Fausto Serrano, a good friend from our hall is greeting the American Missionary sister that studied with him 15 years ago. Sister Frances Woodburn has been a Missionary for some 50 years in Ecuador! She gave an interview at the English Convention on her work here in Ecuador over the years. It was very exncouraging.
Some of you, after seeing these pics wanted to know his story, so I asked him to email me something that I could transate for you all. Here it is...
"Hi Elsie, thanks for the photos of the English Assembly and the one of me with Sister Frances.
Well, my experience is that Sister Frances studied with my entire family, except for my dad, who was at that time, disfellowshipped.
We started studying with her when I was 13 and I got baptized at 15. At that time, I lived in Ambato. A little while later Sister Frances returned to the US and I lost track of her, so here at the English Assembly is the first time I’ve seen her in 15 years!
What I remember most about her is that every time she studied with us, she made us memorize 5 books of the bible to remember where they all were. She always made us prepare our books ahead of time and made us comment in our own words, not reading from the book. She also exerted herself a lot to help us know and be close to the Brothers and Sisters. She has a great sense of humor a gift for teaching, which is why we all couldn’t wait for our bible study with her each week.
Little by little, my brothers went progressing too and they were baptized as well. My father was also reinstated. Even though my mother knew the truth, she didn’t go to meetings or out in service. Many thought she would never be baptized but 5 years ago, she made the decision and was baptized.
Currently, of all my family, only my mother and I are active Witnesses. My father died 3 years ago and for various reasons, my brothers have left the truth.
My current goal is to serve in the congregation and help in other territories where the need is great. Seeing Brothers and Sisters like Sister Frances Woodburn makes me think about how fast time goes by and how important it is to set goals now and concentrate in having a good relationship with Jehovah.
After seeing this sister after so much time, I realized 2 things. I can see the toll that old age has taken on her. In fact she is quite sick, but she keeps her good spiritual qualities intact and that makes us appreciate her work even more. And also, this is probably the last time I will see this sister in this system, but it will be such a joy to embrace her in the paradise and thank her once more for all she did, helping us learn the truth."
We started studying with her when I was 13 and I got baptized at 15. At that time, I lived in Ambato. A little while later Sister Frances returned to the US and I lost track of her, so here at the English Assembly is the first time I’ve seen her in 15 years!
What I remember most about her is that every time she studied with us, she made us memorize 5 books of the bible to remember where they all were. She always made us prepare our books ahead of time and made us comment in our own words, not reading from the book. She also exerted herself a lot to help us know and be close to the Brothers and Sisters. She has a great sense of humor a gift for teaching, which is why we all couldn’t wait for our bible study with her each week.
Little by little, my brothers went progressing too and they were baptized as well. My father was also reinstated. Even though my mother knew the truth, she didn’t go to meetings or out in service. Many thought she would never be baptized but 5 years ago, she made the decision and was baptized.
Currently, of all my family, only my mother and I are active Witnesses. My father died 3 years ago and for various reasons, my brothers have left the truth.
My current goal is to serve in the congregation and help in other territories where the need is great. Seeing Brothers and Sisters like Sister Frances Woodburn makes me think about how fast time goes by and how important it is to set goals now and concentrate in having a good relationship with Jehovah.
After seeing this sister after so much time, I realized 2 things. I can see the toll that old age has taken on her. In fact she is quite sick, but she keeps her good spiritual qualities intact and that makes us appreciate her work even more. And also, this is probably the last time I will see this sister in this system, but it will be such a joy to embrace her in the paradise and thank her once more for all she did, helping us learn the truth."
2 comments:
Thank you for Fausto's story! Told so eloquently (or was it the translating job done so nicely?) Between that and the experence of Jose, many lessons for us to think about. Tell Fausto 'hola' for us.
Hey where did the other picture of you two sitting in the chair go. I liked that one. The other day I typed a nice long comment and hit the wrong button to post and It all went bye bye. So this will be my test short one. Nice to get Fausto's story so maybe now I will keep the name with the face. Great experience and encouraging, Thanks
Little Radish
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