Today is a special day to a lot of people. It marked the 2014 anniversary of Jesus’ death.
Last year over 19 million people were present.
An global effort was made to invite people to this event. Much attention was given to the website jw.org which is now available in 600 languages!
In addition to the 19 spanish congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses just in Playa Del Carmen (that is not counting the others in Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, Akumal, Puerto Aventuras & Tulum -on this 60 mile stretch of the Riviera Maya) there are also congregations or groups in English, Italian, French, Sign Language and Maya.
We began our day early with some preparations we were happy to be able to help with such as making bread, cleaning the facility, picking up flowers. Oh, and curling the girls hair.
Ginger Kitty says that next year she hopes “to get the job of scraping gum off the seats again.”
In case you are interested, the blue flower dress that Ginger Kitty is wearing was my dress when I was a little girl.
I thought you might enjoy some experiences from friends we have in other places…
Akumal, Mexico (spanish) has 60-70 publishers with 180 in attendance. They set up screen, sound, tent and chairs outside to accommodate everyone.
***
Tulum, Mexico in addition to spanish has a tiny english group but had 31 attend and they were followed by the Maya congregation.
***
Botswana, Africa. Our friends here met in a newly built Kingdom Hall that has 5 publishers and an attendance of 51 for this special meeting.
***
Thailand. Our friend who actually helps out with sign language there had an attendance of 103 in her congregation of just 37 publishers.
***
Last night the kiddos were excited to keep up with family and friends from around the world. Thanks to all of you who keep in touch!
It was such a nice evening, wasn’t it? We have about 100 in our congregation, but had 227 attend the Memorial last night! Chad had 7 students attend and I had two! For one couple we study with, this was their first meeting and they loved it! They said they could just feel the love in the air, not like their previous church where they just felt tension. What a testimonial!
Your family looked beautiful, all of you. Tell the girls how adorable they looked in their pretty curls. I loved seeing how they helped out with the Memorial preparations.
Love and hugs, Re-Na Hanson.