2010 Yearbook of

Jehovah’sWitnesses
2010 Yearbook of
Jehovah’sWitnesses
Containing the Report for the Service Year of 2009

This book is the property of

5 2010
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA
All Rights Reserved
Publishers
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC.
25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483, U.S.A.
This publication is not for sale. It is provided as part of a worldwide
Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations.

2010 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses English (yb10-E)

Made in the United States of America
 ‘Love endures all things. Love never fails.’
—1 CORINTHIANS 13:7, 8.
Increasingly in these “last days,” people are “lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, [and] lovers of pleasures
rather than lovers of God.” (2 Tim. 3:1-4) What a
refreshing contrast is found in those who serve Jehovah!
It is love that motivates us to preach God’s Word. Love
inspires us to “work what is good toward all.” (Gal. 6:10)
And it is love that identifies us as true disciples of Christ.
—John 13:35.
How important it is to keep cultivating our love for
Jehovah and his dear Son, Jesus Christ, by reflecting on
all they have done for us! Vital too is the need to grow
in our love for our brothers and for those who have not
yet come to know Jehovah. Though trials will come our
way, love will help us to endure. May the yeartext for 2010
remind us to keep growing in this precious quality, love.

CONTENTS
3 A Letter From the Governing Body
6 Highlights of the Past Year
30 Preaching and Teaching Earth Wide
—2009 Grand Totals
ACTS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES IN MODERN TIMES
66 Uganda
126 Albania
200 Belize
Photo Credits: Page 66: Trader on bicycle: FAO Photo/K. Dunn; giraffe
and waterfall: Courtesy of the Uganda Wildlife Authority; page 200:
Jaguar: ˘ Lynn Stone/Index Stock/age fotostock; Mayan ruins: ˘ Jane
Sweeney/Robert Harding Picture Library/age fotostock
 A LET T ER FROM T HE

Governing Body
Dear Fellow Witnesses of Jehovah:
What a privileged people we are to bear the
name of the Universal Sovereign, Jehovah! That
name is eternal, imperishable, and incomparable.
It was Jehovah who gave us his name to bear, and
especially since the year 1931, we have been
identified with that distinctive name. (Isa. 43:10) It
is with unreserved pride that we identify ourselves
as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The Devil relentlessly tries to blot out the name
of God. Under his control, the nations spurn Jeho-
vah’s name. Babylon the Great, the world empire
of false religion, hates the divine name and has re-
moved it from many Bible translations. In contrast,
Jesus held high his Father’s name, giving it first
place in the model prayer he taught his followers.
He said: “You must pray, then, this way: ‘Our Father
in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.’ ”
(Matt. 6:9) Later, in heartfelt prayer to his Father,
he said: “I have made your name manifest to the
men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6)

3
 Following Jesus’ fine example, we are more deter-
mined than ever to herald Jehovah’s name vigor-
ously throughout the earth.
The yeartext for 2009, “Bear thorough witness
to the good news,” prompted us to accomplish
our ministry fully. (Acts 20:24) There is no doubt
that Jehovah has richly blessed our efforts this
past service year. A tremendous witness was giv-
en worldwide to the glory and honor of Jehovah’s
name. A new peak of 7,313,173 publishers joined
their voices in preaching to all, as well as teaching
those of honest heart who are searching for solu-
tions to the many problems facing them each day.
An attendance of 18,168,323 at the Memorial of
Christ’s death shows promise that millions more
may yet call upon Jehovah’s name before the end
of this wicked system of things.
As long as Jehovah permits, we will continue to
preach the Kingdom good news with zeal, using
every possible means to reach people in our terri-
tories. (Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10) Whether from
door to door, on the streets, by letter writing and
telephone witnessing, or informally, may we en-
deavor to make known Jehovah’s name and pur-
pose to as many people as we can.
We have every reason to believe that Jehovah
will soon act to sanctify his name. (Ezek. 36:23)

4
The time is fast approaching when all those who
defame it will be silenced. What a glorious day that
will be for all of Jehovah’s loyal servants, who have
made known Jehovah’s name and have upheld his
universal sovereignty!
Jehovah’s loving care for his people was clear-
ly evident at the “Keep on the Watch!” District and
International Conventions held throughout much
of the world in 2009. Those conventions proved to
be a milestone in our theocratic history, motivating
us to be more aware of the need to be watchful for
Jehovah’s day.—Mark 13:37; 1 Thess. 5:1, 2, 4.
Truly, Jehovah is good to us; he fills our hearts
with rejoicing. He makes us lie down in grassy pas-
tures and conducts us by well-watered resting-
places.—Ps. 23:1, 2; 100:2, 5.
Rest assured of Jehovah’s continued blessing
upon you as you stay busy in Kingdom service in
the months ahead!
With warm Christian love to our worldwide
brotherhood,

