Preaching

Well if you are not a Jehovah's Witness, this post will probably not appeal to you. You may want to skip it altogether in fact. In the next few posts I will discuss transport and eating establishments here in Tarija.
We decided to come to Bolivia from New Zealand, because we heard there was a need in the ministry. I don't believe that any part of New Zealand's territory is worked less than once per year, and the vast majority is worked every few weeks or months. This coupled with the fact that there are plenty of publishers means that compared with Bolivia, NZ doesn't have a need at all for pioneers. In some places elders are needed, but again Bolivia has a far greater need for Ancianos (elders). Therefore we arrived here all keen to experience fresh, seldom worked territory. Our first outing in the field was a surprise to us. No-one seems to know how many people Tarija has as residents, but it seems to be between 100 000 and 200 000 people. There are 11 or 12 congregations, and a few groups attached to them. At our first field service group we found out that the congregation's territory is covered every one and a half weeks! It seems most of the other congregations have similar coverage, so we wondered why we were here to be honest. However once we began preaching, we found that studies were easy to start even with limited Spanish, and there is still much interest.
 Over the following few weeks we decided to try one of the groups a few kilometres out of the city. The group we chose is in a town of about 10 000 people about 20 minutes drive out of the city. Well, what a contrast! HUGE interest and a Huge need here for pioneers! With three Ministerial servants and no Elders, the group has a need as well for Elders, and I believe a lack of Elders is the only thing stopping it from becoming a congregation. No pressure Paul and Drew!
Regarding the territory, virtually everyone you offer a study to, accepts, and on occasion we have even had people cry because the are so overwhelmed that someone is willing to spend the time to teach them the Bible. It is so satisfying to study with people who genuinely want to learn the truth, even though it is mentally taxing struggling with the language. I cannot urge anyone thinking of coming here enough to just take the leap. Our group has large tracts of territory that has NEVER been worked! It takes us 20 mins to get there on a small bus that costs 50 cents NZ! Soon we hope to rent a house out there to get closer to the action. Be warned though, that although transport is available for much of the area, there is plenty of walking required.
If you are considering coming here to preach and have questions, feel free to ask via this blog, and if we cannot answer them we will endeavour to find the answer from others, and reply to you.
Here is an example of what you can expect. Three weeks ago was offering tracts during the campaign, and met a young lad of about 18. In halting Spanish I asked him if he wanted to study the Bible. "Yes I would" he replied. When I returned we did one part of the Good News brochure. The next time his father was there too, and wanted to join in. Today we did the third study and the whole family was there waiting, and was so appreciative of Bible truth. They had many questions, and we tried to use scriptures to answer them, especially when our Spanish ran short! I believe the will be at meetings within a week or two. - This is the norm, not the exception!
Also, the brothers and sisters are incredibly supportive, appreciative and friendly. It is just a joy to be here and be a part of it.
To conclude, here are a few photos of the territory we work in: