Deja deux semaines d'aventures

Daniel se fait des petits amis...

Deux belles semaines se sont deja ecoule depuis notre arrivee. Ile de contraste, en predication nous cotoyons les plus demunis d'ici, les immigrants. Tandis qu'a la plage, nous voyons les touristes, principalement europeens sans grands soucis financiers...

La predication est un defi pour nous, avec notre espagnol limite, mais nous reussisons a presenter un petit tract et a lire un verset. La congregation nous a accueillis chaleureusement et nous encourage par leur grand esprit de sacrifice, plusieurs travaillent a plein temps et prechent a leur retour du travail de 5 a 7 (happy hour spirituel!) en plus du samedi et du dimanche. Ils ont beaucoup a nous apprendre... On chante les nouveaux cantiques en espagnol, pas facile, mais au moins on n'est pas les seuls a chanter faux (on fait quand meme l'effort de se pratiquer avant la reunion, ca aide). On a bien hate de les chanter en francais.

Durant nos moments de detente, nous avons fait de l'apnee et de la plage. Vraiment genial, Daniel y est heureux comme un poisson dans l'eau. Nous avons vu des tortues et des raies leopards, impressionnant! L'eau y est parfois claire comme une piscine.

Les deux prochaines semaines seront bien occupées, campagne d'invitation pour le memorial et assemblee. Nous nous sentons reelement choye d'ici et de partager cette petite aventure avec nos amis.

La vie du marin

Le Déja Vu en action, mais où est le capitaine....!!!!

Enfin nous revoilà, après quelques semaines bien remplies mais très agréables. La météo est finalement coopérative et pratiquement idéale pour la navigation. D’abord nous avons beaucoup apprécié la visite de Hugo et Danica pour une dizaine de jours. Nous avons finalement put explorer des parties de l’île et des environs. Ils ont été des invités qui se sont adaptés à merveille au mode de vie marin, les sauts périlleux dans le dinghy, les douches a 1 gallons(max 2, si il faut laver les cheveux, un capitaine masculin doit comprendre les particularités féminines), la vaisselle avec 2 litres, toutes les précautions pour ne pas se mouiller par les vagues lorsqu’on se déplace en dinghy vers les réunions et sorties en prédication(un veston, ça rentre bien dans un Zip-Loc mais il faut le plier un peu!), se lever la nuit pour fermer les hublots a cause d’une pluie qui ne dure pas... Alors, comme je disais, ils nous ont accompagné en prédication pour la première semaine, ce qui leur a permit de connaitre l’île mais de l’intérieur, et surtout, la gentillesse de la population espagnole. Les rires (causés par le manque d’oxygène) qui viennent quand on est 12 dans une mini-van et que les fenêtres ne s’ouvrent pas… que de plaisirs. La semaine suivante nous sommes allez a l’île Pinel pour une nuit, ensuite direction St-Barths(2.5 heures de navigation) via l’Île Fourchue où le décor est fantastique, nous sommes restés là que quelques heures pour initier Hugo a l’apnée et diner. Ensuite, Anse Colombier, à St-Barths, une réserve naturelle où les tortues de mer viennent se nourrir sur l’herbe de fond. Alors le lendemain matin, nous avons passés quelques heures dans l’eau à regarder les tortues. Avec un bon souffle je pouvais descendre à leur niveau et nager avec eux sur une 50e de pieds! Ensuite nous avons déplacé le bateau vers Gustavia, la ville principale de St-Barths où nous avons contacté les frères que nous avions rencontrés a l’assemblé d’un jour en janvier. Et le soir même(mercredi), un frère est venu nous chercher pour aller à la réunion. C’est toujours un moment joyeux de rencontrer nos frères et sœurs et de se faire raconter les progrès que la congrégation à fait depuis son début. Ensuite, le frère nous a amenés chez lui pour un souper de pâtes, fromages et un très bon moment. Encore une fois, retour en dinghy après minuit en cravates, fatigués et joyeux.
Depuis le départ de Hugo, nous sommes occupées en prédication. Nos nouvelles visites sont maintenant des études et aussi, nous supportons les petits groupes qui sortent les matins et soirs. La semaine passée c’était la visite du surveillant de circonscription, alors la semaine à été très chargée, mais surtout encourageante. J’ai pu amener le surveillant avec moi à une étude et c’est très stimulant d’être avec ces frères dévoués. En plus, nous avons eut la réunion pour les pionniers et la réunion pour les assistants ministériels. Nous nous sommes encore beaucoup attaché à nos frères et sœurs ici et nous avons vraiment l’impression de faire partie de la congrégation et leur famille.
Un fait de prédication : Alors que le groupe qui avait sortie en prédication retournait vers le centre-ville(à Marigot), nous sommes passé à travers un petit «patio» où environ 6 hommes buvaient et écoutaient de la musique forte. A ce moment un jeune d’environ 25 ans, crie vers moi en francais :« Vous êtes qui vous autres?» Pas trop sûre si je devrais répondre, je me suis retourné et je suis allez à la table pour lui expliquer qui nous sommes. Il a avoué qu’il ne comprenait pas pourquoi il y avait tant de religions, il s’est mit à nous poser, moi et Katya, des questions en rafales que nous avons répondu avec la bible que nous traduisions de l’espagnole. Après 45 min de discussion, il a prit un tract (seul publication que j’avais en français) et il a prit en note chaque verset bibliques que nous lui avions lu (environ 8versets) et il a dit qu’il voulait les montrer au «Pasteur» de son église. Nous avons échangé de # de téléphone et avons prit rendez-vous pour le Samedi suivant. Alors, ce Samedi, nous sommes retournés, de peine et de misère car il pleuvait et nous n’étions pas certain où il habitait. Il a partagé les réponses de sont «Pasteur» avec nous et lui avons proposé de répondre en profondeur mais par l’entremise d’une étude biblique. Nous avons commencé le chapitre 15 du livre «Qu’enseigne réellement la bible», «le culte que dieu approuve». Il est très motivé a connaitre la vérité et nous avons un rendez-vous pour jeudi prochain…

