How to get to paradise... in a car...

Driving through the long twisting roads that basically have no rules is an experience akin to riding a roller coaster without a safety restraint, but it's well worth it. Open your Bible Teach book to the pictures of paradise on page 147 or 35 and that is pretty much how the town of Monabao looks and feels. A family from the local congregation happened to be out of town so we were able to commandeer their house for three nights. I was quite impressed that a troupe of 7 or 8 guys cooking and cleaning and almost making the service meeting on time. Ok, maybe not that outstanding, but considering what we were working with... you'd understand.
The territory in this area is loco. The first day we are literally following tiny paths down the mountain visiting the homes along the way. Then we come to a cow pasture that still descends at a fairly steep angle, but there's a path leading into in, so we decide to check it out. Oh yeah, its the rainy season so that whole pasture is muck and cow caca. After weaving through a hundred yards or so, trying to soil our shoes and pants as little as possible, we duck under a barb-wire fence find our muddy selves staring this tattered and crooked swing bridge staring us in the face. Back down now? Inconceivable! After saying our private prayers we make our way across and meet a man working on the other side and have quite a conversation. At this point the view of the mountains is the most spectacular I have seen in at least 10 mins. Now we gotta make our way back to the road.
The second day in Monabao is awesome as well, the poverty of some here proves that this isn't paradise yet and we still need the new system.
That evening we mount up and make the harrowing drive to playa grande near rio San Juan and literally spend the night on the beach with a fire. It was slightly uncomfortable but exceedingly spectacular... Falling asleep typing again so hopefully I can ketchup on the happenings most recently soon.

Oh, the first photo is the kingdom hall in Monabao of roughly 37 publishers. No, no walls. None.