Introducing... Beverly Shockley

Please allow me to introduce you to... Beverly Shockley!

Beverley was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in Crete, Nebraska. She was baptized in 1961. She was married 41 years to Jim Shockley, who sadly died in 2010 of Alzheimer's disease.  They didn't have any children.

After Jim died, Bev wanted to do more to serve Jehovah, like the apostle Paul. She tried learning Arabic, but it didn't work out.

Her sister Becky and Becky's husband Alan were going to Mexico to check out a location, with the idea of possibly moving there.  They invited Bev to come along, and within 3 days, she was ready to move to Mexico! She felt immediately at home there. She set a goal to leave Nebraska in six months.

About three months into her plan, she started having second thoughts. She wanted a BIG sign from Jehovah that this was the right thing to do. Then, Beverly's sister, unknowingly, sent her a check for exactly six months' rent in Mexico!

So she was decided, and went sight unseen, apartment unseen, to a place in Mexico that she had not yet visited. She said she never has regretted a moment. She got to help start a new congregation in a town called Apoxigan. It was hot, and a hotbed of drug trafficking, but she loved it!

After a few years there, some friends in Apoxigan, Andy and Natalie Perez, invited her to come with them to serve in Panajachel to start a new English congregation. She thought... Why not! She wasn't really looking for a change, but thought she could be used. "Let Jehovah write the script", was her view.

She says you don't need a lot of money to survive down in Pana. She has $500 a month income, and though she lives simply, she lives well. She came down with two suitcases and a carryon, and not a great deal of backup cash.

Biggest challenge in Pana? In Mexico, there were a lot Mexicans who had been deported and preferred English. They were very receptive to learn more about Jehovah and his purposes. but here in Pana, there aren't as many Guatemalans who are as comfortable in English. So, there are fewer Bible studies here. It has taken some time for her to adjust her attitude and to find joy and contentment. She now is very happy here.

What was the hardest thing emotionally?  She said that she misses her sister.

What was she most concerned about with your health? (Bev has a tracheotomy). Bev says, What's the worst that can happen? I go and then have to come back!  No problem!

What has brought you joy here?  Knowing the brothers here, the bond in the congregation. It's a joy to be in on the 'ground floor' of the English field in Guatemala.

What should people know about moving to Guatemala? We are deep in the time of the end. Jehovah kindly asked us to do whatever we can!  The hardest part is deciding to break out of our comfort zone. See that, just as Malachi said, Jehovah will open the floodgates of heaven, with blessings upon blessings.

Is this a sacrifice?  No! There are things she gave up, but has received so much more in the way of blessings. It's like we get the blessings of a Gilead-graduate missionary!

She says, when we get baptized, we 'lay down the pen and let Jehovah write the script' for our lives. One way is to consider moving to a foreign land to serve!

She adds a few more things: "I could never have imagined the joy I have now!"  And, "Have you lost a mate?  Think about all you CAN do!  Instead of focusing on the loss, think of this as an opportunity to do more!"

"Do you really believe Matthew 6:33? That Jehovah will care for us? Even though I'm on a fixed limited income, Jehovah has always provided for me.  Just come and see!"