Quelques photos:

Oiseaux à Tintamarre

Prédication à Marigot

Tête à tête en les 2 soeurs Reilkoff (Grand Case)

Katya et Danica parmi la bourgoisie de St-Barths


Ile Pinel

Diner à Gustavia, St-Barths

Diner chez les frères (Fabio et Yasmine) de Anse St-Jean, St-Barths

Mamman, je fait du pain maintenant, mais il n'est pas aussi beau que le tient!

La ride de dinghy après la prédication

BBQ avec les frères, Grand case

Diner avec une famille de la congrégation, baie de Marigot, St-Martin

Café après la prédication à Marigot, thanks again for the tie Sam, I love it!

Prédication à Marigot

Groupe en prédication

Tintamarre

Presque 2 mois

(ci-dessus)Photos en prédication sur la colinne avec vue spéctaculaire sur la baie de Marigot

Megan et Scott

Marina Radisson, un havre de paix et tranquilité

Randonnée depuis Anse Marcel vers le Nord

Nouvelle salle du royaume construite il y a 2 ans qui ressemnble a l'arche de Noé où nous avons eut l'assemblée

Bonjours les amis,

Voila presque 2 mois que nous sommes ici, et les choses commencé a prendre forme. Samedi passé nous avons assisté a l'assemblée spéciale d'un jour avec les français. Nous avons apprécié les discours en français avec une compréhension qui frôle le 100% sans effort! Le lendemain les frères et soeurs en espagnole se demandaient où nous étions passé, c'est bon signe, ils ont pris l'habitude de nous voir aux groupe de service. À cette assemblée, nous avons rencontré les frères de Saint-Barthélemy et nous avons maintenant bien hâte d'aller visiter ce territoire. Malgré une population de 10 000 habitants, dont plusieurs centaines d'espagnoles, aucun des frères et soeurs parlent espagnole donc c'est un territoire pratiquement vierge dans cette langue. Immédiatement après l'assemblée, nous sommes allé chercher Megan, la soeur a Katya, et son mari, Scott a l'aéroport. Donc cette semaine nous fesons notre possible pour leur faire connaitre cette île que nous aimons de plus en plus. Scott est un pompier de 6pi 5po donc il il doit parfois se plier en 4 mais il semble apprécier la vie relaxe sur le bateau. Nous sommes donc allé visité la caserne de pompier ils ont pu parler de camions et feux... Depuis leur arrivée les vents sont resté dans le 30kmh donc nous ne pouvons pas faire le tour en bateau et nous avons même prit une nuit de marina à anse Marcel pour cette nuit (vendredi). Cela nous a permis d'aller faire de la randonnée (voir photos) sur une piste qui longe la mer.

Back in Sint-Maarten

We are back inside the calmness of the Simpson Bay Lagoon. On Friday, I did laundry, not knowing that the rain-cloud above us was here to stay. It’s been raining for the last 3 days and today, the sky is finally clearing. I did manage to dry the laundry in between 2 clouds. In the lagoon, we are surrounded by mega-yatchs, each worth 10-100million!! Some look like mini-cruise ships, but they are privately owned and chartered. One such yatch, called Le Grand Bleu, even has a 60 foot sailboat on top, and a motor boat as big on the other side (see photo). This is without counting the jet-skis, kayak and other grown-up toys that are hidden inside compartments. We are surrounded by these multi-crewed yatchs and they are beautiful to watch, but in a category of their own.