Your brothers,
Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses

5
Highlights
of the past year
REPORTS from around the world confirm that Jehovah’s
Witnesses have been busier than ever preaching the good
news of the Kingdom “in all the inhabited earth for a witness
to all the nations.” (Matt. 24:14) As a result of their endur-
ance and united, unselfish labors of love, ‘the word of Jeho-
vah has sounded forth, and in every place their faith toward
God has spread abroad.’—1 Thess. 1:8.

UPBUILDING AND ENJOYABLE FAMILY WORSHIP

On January 1, 2009, Jehovah’s Witnesses made a
significant adjustment to their weekly meeting sched-
ule. The Congregation Book Study was renamed the
Congregation Bible Study and was scheduled to be
6 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
held in conjunction with the Theocratic Ministry
School and Service Meeting. All were encouraged to
use for Family Worship the evening previously devot-
ed to the Congregation Book Study.
How have Jehovah’s servants responded to this
loving adjustment? The feelings of many are summed
up by one husband who wrote: “Thank you, thank you,
and thank you. Words cannot express how my wife
and I have benefited from the Family Worship evening.
It has deepened our love for Jehovah and, at the same
time, has brought us closer together as a couple. What
a wonderful and wise arrangement by our heavenly
Father!”
What are families doing to make the most of this
valuable new time slot? A mother wrote: “Some nights
we go through page 31 of Awake! together, and other
nights we watch one of the organization’s videos. The
children not only do their own research but also have
fun learning and enjoy the Family Worship time. They
are assigned to research a Bible character one month
and to give a talk the next month. The same goes for
my husband and me. Our ten-year-old son’s first pre-
sentation on Noah was an excellent talk! He even told
us how we can apply the information today. Then he
took out a scale model of Noah’s ark that he had built.
Our daughter had a part the following week on the
missionary trips of the apostle Paul. When she was
finished, we all applauded, and she then quizzed us in
a part she called Do You Remember? It was amaz-
ing!” This family has found the arrangement for Fam-
ily Worship to be a real blessing from Jehovah. “My
husband and I went through a lot this past year,” says
the mother, “and this is what we really needed to keep
us going.”
HIGHLIGHTS 7
 Another sister wrote: “I would like to express grati-
tude for this provision, which has awakened me spiri-
tually! After our children grew up and moved out of the
house, my husband and I stopped having a regular
family study. Now we do. Most of the time, the study
lasts two hours, and the time goes by so quickly!”
As the great tribulation draws ever closer, may the
time you have set aside for Family Worship help you to
dig deeper into God’s Word and strengthen yourself
spiritually to oppose the Devil. Make the most of this
precious time to “draw close to God, and he will draw
close to you.”—Jas. 4:7, 8.
DOING MORE TO OFFER BIBLE STUDIES
Beginning in January 2009, congregations were
urged to designate one Saturday or Sunday each
month to focus on offering Bible studies. The result?
Many publishers have been experiencing surprise and
great joy—surprise because offering a study is easier
than they had expected and joy because of the variety
of people who have accepted a study in the book What
Does the Bible Really Teach? Traveling overseers report
that congregations are enthusiastic about this new ar-
rangement, and early results are very promising. For
example, in the first five months, over 8,000 new Bible
studies were started in Italy.
Publishers who have never conducted studies are
now making return visits and starting studies. Caroli-
na, in Peru, said: “Before this arrangement I did not
conduct any Bible studies, but the suggestion of con-
centrating one day a month on this made me see the
need to strive to start a Bible study. I have been able to
show householders that a Bible study is simple and
does not take much time. Thanks to Jehovah, by apply-
8 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
ing the suggestions we have been given, I have had
good results; now I conduct two Bible studies.”
Satya, a pioneer sister in Britain, was apprehensive
about offering a Bible study on the first call. But on the
day set aside for offering Bible studies, she determined
not to return home without trying this method. She
was delighted when a lady immediately accepted her
offer. It was much easier than Satya had expected!
Luca, a young brother in Palermo, Sicily, regularly
left our magazines with a widow who was afraid to let
anyone into her house. One Saturday afternoon, on
the day to offer Bible studies, Luca approached the
widow with the Bible Teach book open, and he read an
excerpt from the book. The lady was intrigued by the
book and took some time to talk to Luca. He told her
that he had in his hand the answers to her questions
—including the one about whether she would ever see
her husband again. Luca opened the book to page 72,
which explains who will be resurrected. The lady was
touched by this Bible hope and accepted a Bible study.
She now has a regular study, inviting the Witnesses
into her home without fear.
“From the start,” reported a circuit overseer in Peru,
“this arrangement has helped most congregations in-
crease the number of Bible studies they conduct. One
congregation in Chiclayo reported 25 new studies in
´ 24 new studies were start-
one month, and in Chepen,
ed.”
Young publishers have also had success offering
Bible studies. Eleven-year-old Giovanna in Sao ˜ Paulo,
Brazil, relates: “One Saturday afternoon I was work-
ing door-to-door with my mother, offering Bible studies
in the Bible Teach book. At the first door, I asked the
householder, a well-known businessman, if he believed
HIGHLIGHTS 9
that the Bible is inspired by God. He said yes. Then
I showed him 2 Timothy 3:16. He said that he was
moved to see a young girl telling him such beautiful
things, and he accepted the book.
“When I called back on the man, I took my grand-
father because he is an acquaintance of the house-
holder. The man asked us in, and I invited him to look
at the table of contents in the Bible Teach book and
choose the subject that interested him the most. He
chose chapter 11, ‘Why Does God Allow Suffering?’ Af-
ter reading the first two paragraphs, he and his wife
asked many questions. They were so happy to find all
the answers in the Bible, and they agreed to a regular
study. How happy I was to start a study at the first door
we called on!”
Of course, not everyone will accept a Bible study,
and not all those who start will continue. But as God’s
fellow workers, we keep offering Bible studies to as
many people as possible, knowing that Jehovah is
drawing sheeplike ones into his organization before
the destruction of Satan’s system of things.—John 6:
44; 1 Cor. 3:9.
TECHNOLOGY HELPS TO “SPEED IT UP”
Jehovah’s people rejoice in the fulfillment of the
thrilling prophecy: “The little one himself will become
a thousand, and the small one a mighty nation. I my-
self, Jehovah, shall speed it up in its own time.” (Isa. 60:
22) There can be no doubt that Jehovah continues to
use technological innovations to speed up the spiritu-
al growth at this exciting time. Thus, the Governing
Body authorized the development of an administration
software system that could be used by all branches
worldwide.
10 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 The development team, originally based at the
South Africa branch, have moved to the World Head-
quarters, in Brooklyn, New York, where they contin-
ue to develop and maintain this software. About 20
branches serve as regional support centers, assisting
nearby branches to utilize useful features of this com-
puter tool.
What are the benefits? Because the branches all
use the same software, they can share information.
For example, all the printing branches worldwide can
know what literature the other branches have in stock.
If one branch is overstocked with a literature item, an-
other branch can request it rather than print a new
supply. This feature, along with tools that forecast the
demand for literature based on prior requests from the
field, has resulted in reducing overstocked literature in
all branches.

Even young publishers

enjoy offering Bible
studies
 The program helps Bethel workers to handle ef-
ficiently such tasks as processing literature and mag-
azine orders, compiling annual field service reports, ar-
ranging conventions and assemblies, and assigning
traveling overseers and special pioneers. The software
also helps with purchasing, accounting, and the han-
dling of inventories, which has reduced dependence on
expensive commercial software.
LETTING SPIRITUAL LIGHT SHINE ONLINE
Just as literal light penetrates into dark corners, so
too God’s people ‘let their light shine’ in all parts of the
earth. (Matt. 5:16) A particularly useful tool that illu-
minates the most remote places is our official Web
site www.watchtower.org. This Web site features mag-
azine articles, tracts, and brochures in some 383 lan-
guages, as well as the complete New World Translation
of the Holy Scriptures in 11 languages. In all, there are
more than 700 articles available on the site. The home
page, updated weekly, features recent articles on pop-
ular topics. What are the results of having material
that is in print in so many languages readily available
online?
Pat, who lives in Florida, U.S.A., has found the Web
site to be the quickest way to get literature in foreign
languages. She writes: “After we had completed our
distribution of the tract Would You Like to Know the
Truth? I started printing out the tract in the languages
of some who accepted it in English but who also speak
another language.” With what results?
Pat printed out a Thai tract for a lady who owns a
little market. The lady was delighted and could not be-
lieve that Pat had found Thai literature so quickly. This
12 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 woman and other customers in the market wanted the
name of our Web site so that they could visit it for
themselves. One of the women invited Pat to visit her
at her home to continue their discussion. Like Pat,
many find it beneficial to print a few pages in different
languages from the Web site to share with interested
people of other nationalities.
Last year more than 24 million people from every
continent visited our Web site. Since 2007, the num-
ber of visitors has increased by 33 percent. Individu-
als from all over the world, including isolated islands,
submit requests for a personal visit or a home Bible
study. The number of electronic coupons submitted
since 2007 increased some 55 percent. Yes, spiritual
light is beaming in the remotest parts of the earth, all
to the praise and glory of our Father in the heavens.
—Matt. 5:16.
In addition to the www.watchtower.org Web site,
www.jw.org has been developed to make certain key

