in a basement apartment. Jehovah immediately provided a sister that was willing to rent to us to very very cheap and no extra bills just one set fee. Truly a blessing from Jehovah.

This blessing has allowed Ava to build up her teaching on line business so when we leave she is able to support herself. It allowed me to put away some funds and work on my on line business. 

I tell you the truth Jehovah really does take care of his people!!

It has not been all roses..we don't have a kitchen but that's when we improvise and make it work. We have a toaster oven, several hot plates, you seen our refrigerator. Then when I wash the dishes I get water from the tub and wash the dishes in a bucket and use another with rinse water..!!

So where there's a will theres a way. It's a freeing life style because we are not tied to stressful jobs. We can go out in service and have a good time knowing Jehovah will continue to care for our needs!!

This is where I wash the dishes. I get water from the bathroom and fill the tubs.

This is the main cooking area-two hot plates-it was three but sadly one doesn't work anymore ) -=

Okay here is our toaster oven and I found I can cook pies and cake in that little thing-sadly the refrig doesn't work much. So, instead we use the ice chest on wheels!!