We had a busy week of activities. Richard and I went in service alone a couple of mornings, since there are no groups. We did informal witnessing to people on the street and returned to visit people who had shown interest. One of Richard’s calls live atop of a steep hill, accessible only via a sharp staircase. After ascending for about 10 minutes (one has to be in shape to live here), with sweat dripping down our backs we caught our breaths and called on the young woman who wasn’t home. But her mother was. Richard seized the opportunity to preach to her, explaining that we give free home Bible studies. After answering one of the questions from the tract ‘’Would You Like to Know the Truth’’, she told us that she was very interested in studying the Bible and gave us her schedule. We are looking forward to returning this week. We hadn’t made the climb for nothing!

On Friday night, we had our local pioneer meeting with the congregation elders. In the photo, you’ll see on the left, 2 of the 4 elders, a pioneer couple from Guadeloupe who are moving back home in a few months, Elisabeth, a pioneer from Guadeloupe also who is learning Spanish, and us. We are a small little group, and in a few months, Elisabeth will be alone. The 3 pioneers work full-time, so they go out in the evenings and on weekends. We are trying to be encouraging and supportive of the evening groups, and encourage others to join us. Last week, we had 3 others join us.

Yesterday, we had the privilege of attending a special meeting. Puerto Rico was having its Zone Visit and invited all the congregations of PR to attend a special assembly. The islands under its care were invited to attend via telephone conference for a 3 hour program. Br. Anthony Morris from the Governing Body and David Schafer, helper of the Teaching Committee gave 2 talks: ‘’Earnestly Seek Jehovah’s Blessing’’ and ‘’Keep Enduring in the Work that is Good’’. Both were translated simultaneously in Spanish and were very good. Unfortunately, recordings of this program were prohibited. They mentioned that it wasn’t a program intended for everyone. We were 14 851 in total attendance for the morning session, including Anguilla, Saba, St-Croix, St-Martin, St-Thomas, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. The same program was repeated in the afternoon for the other half of Puerto Rico. It was a privilege to hear these brothers speak and the program was very stimulating.

In the second picture, you see Elisabeth with a young sister from the island of Saba.
In the 3rd, we invited for lunch the coordinator, Miguel Salomon, Elisabeth, and Betty a sister visiting from Guadeloupe.

Virgin Gorda once again!

Last Monday, January 4th, we set sail for Virgin Gorda, taking advantage of the fact that we had no activities planned for the week, and the winds had calmed down a bit. This was our opportunity to go visit our friends for a week. We left at 5pm and sailed all through the night, arriving at 9am. The trip took us 16 hours and although the winds were light, the waves were 10-15 feet in height from behind, which made for a rolly trip. The rolling made the sediments from the gas tank clog up the filters, so that the engine stalled at least a dozen times in the last two hours. It was daylight by then and we were in the last stretch of the trip. We could see land, so close yet so far away. Fortunately, we had spare filters on hand, but Richard only changed them once we arrived. We were happy to arrive but only to rediscover the very rolly St-Thomas bay. The swell was exceptionally strong last week, so much that some people were trying to surf on the waves coming in. We have a love-and-hate relationship with Virgin Gorda, and we remembered why we had decided not to spend the 2010 winter there. We headed in to the marina for one night, but the brothers offered us to stay at the Kingdom hall apartment with the special pioneers, Adrien and Michele, which we gladly accepted.

We spent a busy week in Virgin Gorda, preaching alot with Adrien and Michele, checking in on our old calls, visiting the friends, Spanish meeting, English meeting, and even attended an engagement party. We were delighted to see everybody. Richard droppe in at ''The Arc'', a place where lots of single men live in rooms and where he used to study with Johny, a Haiten man. He had moved to Tortola, but surprise surprise, he was visiting Virgin Gorda the day we passed by. He was happy to see us and told us that he has continued his study in Tortola. He was excited to tell us all the things he had learned. Aside from that, nothing has changed. Everything is exactly the same as it was 9 months ago. The one grocery store still has that same awful smell.

We were happy that the weather conditions were in our favour to leave after a week. Yesterday, on Monday, we set sail back to St-Martin at 10am in ESE winds, which is head-on winds, but they were only a light 6 knots, and the waves were 3-6 feet with a long period. Although we motored the whole time, we made it in a record time of 14 hours, arriving at midnight to the nice, calm bay of Marigot. The daytime trip was very pleasant. Richard let out lines for catching fish, but with no success. We saw a school of dolphins, at least 10-15 of them, swimming alongside the boat and putting on a show for us. The nigh time sky is amazing: lots of shooting stars and once in a while, a brightly-lit cruise ship travelling on the horizon. We’ve also seen lots of sea turtles. These little things in nature are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.

