Los Rurales (aka the Boonies!)

San Rafael del Norte, Nicaragua

A significant portion of the territory that we have is outside of the small town where we live. For a variety of reasons this type of field work is only done on Thursday's. The majority of the time is spent in the city and its' immediate environs.

We drove on a paved road about 30 minutes North of Jinotega and then headed dead east towards Esteli to get here. The road that we turned on resembled the type of road that you would see in a National Forest or Park designated for only OHV's(not sure what OHV stands for) or 4x4 if you've ever been on one of those. However, instead of being a road that only a handful of people traverse throughout the year, these roads lead to tens of thousands of people. The people in these areas almost exclusively derive their income from agriculture. As you can see here, no tractors, just animal and people power. It's kind of funny, we used to pay to get into Williamsburg to see people living like this, now we get to see it each week in field service for free. Let that be a lesson Jehovah really does provide everything we could want in his service! (Yes, I know it's weird that I pay to see cows working. That's a subject for another day!)

There is little here that is uninhabited which came as quite a surprise to me. For instance in this picture to the left of the service group. Do you see that path? Down there were several houses. There the road was impassible by any vehicle, only animals and feet. I gather that this is the type of territory that this is the territory that is the realm of Special Pioneers. Here in Nicaragua they have a Temporary Special Pioneer program wherein brothers and sisters go out in the sticks and preach to people in surroundings like these. It's an amazing thing and I'm not quite sure if we've got what it takes to make that happen. Many of the friends that do this have no running water or electricity for the duration of the assignment. All I can say is wow that's zeal and long suffering and endurance and faith and.... the list keeps going.

The majority of the people we spoke with in the field can't read and don't own a bible, but they have much respect for it. We spoke with one lady that was on the verge of tears when we read Revelation 21:3-5. But how can you place literature with someone who can't read? In addition, how can we just leave an interested person that we won't get back to in another 2 years if they have no spiritual food to build themselves up? I'm waiting to see how Jehovah handles that situation. I know people DO come into the truth. After all where do the aforementioned isolated groups that the C.O visits come from? Somewhat frustrating for me and when you ask the friends what to do, many just shrug. Of course that could also be that they don't understand a word I'm saying... :) That is a real possibility.

The friends in our congregation really turn out for this. 3 of 5 of the congregations vehicles were in use for this day of field service. The vehicle closest to us is a diesel mini van with a brush guard! Try and find that in the states! (For those who are completely disinterested in vehicles, forgive me :) ) I don't think you could buy that if you wanted to! The brother with the mustache sitting a little left of the white brother in the center everyone calls Panchito. He's probably like 4'8” tall and is constantly making fun of me because of my height and laughing. I have yet to understand one of the jokes but he keeps himself quite amused! That's all for now!

Shane, every time I read your blog, something else hits me that we so take for granted here. If someone is illiterate here, we just keep calling on them to help them learn to read, provide audio versions of things in the interim. And there, you can't leave them anything sustaining to keep them going, nor call often enough to help everyone learn to read. I really empathize with the level of personal responsibility you all must feel! I guess we need to keep in mind the inclusion of the "unrighteous" in the resurrection and realize that their heart's response even to little tidbits of truth still can be seen by Jehovah.

Tell Vanessa that I loved her entry too. Appreciation for a small gift from above- literally :) And what a story she told of the man and firefighters dying from the septic fumes- that is so unbelievably tragic. I bet that story made your current house seem even more like a palace! I really hope to hear that the Young man responds further that there is so much more purpose to our lives than to die in such a horrible and dishonoring way.

About your height- it's great to know some jokes transcend language and culture. You bring the brotherhood together. It's pretty "big" of you to not make fun of him in return for being so short. Hee, hee.

written by Tori Cumella on August 26, 2008

Forgot to mention- the newest photo of the farmer in the Field is incredible! I'm really enjoying all of the pictures.

written by Tori Cumella on August 26, 2008

Those pictures are great. How long do the service groups usually go out for? Diesel really is the smartest choice for power in an auto Mobile. I hear only the smartest people drive diesel. Is that a old school Toyota Landcruiser? Is that your old friend in the pictures out in service with you guys? Was Nick his name? Is there any wild animals to watch out for down there? That has to be hard to leave a good call knowing that they will not receive more spiritual food for a while. We really imitate Gods love by the way we quickly get attached to sheep like ones. Thanks again.

written by Shawn Cumella on August 27, 2008

Hey guys! Shane- what Denise said in a previous post about hearing you talk by what you're writing is sooooo true! It's so awesome- and Please please please keep the pictures coming. I just love all the pictures... Ray Bloxsom informed us last night that the pictures in the article "a letter from Nicaragua" were taken by none other than Andrew! Very neat o. Nessy- Miss you so much!!! Thanks for your blog entry and try to keep them coming as much as possible... we had a really nice day out in service on Saturday with Bob H.- he and levi had a lot of placements! Thats all for now...

written by Tori Terrell on August 29, 2008

Hey guys! Im feeling very much like a spoiled american right now. I love hearing your eperiences. And I love all your pictures! Theyre pretty amazing. Your trip 2 the boonies sounds like my kind of Field service! Im very pro-service right now. Just wanted 2 let ya know we love you guys and hope your havin fun!
Much love,
~Bailey and the rest of the stewart clan

written by Bailey Stewart on September 2, 2008

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