Yearbook—2009

Title Page/​Publishers’ Page

2009 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Containing the Report for the Service Year of 2008

This book is the property of ․․․․․

“Bear Thorough Witness to the Good News.”​—ACTS 20:24.

The apostle Paul had completed three missionary journeys and had experienced both trials and blessings. Now he was on his way to Jerusalem, where he expected no warm reception, for “bonds and tribulations” awaited him there. (Acts 20:23) Yet, he was not deterred. At Miletus he told the elders of the Ephesus congregation: “I do not make my soul of any account as dear to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received of the Lord Jesus, to bear thorough witness to the good news of the undeserved kindness of God.”​—Acts 20:24.

Paul valued his life, but the doing of God’s will was his highest priority. Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide feel similarly. Although, as Jesus foretold, they are “objects of hatred by all the nations,” God’s people have taken the good news to the ends of the earth and are boldly witnessing in virtually every nation. (Matt. 24:9) May the yeartext for 2009 inspire you to continue bearing witness without letup, thus showing your appreciation for the undeserved kindness of God.

[Picture Credit Line on page 2]

Photo Credits: Page 168: Franc Drozg, letter; Photo Archive-Museum of National Liberation Maribor, Slovenia

Contents

3 A Letter From the Governing Body

6 Highlights of the Past Year

30 Preaching and Teaching Earth Wide​—2008 Grand Totals

ACTS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES IN MODERN TIMES

66 Samoa

142 Lands of the Former Yugoslavia

A Letter From the Governing Body

Dear Fellow Witnesses of Jehovah:

What a delight it is to write to you dear brothers! We feel as did the apostle John, who said that he ‘truly loved’ his fellow believers and rejoiced that they were “walking in the truth.” (2 John 1, 4) Oh, what a blessing the truth is to all of us! The truth has set us free from Babylon the Great and its doctrines and traditions that dishonor God. Obedience to the truth has helped us become loving, kind, merciful people. And the truth has opened up the way for us to have a clean standing before God as well as the prospect of everlasting life.

How grateful we are, too, for Jehovah’s spirit, which daily guides and strengthens us! We are confident that you enjoyed examining various aspects of this loving provision from Jehovah at the recent “Guided by God’s Spirit” District Conventions. As world conditions worsen, it is essential that we rely on Jehovah’s powerful spirit to direct us through the momentous days ahead of us.

We feel sure that your hearts have been touched when reading the thrilling Yearbook accounts of our brothers who have endured so much suffering for their faith. And it is amazing to think that many of these faithful ones had been baptized only a short time when difficulties arose or were not yet baptized. How we love them for their loyalty and their stand for righteousness! Truly, their sterling example strengthens our determination to continue loyal to the Kingdom no matter what adversity may come our way.​—1 Thess. 1:6-8.

We know, dear brothers and sisters, that there are many problems both economic and otherwise that you have to cope with to keep your families bound together in love. For some of you, it is a challenge even to support the Kingdom-preaching work and other necessary congregation activities regularly and loyally. That is the reason why, after much prayerful discussion, we have made some adjustments in congregation meetings starting January 1, 2009. We trust that you will make the very most of these arrangements so as to spend more time in your personal and family study.

At the various assemblies and conventions this year, it has been a real joy to see so many who have qualified for baptism. Among them were some quite young in years. You parents are to be commended for raising your children to have an appreciation for the truth and for encouraging them to make a dedication to serve Jehovah when young. That such dear young ones face many challenges at school and yet have qualified to be baptized speaks very well of the home training they have received.​—Ps. 128:1-6.

Not to be overlooked is the commendable increase in the Bible study work​—and our hardworking missionaries and special pioneers have had a large share in this. All of us on the Governing Body greatly appreciate the important part our brothers and sisters worldwide play in saying “Come!” to honesthearted ones, inviting all who are thirsting to “take life’s water free.” (Rev. 22:17) We warmly welcome into our worldwide brotherhood the 289,678 who symbolized their dedication by water baptism this past year!

We can never remind ourselves too often of the words of the apostle John, who wrote: “The world is passing away and so its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.” (1 John 2:17) And to think that we are living so very close to the time when this world will ‘pass away’! How wise it is to center our lives on doing the will of God and ‘keeping on the watch.’ (Matt. 24:42) There will never be any regrets on our part if we do so, and we shall reap the benefits of Jehovah’s loving-kindness.​—Isa. 63:7.

We hope that the moving accounts from many lands contained in this Yearbook will serve as an encouragement to all of you to put Kingdom interests first in your life. We want to assure you that you are always in our thoughts and prayers and that we love you very much. May Jehovah pour out upon you his rich blessings.

Your brothers,

Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Highlights of the Past Year

AFTER another blessed year of sacred service, we have every reason to rejoice. When we review some of the highlights of the tremendous work our God is doing by means of his servants, we can say without reservation: “You have crowned the year with your goodness”!​—Ps. 65:11.

“GOOD NEWS” ON THE INTERNET

As Jehovah’s Witnesses we take seriously our responsibility to ‘preach this good news of the kingdom in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations’ before the end comes. (Matt. 24:14) Over the years innovative technological developments have helped to accelerate the dissemination of “the word of the kingdom.” (Matt. 13:18-23) For the past 11 years, we have been using our official Web site, www.watchtower.org, to present spiritual material to the public in electronic format on the Internet. Visitors to the Web site can learn Bible truth in any of 314 languages and can browse through such headings as “Beliefs and Activities,” “Current Topics,” “God and Your Future,” “Medical Care and Blood,” and “Publications Available.”

Many people who visit www.watchtower.org do so to read the Bible. Each day more than 6,300 consult the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures online in any of ten languages. Favorite Bible books on the Web site are Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life.

Each week selected Watchtower or Awake! articles are added to the Web site in 12 languages​—specifically articles that have appeared in print with the public in mind. Many wonder what we believe, how our meetings are conducted, and how our preaching work is financed. Visitors to the Web site have these questions answered by electronically opening the brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses​—Who Are They? What Do They Believe? The publication The End of False Religion Is Near! is available on www.watchtower.org in 252 languages, including video segments in five sign languages.

FINDING THE TRUTH ON THE INTERNET

What have been the results of having these publications online? An average of over 60,000 people visit www.watchtower.org every day! Many live where there are relatively few Witnesses or in countries where our work is banned or restricted. Yet, those thirsting for the truth can electronically tap into thirst-quenching waters of truth on our Web site.

“I’ve always liked learning about the Bible,” says Bryon, “but every time I went to church with friends, they only sang songs or played games.” Bryon pursued his education and athletics. He studied five languages and earned a college scholarship, but nothing satisfied him spiritually. So he prayed to find the truth.

“I was desperate for answers,” Bryon relates. “I decided to look up Jehovah’s Witnesses on the Internet because some Witness friends in school had told me that God’s name is Jehovah. I logged onto the organization’s Web site and began reading the brochure What Does God Require of Us? Finally, I had answers to my questions.” Bryon requested a Bible study, made rapid progress, and dedicated his life to Jehovah in 2004. He now serves as a regular pioneer and hopes to use his language skills as a Bible-trained missionary.

“GOD IS WITH YOU PEOPLE”

How thrilling it is to know that thousands of people “out of all the languages of the nations” visit the Web site www.watchtower.org every day! An average of 94 persons a day submit the online form Would You Welcome a Visit?​—Zech. 8:23.

Denise was one who had questions about the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but she hesitated to go into the local Kingdom Hall. Instead, she decided to search the Internet and found www.watchtower.org. The information there convinced Denise that she had found the truth, but she was reluctant to request a Bible study because she knew that she would need to make changes in her life to conform to Bible standards. Four times she filled out the electronic form Would You Welcome a Visit? but each time she lacked the courage to click the Submit button.

In March 2007, Denise filled out the form for a fifth time. This time she clicked the Submit button requesting a personal visit. Her request was referred to the local congregation, and the elders asked a sister, Vonnie, to call on Denise. Within the first week of Vonnie’s visit, Denise began attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall.

By the end of the summer, Denise had destroyed her religious paraphernalia, resigned from her former religion, and qualified to become an unbaptized publisher. Both she and her two sons made rapid progress, and her eight-year-old son enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry School. In January 2008, Denise was baptized, and two months later​—exactly one year after filling out the online form—​she qualified to serve as an auxiliary pioneer. “Without the Web site,” says Denise, “I would not be relating this experience.”

In January 2008, a new service was made available on the Web site www.jw.org​—audio versions of certain publications that can be downloaded in 17 languages. Interest in this provision has been overwhelming, and over a million publications and individual articles are being downloaded every month! Many publishers listen to the magazine articles as they travel to work or school.

TRANSLATIONS THAT FILL A NEED

What a delight it is to have angelic support as we urge people of “every nation and tribe and tongue” to give God glory! (Rev. 14:6, 7) To help people respond more readily to the Bible’s message in a language that they truly understand, Jehovah’s Witnesses now produce literature in some 450 languages.

The book What Does the Bible Really Teach? was recently released in Tetum, the local language of East Timor, but there were not sufficient copies available. Maria, a new student who had been using the Indonesian Bible Teach book, did not have one in Tetum. She begged her Bible teacher to lend her the Tetum book for two days. In the days that followed, she enthusiastically repeated all the things she had learned. Now, in her mother tongue, she understood many truths more clearly than she had grasped in her study of the Indonesian book. Her teacher did not have the heart to ask her to return the Tetum book. Maria continues to study and attend the meetings.

English and Swahili are languages commonly used in Kenya in government and trade. However, millions of Kenyans are more comfortable speaking Kikuyu, Kikamba, Luo, and other local tongues. Hence, producing literature in these local languages has done much to stimulate interest in Jehovah’s worship. After the Siaya Congregation began using literature and conducting meetings in the Luo language, the elders wrote: “The brothers can now understand better what is being taught. Children are more attentive. Since we started giving talks based on Luo outlines, our meeting attendance has increased by 60 percent.”

In Nicaragua, many speak the Miskito language rather than Spanish, and over 200 attended the Miskito district convention. Some made great sacrifices to attend. For example, 13 brothers from the small town of Asang, on the Coco River, built a log raft and floated down the river for two days to the town of Waspam. Then they got a ride on the back of a truck for five hours to the convention city. It was the first district convention that the majority in this group had attended. They loved hearing the program in their own language. Since they had spent all their money on getting to the convention city, other delegates contributed so that the brothers would have the funds needed for their trip home.

The Miskito audience at that convention was delighted when the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? was released in their language. The pioneers, in particular, were very grateful. Until then, they had to use the Spanish Bible Teach book with their Bible students and translate the paragraphs and questions into Miskito. Now they can concentrate on teaching Bible truths instead of thinking about how to translate.

Quechua is an Amerindian language spoken in South America. Some Quechua publishers in Peru wrote: “When we conclude our presentation, we tell the householder that we have publications in Quechua. Some have been so moved to have literature in their own language that they have cried and kissed the publications.” The branch office in Peru wrote: “Some brothers who live where Quechua is spoken have made great efforts to express their appreciation. After reading What Does the Bible Really Teach? in Quechua, one brother said that he finally understands the meaning and value of Christ’s ransom. Readers have sent the branch potatoes, pies, cases of fruit, and other items to express their appreciation.”

The organization is also making a concerted effort to translate literature into languages spoken on remote islands of the Pacific. “I thank Jehovah that he has remembered us,” said one sister to a missionary on the Micronesian island of Pohnpei. “Before this we would receive The Watchtower in Ponapean some months after the English.” Good-naturedly, she added: “We thought that maybe Armageddon would also come late for us. But now we study the magazine at the same time as the rest of the world, and it looks just as beautiful as the English magazine. We are very thankful that the Governing Body is caring for us.”

The brothers and sisters on the Marshall Islands in the northern Pacific were delighted with the new public edition of The Watchtower in Marshallese. These brothers love reading life stories, but previous editions of The Watchtower did not have space for life stories, so someone had to translate such accounts from the English magazine. How happy they were, therefore, when the first life story appeared in the local-language public edition. A 16-year-old reader said: “For years I would look through the English magazine and see the pictures in the life stories and wish that I could read the article. Now, I can.”

Having even one publication in a language can change people’s lives. In a Central Asian land where our work is restricted, the brochure What Does God Require of Us? has been given wide distribution. A young man obtained this brochure, read it on his own, and was so moved that he went to a nearby river and “baptized” himself. When he learned that he needed to have a Bible study, he readily complied and was soon baptized properly. He now spends much of his time sharing the good news with others.

PROGRESS IN BIBLE TRANSLATION

Jehovah’s Witnesses treasure God’s Word, the Bible, and highly value an accurate, clear translation. For this reason, God’s people now rejoice to have the New World Translation, in whole or in part, in over 70 languages. While the initial release of the Bible is thrilling, the use of it daily in personal study, at congregation meetings, and in the field ministry is what truly moves people’s hearts and shapes their thinking.

The branch office in Russia has been receiving many letters of appreciation for the complete Russian edition of the New World Translation. “Although I have read the Bible many times,” wrote one woman, “reading this translation is like reading the Bible for the first time! Sometimes my eyes fill with tears and a shiver of excitement runs down my spine as the Bible’s message touches my heart.”

The clarity of the translation caused another reader to say: “After reading Genesis chapter 18 today, I am moved to write you this letter. Abraham’s conversation with Jehovah, recorded in verses 23-32, touched me deeply. Although I am reading the Bible for the fifth time, this was the first time I had really thought about this conversation. I felt for Abraham and “listened” carefully to Jehovah and him. Jehovah’s attentiveness brought tears to my eyes. This translation made the situation come alive. I not only saw Jehovah’s qualities but also felt them personally.”

“Thank you for the complete New World Translation!” wrote Svetlana from Moscow. “At last we are no longer confused and lost in the ‘Old Testament’ because of having an old and incomprehensible translation! It is so simple!”

Another reader wrote: “At work I was speaking to my employee, Irina, about the truth. At first, I was just quoting scriptures. But when I opened my Bible to show her Jesus’ model prayer, she asked, ‘Is this the Our Father prayer?’ Upon reading Jesus’ words, her eyes sparkled with joy as she exclaimed: ‘How wonderful! It is stated so plainly! I have often heard this prayer but have never understood it. Here it is so clear and simple! I want a Bible like this. Get me one! Find me a Bible like this!’ I said, ‘We give a Bible only to people who have a genuine desire to read it.’ She responded seriously: ‘I never wanted to read the Bible before. Although I have had several Bibles in the past, I gave them all away, but now I genuinely want to read it!’”

A brother wrote about the Ukrainian New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures: “I wanted to express my gratitude for this wonderful gift from Jehovah and his organization. I am enjoying every page, and I carry this Bible with me everywhere. The language is simple and understandable. The words reach my heart and I can easily grasp the depth of the Bible teachings.”

The Serbian and Croatian editions have likewise been well received. “It is very easy to read,” wrote a Croatian sister, “and far easier to understand than the Bible we have been using for years. Scriptural counsel reaches my heart more easily, and I feel that I am getting to know Jehovah more than ever before.”

On November 2, 2007, Brother Geoffrey Jackson of the Governing Body released the Samoan edition of The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. Copies of the traditional Samoan Bible are rare and expensive, so brothers are very happy that Bibles are now readily available. After using the Bible for some months, one publisher stated, “The old Bible seems to bury thoughts, whereas the new Bible uncovers thoughts, making them clearer.”

One sister tells of a Bible study in which James 4:8 was cited in the study publication. “I suggested to the householder that although we know this scripture,” relates the conductor, “we should read it in the New World Translation. At first we thought we were reading the wrong scripture until we checked that we had the correct verse. The sister who accompanied me on the study said in a shocked voice, ‘The verse has changed.’ We could now clearly understand that ‘drawing close’ means we need to have a close relationship with Jehovah, a point that was not expressed in the traditional Bible. It really touched our hearts and made us want to build a close relationship with Jehovah.”

Some time after the release of the Chinese New World Translation, missionaries serving in Taiwan wrote: “We were able to present the New World Translation to a lawyer who likes reading our magazines regularly. He wanted to know why there was a need for a new translation. After we showed him just a few texts, he was very impressed and mentioned that this new translation is much easier to grasp than the Union Version Bible, which he had been reading.” They also presented the Bible to a member of Parliament, who left it in her office. A radio anchor who had been critical of Jehovah’s Witnesses saw the translation in her office, picked it up, and read a portion of it. He was so impressed that he telephoned the missionaries to request a copy of this translation for himself.

A Kirghiz sister who struggles with reading because of eye problems used to think Bible reading was a chore. However, having the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures in Kirghiz changed her mind. She now gets great satisfaction from her Bible reading because of the uncomplicated, clear translation.

“It is an excellent translation!” said another sister. “I do not stumble when I read it aloud. I want to read it over and over. It feels like I am learning the truth again.”

“I love the Gospel of Matthew in American Sign Language (ASL),” wrote a hearing-impaired sister to the Governing Body. “The Bible is alive and touches my heart now. I can see Jesus’ personality, facial expressions, kindness, and deep love for people. I love my ASL Matthew. But . . . can you speed up making the other ASL Bible books?”

Without a doubt, a properly translated Bible can lift the veil that obscures the meaning of God’s Word, letting the light of the true message shine through onto the heart of the reader. For this reason, those who yearn to draw close to their heavenly Father rejoice when the New World Translation becomes available in their mother tongue​—the language that speaks to their heart.

MORE WORKERS SENT INTO THE HARVEST

As a result of the simplification of branch operations, a number of United States Bethel family members have been invited to serve in other assignments. While some have been sent to foreign branches, several hundred have been assigned as special and regular pioneers throughout the country. How did they feel when they were reassigned? How have they coped with the challenges of a new assignment? How have the congregations benefited?

“For many years,” remember Todd and Leslie, “we had begged ‘the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.’ We just didn’t realize that we would be part of the answer! Now we can see that Jehovah’s hand is directing matters, and we feel it is a privilege that Christ has ‘considered us faithful by assigning us to a ministry.’”​—Matt. 9:37, 38; 1 Tim. 1:12.

Looking back at the first few months he and his wife spent in their new assignment, Franco recalls: “Little did my wife and I imagine how much of a need still existed in the United States. When we got to our assignment, we found a seemingly endless demand for Bible studies.” Expressing what many of these pioneers feel, Curtis and Karolynne said: “We are more than happy to take our places in the field! It is our opportunity to show Jehovah that we really meant it when we disowned ourselves and gave our lives to him by making our dedication.”

TRUSTING “THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST”

Naturally, being assigned to the field after years in Bethel created some concern. “Will we find affordable housing?” asked one couple, “and how will we make the transition from being a publisher to spending 120 or 130 hours a month in field service and be encouraging to the congregation?” How did they and others cope with their new circumstances?

Some found affordable housing on the last day they could search for accommodations in their new assignment. For example, a single sister, Jessica, visited her assignment and spent two futile weeks looking for housing. The day before she was to return to Bethel to pack her things, she was overjoyed when a local elder offered her a small house that she could rent for a modest amount.

Jeff and Cynthia mentioned to an apartment leasing manager that they were Jehovah’s Witnesses. “I know Jehovah’s Witnesses,” the manager exclaimed, “and I know I don’t have to worry about you. Jehovah guarantees your rent!”

“Experiences like ours remind us of the need always to rely on Jehovah,” said Eric and Melonie. “We see evidence of Jehovah’s working in our behalf every day. This has truly strengthened our faith.”

SUPPORTIVE CONGREGATIONS

The loving response of the congregations has greatly helped these pioneers to adjust to their new assignments. A circuit overseer reports that many congregations speak affectionately about “our special pioneers.” He adds, “The circuit as a whole opened their arms and hearts to them.” One local brother wrote appreciatively: “I would like to say, ‘Thank you,’ to the branch. What a blessing these pioneers are to us all!”

One congregation in Kansas had 100 territories that had not been worked for many months. Now, with the help of a special pioneer couple, most of the territory is being worked regularly. “We simply could never have imagined,” wrote the elders, “how beneficial this arrangement would be.”

While the congregations have been “a strengthening aid” to the pioneers, the local publishers themselves have benefited. (Col. 4:11) One circuit overseer reports, “The zeal and enthusiasm of the pioneers has really encouraged and stirred up our brothers and sisters.” Another traveling overseer wrote, “What is most noticeable about the special pioneers is their love and joy, which has rubbed off on others.”

One couple enjoyed helping ten inactive publishers to be reactivated. Also, the brothers who serve as elders are having a positive impact. “It is a relief to have such a balanced and trained brother in the congregation,” wrote an elder. “It is just what the congregation and the body of elders needed.”

“GOD’S FELLOW WORKERS”

Jehovah has blessed Kingdom preachers with many joyful experiences. Steve and Gaye, for example, went out in door-to-door activity one cold, wintry day. At their first door, they started a Bible study with a depressed elderly man. Within two weeks he attended a meeting at the Kingdom Hall, where they happened to mention how kind he had been to invite them in on their first visit. “I did not invite you in because I was nice,” he replied. “I invited you in because I knew you were coming. I had been praying for help for three days.” He is now attending the meetings regularly and is progressing toward baptism.

When Ray and Jill were driving along one morning, they saw a man walking on the other side of the road and decided to talk to him. They presented literature and offered the man a Bible study. He took magazines and explained that he used to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He had recently moved into the area and gladly accepted their offer to resume his Bible study.

All who continue to make sacrifices in Jehovah’s service know that ‘God is not unrighteous so as to forget their work and the love they showed for his name.’ (Heb. 6:10) Just as the human body has many parts that each supply what is needed, every member of the congregation can contribute something to its spiritual growth and beauty. “God has set the members in the [congregation], each one of them, just as he pleased,” and the cooperative effort of each member makes “all the other members rejoice.” (1 Cor. 12:18, 26) This harmonious cooperation among “God’s fellow workers” brings glory to Jehovah, who has “kept making it grow.”​—1 Cor. 3:6, 9.

LEGALLY ESTABLISHING THE GOOD NEWS

Jesus told his apostles: “You will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name.” (Matt. 10:22) True disciples could expect opposers ‘lyingly to say every sort of wicked thing against them for his sake.’ (Matt. 5:11) How have Christ’s modern-day disciples worked to ‘legally establish the good news’?​—Phil. 1:7.

Armenia

Between April 2007 and April 2008, customs officials in Armenia would not release the more than seven tons of Bibles and Bible literature being held unless exorbitant taxes were paid. Eventually, in April 2008, the first shipment of literature was released to the brothers after the taxes were paid under protest, while other shipments continue to be held. The brothers are taking legal steps to resolve this issue.

Kazakhstan

Two visiting brothers from the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who had come to provide spiritual refreshment to fellow worshippers in Kazakhstan, were arrested following a special meeting in Almaty. They were detained at the police station, interrogated, and then brought before an administrative court judge, who found them guilty of “missionary activity.” Although they were later released, efforts are under way to overturn the two brothers’ convictions. More recently, authorities have been raiding our brothers’ homes to disrupt gatherings for prayer and Bible study. Courts have suspended the religious activities of three legally registered congregations, and law-enforcement agencies have repeatedly disrupted theocratic activities in a region north of the Caspian Sea.

Tajikistan

The Religious Community of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Tajikistan was legally registered in 1994, allowing them to meet together for worship. However, on October 11, 2007, the ministry of culture issued a decision banning the worship of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The brothers are making an effort to prove to the authorities that Jehovah’s Witnesses are peace-loving people who pose no threat to public order.

Uzbekistan

The situation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Uzbekistan continues to deteriorate. Early in 2008, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses was sentenced to four years in a labor colony for practicing his faith. Others have been arrested, detained, convicted, and fined for violating legislation on religious organizations and regulations on teaching religious beliefs. Meetings have been raided, private homes searched, literature confiscated, and publishers detained. Many of our brothers and sisters have been abused verbally and physically by police officers.

A number of officials from this region have revealed that the local clergy are responsible for fomenting these dastardly acts. We continue to pray that the authorities will soon see how inappropriate their actions are and will allow our brothers and sisters to “go on leading a calm and quiet life with full godly devotion and seriousness.”​—1 Tim. 2:1, 2.

Greece

Two favorable high-court decisions were rendered in Greece in connection with the right of individuals to be recognized as conscientious objectors based on their religious convictions. Konstantinos Kotidis had served in the armed forces of the Soviet Union some years before moving to Greece and becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. When the authorities called Brother Kotidis up for military service, they refused to allow him to perform alternative civilian service. They asserted that because he had already served in the military, he had no basis to claim he was a conscientious objector. The Council of State, however, ruled that an individual who had performed military service and whose religious conscience later changed could thereafter be acknowledged as a conscientious objector and could be permitted to perform alternative civilian service.

In another case, Stylianos Ioannidis was denied employment in a public institution because he had been imprisoned as a conscientious objector and therefore had not completed his military obligations. The Council of State, though, ruled that when conscientious objectors have served their prison sentence, they have grounds for exemption from military service. The court also stated that their military status will also have been permanently settled and therefore be no hindrance to appointment in public service. This is the first time that the Council of State ruled on exactly the same grounds of freedom of religion as the European Court of Human Rights did in another case where one of Jehovah’s Witnesses was denied employment because he had been convicted as a conscientious objector.

Eritrea

Our brothers and sisters in Eritrea continue to face harsh and unjust treatment. The authorities are holding a number of Jehovah’s Witnesses in prison camps, some under extremely bad conditions. In July 2008, there were six new arrests of brothers, including some elders responsible for taking the lead in this country. Despite much effort and international appeals for relief, the government remains determined to oppose the worship of the true God, Jehovah.

South Korea

Progress is being made in South Korea, where the government has refused to recognize the basic human right of conscientious objection to military service. More than 13,000 of our brothers have served prison sentences over the past 50 years, and approximately 500 are currently incarcerated. Their resolve and Christian conduct have given an excellent witness to prison and government authorities, pleasing our God Jehovah. (1 Pet. 2:20) To date, 488 applications have been filed with the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations, which ruled favorably on two applications in 2006. In the meantime, our brothers hope that the government will follow through with its intention to enact a law that provides for acceptable alternative civilian service.

Rwanda

All teachers in Rwanda were required to attend a seminar in April 2008, including many who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. No exceptions were made for any who did not want to participate in activities that violated their Bible-trained conscience. As a result, some 215 Witnesses who refused to attend were discharged from their employment, and two sisters were imprisoned for several weeks. The seminar included political and military matters, and those who attended were ordered to participate in political activities and nationalistic ceremonies. Any who attempted to leave the seminar were prevented from doing so by the military. Since then, 90 children of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been expelled from school for refusing to sing the national anthem or salute the flag. We are confident that Jehovah will strengthen our brothers and sisters and their children to keep their integrity in the face of this recent wave of persecution.

Spain

The government in Spain approved a royal decree involving Jehovah’s Witnesses who are in special full-time service, such as members of the Bethel family and traveling overseers. The official notification recognized special full-time servants as “ordained ministers . . . who dedicate themselves exclusively to missionary or pastoral activity, to religious education or, additionally, to other necessary activities that serve to support the objectives of the religious confession.” This decree comes at a time when authorities in some lands question whether special full-time servants of Jehovah’s Witnesses are truly ministers entitled to benefits granted to ministers of other religious groups.

EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, France, Georgia, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine have a total of 24 applications pending before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France. The applications relate to basic human rights of citizens living under the jurisdiction of the European Convention on Human Rights, such as the right to refuse military service because of personal conscientious objection. Other applications involve persecution and discrimination on the basis of religion, deregistration or banning of a legal entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to organize the work, governmental interference in the right to assemble peacefully to worship, and a Witness parent’s right to raise her child as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Austria

A positive judgment was rendered by the ECHR on July 31, 2008, in the matter of Jehovah’s Witnesses v. Austria. The court held that Austria’s religious law violates Jehovah’s Witnesses’ right to freedom of worship by adhering to a two-tier system, creating a class of inferior religions and, consequently, a class of inferior citizens. This ruling comes after 30 years of effort by our brothers to obtain the status of a recognized religious society in Austria. The court ruled: “[A lengthy waiting period] hardly appears justified in respect of religious groups with a long-standing existence internationally that are also long established in the country and therefore familiar to the competent authorities, as is the case with the Jehovah’s Witnesses.” The Austrian government is now required to adjust the present legal situation, which could allow our brothers to enjoy the same rights as major religious groups in Austria.

Azerbaijan

In November 2007 an application was filed with the ECHR alleging violation by the police of our right to freedom of worship. Even though Jehovah’s Witnesses are legally registered in Azerbaijan, there has been a disturbing increase in arrests and mistreatment of our brothers. Large groups of armed policemen have raided peaceful meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, confiscating literature and private property, arresting and detaining those in attendance, and verbally abusing and physically assaulting brothers and sisters. Because the police raids have continued, the court has acknowledged the urgency of the situation and has expedited its review of the matter. We are hopeful that our brothers will soon be allowed to gather peacefully without fear of police interference.

France

In February 2005 an application was filed with the ECHR regarding the French government’s unjust and illegal taxation against the Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses in France. We are still waiting to see whether the court will agree to consider the case. In the meantime, opposers have fomented such mischaracterization of our beliefs that some 70 incidents of vandalism to Kingdom Halls have occurred during the past year. Nevertheless, the brothers in France remain hopeful that the court will soon decide that the government has acted in a discriminatory manner, thus providing relief for Jehovah’s Witnesses in this country.

Russia

In December 2001, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia filed an application with the ECHR complaining of repeated criminal and civil prosecutions against the religious community of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In June 2004, the Moscow City Court upheld the decision of a lower court to ban the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Moscow and to liquidate their legal entity. For the most part, the brothers in Moscow are still able to gather together for worship and share in preaching the good news of the Kingdom. However, in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia, there have been numerous incidents of official interference with meetings and assemblies, as well as other acts of mistreatment against our brothers and sisters. For example, in July, in the town of Chekhov, some 40 miles [60 km] south of Moscow, arsonists destroyed a Kingdom Hall. Although the fire station was called immediately, eyewitnesses report that firefighters did little to control the fire, and police have thus far refused to begin an investigation. Despite the hardships and opposition, our brothers and sisters in Russia remain faithful and look to Jehovah for support.

Jehovah promises that no weapon formed against his servants will succeed. (Isa. 54:17) Even the most adverse circumstances can result in “the advancement of the good news.” God’s servants are resolved, therefore, to continue “standing firm in one spirit, with one soul striving side by side for the faith of the good news, and in no respect being frightened by [their] opponents.” (Phil. 1:12, 16, 18, 27, 28) Please “carry on prayer” for our brothers and sisters throughout the earth as they put their trust in Jehovah, their “stronghold and the Provider of escape.”​—2 Thess. 3:1; Ps. 18:2.

BRANCH DEDICATIONS

There was much rejoicing at the South Africa branch on Saturday, November 10, 2007, when about 4,000 brothers and sisters assembled for the dedication of an enlarged printery, dining room, and residence.

Visitors to the extended printery were thrilled to see the MAN Roland Lithoman printing press turning out Bibles and pieces of Bible literature by the tens of thousands. The new bookbindery has already produced over a million copies of the New World Translation in 16 African languages. Guests were shown the enlarged shipping facilities, where the branch stores Bible literature used by almost 8,000 congregations in ten countries in southern Africa.

On June 7, 2008, an extension of the branch facilities in Nigeria was dedicated in Lagos, 220 miles [360 km] southwest of the Bethel complex in Igieduma. The Lagos office consists of a 24-room residence, a warehouse, and an office building. Many branch matters are handled in Lagos, the country’s economic capital. The new facilities provide accommodations for Bethelites who collect consignments at the port and purchase supplies for the branch, as well as for others arriving and departing from the airport. The Lagos office also serves as a temporary location for the Ministerial Training School until construction on the branch expansion at Igieduma is completed. Truly, Jehovah’s blessing is evident on the preaching work in Africa, as it is earth wide.

EQUIPPED TO DO GOD’S WILL

How thankful we are to Jehovah that he has equipped us “with every good thing to do his will, performing in us through Jesus Christ that which is well-pleasing in his sight.” (Heb. 13:21) Because Jehovah has proved that he is the one who can “do more than superabundantly beyond all the things we ask or conceive,” we wholeheartedly proclaim: “To him be the glory by means of the congregation and by means of Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.”​—Eph. 3:20, 21.

[Box on page 25]

Registering a Religion​—Why and How?

The registration of a religion varies from country to country. Some countries, such as Armenia and Azerbaijan, have specific laws that allow a religious association to apply for legal registration and recognition. If the application is granted, the religious association will be recognized as an official religion in that country. In other countries, there are two classes of registration. The first class is reserved for mainstream religions. This classification brings many advantages, including tax exemptions. The second class is usually reserved for smaller, newer, and nontraditional religious groups.

Other countries, such as Georgia and the United States of America, have no specific legislation for the registration of religions. In such cases, the constitution provides freedom of religion for all. While there is no formal recognition of individual religious groups, a group can apply to register a legal entity. If successful, the group can then use that legal entity to carry out their activities, which may include printing and publishing as well as owning property.

[Map on page 21]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

AUSTRIA

FRANCE

SPAIN

GREECE

ERITREA

RWANDA

ARMENIA

AZERBAIJAN

RUSSIA

KAZAKHSTAN

UZBEKISTAN

TAJIKISTAN

SOUTH KOREA

[Picture on page 11]

The Luo-speaking Siaya Congregation

[Picture on page 13]

In whole or in part, the “New World Translation” is available in over 70 languages

[Picture on page 22]

Konstantinos Kotidis

[Picture on page 22]

Stylianos Ioannidis

[Picture on page 29]

New residence in Lagos, Nigeria

[Picture on page 29]

Printery, South Africa branch

Preaching and Teaching Earth Wide​—2008 Grand Totals

EACH year, we read in this publication about the efforts being made to help people come to know and love Jehovah God. The scope and scale of this work is unprecedented. No organization could possibly afford to pay millions of people to proclaim any message to such a vast, international audience. Yet, in their work of Bible education, Jehovah’s Witnesses desire no financial reward. They adhere to the instruction Jesus gave to his disciples nearly two thousand years ago: “You received free, give free.” (Matt. 10:8) As you meditate on what has been accomplished in the past service year, pause to consider that it has been done by those who unselfishly and freely give because they are motivated to respond to God’s love.

2008 Grand Totals

Branches of Jehovah’s Witnesses: 115

Number of Lands Reporting: 236

Total Congregations: 103,267

Worldwide Memorial Attendance: 17,790,631

Memorial Partakers Worldwide: 9,986

Peak of Publishers in Kingdom Service: 7,124,443

Average Publishers Preaching Each Month: 6,829,455

Percentage of Increase Over 2007: 2.1

Total Number Baptized: 289,678

Average Auxiliary Pioneer Publishers Each Month: 321,986

Average Pioneer Publishers Each Month: 732,912

Total Hours Spent in Field: 1,488,658,249

Average Home Bible Studies Each Month: 7,133,760

During the 2008 service year, Jehovah’s Witnesses spent over $141 million in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments.

◼ Worldwide, a total of 19,820 ordained ministers staff the branch facilities. All are members of the Worldwide Order of Special Full-Time Servants of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

[Chart on page 32-39]

2008 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE

(See publication)

[Maps on page 40-42]

(See publication)

Preaching and Teaching Earth Wide

AFRICA

LANDS 57

POPULATION 848,582,269

PUBLISHERS 1,122,493

BIBLE STUDIES 2,202,217

Rwanda

While returning home from school, a nine-year-old girl found a large amount of money in a small bag on the road. Her family, who were studying the Bible with the Witnesses, decided to apply what they had learned from the Bible. So they searched for the owner and returned the money. The owner asked the girl, “If I gave you some money as a reward for your honesty, what would you do with it?”

“I would buy a Bible,” the girl replied.

Surprised, the man said, “I thought you would buy some clothes or shoes because I can see that those you are wearing are very old.” The girl insisted that she would prefer to have a Bible. The man wanted to know why the family did not keep the money. After learning that they were studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses, he purchased two Bibles, one for the girl and one for his own family. He also arranged for the Witnesses to visit his family to study the Bible with them. Both families are making good spiritual progress.

Central African Republic

With Jehovah’s help, Theodora was able to overcome her extreme timidity. Although raised in a Christian home, she rarely attended meetings at the Kingdom Hall because of her shyness. When she did start to attend, she sat alone, never speaking to anyone and leaving right after the closing song and prayer. Soon she was always at the hall but rarely reached out to shake the hands of those coming to greet her. In time, she started answering at meetings and began approaching others there to greet them. Participation in the field ministry was a big step for her. When the neighborhood girls mocked her, Theodora wanted to stop preaching, but she took the matter to Jehovah in prayer, asking for his strength. Now she is a baptized sister, auxiliary pioneering and giving fine comments at the meetings. She conducts four Bible studies, including one with a neighbor who used to mock her.

Madagascar

A circuit overseer and his wife were traveling to a congregation in the countryside. On the way, they encountered a group of cattle thieves armed with axes and spears. After silently praying for courage, the circuit overseer’s wife offered them the tract Life in a Peaceful New World. She said: “Today, we live in fear. However, God will soon destroy the wicked and establish a new world where peace will prevail.” One of the men listened attentively and accepted the tract.

At an assembly a year later, a man approached her and asked if she remembered him. He stated that he was with the thieves she had met on the muddy road and that he was the one who had accepted the tract. Then he explained: “We were returning from a raid when we met you. What you said made me think. I said to myself: ‘We are not afraid of policemen and soldiers because we can escape from them. But how can I escape from God if he is going to destroy the wicked ones?’ So I decided to make more inquiries. Back home I visited a neighbor who was studying the Bible with a special pioneer. I agreed to study the Bible with him too, and now I am going to be baptized at this assembly.”

Mozambique

In 1992, Madalena, who was just over 30 years of age, was involved in an automobile accident that left her a paraplegic. After that, she rarely left the house. Three years later, Witnesses spoke to her father outside their home. He was the leader of a traditional religious group, which met in his backyard. Madalena, hearing the conversation and that the brothers asked about her, invited them to come inside. How touched she was that they were sincerely interested in her! She accepted a Bible study and showed a keen interest in what she learned. Seeing her zeal, the Witnesses assisted her in many practical ways, including helping her get to the meetings. With this help Madalena was able to symbolize her dedication to Jehovah in 2002.

Madalena’s parents were deeply impressed with the care the Witnesses gave their daughter. Her mother began to attend meetings and abandoned her husband’s religion. At first, Madalena’s father said that he would never leave his religion, but in time he also started attending meetings. His parishioners put pressure on him to stop​—after all he was their leader! Nevertheless, he took his stand, burning all his religious paraphernalia. In 2007 he and his wife were baptized. The whole family is doing well spiritually.

Zimbabwe

Decibel, who is nine years old, preaches to her classmates and teachers. One day she noticed that her teacher looked miserable, so Decibel approached her and asked if there was something making her unhappy. The teacher replied that her sister had lost a child in death. Decibel promised to bring the teacher something that would comfort her. She obtained the brochure When Someone You Love Dies from her parents and brought it the following day. The teacher read a few paragraphs from the brochure and cried out for joy. Later, she wrote a note to Decibel’s parents thanking them for the training they had given their daughter and the comfort Decibel had given her during her time of distress.

Ghana

Abigail, who was living in southern Ghana with her Presbyterian grandparents, had been taught that Jehovah’s Witnesses are false prophets. Upon learning that her parents, who were living in another part of the country, were studying with the Witnesses, she became disturbed and wrote to persuade them to stop their study. Since the letter did not yield the desired result, she traveled over 600 miles [1,000 km] to meet with them. Abigail was shocked to learn from her own Bible that hell is not a place where the wicked are tormented. She started studying the Bible and attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall with her parents and then became an unbaptized publisher. Abigail was baptized at a recent circuit assembly.

THE AMERICAS

LANDS 55

POPULATION 898,130,531

PUBLISHERS 3,449,038

BIBLE STUDIES 3,548,101

Dominica

On this island many women wash their laundry along the riverbanks, drying it on large boulders and stones. One of the women noticed a familiar object floating in the shallow water near the place where she did her wash. She recognized it as the publication she studied each week with one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After placing it on a nearby rock to dry, she continued her washing.

Later in the day, when she collected her dry clothes, she forgot the book. However, some fishermen returning from the sea saw the gold-colored book, and one of them retrieved it. Impressed by the title What Does the Bible Really Teach? he began to read it. Later, while calling on people in his village, two pioneer sisters met him. He explained to them that only 144,000 will go to heaven and that God’s Kingdom was born in 1914. He also said that soon the earth will be made into a paradise. When they asked him how he knew these things, he explained how he had found the book, adding that he reads it every day. He showed them the book​—now dry but swollen.

One of the pioneers realized that this was the book her Bible student had retrieved from the river. A Bible study was started with the fisherman. He looks forward to the discussions each week and is making good progress.

Bolivia

Preaching in the Amazon region of Bolivia is both challenging and rewarding. A group of ten pioneer brothers and sisters​—squeezed into a small outboard motorboat packed with tents, cooking pots, and many boxes of Bible literature—​traveled about 500 miles [800 km] on the Beni River from Rurrenabaque to Riberalta. They visited more than 70 isolated communities and placed over 800 books as well as brochures and tracts. They demonstrated about 700 Bible studies to interested people and returned to conduct studies with more than 200 of them. When the Witnesses were leaving the villages, a comment they often heard from people was, “Can you stay and study with us just a little more?” In one small town, a man was very insistent and was upset that the Witnesses were leaving, because he wanted to keep studying with them. He said: “You have cut down the tree. Now you need to carve and polish it.”

Canada

For many years Normand has worked in a metal refinery located in Montreal. During his work break, he regularly read the booklet Examining the Scriptures Daily in the cafeteria. His workmates saw him reading it, and some accepted his invitation to discuss the daily text. During these brief discussions, Normand particularly endeavored to apply the material to family life and human relations. A member of the management staff also attended a discussion and later called Normand into his office to commend him, saying that the discussions would have a positive effect on the lives of the employees and would promote better relationships.

When the number attending these discussions grew to over 30, management asked Normand to organize smaller groups in different locations in the refinery. He says: “At present, I am conducting three groups each day, which my workmates call daily reminders. They enjoy these discussions so much that when I am absent, one of them conducts in my place. Then, when I return, they question me on what they did not understand.” Normand has been able to help his workmates reflect on a Bible verse daily for the last five years. As a result, among his coworkers and their family members, over 40 have accepted the truth.

Barbados

Sister Barker, 89 years of age, wanted to start a Bible study. Because of her physical condition, she is unable to go from door to door, so she tried telephone witnessing​—without any success. Encouraged by a meeting part on prayer, she began to supplicate Jehovah for assistance in starting a Bible study. A few days later, armed with her Bible and magazines and determined to witness to anyone who passed by, she stood in front of her house, even though it is not on a busy street. She offered magazines to a man on his way home from work. A week later, while in front of her house again, she met the same man. Since he had shown some interest in the magazines she placed with him, she offered him the Bible Teach book as well as an invitation to study the Bible. Much to her delight, he accepted the offer. She had her first study with him toward the end of March 2008. She later found out that he did not live far from her home. Within a few weeks, he started to attend the meetings. The sister said, “I know Jehovah does answer prayers, but I didn’t think it would be so soon!”

Chile

When a pioneer sister in Santiago got out of a taxi in the downtown area of her territory, she inadvertently left her magazine folder on the backseat. The folder contained quite a few magazines in addition to her copy of Our Kingdom Ministry, which had her name written on it. Thanks to that, two days later the taxi driver was able to locate the sister with the help of other Witnesses he saw preaching in the area. When he returned the magazine folder to the pioneer, it contained only her copy of the Kingdom Ministry. The magazines were gone. He apologized, explaining that his various passengers had leafed through the magazines and asked if they could keep one. In a single day, the magazines had all placed themselves!

Nicaragua

Ernesto, who had been a captain of the army’s special troops, was living in a small town near the Caribbean Coast. Jairo, a special pioneer who had come from another part of the country to preach there, met Ernesto while working from house to house and offered him a home Bible study. Though this former soldier refused, Jairo persisted, and eventually his offer was accepted. In the course of their conversations, Jairo revealed that his father had been the commander of the counterrevolutionary army fighting against the government troops in a nearby area but that he had died in a battle. Ernesto continued with his study and began to progress, all the while keeping a secret from his Bible teacher, which he eventually just had to reveal. With profound sadness, he explained to Jairo that he had been in command of the platoon that had captured Jairo’s father alive and that he had personally been responsible for the father’s death. Jairo, of course, was shocked, but he knew it to be true because the frightful details that Ernesto recounted coincided with what he had previously been told by his father’s fellow soldiers. Ernesto thought that their friendship would end right there. But rather than harbor hatred for his student, Jairo continued studying with him. Ernesto progressed and got baptized, along with his wife. He and Jairo remain friends to this day.

Venezuela

In the west of the country, brothers from the town of Machiques were preaching in seldom-worked indigenous territory near the Colombian border. Everybody listened! The head of the Yukpa community granted permission for the Memorial to be held for the first time in this area. Neighbors and also the local school provided chairs, and more than 200 attended. After the meeting concluded, the chief respectfully spoke on behalf of the community: “We wish to thank Jehovah’s Witnesses. We hope that this will not be the last time you come. You teach us the truth, and you are most welcome!” Over 50 are now having a weekly home Bible study.

ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

LANDS 47

POPULATION 4,026,656,360

PUBLISHERS 618,088

BIBLE STUDIES 538,957

Taiwan

A sister writes: “I was delighted to meet my half brother, whom I had never met before because he and his family live in a distant location and travel there is almost impossible. Naturally, my father and the rest of our family were delighted to hear that my half brother and his family were making a great effort to visit us. As their home is in an area where there are no Witnesses, my hope was that they would accept the good news. How pleased I was when my half brother’s wife and daughter showed interest in the Bible! However, how could I possibly help them learn more of Jehovah’s purposes when they returned to their isolated home? I discovered that they had a computer and access to the Internet. My husband and I invested in Webcam equipment, and after they returned to their home, we continued our Bible study by this means. To my amazement, this method of conducting a study works wonderfully. We can see their response as they read from their own copy of the Bible and from the book we are studying. This helps me to understand what I need to do to help them. We are thankful that we can use this technology, which makes it possible to share the truth with relatives whom we could otherwise not reach.”

Nepal

Purnamaya, who is 16 years old, lives in a small town in Nepal. Her uncle witnessed to her, and a study was started. Now, although it is a two-and-a-half-hour bus ride to the congregation, she faithfully attends the meetings once a week. It is not easy for her. Both of her parents are lepers, so they are very poor. Early in the morning, Purnamaya cracks stones to make gravel in order to help support her family financially, besides doing household chores such as cooking and washing. In addition, she goes to school. The bus fare to get to meetings is the equivalent of a day’s wage for a working person. At times, her parents try to encourage her to go to a local church instead. But Purnamaya knows she can learn about Jehovah only at the Kingdom Hall, so she does what she can to attend. Recently this meant selling her watch, a gift from her grandmother. She not only comments well at meetings but also shares what she learns with the people of her town. She is a source of encouragement to all who know her.

Malaysia

During British colonial rule, laborers by the thousands were brought to Malaysia to work in the rubber plantations. They were housed in villages within the plantations, and many of the villages still exist. A good number of these villages are hard to reach and are not shown on maps. While working unassigned territory, one congregation managed to locate a village in a rubber plantation. Two young lads in their late teens, who had already taken some magazines, showed great interest in the brothers’ preaching activity. They approached the brothers and offered to lead the way to other villages. Unlike the brothers, they knew the territory very well. They got on their motorbikes and led the cars through the plantations along muddy trails and dirt roads, traveling up to 45 minutes between villages. They guided the brothers to plantations never before visited by Witnesses. While the brothers preached, the two young lads urged the villagers to take the magazines and to make sure that they read them. In all, they led the brothers to three isolated villages. In no small part because of the unselfish help of the young lads, a grand witness was given to people who have never had an opportunity to hear the good news. Over the weekend the 50 publishers from this congregation placed over 5,000 magazines.

EUROPE

LANDS 47

POPULATION 733,775,190

PUBLISHERS 1,542,507

BIBLE STUDIES 789,219

Russia

Tatyana suffers from cancer of the brain. After a serious operation a few years ago, she was placed in a ward for patients who had little hope of recovery. An Orthodox priest visited the ward so that the patients could confess their sins before they died. Tatyana noticed that one woman in the ward mustered up the strength to give the priest some money. After he left, Tatyana asked the woman if she felt any better. “No,” the woman answered dejectedly, “I didn’t understand a thing he said.” Then Tatyana shared the good news about the resurrection hope with her. The woman thanked Tatyana and said, “Now I do feel better!” The manager of the clinic heard about what had happened and told the priest not to come again. Instead, Tatyana was placed in a separate ward so that she could talk with others. The clinic’s manager also asked for the address where Jehovah’s Witnesses hold their meetings. Before being hospitalized, Tatyana had asked Jehovah to give her strength to continue preaching. She is convinced that Jehovah answered her prayer. That month she reported more than 100 hours! Although her condition has worsened since then and she cannot leave her home, she continues to receive visits from those she witnessed to during her frequent trips to the hospital.

Georgia

Two temporary special pioneer sisters were assigned to serve in an area where none of Jehovah’s Witnesses lived. As they explored their new territory, they got lost. Trudging through knee-deep snow and trying to find the road home, they became weary and cold. Finally, they noticed footprints leading to a house and called out. Khatuna, a young woman, came out of the gate and immediately invited them into the warm house, for which they were thankful. After establishing that the two were Jehovah’s Witnesses, Khatuna explained that during the time the sisters were wandering around in the snow, lost, she and her family were praying together asking God to show them the truth. A few minutes later, the two pioneers approached their house. Khatuna said that this was indeed an answer to their prayer! Today, four members of this family are studying the Bible, and two of them​—Khatuna and her mother-in-law—​are unbaptized publishers.

Britain

Reston, who had never used the direct approach to start Bible studies, decided to try it. Before knocking at the first door, he prayed briefly, asking Jehovah to help him be positive. Then he offered a Bible study directly to the householder, Andy, who accepted right away. Reston determined to bring him a copy of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? later that day. On his way there by bus, Reston noticed that the driver was a man to whom he regularly delivered copies of The Watchtower and Awake! Encouraged by Andy’s response that morning, he decided to offer the driver a free Bible study as soon as the bus reached its destination.

Meanwhile, an elderly passenger on the bus recognized Reston as a Witness and asked him to visit her sick friend to pray for her. Reston said that he would be happy to speak to her and pass on comfort from the Bible. Using the only copy of the Bible Teach book he had with him, he demonstrated to the passenger how a Bible study would help. This woman said that she wanted to have such a study. A young man sitting across from them listened to this conversation. He was interested in the pictures in the book. So Reston gladly gave him the book. When the bus reached its destination, Reston offered the driver a free home Bible study. To his surprise, the driver eagerly accepted and said that he had many questions about the Bible. Reston quickly visited a brother’s home nearby to get another copy of the Bible Teach book and finally arrived at Andy’s house later in the evening. Andy readily took the book. A Bible study was started, and Andy was soon applying what he learned. Andy and the bus driver are attending meetings, and Reston conducts 15 Bible studies, all started using the direct approach. He now makes sure that he has several copies of the Bible Teach book with him when he witnesses.

François and Monica, together with their two children, returned to their car after a morning spent in field service. However, their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Shaé, did not want to get into the car until she had given her last tract to someone. Just then, a car pulled up across the road, and two women got out. Shaé happily gave one of them her tract, Life in a Peaceful New World, and Monica explained what it was about. The woman, named Sierra, expressed interest and invited Monica to her home to study the Bible with her two teenage sisters. At the first study, Sierra asked if her two sons could also have a Bible study. Later, Sierra’s nephew joined in. Sierra sat in on all these studies and asked many questions. Finally, she too agreed to have her own study. Then her husband did the same. Next, Sierra’s mother, followed by other members of the family as well as friends, requested a Bible study. Shaé’s determination to give out her last tract resulted in 11 Bible studies. Four of the students are regularly attending congregation meetings.

Italy

Jennifer is in the Milan Russian Congregation. She had spoken several times on the phone with a Ukrainian woman named Valentina but had never met her. One day, they made an appointment to meet at a subway station. So that Jennifer would recognize her, Valentina told Jennifer she would be wearing a red jacket. Jennifer arrived at the station and spotted a woman in a red jacket who was obviously looking for someone. Jennifer approached her and said, “Hello, are you Valentina?” The woman said she was, so Jennifer continued, “Well, I’m Jennifer.” But there was no reply. A bit confused, Jennifer asked, “You are waiting for me, aren’t you?”

“No,” the woman replied. It turned out that she was Ukrainian, her name was Valentina, and she was wearing a red jacket; but she was waiting to meet someone else! Jennifer laughed and explained the situation. She also offered to share a point with her from the Bible, which she had prepared for the other Valentina. Valentina agreed and listened with interest. Afterward, she showed Jennifer a piece of paper on which she had copied the text of Psalm 91 by hand, explaining that she loved the Bible. Jennifer started a Bible study with this Valentina. And the other Valentina? Later, Jennifer met her, and she too began to study the Bible.

Romania

A brother visited an acquaintance and discussed Scriptural matters with him and his wife. They were especially interested in hearing what the Bible teaches about the relationship between husband and wife, but they were hardly able to find time for Bible discussions. The couple valued a healthful lifestyle, and the husband had a routine of jogging five miles every day. After several attempts to continue the Scriptural discussions, the brother decided to ask the man if he could accompany him jogging. The man gladly agreed. However, the brother had no training and soon realized that witnessing and jogging at the same time is exhausting! “I managed to preach,” the brother said, “in sportswear and without a Bible in my hand, quoting verses from memory.” After several jogging sessions, this couple’s interest increased, and a regular home Bible study was started with them. Now the man is an unbaptized publisher. He is zealous in the field ministry and is enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry School together with his son and his daughter.

OCEANIA

LANDS 30

POPULATION 37,545,115

PUBLISHERS 97,329

BIBLE STUDIES 55,266

Australia

A pioneer brother writes: “A medical doctor named Pam requested that I call regularly with the latest issues of the magazines. She has a busy schedule, and I only found her home once in six months, so I regularly left the magazines under her door with a friendly note attached. After seven months of trying to meet with her, I left the magazines under her door with an invitation to the upcoming district convention. I also left my contact number but never heard back. In November, after the convention, I called again and found a note on the door from Pam.

“Pam wrote that she enjoys the magazines very much and that she passes them on to her workmates. In turn, they pass them on to their patients in the hospital. She then said how much she enjoyed the ‘get-together.’ She had read the invitation to the convention and had taken three days off work to attend. She explained that she had photocopied the invitation and placed copies in her fellow workers’ pigeonholes with a note asking them to call her if they were interested in coming. By the end of the week, 16 of her colleagues​—all doctors—​also arranged to take the three days off work to attend. All of these 17 interested ones attended the three days of the convention as a result of one invitation left under the door! Pam is now having a regular study in the Bible Teach book and has organized group discussions with all those who attended the convention.”

Another brother relates: “While passing a house where the Witnesses had been asked not to call, I noticed a man and woman on the veranda, upset and crying. I felt I could not go past them when they were obviously in need of some help, so I approached them and asked if there was anything I could do. The couple invited me into their home and began to pour out their hearts. They had not seen their daughter for three years. The wife was due for a cancer operation, and she was not sure if she would survive. She feared that she might never see her daughter again. A few days earlier, they had appealed to the pastor of their charismatic church to assist them, but he did not take the situation seriously and did nothing. I offered some Scriptural thoughts regarding Jehovah being near to the ones broken in heart.

“After about an hour, a knock came at the door. I first thought it was the pastor of the church. However, standing at the door was a well-dressed young woman. It was the long-lost daughter! It was a highly emotional moment, so I suggested that it might be best for me to leave. But the daughter surprised me by saying that she preferred that I stay as she had something to tell her parents. She explained that she had fallen into drinking and drugs and was ruining her life but that a study of the Bible had caused her to return home and reestablish contact with her parents. Recently, she had been baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

Some days later the pastor called and was told that the daughter had returned because she had become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He walked out of the house without saying a word. As he was leaving, the husband called out and invited him to pick up a letter on the table​—a letter of resignation from the church.

Papua New Guinea

A group of 23 brothers and sisters set out to witness in seldom-worked territory. The trip, made on foot, was difficult, as it involved climbing mountains and crossing rivers. In one village a sister met an Anglican minister who was delighted to hear an explanation of Daniel 2:44. He told the sister, “We are like lost sheep here.” He accepted magazines and brochures and also asked for a Bible.

Three days later, in another village, two sisters talked to two young women who were happy to hear the Kingdom message. When their father returned from his garden the same afternoon, they told him what they had learned from the Bible. Their father said he wanted to hear this wonderful message for himself. He arranged to see all the brothers and sisters at the hut where they were staying. As the man was a leader of the village, he arranged for food to be cooked and sent to the brothers. Later in the evening, he arrived carrying his lamp, accompanied by other villagers. They said, “We were surprised to see you, since this is the first time Jehovah’s Witnesses have come to our village.” They were shown Matthew 24:14 as the reason for the visit. The blessings of the Kingdom were explained, and literature was left.

On the fifth day of their trek, the brothers arrived in a village at about one in the afternoon. Thinking they were going to spend the night, the villagers started to prepare an open-sided shelter for the brothers to sleep in. However, the brothers explained that they wanted to talk to everybody and leave that same day. A good witness was given to all the villagers, including the leader, who accepted literature and in return gave the brothers coconuts, bananas, and papayas.

Fiji

In a rural area, pioneers conduct their ministry on foot, traveling on roads that are either dusty or muddy. Nagamma and her daughter, Reshma, who are regular pioneers, invited Ushla, a blind sister, to accompany them and pioneer for a month. They would walk, one on each side of her, for many miles every day. A family sitting on their porch one humid day watched as the three sisters negotiated the puddles on the muddy road. They then saw the blind sister step in a puddle and splash mud on her leg. The sisters stopped to wipe her leg clean. Unable to control his curiosity, the father of the family called the sisters over. He said: “Every day we see you three walking. Where are you going?” They explained that they were going to conduct a Bible study. In response, he said that if their message was so important that they would walk that far to teach it to people, he wanted to hear it too! A study was started with this family.

Guam

Liza, a young woman from the Philippines, worked as a live-in maid on the island of Tinian. Often when Jehovah’s Witnesses called at the house, she asked for the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Though she said that she liked the magazines, she was actually using them to light the fire.

In the spring of 2007, Liza lost her job, and since she had no place to stay, she slept on the beach. One day she walked by the local Kingdom Hall, where two sisters were sitting outside in the shade. They invited Liza over to eat mangoes, and she joined them in friendly conversation. The next day as she walked past the Kingdom Hall, the sisters spoke to her again, and during the conversation she said, “I hope one day I can come to your church.” Although the sisters felt a little embarrassed that they had not invited her already, they encouraged her to attend the meeting that night. She accepted their invitation, hoping that the Witnesses would help her to find work.

During the meeting Liza was impressed by the sincerity of the brothers and sisters and their concern for people. This moved Liza to tears, as she realized that her reason for coming to the meeting had been a selfish one. She also recalled all the magazines she had burned. Because the love shown by the brothers and sisters touched her heart, from that time on, she attended every meeting and studied the Bible regularly. She found work, qualified as a publisher, and was baptized in February 2008.

[Picture on page 45]

Madalena

[Picture on page 48]

Enjoying the “Watchtower” Study on a motorboat

[Picture on page 50]

Sister Barker waiting patiently to preach to those passing by

[Picture on page 53]

Purnamaya making gravel to help support her family

[Picture on page 54]

Witnessing to an Indian woman at a rubber plantation

[Picture on page 57]

Reston studying with Andy

[Picture on page 58]

Shaé

[Picture on page 63]

Nagamma and Reshma assisting Ushla

Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times

Samoa

This chronicle of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the “Cradle of Polynesia” is one of godly devotion and courageous loyalty. Discover what it is like to preach in tropical communities that are well-versed in the Bible and so religious that they have a unique vocabulary when speaking to or about God. You will meet Witnesses who have overcome seemingly insurmountable health problems to continue serving Jehovah. Read about a family that walked 14 miles [22 km] over a mountain range to attend meetings, and find out why some village children used to call out, “Here comes Armageddon!”

Lands of the Former Yugoslavia

From a region where ethnic and religious differences have spawned bloodshed and hatred, there emerges a remarkable story of faith and courage. Describing a group of Witnesses trapped in a city that endured one of the longest sieges in modern history, a brother relates: “Though we came from Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian backgrounds​—the same three groups that were killing one another outside—​we were united in pure worship.” When you read this report, your faith will be strengthened as you see how the brothers kept integrity both in times of peace and in times of war.

Samoa

LOCATED about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, the alluring Samoan islands sparkle in the warm blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Born of volcanic violence and arrayed with cloud-capped peaks, lush tropical forests, and palm-fringed beaches, they are gems of exquisite beauty. Shimmering lagoons nurture a marine paradise, with some 200 varieties of coral and up to 900 species of fish. Little wonder that these frangipani-scented islands were described by early European missionaries as among the most beautiful they had seen in the South Pacific!

It seems that some ten centuries before Christ, the Lapita people became the first to settle in the Samoan islands.a Bold explorers and master navigators, these earliest Polynesians evidently migrated into the Pacific from southeast Asia. Following the sea winds and currents, they sailed huge double-hulled canoes over greater areas of ocean than had any people before them. Deep in the heart of the South Pacific, they discovered a small group of islands that they named Samoa.

Over the centuries their descendants spread eastward across the Pacific to Tahiti, then to Hawaii to the north, New Zealand to the southwest, and Easter Island to the southeast. Today, this vast triangular region is called Polynesia, meaning “Many Islands,” and its inhabitants are called Polynesians. Samoa is therefore spoken of as the “Cradle of Polynesia.”

In modern times a more significant wave of intrepid Samoans has been on the move. Like their oceangoing ancestors, they have been reaching out for a better life. Rather than making a geographic expedition, however, these Samoans have been on a “voyage” from spiritual darkness to spiritual light. Theirs has been a quest for the form of worship approved by the true God, Jehovah.​—John 4:23.

This account tells the story of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Samoa,b American Samoa, and Tokelau. In 1962, Western Samoa became an independent nation, and American Samoa is under U.S. territorial control. Thus, the Samoan islands are divided into two separate parts​—Samoa and American Samoa.

THE LIGHT OF TRUTH ARRIVES

The good news of God’s Kingdom first reached Samoa in 1931 when a visitor placed more than 470 books and booklets with interested people throughout the island group. That visitor was likely Sydney Shepherd, a zealous Witness who sailed through parts of Polynesia about that time spreading the good news.

Seven years later the Kingdom message reached American Samoa when J. F. Rutherford, from the headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brooklyn, New York, stopped at the island of Tutuila when traveling by ship from Australia to the United States. During that brief stopover, Rutherford and his party seized the opportunity to distribute literature throughout the harbor town of Pago Pago.

Two years later, in 1940, Harold Gill, who had pioneered throughout the Asia-Pacific region, arrived in American Samoa. With him he brought 3,500 copies of the booklet Where Are the Dead? the first publication translated into Samoan by Jehovah’s Witnesses.c

Harold then crossed over to the island of Upolu, Samoa, a journey of between eight and ten hours by boat. “Word must have gone ahead though,” he later wrote, “for on my arrival a policeman told me that I was not allowed ashore. I produced my passport and read to him the rather glorious preamble that requests all concerned to allow His Britannic Majesty’s subject ‘to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford him every assistance and protection.’ That gained me an interview with the Governor, who allowed me to stay until the next boat sailed in five days. I hired a bike and toured the island, leaving the booklets far and wide.”

After Harold’s successful preaching expedition in the Samoas, he had to return to Australia. But one of the publications he placed eventually found its way into the hands of an office worker, Pele Fuaiupolu.d The booklet’s message remained in Pele’s heart, awaiting the return of Witnesses to water the precious truths that had been planted.​—1 Cor. 3:6.

In 1952, 12 years later, a Witness from England, John Croxford, arrived in the town of Apia, Samoa’s capital, on the island of Upolu. There he took up work in the same office as Pele. John was a friendly man who was eager to witness to others. Detecting Pele’s interest in the Bible, John took the initiative to visit him at his home. Pele writes: “We talked until the wee hours of Sunday morning. I asked him many questions, and every answer he gave was read from the Bible. I was convinced beyond any doubt that this was the truth I had been looking for.” Later that year Pele and his wife, Ailua, became the first Samoans to dedicate their lives to Jehovah and get baptized.

Pele knew that he would be called to account for leaving the religion of his ancestors. So he studied hard and prayed earnestly for Jehovah’s help. When summoned by the high chief of the family to a meeting at Pele’s home village of Faleasiu, a large coastal village 12 miles [19 m] west of Apia, Pele and another relative interested in the truth faced a hostile assembly of six chiefs, three orators, ten pastors, two theological teachers, the high chief who was presiding, and older men and women of the family.

“They cursed and condemned us for disgracing the name of the family and the church of our forefathers,” recalls Pele. The high chief then proposed a debate, which ended up lasting until four in the morning.

“Even though some yelled, ‘Take that Bible away! Leave off that Bible!’ I answered all their questions from the Bible and disproved their arguments,” states Pele. “Finally, neither word nor sound was forthcoming from them. Their heads were bent down. Then the high chief said in a weak voice: ‘You won, Pele.’”

“Pardon me, Sir,” Pele recalls saying to the high chief, “I did not win. This night you heard the message of the Kingdom. It is my sincere hope you will heed it.”

With Pele’s humble reliance on Jehovah and His Word, the Bible, the seed of Kingdom truth was taking root in Upolu.

EARLY MEETINGS

Talk of Pele’s new religion spread quickly through the close-knit island community. Like the first-century Athenians to whom Paul preached, some were curious about this “new teaching” and wanted to know more. (Acts 17:19, 20) One young man, Maatusi Leauanae, learned that those interested in the new religion met each week at a doctor’s house on the hospital grounds and decided to investigate. But at the hospital gate, he was suddenly overcome by nervousness and turned to leave. Fortunately, John Croxford arrived just in time to invite him to join the small group that night. Young Maatusi enjoyed the study of the book “Let God Be True” and wanted to come again. Although he attended meetings sporadically at first, the truth finally took root in his heart, and he was baptized in 1956.

New ones associating with the group soon saw the importance of sharing what they had learned with others. Within just five months of Brother Croxford’s arrival in Apia, ten individuals had joined him in the preaching work. Four months later the number had increased to 19. These new ones had good results as they witnessed to friends and relatives.

One such publisher witnessed to his cousin Sauvao Toetu, who lived in Faleasiu. In time, Sauvao and his brother-in-law, Finau Feomaia, began attending meetings with their families and took their stand for the truth.

In January 1953 a thrilling milestone for true worship was reached in Samoa. Since about 40 people were attending the meetings at that time, the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Australia approved the formation of the first congregation in Samoa, at Apia. Afterward, when Brother Croxford returned to England, newly baptized Pele took the lead in the congregation. The publishers were fearless and zealous, but they were also spiritually young and inexperienced. Many needed to learn to present the Kingdom message in a more tactful and appealing way. (Col. 4:6) Others needed help to put on the new personality fully. (Eph. 4:22-24) Happily, such help was soon to come.​—Eph. 4:8, 11-16.

HELP FROM OVERSEAS

May 1953 saw the arrival of Australian pioneers Ronald and Olive (Dolly) Sellars to assist the Apia Congregation. “The Australia branch had temporarily lost contact with the brothers and were concerned about them,” writes Ron. “Since we had indicated our willingness to serve in the Pacific, they asked us to go to Samoa and work along with the newly formed congregation as special pioneers.”

Traveling to Samoa by seaplane, Ron and Dolly prepared themselves mentally for the sort of challenges that are often encountered in remote missionary assignments. “What a surprise awaited us,” recalls Ron. “Lush tropical vegetation covered the island. Everywhere, we saw happy, smiling people with strong, healthy bodies. Children frolicked around open-sided homes that had thatched roofs and clean coral floors. No one rushed or worried about the time. We had, it seemed, arrived in paradise.”

Finding accommodations with Pele’s family, the Sellars immediately set to work. “I met with the brothers almost every night to answer their many questions,” says Ron. “Although they knew basic Bible doctrines, I soon saw that they needed to make numerous changes to measure up to godly standards. To help them during that difficult period, Dolly and I tried to be extra patient and show them more than the usual love.” Sadly, though, some resisted this loving Scriptural readjustment and gradually fell away from the congregation. Others, however, showed a humble spirit and responded well to the training and encouragement. In time, they made spiritual progress, and as a result, the congregation was refined and strengthened.

