 |
| To simulate Vegas in summer: Put blow-dryer on high & aim at face |
Can’t believe it’s almost August already.
We got beat up in June with ten days straight of over 110 degree temps along with a couple of 117's thrown in for variety.
Incidentally, 117 is the official Las Vegas record, but official just means the temperature at the airport. Around town, it hits 120 or so. But as you can see, we still go in field service, and for some perverse reason, still wear ties LOL.
Also can’t believe we haven’t been to the regional
convention yet, but our time is coming and when it does, I’ll post some pics.
 |
| At the Spanish Circuit Assembly, St George, UT |
We got assigned to St George, Utah, as we have for a number
of years now. This time was later than usual, August 4-6, but I did get a taste
by catching Sunday’s program in Spanish with my Colombian compadre, Al Pinzon.
 |
| Spanish Regional, St George, UT |
Speaking of Spanish, mine is coming along nicely. Of
course, I had the advantage of pioneering for 2 years in Ibarra when I was
younger, so I have a good foundation that has stuck with me. I’ve been
attending a local Spanish congregation, Valle Verde, here in Las Vegas since
November, getting back into the swing of things. Their Sunday meeting is at
3:30 pm, so I have time to go to my English meeting at 10:00 am, then home for a
bit of lunch and a siesta, before heading to the Spanish.
 |
| With Joe Thomas, age 99, at Memorial |
A highlight of the year was giving a public talk at the
Spanish congregation earlier in July. I’ve been giving public talks in English
since I was 18, but my first Spanish one was special. I was a little nervous at
first, but then settled right in. I guess it went okay, because they want me to
give another one in a couple of months. It’s good preparation for when I head
south (way south) next year, because I’m sure there won’t many elders and I’ll
have ample opportunity for program parts.
Here in Vegas the routine continues, with spiritual
activities as well as joyous occasions of brothers getting engaged and married.
The bonus is that there are always gatherings, and witnesses may love to eat as
much as they enjoy the preaching work.
 |
| Brotherhood in action: 5 brothers, 4 countries, 1 congregation |
We always read about our international brotherhood, but here
in Las Vegas it’s more in evidence than a lot of places. People move here from
all over, so the congregations can be literally a “gathering of people of all
nations”.
I was reflecting on that just this past Monday as we were
out inviting people to the convention. (Ah, summer in the Mojave Desert).
There were 5 brothers out, myself, just the basic North American Caucasian;
Jesse S., African-American; Kevin N., Vietnamese; Al P., Colombian; and the
brother who took the picture was Glen L. from Sweden. What a great organization
to be a part of, the only truly unified organization on earth, based on love of
God and neighbor.
 |
| At an engagement party with the Mehlings |
 |
| Mario, my Filipino brother |
 |
| Kevin, my Vietnamese brother finally got married |
