Hello!

We have had such a busy and great month here in Esparza, Costa Rica! Here are some of the things that happened:

The attendance for the commemoration was 327 for the congregation of 105 publishers. 13 of our studies were able to come, and they were so impressed by the use of the bible and that everyone joined in looking the scriptures, and the order in which the meeting took place. This encouraged many to continue coming to the meetings. Due to high attendance, they have announced that the hall may divide into two congregations by the end of this year.
We are constantly getting pulled over by "transito" the transit police. They know we are american and look for bribes. One time one officer stopped us and asked for Albert's license, he took it and he headed toward his motorbike ready to just leave with it, we called out to him and followed him, another transito officer that I had preached to before recognized me and called out "Paisana (because of being Salvadorean) whats wrong?" I ran to him and told him what the other officer had done, he got on his bike and got to the other officer and scolded him for trying to do wrong to "preachers of God's word, you know what could happen to you for bothering them!" We got the license back thankfully. This officer has kept looking out for us and has told us he appreciates that witnesses make the community a better place.
Yadira is a young mom who loves to learn about the bible, but gets embarrased reading the Great Teacher book to her 6 year old son because he asks so many questions about God that she cant answer. As we study we try to cover some of the questions so she can answer them. But she gets frustrated with herself because she feels incapable. One day she told him to do a task and he refused. He answered back to her disobediently and she told him: " Satan got the best of you because you didnt obey your mother." Two weeks later, he asked her to read her the Great Teacher book and too tired and not wanting to feel frustrated again she told him "no, not tonight" and he told her, using her own logic: "Satan got the best of you because you wont teach me about God." She now reads to him regularly.
Irene, a study I have mentioned before, is progressing well. She now understands that she should change her job of selling lottery tickets in order to have Jehovah's favor. She's been searching for work cleaning houses and unfortunately has had a hard time finding anything, she barely has something to eat somedays. Since the special talk mentioned points such as economical problems, sicknesses, family life and how to cope through scriptural counsel she was really encouraged. That night at around 10:30pm she was in bed asleep with her 4 yr old daughter Britany. She woke up when she heard a noise outside and got up to check half-asleep. At that moment, a car came crashing through the wall and on top of her bed!! Drunk driver. She screamed for her little girl, thinking she's under the car. Then the little girl comes out of the bathroom. She got up a few minutes before her mom to use the bathroom thankfully. She called us to come over sobbing that she was having trouble breathing and that she had almost died. She lives alone with her daughter and has no one to help her. We went and saw at least 80 neighbors from the barrio (the most dangerous in Esparza) trying to see what they could steal from the poor home. She didnt care, she was so happy they were OK and said it was Jehovah who gave her the strength to go on even though her life was full of problems and that she wouldnt give in to the obstacles. Four days later she had a wall again and is shares what she learns with her neighbors.
Olga has also been coming to the meetings and is becoming proficient in finding the scriptures during them. Although her family has tried to plan things around the meeting times, she has let them know the importance of them and has not missed them. As soon as we were able to get her the Bible Teach book in Large Print, she read it all in two weeks and is now working on the Greatest Man and Creator book. What she has read has helped her stand up to her old pastor who visits her to tell her it was God's will that her husband died and that he is still there with her in spirit.
Mario is an impressive study who after one study has not missed a meeting, he answers in his own words and told Albert that he wants to work towards being a dedicated Jehovah's witness.
Freddy is another study who is making fine progress. He realized he must marry his girlfriend in order to live according to Jehovah's moral standards. So last Friday, we went to the lawyers office and took pictures of the couple. They will now be studying together from now on, since they want to make sure they progress together.
Gustavo and Jazmin study together as a couple, starting the study was difficult as we attempted on several different occasions, almost 15 different times. Because of the amount of people interested in studying it is very difficult to continue trying. Albert was persistant because of the amount of interest he showed initially...and finally we were able to meet and study, they didnt miss a study for 3 months. Jazmin was a catecumena, which is a title for the catholics that are "studied". She realized throughout the study that she preferred the New World bible translation and that what she was learning was far more than she had ever learned in her years of courses. She no longer wants to be catholic and we look forward to her taking the steps to being one of our sisters. Gustavo thanked that we didnt give up, with tears said that he appreciated the persistance.
Maria has been with a man for many years, has two daughters with him, but he doesnt want to marry her. She has put a stop to the relationship for the past month and a half and is determined to live by God's standards even though it means leaving the man she loves. Her oldest daughter of 7 wants to be a publisher and has memorized many Bible Book Stories.
We have experienced 3 earthquakes while we have been here, the last one was a week ago while I was giving study to Paula, her house is made of tin and wood slats held down by rocks. The house rocked during the 6.0 earthquake but held on and is still intact. Needless to say, the study ended there as we ran out. We placed the Watchtower on the 6 bible prophesies including earthquakes that day with her and she realized how appropriate the timing is with the spiritual food.
These are just some of the experiences, we hope to tell you more!
Thank you for your encouraging emails.
Much Love,
Albert & Sadia Sanchez