Ron and Dolly also took the lead in witnessing from house to house. Up until then most of the brothers had only witnessed informally to friends and neighbors. Now, as they worked along with the Sellars in door-to-door preaching, they found much interest. “On one occasion,” writes Ron, “we were invited to the village of an interested chief to tell him more about the Kingdom. After our meal a lively Bible discussion ensued. By the time an hour had passed, the discussion had escalated into a public talk because the audience had grown to almost 50​—and this without any advertising on our part!” The publishers often found that Bible studies with 2 or 3 individuals attracted 10 to 40 onlookers who were curious about the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Such activity, however, did not go unnoticed by Christendom’s clergy. When the authorities refused to extend Ron and Dolly’s visitor permits, Ron approached the high commissioner to ask the reason why. “He told us,” recalls Ron, “that certain clergymen had complained to the government about our witnessing. As a result, he said that he would only extend our visas if we promised to quit helping the congregation in their preaching work. This I refused to do. I also told him that no one could stop God’s work, a fact that he would do well to note. Laughing, he said, ‘We’ll see what happens when you leave!’”

From then on, the authorities were careful to prevent foreign Witnesses from entering the country. Despite that, in 1953, Theodore Jaracz, who then served at the Australia branch office and who is now a member of the Governing Body, quietly entered Samoa to encourage the congregation. “His visit gave us a real boost and assured us that we were moving in the right direction spiritually,” says Ron.

Shortly afterward, Ron and Dolly’s visas expired, and they moved to American Samoa. Nevertheless, during their eight months in Samoa, they had done much to stabilize and strengthen the local brothers. And although the authorities did not know it, other Witnesses would soon arrive to take the Sellars’ place.

PROGRESS IN APIA

Richard Jenkins, a newly baptized, enthusiastic 23-year-old Australian, arrived in Apia in May 1954. He relates: “Before leaving Australia, I was advised not to associate with the local brothers until I made my work situation secure. However, after several months, I became very lonely and started to feel spiritually vulnerable. So I decided to make discreet contact with Pele Fuaiupolu.” The two met late at night under cover of darkness.

“Pele told me that he would not use my real name for fear the authorities would connect me with the congregation and deport me,” recalls Richard. “So he gave me the name of his newborn son, Uitinese, which is the word ‘witness’ pronounced the Samoan way. To this day the Samoan brothers and sisters still call me by this name.”

Using his newfound pseudonym, Richard maintained discreet contact with the brothers. He also witnessed informally and started several Bible studies. One Bible student, Mufaulu Galuvao, a young man who worked as a health inspector, later became a member of the Samoa Branch Committee. Eventually, another Bible student, Falema‘a Tuipoloa, also became a Witness, as did several members of his family.

One of Richard’s Bible students, young Siemu Taase, used to lead a gang of thieves that stole goods from the public works department. Before he could make spiritual progress, however, Siemu’s past caught up with him and he was jailed for his crimes. Undeterred, Richard obtained permission from the warden to continue Siemu’s study under a shady mango tree about 100 yards [100 m] outside the jail walls. In time, several other inmates joined the study.

“Although we were unguarded,” recalls Richard, “none of the prisoners ever tried to escape, and some accepted the truth.” After his release from prison, Siemu eventually served as an elder.

In 1955, Richard married an Australian pioneer, Gloria Green. Together they spent 15 years in Samoa, and before returning to Australia, they helped 35 people learn the truth. They now live in Brisbane, Australia, where Richard serves as an elder in the local Samoan-language congregation.

Another Australian couple, William and Marjorie (Girlie) Moss, helped out in those early years. Bill, a practical-minded elder, and Girlie, a pioneer with 24 years of experience, arrived in Apia in 1956. At the time, 28 publishers associated with the Apia Congregation, and there were book study groups in both Apia and Faleasiu. For the next nine years, Bill and Girlie worked tirelessly along with the congregation. By the time Girlie’s deteriorating health forced them to return to Australia in 1965, the Faleasiu group had become a congregation in its own right.

During those years, requests to allow missionaries into the country were repeatedly denied by the Samoan government. Clearly, they and the clergy hoped that Jehovah’s Witnesses would simply fade away. However, the very opposite occurred. The Witnesses increased in number and were active and zealous​—they were here to stay!

PROGRESS IN AMERICAN SAMOA

Before the Sellars’ visas for Samoa expired in 1954, Ron decided to apply for residency in American Samoa instead of returning to Australia. “When I approached the attorney general of American Samoa,” writes Ron, “and he learned that the Samoan government had rejected our visa applications on religious grounds, he said, ‘Mr. Sellars, we have religious freedom in American Samoa, and I am going to make sure that you get a visa.’”

Ron and Dolly arrived in Pago Pago, American Samoa, on January 5, 1954. As a condition of entry, the attorney general asked Ron to report regularly to his office so that he could become better acquainted with Jehovah’s Witnesses. As a result, they enjoyed several fine spiritual discussions.

Later that month, Ron and Dolly received a dinner invitation to the attorney general’s home. Since the local Catholic priest and the London Missionary Society pastor were also invited, a lively Bible discussion ensued. “At the end of the evening,” remembers Ron, “the attorney general thanked all of us for coming and said, ‘Well, I think that Mr. and Mrs. Sellars have prevailed in tonight’s discussion.’ Soon afterward, we received our permanent residency visas. When the attorney general later informed us that the government would welcome further applications for Witness missionaries to enter the country, I immediately passed the information on to the Australia branch office.”

The first person to dedicate his life to Jehovah in American Samoa was 19-year-old Ualesi (Wallace) Pedro, a Tokelauan by birth. Lydia Pedro, a relative who was a special pioneer in Fiji, had left a copy of the book “Let God be True” with Wallace’s older brother when she was visiting in 1952. Young Wallace discovered the book at his brother’s home and studied it carefully.

After finding the Pedro family in 1954, Ron and Dolly studied with Wallace’s older brother and sister. Wallace believed in Jehovah God, but at first his distrust of religion made him wary of joining the study. In time, though, he became convinced that Jehovah’s Witnesses have the truth, and he began attending meetings regularly in Fagatogo. He made rapid spiritual progress, and on April 30, 1955, Wallace was baptized in Pago Pago Harbor.

By January 1955, just one year after Ron and Dolly arrived, seven persons were attending meetings at their humble home in Fagatogo. It was sparsely furnished, so everyone sat on the floor. Before long, three of the new ones began accompanying Ron and Dolly in the field ministry. It was a day of small beginnings, but wonderful developments lay just ahead.

GILEAD MISSIONARIES ARRIVE

On February 4, 1955, two missionary couples from the United States, Paul and Frances Evans and Gordon and Patricia Scott, arrived in American Samoa. They settled into the Fagatogo missionary home, which looked out upon a colorful neighborhood. Circuit overseer Leonard (Len) Helberg, who visited Pago Pago that year, describes the scene:

“The missionary home was a large apartment above an old-fashioned general store. To one side, across a small stream, was a bar where sailors sought entertainment in the evenings. When brawls spilled out of the bar into the street below, the local police chief, a short but very solid man, would wade into the throng with his cigar clamped firmly between his teeth and throw punches left and right to subdue the crowd. Hellfire sermons blasted forth from a church just beyond the backyard. From the front veranda, we could see crowds flocking around the bank once a month on government payday. Church missionaries, assembled from around the island, would search frantically through the crowd in an effort to collect tithes from church members before the money was spent.”

Those lively surroundings provided a climate for much interest in spiritual things. “One missionary,” relates Len, “started his day at six in the morning by conducting a Bible study in the barber shop across the square before the owner started work. He then studied with the local baker before bringing bread home for breakfast. Later in the day, in the town square, the same brother studied with a group of prisoners from the local jail.” By year’s end, the missionaries were conducting approximately 60 Bible studies with more than 200 people.

“MOVIE TONIGHT​—NO CHARGE”

One reason for this flourishing interest was the film The New World Society in Action.e This film​—the first produced by the organization since the “Photo-Drama of Creation” nearly 40 years earlier—​highlighted the global preaching and printing work and showed how Jehovah’s Witnesses are organized. During a four-week visit to American Samoa in 1955, Len showed the film 15 times, to a total audience of 3,227 people, an average of 215 per showing.

“Before each showing,” recalls Len, “we advertised the film by driving through the villages tossing out leaflets to everybody we passed. At the same time, we shouted out, ‘Movie tonight​—no charge,’ along with the name of the village where it would be screened.”

The film made a huge impression on the population. After each showing, audiences wanted to learn more about Jehovah’s Witnesses and their teachings. Rather than wait for the Witnesses to return, many interested people came directly to the missionary home, where missionaries conducted several studies in different parts of the home at the same time. When one group left, another took their place. “Years later,” remembers Ron Sellars, “people still associated Jehovah’s Witnesses with the wonderful things they had seen in that film.”

PERSISTENT PREACHING REACHES HEARTS

Two months after Len Helberg’s visit, the first congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in American Samoa was formed at Fagatogo. Within a year the number of publishers in the congregation increased from 14 to 22. About that time two more special pioneers, Fred and Shirley Wegener, arrived from Australia to assist the growing congregation. Fred now serves as a member of the Samoa Country Committee.

These publishers, pioneers, and missionaries were “aglow with the spirit.” (Rom. 12:11) “As a result of the publishers’ persistence,” writes Len, “and the level of Bible interest in the community, by the mid-1960’s, a Bible study had been conducted at one time or another in every home in the village of Fagatogo. Every home on the island was also visited on a monthly basis in those years.”

This thorough preaching campaign did not fail to influence the thinking of local people on Biblical matters. “It became common knowledge that everlasting life would be on earth,” says Len, “that there is no hellfire, and that the dead are unconscious. People had learned these basic truths, not from their church, but from Jehovah’s Witnesses. This was because we spoke to them one on one and reasoned with them from their own Bibles.”

Even so, religious and family ties prevented most individuals from acting on what they learned. Others preferred the loose morals tolerated by the churches to the high moral standards required of true Christians. Nevertheless, there were honesthearted individuals who, like the traveling merchant in Jesus’ illustration, viewed the truth as a pearl of high value and seized hold of it. Many such sincere islanders courageously took a firm stand for the truth.​—Matt. 13:45, 46.

WITNESSING​—SAMOAN STYLE

“It was such a joy to go witnessing in those early years,” reflects Caroline Pedro, a pioneer from Canada who married Wallace Pedro in 1960. “At nearly every home, someone was willing to talk about the Bible. Bible studies were easy to start, and whole families often sat in.

“Preaching in outlying villages was especially memorable. Young children usually accompanied us from house to house listening intently to our presentation. They then ran ahead to let the next householder know that we were coming. They even told the householder what we were talking about and what scriptures we were using! As a result, to stay ahead of the village children, we prepared several presentations.”

While sharing in the witnessing work, the brothers also remained conscious of good manners and proper local protocol. (1 Cor. 9:20-23) Former missionary Charles Pritchard, now a Branch Committee member in New Zealand, writes: “Because of the hot tropical climate, village fale (houses) have no walls, so we could easily see if someone was home. It was considered the height of bad manners to speak either while standing or before the householder had formally welcomed us. So we approached each dwelling and silently waited for the householder to notice us. He or she would then place a clean mat on the pebble floor inside the door. This was an invitation for us to remove our shoes, enter the home, and sit cross-legged on the mat.” Sitting like that on the floor for long periods was a painful experience for many missionaries. Thankfully, local custom allowed them to extend their legs and feet and modestly cover them with a mat. They thus avoided pointing their uncovered feet at the householder​—a gross insult to Samoans.

“Householders would formally welcome us and explain that we honored them by bringing our Bible message to their humble home,” says John Rhodes, who served as a missionary in Samoa and American Samoa for 20 years. “The conversation then turned to personal matters: Where do you come from? Do you have children? Where does your family live?”

John’s wife, Helen, adds: “We always addressed the householder with respectful terms normally used on formal occasions. This language of respect dignified both the householder and our Bible message.”

“Through these introductions,” says Caroline Pedro, “we became well acquainted with the individuals and their family, and they with us. It helped us to meet their spiritual needs more effectively.”

Once introductions were complete, the publishers were free to present the Kingdom message. “Householders customarily listened to us for as long as we wanted to speak,” recalls former missionary Robert Boies. “They would then repeat to us many of the things we had said to show us that they felt our message was important.”

Since people were well versed in the Bible, long discussions on Bible teachings were common. “These discussions helped to sharpen my understanding of various Bible subjects,” says Caroline Pedro. Most householders readily accepted literature. In time, publishers learned to tell the difference between those who were merely curious and those who were genuinely interested in spiritual things.

Many newly interested people who began attending meetings were eager to start out in the field ministry. “Samoans have a natural flair for oratory,” says John Rhodes, “and many new ones could confidently express their faith to others with little or no training. Even so, we encouraged them to use published witnessing suggestions and to reason with people on the Scriptures rather than rely solely on their natural speaking abilities.” Such fine training eventually produced many accomplished evangelizers.

THE IMPACT OF SAMOAN LITERATURE

While many Samoans speak fluent English, there are some who do not. To reach the hearts of those truth-loving islanders, Pele Fuaiupolu translated four tracts into the Samoan language in 1954. Pele went on to be the organization’s principal Samoan translator for many years. He often worked late into the night, typing up translated material on an old manual typewriter in the light of a kerosene lantern.

While attending to this translation work, Pele cared for his wife and eight children, took the lead in congregation activities, and worked five and a half days a week inspecting cocoa plantations around the islands. “During those years of tireless activity,” writes Len Helberg, “Pele never sought recognition or praise. On the contrary, he was deeply thankful for the privilege of being used by Jehovah. His loyalty, humility, and zeal made him an outstanding Witness​—one fondly admired and loved by us all.”

In 1955 the publishers distributed 16,000 copies of the 32-page Samoan booklet “This Good News of the Kingdom.” It used simple language and presented basic Bible teachings in an easy-to-understand way​—making it an ideal tool for starting and conducting home Bible studies. Writes Richard Jenkins: “After going through the booklet a couple of times, new ones were ready for baptism. We loved it!” Other Samoan-language booklets soon followed.

The Samoan edition of The Watchtower first appeared in 1958. Fred Wegener, a printer by trade, produced the magazine by stapling together single sheets of mimeographed paper. Later editions were printed in the United States and then in Australia. Several of our publications were translated and released as monthly installments in the Samoan Watchtower. From the early 1970’s, the release of complete books in Samoan did much to speed up the preaching work.

The organization’s bound books have enjoyed wide distribution throughout the Samoan islands. In 1955 when publishers distributed the book You May Survive Armageddon Into God’s New World, most households in American Samoa obtained a copy. “People read their Bibles, but most had never heard of Armageddon,” writes Wallace Pedro. “Yet, after families read this book, children often announced our arrival in the village by crying out, ‘Here comes Armageddon!’ Some parents even named their children Armageddon.”

The Samoan edition of the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, released in 1972, had a similar impact. Most missionaries initially placed two or more cartons of this book each month with eager readers. “People approached us in the local marketplace,” recalls Fred Wegener, “and even leaned out of bus windows to ask for copies of the Truth book.”

STRENGTHENED BY ASSEMBLIES

In June 1957, excitement over the first circuit assembly to be held in Pago Pago, American Samoa, was running high among the brothers. There to enjoy the program were publishers who had come by boat from Samoa. Keen to invite the public, the brothers advertised the assembly program extensively in both English and Samoan. As a result, the 60 publishers in Samoa and American Samoa were thrilled to have 106 people at the opening session on Friday.

At this assembly there were some unexpected developments during meal breaks because of Samoan culture and the curiosity of onlookers. “Dining is an important part of Samoan culture,” writes Ron Sellars, “and people customarily invite passersby to join them at mealtime. But when the brothers invited large numbers of curious bystanders to join them for the midday meal at the assembly, it placed an unanticipated load on the food department, which had only prepared enough food for the assembled brothers and sisters.”

Nevertheless, mealtimes gave a fine witness to onlookers. In Samoa, on special occasions men customarily eat before women and children. Foreigners and ministers of religion usually sit apart from others and receive the best portions of food. At the assembly, however, onlookers saw foreign missionaries and local families happily eating together as equals. The love and unity among Jehovah’s people was clearly evident for all to see.

Assemblies such as these not only encouraged and trained the publishers but also prepared them for severe trials that lay immediately ahead.

APOSTASY IN APIA

It became apparent that along with the encouraging growth taking place in the islands, problems were brewing in Samoa. Several individuals, led by a strong-willed person who was a matai (family chief), had been resisting theocratic direction and stirring up trouble in the Apia Congregation. Since meetings were held in this man’s home, tensions in the congregation steadily increased.

Finally, in 1958, the rebels broke away to form their own study group. Douglas Held, who then served at the Australia branch and was visiting Fiji at the time, crossed over to Samoa to try to assist the disgruntled ones. Although his mature Scriptural counsel greatly encouraged faithful ones in the congregation, one quarter of those attending the meetings there eventually took their stand with the rebels. Victims of their own unyielding pride, several of these individuals later had to be disfellowshipped.

It soon became clear, though, where Jehovah’s spirit lay. The rebel group eventually fragmented and came to nothing. In contrast, the Apia Congregation enjoyed a 35 percent increase in publishers that year. After meeting temporarily at Richard and Gloria Jenkins’ home, located near the Apia hospital, the congregation finally moved to Maatusi Leauanae’s home in Faatoia, Apia. Here the publishers enjoyed a truly warm spirit of love and cooperation. The first Kingdom Hall in Apia was later built on Maatusi’s property, with financial assistance from a congregation in Sydney, Australia.

ENCOURAGING ASSOCIATION

The Apia Congregation was further strengthened in 1959 when the Samoan government allowed five missionaries from American Samoa to attend the first circuit assembly held in Apia. How delighted all were when 288 people attended and 10 were baptized! Two years later, the congregation hosted their first district convention at an old German hospital building near a guesthouse, the White Horse Inn. This landmark convention drew delegates from as far away as New Zealand.

Those gatherings gave the brothers valuable training in assembly organization. Thus, when the Samoan government later refused to allow traveling overseers and missionaries into the country, the brothers were able to organize their own assemblies. In 1967 they even organized and presented a full-costume hour-long Bible drama​—a first for Samoa. That drama, which was based on God’s provision of the cities of refuge in ancient Israel, was long remembered by those present.

During those years, the publishers in Samoa also benefited from attending interisland conventions in American Samoa and Fiji, even though this required considerable effort and sacrifice. For example, attending district conventions in Fiji not only meant paying travel and food expenses but also involved being away from Samoa for up to a month.

AMERICAN SAMOA MOVES AHEAD

In 1966 the brothers in American Samoa were thrilled to host the “God’s Sons of Liberty” District Assembly in Pago Pago. This historic convention drew 372 delegates and eight language groups from Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa (formerly Western Samoa), Tahiti, Tonga, and Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides). The colorful, multilingual crowd raised the ratio of Witnesses to local residents in the convention city to 1 in every 35, even though at the time, there were only 28 publishers in the local congregation!

How would so few publishers accommodate so many visitors? “We had no trouble finding accommodations for the large number of visiting delegates,” recalls Fred Wegener. “The local people were hospitable and readily welcomed the brothers, much to the chagrin of the religious leaders.”

This convention had a wonderful effect on the Pago Pago Congregation. Within six months, meeting attendance increased by 59 percent and many new ones qualified as publishers of the good news. “It also spurred the congregation to build a more suitable place for meetings,” writes Ron Sellars. Although there was little vacant land on the island of Tutuila, where Pago Pago is located, a local publisher kindly gave the congregation a 30-year lease on a block of land to the west of the city, at Tafuna.

“The land was below sea level,” says Fred Wegener, “so the congregation labored for three months to gather lava rocks to raise the site foundations.”

The local Catholic priest, who regularly read The Watchtower and Awake!, allowed the brothers to borrow the church’s concrete mixer when it came time to pour the concrete floor. “This priest,” writes Ron Sellars, “later read an Awake! article on marriage and immediately left the priesthood to get married.”

Brothers from overseas generously assisted with this Kingdom Hall project. Gordon and Patricia Scott, who were two of the first missionaries to serve in American Samoa but who had returned to the United States, donated chairs from their congregation for use in the new hall. “Then, by selling surplus chairs to the local movie theater,” says Ron Sellars, “we paid for the cost of freighting all the chairs to the island!” The new 130-seat Kingdom Hall at Tafuna was completed and dedicated in 1971. Upstairs missionary quarters were later added to the hall.

SAMOA OPENS ITS DOORS

Up until 1974, the work in Samoa was hampered by government restrictions that prevented Witness missionaries from entering the country. In that year local responsible brothers approached the prime minister directly to discuss the matter. One of these brothers, Mufaulu Galuvao, writes: “During the discussion, we discovered that a government official had set up an unauthorized committee to review all missionary applications. This committee, made up of our religious enemies, simply rejected our visa applications outright without even informing the prime minister.

“The prime minister had been unaware of this scheming; hence, he immediately ordered the chief immigration officer to bring him the file on Jehovah’s Witnesses. In our presence, he dissolved the bogus committee and granted Paul and Frances Evans three-year missionary visas with the opportunity to obtain an extension after that time.” Thrilling news indeed! After 19 years of persistent efforts, they finally entered Samoa as fully accredited missionaries!

Paul and Frances first lived with Mufaulu Galuvao and his family, but when John and Helen Rhodes arrived in 1977, both couples moved into a newly rented missionary home in Vaiala, Apia. Other missionaries included Robert and Betty Boies in 1978, David and Susan Yoshikawa in 1979, and Russell and Leilani Earnshaw in 1980.

ADAPTING TO ISLAND LIFE

Foreign Witnesses who moved to Samoa over the years soon discovered that even in this paradise, life has its challenges. One such challenge is transportation. “During our first two years of missionary service in Apia,” writes John Rhodes, “we often walked long distances to attend meetings and go witnessing. We also used the popular and colorful island buses to get around.”

These highly decorated vehicles usually have a wooden cabin mounted on the back of a small-to-medium-size truck. Crammed inside, passengers carry everything from farm tools to fresh produce. Loud music and merry singing complete the festive atmosphere on board. Bus stops, timetables, and bus routes tend to be quite flexible. “The bus to Vava‘u,” points out one travel guide, “is always punctual: it arrives when it gets there.”

“If we wanted to buy something along the way,” says John, “we simply asked the driver to stop. After making our purchase, we reboarded the bus and continued our journey. Even so, nobody worried about the delay.”

If the bus was full, new passengers would sit on the lap of those already seated. So missionary husbands quickly learned to have their wife on their lap. At journey’s end, children and adults often paid their fare by extracting a small coin from their ear​—a convenient coin pocket!

To travel between islands, missionaries and publishers used planes and small boats. Journeys could be perilous; delays inevitable. “We had to learn to be patient and cultivate a sense of humor,” says Elizabeth Illingworth, who for many years served with her husband, Peter, in circuit work throughout the South Pacific.

On land, heavy rains can make travel difficult​—especially during the cyclone season. Attempting to cross a flooded stream on his way to a Congregation Book Study, missionary Geoffrey Jackson slipped and tumbled into the raging torrent. Emerging wet and bedraggled, he continued to the meeting, where the host family dried him off and dressed him in a long black lavalava (a Polynesian wraparound kilt or skirt). His companions had difficulty restraining their laughter when a newly interested person at the meeting mistook him for a Catholic priest! Brother Jackson now serves as a member of the Governing Body.

Other challenges confronting new arrivals involved mastering a new language, adjusting to the constant tropical heat, coping with unfamiliar health problems, having few modern conveniences, and evading a host of biting insects. “The missionaries really expended themselves in our behalf,” writes Mufaulu Galuvao, “and as a result, many grateful parents named their children after these dear ones, who had lovingly assisted us.”

SAVAII HEARS THE GOOD NEWS

Now let us turn our attention to the largest and most unspoiled island in the Samoa group, Savaii. Much of this island is uninhabited and features lofty mountains, a jagged volcanic ridge with some 450 craters, nearly impenetrable jungles, and rugged lava fields. The majority of the residents live in small villages scattered along the coast. It was in 1955 that the good news first reached Savaii. Len Helberg and a group of publishers from the island of Upolu briefly visited to show the film The New World Society in Action.

Six years later, two missionary sisters​—Tia Aluni, the first Samoan to attend Gilead, and Ivy Kawhe, her partner—​were invited to move from American Samoa to Savaii. Arriving in 1961, the two sisters found accommodations with an elderly couple living in Fogapoa, a village located on the eastern side of the island. Later, they were joined for a while by a special pioneer sister, who had once lived on Savaii. To encourage and support the new group of between six and eight persons, brothers from Apia visited once a month and gave public talks. These meetings were held in a small fale in Fogapoa.

Tia and Ivy remained on Savaii until 1964, when they were assigned to another island. For the next ten years, there was little spiritual activity on Savaii. Then, beginning in 1974, several families moved to Savaii to help revitalize the work. These included Risati and Mareta Segi, Happy and Maota Goeldner-Barnett, Faigaai Tu, Palota Alagi, Kumi Falema‘a (later Thompson), and Ron and Dolly Sellars, who moved from American Samoa. The small group formed at Fogapoa met at the Segis’ fale, located next to the beach. Later, a missionary home and Kingdom Hall were built nearby. In time, another group was established at Taga, a village situated on the west coast of Savaii.

Beginning in 1979, more missionary couples were assigned to Savaii to assist the local publishers. These included Robert and Betty Boies, John and Helen Rhodes, Leva and Tenisia Faai‘u, Fred and Tami Holmes, Brian and Sue Mulcahy, Matthew and Debbie Kurtz, and Jack and Mary Jane Weiser. With the missionaries setting a fine lead, the work in Savaii moved forward steadily.

On Savaii, however, traditions and family ties held a tight grip on the people. Up to one third of the villages banned Jehovah’s Witnesses from preaching in their communities, some even making public radio announcements to that effect. Hence, it took much time and patience to help new ones to make progress. Even so, many came into the truth, including some with serious health problems.

OVERCOMING HEALTH PROBLEMS TO SERVE JEHOVAH

One such person was Metusela Neru, who fell from a horse and broke his back when he was 12 years old. “After his accident,” recalls one missionary, “he walked as if he were folded in half, and he was in constant pain.” When Metusela began studying the Bible at 19 years of age, he resolutely endured his family’s opposition. Because of his disability, what would otherwise have been a five-minute walk to congregation meetings was a 45-minute ordeal. Nevertheless, Metusela made fine progress and was baptized in 1990. He later entered the full-time ministry as a regular pioneer and qualified as an elder. Since then, more than 30 of his relatives have attended meetings in Faga, and several have been baptized. Today, despite his ongoing health problems, Metusela is well-known for his smiling face and happy personality.

Another person who overcame severe health problems to make spiritual progress was Saumalu Taua‘anae. Saumalu was severely disfigured by leprosy and lived in the remote village of Aopo. Because his village was so isolated, he first studied the Bible through correspondence with Ivan Thompson. Then Asa Coe, a special pioneer, moved to Savaii and took over the study. When Saumalu attended his first meeting in 1991, it required a two-hour drive to Taga, a village on the opposite side of the island.

So self-conscious was Saumalu about his disfigured appearance that when he first attended a special assembly day, he listened to the program from his car. He was deeply moved, though, when during the intermission at lunchtime, brothers and sisters lovingly approached him and extended a heartfelt welcome. He gratefully accepted their warm invitation and enjoyed the rest of the program sitting with the audience.

Soon Saumalu and his wife, Torise, began attending meetings at Faga, traveling more than an hour each way to be there. Saumalu was baptized in 1993 and, in time, qualified to be a ministerial servant. When doctors later amputated one of his legs, he still drove his car to meetings. Their village has banned the preaching work of Jehovah’s Witnesses; hence, Saumalu and Torise zealously witness to others informally and by means of the telephone.

Today, they live in Apia, where Saumalu receives regular treatment for his many health problems. Instead of being bitter, he is well-known for his positive, joyful outlook on life. Both he and his wife are greatly respected for their strong faith.

TRIALS IN TOKELAU

Tokelau, comprising three isolated atolls located north of Samoa, first heard the Kingdom message in 1974. In that year, Ropati Uili, a medical doctor, returned to Tokelau after graduating from medical school in Fiji. Ropati’s wife, Emmau, was a baptized Witness, and he had studied with Jehovah’s Witnesses briefly in Fiji.f

In Tokelau, Ropati discovered that another doctor and his wife, Iona and Luisa Tinielu, were baptized Witnesses. He also met another interested person, Nanumea Foua, whose relatives were Jehovah’s Witnesses. The three men organized regular Bible meetings and public talks, and soon an average of 25 persons were attending. The three and their families also began to witness informally to others.

However, not everyone was pleased with this theocratic activity. At the instigation of a pastor of the London Missionary Society, the island’s council of elders summoned the three family heads. “They ordered us to stop our meetings,” recalls Ropati, “and said that if we disobeyed, they would burn us alive in our homes or cast us adrift on a raft. We tried to reason with them using the Scriptures, but they were adamant. They expected their authority to be respected at all costs.” After hearing this ultimatum, the families decided to hold their meetings discreetly to avoid attracting attention.

This opposition, however, was only the start of their troubles. Twelve years later, when Ropati’s sister and brother-in-law accepted the truth and resigned from their church, the village elders banished every Witness from the village. “That night,” writes Ropati, “each family gathered its personal belongings, loaded them onto small boats, and fled to the largest village on the island. Their homes and plantations were plundered by their former neighbors.”

Despite this persecution, the publishers courageously continued to meet together for worship. “Acting as if they were going on a weekend outing,” Ropati relates, “the families would paddle to an isolated islet on Saturday morning and return Sunday evening after holding their meeting.” At that time, several families also made the long and arduous boat trip from Tokelau to Samoa to attend annual district conventions.

The relentless opposition, however, eventually prompted these families to emigrate to New Zealand. Thus, by 1990, there were no Witnesses left on the atolls. Even so, Ivan Thompson, who was then pioneering in Apia, studied by interisland mail with Lone Tema, a young man living on Tokelau. Lone made good spiritual progress and now serves as an elder in Australia.

Later, several publishers returned to Tokelau. Geoffrey Jackson, who then served at the Samoa branch office, tried unsuccessfully to contact the New Zealand commissioner for Tokelauan affairs to discuss the problems faced by Jehovah’s Witnesses on the atolls. “But I was granted permission to visit Tokelau in my capacity as a linguist,” writes Geoff, “and during the voyage, the ship’s captain invited me to join him and another man in the officer’s lounge for refreshments. That man was the very commissioner for Tokelauan affairs that we had been trying to contact! We talked for over an hour. At the end of our discussion, he thanked me and promised to do what he could to relieve the pressures on our brothers in Tokelau.”

Today, there is still official opposition to the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Tokelau. When Fuimanu and Hatesa Kirifi’s youngest child died in 2006 and Fuimanu gave a Scriptural talk at the funeral, the council of elders threatened to banish Fuimanu’s family from the island. Later, Fuimanu was threatened when he refused to work on the local church, and he and his wife faced pressure to participate in political activities. Yet, he and his family stood firm in their faith. As a result, their faith became stronger. Says Fuimanu, “We have learned to rely on Jehovah during our trials.” (Jas. 1:2-4) They came to know that Jehovah does not forsake his faithful servants.​—Deut. 31:6.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH HAS JEHOVAH’S BLESSING

Since the good news first reached Samoa, various branches have had oversight of the Kingdom work here. At present, a hardworking Country Committee of four brothers serves under the direction of the Australia branch in caring for the work in the Samoas. Over the years, the brothers in Samoa have put forth great effort to reach even the most remote areas with the Kingdom message. Regular witnessing campaigns in American Samoa have covered remote Swains Island and the Manu‘a Islands group, located some 200 miles [320 km] north and 60 miles [100 km] east of Tutuila Island respectively. During these visits, publishers left hundreds of pieces of literature and started dozens of Bible studies with interested people. Other publishers have worked to expand their local territory by preaching to people who speak a foreign language.

TRANSLATION EFFORTS INTENSIFY

As the number of publishers grew, the need for literature in Samoan also increased. To meet this need, Geoffrey Jackson and his wife, Jenny, were transferred from their missionary assignment in Tuvalu to the Samoa branch office in 1985. Geoff was assigned to oversee the two-person Samoan translation team. “At first,” he relates, “the translators worked at tables located in the Bethel dining room. Each morning they cleared the breakfast tables before they could start translation work. Then, just before noon, they put their translation materials away to set the tables for lunch. Afterward, they cleared the tables again to get back to translation work.”

The constant disruption hindered productivity. The translation process too was labor-intensive and time-consuming. “Much of the work was written out by hand and then typed up,” recalls Geoff. “Each manuscript was retyped several times for proofreading and revision before it was ready for printing.” In 1986, with the purchase of the first computer for the branch office, much of this repetitious work was reduced or eliminated. Other computerized tools have further accelerated the translation and printing process.

This translation and publishing effort has focused particularly on the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Since January 1993, The Watchtower in Samoan has been printed simultaneously with the English edition​—and in four colors as well! Then, in 1996, a quarterly edition of Awake! in Samoan was introduced. “The release of Awake!” recalls Geoff, “was heralded, not only by newspaper and radio but also on the national television news.”

Currently, a group of translators in Samoa keep pace with Samoan translation needs. Along with other translation teams worldwide, these hardworking translators have received advanced training in language comprehension and translation skills, equipping them to translate more accurately and efficiently.

NEED FOR BRANCH EXPANSION

When Milton G. Henschel visited Samoa as zone overseer in 1986, it was clear that the Sinamoga missionary home was too small to serve the branch’s growing needs. Consequently, the Governing Body assigned brothers from the Brooklyn Design/​Build Department and the Regional Engineering Office in Australia to visit Samoa to assess the need for larger facilities. The recommendation? Purchase a seven-acre [3 ha] site at Siusega, three miles [5 km] inland from Sinamoga, to build a new Bethel complex. Then, once the new branch office was complete, the old Bethel Home at Sinamoga could be dismantled to make way for a new Assembly Hall.

Construction of the new branch began in 1990, and what an international undertaking it proved to be! A total of 44 international servants, 69 international volunteers, 38 full-time local volunteers, and many part-time workers labored unitedly on the project. Suddenly, though, when construction was well underway, disaster struck.

DISASTER STRIKES!

Cyclone Val, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the South Pacific, slammed into Samoa on December 6, 1991. Winds of up to 160 miles [260 km] an hour battered the tiny islands for five days, defoliating 90 percent of the vegetation and causing $380 million (U.S.) worth of damage. Sadly, 16 people lost their lives.

“The branch office quickly set relief operations in motion,” recalls John Rhodes. Within days, a cargo container filled with relief supplies arrived from the Fiji branch. Funds from other Pacific branches soon followed.

“Immediate needs came first,” writes Dave Stapleton, an international servant working on the new branch at Siusega. “This involved distributing clean water, tarpaulins, kerosene, and medical supplies to needy brothers. Then we restored Sinamoga Bethel to a usable condition and repaired damaged buildings at the branch construction site. Later, we repaired and rebuilt damaged Kingdom Halls, missionary homes, and homes of individual Witnesses. It took months to finish the work.”

