Jason's Travels

Guess what this is...

This is my new congregation:)

So we finally booked our tickets for Europe!

Notice the return date...

In case its too small to read, we leave Aug 22 and return March 5.  Crazy huh!

I have been here a month and a half already?  Time flies.  We had our 2 day assembly a couple weeks ago, but it was a little sad because the Russian congregation here split and this assembly was the last time I would see everyone from the old congregation for a while.  Many of the new friends I made are in the other congregation, but I guess I will just have to get to know the ones in mine now.  Its very different because I was used to seeing about 150 people at the meetings when our Congregation was one and now its only about 70.  But it will be easier to get to know everyone better.  I added a bunch of photos of some of my new friends, so be sure to check them out.  

I found some good(and cheap) mexican stores the other day, which made me happy:D But I was not happy about the lady charching me $2.99 for my bag of beans when the shelf said $2.19:(  I never thought I would get hustled by my own kind, but I look white and I was wearing a suit so I probably had that one coming.  Dad if you are reading this, im sorry for shame I brought on the Sanchez name:dry: And Mom, I know you would have caused a scene for 80 cents(and thats the way you learned me), but  I just could'nt bring myself to do it.:wink: 

Today I was out in service with a friend of mine from Elk Grove.  He told me that in this little building ouside of his Kingdom Hall is the translation department for the Hmong language.  They do all the translating here, so technically its Bethel outside of Bethel.  Cool huh.  If you are like me and have no idea what a Hmong is, click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hmong_language

Finally we received the new Russian song books!!!:D

I survived a week! Things are good, a little interesting but good. The drivers here are nuts, so far someone passed me on the shoulder and someone was clever enough to use the middle turning lane to pass me and I was doing the speed limit! There are alot of different food places here so I will probably gain some weight. I thought tri-cities had a lot of choices for food! I finally met some Russians! Everyone here speaks russian but most everyone is from Ukraine or Moldova. But I did meet a guy from Bulgaria and I went in service with a Brother today from AbKhazia which is part of Georgia. He said 90% of the people in his country have assault rifles because of the constant wars. The Russian family I met is from Sochi which is where the 2014 Olympics will be. Thats all for now.  Let me know if there is anything you would like me to add to the site.

Ok, I am not sure how a blog works but I am trying.  I made it to Sacramento on Monday March 1st and I am alive and well.  The Russian congregation here is even more amazing than I imagined!  I feel like I am back in Ukraine!  My first day in service I was with 3 brothers who didnt speak any english. So far I have been busy with Service, studying, eating, sleeping, and sleeping some more.  I havent found a job yet but I am not worried.  I am having a blast but I do miss all my friends back home.  Thats all for now.