I. Have. No. Words.
I'm positively certain, this was the best convention I've ever been to. It was just... AMAZING. The program was of course awesome, but meeting all those different brothers made it even better.
We met dozens of brothers from all over the world. Just in this past weekend, we met, (starting within the states) brothers from:
-Oregon
-Florida
-New York
-North Carolina
-Georgia
-Texas
-New Jersey
-Australia
-Denmark
-Norway
-Korea
-Scotland
-Italy
-Spain
-Ireland
-Britain
-Puerto Rico
-Colombia and so many more.
It was truly astounding to see so many brothers from all over the world at this assembly. It was like a mini international convention. And seeing other need greaters doing the same thing we are, was just perfect.
First day, we met two awesome brothers from Australia, named Matthew and Jared. We instantly became really good friends. This was they're first time here in DR. They have only been here about four days and they are already thinking of coming back and moving here for a while. Maybe we will get to see them again.
Then we met an amazing family from Norway. They have three kids. The daughter, Josephine, is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. They moved here a few months ago and they are planning on staying here for another 2 years. Josephine, her younger brother Ferdinand and I became really good friends. I hope to be able to see them again soon.
Everyone always uses the term "what a small world", but a lot of people don't actually know how small it really is, especially in Jehovah's organization. We met lots of brothers from the states, but we met one sister named Sydney, that used to go to the same congregation with some brothers we know from back at home, apparently they've know each other since they were a lot younger.
What a small world!
I met a brother named Weston who is about my age, and has lived here for almost a year now in Bavaro English. His family is going to stay here for about another year. He was really nice, and it was really encouraging to see some one else my age doing the same thing I was.
The second day, I met a sister from Scotland, two brothers from Ireland and a family from Georgia. It was just so cool seeing so many brothers with different nationalities, colors, and not to mention the super awesome accents, being all in one place at once.
And all of us being need greaters, we had so much in common. Other families going through many of the same things we are, complications as well as blessings. Seeing young, single brothers and sisters moving where the need is great, even though they sometimes had to go through lots of hardships, was mind-blowing. But they all did it for Jehovah.
We did it for Jehovah.
Even though lots of them, including us, did go through discouraging times, and tough moments, we kept our minds fixed on Jehovah and did what we knew would be best.
The last day definitely had a very bittersweet feeling to it. Everyone was overjoyed to be able to be there, and seeing so many other need greaters from all over, coming to watch this convention together and encourage one another to keep going, serving Jehovah to our fullest. But having to say goodbye, was definitely pretty heartbreaking. No one wanted to leave. Yes... There were tears.
I was not ready to leave. Yea, yea everyone says that at every assembly, but I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE. It felt horrible getting on that bus and driving away from this amazing convention and all those wonderful brothers.
Everyone was taking pictures, getting phone numbers and social medias so everyone could keep in touch, after we all went back home.
And you find yourself missing those people, that you've only known for such a small amount of time. Wanting to be with them as much as possible. Wanting to see them and talk to them, and share the same love you all have for Jehovah.
Because we are a family, even though we've only just met.
One gigantic, amazing, wonderful, hilarious, caring, beautiful, loving family of brothers and sisters from all over the globe.
And I'm certainly never going to forget any one of them.