When the government later provided funds for all religions​—including Jehovah’s Witnesses—​to repair their premises, the brothers returned the funds with a letter suggesting that since all our damage was already repaired, the excess funds could be used to restore government buildings. Grateful government ministers subsequently reduced the import duty on branch construction materials arriving from overseas, resulting in considerable savings.

“FAR BEYOND OUR FONDEST DREAMS”

After the cyclone damage was repaired, the new branch project moved ahead rapidly. A year and a half later, in May 1993, the Bethel family finally made the long-awaited move from Sinamoga to their new home in Siusega.

Then, in September 1993, a group of 85 Witness tradesmen from Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the United States converged on Samoa to build the Sinamoga Assembly Hall. All traveled at their own expense. “Different building terms and measurement systems were used on the building site,” writes Ken Abbott, who led the Australian tradesmen, “but Jehovah’s spirit helped us cheerfully to overcome any problems that arose.”

“Seeing firsthand the international brotherhood in action,” observed Abraham Lincoln, who was with the Hawaiian team, “had a positive effect on everyone.”

Through the united efforts of the international construction team, the Assembly Hall was completed in just ten days. Local publishers learned valuable trade skills by working with the visitors, and they also benefited spiritually. Hence, after the project was completed, some publishers enrolled as pioneers or entered Bethel service.

Finally, on November 20-21, 1993, the dedication of the branch office and Assembly Hall took place. John Barr of the Governing Body delivered the dedication talks. Summing up the feelings of many present on this happy occasion, long-time missionary Paul Evans said: “Jehovah has blessed us far beyond our fondest dreams.”

THE TRUTH TRANSFORMS LIVES

When the truth of God’s Word touches people’s hearts, it moves them to bring their lives into harmony with Jehovah’s elevated standards. Many Samoans have experienced this transforming power of God’s Word.​—Eph. 4:22-24; Heb. 4:12.

For example, Ngongo and Maria Kupu were, as Samoans say, “living in darkness”​—that is, living together without being married. “We had studied with Ngongo and Maria for some time,” explains Fred Wegener, “but did not realize that they were not married. Then one day they proudly showed us their newly acquired marriage certificate. Soon afterward, they were baptized. Although Ngongo has since died, Maria still serves as a regular pioneer in American Samoa.”

Another challenge facing new ones in Samoa involves the sanctity of blood. Samoans customarily strangle pigs and chickens before cooking and eating them, a practice forbidden in God’s Word. (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:13, 14; Acts 15:28, 29) One young woman in American Samoa expressed surprise when she saw in her own Bible God’s clear commands on these matters. “Although her family attended church and read the Bible regularly,” explains Julie-Anne Padget, “she had eaten unbled meat since childhood. Yet, she immediately accepted the Bible’s direction and resolved not to eat any unbled meat.” Today, the stand of Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding the sanctity of blood is well-known throughout Samoa. Furthermore, medical professionals in Samoa are generally willing to respect our stand regarding blood transfusions.

YOUTHS WHO PRAISE THEIR CREATOR

In Samoa, parents train their young children to cook, clean, tend the family vegetable garden, and care for younger siblings. Such early training may help to explain why many Samoan children also accept their spiritual responsibilities at an early age, some even taking their stand for Jehovah without the help of family members.

Ane Ropati was 13 years old when her parents stopped attending meetings. So she regularly gathered her two brothers and her sister and walked five miles [8 km] to the Kingdom Hall to attend the meetings. She later pioneered and worked on the Siusega branch office construction. “Missionaries,” writes Ane, “had a big impact on my life and helped me to progress spiritually.” On the construction site, she met Steve Gauld, a volunteer worker from Australia. The two got married and served as international servants on construction sites in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Russia before returning to Samoa Bethel. Both now serve at the Australia branch.

EDUCATION OVER THE AIRWAVES

Through the years, Jehovah’s Witnesses have used a variety of means to spread the good news of the Kingdom. One that is particularly effective is public radio. Beginning in January 1996, an independent FM radio station based in Apia invited Jehovah’s Witnesses to present a weekly radio program entitled “Answers to Your Bible Questions.”

These broadcasts were scripted and presented by Leva Faai‘u and Palota Alagi from the Samoa branch. “In our first program,” explains Leva, “Brother Alagi raised several questions, such as: Was there a flood in Noah’s day? Where did all the water come from? Where did the water go? How did all the animals fit into the ark? I answered the questions using extracts from our publications. At the end of the program, we introduced next week’s topic and invited listeners with questions to contact Jehovah’s Witnesses locally. Other programs covered such questions as these: Why did Solomon have many wives when Christians must have only one? Would a God of love torment people forever in a fiery hell? Is the Bible from men or from God?”

The radio program ran for over a year and generated much interest. “Many people told us that they enjoyed the program and were regular listeners,” says Ivan Thompson. “Some told us they never knew that the Bible answered such interesting questions.”

KINGDOM HALLS NEEDED

In the 1990’s, most congregations in Samoa and American Samoa met in private homes or in buildings constructed from bush materials. “These meeting places were often looked down upon by the local community,” says Stuart Dougall, who served on the Country Committee between 2002 and 2007. Even the 25-year-old Kingdom Hall in Tafuna, American Samoa, was showing its age. The time had come to replace the aging structure with a new hall.

A new Kingdom Hall, however, required a larger block of land, something in short supply on the tiny island of Tutuila. The brothers approached a prominent Catholic woman who owned vacant land at Petesa, a short distance from the current Kingdom Hall. When the woman learned that the brothers needed land to build a house of worship, she promised to discuss the matter with her daughter, who had planned to construct commercial buildings on the site. The brothers’ prayers were answered three days later when the woman told them that she would sell the land to them because, as she said, “God should come first.”

Writes Wallace Pedro: “She even gave us the deed to the property before we paid her, saying, ‘I know you are honest people and will pay in full.’ Which, of course, we did.” A beautiful 250-seat, air-conditioned Kingdom Hall built on this property was dedicated in 2002.

In 1999 a new program to help build Kingdom Halls in countries with limited resources was instituted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The first of these halls in the Samoan islands was built at Lefaga, an isolated village on the south coast of the island of Upolu. The congregation of ten Witnesses in Lefaga had previously met in an open-sided thatched room attached to the front of a publisher’s house.

The building project was supervised by Jack Sheedy, an Australian who had served with his wife, Coral, in Tonga for seven years. “From a distance,” he writes, “the construction crew of farmers, fishermen, and housewives looked like ants scurrying back and forth over the building site.”

When the 60-seat Kingdom Hall was finished in 2001, local villagers praised its appearance. “Your halls have a dignity and simplicity that make them attractive,” they said. “How different they are from our churches, which are ornate and filled with furnishings that often appear untidy and unclean.” Attendance at the meetings also increased dramatically. In 2004, 205 persons attended the Memorial of Christ’s death in this new hall.

By late 2005, the construction program for lands with limited resources had built four new Kingdom Halls and renovated three throughout the Samoan islands. In addition, the Sinamoga Assembly Hall in Apia, Samoa, was renovated. As is true in other places with limited resources, the Samoan publishers deeply appreciate this loving support from their Christian brothers and sisters around the world.​—1 Pet. 2:17.

DEALING WITH CHANGING TIMES

Many Samoans have moved to other lands. For example, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, especially Hawaii, now host sizable Samoan communities. In those lands more than 700 Witnesses make up 11 Samoan-language congregations and 2 Samoan-language groups. Other Samoan publishers serve in English-speaking congregations in the countries to which they have emigrated.

A number of Samoan Witnesses have traveled overseas to receive spiritual training and have returned to Samoa or American Samoa to put their training to good use. For instance, during the 1990’s, Talalelei Leauanae, Sitivi Paleso‘o, Casey Pita, Feata Sua, Andrew Coe, and Sio Taua attended the Ministerial Training School in Australia and then returned to Samoa to further the Kingdom work. Today, Andrew and his wife, Fotuosamoa, serve at Samoa Bethel. Sio and his wife, Ese, served in circuit work for several years with their young son, El-Nathan. Sio now serves on the Country Committee. Other graduates faithfully serve as elders, pioneers, or publishers in their congregations.

What has been the result of this fine activity? In 2008 in the 12 congregations of Samoa and American Samoa, the peak number of publishers was 620. More than 2,300 people attended the 2008 Memorial. Thus, there is good potential for further growth in the Samoan islands.

MOVING AHEAD WITH JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION

Over the years many honesthearted individuals in Samoa have responded to the good news of God’s Kingdom. (Matt. 24:14) In the spirit of their seafaring forefathers, they have overcome numerous difficulties on their journey from Satan’s old world to a new spiritual home in Jehovah’s spirit-directed organization. Such obstacles as family opposition, community exile, clergy propaganda, government restrictions, fleshly temptations, and other trials have not stopped them from serving the true God, Jehovah. (1 Pet. 5:8; 1 John 2:14) With what result? Why, today they bask in the security of a spiritual paradise!​—Isa. 35:1-10; 65:13, 14, 25.

Even so, their journey is not yet complete. Just ahead is their final destination​—an earthly paradise under the righteous rule of God’s Kingdom government. (Heb. 11:16) In association with their global brotherhood, and guided by God’s Word and his powerful holy spirit, Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Samoan islands continue to move forward, determined to reach their goal.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 77]

“This night you heard the message of the Kingdom. It is my sincere hope you will heed it”

[Blurb on page 98]

“Children often announced our arrival in the village by crying out, ‘Here comes Armageddon!’”

[Blurb on page 108]

“The bus to Vava‘u is always punctual: it arrives when it gets there”

[Box/​Picture on page 69, 70]

Samoan Religions​—Old and New

Ancient Samoan religions mixed aspects of polytheism, animism, spiritism, and ancestor worship but had no temples, idols, or organized priesthood. Religion permeated every aspect of life. Why, then, did the Samoans seem ripe for religious change when London Missionary Society (LMS) missionaries arrived in 1830?

An ancient Samoan legend foretold that a powerful new religion would end the rule of the old gods. Samoan chiefs (matai) reasoned that the missionaries represented this new religion. King Malietoa opted to worship the Christian God, Jehovah, and ordered his subjects to do likewise.

Missionaries​—Catholic, Methodist, Mormon, and LMS—​gained large followings, and today church membership is nearly universal throughout the Samoan islands. Both Samoan governments have religious mottoes: “Samoa is founded on God” and “Samoa, let God be first.” Religious broadcasts are prevalent on the television channels there.

Religion’s influence is strongest at the village level, where local chiefs often decide the religious affiliation of village residents. Some villagers may even be pressured to contribute more than 30 percent of their income to support local pastors and church projects​—a burden increasingly resented by many. There are even competitions to see who can give the most. Some churches announce the names of winners who have donated the most money.

In many villages, activity comes to an abrupt halt for the daily sa, a 10- to 15-minute period of village prayer. Young men carrying large sticks line the road at regular intervals to enforce the custom. Violators may be reprimanded, fined as much as $100, or required to feed the council elders or the village. In extreme cases, they may even be beaten or banished.

On one occasion, circuit overseer John Rhodes and his wife, Helen, arrived at Salimu village, Savaii, after a tiring journey. Because the sa had just started, guards asked them to wait at the edge of the village. Obediently, the Rhodes waited until the sa ended and then went to their accommodations.

When the high chief of the village heard that John and Helen had been delayed, he apologized to their hostess. The chief said that Witnesses were honored guests, and he instructed the guards to let the Rhodes enter the village at any time, even if the sa was in progress. Why the special consideration? The chief’s young son, Sio, was studying the Bible with the Witnesses and making fine spiritual progress. Today, Sio Taua is a member of the Samoa Country Committee.

[Picture]

John and Helen Rhodes

[Box on page 72]

An Overview of Samoa, American Samoa, and Tokelau

Land

Samoa consists of two main islands​—Upolu and Savaii, which are separated by an 11-mile-wide [18-km-wide] strait—​and several smaller inhabited islands. American Samoa, located about 60 miles [100 km] southeast of Samoa, has one main island, Tutuila, and includes the Manu‘a Islands, Swains Island, ‘Aunu‘u, and the uninhabited Rose atoll. Tokelau comprises three low-lying coral atolls located 300 miles [480 km] north of Samoa.

People

Over 214,000 people live in Samoa, and about 57,000 in American Samoa. Tokelau has approximately 1,400 inhabitants. Over 90 percent are Polynesians, and the rest are Asian, European, or part Polynesian.

Language

Samoan is the main language, although most people speak English as a second language. Tokelauan, a language similar to Samoan, is spoken on Tokelau.

Livelihood

Agriculture, tourism, tuna fishing, and fish processing are the main occupations.

Food

Starch-rich taro, green bananas, and breadfruit mixed with coconut milk constitute the staple diet. Meals can also include pork, chicken, or fish. Tropical fruits such as papayas, pineapples, and mangoes are abundant.

Climate

Located close to the equator, these islands are hot and humid most of the year. Pago Pago, on the island of Tutuila, in American Samoa, receives over 15 feet [5 m] of rain every year.

[Box on page 75]

“Very Good Book”

Brother Harold Gill brought 3,500 copies of the Samoan booklet Where Are the Dead? to distribute in American Samoa. When he presented the governor with a copy of the booklet, the governor suggested that Harold show it to each of the religious leaders so that they could let the attorney general know whether it was suitable for public distribution. How, though, would the religious leaders respond?

The London Missionary Society parson was friendly and unopposed. The Seventh-Day Adventists were not concerned about what Harold did​—as long as he did not take any of their flock. The padre of the navy, although somewhat sarcastic, was not hostile. An unusual incident, however, preempted Harold’s seeing the Catholic priest. Harold had given a copy of the booklet to the Samoan policeman who escorted him to the governor. A few days later, Harold asked the policeman if he had enjoyed reading the booklet.

The policeman replied in his broken English: “My boss [the attorney general] said: ‘You go see your [Catholic] priest and ask him if this book is good.’ I get under tree and read book. I say to myself, ‘This book very good, but if I show priest, he say, “No good book.”’ So, I say to my boss, ‘Boss, my priest say, “Very good book.”’”

Later, the attorney general invited Harold into his office. As the attorney general paged through the booklet, Harold explained its contents. Then the attorney general picked up the phone and made a call to give permission for the booklet to be released for distribution. As a result, almost all the booklets Harold brought were distributed throughout the islands.

[Box on page 76]

Traditional Samoan Culture

In 1847, a missionary of the London Missionary Society, George Pratt, described Samoans as “the greatest observers of etiquette in Polynesia, if not the world.” This traditional Samoan culture​—called faa Samoa (the Samoan way)—​is a highly structured code that pervades every aspect of Samoan life.

Paramount in this code is “the respect, even veneration, shown for those ‘higher’ than oneself,” says the book Samoan Islands. This respect is reflected in good manners, proper speech, and allegiance to one’s family and village. Most consider it unthinkable to reject the customs and religion of their forefathers.

Family chiefs (matai), the guardians of this tradition, direct the daily affairs of one or more related family groups and represent them on the village council. They command strict obedience and enforce their authority through fines, beatings, or even expulsion from the village. For example, the matai of one village fined a clergyman when he made young boys throw stones at Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Villages may have from 10 to 50 matai. Most are elected by extended family (aiga), but some inherit the office automatically. Titles are organized according to a strict hierarchy. Each village has a head chief (alii), who presides over the village council. A talking chief (tulafale) cares for ceremonial matters. However, not all matai have political or religious duties. Some may restrict themselves simply to caring for family matters, such as serving as trustees of family land with the authority to decide how such property is used.

[Box/​Picture on page 79]

“The Man of Jehovah”

SAUVAO TOETU

BORN 1902

BAPTIZED 1954

PROFILE The first person living in Faleasiu to accept the truth. A Kingdom Hall was later built on his land. As told by his son Tafiga Sauvao

IN 1952, one of my father’s cousins from Apia visited our family in Faleasiu. This cousin, who was associating with Jehovah’s Witnesses, wanted to discuss the Bible with my father. Several of our relatives in the village decided to listen in. Together, they talked nonstop from Saturday morning until Monday afternoon, pausing for only one hour of sleep. After similar discussions over the next four weekends, my father finally declared: “My curiosity is satisfied. I have found the truth.” My father’s brother-in-law, Finau Feomaia, also accepted the truth, as did both of their families.

My father immediately started witnessing. This shocked our relatives, who had viewed him as a devoted Seventh-Day Adventist. They mockingly called him the man of Jehovah. But what a compliment that was! Although my father was small in stature, he was stout of heart and could think clearly and speak persuasively. This enabled him to defend his newfound faith skillfully. In time, our small group became the second congregation to be formed in Samoa.

[Box/​Picture on page 83]

Faithfulness Despite Poor Health

FAGALIMA TUATAGALOA

BORN 1903

BAPTIZED 1953

PROFILE Declining the opportunity to become a prominent matai, he became a regular pioneer.

LATER, despite his poor eyesight and a clubfoot, Fagalima served for years as a special pioneer throughout Samoa. One circuit overseer, when working from house-to-house with Fagalima, noticed that he was accurately reading scriptures without glasses and asked him if his eyesight was improving. Fagalima replied that he had lost his glasses and was quoting passages from memory.

Eager to attend a convention in Fiji, Fagalima worked alone on the far side of Upolu for four weeks gathering coconuts. Despite his clubfoot, he carried 15 coconuts at a time for two miles to a location where he could remove the outer husk and extract and dry the coconut meat, or copra. He then sold the copra and traveled to Apia to pay his fare to Fiji​—only to discover that the price had increased beyond his means. Rather than complain, give up, or ask for help, he returned to cut more copra and earn the needed money. He did all of this to attend a convention he thought would be held in two languages that he did not know. What a reward it was for Fagalima when he arrived in Fiji and discovered that most of the convention program was to be presented in his own language!

[Box/​Picture on page 87]

“I Enjoyed Every Day”

RONALD SELLARS

BORN 1922

BAPTIZED 1940

PROFILE He and his wife, Olive (Dolly), entered Samoa as special pioneers in 1953. He graduated from Gilead missionary school in 1961. Ron still serves as a special pioneer in American Samoa.

WHEN the government in Samoa refused to extend our visas, Dolly and I moved to American Samoa. The interisland ship dropped us at the deserted Pago Pago wharf at three o’clock in the morning. We were the only publishers in the country and had $12 in our pockets. Later that morning the father of a former Bible student kindly gave us accommodations. We slept in a curtained-off corner of his one-room home. Although we wanted to find our own place to live, we started witnessing at the house right next door.

Several weeks later we rented a large apartment located above a general store in the village of Fagatogo. It had superb views of picturesque Pago Pago Harbor but was completely bare. Brother Knorr had told us: “When you go to the Pacific islands, you may have few comforts. You may even have to flatten literature cartons on the floor to make your bed.” So that’s what we did! Only months later did we have the money to build a proper bed, table, and chairs. Still, we were glad to have a place to call home.

Although my dear wife passed away in 1985, I still go out in the service most days. Looking back on more than 50 years of pioneer and missionary service, I can honestly say that I enjoyed every day!

[Box/​Picture on page 88]

“They Instilled in Me a Love for Jehovah”

WALLACE PEDRO

BORN 1935

BAPTIZED 1955

PROFILE The first person baptized in American Samoa. He and his wife, Caroline, pioneered and then raised a family. They now serve in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

WHEN I studied the Bible and started preaching, my family put me out of the house with only the clothes I was wearing! That night I had to sleep on the beach. I prayed to Jehovah for courage to serve him whatever the outcome.

The next day, I was in the school library when Brother Paul Evans unexpectedly walked in. Sensing that something was wrong, he said, “Let’s go to the missionary home and talk about it.” The missionaries kindly took me in, and later that year I was baptized.

After graduating from high school, I pioneered with the missionaries. Later I married a zealous Canadian pioneer, Caroline Hinsche, who had served in Fiji, and we started special pioneering in American Samoa.

My parents’ attitude gradually mellowed. My father studied the Bible before his death, and my mother was baptized at 72 years of age. I am thankful for the example of those early missionaries. They instilled in me a love for Jehovah that has sustained me to this day!

[Box/​Pictures on page 91, 92]

Persistence Gets Results

PAUL EVANS

BORN 1917

BAPTIZED 1948

PROFILE He and his wife, Frances, served as missionaries in Samoa and American Samoa for over 40 years.

WHEN my wife and I commenced circuit work in 1957, it was not easy to enter Samoa because the government was trying to isolate the local Witnesses from outside help. Visitors and tourists were even required to sign a statement promising not to proselytize during their stay. So, on my first visit to Samoa as circuit overseer, I asked the immigration official what it meant to proselytize. When he appeared confused, I asked:

“Suppose you were a Catholic visiting another country and you went to church. If they asked you, could you get up and give a talk?”

“You should be free to do that,” he replied.

“Now,” I continued, “you know that Jehovah’s Witnesses visit people at their homes with their Bible message. If my friends want me to go along with them as they do this work, is that permitted?”

“That would probably be OK,” he answered.

“But what if the householder asks me a question?” I inquired. “Can I say anything in reply?”

“I don’t see any problem with that,” he said.

“Well, that’s good. At least now I know what to do,” I concluded.

When leaving the country after a successful circuit visit, I asked this same official if he had heard any negative reports about our visit.

“Not a thing,” he replied. “Everything is fine.”

“So, what about entry permits for our next visit?” I asked.

“Don’t apply through the immigration department,” he advised. “Just write me a personal letter, and I’ll see that you get a permit.”

So that is what we did for several visits.

Unfortunately, the officials who succeeded this fair-minded man proved to be less cooperative and refused subsequent circuit overseers entry into Samoa. This situation continued until 1974, when the government granted Frances and me missionary status. Our patience and persistence were finally rewarded.

[Picture]

Frances and Paul Evans

[Box on page 97]

A Language of Orators

The Samoan tongue has a soft, lilting sound that is gentle to the ear. However, “since many words appear as a jumble of vowels,” observes Fred Wegener, “missionaries need plenty of practice (faata‘ita‘iga) and encouragement (faalaeiauina) to master the language.”

Colorful oratory and proverbial speech play an important part in Samoan culture. Chiefs (matai) and orators (tulafale, talking chiefs) like to quote from the Bible and use elaborate language on formal occasions. The traditional courtesy of the Samoan people is particularly noteworthy in their meticulous use of formal and ceremonial language when required. Samoan has a highly developed polite “chiefly” language (tautala lelei) when speaking to or about God, chiefs, people in authority, and foreign visitors. On the other hand, for everyday conversation or when speaking of oneself, Samoan has colloquial language (tautala leaga), a less formal, more relaxed way of speaking.

To avoid causing offense when discussing official and ceremonial matters or when talking about the Bible, the respectful “chiefly” form of Samoan has specially designated dignified terms. “Because politeness and respect pervade the entire language,” explains Geoffrey Jackson, a member of the Governing Body who served as a missionary in Samoa, “when witnessing to others, it is important to address Samoans with the politeness usually reserved for royalty, at the same time following the humble custom of using everyday words when speaking of oneself.”

[Box/​Picture on page 99]

‘We Left With Many Tears’

ROBERT BOIES

BORN 1942

BAPTIZED 1969

PROFILE He and his wife, Elizabeth (Betty), served as missionaries in the Samoan islands from 1978 to 1986.

WE found that even when we first arrived, the people of American Samoa appreciated our efforts to learn Samoan and overlooked our many mistakes. On one occasion, I used Revelation 12:9 to explain Satan’s influence on the world. However, the Samoan words for devil (tiapolo) and lemon (tipolo) sound very similar. Confusing the words, I explained that the “lemon” had been cast out of heaven and was misleading the entire inhabited earth. However, I said that Jehovah would soon crush and put an end to the “lemon.” Naturally, the householder and my missionary companion laughed heartily.

On another occasion, I recited a memorized presentation to a Samoan woman in the house-to-house work. I later learned that the only part of the presentation that she understood was a brief reference to Revelation 21:4. Sensing that my message must be important, she immediately went inside and read the verse from her Bible. That one scripture so touched her heart that the woman later accepted a Bible study, and she and her children came into the truth!

Happily, we eventually mastered the Samoan language and enjoyed many fine experiences. When health problems forced us to return to the United States, we left Samoa with many tears.

[Box/​Picture on page 101, 102]

“The Whole Town Turned Out”

One of the largest funerals ever held in Apia was that of Fred Williams back in the 1950’s. The Captain, as he was known, was a tough, old retired seaman who was married to one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He had sailed the seven seas and was well-known throughout the South Pacific. His many exploits included navigating his crew back to safety in an open lifeboat across a thousand miles of ocean with barely any rations after being shipwrecked on a remote reef.

The Captain believed that the practice of religion in general was insincere. Nevertheless, this former whiskey-drinking, poker-playing sailor studied the Bible with Bill Moss and became a zealous Witness. By the time he got baptized, the Captain was practically blind and more-or-less bedridden. Yet, he never failed to share his newfound faith with his numerous visitors, including many religious leaders.

When the Captain died, his will specified that Jehovah’s Witnesses conduct the funeral and that he be buried at sea. “It seemed as if the whole town turned out for the funeral,” writes Girlie Moss. “The radio station announced his death, and business firms in Apia lowered their flags to half-mast as a sign of respect.” In addition to all the Witnesses present, there were lawyers, schoolteachers, prominent religious leaders, and many from the business community.

Everyone paid rapt attention as the speaker, Bill Moss, using many Bible texts, explained the Captain’s hope of a resurrection on a paradise earth. “I felt a great wave of love for the Captain,” says Girlie, “because he had prepared for this witness to be given at his funeral to so many who are normally hard to contact or to talk to in the door-to-door ministry. I thought about Abel who, ‘although he died, yet speaks.’” (Heb. 11:4) “The Captain, by means of his funeral, gave a great witness on the day that he died.”

After the funeral talk at the Captain’s home, a convoy of over 50 cars proceeded to the harbor. “The wharf was so packed with onlookers,” writes Girlie, “that the police had to keep the way open for us to get to the boat. Then, along with the family, the high commissioner, and prominent citizens, we boarded the yacht Aolele (Flying Cloud) and put out to sea.” The name of the yacht was most appropriate, as Bill had to cling to the mast because the yacht was tossed like a cork in the waves and the wind tugged ferociously at him, his clothing, and the pages of his Bible. Finally, Bill read the Bible’s promise that ‘the sea will give up those dead in it’ and said a prayer. (Rev. 20:13) After that, the Captain’s wrapped and weighted body slipped into the tempestuous waters of his beloved Pacific Ocean. People talked about this funeral long afterward, providing many opportunities for a further witness.

[Picture]

“Captain” Fred Williams before his baptism

[Box/​Picture on page 109, 110]

“We Kept Coming Back”

FRED WEGENER

BORN 1933

BAPTIZED 1952

PROFILE He and his wife, Shirley, serve at Samoa Bethel. Fred is a member of the Country Committee.

WE MOVED from Australia to American Samoa as newlyweds in 1956 to serve as special pioneers. Our first assignment was Lauli‘i, a small village at the eastern entrance of Pago Pago Harbor. There we moved into a run-down shack with no doors, windows, ceiling, or running water. After making it livable, we immediately had a new addition to our family. Wallace Pedro, a local youth who had been evicted from his home by his opposed parents, came to live and pioneer with us.

Two years later, we attended Gilead and were assigned to Tahiti as missionaries. Our stay there, however, was short-lived. The government rejected our missionary applications and politely informed us by letter that we must leave on the next plane. After returning to American Samoa, we served with Paul and Frances Evans and Ron and Dolly Sellars at the Fagatogo missionary home in Pago Pago. Here I printed the Samoan Watchtower and Our Kingdom Ministry on an old mimeograph machine set up on the dining room table. In 1962, Shirley and I were invited to take up circuit work. Our first circuit covered most of the South Pacific, including American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Eight years later, our son, Darryl, was born, and we settled in American Samoa. I served as a special pioneer, and Shirley spent most of her time translating Bible literature into Samoan.

About this time, I worked with a Witness abalone diver to replenish our family funds. The outboard motor on his small boat broke down, and we were lost at sea for four days. We drifted hundreds of miles, survived a fierce storm, sighted 32 passing vessels, and were nearly crushed by a huge container ship before being rescued. Soon afterward, Shirley and I learned that another baby was on the way, so in 1974 we reluctantly decided to return to Australia, where our daughter, Tamari, was born.

In the years that followed, we often thought about returning to our cherished missionary assignment. Imagine our delight when Shirley and I were invited to return to Samoa in 1995 with Tamari, to serve at Bethel. One year later, Shirley and I were invited to resume circuit work​—after a break of 26 years! What a joy it was to meet up with the many faithful old-timers whom we had worked with years earlier in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga!​—3 John 4.

Today, Shirley and I serve alongside Tamari and her husband, Hideyuki Motoi, in Samoa Bethel. How glad we are that we kept coming back!

[Box/​Picture on page 113, 114]

‘Jehovah Has Answered My Prayers’

FAIGAAI TU

BORN 1932

BAPTIZED 1964

PROFILE She pioneered on the islands of Upolu and Savaii from 1965 to 1980. She now lives on Savaii.

I WAS born with severely deformed clubfeet. As a result, the soles of my feet curl back under my heels, making it very difficult for me to walk.

When I first heard the truth, it sank deep into my heart. I wanted to attend congregation meetings, but walking along the hard and rocky road to get there seemed impossible. Eventually, I became very skilled at making my own shoes from rubber sandals. These allowed me to walk more comfortably.

I started pioneering soon after my baptism. Then, after pioneering for nine years on the island of Upolu, I moved with my sister and her husband to Savaii, where there was a need for Kingdom preachers. Here I special pioneered along with my niece, Kumi Falema‘a.

Kumi and I traveled by bus each week from Faga to Lata, a small village located on the west coast of Savaii. After conducting a Bible study with a woman in Lata, we walked five miles [8 km] to the village of Taga to study with another woman. We stayed the night with this woman and her family and then returned to Faga on the morning bus. This routine continued for about two years. Happily, both of these women and their families later became active Witnesses.

When my relatives left Savaii, I stayed behind to look after a small group of sisters and interested women at Faga. I conducted the weekly Watchtower Study and Congregation Book Study and led the sisters in the house-to-house ministry. Once a month an elder traveled from Apia to conduct one of our Sunday meetings. Because the village chief forbade us to sing Kingdom songs at our meetings, we read the words aloud instead. Five years later a missionary couple, Leva and Tenisia Faai‘u, arrived from New Zealand to help our little group. Others followed. Today, Savaii has two flourishing congregations, one at Faga and the other at Taga.

Although I never married, I love children and always drew close to them. Some children even lived with me for a time. Seeing my spiritual “children” grow and take their stand for Jehovah has filled me with joy.

Now I am old and can no longer walk from door to door. I conduct Bible studies at my home and witness to people I meet at the local hospital. Even so, my limitations frustrated me, so I prayed to Jehovah to help me to do more. Then, missionaries in my congregation introduced me to telephone witnessing. Looking back over my life, I see that Jehovah has truly answered my prayers.

[Box/​Diagram on page 118]

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Residents of Samoa and Tonga set their clocks to the same hour, but Tonga’s calendar is one day ahead! Why? Samoa and Tonga are located on opposite sides of the international date line​—Tonga to the west and Samoa to the east. Thus, although the two are separated by only a short distance, Tonga is one of the first countries in the world to observe the annual Memorial of Christ’s death, while Samoa is one of the last.

[Diagram]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

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| Wednesday

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TONGA |

7:00 p.m. | SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN

Thursday |

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International | Date Line

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| NIUE

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[Box/​Pictures on page 123, 124]

A Bible Translation That Honors God’s Name

In 1884, Christendom’s missionaries produced a Bible translation in the Samoan language that used the name Jehovah throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. The abbreviated form of God’s name also appeared four times in the Christian Greek Scriptures as Aleluia, meaning “Praise Jah.” (Rev. 19:1-6) However, the 1969 revised edition of this translation removed the name Jehovah from every verse but one​—an apparent oversight by the translators! (Ex. 33:14) Church authorities also removed the divine name from their hymnbooks and discouraged church members from using Jehovah’s name.

In November 2007, however, Bible lovers in Samoa were delighted to receive the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures in the Samoan language. This accurate, easy-to-understand translation faithfully restores the divine name to the inspired text. Geoffrey Jackson, a former missionary in Samoa who now serves on the Governing Body, released the new edition at a special interisland convention held in Apia, Samoa.

Televised reports of the release stirred up much public interest. Some individuals phoned the Samoa Bethel requesting copies of this translation. A senior government official asked for ten copies to give to members of his staff. A school principal requested five copies to award to his best students at the end of the school year.

Many people have commented favorably on the new translation’s careful renderings, which provide valuable insight into the meaning of the original text. The New World Translation is also reacquainting Samoans with the importance of using God’s name. Finau Finau, a special pioneer in Vailele, Upolu, used Jesus’ model prayer to help a woman reason on this point.

After reading Matthew 6:9, Finau asked, “Whose name do you think should be made holy?”

“The Lord’s,” she replied.

“But 1 Corinthians 8:5 says that there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords,’” reasoned Finau. “How can God’s name be Lord when there are many false gods with the same name?”

He then showed her the name Jehovah and explained that Christendom had removed that name from their Bible translations. Driving home his point, he added: “Now imagine if a person tried to take away or change your family’s chiefly (matai) name. How would you feel?”

“We would be furious,” replied the woman.

“Exactly,” replied Finau, “and that is how Jehovah feels toward all those who try to remove his name from his Word.”

[Picture]

The “New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures” in Samoan

[Box/​Pictures on page 126, 127]

“Jehovah Has Blessed Me a Hundredfold”

LUMEPA YOUNG

BORN 1950

BAPTIZED 1989

PROFILE This daughter of a former prime minister serves as a regular pioneer in Apia.

I WAS raised on the island of Savaii as the daughter of a successful businessman and politician. Because my father owned a huge cocoa plantation and employed about 200 workers, Samoan newspapers called him the Cocoa Baron, and for several years he served as the prime minister of Samoa.

I was one of 11 children. Father was not an especially religious man, but my mother gave us basic instruction in the Bible. When she died, I missed her terribly. Thus, when Judy Pritchard, a missionary sister, witnessed to me about the resurrection hope, the thought of seeing my mother again thrilled me!

I bombarded Judy with questions, and she answered every one from the Bible. Soon we were studying the Bible together. Later, I started attending Witness meetings.

At first, my husband, Steve, a prominent deacon in our village church, opposed my studies. He took me to visit several clergymen who tried to talk me out of attending Witness meetings. But I did not follow their advice. Next, he took me to my father, who merely suggested that I study someplace other than the family home. My fleshly brothers and sisters, however, ridiculed me for changing my religion. But I would not give up learning Bible truth.

