About 14 months ago, I was sitting in large, fairly-newly renovated, dark, nearly empty cafeteria of a mini mall about ten minutes walk from where I lived in Changning, Shanghai, China. I was aware that it was already five years that I had been in China, my work contract for the Elementary School I taught at was soon up, and I was wanting a change. Before this day, I was considering moving to another part of Shanghai, or maybe another city in the same country.
I can't remember if I actually ate dinner in that cafeteria that evening, but I do remember sitting there and reading the article linked to below on a PDF version of the Watchtower on my iPad. This was when the idea of moving to a Latin-American country first popped into my head.
I tossed around the idea of Ecuador, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, but ultimately, it was the Dominican Republic plans that flowed out and progressed most smoothly. My initial plan was for a short visit, but ultimately the plan became a full year.
Now, after a year in the Dominican Republic and a recent trip to America, I know that DR is where I want to be not only for the next year, but also for the years to come if circumstances permit.
My life here is less of an experiment (with China remaining my base) and more and more like my new home, my new 'base.'
I'm getting more comfortable with Spanish and am useful in the congregation here because of being able to help the Chinese language learners, and even being used as a regular for interpretation of talks from Spanish to Chinese.
There were many great memories from this past year, but I'll just post a few service related pictures here from the last year here.
The photos are posted more or less in chronological order.
Anyolina cracks some nuts on the street to share with the service group on a day during my first few weeks of service in Fall of 2012.
Before we were a congregation, the El Ejido Chinese Group crammed into the back school to study the Bearing Thorough Witness book. Sometimes it was so crowded, that members would have to stand outside and comment through the windows of the back school (not joking).
A shot of the Chinese group and visitors making more and more clear the point that we had outgrown the tiny back school room at El Ejido.
Kazu and I enjoying real Chinese food at a return visit's home.
Alan studying his Watchtower before meeting. Alan has discontinued studying for several months now, but hopefully he'll start again! :)
Days after the announcement that we will become the second ever Chinese Congregation in the country, the printout of the biblical year text arrives for placement at our new home, the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Avenida Imber.
On Sunday, February 3rd of this year, while many in America were getting ready to watch the Superbowl, we had our first meeting as a congregation.
My first Chinese assembly in Santo Domingo in the back room of the Assembly Hall while the Spanish brothers had their convention in front.
Me with two of my former Bible studies.
Patricia and Jael during the tract campaign for the Memorial.
(Above and Below) Catherine takes a photo with some of our Asian brothers and sisters and Jorge Lebron gives the talk at the last Memorial in the Imbert Kingdom Hall.
An angry goose we met while doing census work in southern Santiago. Yeah, I'm not really sure why I thought including this picture in was necessary either.
Teammates and friends Catherine and Emi enjoy evening service with newly bought flowers (above) and help learn Chinese from one of their students at Monumento (below).
Kiara with a Spring flower in her hat during a day in the ministry earlier this year.
The Santiago Chinese Congregation doesn't just cover Chinese territory in Santiago. We are also responsible for all of Cibao (the state) and the northern region of the country. This photo was taken when we were doing preaching work near the border of Haiti and informally shared a tract with this young boy.
A new stage in DR witnessing begins as we have the meeting of orientation for the new public witnessing project (Metropolitan Witnessing) to begin in Santiago.
After service, we hit the beach in Monti Cristi.
Me practicing my Chinese character writing skills with friends who were writing encouraging messages on cards to hand out to Chinese people.
Day 1 of the Metropolitan witnessing project in Las Colinas Mall.
Sarah, a three month need-greater joins Emi and I for service near Monumento.
A young child leaning against a wall in Santiago while we do census work.
A more recent picture of our growing congregation and visitors.
Krista, Kazuyo, Akane and Kazu take a break from the hot sun on a construction site.
My first day of doing Metropolitan witnessing (above) and my completion of my service time for the year a couple of weeks ago (below).
What I look forward to in the upcoming service year is participating more in the Metropolitan service project, getting a regular Bible study (or two), and developing the friendships I've already started here.
Hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures, and hope it makes you perhaps consider moving to the DR or another foreign field one day.
Have a great new service year. :)
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