Today we look forward to catching up on a croissant and cappuccino, and stocking the fridge with all kinds of European goodies. Richard will be making us his new specialty: pizza, thanks to the easy recipe of a fellow traveller.

We both finished our 2010 Yearbook thanks to www.jw.org and we are now motivated to be like missionaries and the early Witnesses, or like Paul even, who had to create their own territory. We will endeavour to speak to as many people as we can in the streets and from house-to-house, mustering up boldness to do what doesn’t come naturally.

New Kingdom melodies: I am pretty sure the French haven’t started singing them yet, so I feel privileged to have been able to start on Jan 1. They are very beautiful, and the words of some are even more beautiful in Spanish. They have been putting alot of emphasis on practicing the Kingdom melodies for the week’s meetings in our family worship, so that is what we have been doing. And although we are sometimes off, as a congregation, we are managing not too bad. We listened to the vocals in Japanese, German, Polish, Tagalog, and Italian and interestingly, they all sound the same!

That’s all for now. In 10 days, we’ll receive the visit of my sister and her husband, who will be initiated to life onboard a sailboat. Looking forward to that!

Thanks again for taking the time to write. We know how busy life is back home but we really enjoy reading your emails and keeping updated on what’s going on at home.

Greetings!

We’ve been in St-Martin nearly 3 weeks and oh, how time flies! My parents were with us the first two weeks, discovering the island at the same time as us. There is much to see and do, but getting settled on the boat has been keeping us busy enough. There has been lots of wind in the past weeks, 15-20 knots with gusts up to 30. The wind would just howl, especially at night when it is usually calm. We thought we’d never get any sleep, but finally, things have settled. We are anchored inside the lagoon, where the water is always calm, although not clean enough to swim in. The past few days, we’ve had rain. On Xmas, it rained so hard, we were able to fill up our reservoirs and I was even able to do laundry in the kitchen sink, changing the rinse water 4 times. Days like this are a welcome break from the sun and allow us to watch movies all day without feeling guilty.

We’ve met the brothers and sisters of the Marigot Spanish congregation. There are about 38 publishers, 4 elders, and 3 pioneers. They are happy that we are here, as the Spanish don’t get visitors very often. Needless to say, there is a lot of work to be done in the ministry, but getting started in a new congregation is always slow. There are no service groups during the week, only on Saturday and Sunday, which are field service ‘’territory’’ days. The pioneers work full-time and go out a couple hours in the evenings doing return visits and studies. There are no territory cards and no way of knowing where the Spanish live. The brothers simply go by memory—one door here, one there... On Saturday morning, the brother in charge simply directs the group to where the group left off last Sunday. So for now, we are very dependent on the brothers and the week-end outings. We are working on finding our own calls and studies. We start our mornings early doing street witnessing. Richard has already been asked to take the service group this coming Sunday.

There is a nice mix of cultures in St-Martin. Many people speak at least 2 languages, including French, English, Haitien Creole, Patois, Dutch, Spanish... There are even a lot of East Indians who own the duty-free jewelry stores in Philipsburgh.

Now that my folks have left, we are trying to get settled into a routine. Richard likes to go for a run in the morning, then stop at a French café for a cappuccino and croissant. One thing we appreciate about the island is all the diversity and the fact that you can find anything in the grocery stores. There are lots of fruit and vegetables, sprouts, asian ingregients and lots of French cheeses and wines. There hasn’t been anything that I can’t find. There are even a couple of health food stores. We still haven’t found our routine with preaching yet, but I’m sure that things will fall into place soon. The congregation seems to have been through a rough patch recently and are still picking up the pieces. Hopefully our presence can be encouraging and add breath of fresh air.

We don’t have an internet connection on the boat as we did last year, which explains
why our blog hasn’t been updated yet. We will try to keep you posted as often as possible and write every couple of weeks. We think about you often.

A bientot.

Upcoming departure.

Our departure is scheduled for December 11, bright and early, before the sun has risen. We are very excited to leave and can't wait to discover the island of St-Martin.

St-Martin is located in the Caribbean at 18.02 latitude and 63.07 longitude. It covers 37 square miles, with Dutch St. Maarten on the South spanning 16 square miles and French Saint Martin on the North covering 21. The island is the smallest landmass to be shared by two separate governments. 41,000 people live on St.Maarten and 36,000 on Saint Martin. It is here in the waters of the French side that we will call home for the next 3 months. We will have the pleasure of serving in a Spanish congregation.

My parents will be with us for the first 2 weeks, taking an early vacation and discovering the place at the same time as us.