When I finally qualified to be a Kingdom publisher, the first house that I visited in the preaching work belonged to one of my father’s cabinet ministers. He had often attended political meetings at Father’s home and knew me well. I was so nervous that I hid behind my companion! People were shocked to see me preaching and asked, “What does your father say?” My father, though, was a reasonable man who defended my new faith. Furthermore, by then he enjoyed reading the Watchtower and Awake! magazines.

Eventually I overcame my fear of man and became a regular pioneer. I love conducting Bible studies, and I keep a list of about 50 potential students for when I have an opening in my schedule. My greatest joy, however, was being able to teach my four children the truth. My daughter Fotuosamoa and son Stephen and their marriage mates, Andrew and Ana, now serve in Samoa Bethel. I also helped my sister Manu to accept the truth. Even my husband, Steve, who had opposed me, began to study the Bible and attend meetings. Truly, Jehovah has blessed me a hundredfold.

[Pictures]

Left: Fotuosamoa and Andrew Coe; right: Ana and Stephen Young

[Box/​Picture on page 129, 130]

My Choice​—Jehovah or Professional Golf?

LUSI LAFAITELE

BORN 1938

BAPTIZED 1960

PROFILE He decided to enter pioneer service rather than pursue a professional golfing career.

I WAS 18 years old when I learned that the family living across the road had joined a religion called Jehovah’s Witnesses. Curious, I visited the father, Siemu Taase, to ask why they used God’s name, Jehovah, in the way that they did. His kind manner and Scriptural reasoning impressed me. So he began studying the Bible with me, and I began attending meetings. When my father learned what I was doing, he threatened me. I begged him to let me attend meetings, but he insisted that I have nothing to do with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Surprisingly, however, the next day he changed his mind. My aunt later told me, “While you slept, you kept crying out ‘Jehovah, please help me!’” I must have been dreaming and talking in my sleep. Happily, my cries softened my father’s heart.

Also across the road from my home was Samoa’s only golf course, where I earned pocket money by finding and selling lost golf balls. Later, I caddied for King Malietoa, who was at that time Samoa’s head of State. The king thought that I had potential as a golfer and gave me his old golf clubs. He also arranged for two local businessmen to sponsor me as a professional golfer. He believed that my golfing skills would “put Samoa on the map.” I was thrilled! But golf soon began to distract me from serving Jehovah, and that troubled my conscience.

Matters came to a head when I won the Samoan Open Golf Championship against a field of international golfing professionals. The king was delighted and wanted me to meet an important American golfer at the presentation dinner that night. Feeling uneasy, I said to myself: ‘This is the time to make your decision. Will you choose golf or Jehovah?’ That night I attended the circuit assembly rehearsals rather than the presentation dinner.

Understandably, the king was furious. When my father confronted me, I had a long talk with him and explained from the Bible why serving Jehovah was so important to me. To my surprise he began to weep. He then told me: “When you were five years old, you were very sick and pronounced dead. We were lowering you into your grave when a bee stung you on your face. Suddenly, you yelled out and began to cry​—just in time! Now I believe that you were saved to become a witness for Jehovah God.” He never opposed me again.

After moving to New Zealand, I served for ten years as a regular pioneer and then as a special pioneer, and I married Robyn, who was also a special pioneer. In time, we had three children and moved to Australia. For the next 30 years, I worked full-time to support my family. Meanwhile, we helped many of our relatives come into the truth. I often prayed that Jehovah would help me to reenter the pioneer ranks. What a joy when, after retiring from secular employment in 2004, I finally achieved my goal. How glad I am that I chose to serve Jehovah rather than pursue professional golf!

[Box/​Picture on page 135]

Parental Training Gets Results

PANAPA LUI

BORN 1967

BAPTIZED 1985

PROFILE He and his wife, Mareta, serve as special pioneers in Samoa.

WHEN we enrolled our son, Sopa, in primary school, I gave the principal a copy of the brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education and explained our stand on religious and nationalistic activities.

The next day, however, Sopa told us that the principal tore up the brochure before the assembled children and teachers and demanded that the Witness children sing a religious hymn. When they refused, he stood them before the entire assembly and demanded that they sing one of their own religious songs. He expected that this would frighten them into submission. However, Sopa urged the Witness children, “Let’s sing ‘We Thank You, Jehovah,’” and he led the children in singing the song.

The principal was impressed and commended Sopa for his courage. He and some of the other teachers later showed interest in the truth. Whenever this principal sees us, he asks about Sopa and sends him his greetings. Sopa continued to make good spiritual progress and was baptized in 2005.

[Box/​Picture on page 138, 139]

“It’s Not Too Far to Walk to Meetings”

VALU LOTONUU

BORN 1949

BAPTIZED 1995

PROFILE She and her six children walked 14 miles over a mountain range to attend meetings.

IN 1993, Jehovah’s Witnesses called at my home in Lefaga, and I accepted a Bible study. Soon afterward, my children and I began attending Christian meetings at Faleasiu, 14 miles [22 km] away on the other side of the island.

On midweek meeting nights, I would collect the children from school early. Some teachers threatened to expel the children, until I explained that it was for vital spiritual reasons that we attended the meetings. Each child carried his or her meeting clothes, Bible, songbook, and study publication in a plastic bag. Sometimes a passing bus gave us a lift, but more often than not, we walked all 14 miles [22 km].

When we finally arrived at the Faleasiu Kingdom Hall, the local Witnesses would welcome us and feed us. They also allowed us to shower and put on our clean clothes for the meeting. After the meeting, we began the long walk home. At the top of the ridge dividing the island, we paused for the children to have a brief nap. I kept watch for any passing vehicle that might give us a ride home. Usually, we arrived home well after midnight. The next morning, at five o’clock, I was up again to catch the first bus back to Faleasiu to go preaching.

On one occasion, I was summoned before an assembly of village matai presided over by the village high chief. They demanded to know why I traveled all the way to Faleasiu rather than attend a church in our village, especially the one established by my grandfather. Finally, they ordered me to stop attending meetings at Faleasiu. But I was not going to let anything stop me from getting to the meetings. I was determined to obey God rather than men.​—Acts 5:29.

Matters soon came to a head. When I did not attend a village toonai (a Sunday feast attended by the church minister, deacons, and village matai) the council fined me five large pigs. This was a heavy financial burden, since I was a single mother with six young children. Nevertheless, I eventually paid the fine with pigs from my herd. In time, though, the villagers came to respect our firm stand and no longer opposed us.

Getting to meetings required great effort over the years. But it was worth it. All of my children are active Witnesses, and one son is a ministerial servant.

My children and I still walk to meetings. No, not 14 miles [22 km] to Faleasiu, but just down the road. In 2001 a beautiful new Kingdom Hall was built right in our village. Today it hosts a thriving congregation. So, even now, it’s not too far to walk to meetings!

[Chart/​Graph on page 132, 133]

TIME LINE​—Samoa

1930

1931 The good news reaches Samoa.

1940

1940 Harold Gill distributes the booklet Where Are the Dead? the first publication in Samoan.

1950

1953 First congregation is formed in Apia.

1955 Gilead missionaries arrive in American Samoa.

1955 The New World Society in Action film is shown throughout American Samoa.

1957 First circuit assembly held in American Samoa.

1958 Translation of The Watchtower into Samoan begins.

1959 First circuit assembly held in Western Samoa.

1960

1970

1974 Missionaries arrive in Samoa. Work opens up in Tokelau.

1980

1984 Branch office established at Sinamoga missionary home, Apia.

1990

1991 Cyclone Val devastates islands.

1993 Samoan Watchtower simultaneous with English edition. New Bethel Home and Assembly Hall dedicated.

1996 Weekly radio program “Answers to Your Bible Questions” presented on FM radio.

1999 Kingdom Hall construction speeds up.

2000

2007 New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures released in Samoan.

2010

[Graph]

(See publication)

Total Publishers

Total Pioneers

700

400

100

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

[Picture]

Frances and Paul Evans

[Maps on page 73]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

HAWAII

AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

TOKELAU

Swains Island

SAMOA

AMERICAN SAMOA

Manu‘a Islands

Rose Atoll

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN

NIUE

International Date Line Wednesday

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Thursday

TONGA

AMERICAN SAMOA

Tutuila

PAGO PAGO

Petesa

Tafuna

Fagatogo

Lauli‘i

‘Aunu‘u

SAMOA

Savaii

Aopo

Lata

Taga

Faga

Salimu

Fogapoa

Upolu

APIA

Faleasiu

Siusega

Vailele

Lefaga

Vava‘u

APIA

Vaiala

Faatoia

Sinamoga

[Full-page picture on page 66]

[Picture on page 74]

Pele and Ailua Fuaiupolu were the first Samoans to dedicate their lives to Jehovah

[Picture on page 81]

Ron and Dolly Sellars moved to Samoa in 1953 to serve where the need was greater

[Picture on page 84]

Richard and Gloria Jenkins on their wedding day, January 1955

[Picture on page 85]

Girlie and Bill Moss on their way to Samoa

[Picture on page 95]

A typical Samoan house

[Picture on page 100]

This Kingdom Hall built in Apia was the first in Samoa

[Picture on page 107]

The original Tafuna Kingdom Hall, American Samoa

[Picture on page 115]

Metusela Neru

[Picture on page 116]

Saumalu Taua‘anae

[Picture on page 131]

Ane Ropati (now Gauld) took her stand for Jehovah as a youth

[Pictures on page 141]

Samoa Office and Bethel

Samoa Country Committee: Hideyuki Motoi, Fred Wegener, Sio Taua, and Leva Faai‘u

Lands of the Former Yugoslavia

THE country known formerly as Yugoslavia is a region of fascinating diversity. With Central and Eastern Europe to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south, and Italy to the west, this area is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and religions. For many, however, the name Yugoslavia evokes images of conflict and strife. From the murder of Archduke Francis Ferdinand in 1914 to the ethnic cleansing of more recent times, this section of the Balkan Peninsula has experienced little peace. As the peoples of this region clashed to gain independence, republics have become countries. Eventually, Yugoslavia splintered, and now in its former territory are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.

Against this backdrop of political, ethnic, and religious strife emerges a most remarkable account​—a chronicle of love, unity, and trust. Jehovah’s Witnesses here have overcome the prejudices and hostilities that have shattered the Balkans. Their cross-cultural accord is the product of loyalty to a superior government​—God’s Kingdom.

AT THE BEGINNING

How did the work of Jehovah’s people have its start in this area? Our story begins with a young barber named Franz Brand, a native of the northern region of Yugoslavia called Vojvodina. He had traveled to Austria in search of work. While there, he came in contact with the truth, which he brought back to his hometown in 1925. He joined a small group who had been reading and discussing the Bible study aids Studies in the Scriptures, which they had received from relatives in the United States.

The group discerned the need to preach, and two booklets explaining Bible teachings were translated into Serbian. Sadly, before these booklets could be distributed, the group was visited by a prominent brother who had turned against the organization and formed his own sect. He persuaded everyone but Franz to leave the Bible Students.

Franz then moved to Maribor, Slovenia, where he found work at a barbershop. He witnessed to the owner of the shop, Richard Tautz, who accepted the truth. Dubbed the Bible-believing barbers, Franz and Richard used the shop as a center for preaching. Their customers listened attentively​—they did not seem to want to move or speak while being shaved! One customer was a politician named Ðuro Džamonja. Another customer was Rudolf Kalle, the owner of a typewriter repair shop. Both Ðuro and Rudolf made rapid progress and were soon baptized. Ðuro abandoned politics and helped to establish The Lighthouse Society of Bible Students in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. This legal entity enabled the brothers to preach and hold meetings freely.

THE “PHOTO-DRAMA” OPENS THE WAY

In 1931 the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Switzerland sent two brothers to show “The Photo-Drama of Creation” in large cities throughout Yugoslavia. Halls were packed, and audiences were very attentive as Ðuro presented the material. The “Photo-Drama” generated interest in Bible truth throughout the country. Meanwhile, in Maribor the brothers conducted meetings in both the Slovenian and German languages. And in Zagreb and surrounding areas, groups gathered to discuss publications that had been translated into Croatian.

Next, the brothers decided to begin translation of The Watchtower into both Slovenian and Croatian​—a daunting task in those early days. After a magazine was translated, a sister typed it using carbon paper, which would produce only 20 copies at a time. Later, when a mimeograph machine was obtained, production increased to 200 copies of The Watchtower at a time.

Equipped with these magazines, brothers and sisters would travel by train to various parts of Yugoslavia to preach. At times, brothers in Slovenia rented an open-top truck and hired a non-Witness driver. He would drive them to the area where they wanted to preach and would wait the entire day until they finished. In the early days, these Kingdom proclaimers had little training, and their message was at times blunt; yet, Jehovah blessed their efforts by helping them find “those who were rightly disposed for everlasting life.”​—Acts 13:48.

“I heard about the truth in 1931 from my aunt, Terezija Gradič, and her husband, Franc,” remembers Franc Sagmeister. “He was among the first publishers in Slovenia. Though formerly a great opponent of religion, Franc began to read the Bible eagerly. That made a big impression on me, so I joined him in studying the Scriptures. Despite opposition from my family, I wanted to share my newly acquired knowledge with others. When this was brought to the attention of the parish priest, he promptly called me in to see him. He told me that I was not allowed to have a Bible because I could not understand it. I refused to give him my copy. Later, when my father died, the priest approached me on the street, furious that I hadn’t paid for a single Mass to be said for my father. I told him, ‘I would pay for a hundred Masses, even a thousand, if that would help my father.’

“‘It helps, it helps!’ said the priest.

“‘If he is in heaven,’ I said, ‘he doesn’t need your Mass, and if he is in hell, he wouldn’t need one.’

“‘But what if he is in purgatory?’ demanded the priest.

“‘Mister priest,’ I said, ‘you well know that I own a great deal of property. I am ready right now to go to the lawyer’s office and sign it all over to you if you can prove to me from the Bible that man has an immortal soul that lives on after death, that hell and purgatory exist, and that God is some kind of Trinity.’

“He glared at me, lit up a cigarette, and left.”

PIONEERS TO THE FIELD

In the 1930’s, dedicated men and women opened up the way for the light of truth to shine in Yugoslavia. In Maribor, Slovenia, for example, Grete Staudinger, Katarina Konečnik, and later Karolina Stropnik enrolled in what became known as vacation pioneer service. Farther south in Mostar, the principal town of Herzegovina, an orchestra conductor named Alfred Tuček recognized the ring of truth and began pioneering. Dušan Mikić, a 23-year-old from Zagreb, Croatia, obtained the booklet Where Are the Dead? He too made quick progress, was baptized, and began pioneering. The ranks of pioneers would soon be fortified by the arrival of zealous German brothers and sisters.

As the truth was taking root in Yugoslavia, it was being banned in Germany. The branch office in Switzerland arranged to send to Yugoslavia about 20 experienced pioneers, such as Martin Poetzinger, Alfred Schmidt, Vinko and Josephine Platajs, and Willi and Elisabeth Wilke. Though they did not speak Slovenian or Serbo-Croatian, these self-sacrificing pioneers used testimony cards to preach boldly, opening the way for future progress.

THE CHALLENGES OF PIONEERING

Their zeal for Jehovah and love for people helped the pioneers overcome problems with both the language and lack of money. Moving from place to place also proved challenging. It was not uncommon to travel 25 miles [40 km] on foot through harsh weather and over difficult terrain to reach remote villages. One pioneer sister recalls that to help preserve her shoes, she removed them while walking from village to village. Martin Poetzinger, who later became a member of the Governing Body, fondly recalled his time traveling through the countryside with a backpack full of literature, preaching to all who would listen.

The problem of transportation was eased with the arrival of bicycles purchased by a brother in Switzerland and donated to these faithful pioneers. Those bicycles were used in the ministry for decades.

Although the people of Yugoslavia were known for being hospitable, there was religious opposition, and our pioneers faced much persecution. The priests wielded great control over their followers, especially in the smaller villages. At times, the priests would incite schoolchildren to follow the pioneers and throw stones at them. The clergy also incited the authorities to harass the pioneers, confiscate their literature, and arrest them.

On one occasion, while preaching in a remote village in Croatia, Willi Wilke heard a loud roar of excitement from the village square. He and his wife, along with Grete Staudinger, another pioneer, were there offering the booklet Righteous Ruler, which depicted Jesus Christ on the title page. “To my horror,” he remembers, “I arrived to see an angry crowd of about 20 people, armed with sickles, surrounding my wife. Nearby, another group of people were busy burning our booklets.”

The pioneers had no idea why these humble villagers were so angry, and Sister Wilke could not speak the language well enough to find out. However, Grete was fluent in German and the local languages. She stepped up and asked, “Ladies and gentlemen, what are you doing?”

“We don’t want King Peter!” they replied almost in one voice.

“Nor do we,” Grete replied.

Surprised, the people pointed to the picture on the booklet and asked, “Then why are you making propaganda for him?”

Now Grete understood. Just the year before, in 1934, the Yugoslav King Alexander I had been murdered, and his son Peter was to succeed him on the throne. However, the villagers preferred autonomy rather than a monarch from Serbia. The villagers had thought the picture of Jesus Christ was King Peter!

The misunderstanding was cleared up, and a thorough witness concerning the King, Jesus Christ, was given. Some who had burned their booklets now wanted new ones. The pioneers left the village happy, feeling that Jehovah’s protective hand had been over them.

The pioneers also had to be mindful of local customs. When preaching in predominantly Muslim villages in Bosnia, special attention had to be shown not to offend the local people. For example, making eye contact with a married Muslim woman could evoke a negative reaction from her husband.

At that time, there were very few congregations and groups in the country. So after preaching all day in a distant village, it was sometimes difficult to find shelter for the night. Because the pioneers had little money, they could not afford to pay for a proper room at a guesthouse. Josephine Platajs recalls: “In one village nobody would take us in because they were afraid of the Catholic priest. It was already dark when we were about to leave the village. On the way out, we saw a big tree with dry leaves on the ground​—our lodging place for the night! We used our laundry bag for a pillow, and my husband tied the bicycle to his ankle with a rope. We awoke the next morning to find that we had slept near a well, so we had water to get cleaned up. Jehovah not only protected us but also cared for our physical needs.”

These pioneers saw how Jehovah cared for them even in little things. Their concern was for advancing the good news and not for personal comfort.

STEPPING OVER INTO MACEDONIA

Alfred and Frida Tuček, both pioneers, took the opportunity to spread the Kingdom message while traveling from Slovenia to Bulgaria. In the town of Strumica, Macedonia, they witnessed to a shop owner, Dimitar Jovanovič, and lent him some literature. One month later, when returning from Bulgaria, they revisited him. Upon learning that he had not read the literature, they asked him to return it so that it could be given to someone who would appreciate it. This sparked Dimitar’s curiosity. He pleaded for another chance to read the literature. After reading it, he realized that he had found the truth, and he became the first person to be baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Macedonia.

Dimitar then shared the truth with two brothers, Aleksa and Kosta Arsov. Soon there were three Witnesses in Macedonia. Equipped with magazines, a phonograph, and records containing sermons, they began to preach. One of the magazines found its way into the hands of an Evangelical Methodist minister, who passed it on to a bright young man in his church, Tušo Carčev. Tušo liked what he read and persuaded the minister to supply him with more magazines. Soon Tušo learned that it was not appropriate to be paid to preach the good news. Excited, he told this to the minister, who responded by not bringing any more magazines. Tušo found the address of the Maribor branch office in the magazines and wrote asking that more be mailed to him. The office contacted Dimitar, Aleksa, and Kosta asking them to visit Tušo. Soon a group was formed.

In 1935 the brothers moved the branch office from Maribor, Slovenia, to the Yugoslav capital of Belgrade, Serbia. Franz Brand along with Rudolf Kalle were given oversight.

THE WORK IS BANNED

Evidence of the zealous activity of our brothers in those days is seen in a brochure issued by the Catholic Church in 1933. In it the preaching activity of the Witnesses was explained in great detail, and the church predicted that our work would soon come to an end. How wrong that proved to be!

In northern Yugoslavia the clergy were angered by the zealous activity of the small group of pioneers. They were further infuriated when the courts blocked attempts to restrict the Kingdom-preaching activity. Eventually, though, a Jesuit priest from Slovenia became the minister of the interior. One of his first decrees was to dissolve the Lighthouse Society; and in August 1936, the work was officially banned. The authorities sealed the Kingdom Halls and confiscated all the literature. Fortunately, the congregations had been informed ahead of time, and the authorities found little to confiscate. So that the work might continue, a small publishing house under the name Kula stražara (The Watchtower) was opened in Belgrade, and the meetings continued in private homes.

With an official ban in place, the government increased its pressure to stop the preaching work. Those in the full-time ministry became special targets, making it increasingly difficult for our German-speaking brothers. The banning of the work in other European countries is what had brought many of these pioneers to Yugoslavia, and now the preaching work was under ban here as well. Though the pioneers were arrested and imprisoned, their zeal was unwavering. “At times it was difficult to receive visits while in prison, but Jehovah never forsook us,” said one sister. “Once when a brother came to visit us and permission was denied, he spoke with the prison warden in such a loud voice that we could hear him. The sound of his voice itself was a great encouragement to us.”

During this time of unrest, it took great courage to translate and distribute the booklet Judge Rutherford Uncovers Fifth Column, which exposed the role of Catholic churches in supporting the political agenda of the Nazi government. It was translated into Serbian, Croatian, and Slovenian, and 20,000 copies of each were printed. Banned from the start, it resulted in both the expulsion of foreign pioneers and an indictment from the state attorney requesting 10 to 15 years’ imprisonment for the publishers of the booklet. Despite the risk, the few publishers in Yugoslavia distributed the 60,000 copies quickly.

“People at that time were hungry for the written word and enjoyed reading,” explains Lina Babić, who learned the truth toward the end of World War II and had close contact with faithful brothers and sisters. “Since we always had to be cautious,” she relates, “I chose to copy literature by hand in my personal notebook. That way, if I was searched, it would give the impression that it was simply my personal notes.”

CHOOSING BETWEEN TOLSTOY AND JEHOVAH

As the world teetered on the verge of war, a split occurred in one of the largest congregations in Yugoslavia. Some had begun to advocate the views of the Russian writer and religious philosopher Leo Tolstoy. Once a member of the Russian Orthodox Church, Tolstoy became convinced that all Christian churches were corrupt institutions that had thoroughly falsified Christianity. Some of the brothers adopted this mistrust of all religious organizations and became dissatisfied with Jehovah’s organization. Abusing the trust given to him, the brother taking the lead in the Zagreb Congregation succeeded in persuading most of the publishers to accept Tolstoy’s views. So strong was the brother’s influence that the majority of the congregation, more than 60 members, adopted a resolution to renounce Jehovah’s organization.

When Rudolf Kalle heard of this, he hastily traveled from Belgrade to Zagreb to meet with the whole congregation. He discussed basic Bible truths that Jehovah had revealed through the faithful and discreet slave class. (Matt. 24:45-47) He then asked: “Who taught you these truths? Tolstoy or Jehovah’s organization?” Quoting Joshua 24:15, Rudolf asked those who wanted to stay with Jehovah’s organization to raise their hands. Only two did so.

“It was inexpressibly painful,” said Rudolf.

It looked as if all the good that had been accomplished in the congregation was about to be lost.

Rudolf then invited the two faithful ones to come up to the platform and said: “Only three of us remain. We now represent Jehovah’s people in this city. I would like to ask all others to leave the room and go their own way. Please, leave us alone! We want to serve our God, Jehovah, and you can go and serve your Tolstoy. We do not want to associate with you any longer.”

For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then, one after another started to raise their hand and say: “I also want to serve Jehovah.” In the end, only the apostate congregation servant and a few of his followers left the room. This test of loyalty fortified Jehovah’s faithful servants for the far more severe trials they would soon face.

ADVERSITIES OF WAR

On April 6, 1941, the German army invaded Yugoslavia. The branch office was damaged by the massive air raids that struck Belgrade. Yugoslavia was divided by the German troops. For a while, fighting disrupted communication between the brothers at Bethel in Serbia and the brothers in Slovenia, Croatia, and Macedonia. It was even worse for the brothers in the far south of Macedonia, who were not able to resume contact until after the war.

Suddenly, the brothers were confronted with new and challenging circumstances. A world plunged into international conflict imposed upon our dear brothers and sisters a time of severe testing and sifting. Their faith in and love for Jehovah and his organization were to be put to the test.

The office in Belgrade was closed down, and the distribution of spiritual food to the brothers was organized at Zagreb, Croatia. Because fines and imprisonments were replaced with concentration camps and death sentences, discretion and secrecy became ever more vital.

When German forces both occupied and divided Yugoslavia, concentration camps were established. In Croatia these camps were used to isolate and murder several ethnic and non-Catholic minorities as well as any religious opponents of the regime. In Serbia, Nazi forces set up labor and concentration camps. Because of their neutral stand, more than 150 of our brothers from Hungary were imprisoned in the camp located in Bor, Serbia. In Yugoslavia too, Jehovah’s Witnesses became targets of the Nazi regime. Consequently, the preaching work was carried on mainly through informal witnessing. The publishers were advised to carry only their Bibles and one piece of literature, and they were told what to say if arrested. They held their meetings in small groups and did not know where other meeting locations were.

Because literature could not be brought into the country safely, it was reproduced underground. Brothers labored throughout the night at various locations to print and assemble magazines and booklets. They also worked hard to earn money to fund the printing operations. Through various business connections, the brothers always managed to obtain the items they needed for printing. While national and religious prejudice raged within the borders of Yugoslavia, our brothers were united, and they combined their private funds to provide lifesaving spiritual food. How would they transport it to isolated groups of publishers within their territory?

Stevan Stanković, a railroad worker of Serbian descent, proved ready to help his brothers regardless of their background. Despite the danger, Stevan took on the task of secretly taking literature from Croatia to military-occupied Serbia. One day the police discovered literature in a suitcase he was carrying. They demanded to know where the literature came from. Loyal to his brothers, though, Stevan refused to divulge the information. The police took him to a prison for questioning and then transferred him to the nearby concentration camp at Jasenovac. Known for its brutality, this camp claimed the life of our faithful brother.

Mihovil Balković, a discreet and resourceful brother, worked as a plumber in Croatia during those troublesome times. In addition to his secular work, he visited the brothers to encourage them and to deliver literature. “On one occasion,” relates his grandson, “he learned that the train on which he was traveling was to be searched at the next town. So he exited the train one stop earlier than he had planned. Although most of the town was surrounded by barbed wire, he found an opening through a vineyard. He carried the literature in his backpack, and put two bottles of rakija (homemade brandy) in the upper compartment along with some groceries. While cautiously walking through the vineyard, he passed a bunker and suddenly a soldier yelled: ‘Stop! Who are you?’ When he moved closer, one of the soldiers asked, ‘What are you carrying?’

“‘A little bit of flour, some beans, and some potatoes,’ he replied.

“When asked what he had in the bottles, he said, ‘Smell it and take a taste.’

“When the soldier tasted it, Mihovil said, ‘This bottle is for you, my son, and the other one is for me.’

“Satisfied with his answer and the rakija, the soldiers responded, ‘Old man, you can go!’

“So,” concludes Mihovil’s grandson, “the literature was delivered safely.”

Mihovil was certainly courageous. His travels took him through areas controlled by opposing sides of the war. At times, Mihovil was face-to-face with the Communist Partisan soldiers; and on other occasions, he faced the Fascist Ustašea or the Četnik soldiers. Instead of shrinking back, he used those opportunities to give a witness and explain the hope for the future that the Bible holds out. This took great courage because the life of a Witness was always in danger. Several times he was arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned.

Toward the end of the war, on the night of November 9, 1944, the Partisans raided Mihovil’s house, confiscated literature, and took Mihovil away. Sadly, he never returned. It was later learned that he was beheaded.

Josip Sabo was just a boy when he delivered literature in the Slavonia region of Croatia on his bicycle. For the baggage rack, he made a box to hold literature, which he then covered with fresh pears. At the time, the entrance of almost every village was barricaded and guarded.

“What do you have in the box?” the guards asked Josip at every post.

“Pears for my uncle,” he replied, and the soldiers would take one or two pears. As he neared his destination, there were fewer pears to cover the literature. So Josip took an abandoned path to save his last pears and the precious literature hidden underneath.

FAITHFUL TO THE LAST

Lestan Fabijan, a mason from Zagreb, shared the truth with Ivan Sever, Franjo Dreven, and Filip Huzek-Gumbazir. They were all baptized within six months and began preaching and holding meetings. On the evening of January 15, 1943, a military patrol came to Ivan Sever’s house to arrest him as well as Franjo Dreven and another brother, Filip Ilić. They searched the house, confiscated all the literature, and took the brothers away.

Lestan heard of the arrests, so he and Filip Huzek-Gumbazir went to comfort Franjo’s mother and sister. The Partisans, however, got wind of their visit and arrested both Lestan and Filip. The five brothers explained from the Bible that they served only Jehovah and showed that they were soldiers of Christ. Because they all refused to take up weapons and fight in the war, they were sentenced to death. They were then held captive.

One night the five brothers were awakened from their sleep, stripped of their clothes, and taken into the woods. As they walked, they were given the opportunity to change their minds. The soldiers tried to break the brothers’ determination by appealing to their love for their families. They spoke of Filip Huzek-Gumbazir’s pregnant wife and his four children. He replied that he was fully confident that Jehovah would care for them. Franjo Dreven had no wife and children, so they asked him who would care for his mother and sister.

Once they arrived at the designated place, the soldiers made the brothers stand in the winter cold. Then the executions began. First, they shot Filip Huzek-Gumbazir. Next the soldiers waited and asked if the others wanted to change their mind. The brothers, however, were resolute. So the soldiers executed Franjo, then Ivan, and then Lestan. Finally, Filip Ilić, the last one alive, compromised and agreed to join the soldiers. Three months later, though, he returned home because of illness and related what had happened. The life he had tried to save by compromising he lost prematurely as a result of sickness.

In Slovenia many of our brothers and sisters became victims of persecution. For example, Franc Drozg, a 38-year-old blacksmith, would not take up arms. Because of this, Nazi soldiers executed him in Maribor on June 8, 1942. Some who were there relate that a sign with the inscription “I am not from this world” was hung around his neck before he was shot. (John 17:14) His strong faith is evident in the letter he wrote just minutes before his execution: “Dear Friend! Rupert, today I was sentenced to death. Do not mourn for me. I send my love to you and to everyone in the house. See you in God’s Kingdom.”

The authorities were relentless in their efforts to stop the preaching work, yet Jehovah proved to be a God of salvation. For example, the police frequently conducted raids and lined up the residents of an area to examine their identification cards. All who looked suspicious were led off to prison. In the meantime, other police would search the houses and apartments. The brothers often saw Jehovah’s protective care when police skipped their homes, no doubt thinking that they had already been searched. On at least two occasions, the brothers’ apartments held much literature, as well as mimeograph machines. Time and again, those who participated in the preaching work in those dangerous times experienced the truth of the Biblical assurance that “Jehovah is very tender in affection and compassionate.”​—Jas. 5:11, footnote.

SENTENCED TO DEATH

In 1945, World War II ended, finishing one of the worst periods of bloodshed in the history of mankind. With the defeat of Hitler and his allies, the brothers hoped that restrictions would be lifted and freedom to preach would be restored. There was reason for optimism: The newly installed Communist government promised freedom of the press, speech, and worship.

Yet, in September 1946, 15 brothers and 3 sisters were arrested. Among them were Rudolf Kalle, Dušan Mikić, and Edmund Stropnik. Investigations lasted five months. The authorities charged the Witnesses with acting against the people and the State and jeopardizing the very existence of Yugoslavia. They claimed that our work was directed from the United States and that we were using the proclamation of God’s Kingdom as a front to destroy socialism and reinstate capitalism. A Catholic priest took the lead in accusing the brothers of being American spies working under the guise of religion.

In court the accused brothers spoke boldly in their own defense and gave a fine witness for Jehovah and his Kingdom. Vjekoslav Kos, a young brother, said: “Wise judges, I received this religion, the teaching from the Bible, from my mother, and I worshiped God. During the time of the occupation by the Germans, my mother was put in prison. Two sisters and my brother were of this same belief as my mother. They took them to Dachau, where they shot them because they were considered to be communists because they worshiped God the way they did. For this same religion I am now found here before the court as a Fascist.” The court released him.

The court was not so lenient with the others. Three of the accused were sentenced to death by shooting, and the rest were sentenced to jail terms ranging from 1 to 15 years. This injustice, however, sparked a rapid and intense outcry from our worldwide brotherhood. Witnesses in the United States, Canada, the British Isles, and Europe wrote thousands of letters of protest to the government in Yugoslavia. They also sent hundreds of cablegrams. Even some governmental officials wrote in behalf of the brothers. This strong outpouring of support resulted in the death sentences being commuted to 20-year prison terms.

The opposition, however, did not end. Two years later, Slovenian authorities arrested Janez Robas and his wife, Marija, along with fellow Witnesses Jože Marolt and Frančiška Verbec, for preaching. The bill of indictment stated in part: The “‘jehovite sect’ . . . recruited new members whom they instigated against our present social system [and] against military service.” Claiming that the brothers were trying to weaken the defense of the country, the authorities handed down sentences of from three to six years of imprisonment with hard labor.

In 1952, because of a change in political policy, all prisoners were released; and the Kingdom message continued to be preached. Jehovah’s promise proved true: “Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in the judgment you will condemn.”​—Isa. 54:17.

Nevertheless, the government continued trying to weaken the resolve of the brothers. The news media labeled them as “mentally ill” and as “fanatics who border on madness.” Persistent negative news reports and the constant fear of being watched began to disturb some brothers. When faithful Witnesses were released from prison, others in the congregations viewed them as spies. However, Jehovah continued to fortify the congregations by means of loyal, mature brothers.

When Josip Broz Tito came to power at the end of World War II, it became clear that the military would play a key role in Yugoslavia. Those who refused to do military service, regardless of the reason, found themselves at odds with the government.

TESTS OF LOYALTY

During World War II, nine-year-old Ladislav Foro, from Croatia, had been present at a compulsory gathering of townspeople when a Catholic priest gave a sermon. After the sermon, Ladislav looked inquisitively behind the curtain of the stage and saw the priest take off his priestly robe. Underneath he was wearing a Ustaša uniform, with a cartridge belt around his waist that held a hand grenade. Taking his saber, the priest mounted a horse outside and shouted: “Brothers, let’s go and Christianize! If somebody disagrees, you know what you have to do!”

Ladislav knew that this was not how a man of God should act. Shortly after that, he began attending secret meetings of the Witnesses with his uncle. Although this angered his parents, Ladislav continued to attend meetings and make fine spiritual progress.

