Local Customs And A Social Event

This morning we spent in the ministry. I worked with a brother named Lewis, and Carol with his wife, Sharon. One fellow we met told us how he once thought he had many friends until one day he was arrested and put in prison for three years. Not one of his friends or relatives ever came to visit him or telephoned. It left him seriously disillusioned. We encouraged him with scriptures that invite people to draw close to God. He said he never prayed so I pointed out that, after his experience with his former friends, he could well understand God's disappointment when people he created don't visit him in prayer.

With Matamoros being a city of 750,000 souls it was a surprise to discover that certain quarters do not enjoy paved roads. It was a good thing Lewis had a four-wheel-drive vehicle. If I had attempted the road shown below in my Corolla it would soon be tilted 45 degrees, head first in a mud hole.

A curious custom I see on a number of sidewalks is a decorative arrangement making the sidewalk unusable, forcing a pedestrian onto the road. I submit an example of this in the photo below ...

 If you look down the road you will also notice that light posts are located in the middle of the sidewalk as opposed to being on one side.

Nearly all residences are protected by a surrounding wall with additional protection in the form of sharp spikes and sometimes barbed wire along the wall tops. Christmas is coming however, and its message of peace on earth and goodwill toward men has become manifest ... the time has arrived for stringing Christmas lights on the barbed wire.

Another custom I find peculiarly quaint is the manner in which supplies are provided at many public toilets. In the photo below you will notice a door to a restroom inside a supermarket. The circular dispensers on the wall, one for women, one for men, carry large rolls of toilet paper. One must obtain his supply before entering and using the inside stalls. Otherwise one faces a rather miserable dilemma because there are no supplies inside. I imagine that, in a short time, one becomes quite adept at estimating an accurate quantity.

This evening a gathering was held at the home of Lewis and Sharon in honor of a newly wed couple whose wedding took place in another city. The couple, Homer and Natalia are shown on the right of Lewis and Sharon in the photo below ...

And while I'm introducing people, below are Vince and Sandra. Vince is the service overseer.

And below are Eduardo and Irma. Eduardo is both coordinator and secretary.

After receiving gifts and making speeches Homer and Natalia display a little public affection.

Below is a view of the house of Lewis and Sharon, the hosts:

One sister was there with her husband who is not a Witness. I spoke with him expressing the hope he would come to the meeting tomorrow because I was invited to give the talk and I'd love to see him there. He said he would be glad to come. I hope that works out. I'll let you know.