memorial

April 17th, here, as in the rest of the world, we commemorated Jesus' death.  Our congregation of 112 met in 2 shifts, since the kingdom hall isn't big enough for everyone to fit at once.  The final count between the 2 shifts, not counting the people who had to be at both, was 534.  Two of my unbaptized bible studies came.  With their family members they were 7 people in all.

Some highlights...

There was great participation in the campaign to invite the public.  One sister visiting from California named Ale gave the invitation to a woman and began, "This is an invitation to commemorate the death of Jesus."  Since Jesus is a common name here, the woman got a look of shock on her face and said, "Who died?  One of my neighbors?"

One man came into the memorial and a sister asked him if he came with someone or who invited him.  He looked around and said, "That woman gave me an invitation," pointing at Mikaela.  She had stopped him briefly on the sidewalk to give him an invitaiton... and he came!

Our most noticeable visitor was a Catholic monk/friar.  He came wearing his brown robe tied up with rope.  The attendants were a little nervous as he received the glass of wine... slowly lifted it up... and kissed the glass.  Then he affectionately brushed it across his cheek, and passed it on.  The best part of the story is that he came back for the following Saturday meeting.  Now everyone is chattering about what they saw or heard.  "He said something in Latin when he came in the kingdom hall."  "His sister brought him but she waited outside."  "He was talking to one of the elders in the back room after the meeting."  "He's Juliana's return visit."  "Juliana only gave him the invitation."