These are some dear Bible students who were able to attend the Special Assembly Day with us. We wish there was more space and time so you could know them all, but for now, here is a little bit about them...
In upper left hand corner is Ermine and her family. We met Ermine while trying to find her sister who used to study in the past. Ermine invited us in. That's when we saw the well-loved My Book of Bible Stories on her table. She told us that she reads it everyday to her kids. She, however, had never studied with a Witness before. She was quite pleased to have someone come to study with her that can speak her language using a Bible Teach book in her language. She was so appreciative that when the sister who speaks her language left the room, she grabbed Emily's hand and told her, "Thank you so much for the book!" She and four of her daughters attended the assembly. They have never been to a meeting at the Kingdom Hall...And her little one? She only cried once the entire day!
You'll also notice two girls in purple in the same photo. Those are Ermine's nieces (daughters of her sister that we were originally looking for), Mona and Usha. They began studying this month with us and are doing quite well in preparing ahead of time. Their auntie, Ermine, and cousin, Saveme, join their study too. This was also their first meeting with us. They really enjoyed themselves. They are very outgoing and have sparkling personalities that make them a pleasure to spend time with.
Reelein is the little girl next to Emily in the lower left photo. She has been studying since we moved here. She just turned 11. We recently began studying the Bible Teach book. It is such a joy to study with her. Until a couple of months ago, she was the only one studying in her family. Her 16-year old sister, Moana, began studying this summer. We've replaced her books several times because various family members take her books to read. They all know where her books are hidden. Slowly, the truth is affecting her household. This was the second time Reelein was allowed to come to a meeting. She was able to attend for the entire morning. Then, her family came to pick her up to go to Mass.
Karen is on the other side of Emily in the black dress. She is eight years old. She is the daughter of a couple from Pohnpei that we study with. After she attended Sunday of the district convention, she told us that it makes her feel good. We are sure this is why she came this Sunday.
Keisha is next to Karen. She and her sister, Karen (in the top photo with their mom), attend all of the meetings. Their interest and strong desire to attend meetings has gone a long way in attracting their mom to study. They immediately noticed the difference between churches they had attended in the past and our meetings.
The next photo is of Kayelani, Adrian and Wilson. We love them so much. Adrian is making good progress, attending all of the meetings. He and his sister are attending college down the street from our apartment. When Adrian has a break between classes, even if he has been up all night studying, he will call John to get him for a Bible study--that he has prepared for. He also helps us with some of the newer ones that attend with us. Kayelani is making progress too. She is attending the Sunday meetings and studying regularly. Wilson also is attending the Sunday meeting and is excited about what he is learning.
Jesilin and three of her boys are in the lower right corner. They attended for the afternoon. It was the first time to attend a meeting for two of her boys. They were very attentive and became quite adept at finding scriptures during the program. Jesilin comes to our apartment Sunday evenings to study. We have a wonderful time. She told us that she will be bringing the boys starting this week.
Joycelyn, Eziquiel's wife, is in the upper right hand corner with one of her daughters, Karen. Joyce is 9 months pregnant and was able to stay for the whole morning. She has only studied a few times. She would look over during the program and smile even though her back was hurting.