D A I LY V I S I T O RS T O www.wa tchto we r.o r g

70,000

50,000

30,000

10,000

1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

HIGHLIGHTS 13
publications available in digital form. What is the val-
ue of this specific Web site?
Trisha, from Missouri, U.S.A., expressed the feel-
ings of many when she said, “I look forward to Thurs-
day with great anticipation.” Why? Because Thursday
is usually the day she can download recordings of new
issues of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines from
www.jw.org. Trisha is one of thousands of our brothers
and sisters around the world who frequent this spiri-
tually rich Web site. They download audio magazines,
the Bible, dramas, books, brochures, and tracts in 27
languages. American Sign Language publications are
also available in two popular video formats.
Who uses this Web site to download our publica-
tions? Primarily our spiritual brothers and sisters but
also members of the public in over 200 countries, in-
cluding a number of lands where our work is restrict-
ed. We have regular visitors from such places as Papua
New Guinea, St. Helena, and even Antarctica. How do
audio downloads benefit our brothers and sisters? In
French Polynesia, for example, shipping delays often
cause supplies of our printed magazines to arrive af-
ter the issue date. Since even publishers on the remot-
est islands have Internet access, they can listen to the
latest issues the day they are posted on the site.
Deborah, from Illinois, U.S.A., has severe health
problems that keep her somewhat isolated from the
congregation and also make it hard for her to remem-
ber what she reads. She now downloads and listens to
the publications and says, “My retention of material
has improved, and I am able to discuss what I have
heard with confidence.”
A couple in a small town in Texas, U.S.A., conduct
a study with a Bible student from Siberia, and they
14 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
are happy to be able to download audio magazines for
her in Russian. A brother in California, U.S.A., enjoys
going for an early morning jog with a digital player and
earphones, listening to our magazines as he runs.
Every week a couple in a small town in northern
New Zealand download audio material for the meet-
ings—the Watchtower study article, chapters from the
books “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love” and Learn From
the Great Teacher, and the assigned Bible reading for
the week. They listen to the material throughout the
week. The husband comments, “We now find that we
are both speaking a lot more about spiritual things
rather than about the stresses at work.” Many families
around the world have a similar routine.
Each week the chapters for the assigned Bible
reading are downloaded thousands of times—especial-
ly on Tuesdays. The current Watchtower study arti-
cle is the most popular download every Saturday and
Sunday. In addition, congregation elders can print or-
ganizational forms and talk outlines directly from the
site. Overall, these provisions help the organization
save time, money, and labor.
‘IT WILL TURN OUT FOR A WITNESS’
While Jehovah’s Witnesses seek to lead “a calm
and quiet life with full godly devotion,” it does not sur-
prise them when they are persecuted. (1 Tim. 2:1, 2) Je-
sus Christ warned his disciples that they would be ob-
jects of hatred, when he said: “People will lay their
hands upon you and persecute you, delivering you up
to the synagogues and prisons, you being haled before
kings and governors for the sake of my name.” Yet, Je-
sus pointed out that such persecution would backfire
HIGHLIGHTS 15
on enemies of pure worship. He foretold: “It will turn
out to you for a witness.”—Luke 21:12, 13, 17.
In fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy, Jehovah’s Wit-
nesses contend with unjust treatment in numerous
places. Court victories in many lands have helped to
protect their legal freedom, including their right to
preach from house to house and to assemble freely
for worship. Although challenges remain, we have en-
joyed significant legal victories this year that confirm
the religious nature of our activities.
Austria Culminating a 30-year effort by our brothers,
in May 2009 the Federal Ministry of Education, Art,
and Culture of Austria granted Jehovah’s Witnesses
the highest possible level of recognition as a religious
community. The Witnesses are now the 14th religious
society in Austria to enjoy this status. Following the
positive judgment of the European Court of Human
Rights in July 2008, the Court issued three addition-
al judgments in favor of our brothers in Austria, estab-
lishing beyond dispute that Jehovah’s Witnesses have
