The Nicaragua Project

Hello there!

Exciting things are happening right now in Nicaragua, particularly in the English field. I'm sure that most of you are familiar with the current Manhattan Project going on in New York City. The brothers have set up mobile displays of Bible literature throughout Manhattan easy for the public to see. They have had incredible success with it (you can read more on the society's website http://www.jw.org/en/news/by-region/americas/united-states/special-campaign-manhattan/)

The brothers here have started trying a similar approach for the English territory. They have been setting up literature tables or mobile displays at different high-traffic areas throughout the city, including local supermarkets, parks, or schools. This is part of an effort not only to reach people who are hard to find at home, but also to find more foreigners who speak English. Chinandega isn't the only congregation trying this approach - every English congregation has been involved in this project! Has it been successful? I'll let you decide. Here are some pictures of various displays along with experiences from some of the congregations.

This the table from the Leon English congregation. At first, they made arrangements with a local supermarket, called La Union, to set up a table outside the store building. During the first week of the project, they started four Bible studies. One man that approached them spoke English fluently, accepted literature along with a study, and came to the meeting the next day! Even so, they knew that they could still reach more people, so they relocated the table from the supermarket to across the street from a church in town. The new location has been a lot more effective than the former. In one morning, three studies were started! While the majority of the interest they find comes from locals, they have had more and more foreigners stop by, since the new location has much more foot traffic. They receive a lot of interested Spanish-speaking people as well, and have been able to turn those new calls over to the nearest Spanish congregation to that person.

Here we have the display from Granada English. They have tables at La Colonia as well as at a nearby school. Granada is a hot spot for tourism, so it's no surprise that they have had a big response with the literature display. Tourists and other foreigners frequent La Colonia a lot, and a quite a few studies have been started.

Last but not least, we have the Chinandega table. Originally, the brothers made arrangements with another supermarket, La Colonia, to set up the table outside the store. The owners agreed to allow the table be set up only on Wednesday mornings from 9:00 to 11:00. However, because it has been so successful, the owners have now allowed the congregation to set up the table on Wednesday as well as Saturday mornings, now from 9:00 to 12:00! They have had some awesome experiences with it - I would say, on average, ten books have been placed each morning (the highest I heard was thirteen in one morning). In one morning, 30 magazines were placed. Many of the people who have come up to the table have been thankful to find the literature because they are usually not home during the day. Some have even said, "What days are you guys here?" and have arranged to come back to the table themselves! (How often does the householder arrange to make a return visit on us?) The city of Chinandega has also recently given the congregation permission to set up another table in the town's central park!

Of course, even though I'm not in the English hall, I had to sneak my way in to work the table one morning. ;) Since they have Spanish literature on the table as well, they need someone who speaks Spanish to work the table too. Not knowing what I was getting myself into, I volunteered to help out in that department. Elkie and I had an awesome morning. We placed seven books, seven brochures, I think five or six magazines, and multiple tracts. One man came up and requested a visit in Spanish. Also, a mother and daughter came up to the table. The daughter spoke English very well, and took some literature for her family. The mother was also very happy to receive literature. Apart from all that, it was exciting enough just to see people take a look at the table as they walked by!

Would you say that this approach has been successful? I definitely think so! Like with everything else here, it involves taking a step out of your comfort zone, but it's worth it. We did something similar to this in my home congregation back in Maine, and it had great results as well. I'm sure that this arrangement will continue to be a big help to the English congregations.

Also, don't let anyone tell you that it is pointless to join an English congregation in a foreign land! We just learned at our English Circuit Assembly this past weekend that Central America is a hot spot for English territory - even moreso than Mexico! Why is that? It is because a lot of American companies have set up call centers down here, where English-speaking skills are required. In the English district under the Mexico branch, there are 220 congregations (five in Nicaragua, and one group), three new circuits as of September (with 53 pioneers in ours), and 5,780 Bible studies being conducted (over 200 in this circuit)! Even though I'm in a Spanish congregation, I will still admit that there is just as much of a need in the English territory. So if you hold back from moving to a place like this out of fear of learning Spanish, you can definitely still be a big help in English, and the need is great. Give it a try!

Hope everyone is doing well. Stay in touch!

Sam

P.S. - Thank you to everyone who sent in pictures from other congregations! Here are links to some really good blogs on Nica who contributed photos:

www.asifweknow.com/jw - Rob & Anne Watcher, Leon English

www.los-poldens.blogspot.com - Pat & Debbie Polden, Leon English