In 1952 when Ladislav was drafted into military service, he made his stand on Christian neutrality clear. Officials subjected him to numerous interrogations in an attempt to force him to take the oath of enlistment into the army. On one occasion, they took him to the barracks where 12,000 recruits were assembled to take the oath. The soldiers stood Ladislav in front of them all and placed a rifle on his shoulder. He immediately threw it down. Using loudspeakers so that everyone could hear, the soldiers said that if Ladislav did that again, he would be shot. When he refused a second time, they led him away and pushed him into a bomb crater several yards deep. The execution order was given, a soldier shot twice into the crater, and the men returned to the barracks. However, the bullets missed the brother!

That night, officials brought Ladislav out of the bomb crater and took him to prison in Sarajevo. He was presented with a letter stating that others of his faith were making certain compromises while he was rotting in prison with criminals. Repeatedly, the officials pressured him with lengthy discussions along similar lines. Ladislav, however, reasoned: ‘Did I come to serve Jehovah because of a certain individual? No! Am I here to please man? No! Does my life depend on what others may say, think, or do? No!’

This spiritual reasoning helped Ladislav to remain faithful in prison until his release four and a half years later. In time he served as a circuit overseer with the support of his devoted wife and fellow worshipper, Anica.

LIMITED LEGAL RECOGNITION

After breaking with the Soviet Union in 1948, Tito decentralized the government and gradually granted the people more freedom. Although the government was still socialistic, there was greater tolerance of religion.

The government invited representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses to meet with them and suggested that a new charter be made, which would make it possible for the Witnesses to have their work legalized. The brothers drafted a charter, and on September 9, 1953, Jehovah’s Witnesses were once again legally registered in Yugoslavia.

While other Communist countries were deporting our brothers, Witnesses in Yugoslavia enjoyed sufficient freedom to gather in designated halls. This also created an opportunity for our brothers in Macedonia to receive literature and make contact with the office in Zagreb. But even though Jehovah’s Witnesses were legally registered as a religious community in 1953, 38 years would pass before they could legally carry out the house-to-house ministry.

Problems continued. Because of the brothers’ neutral stand, the authorities viewed their preaching work as the spreading of propaganda. The nation’s network of secret police along with informants made the preaching work very challenging. Brothers caught preaching could be arrested and fined. One report stated: “Arrests and prosecution continue. This is particularly the case in Slovenia, where Catholic influence is the strongest and where many of Jehovah’s people are under the surveillance of the police and their agents, whose purpose is to catch them studying God’s Word. But the brothers have shown that they are determined to defeat the purpose of the persecution, obeying God rather than man.”

“CAUTIOUS AS SERPENTS”

When preaching in rural Slovenia, the brothers would first ask householders if they had eggs for sale. If the prices were good, the publishers would buy the eggs so as not to arouse suspicion. When they had sufficient eggs, they would ask the next householders for firewood. If it seemed prudent, during the transaction they would shift the conversation to the Bible.​—Matt. 10:16.

In the area around Zagreb, Croatia, the brothers worked the territory systematically, yet in a way to avoid detection. One strategy was to call at every tenth house. For example, if assigned to work the first house, the publishers would visit houses 1, 11, 21, 31, and so on. Through those efforts, many came to know about Jehovah. Given the challenges that the door-to-door ministry presented, however, informal witnessing proved to be the preaching method most often used.

In Serbia the brothers met in private homes. Damir Porobić relates how meetings were held in his grandmother’s house after World War II. “Between five and ten people attended,” he explains. “My grandmother’s house was ideal for that because it was accessible from two streets. This made it possible for all to come and go discreetly so as not to arouse suspicion.”

Veronika Babić was born in Croatia, and her family began to study in the mid-1950’s. After her baptism in 1957, she moved with her husband to Sarajevo, Bosnia. Milica Radišić, from the Slavonia region of Croatia, was baptized in 1950. Her family also moved to Bosnia. Together these families started to spread Kingdom truth in Bosnia. As in other parts of Yugoslavia, they had to preach with caution. “We were reported to the police,” relates Veronika, “and our literature was confiscated. We were arrested, interrogated, threatened with jail, and given fines. Yet, none of that discouraged or frightened us. On the contrary, it strengthened our faith in Jehovah.”

“One day,” recalls Milica, “a man came to the Kingdom Hall and showed interest. He was well received and even stayed for some time in the brothers’ homes. He commented zealously at the meetings. But then our daughter saw him at her place of work attending a meeting for secret police. We then realized that he had been sent by the police to spy on us. Since his involvement with the police was no longer secret, he stopped coming.”

EARLY KINGDOM HALLS

Before their registration with the government, it was illegal for Jehovah’s Witnesses to gather together in private homes, so when they did, the brothers risked arrest. However, even after they were permitted to meet openly, it was a challenge to find a place to meet, since many people disliked Jehovah’s Witnesses and refused to rent their buildings to them. They therefore decided to purchase buildings in which to meet.

Soon the brothers found a workshop in the center of Zagreb, Croatia. They transformed it into a beautiful Kingdom Hall that seated about 160 and added a small office to it for printing literature. This Kingdom Hall was also used for assemblies and conventions and was put to use in 1957 when the first convention was held for Witnesses from all parts of Yugoslavia. A few years later, the brothers purchased a house in the center of Zagreb on Kamaufova Street, which was used by the Bethel family until 1998.

In 1957 the brothers bought a building in Belgrade, Serbia, that served as a Kingdom Hall as well as an office for Bethel work. After this, they acquired a stable in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and converted it into a Kingdom Hall. In 1963 they converted a garage in Sarajevo into a hall, which was used by the first congregation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some of these structures needed much work; but the brothers gave generously of themselves and their resources, and Jehovah blessed their efforts.

BETTER ORGANIZATION SPURS SPIRITUAL GROWTH

In 1960, traveling overseers were assigned to help and encourage the congregations. Some brothers were invited to serve as “weekend” circuit overseers. These brothers willingly used their days off from work to travel and encourage the brothers and to promote unity in those early days.

“For about one year, I served with my wife as a weekend circuit overseer,” recalls Henrik Kovačić, a member of the Branch Committee in Croatia, “and later as a full-time traveling overseer. The brothers lived in very poor conditions, and we often stayed in places without running water or flush toilets. But the brothers showed great appreciation for our visits and displayed extraordinary love and hospitality. They regularly gave up their bed for us and provided us with a meal, though they themselves had so little. In some congregations, so as not to be a burden, we stayed in a different home every night.”

“Serving as a weekend overseer was the most wonderful experience,” says Šandor Palfi, who now serves on the Country Committee in Serbia, “though it was difficult. Brothers waited eagerly for us to come. They were poor, but they did all they could to give us the very best they had. For them, the visit of the circuit overseer was a very special occasion.”

While serving as a circuit overseer, Miloš Knežević directed the work of the branch office in Yugoslavia. During the decades of Communist rule, Brother Knežević was instrumental in resolving many of the legal complaints lodged against our brothers.

HEARTWARMING PROGRESS IN MACEDONIA

In 1968, a young man from Kočani, Macedonia, was attending college in Zagreb, where he became acquainted with the truth. On returning home, he shared the good news with his relatives and friends.

“That young man was my cousin,” recalls Stojan Bogatinov, the first to be baptized from Kočani. “I was working as a waiter, and sometimes my workmates and I talked about religion. After one of our discussions, a member of the Orthodox Church came in for a meal. While I was serving him, I asked whether I could obtain a Bible from his church, because I really wanted to learn about God. He told me that he would try to bring me one. Soon I had my very own copy of the ‘New Testament.’ I was so happy that after work I hurried home to start reading it.

“On the way, I was surprised to see my cousin, who had returned from Zagreb. He invited me over to his place, but I said I could not come because I was so excited about going home to read my Bible. ‘I have something that will interest you,’ my cousin replied. ‘At home I have books that will help you to understand the Bible.’ We went to his home, and I was pleased to see that he had the complete Bible, some brochures, and some Watchtower magazines in Croatian. He offered me the publications, and I started to read them right away. Immediately I realized I was reading something special. I did not know any of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but I wanted to get to know them.

“When my cousin traveled back to Zagreb, I accompanied him. There, a hospitable Witness, Ivica Pavlaković, invited me to his house, where I stayed for three days. During this time I asked many questions, and he always answered them using the Bible, which impressed me greatly. I attended a congregation meeting and was encouraged by the warm brotherhood.

“Ivica took me to Bethel in Zagreb, and I left with a happy heart and hands full of literature. After just a few unforgettable days, I returned to Kočani with the spiritual treasure I had found. There were no Witnesses living nearby, so I began corresponding with Ivica regularly. My letters were full of questions, and he wrote back with the answers. As I learned more, I shared what I learned, and my wife and children began to show an interest. We were soon a family united in the truth, and we learned a lot about the Bible. We were happy, and we zealously started to talk to our relatives and friends about the good news; and many listened to us. But with the preaching came persecution.”

ASSEMBLED IN UNITY IN GERMANY

Although our brothers in Yugoslavia were not as isolated as were those in other Communist countries, they were few and longed to experience the love of the worldwide brotherhood. Thus, when they learned that the “Peace on Earth” International Assembly was planned for 1969, they sought permission from the government to leave the country to attend. Imagine their delight when permission was granted!

The assembly was held at the large stadium in Nuremberg, Germany, where Hitler, who had threatened to exterminate Jehovah’s Witnesses, had paraded his troops just a few decades earlier. The program was presented in many languages, and the Yugoslav delegates were thrilled to learn that sessions in their languages would be held in a wooded area near the main stadium. A large platform divided the sports field so that half the delegates, seated on the one side, heard the program in Serbo-Croatian, while the other half, on the other side of the platform, heard it in Slovenian. How that eight-day program deepened the knowledge and faith of the brothers!

Trains and buses had been booked from all parts of Yugoslavia to take the delegates to Germany. “Thrilled to be united with our brothers and sisters,” recounts a brother who traveled there from Croatia, “we proudly displayed signs in the windows of our train car announcing the convention.”

The brothers were delighted to see and hear Nathan Knorr and Frederick Franz from the world headquarters. “We could hardly contain our enthusiasm,” recalls one delegate, “when they came to our section of the stadium to give greetings.” The blessings that the Yugoslav brothers enjoyed far outweighed the many sacrifices they had made to attend. “It cost two months’ wages to travel to the assembly,” says Milosija Simić, who traveled from Serbia, “and it was difficult to get ten days off from work. I wasn’t sure if I would still have a job when I returned, but I was determined to go. It was incredible! Till this day, some 40 years later, I have tears of joy when I reflect on that event.” Having joined together with fellow Witnesses from all parts of Yugoslavia to experience the unity of our international brotherhood, the brothers returned home fortified to face the challenges that lay ahead.

LOCAL PIONEERS MEET THE NEED

The German pioneers who arrived in the early 1930’s had done much work in spreading the good news. Now with an increase in publishers, there were more Yugoslavs who were entering pioneer service. Slovenia, for example, was ready to send experienced pioneers to more distant parts of Yugoslavia where there was a greater need. These pioneers courageously met the challenge of learning new languages and cultures.

“I arrived in Priština, the largest city in Kosovo,” remembers Jolanda Kocjančič. “Albanian and Serbian are spoken there. Though Minka Karlovšek and I did not speak either of those languages, we decided to start preaching, and that is how we learned. At the first house, we met the oldest son of a widow who was of Czech background. We started our presentation in Slovenian mixed with some Serbian expressions, saying, ‘We would like to talk to your household about good news from the Bible.’

“‘Come in,’ he replied, ‘my mother has been expecting you.’

“When we entered, the mother, Ružica, came hurrying to meet us. She explained that 14 days earlier she had prayed to Jehovah asking him to send someone to teach her about him. Her sister, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in what is now the Czech Republic, had repeatedly suggested that she pray to Jehovah for help. Ružica was convinced that our visit was the answer to her prayer. So while Ružica taught us Serbian, we taught her the truth from the Bible. She had student tenants in her house who joined in the Bible study. One of them gave us an Albanian dictionary, which helped us to learn that language.”

Zoran Lalović, in Montenegro, was just a boy when he received a Bible from a pioneer from Zagreb, Croatia. Five years later, in 1980, a special pioneer arrived from Serbia and studied with him. “I had a hard time cutting off contact with my disco buddies,” says Zoran, “but when I eventually did so, I made rapid progress and was baptized just a few months later in Belgrade, Serbia. Immediately thereafter, I was assigned to give the public talk, since there were so few brothers. We also started conducting all the meetings in the city of Podgorica.”

BAPTISMS AT THE RICE FIELDS

“When people were ready for baptism, I baptized them,” said Stojan Bogatinov, from Macedonia. “We had no bathtub to use, and the local river was far too small. However, in our area we have many rice fields with canals to provide water. Some were deep and clean enough to use for baptism. I remember the first baptism in a rice field. As we walked through the field to the canal, someone called out to me, ‘Stojan, so you gathered new laborers!’

“‘Yes, yes,’ I answered, ‘there is a lot of work.’ They had no idea we were laborers for the spiritual harvest that was going on in Macedonia.”

The brothers in Macedonia had limited contact with the branch office, and they still had much to learn regarding theocratic procedures. Stojan Stojmilov began attending meetings in Germany, and when he returned to Macedonia, he was delighted to find Witnesses in Kočani. “When I arrived and told the brothers how the meetings were conducted in Germany,” he relates, “they immediately asked me to conduct the Watchtower Study and to give a public talk. I explained to them that I was not yet baptized, but they were insistent, asserting that I was the most qualified person. So I agreed to do what they asked. Eventually, my wife and I progressed, and we too were baptized in the rice fields.”

Veselin Iliev, who now serves as an elder in Kočani, explains, “We had little knowledge about theocratic organization, but we had a lot of love for the truth.” In time, Jehovah saw to it that matters were corrected. For one thing, making more literature available in Macedonian did much to advance Kingdom truth and strengthen the congregations.

DISCREET USE OF INCREASED FREEDOM

Since Yugoslavia was not under the control of Russia, people enjoyed liberties that were not possible behind the Iron Curtain. In the late 1960’s, Yugoslavia became the first Communist country to abolish visas and relax its border control. With increased freedom to travel, our brothers in northern Yugoslavia took on the task of taking our literature into countries bordering the Soviet Union, where the preaching work was still banned.

First, they brought literature into Yugoslavia from Germany in cargo vans. Ðuro Landić, who serves on the Croatia Branch Committee, recalls that their house was a literature depot up until the fall of the Soviet Union. “Our family cars had false bottoms and hidden compartments in the dashboards,” Ðuro remembers. “We knew that if we were caught, we could lose our cars as well as go to prison, but the joy of our brothers when they received the literature made it worthwhile.”

Sister Milosija Simić, who took literature from Serbia to Bulgaria, recounts: “I never knew to whom I would be delivering the literature​—I was only given an address. On one occasion, I got off the bus and found the house, but no one was home. I circled around the block and came from a different direction and tried again. Still, no one was home. I did this about ten times throughout the day, discreetly so as not to arouse suspicion. But I was never able to find anyone there. This proved to be a real blessing, for I later found out that this was not the correct address.

“Because I had worked so hard to copy and retype the literature, I faced a dilemma. I could not simply throw the literature away. So I decided to take it back to Serbia where it would be put to good use. However, although I had purchased a round-trip ticket, I still needed a ticket to get to the connecting station. Usually when the literature delivery was made, the brothers who received it would give me money to purchase a ticket. We did that because there was a restriction on the amount of money I could take into the country. I approached the ticket window and prayed that I might find a woman working at the counter. Just as I arrived, the man behind the counter left and a woman took his place. In exchange for a ticket, I offered to give her the clothes we had used to wrap the literature. She agreed, and I got my ticket.”

In the early 1980’s, the brothers translated literature into Albanian and Macedonian and sent the handwritten copies to the small office in Belgrade. There Milosija used a typewriter and carbon paper to produce eight copies at a time. It was a challenging assignment because the material was handwritten and she was not familiar with the language.

YOUNG BROTHERS TAKE A FIRM STAND

While officially we had freedom of religion, the government viewed our neutral stand as a threat to the unity of Yugoslavia. For this reason, the brothers faced opposition. During World War II, many had proved faithful even to death because of their neutrality. But during the three decades that followed, not all showed the same strong faith. Some attended Christian meetings and supported the Kingdom work; yet, when they were called in for military service, they found ways to justify their participation.

The young brothers who took a neutral stand faced prison sentences of up to ten years. Moreover, they could be sentenced several times before their 30th birthday. Some who faced these tests of integrity and refused to compromise were very new in the truth. Many of them are now responsible brothers who take the lead in the congregations.

A STIRRING INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Yugoslavia had never yet experienced the joy of hosting an international convention. Imagine their excitement when in 1991 the Governing Body announced that one of the “Lovers of Freedom” international conventions was to be held in Zagreb, Croatia!

However, there were problems. Ever since Croatia had declared its independence from Yugoslavia, war clouds had been gathering. Would it be wise to hold a convention? The safety of both foreign and local delegates was paramount. After much prayer and deliberation, the brothers decided to go ahead with preparations for the convention.

Theodore Jaracz, a member of the Governing Body, traveled to Croatia a few weeks before the convention to assist with its organization. Because all other public events in Zagreb had been canceled, public interest was focused on what was to go on in Dinamo Stadium. As the time for the convention drew near, the situation in the country continued to destabilize. Daily our brothers weighed the risks, raising the same question over and over again​—Should the preparations continue, or should the convention be canceled? The brothers persistently petitioned Jehovah in prayer, asking for his guidance. Amazingly, the political climate stabilized, and they were able to hold the convention from August 16-18, 1991.

One cannot imagine a greater contrast. While the surrounding countries teetered on the brink of violent hostilities, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Croatia were welcoming thousands of guests to the “Lovers of Godly Freedom” international convention.b As many locals were fleeing the country, brothers and sisters from 15 countries were gathering together in love and freedom. Large groups arrived by air from the United States, Canada, and other Western countries. Because of the military situation, the airport in Zagreb was closed and aircraft had to land in Ljubljana, Slovenia. From there the delegates traveled by bus to Zagreb. The courage of the visiting brothers was a fine witness to the populace, and their presence was an invaluable source of encouragement to the local brothers. The largest group​—about 3,000 delegates—​came from Italy. It felt as if their warm affection and exuberance set the convention on fire.​—1 Thess. 5:19.

It was especially faith strengthening to host five members of the Governing Body. To this day many fondly recall the talks given by Carey Barber, Lloyd Barry, Milton Henschel, Theodore Jaracz, and Lyman Swingle. Undeterred by the turbulent times, these brothers, with their many years of experience, boldly entered the country to fortify the brothers with upbuilding talks.

Because of the political unrest, the authorities feared ethnic clashes between delegates from different parts of Yugoslavia. How relieved they were to see them not only gathering together peacefully but also displaying warm, brotherly affection. With each passing day, the number of policemen present decreased.

This memorable convention demonstrated that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a true international brotherhood. Reflecting on this would help the brothers maintain unity during the trials that lay ahead. The buses taking the Serbian and Macedonian delegates home were among the last vehicles allowed to return through the checkpoint between Croatia and Serbia. After our brothers headed safely across the border, it was closed. Many say it was at this time that war began.

In the following months and years, the republics that had formerly been part of Yugoslavia went on to establish independent countries with their own governments. The ensuing upheaval cost tens of thousands of lives and untold suffering. How would our brothers fare through this time of turmoil? How has Jehovah blessed the subsequent Kingdom-preaching work in these now independent countries? Let us see.

Modern History of Bosnia and Herzegovina

“On May 16, 1992, some 13 of us huddled together in an apartment as exploding mortar shells riddled Sarajevo with shrapnel. Two shells hit the building in which we had gathered for safety. Though we came from Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian backgrounds​—the same three groups that were killing one another outside—​we were united in pure worship. By dawn, when fewer shells were falling, we abandoned the apartment in search of a safer location. As we had done the night before, we cried aloud to Jehovah in prayer, and he heard us.”​—Halim Curi.

Sarajevo, which had a population of more than 400,000, was in the grip of one of the longest and most desperate sieges in modern history. How would our spiritual brothers and sisters cope with all the ethnic and religious strife that was tearing the country apart? Before we tell their story, let us get to know a little more about Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The country known as Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the heart of the former Yugoslavia, surrounded by Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Cultural and family ties are strong, and much emphasis is placed on hospitality. Sipping Turkish coffee at a neighbor’s home and lingering at the kafići (coffee bars) are popular pastimes. Although physically indistinguishable, the population of Bosnia is made up of Bosnians, Serbs, and Croatians. Many do not consider themselves very devout; yet, it is religion that has divided the people. Most Bosnians are Muslim, while Serbs belong to the Serbian Orthodox Church and Croatians to the Roman Catholic Church.

The alarming increase in religious intolerance and ethnic hatred in the early 1990’s resulted in the heartrending policy called ethnic cleansing. Advancing armies evicted civilians​—in both small villages and large cities—​to create ethnically pure areas for their own religious group. This created tests of neutrality for our brothers and sisters. In Bosnia, as in the other countries of the former Yugoslavia, most people belong to their parents’ religion, and the family name often identifies the family’s religious background. When honesthearted people become servants of Jehovah, they may be viewed as betrayers of their family and their tradition. Yet, our brothers have learned that loyalty to Jehovah serves as a protection.

A CITY UNDER SIEGE

As we have seen, the Yugoslav brothers were deeply moved by the love and unity displayed at the 1991 “Lovers of Godly Freedom” convention in Zagreb, Croatia. This unforgettable convention fortified them for the ordeals ahead. One moment, Bosnians, Serbs, and Croatians were living together peacefully in Sarajevo. The next moment, an army surrounded that city and everyone was trapped​—including our brothers. Although the political situation was turbulent, no one anticipated just how long the strife would last.

“People are starving,” reported Halim Curi, an elder in Sarajevo. “Each month they are supplied only a few pounds of flour, four ounces [100 g] of sugar, and one pint [.5 l] of oil. Any available land in the city is used to plant vegetables. People cut down the trees of Sarajevo for firewood. When the trees are gone, they strip the parquet flooring from their apartments to use as fuel for cooking and heating. They use anything that will burn, even old shoes.”

When Sarajevo was besieged, Ljiljana Ninković and her husband Nenad found themselves trapped and separated from their two daughters. “We were a normal family with two children, an apartment, and a car,” says Ljiljana. “And then suddenly everything changed.”

But they often experienced Jehovah’s protective hand. “Twice our apartment was bombed just moments after we left it,” Ljiljana continues. “Despite the hardships, we found joy in the simple things. For example, we were happy to go to the park and pick some dandelion leaves for a salad so that we could have more than just white rice to eat. We learned to be satisfied with what we had and not to take anything for granted.”

FINDING PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL PROVISIONS

One of the biggest problems was obtaining water. Rarely was there running water in the houses. People had to walk as far as three miles [5 km] through areas targeted by snipers to get water. At the water collection point, people had to stand in line for hours waiting to fill their containers, and then they had to trudge home with their liquid burden.

“The test came when we heard that there would be water in the homes for a short time,” reports Halim. “Then everyone would have to take a shower, wash the clothes, and collect and store water in as many containers as possible. But what if this long-awaited moment was at the same time as our congregation meeting? We would have to decide​—either we go to the meeting or we stay at home to collect water.”

While physical provisions were necessary, the brothers appreciated how essential the spiritual provisions were. At the meetings the brothers received not only spiritual food but also details on who was imprisoned, who had been injured, or even who had been killed. “We were like a family,” relates Milutin Pajić, who serves as a congregation elder. “When we gathered for the meetings, we did not want to leave. After most meetings, we stayed for hours talking about the truth.”

Life was not easy, and the brothers often feared for their lives. Still, they put spiritual interests first. While the war ripped the country apart, Jehovah’s people were drawn closer to one another and closer to their heavenly Father. Children observed their parents’ loyalty and cultivated their own unshakable loyalty to Jehovah.

The town of Bihać, located near the Croatian border, was isolated for nearly four years. People there could not get out, and relief supplies could not get in. “It was hardest at the beginning of the war,” relates Osman Šaćirbegović, the only brother in this town, “not so much because of the difficult situation but because we were dealing with something new, something we had never experienced before. Amazingly, when the shelling started, the tension eased because we soon realized that not every grenade causes death. Some grenades don’t even explode.”

Because no one could anticipate how long the fighting would last, the Bethels in Zagreb, Croatia, and in Vienna, Austria, coordinated an arrangement for storing humanitarian supplies in Kingdom Halls and Witness homes in Sarajevo, Zenica, Tuzla, Mostar, Travnik, and Bihać. As the fighting raged on, cities would suddenly be surrounded and isolated. With supply lines unexpectedly cut off, provisions would quickly be depleted. Nevertheless, although various towns in Bosnia were cut off from the rest of the world, the brotherly unity of Jehovah’s Witnesses remained unbreakable. That provided a dramatic contrast with the inferno of ethnic and religious hatred sweeping through the land.

ZEALOUS YET CAUTIOUS

Along with the challenges of finding daily necessities, there was danger from snipers stationed around Sarajevo, who would pick off innocent citizens at random. Mortar attacks continued to rain down death from the skies. At times it was dangerous to move around in towns under siege. People lived in a state of dread. Yet, balancing wisdom with courage, our brothers did not stop sharing the good news of the Kingdom with people who desperately needed comfort.

“During one of the heavier attacks on Sarajevo,” relates one elder, “thousands of shells exploded in just one day. On that Saturday morning, the brothers phoned the elders and asked, ‘Where will the meeting for field service be?’”

“I saw that people desperately needed the truth,” says one sister. “This is precisely what helped me not just to endure but to have joy under difficult circumstances.”

Many local residents realized that they needed the Bible’s hope. “People are looking for us in order to get spiritual help,” said one brother, “instead of us having to look for them. They just show up at the Kingdom Hall and ask for a study.”

Much of the success of the preaching work during the war was the result of the unity of our Christian brotherhood, which people could not fail to notice. “It was a great witness,” relates Nada Bešker, a sister who has been serving as a special pioneer for many years. “Many would see Bosnian and Serbian brothers working together in the ministry. And when they saw a Croatian sister and a sister who was formerly a Muslim together studying with a Serb, they just had to know that we were different.”

The results of our brothers’ zeal can be seen to this day because many who now serve Jehovah accepted the truth during the war. For example, the congregation in Banja Luka doubled, even though a hundred publishers moved to other congregations.

A FAITHFUL FAMILY

Our brothers were always very cautious. Still, some fell victim to “time and unpredictable occurrence” when they were unavoidably in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Eccl. 9:11, footnote) Božo Ðorem, of Serbian background, was baptized at the international convention in Zagreb in 1991. After he returned to Sarajevo, he was sent to prison several times, where he was treated badly because of his neutral stand. In 1994 he was sentenced to prison for 14 months. His greatest hardship was that he could not be with his wife, Hena, and their five-year-old daughter, Magdalena.

Shortly after Božo was set free from prison, tragedy struck. One quiet afternoon, the three of them went to conduct a Bible study near their home. On their way, the silence was suddenly shattered by the explosion of an artillery shell. Hena and Magdalena were killed instantly, and Božo died later in the hospital.

CHRISTIAN NEUTRALITY

With prejudice running high, there was little if any tolerance for neutrality. In Banja Luka, the congregation was mainly made up of young brothers whom the military wanted to use for the war. Because they remained neutral, they were beaten.

“The police,” recalls Osman Šaćirbegović, “would often interrogate us and call us cowards for not defending our families.”

Osman would reason with the police this way: “Your gun is a protection for you, is it not?”

“Sure,” the policemen replied.

“Would you exchange it for a cannon to get more protection?”

“Yes.”

“Would you exchange a cannon for a tank?”

“Of course.”

“All this you would do to get more powerful protection,” Osman would say. “My protection comes from Jehovah, the almighty God, Creator of the universe. What better protection can I have than that?” The point was clear, and the police would leave him alone.

HUMANITARIAN AID ARRIVES

Although brothers in nearby countries knew that Bosnian Witnesses were suffering, for some time it was not possible to transport relief supplies to the needy brothers. Then, in October 1993, the authorities indicated that it might be feasible to take in relief supplies. Despite the dangers, our brothers decided to make the most of this opportunity. On October 26, five trucks left for Bosnia from Vienna, Austria, loaded with 16 tons of food and firewood. How would the convoy pass through the many areas where there was still heavy fighting?c

There were times on the trip when the brothers were in grave danger. “I had a late start that morning,” recalls one of the drivers, “and found myself behind several other trucks delivering humanitarian goods. As I approached one of the checkpoint stations, all the trucks stopped while the officers checked papers. Suddenly I heard the sound of a sniper’s rifle, and we saw that a non-Witness driver had been hit.”

Only drivers were allowed to enter Sarajevo with their trucks, so the other brothers who had accompanied the trucks had to wait outside the city. Still intent on encouraging the local brothers, they found a telephone, put a call through to the Sarajevo publishers, and delivered a much-needed encouraging public talk. Many times during the war, traveling overseers, Bethelites, and members of the Country Committee risked their lives to help their brothers survive physically and spiritually.

For nearly four years, it was not possible for shipments to reach our brothers in Bihać. Although physical food did not cross the barricades that isolated the town, our brothers were able to receive some spiritual food. How? They gained access to a telephone line and a fax machine, which enabled them periodically to receive Our Kingdom Ministry and copies of The Watchtower. They retyped the literature and provided one copy per family. When the war started, there was just a small group of three baptized publishers. With them were 12 unbaptized publishers who anxiously waited two years for an appropriate occasion to symbolize their dedication to Jehovah by water baptism.

Being isolated for so many years was a challenge. “My Bible students had never been to a convention or had the visit of a circuit overseer,” relates Osman. “We frequently talked about a time when we would be able to enjoy our brotherhood.”

Imagine the brothers’ delight on August 11, 1995, when two vehicles boldly marked “Jehovah’s Witnesses Relief Supplies” rolled into Bihać. These were the first private vehicles to bring in humanitarian aid since the city was besieged! And they arrived just when the brothers felt as if they were near their breaking point​—physically and mentally.

Neighbors in Bihać observed how the brothers cared for one another, such as by repairing broken windows. “This impressed my neighbors,” says Osman, “as they knew we had no money. It was a great witness that they still talk about.” Bihać now has a zealous congregation with 34 publishers and 5 pioneers.

A TRIP TO REMEMBER!

Repeatedly, our brothers risked their lives to take food and literature to the war-torn towns of Bosnia. But the trip of June 7, 1994, would be different. A convoy of three trucks carrying members of the Country Committee and additional workers set out from Zagreb, Croatia, early that morning. The goal was to deliver relief supplies and to present an abbreviated special assembly day program, the first in three years!

One location for this special program was the city of Tuzla. At the start of the war, there were only about 20 baptized publishers in the congregation. What a surprise to see over 200 gathered to listen to the assembly program! Thirty were baptized. Today, Tuzla has three congregations and more than 300 publishers.

In Zenica, the brothers found a suitable gathering place, yet they had difficulty finding an appropriate pool for the baptism. Finally, after much searching, they found a barrel that could be used. The only problem was the smell​—the barrel had been used to hold fish! However, the baptismal candidates, who had accepted Jesus’ invitation to become “fishers of men,” were undeterred. (Matt. 4:19) Herbert Frenzel, now a member of the Croatia Branch Committee, was present to deliver the baptism talk. “The candidates had waited so long to get baptized,” he reports, “that nothing was going to stop them! After their baptism they felt victorious!” Today Zenica has a zealous congregation with 68 publishers.

In Sarajevo the program could only be held near an intersection that was fired upon by snipers. Once the brothers arrived safely at the assembly, they faced the dilemma of finding not only a place for the baptism but also a means to conserve the precious water. To ensure that there would be enough water for all the candidates to get baptized, they were lined up by size and baptized from the smallest to the largest!

What a delightful time our brothers and sisters had that day! They did not allow any of the horrendous events around them to overshadow their irrepressible joy of worshipping together. Today Sarajevo has three thriving congregations.

AFTER THE STORM

As supply lines reopened, in certain respects life became a little easier for our brothers and sisters. However, ethnic cleansing, with its forced evictions, continued. Ivica Arabadžić, an elder serving in Croatia, remembers being forced from his family’s home in Banja Luka. “A man came with a gun and told us to leave, saying that this was now his house. He had been forced to leave his house in Šibenik, Croatia, because he was Serbian. Now he wanted us to leave. An army police officer with whom I studied stepped in to help us. Although it was not possible to keep our house, we were able to make a trade​—our house for the Serb’s house. It was difficult to leave our home and the congregation that had helped us to learn the truth, but we had little choice. Taking very few items with us, we set off to relocate to our ‘new’ house in Croatia. However, when we arrived in Šibenik, someone had already moved into the empty house that now belonged to us. What could we do? Our brothers immediately welcomed us, and an elder allowed us to live in his house for a year until our housing problem was resolved.”

Political instability exists to this day, yet the truth is flourishing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where almost 40 percent of the population profess the Muslim faith. Since the end of the war, our brothers have constructed new Kingdom Halls. One in particular, located in Banja Luka, is more than just a sorely needed meeting place. It represents a legal victory. For years our brothers tried to obtain permission to build a Kingdom Hall in this area where the Serbian Orthodox Church wields strong influence. After the war, although legal recognition had been given to our brothers in Bosnia, they were denied permission to build a Kingdom Hall in Banja Luka. Finally, after much prayer and diligent effort, the brothers obtained the needed documentation. This victory sets a legal precedent for future Kingdom Halls in that part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The freedom to worship has opened the way for 32 special pioneers, many of whom are from other countries, to assist in areas where there is a greater need. Their zeal for the ministry as well as their loyal adherence to theocratic procedures has been a real blessing.

Sarajevo, where our brothers routinely came under sniper fire only a decade ago, now peacefully hosts conventions for delegates from all parts of the former Yugoslavia. While the wars of the past century have shattered this beautiful mountainous country, Jehovah’s people have been drawn ever closer in a bond of “unhypocritical brotherly affection.” (1 Pet. 1:22) Today, 16 congregations with 1,163 publishers in Bosnia and Herzegovina unitedly bring praise to the true God, Jehovah.

Modern History of Croatia

After the international convention in Zagreb in 1991, the border between Croatia and Serbia was suddenly closed. Key roads and bridges were destroyed or were barricaded by the army, and many delegates from the eastern part of Croatia could not return to their homes. In a warm outpouring of brotherly love, many Witnesses from other parts of the country offered to accommodate those brothers, even though they themselves were limited materially.