full recognition as a religious society.
South Africa In 2005 a lawsuit against the South Afri-
can Department of Labour was taken to the Labour
Court of South Africa on behalf of the Watch Tow-
er Bible and Tract Society of South Africa and mem-
bers of the Worldwide Order of Special Full-Time Ser-
vants of Jehovah’s Witnesses serving at the South
Africa Bethel. The lawsuit sought a ruling that would
establish that the Bethelites should not be classi-
fied as employees under South Africa’s labor laws. In
March 2009 the Labour Court issued a favorable deci-
sion confirming this fact and also substantiating the
religious nature of the activities carried on at Bethel.
16 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
Uganda In 2007 the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)
issued a ruling that members of the Worldwide Order
of Special Full-Time Servants of Jehovah’s Witnesses
serving at the Uganda Bethel are employees as defined
in Uganda’s Income Tax Act. The matter was submit-
ted for resolution to the High Court of Uganda in Kam-
pala on behalf of the International Bible Students As-
sociation (IBSA) against the URA. In June 2009 the
High Court ruled in favor of IBSA, finding that the
Uganda Bethelites are not employees. The court took
special note of the fact that the Bethelites “receive the
same support regardless of the tasks they perform.”
The court concluded that the Bethelites are members
of a religious order and receive food, shelter, and mod-
est support only to care for personal necessities in the
course of carrying out charitable and religious activi-
ties in Uganda.
Armenia The authorities continue to arrest and impris-
on our brothers of military age for their conscien-
tious objection to military service. As of August 2009,
there were 74 brothers in prison. Since all domestic
courts have ruled against the brothers, four separate
applications have been filed with the European Court
of Human Rights seeking relief. The government also
continues to impose exorbitant Value Added Tax on
the religious literature our brothers receive from oth-
er countries. Whether this unjust financial burden
will be removed or not, we are confident that our broth-
ers will continue to be spiritually well fed.—Isa. 65:13.
Azerbaijan Our brothers there contend with a steady
decline in their freedom of worship. It is increasingly
difficult for them to obtain literature and to meet for
worship. Although they enjoy legal status in Baku, the
HIGHLIGHTS 17
capital, the lack of registration in other cities has led
to frequent illegal police raids of meetings held in pri-
vate homes, followed by hours of detention in police
stations. This occurs even though the law does not re-
quire worshippers to register in order to meet in pri-
vate homes. On April 9, 2009, our brothers filed for na-
tional registration with the government of Azerbaijan.
We are hopeful that this registration will ease the dif-
ficulties experienced by our brothers.
Egypt Over the past three years, brothers from Egypt
as well as from Belgium, Italy, and the United States
have met with Egyptian authorities to obtain legal
status for our work. As a result, the authorities have
granted our brothers in Egypt permission to worship
peacefully in private homes in groups of 30. Even so,
some elements of the government continue to mis-
treat our brothers. The State Security offices keep our
brothers under surveillance and sporadically interro-
gate and threaten congregation members. In addition
to meeting directly with the authorities, our brothers
are making efforts to obtain legal status through the
courts.
Eritrea In total disregard for fundamental human
rights, the authorities arrested 23 members of one
congregation on June 28, 2009, including elderly sis-
ters and three children ranging from two to four years
of age. Although the elderly sisters have since been re-
leased, the children are still in prison with their moth-
ers; the fathers were imprisoned long ago. Thus, whole
families are now in jail. This brings the count of our
brothers and sisters in prison to 64, which includes
three brothers who have been imprisoned since 1994
for their neutral stand on military service without be-
18 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
ing informed what laws they are alleged to have bro-
ken.
India Over the past few years, Jehovah’s Witnesses in
India have become victims of mob attacks when en-
gaging in their public ministry. They have also en-
dured verbal and physical abuse, threats of imprison-
ment, and the burning of their literature. Oftentimes,
after being beaten our brothers are arrested and im-
prisoned and face criminal prosecution. Angry mobs
