Now We Are One

I grew up in the small city of Racine, WI. Wisconsin is known for its beautiful Lake Michigan… snowy winters… and of course cheese! My mother and father’s side grew up in Racine. They all knew the same people growing up - so it wasn’t long before my parents met during their high school years. Not long after - my parents had me and were married a few months later. It was while my Mom was in high school that her family started studying the bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. My father soon joined them. Two years later, my younger brother Marcello joined the family. My parents, Mel and Adriana, raised both me and my brother to love Jehovah and to love people. The brother who studied with my father was a Brooklyn bethelite. He had a real love for bethel service and encouraged my dad to bring our family to Bethel whenever possible. I’m so thankful my father listened because that sparked my desire to serve at Bethel one day. My mother started pioneering while I was in middle school and I wanted to be a pioneer just like her! I would pioneer during school breaks and work with amazing pioneer sisters that taught me so much. I officially became a regular pioneer after my junior year of high school – and have continued pioneering ever since. In 2018, I made plans to finally reach my goal and move to New York. Some of the best parts about moving to New York have been all the amazing friends I've met! I’ve had GREAT roommates…workmates in my assignments…and congregations who’ve supported me. I’ve had amazing Bethel assignments – like cleaning the Warwick museums at night…banding convention badges… setting up and breaking down Bethel events…cooking and feeding older friends in the infirmary… and working in the landscaping Grounds Maintenance department at Warwick.

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in a town called Pittsburg. I'm the youngest of two children. My parents, Leo and Esperanza, are from Nicaragua, but they met in San Francisco. My parents started studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses when I was 5 years old. They were on the brink of divorce at the time, but what they learned from the Bible about Jehovah God and his teachings kept my family together. Both of my parents worked full-time to provide for us. This allowed me to spend a lot of time with my grandma - who we all affectionately call “Mita”. She was instrumental in raising me. We had many adventures together before I started elementary school. In time, my mother wanted to focus more on helping others. She adjusted her work schedule and met her goal to regular pioneer. Her example set a pattern for the rest of our family to follow. We all eventually joined her in the pioneer service – including my Mita. I currently have the privilege of serving full-time at Wallkill Bethel in New York. In 2013, my brother Jeff and I went to Nicaragua to serve. We loved this experience despite the many challenges we faced. I decided this was how I wanted to live my life and I was determined to return. However, my 3-month invitation to serve at Wallkill Bethel arrived before I had the chance to return to Nicaragua. That initial 3-months has turned into almost 10 years of full time service. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to work as a mechanic for the printing equipment... an electrician…and now I work in the Wallkill Maintenance Office.

In January 2023, assemblies of Jehovah’s Witnesses were open again to the public. This was a long awaited gift after years of lockdown and no in person events. A few of Mia’s old roommates – affectionately known as the “Sloatsburg Sisters” – invited her to join them at their assigned assembly. As they all stood to sing the opening song – a tall, handsome attendant with an orange lanyard just happened to be looking over at their section. You guessed it – it was Jonathan Tercero. Jonathan was assigned to this assembly – but he had set plans to attend an art show right after the assembly was over. In fact, on his way to the assembly – the driver confirmed that their plan was to leave immediately after the assembly to enjoy the art show. But halfway through the assembly – this same brother forgot he made dinner plans and told Jonathan to find another ride home. (Thanks Matt!) Best Plan FAIL ever! After the assembly, Jonathan was waiting for his new car group to get ready to go. Mia was also waiting for her car group too. Perfectly timed, a sister introduced them – (Thanks Taylor!) — and as she likes to say “sparks flew”... For the rest of this beautiful love story – Mia and Jonathan will have to have you over to enjoy a meal in their new home located in Wallkill, NY!