In Zagreb, sirens wailed day and night warning of bomb attacks. People ran for shelter, some remaining in shelters for weeks or months. Because of the secure location of the Bethel basement, it was designated by the city authorities as a bomb shelter. This created excellent opportunities to witness, and people received more than the physical shelter they sought. For example, one day the sirens went off and, as usual, people scurried from a local tram to the shelter below Bethel. While everyone waited anxiously, an elder serving at Bethel asked if they would like to watch a slide presentation about the international convention held in Zagreb a few months earlier. They all agreed and afterward expressed their appreciation for the presentation.

Because of the fighting, getting to meetings was a real challenge, and unfortunately, some Kingdom Halls were damaged by bullets or grenades. However, the brothers appreciated the spiritual food more than ever, and these dear brothers ‘did not forsake the gathering of themselves together.’ (Heb. 10:25) For example, rocket-propelled grenades rained down on Šibenik for six months and made it impossible for the brothers to meet at the Kingdom Hall. “We lived outside the city,” explains one of the elders, “so we would gather at my house for the book study and the Watchtower Study. Despite the conditions, we did not slow down in the preaching work. We preached locally as well as in the surrounding villages. Everyone recognized us as Jehovah’s Witnesses. They knew we were different.”

BROTHERLY LOVE IN WARTIME

Many brothers who lost their homes sought refuge with others, and the congregations readily did whatever was needed to help. For instance, at their Kingdom Hall in Osijek, Croatia, the brothers warmly greeted a new family who had recently escaped from Tuzla, Bosnia, under very difficult circumstances. The congregation was delighted to learn that the wife was their spiritual sister.

The authorities gave the family permission to move into a house, but it was old and run-down. When the brothers saw the dilapidated condition of the house, they provided help. One brought a stove, another supplied a window, and others provided a door and a bed. Some brought building materials, and others gave food and wood for fuel. By the following day, one room had been made livable. Yet, the house was still not adequate to shelter the family through the winter. So the congregation made a list of items still needed, and different publishers supplied whatever they could. Although poor themselves, they collected everything that was needed​—from spoons to roofing materials.

As the war continued, food supplies were quickly depleted, and the branch worked hard to care for both the material and the spiritual needs of our brothers. In cooperation with the Governing Body, the branch organized collections of food, clothing, shoes, and medical supplies. In the beginning, the help came mainly from local brothers, but their own difficulties limited how much they could do. In the meantime, brothers in Austria, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland generously donated clothing and medical supplies, as well as spiritual provisions. Trucks arrived day and night, driven by volunteers who put the needs of their Croatian brothers ahead of any concern for their own personal safety. From the central storage location in Zagreb, supplies were directed to needy congregations.

The brothers in Croatia had received help, but how could they now help their brothers in Bosnia? Trucks loaded with 16 tons of food and firewood headed for the Bosnian border. This was dangerous, as reports of rogue military operations abounded. Any encounter with these groups could mean loss of the humanitarian supplies as well as death for those transporting them.

“We drove through wooded terrain,” relates one brother, “passing through one checkpoint after another, and sometimes along front lines. Despite the danger, we arrived safely at Travnik, Bosnia. A soldier who heard of our arrival ran to the house where the brothers were gathered. ‘Your people are here with their trucks,’ he cried. You can imagine their joy. We carried food into the house, said a few words, and then had to move on quickly. We still had other stops to make.”

Many brothers wrote to Bethel in Zagreb to express their appreciation for the help they received. “Thank you very much for the hard work you do so that we can receive all the spiritual food regularly,” wrote one congregation. “Thank you too for the relief supplies we received; the brothers really need them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your effort and loving concern.”

“There are several brothers who are refugees,” stated another letter, “and some who have no income. When they received the help and saw how abundant it was, tears came to their eyes. The loving concern, the generosity, and the unselfishness of their brothers deeply impressed and encouraged them.”

During those difficult times, special efforts were made to supply our brothers with faith-sustaining spiritual food. It was apparent too that Jehovah’s spirit really helped them, not only to endure these traumatic hardships but also to grow stronger spiritually.​—Jas. 1:2-4.

A SUSTAINING MESSAGE OF HOPE

While humanitarian organizations gave what material assistance they could, only Jehovah’s Witnesses provided help that brought lasting relief. Rather than wait idly for the war to end, our brothers did everything they could to share the good news of the Kingdom with others.

In Vukovar, near the border of Serbia, where some of the worst devastation occurred, most of the population, including our brothers, had to flee the city. There was, however, one sister, Marija, who stayed behind. For four years the brothers in Croatia had no contact with her, yet she zealously continued preaching to the few people left in the city. And how richly her zeal was rewarded! Imagine the surprise of the Croatian brothers at seeing a group of 20 from Vukovar attend the 1996 district convention!

Our message of hope also has the power to change lives. At the beginning of the war, a young soldier made rapid advancement in an elite unit of the Croatian army. In 1994, while waiting for a train, he received the tract Who Really Rules the World? As he eagerly read the tract, he learned that Satan is responsible for the violence committed against man and that it is not Jehovah God. These truths made an overwhelming impression on him. One of the reasons he had trained as a soldier was to avenge the murder of his 19-year-old sister and two other family members who had been killed during the war. Though he had made plans to go to the village where the killers lived, the tract made him think. He began studying the Bible, and after several years of making his personality over, he was baptized in 1997. He finally did go to the village that was home to the killers of his family. But instead of vengeance, he was happy to take the good news of God’s Kingdom to people who needed to learn about God’s mercy.

The publishers’ zeal for the ministry, even through the most bitter conflicts, resulted in thrilling increases in Croatia. From the start of the war in 1991 until the end in 1995, the number of pioneers increased by 132 percent. Bible studies increased 63 percent, and the number of publishers rose 35 percent. Yes, the local brothers boldly proclaimed God’s Word, and Jehovah richly blessed their efforts.

SELF-SACRIFICING WORKERS

Not long before the 1991 international convention, the first Gilead-trained missionaries, Daniel and Helen Nizan, from Canada, arrived in the country. In addition, couples from other European countries who had learned the local language were invited to serve in Croatia.

One of these couples, Heinz and Elke Polach, from Austria, had been special pioneers in the Yugoslav field in Denmark when they were invited to Croatia in 1991. The war began just as they were taking up the traveling work. Their first circuit encompassed the Dalmatian coast and parts of Bosnia, all of which were affected by the war. “It was a challenge to make our visits in Bosnia during wartime,” said Heinz. “Because of the dangers, we could not use our personal vehicle, so we had to depend on the unreliable bus system. We could not carry much​—a few suitcases and a typewriter.

“We had to be resourceful. On one occasion when we were traveling between Tuzla and Zenica, soldiers stopped our bus. They told us that it was too dangerous to continue. Everyone on the bus had to exit. But we knew that our brothers in Zenica were waiting for us, so we began asking others if they could take us. Finally, a convoy of gas trucks that had the proper paperwork agreed to take us. We used our time on the road to witness to the driver, who turned out to be very attentive.

“Again we were forced to stop because of fighting, and we had to use side roads. These roads were in poor condition, and the snow did not improve matters. Often we had to stop to assist other trucks that were stuck. At one point we found ourselves under fire and were forced to flee the area. We got as far as Vareš, about 30 miles [50 km] from our destination, and had to stop for the night.

“The driver lay sleeping on the seats, while Elke and I huddled together in the back of the cab trying to stay warm. It felt like the longest night of my life. Yet, the next day when we finally made it to Zenica, the brothers were so happy to see us! It was worth it! Though they had no running water or electricity, they did all they could to provide hospitality for us. Although materially poor, they were spiritually rich and showed an irrepressible love for the truth.”

Since the war, nearly 50 special pioneers have been assigned to Croatia from Austria, Germany, Italy, and other countries. Later, Jehovah’s organization provided further strengthening aid and encouragement by sending more missionaries. These zealous full-time servants have been a great help, both in the field and in the congregations.

“I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I HAVE LIVED TO SEE THIS DAY!”

Until the late 1980’s, a monthly edition of The Watchtower had been translated from German into Croatian by brothers living outside of Bethel. Then, from 1991 on, translation was done by a team at Bethel. In time, the Governing Body gave approval to start translating the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. Until then, a 150-year-old Bible translation was used, which contained outdated language and many unfamiliar expressions. The Croatian team took the lead, closely cooperating with Serbian and Macedonian translation teams. All benefited from one another’s work and input.

Friday, July 23, 1999, is a day that Jehovah’s Witnesses in Croatia, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Macedonia, will long remember. At all four “God’s Prophetic Word” District Conventions, the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures was released simultaneously in Croatian and Serbian, and the audience was told that the Macedonian translation was progressing well. For a number of minutes, the resounding applause kept the speakers from saying any more. Joy knew no bounds, and many delegates could not restrain their tears of delight. “I cannot believe that I have lived to see this day!” said one long-time elder. The complete Bible was released in each of these three languages in 2006.

Until 1996, a Country Committee, under the supervision of the branch office in Austria, cared for the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1996, a four-member Branch Committee was appointed to oversee the preaching work in those territories, and Jehovah’s blessing upon that arrangement has been evident.

NEW BRANCH FACILITIES AND KINGDOM HALLS

As elsewhere, the Bethel family in Zagreb, Croatia, was feeling the effects of theocratic growth. The size of the family had grown from 10 to about 50. But since the Bethel Home was designed for only four or five couples, additional rooms had to be rented nearby.

Shortly after the Branch Committee was formed, the Governing Body directed them to purchase property for a new Bethel Home in Zagreb. Local volunteers and international servants soon built beautiful facilities that would help advance Kingdom interests for many years to come. The new branch facilities and Kingdom Hall were dedicated on Saturday, October 23, 1999, as was a double Kingdom Hall in the center of Zagreb. Delegates from 15 countries were present, including Brother Gerrit Lösch of the Governing Body, who gave the dedication talk. The next day, 4,886 gathered for a delightful spiritual program in a large sports hall. What an unforgettable day that was for Jehovah’s people in Croatia​—some of whom had been serving Jehovah faithfully for 50 years or more through some of the most harrowing times in modern history!

An extensive construction program of building new Kingdom Halls has also been under way. Until 1990, many congregations met in basements or private apartments. For example, for 20 years a congregation in Split met in a small room in a private home. Although having only 50 chairs, they sometimes had more than twice that number in attendance, forcing many to stand outside. Assemblies and conventions were held at the same venue, with 150 or more in attendance. Today, Split has four congregations, which use two beautiful Kingdom Halls. As a result of the increase in publishers, a hotel conference hall is used for assemblies. The Kingdom Hall Construction Desk, supervised by the Regional Engineering Office in Selters, Germany, is continuing to organize the construction of practical and attractive Kingdom Halls.

Both the young and the old who have made themselves available for Kingdom Hall construction have done an enormous amount of work. Up until now, 25 new Kingdom Halls have been constructed, and 7 others renovated. This has contributed to the growth of the Kingdom work, all to Jehovah’s praise.

THE KINGDOM WORK SURGES AHEAD

In 1991 when Croatia gained independence, its administration held to the previous laws on religion until new laws could be passed. The newly formed State was nearly 90 percent Catholic. Hence, the clergy had considerable influence with the government. Yet, because of the legal status enjoyed by Jehovah’s Witnesses in the past and because of our brothers’ impeccable reputation, on October 13, 2003, the Ministry of Justice decreed that Jehovah’s Witnesses were now registered as a religious community in Croatia. After all the years of hardship, how delighted Jehovah’s servants were to be legally recognized in Croatia!

In the early 1990’s, all the lands of the former Yugoslavia had but one Pioneer School; now Croatia alone has several classes each year. In September 2008, Croatia rejoiced to have 5,451 publishers organized into 69 congregations. And the Memorial attendance of 9,728 was simply thrilling! All of this indicates wonderful potential for further growth.

Even though religious intolerance is widespread and daily pressures of life mount, all of Jehovah’s servants in this region are more determined than ever to continue preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom no matter what Satan in his anger may wreak. (Rev. 12:12) For the majority of people, the daily struggle of making a living has become the most important thing in life. Yet, among these people, there are those who are sighing over the deplorable moral conditions in the world and who are aware of their spiritual hunger. (Ezek. 9:3, 4; Matt. 5:6) These people are being found and helped to worship the only true God and to say: “Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.”​—Isa. 2:3.

Modern History of Macedonia

“Step over into Macedonia and help us,” said the man who appeared to the apostle Paul in a vision in the first century. (Acts 16:8-10) Concluding that God was directing them to declare the good news of God’s Kingdom in this unworked territory, Paul and his preaching companions willingly accepted the invitation, and Christianity was soon flourishing there. How has modern-day Macedonia, a smaller region to the north of ancient Macedonia, experienced a similar growth in true worship?

After the second world war, Macedonia became the southernmost republic of Yugoslavia. It gained independence in 1991. Two years later, in 1993, Jehovah’s Witnesses rejoiced to be officially registered in the newly formed state. As a result, an office could be established in Macedonia under the oversight of the Austria Branch Committee. Hence, in 1993, a house on Alžirska Street, in Skopje, was purchased, and the Macedonian translation team moved from Zagreb, Croatia, to this newly acquired Bethel.

Michael and Dina Schieben came from Germany to serve in the circuit work, and Daniel and Helen Nizan, from Canada, who had been serving in Serbia, were reassigned to Macedonia. A Country Committee was formed, and Bethel began to function.

LITERATURE RESTRICTIONS

Though Jehovah’s Witnesses were officially registered, it was difficult to import literature. From 1994 to 1998, the government limited imported magazines to one copy per publisher. Consequently, the brothers had to make copies of Watchtower study articles for their Bible students. The brothers were also able to obtain magazines mailed to them from other countries, and visitors to Macedonia were permitted to bring in small supplies of magazines. Eventually, after several years of legal proceedings, the supreme court ruled in favor of the Witnesses, who were then permitted to import as much literature as they wanted.

In August 2000, the number of publishers reached 1,024​—the first time more than 1,000 reported sharing in the preaching work! With more literature being released in Macedonian and with the increase in publishers, the existing house on Alžirska Street became too small to meet the needs of the growing Bethel family. The following year three small neighboring houses were purchased and demolished to make space for two new buildings. Today the 34-member Macedonia Bethel family works and resides in three well-equipped buildings. They were happy to host Guy Pierce of the Governing Body for the dedication program on May 17, 2003.

KINGDOM HALL CONSTRUCTION

Brothers and sisters all over Macedonia have been very grateful for the arrangement to help build Kingdom Halls in lands with limited resources. A construction team of five brothers was assigned to help local congregations build Kingdom Halls; and between 2001 and 2007, nine new Kingdom Halls were built. This multinational construction crew has given a fine witness by working in peace and unity without any ethnic prejudice. One merchant who visited a completed Kingdom Hall noticed the high quality of the craftsmanship and said, “This building was truly built by love.”

When the construction group was building a new Kingdom Hall in the town of Štip, one of the neighbors was skeptical about the success of the project because of the seeming inexperience of the youthful construction crew. However, when the hall was finished, he brought plans for his house to the site and begged the young brothers to build it for him. He was so impressed with the quality of their work that he offered to pay them generously. He was astounded when the brothers told him that they were building the Kingdom Hall, not for financial gain, but because of their love for God and neighbor.

NEW WORLD TRANSLATION

Meanwhile, another small group of dedicated men and women were occupied with a different task​—translating the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures into Macedonian. Their hard work had Jehovah’s blessing; and in just five years, they translated the complete New World Translation. How delighted the delegates were at the 2006 “Deliverance at Hand!” District Convention in Skopje when Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch announced the release of this fine new Bible translation. The applause was enthusiastic and prolonged, and many could not hold back their tears. Some who obtained a copy during the lunch break sat down immediately to enjoy this outstanding translation of God’s Word in their mother tongue.

Many Macedonians have a deep respect for the Bible. Orhan, for example, began studying the Bible six years ago. Though he was illiterate, he learned to read and write with the help of the brother who studied with him. Since his baptism three years ago, he has read the Bible six times!

For a time, Orhan was the only Witness in the town of Resen. Many, though, spoke favorably of the formerly illiterate man, and some parents asked the brothers to study with their children, whom they wanted to become like Orhan. Interest in the truth grew, and eventually a weekly Congregation Book Study was established in the town. One interested person became an unbaptized publisher, and Orhan now serves as a regular pioneer and ministerial servant.

STEPPING OVER INTO MACEDONIA

In July 2004, a special pioneer couple from Albania came to help preach to the Albanian-speaking people in Macedonia, who make up 25 percent of the population. It soon became evident that the couple needed help because they were the only publishers for over half a million Albanian-speaking people. Therefore, one year later a second couple was sent from Albania to join them, and the four special pioneers began to encourage the small group of seven interested persons in the town of Kičevo, situated in the center of the Albanian community in Macedonia. The following spring, this small group was delighted to have 61 in attendance at the Memorial talk, which was delivered in both Albanian and Macedonian. Since then, the group has grown to 17 zealous publishers, with an average meeting attendance of 30 or more.

To help cover all the territory in Macedonia, the Governing Body approved a special campaign for April through July of 2007. The objective was to preach in territory that had not been covered and to spread the good news to the Albanian-speaking population.

In an outpouring of support, 337 brothers and sisters from seven countries gladly made themselves available to help. What were the results? The good news was preached in more than 200 areas throughout Macedonia​—home to about 400,000 people, most of whom had never heard the message before. More than 25,000 books and brochures and well over 40,000 magazines were placed during the four-month campaign. Some 25,000 hours were spent in the ministry, and over 200 Bible studies were started.

“The eyes of some were filled with tears when they heard where we had come from and why we were visiting them,” reported one brother. “Others were moved to tears by what they read in God’s Word.”

Many were the expressions of heartfelt appreciation from those who shared in the campaign. One sister wrote: “A teacher told us: ‘May God bless you. What you are doing is fantastic. The things that you speak about are truly refreshing to me!’”

“It’s hard to leave this missionary-type territory,” said one publisher. “We could see how much the people need the truth, and it saddened us to say good-bye to our Bible students when we had to leave.”

“We regret that we did not take more vacation days,” said one couple, “because now we see how great the need is.”

Summing up how many felt, one publisher said, “I cannot remember a time when we enjoyed ourselves so much as a family.”

In the mountains near the city of Tetovo, a group of publishers preached in a village where no one had ever witnessed before. Two of them started preaching along the left side of a street, and two on the right side. By the time they had witnessed at just three of the houses, the whole street knew that Jehovah’s Witnesses were calling. Soon, news of their visit spread throughout the entire village, and a large group of interested women gathered around the sisters. Further down the road, a group of 16 men waited eagerly for the brothers. Householders quickly brought out four chairs to seat the publishers, and one man prepared coffee for them. The publishers handed out literature to everyone and, making good use of the Bible, began sharing the truth with the crowd.

Many asked questions, and all listened attentively. At the end of the visit, many villagers would not leave without personally saying good-bye. The brothers were alarmed, though, when an elderly woman approached with her walking stick raised. “This I will use on you!” she exclaimed, pointing the stick at them. What had the publishers done to offend the lady? “You gave everyone a book but me!” explained the woman. “I want to have the big yellow one,” she said, pointing to the Bible Stories book that her neighbor had received. Without delay, the brothers let her have the last copy they had.

PREACHING TO THE ROMA

In Macedonia, there are many Roma who speak Macedonian but whose mother tongue is an oral Romany language that is a mixture of several Romany dialects. The capital, Skopje, reportedly has the largest Romany quarter in Europe, with some 30,000 inhabitants. A double Kingdom Hall complex in the area called Šuto Orizari hosts the three Romany congregations there. The 200 publishers enjoy their fruitful territory, which has a ratio of 1 publisher to every 150 people​—one of the best in the country. Indicative of the appreciative response of the Roma was the attendance of 708 at the 2008 Memorial!

What is being done to help the humble and truth-hungry Roma people to learn about God’s purpose in their mother tongue? The 2007 outline for the special talk was translated into the Romany language, and an elder of Roma descent delivered the talk to an appreciative audience of 506. Publishers of all ethnic backgrounds​—Roma, Macedonian, and Albanian—​were overjoyed when the brochure What Does God Require of Us? was released in Romany at the 2007 district convention. Until then, publishers often conducted Bible studies in their own language with the use of Macedonian literature. Now they are having great success using the Romany Require brochure to reach the hearts of sincere Roma.

Today the 1,277 publishers in 21 congregations in Macedonia are working hard to follow the apostle Paul’s first-century example. The appreciative response of scores of Macedonian truth-seekers justifies the modern-day campaign to “step over into Macedonia.”

Modern History of Serbia

Serbia, in the heart of the Balkans, is a land of diverse cultures and is home to people of many nationalities. It was here in the city of Belgrade that a branch office was opened in 1935 to care for the territories of the former Yugoslavia, resulting in thrilling theocratic growth. In recent times how have the brothers in the country of Serbia provided help to the newly formed countries in the region?

While the borders of countries were being closed and religious and racial hatred was spreading, brothers of varied nationalities were peacefully working together at the office in Zagreb, Croatia. Eventually, with racial and national prejudice raging outside the walls of Bethel, our Serb brothers were forced to leave. In 1992 translation for Serbian publications was again done in Belgrade, Serbia, as it had been nearly 50 years earlier. This move proved to be both wise and timely.

There was a great need for humanitarian aid in Bosnia, where heavy fighting was taking place. The branch office in Austria had lovingly organized a relief shipment, and the brothers in Serbia were in the best position to deliver it to areas of Bosnia controlled by Serbs.

Although the fighting did not spill over into Serbia, the effects of the war were still felt there. An economic embargo made it difficult to receive shipments of literature from Germany, where it was printed. When the congregations did not receive the latest magazines, our brothers simply studied older articles until more recent issues arrived. Ultimately, though, the brothers never missed any issues of the magazines.

“A STRENGTHENING AID”

“When we arrived in Serbia in 1991,” said Gilead graduate Daniel Nizan, “the country was in great political turmoil. We were impressed with the zeal the brothers displayed despite the critical situation all around them. I recall how surprised we were to see about 50 new ones stand up to get baptized at the first special assembly day my wife and I attended. That was very encouraging to us.”

The Nizans were a big help in setting up the newly established office in Belgrade. The initial office, big enough for ten people, was located on Milorada Mitrovića Street. On the lower floor, there was also a Kingdom Hall. As the translation team grew, more room was needed. Property was eventually located, and construction began. Toward the end of 1995, the Bethel family moved to the new facilities.

The increasingly difficult times prompted more people to respond to the truth, and as the number of publishers increased, so did the need for loving oversight. This need was met in part by special pioneers from Italy​—energetic and self-sacrificing full-time servants who gave freely of themselves. While it was not easy to learn a new language and adjust to an unfamiliar culture under wartime circumstances, these became “a strengthening aid” to our brothers in Serbia.​—Col. 4:11.

The pioneers from other lands helped in many ways, but most important, “they brought with them theocratic experience,” said Rainer Scholz, coordinator of the Country Committee in Serbia. Today 55 congregations in Serbia are grateful for the help of 70 special pioneers.

PAINFUL EFFECTS OF HYPERINFLATION

Serbia could not escape the painful economic effects of the war, especially the rampant inflation. “During the 116 days between October 1993 and January 24, 1994,” reports one source, “the cumulative inflation was 500 trillion percent.” Mira Blagojević, who has worked at Bethel since 1982, recalls that she had to take an entire bagful of money to the market just to buy a few vegetables.

Another sister, Gordana Siriški, relates that when her mother collected her month’s pension, it was worth only the price of one roll of toilet paper. “It’s really hard to understand how people could survive,” said Gordana, “when everything they possessed suddenly became worthless. Thanks to our worldwide brotherhood, we received relief supplies from abroad. As people lost faith in the banks and the government, many found faith in God, and the brothers drew closer to one another.”

BIBLE TRANSLATION

For years the translation teams in Yugoslavia worked closely together at one location in Zagreb, Croatia. After the war each translation group moved to its respective country but, at the same time, maintained contact with the translation team in Zagreb. This proved to be particularly useful when the Serbian team began translating the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. The goal was to have it released at the 1999 convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

However, while the translators were completing the Bible translation, the country was preparing for war. Bombing would no doubt render telephone communications unreliable, making it difficult for the translators to send material from Belgrade to the printery in Germany. On Tuesday, March 23, with air attacks looming, the brothers worked all night and were able to send the electronic files to Germany early in the morning. A few hours later, the bombing began and the translation team fled to a shelter, rejoicing! Their joy was made complete when the printed Bible was released four months later at the Belgrade convention. During the bombing and the many electrical outages, the brothers continued to translate other publications. Often, though, they had to stop and run to a safe area. True, it was a stressful time, but all were happy to share in producing the much-needed spiritual food.

With much hard work and with Jehovah’s blessing, in July 1999 the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures was released in Serbian. The delegates bubbled over with joy and appreciation at having this translation in their own language. Subsequently, at the 2006 conventions, the entire Serbian New World Translation was released in both the Cyrillic and the Latin alphabets.

RELIGIOUS OPPOSITION INTENSIFIES

Because the Serbian Orthodox Church is the dominant religion in the country, many people equate being a Serb with being Orthodox. They feel that a person is not a Serb if he does not belong to the Orthodox Church. Nevertheless, our message of hope from the Bible was accepted by many during the 1990’s. By the end of the war in 1999, the number of publishers had nearly doubled, reaching a peak of 4,026.

This spiritual prosperity brought the ire of the Orthodox Church on Jehovah’s people. By fueling the fires of nationalistic fervor, the church sought to stop our Christian preaching work. Through outright violence and by manipulating the law, opposers tried to demoralize our brothers. For example, there were still 21 of our brothers in prison because of remaining politically neutral. Most were released shortly after the war, grateful that Jehovah had strengthened their faith throughout the ordeal.

Suddenly, on April 9, 2001, the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs banned the importation of our literature. For what reason? They claimed that our publications would have a negative impact on the country’s youth. Included on the list of prohibited publications was the Bible!

Because of the negative television and newspaper reports about our work, at times some householders became violent. “They would punch or slap us when we preached from door to door,” said a special pioneer, and “at other times they threw stones at us.” In addition, some Kingdom Halls were vandalized. Today our brothers in Serbia can meet together legally, although they need to be discreet.

The brothers continue to preach zealously. They demonstrate that Jehovah’s people are not prejudiced and that they display true Christlike love. Successful preaching campaigns have been organized in recent years in which brothers from other European countries have used their vacation time to help work unassigned territories in Serbia and Montenegro. Yet, there is still much work to be done in order to reach the approximately three million people who live in these areas.

Today Bethel in Belgrade is a complex of three buildings nestled in parklike gardens. The three members of the Country Committee oversee our work in Serbia as well as in Montenegro. With Jehovah’s blessing on his people in this formerly war-torn region, the name Serbia may now call to mind the zeal and determination of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Modern History of Kosovo

The tension between Serb and Albanian communities in Kosovo through the 1980’s erupted into open combat in the 1990’s, resulting in much suffering and heartache. This situation provided our brothers and sisters with the opportunity to show “unhypocritical brotherly affection” to fellow believers of all ethnic backgrounds. (1 Pet. 1:22) In addition, they have obeyed Christ’s command “to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you.” (Matt. 5:43-48) Yet, at times, it has been challenging to do so.

“Brothers who used to be Muslim are not always received kindly by practicing Muslims,” explains Saliu Abazi, a former Muslim who speaks Albanian, “and our families wrongly conclude that we have abandoned them because we have chosen a new religion. Then, too, because of the ethnic tensions between Albanians and Serbs, it is not always easy for former Muslims to preach to Serbs.”

Nevertheless, a multiethnic group of 30 people was meeting together in Saliu’s home. “In those years,” remembers Saliu, “meetings were held in Serbian, and we received our literature from Belgrade. One day the police unexpectedly came to my house. At the time the brothers from Belgrade had just delivered the literature, and we were all associating together. When I told the police that they were my brothers, they could not comprehend how Serbs and Albanians could be brothers.” In 1998 this group of publishers was able to rent a place for use as a Kingdom Hall in the largest city in Kosovo, Priština.

In the spring of 1999, ethnic tensions and nationalism intensified alarmingly. “My neighbor threatened that if my son and I did not join the war, our house would be burned down,” relates Saliu. “The political climate had a terrible effect on people. Because they did not recognize the former Serb government, laws could not be enforced, and people became violent and did whatever they pleased.”

As the political situation deteriorated, conditions became increasingly difficult for Serbs living in Kosovo. During the conflict of 1999, both Serbs and Albanians by the thousands were forced to flee to neighboring countries. Yet, in that climate of extreme ethnic strife, Saliu risked his life by allowing his Serb brothers to take refuge in his home.

MOLDED BY JEHOVAH’S THINKING

“Hatred between Serbs and Albanians was intense,” said one sister. “It was something we learned from childhood. Even after learning the truth, those feelings are not easily erased. Many of us had to make big changes to adopt Jehovah’s thinking. Because of this hatred, even while learning that Jehovah is love, I tended to avoid a sister in the congregation just because she was a Serb. As I continued to study, however, I came to appreciate that while the teachings of other religions divide, the truth from Jehovah’s Word unites.” Has the transforming power of God’s Word helped this sister to put on the new Christian personality? “Today,” she reported, “I am happy to serve in the same congregation with my Serb brothers and sisters.”​—Col. 3:7-11; Heb. 4:12.

True Christian unity stands out in this religiously divided world. While nationalism was making people burn houses and throw hand grenades, our brothers were traveling to Belgrade, in Serbia, for a convention held in July 1998. Peacefully riding on the bus together were Albanians, Croatians, Macedonians, and Roma. Dashurie Gashi, who was on her way to that convention to be baptized, relates: “When the soldiers stopped the bus, we could see the look of shock on their faces. In the midst of all the ethnic tensions in these countries, here we were united as one people​—Jehovah’s people.”

One young woman of Roma descent learned the truth as a child from her aunts who lived abroad. The first obstacle she had to overcome was her illiteracy. Motivated by love for Jehovah, she learned to read and write during the three years she was studying the Bible. The second obstacle was her grandfather, with whom she lived. “I would sneak out of the house to go to meetings,” she says. But when she returned, her grandfather would beat her. “I suffered physically because of the truth,” she relates, “but I would not give up. I reflected on how much the faithful man Job had to suffer. My love for Jehovah was strong, and I was determined not to stop studying.” She now serves as a pioneer, and she is conducting a Bible study with two girls who are illiterate. Although she never received secular schooling, she is grateful for the way the Theocratic Ministry School has trained her to teach others.

Adem Grajçevci was a Muslim before he learned the truth in Germany in 1993. Then, in 1999, he returned to his native Kosovo, and like many other new Witnesses, he had to overcome his family’s prejudices and opposition. “When I was learning the truth,” recalls Adem, “it helped me a lot to know that Satan is the ruler of the world and that he is behind all the atrocities taking place.” Adem’s father was not pleased with his son’s new Christian faith and told him to choose between Jehovah and the family. Adem chose Jehovah, continued to make steady spiritual progress, and today serves as a Christian elder. Happily, over the years Adem’s father has softened, and he is now more respectful of Adem’s decision.

Adem’s son, Adnan, was not interested in religion at all as a child. He was engrossed in martial arts and was given the nickname Killer by his competitors. He gave it all up, though, when the truth finally touched his heart. He made good progress and was baptized. “Not long after I was baptized, I had to make a decision,” he said. “I had a good job, and I was doing well materially. But spiritually I was suffering and had little time for the ministry. I decided it was time for a change, so I quit my job.” He started pioneering, was appointed as a ministerial servant, and was later invited to attend the first class of the Ministerial Training School in Albania. Now an elder, Adnan and his wife, Hedije, are serving as special pioneers. How does he feel about the decision he made? “I could not be happier,” he says. “I have no regrets about choosing the full-time ministry.”

UNITED WORSHIP AND INSTRUCTION

Today all six congregations in Kosovo use rented facilities for Kingdom Halls. Some congregations are small, such as the one in the city of Peć, which has 28 publishers. With too few appointed brothers available, some congregations are not able to have a public talk every week. Nevertheless, they, like the brothers and sisters in Peć, faithfully meet together each week for the Watchtower Study and the other congregation meetings.

For years the Serbia Country Committee lovingly shepherded the brothers in Kosovo through extremely difficult times. In 2000, to meet the changing needs of the brothers, the Governing Body assigned the Albania branch to care for the preaching work in Kosovo.

Until recently, most of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kosovo were Serbs, so the meetings were held in the Serbian language, and the brothers were happy to help Albanian-speaking people follow the program. Now the situation is reversed. Most of the brothers in Kosovo are Albanian. Except for one Serbian-language congregation, meetings are conducted in Albanian, and the brothers are pleased to interpret the talks so that the Serb brothers can follow along. Assemblies and district conventions are held in both languages. For example, the entire 2008 district convention program was presented in Albanian and translated into Serbian, with key discourses delivered in Serbian by Kosovar elders. Explains one brother, “Despite the hatred felt outside, inside the hall we are one family.”

Though most inhabitants of Kosovo are Muslim, they respect the Bible, and many are willing to discuss religion. The brothers in Kosovo were overjoyed to have a new peak of 164 publishers in 2008. With full trust in Jehovah, they are determined to continue working hard to cover their territory, taking the good news to people of all nationalities.

Modern History of Montenegro

This hidden pearl of the Mediterranean is a delightful little country on the Adriatic Coast. Nestled among Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro is a land of stunning diversity and breathtaking beauty. The country has some 182 miles [293 km] of gorgeous Adriatic coastline. The Tara River Canyon is one of the deepest and longest canyons in Europe. Lake Scutari is the largest in the Balkans and has one of the biggest bird sanctuaries in Europe. And all of this in an area only one third the size of Switzerland!

The history of the country, however, is marked by wars, strife, and suffering. The struggles of the Montenegrin people have, in turn, profoundly influenced their tradition, mentality, and culture. A fundamental part of their culture is admiration for such qualities as bravery, integrity, dignity, humility, self-sacrifice, and respect for others. Many of the resilient Montenegrins have embraced the good news of the Kingdom and are loyally defending Bible truth.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Can anyone who attended the momentous 1991 convention held in Zagreb, Croatia, ever forget the unity and love of the brothers gathered there from all parts of the former Yugoslavia? “With the smell of war in the air, traveling from Montenegro to Croatia was dangerous,” recalls Savo Čeprnjić, who had recently begun to study the Bible. “I was amazed to see so many buses arrive at the convention without a problem. Even more impressive was the peace and unity among the Witnesses. On the first day, there were hundreds of policemen, but after realizing that we were peaceful, only a few reported for duty on the following days.”

Before the start of the war, one couple had regularly traveled from Croatia to Montenegro to conduct a study with Savo. As the borders were closed, how would Savo continue his study of the Bible?

“Interested ones who were more advanced in their study had to teach others,” explains Savo. “A baptized brother was studying the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth with me. But when that was no longer possible, an unbaptized person continued studying with me. By 1992, the group that met for the Congregation Book Study and the Watchtower Study in the city of Herceg Novi had increased to 15.” Savo, along with his wife and daughter, continued to make progress and were baptized in 1993. Today there is a Kingdom Hall with 25 publishers in this picturesque coastal city.

In the early 1990’s, a group of publishers met in the capital city of Podgorica. The group continued to grow, and in 1997 plans were made to purchase property for a Kingdom Hall. The land that the brothers purchased had a wall that they decided to keep for privacy. But a police officer living in the basement of the neighboring building asked if they would remove the wall so that more light could reach his dark apartment. To promote good relations with the neighbor, the brothers agreed to take down the wall and replace it with a fence. What a blessing their neighborliness proved to be!

When other tenants of the building made trouble for the brothers, the police officer warned the tenants that if they attacked the Kingdom Hall, he would see that they were prosecuted. Now the brothers have a beautiful Kingdom Hall as well as a house for special pioneers and a large covered parking area that can also be used for assemblies.

Things did not go as well, though, for the brothers in the town of Nikšić. They purchased property in 1996, but the community was hostile to having a Kingdom Hall. Brothers guarded the building project day and night, fearing that neighbors would try to sabotage it. One day a local priest recruited a mob of 200 people, who stormed the property with guns and sticks. They fired their weapons into the air and began to tear down the Kingdom Hall brick by brick. The police stood by without taking any action.

When the situation could not be resolved peacefully, the brothers looked for other property. Four years later they found a building, which they renovated and converted into a Kingdom Hall. At first, there seemed to be no problems with the community, but a few months later, the Kingdom Hall was suspiciously destroyed by fire. Our determined brothers, however, did not give up. They set to work yet again and rebuilt the hall. Since then they have had no more problems.

The four congregations in Montenegro are under the supervision of the Serbia Country Committee. With a ratio of 1 publisher to 2,967 of the population, the 201 publishers are grateful for the help of the 6 special pioneers. In general, the people of Montenegro feel that religion has more to do with tradition than with reading the Bible. But our brothers and sisters in Montenegro loyally persevere in boldly preaching the good news.

Modern History of Slovenia

Until Slovenia attained independence in 1991, it constituted the northwestern part of Yugoslavia. After Slovenia became independent, its economy enjoyed steady growth, and in 2004, Slovenia became part of the European Union. Despite its relatively small size, Slovenia offers richly diverse landscapes. Within the country are majestic alps, mountain lakes, lush forests, immense limestone caves, and the charming Slovenian Riviera. In little more than an hour, one can descend from the crisp alpine slopes to the balmy olive groves and vineyards of the Adriatic Coast. In addition, Slovenia’s cultural and historical sites offer endless possibilities for exploration. This small country’s beauty goes deeper than national parks and historic towns, though. Slovenia has a rich spiritual heritage.

KINGDOM HALLS AND PIONEERS

You no doubt recall that Maribor was the city where the “Bible-believing barbers” preached about their new faith. A restaurant, later appropriately named Novi Svet (New World), was a convenient meeting place for the small group that developed there. Today, Slovenian Witnesses thank Jehovah for beautiful Kingdom Halls in which they meet for worship and instruction. Because of the increase in publishers, as well as improved circumstances in the 1990’s, a Regional Building Committee was formed. With the help of more than 100 volunteers and funds from abroad, congregations have built or renovated 14 Kingdom Halls since 1995.

As the number of publishers grew, so did the ranks of regular pioneers​—from 10 in 1990 to 107 in 2000. Among those zealous pioneers was Anica Kristan, who was very involved in politics before she accepted the truth.

Brothers and sisters who have come from other countries to serve in Slovenia have provided great stimulus to the preaching work. In 1992 the first missionaries here, Franco and Debbie Dagostini, arrived. When they were reassigned to Africa, two new missionaries, Daniel and Karin Friedl from Austria, were assigned to Slovenia. More recently, Gilead missionaries Geoffrey and Tonia Powell and Jochen and Michaela Fischer were assigned here. They, along with special pioneers from Austria, Italy, and Poland, have brought with them a deep love for Jehovah and a fervent desire to help people.

HOSPITAL LIAISON COMMITTEES

In 1994 a Hospital Information Desk was set up at Bethel, and two Hospital Liaison Committees (HLCs) were established. Some of the brothers appointed to those committees met with the minister of health, who, in turn, organized a meeting with the directors of all the hospitals in Slovenia. The brothers explained the function of HLCs and clarified why Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse blood transfusions. This has led to good cooperation between doctors and their patients who refuse blood transfusions and has resulted in the appearance of articles explaining bloodless treatment in medical journals.

In 1995, doctors in Slovenia performed their first open-heart surgery without the use of blood. The media reported on the successful operation, and the surgeon and anesthesiologist involved wrote a scholarly article about it. Thus, the door to bloodless medicine has been opened, and more doctors are willing to respect Jehovah’s Witnesses’ choice of medical treatment.

MEETING THE NEEDS OF A GROWING FIELD

After the political changes in 1991, the Governing Body decided that an office should be established in Slovenia to provide better care for Kingdom activities. A one-story building was purchased in the central part of Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. The premises were renovated, and on July 1, 1993, the building was ready for Bethelites to move in. At first, the Bethel family consisted of 10 members, but within a decade the number had grown to 35. Consequently, a nearby building was rented to house the kitchen, the dining room, and the laundry. Meanwhile, the Bethelites moved to nearby apartments to make room for more office space. The Slovenia office began functioning as a branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1997.

When the Governing Body approved the construction of a new branch office for Slovenia, the brothers began searching for a suitable site. After investigating about 40 different properties, the brothers chose a lot near the town of Kamnik, 12 miles [20 km] from the capital, at the foot of beautiful alpine peaks. Soon, zoning requirements were met, building permits were obtained, the property was purchased, contracts were signed with a construction company, and international servants were invited to work on the project. Everything seemed set to start.

When news about the project became public, however, neighbors quickly demonstrated their opposition. On the day that construction was to have begun, protesters barred access to the building site with barricades. Soon they displayed banners expressing their opposition. Six days later, at about noon, some 30 policemen arrived to protect city workers who had been assigned to remove the protesters’ barricades; the protesters verbally abused the police. In the meantime, though, the project had been postponed, so neither the brothers nor anyone from the construction company was on site that day. With the project postponed, opposition began to wane, and our brothers worked toward a peaceful solution.

The construction fence had been torn down three times by protesters, but the project finally got underway a month later and continued without further hindrance. Actually, what began as an attack on Jehovah’s people resulted in a blessing because the matter attracted much media attention. More than 150 news items on the building project were presented on TV and radio and in newspapers. Construction was completed after about 11 months, and in August 2005, the Bethel family moved into their new facilities.

Since then, the relationship between the brothers and their neighbors has changed completely. Many neighbors have visited the branch facilities. One former opposer later became very interested in the building project. He asked who we are and what would be done inside the building. When he toured the facilities, he was impressed by the friendly welcome he was given as well as by the cleanliness of the building. “The neighbors are asking me if I am now on your side,” he told the brothers, “and I answer, ‘As much as I was against Jehovah’s Witnesses before, I am now for them because they are good people.’”

August 12, 2006, was the happy day on which Theodore Jaracz of the Governing Body delivered the dedication talk to an audience of 144 from about 20 different countries. At a special meeting in Ljubljana, he spoke to an audience of 3,097 from all parts of Slovenia, as well as from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A BRIGHT FUTURE

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Slovenia face the future with complete confidence in their heavenly Father’s guidance and blessing. At the 2004 district convention, they were delighted to receive the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures in Slovenian. Now, with the support of a well-equipped new branch and with many of them working hard as pioneers, they are determined to carry out their commission to preach and make disciples.​—Matt. 28:19, 20.

In Slovenia, which is mostly Roman Catholic, the Communist era produced many atheists. Additionally, many people are weighed down by the anxieties of life or are enticed by the lure of materialism. Others are more interested in sports or entertainment. However, there are still honesthearted individuals who are drawn to God’s promises found in the Bible.

The work has continued to progress. A peak of 1,935 publishers was reached in August 2008, and about one fourth of the publishers were engaged in some form of pioneer service. The foreign-language fields now include Albanian, Chinese, Croatian, English, and Serbian, as well as Slovenian Sign Language. Unlike the humble beginnings of the work in Slovenia, when there were just two barbers preaching the good news, a large multinational crowd of zealous preachers is now searching out deserving ones who desire to serve the true God, Jehovah.​—Matt. 10:11.

The area of the Balkans known previously as Yugoslavia has experienced much conflict, heartache, and suffering. Amid this climate of religious intolerance and ethnic hatred, however, the love among Jehovah’s people has identified them as true disciples of Christ and has exalted Jehovah’s true worship as being above all that this world has to offer. This godlike love has drawn increasing numbers of people to embrace pure worship and helps our brothers remain resolute, determined to serve Jehovah unitedly forever.​—Isa. 2:2-4; John 13:35.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 165]

While national and religious prejudice raged within the borders of Yugoslavia, our brothers were united

[Blurb on page 173]

‘Am I here to please man? No! Does my life depend on what others may say, think, or do? No!’

[Box on page 144]

Contrasts Within the Former Yugoslavia

If you ask a group of people about the differences within the former Yugoslavia, chances are you will get several different answers. What can be agreed upon is that there were seven distinct peoples professing different religions and even speaking separate languages with different alphabets. Ethnic groups are primarily distinguished by religion. Over 1,000 years ago, Christendom was divided between those belonging to the Roman Catholic Church and those professing the Orthodox Catholic religion. The dividing line between these two passes right through the heart of the former Yugoslavia. People living in Croatia and Slovenia are predominantly Roman Catholic, while those in Serbia and Macedonia are mostly Orthodox. Within Bosnia there is a mixture of people of the Islamic, Catholic, and Orthodox faiths.

As religion has served to divide people, so has language. Most people of the former Yugoslavia, with the exception of Kosovo, speak a South Slavic language. While each country has its own language, the use of many common words makes communication between Serbs, Croatians, Bosnians, and Montenegrins possible. This is less so in Kosovo, Macedonia, and Slovenia. While efforts were made at the end of the 19th century to consolidate the languages with similarities, Yugoslavia’s breakup in 1991 put an end to that. Over the past decade, all the countries have tried to establish their uniqueness by using certain words and not others.

[Box/​Picture on page 148]

A Clockmaker Spreads the Truth in Slavonia

In the 1930’s, Antun Abramović traveled from village to village in Croatia, repairing watches and clocks. At an inn he found one of our booklets. Upon reading it, he immediately recognized it as the truth, and his heart was touched. This moved him to write a letter to the branch asking for more literature. Before long, he became a dedicated servant of Jehovah. After that, when he traveled from village to village, he not only repaired people’s watches but also gave them a witness. Having this cover for the preaching work was important because the work was under ban. In a small place called Privlaka, he met some people who wholeheartedly embraced the truth. In time, a small congregation was formed. From there the truth spread to Vinkovci and the surrounding area.

During World War II, Brother Abramović helped to print literature underground that was distributed throughout Yugoslavia. Because of his zealous activity, he was among the 14 brothers who were sentenced to long prison terms in 1947. After his release from prison, he served as a traveling overseer. His zeal in Jehovah’s service remained strong throughout his life.

[Box/​Picture on page 151]

A Conductor Becomes a Pioneer

Many years ago in what is today known as Bosnia and Herzegovina, the conductor of the Royal Guards Orchestra, Alfred Tuček, received Bible literature from a colleague named Fritz Gröger. Possibly in the late 1920’s, Alfred contacted the Lighthouse Society, in Maribor, saying that he wanted to become a regular pioneer. In time, he became one of the first in Yugoslavia to pioneer. Despite his well-paying job as a conductor of the military orchestra, his love for Jehovah moved him to give up his employment and ‘not look at the things behind.’ (Luke 9:62) In the early 1930’s, he traveled with the pioneer brothers from Germany and showed the “Photo-Drama of Creation.” He also helped to make territory cards to organize the preaching work in Yugoslavia. In 1934 he married one of the German pioneers, Frida. Their first assignment was in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Later their preaching of the good news took them to parts of Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Serbia. In the beginning they did most of their traveling by bicycle, but later they used a motorbike. Although the good news at that time was not readily accepted and the preaching work was banned, they realized the importance of reaching as many people as possible.

[Box/​Pictures on page 155, 156]

In Sickness and in Health

Martin Poetzinger served in several Central European countries before being assigned to oversee a group of pioneers in Yugoslavia. It was during this time that he met Gertrud Mende, a zealous pioneer sister from Germany, whom he later married. For the pioneers, health care was a matter in which they had to rely fully on Jehovah. Although there was no insurance, they always got the help they needed. Sometimes in critical situations Jehovah used those who were favorably disposed to help. For example, when Brother Poetzinger became seriously ill in Zagreb, Sister Mende was there to offer assistance.

Gertrud recalls: “In the mid-1930’s, Martin and I were both assigned to serve in Sarajevo. But things did not turn out as either of us had expected. One evening Martin did not feel well, and during the night he developed a fever of more than 103 degrees Fahrenheit [almost 40°C]. The next morning when I went to the place where he was living to see how he was doing, his landlady was worried about his condition. She and I tried to cure him with a local remedy of boiled wine with lots of sugar. However, his condition did not improve. I phoned a number of doctors I found listed in the telephone directory, but no one was willing to come immediately. They all had excuses.

“The landlady suggested calling the hospital, so I called the head of the hospital and explained that Martin was in bed with a fever that had gone up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit [40°C]. The man was very friendly and sent an ambulance. When Martin was carried into the ambulance, the landlady said to me, ‘You won’t see him anymore.’

“If that were not stressful enough, there was the problem of money. The only money we pioneers had was what we received as contributions for the literature, and that was barely enough to survive. We did not know what to do, and we did not know how much the treatment would cost. Dr. Thaler examined Martin and made the diagnosis: ‘Martin has pleurisy and needs surgery. It will take some time before he will be fit again.’

“Dr. Thaler must have understood our difficult economic situation because he said, ‘I want to support people with faith like yours,’ and he did not charge Martin for the surgery. With Jehovah’s help we managed to cope with this difficult situation. Because of Martin’s sickness, we could not go to Sarajevo but had to return to Germany.”

[Picture]

Martin Poetzinger in Germany, 1931

[Box/​Picture on page 161, 162]

Working by Day, Printing by Night

LINA BABIĆ

BORN 1925

BAPTIZED 1946

PROFILE She has served at Bethel since 1953, when the work became legalized. She helped with the printing and shipping of magazines and literature. Today she is faithfully serving at Bethel in Zagreb.

AFTER the brothers were released from prison, preparations were quickly made to produce the magazines. But there were few brothers, and there was a lot of work to be done. When I became aware of the situation, I decided to make myself available, though I had a secular job. Still, I wanted to help. So I worked all day at my secular job, and then I worked late into the night printing the literature.

At that time, the branch did not yet have its own property in the city. So an older couple, Petar and Jelena Jelić, made their one-room apartment available for mimeographing literature. The room was only about 15 feet by 15 feet [4.5m x 4.5m]. A wooden frame with linen stretched over it was put on the bed and was used for stacking the printed pages. Next to the bed was a table that held the hand-operated mimeograph. We produced about 800 pages an hour. That is not much compared with modern-day printing presses, but we were satisfied that with patience and a lot of hard work we could produce all the literature needed.

It was very touching to see how patiently the Jelićs waited until we stopped working and moved the stacked printed pages so they could go to bed. They never complained. On the contrary, they were happy, and their eyes shone with joy because they could support the Kingdom work in that way. Jelena along with other elderly sisters helped when she could to collect, stitch, and fold the printed pages. Such help was invaluable.

In 1958 we acquired an electric mimeograph, so printing became easier. What started out as only 20 magazines in 1931 turned into 2,400 copies in three languages​—Croatian, Serbian (Cyrillic), and Slovenian—​by the early 1960’s. Though we couldn’t produce books, we printed many booklets. In 1966 we had our largest printing ever. The book Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie was produced by a local printer in the form of 12 booklets. Each set of 12 booklets made one complete book. For the three languages, it meant printing 600,000 booklets to produce the equivalent of 50,000 books.

Today I serve in Zagreb Bethel. I am happy to look back on my years of service and see how Jehovah has blessed the work in all the countries of the former Yugoslavia.

[Box/​Picture on page 176, 177]

“Tomorrow Everything Can Be Different”

IVICA ZEMLJAN

BORN 1948

BAPTIZED 1961

PROFILE He was imprisoned five times for remaining neutral. Later he served as a weekend circuit overseer, and today he serves as an elder in a congregation in Zagreb.

MY PARENTS were in the truth, and the truth was what we spoke about at home. When I was called up for military service, I reported and said that I wanted to make a statement. After explaining my neutral stand, I was put on trial and sentenced to nine months of imprisonment. When I was released, another call-up for military service was already waiting for me. Again I was tried and sentenced, this time to one year in prison. When I was released, a third call-up was awaiting me, and again another trial. This time I was given a sentence of 15 months in prison. The fourth time, I was sentenced to 20 months; and the fifth time, to two years​—altogether more than six years in prison. All this occurred between 1966 and 1980.

Twice I was sent to Goli Otok in the Adriatic Sea. The whole island was a prison for political prisoners. I was treated like the political inmates. Our task was to “fill up the sea.” We carried stones in a wooden box from one side of the island to the other and threw them into the sea. Each load weighed over 220 pounds [100 kg]. Then we walked back to carry another load of stones, doing the same pointless thing again and again the whole day.

The second time I was sent to Goli Otok, the custom was to put every newcomer in solitary confinement for a month. It was terrible to be locked up and left entirely alone. During that time I prayed more than ever before. I had no Bible and no Bible publications. To be totally isolated was extremely hard for me. The only encouragement I got was a letter from my parents. It was then, though, that I felt the force of the apostle Paul’s words: “When I am weak, then I am powerful.” (2 Cor. 12:10) How happy and strong I was when I was released and then found employment.

In another prison, I had to go to a psychologist who was very harsh and insulted me verbally. He yelled at me, saying among other things that I was not normal. I was not allowed to say anything in my defense. The next day the same psychologist called me in again and said with a totally different tone of voice: “I thought about you, and I think this prison is not the right place for you. I will find work for you outside prison.” And to my surprise, he really did it. I don’t know what made him change his mind, but it showed me that we never need to be afraid or think there is no way out. Tomorrow everything can be different. I am thankful to Jehovah for all the experiences that brought me closer to him.

[Box/​Picture on page 179]

‘Are People Allowed to Talk About Soccer?’

HENRIK KOVAČIĆ

BORN 1944

BAPTIZED 1962

PROFILE He served as a weekend traveling overseer in 1973, and then from 1974 to 1976, he was assigned as a full-time traveling overseer. He is now a member of the Croatia Branch Committee.

WE NEVER knew whether we would return home from the ministry. The police often arrested and interrogated us. Misconceptions were common.

One time at the police station, I was told that we were allowed to speak about God only at places registered for that purpose and not on streets or from house to house. Like Nehemiah, I said a quick prayer to ask Jehovah to help me find the right words. Then I asked the investigator, “Are people here allowed to talk about soccer only in the stadium or in other places as well?” He answered that people can talk about soccer in any place. I replied: “Surely, then, you can also talk about God anywhere, not only in a church or in a place of worship.” Though we were interrogated for five hours, my partner and I were set free.

When looking back on 40 years of service, my wife, Ana, and I can say that we would not exchange it for anything in the world. Together we have had the privilege of helping nearly 70 people learn the truth. Every assignment Jehovah has in store for us can only enrich our lives.

[Box/​Picture on page 195, 196]

We Promised to Return

HALIM CURI

BORN 1968

BAPTIZED 1988

PROFILE He helped organize and distribute humanitarian aid in Sarajevo. Now he serves as an elder, a Hospital Liaison Committee member, and a legal representative of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

IN 1992 the city of Sarajevo was under siege. When there were no literature shipments, we studied older magazines. Using an old typewriter, the brothers typed copies of available study articles. Although there were only 52 publishers, we had more than 200 at our meetings, and we conducted about 240 Bible studies.

In November 1993, during the worst of the war, our daughter, Arijana, was born. It was a difficult time to bring a child into the world. We had no running water or electricity for weeks at a time. We used furniture as fuel, and our trips to the meetings took us through dangerous areas. Snipers fired indiscriminately, so we had to run to cross certain streets and barricades.

One quiet day, my wife, our baby, Brother Dražen Radišić, and I were on our way home from the meeting when machine-gun fire suddenly erupted. We lay down on the street, but a bullet hit me in the stomach. The pain was intense. Many people saw what happened from their windows, and some courageous young men came running out of the houses to take us to safety. I was rushed to a hospital, where they urgently wanted to administer a blood transfusion. I explained to the doctor that my conscience would not allow me to take a blood transfusion. They pressured me to reconsider; but I was determined, and I was prepared to face the consequences. They operated anyway, for two and a half hours, and I recovered without having a blood transfusion.

After the surgery, I needed to rest, which was impossible because of the war. We decided to visit our family in Austria. However, the only way to leave Sarajevo was through a tunnel under the airport. The tunnel was a half mile [900 m] long and about four feet [120 cm] high. My wife carried the baby, and I tried to carry the luggage. But because of the surgery, she had to help me.

We can hardly describe the joy our stay in Austria brought us. When we left Sarajevo, we had made a promise to our brothers and to our Creator that we would return. It was very hard to leave our family in Austria, especially my mother. We explained, though, that we had promised God we would return to Sarajevo if he helped us to get out and get a bit of rest. How could we now say to God: “Thank you for helping us to come here. We really enjoy being here, and now we would like to stay”? Also, the brothers in Sarajevo needed us. In all of this, my wife, Amra, was a great support.

So in December 1994, we arrived at the tunnel in Sarajevo. This time we were going into Sarajevo from the outside. Seeing us return through the tunnel, people asked: “What are you doing? Everybody wants to get out, and you are returning to the besieged city?” I cannot find words to describe the wonderful reunion we had with our brothers at the Sarajevo Kingdom Hall. We have never regretted that we returned.

[Box on page 210]

Croatia’s Islands

Croatia’s 1,105-mile [1,778 km] coastline is dotted with more than 1,000 islands, of which about 50 are inhabited. The islands range in size from less than one half square mile [less than 1 sq km] to 150 square miles [400 sq km].

The islanders mainly fish, cultivate olive trees, care for vineyards, and work their gardens. Kornati National Park, an archipelago of 140 islands and reefs, offers spectacular diving. On Krapanj and Zlarin, the inhabitants dive for coral and sponges. The island of Hvar produces lavender, honey, and rosemary oil. Residents of the barren island of Pag produce a prized cheese made from the milk of the hardy sheep that graze on the island’s herbs and salty grass.

Jehovah’s Witnesses make special efforts to reach all the inhabitants. Some need only cross a bridge to reach an island, while others must take a ferry. Groups of Witnesses love to organize special campaigns, spending a couple of days preaching on an island. Speaking to the islanders, though, can be a challenge because they have developed a distinct dialect that can be difficult for mainlanders to understand.

Happily, islanders are responding to the good news, and the island of Korčula is home to a congregation of 52 publishers. The isolated location of the congregation presents a challenge for speakers who come to give a public talk. But their efforts help this isolated congregation remain united with the worldwide Christian brotherhood.​—1 Pet. 5:9.

[Box/​Picture on page 224]

“I Reported to Prison 11 Days Early”

PAVLINA BOGOEVSKA

BORN 1938

BAPTIZED 1972

PROFILE She started pioneering in 1975 and became the first special pioneer in Macedonia in 1977. She has helped 80 people to learn the truth.

MANY times when I was preaching, people reported me to the police, who would take me to the police station, where I was interrogated​—sometimes for hours. I was fined many times. In court, I was falsely charged with being a political enemy of the State and of spreading propaganda from the West. Once I was sentenced to 20 days in prison, and another time to 30 days.

I was supposed to serve my 20-day prison sentence at the very time we were scheduled to have a district convention. I asked the court to please postpone my sentence; but my request was rejected, so I decided to report to the prison 11 days early. The prison officials were surprised to see me there. They could not believe that anyone would want to go to prison as soon as possible. I had an opportunity to give a witness, and they promised to do all they could to take care of me. Eleven days later a police officer came to the prison to see if I had reported there yet. Imagine his surprise when the prison officials informed him that I had already been there for 11 days! As it turned out, I was able to attend the convention.

[Box/​Picture on page 232]

‘They Gave the Best They Had’

ŠANDOR PALFI

BORN 1933

BAPTIZED 1964

PROFILE His parents learned the truth in a camp established by Partisans shortly after World War II. He served as a weekend traveling overseer and is now a member of the Serbia Country Committee.

BECAUSE my family is of Hungarian descent, for a short time, we were sent to a camp set up by Partisans. This proved to be a blessing, though, because it was there that my parents learned the truth. As a teenager, I didn’t have much interest in the truth. But Brother Franz Brand, who lived in our house for a couple of years, had a great effect on me. I thought I was being helpful when I agreed to his request to translate a Hungarian publication into Serbian. I later found out that there was no need to translate it; he simply wanted to make sure that I read the publication. His tactic worked, and some time later, in 1964, I was baptized.

One of my greatest joys was serving as a traveling overseer. It wasn’t always easy because the brothers were of modest means. On many occasions the whole family and I slept in one room. All the sacrifices were worthwhile. It was wonderful to see the joy of the brothers, who eagerly awaited the visit. They would do all they could to give the best they had. How could I not be grateful?

[Box/​Picture on page 236, 237]

“Where Can I Find These People?”

AGRON BASHOTA

BORN 1973

BAPTIZED 2002

PROFILE He was a soldier in the Kosovo Liberation Army and now serves as a regular pioneer and ministerial servant.

WHEN I saw all the horrible things taking place in the war, including the murder of small children, I concluded that God must not exist. ‘If he does,’ I thought, ‘why doesn’t he do something about all the suffering?’ My faith was further damaged when I saw how Muslim religious leaders were supporting the war against the Serbs. Before the war, I was a Muslim; however, by the end of the war, I had become an atheist and had joined the Kosovo Liberation Army. Though I was with them for only a short time, I earned a lot of respect and received many privileges. This caused me to become aggressive and proud because whatever I said got done.

Unfortunately, I also displayed this attitude toward my wife. I thought that she had to do as I told her and always act on my orders. My wife, Merita, had been in contact with the Witnesses during the war and had some of their literature. One night before going to bed, she said: “Take these and read them. They are about God.” I was furious that she thought she could teach me about God. To avoid further confrontation, Merita went to the bedroom to sleep.

Left by myself with the literature, I decided to read the brochure What Does God Require of Us? Next I read the booklet The Time for True Submission to God. As a Muslim, I was surprised that it quoted from the Koran. Then I read some Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Later that night, I went into the bedroom and woke my wife up. “From whom did you get these?” I asked. “Where can I find these people?”

I was sincerely touched by what I had read, but my wife was skeptical and afraid of what I might do. Nevertheless, that night we phoned a Witness and found out when and where their meeting was to be held. The next morning we went to the meeting. I was so impressed at how kind and welcoming the brothers were! I didn’t think there could be people like that on earth. I could tell that they were different. During the meeting I had a question and could hardly wait to get it answered, even raising my hand to ask it. Not knowing why I was so anxious to speak with them, the elders were a bit nervous. What a relief it must have been when they realized that I simply wanted to know what I had to do to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses!

I started studying the Bible that very day. The many changes I wanted to make in my personality were not easy. I wanted to stop smoking, and I felt that I needed to cut off contact with my former friends. With prayer and regular meeting attendance, I repented of my former life and put on the new personality. What a difference the truth has made in my life and that of my family! Now my wife and I serve as regular pioneers, and in 2006, I was appointed as a ministerial servant. Now I can help others to understand why people suffer and how Jehovah will soon solve all our problems.

[Box/​Picture on page 249, 250]

“It Seemed That Jehovah Blocked Their Sight”

JANEZ NOVAK

BORN 1964

BAPTIZED 1983

PROFILE He spent three years in prison for his faith and is now a member of the Slovenia Branch Committee.

IN December 1984, the military authorities repeatedly issued orders for me to report to the army. When they stuck the call-up notice on my door and threatened that the military police would come for me, I decided to report to the barracks to explain my position to them. This was not successful, and they decided to do everything in their power to make a soldier out of me. They shaved my head, took away my civilian clothes, and offered me a soldier’s uniform. When I refused the uniform, they put it on me by force, and then they put a pen in my hand and tried to force me to sign up for the army. I refused.

I also refused to take part in such activities as morning exercise and saluting the flag. When four soldiers took me to the yard and ordered me to do the exercises, I would not lift up my hands. They tried to lift my hands until they realized how ridiculous the situation was. They aimed a rifle at me and threatened to kill me. Sometimes they tried to bribe me by offering me coffee and cakes.

My determination made some of them cry. Others became furious when I refused to spit on the picture of Marshal Tito that they held in front of my face. After a couple of days, they tried to make me carry weapons, which I also refused to do. This was classified as a military offense, and I was confined to the barracks for one month. Then I spent several weeks in a prison cell in Zagreb, Croatia, awaiting the verdict. A red light was left on in the cell the whole night, and only if the person in charge was in a good mood was I allowed to go to the restroom.

Finally, I was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on an Adriatic island called Goli Otok, where they sent the worst convicts. They took me to this prison, notorious for violence among the inmates, with my hands bound in chains because I refused to fight. There I met four other Witnesses who had been imprisoned because of their neutral stand.

We were not allowed to bring in a Bible or any other literature. However, one Bible was there already. My relatives mailed me The Watchtower in a box with a false bottom. The guards never discovered our literature and never found out that we were holding Christian meetings. Sometimes when guards came in, literature that had been left out was lying right in front of them, but it seemed that Jehovah blocked their sight because they did not notice anything.

After a year I was moved to Slovenia to complete my sentence. I got married to Rahela while I was still in prison. When I was finally released, I started pioneering with my wife, and since 1993 we have been serving at Slovenia Bethel.

[Chart/​Graph on page 244, 245]

TIME LINE​—Lands of the Former Yugoslavia

1920’s A small group meets in Maribor, Slovenia, to discuss the Bible.

1930’s German-speaking pioneers are sent to Yugoslavia.

1935 A branch office is established in Belgrade, Serbia, to oversee the work.

1940

1941 The German army invades, followed by intense persecution.

1950

1953 Jehovah’s Witnesses are legally established; however, house-to-house work is restricted.

1960

1969 An international assembly is held in this stadium in Nuremberg, Germany.

1970

1990

1991 First international convention is held in Zagreb, Croatia. First Gilead-trained missionaries arrive. An office is opened up in Slovenia under the oversight of Austria branch. War erupts.

1993 Jehovah’s Witnesses registered in Macedonia.

1994 A Hospital Liaison Committee is established in Slovenia.

2000

2003 Jehovah’s Witnesses get legal recognition in Croatia. A new Bethel is dedicated in Macedonia.

2004 New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures is released in Slovenian.

2006 A new branch is dedicated in Slovenia. The complete New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is released in Croatian, Serbian, and Macedonian. A Chinese group is formed in Belgrade, Serbia.

2007 Special talk is given for the first time in the Romany language in Macedonia. The first publication in Romany is released.

2010

[Graph]

(See publication)

Total Publishers

Total Pioneers

14,000

10,500

7,000

3,500

1940 1950 1960 1970 1990 2000 2010

[Maps on page 147]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

CZECH REPUBLIC

AUSTRIA

VIENNA

SLOVAKIA

BRATISLAVA

HUNGARY

BUDAPEST

ROMANIA

BULGARIA

GREECE

ALBANIA

TIRANË

IONIAN SEA

ITALY

ADRIATIC SEA

FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

SLOVENIA

LJUBLJANA

Maribor

Kamnik

CROATIA

ZAGREB

SLAVONIA

Osijek

Vukovar

Vinkovci

Privlaka

Jasenovac

Šibenik

Split

DALMATIAN COAST

Goli Otok

Pag

Kornat

Zlarin

Krapanj

Hvar

Korčula

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

SARAJEVO

Bihać

Banja Luka

Tuzla

Travnik

Zenica

Vareš

Mostar

SERBIA

BELGRADE

VOJVODINA

Bor

MONTENEGRO

PODGORICA

Nikšić

Herceg Novi

Tara

Lake Scutari

KOSOVO

Peć

Priština

MACEDONIA

SKOPJE

Tetovo

Kočani

Štip

Kičevo

Strumica

Resen

Note: The United Nations reported that “Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in February [2008].” In an effort to resolve the dispute over Kosovo’s political status, the UN General Assembly is seeking “an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice.”

[Full-page picture on page 142]

[Picture on page 145]

Franz Brand

[Pictures on page 146]

Rudolf Kalle, and one of his typewriters

[Picture on page 149]

Using a rented truck to preach in Slovenia

[Picture on page 154]

Early pioneers faced many challenges

[Picture on page 157]

Alfred and Frida Tuček with their bicycles

[Picture on page 158]

Rudolf Kalle in front of the Belgrade Bethel, Serbia

[Pictures on page 168]

Franc Drozg, and a reproduction of his letter

[Picture on page 180]

Right: The stable that was converted into a Kingdom Hall, Ljubljana, Slovenia

[Picture on page 180]

Bottom: One of the first Kingdom Halls in Zagreb, Croatia

[Picture on page 182]

Stojan Bogatinov

[Pictures on page 184, 185]

Background: 1969 “Peace on Earth” International Assembly, Nuremberg, Germany; left: convention train from Yugoslavia; right: Nathan Knorr

[Picture on page 188]

Ðuro Landić

[Pictures on page 192]

Milton Henschel speaking, and the baptism at the 1991 “Lovers of Godly Freedom” International Convention, Zagreb, Croatia

[Picture on page 197]

Ljiljana, with her daughters

[Pictures on page 199]

Humanitarian supplies were brought by truck from Austria

[Picture on page 200]

The Ðorem family, 1991

[Picture on page 204]

Baptism in a fish barrel in Zenica, 1994

[Pictures on page 209]

Humanitarian aid supplies were stored in Zagreb, Croatia

[Picture on page 215]

Elke and Heinz Polach

[Pictures on page 216]

Croatia Branch Committee, and branch office

[Picture on page 228]

Delivering humanitarian supplies in Bosnia

[Pictures on page 233]

Serbia Country Committee, and Bethel facilities in Belgrade

[Picture on page 235]

Saliu Abazi

[Pictures on page 243]

Preaching in Podgorica; Kingdom Hall in Podgorica

[Picture on page 247]

Old town Piran, Slovenia

[Picture on page 251]

Former branch office in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2002

[Picture on page 253]

Branch office in Kamnik, Slovenia, 2006

[Picture on page 254]

Slovenia Branch Committee