influence local authorities to act against our brothers
by falsely accusing them of violating local laws.
For example, in December 2008, three of Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses (a mother, her daughter, and her ten-
year-old granddaughter) in Kundapura, Karnataka,
returned to visit a woman in Koni Village who had
shown interest in learning about the Bible. Later, five
or six men forcibly took the three Witnesses to the
local police station. A mob gathered, and the police
charged the sisters with trespassing, promoting enmi-
ty between classes, and insulting another religion. The
Witnesses were eventually allowed to go home. Our
brothers and sisters in such circumstances are being
given legal assistance.
Moldova Our brothers in Transnistria, the internation-
ally unrecognized region of Moldova, continue to dis-
play zeal for Kingdom interests, although they have
been under constant threat of ban or liquidation for
some 12 years. Despite numerous challenges, the
brothers have experienced Jehovah’s blessing and a
measure of success in defending Kingdom inter-
ests in the courts. Here are three examples: An Or-
thodox priest who verbally and physically abused
two of our sisters while they were preaching in the
HIGHLIGHTS 19
village of Orda˘ şei was held liable and fined, the city
court in Tiraspol handed down a favorable decision in
connection with the brothers’ efforts to register our
community there, and a decision was handed down
ˆ
against the Rıbniţa City Tax Inspectorate for unlawful-
ly taxing food provided for volunteers while they were
working on a Kingdom Hall construction project.
Kazakhstan The General Prosecutor’s Office of the Re-
public of Kazakhstan initiated protests that result-
ed in favorable court rulings for our brothers. Ear-
lier, courts in Kyzylorda, Shymkent, and Saryagash
had ordered that our religious activity be suspended
for six months. As a result of the rulings in Novem-
ber 2008, however, our religious freedom was restored
in the Kyzylorda Region, in Shymkent, and in the en-
tire southern Kazakhstan region. Additionally, in De-
cember 2008, after seven years of denials by the local
¯
government, the city court in Atyrau held that Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses have the right to legal registration in
that city.
Russia During the past service year, our Administra-
tive Center here has been subjected to repeated in-
vestigations by the prosecutor and numerous other
State authorities, with the obvious intent of unlawful-
ly closing down our religious activities. Individually,
our brothers and sisters are being subjected to ha-
rassment and hundreds of groundless investigations.
In one instance, a pregnant sister suffered a miscar-
riage after police illegally raided a religious meeting.
A 15-year-old boy who was also present at the meet-
ing was illegally detained. The prosecuting authorities
are using the Law on Counteracting Extremist Activi-
ty as a basis for liquidating several of our local congre-
gations and banning our religious literature. These
20 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
unfounded allegations of extremism have led to other
official abuses of religious freedom, including unjusti-
fied arrests, deportations, and denial of entry to four
foreign legal representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses
who were assisting in the defense against these false
charges. One of these brothers was detained in a hold-
ing cell in Moscow for 23 hours.
Members of the Federal Security Service have in-
terfered with numerous rental contracts at venues for
meetings and conventions, causing rental agreements
to be canceled. Authorities have also obstructed the
building of new Kingdom Halls. Crimes against the
Witnesses include torture while in police custody on
trumped-up criminal charges.

RUSSIA
AUSTRIA
MOLDOVA KAZAKHSTAN

ARMENIA

TURKEY TAJIKISTAN
AZERBAIJAN UZBEKISTAN
SOUTH KOREA

EGYPT
INDIA

ERITREA

UGANDA

Areas of Recent
Significant
Legal Activity

SOUTH
AFRICA
South Korea On June 16, 2008, the government of
South Korea backed off from the announcement it
made on May 7, 2008, to give conscientious objec-
tors the opportunity to participate in alternative civil-
ian service. It stated that “the issue of conscientious
objection to military service required further study
and the forging of a broad national consensus.” To
date, the Korean National Assembly has not consid-
ered any bill on alternative service. The brothers are
awaiting decisions from the Human Rights Committee
of the United Nations, which ruled favorably on two ap-
plications. In January 2009, the Korean Presidential
Commission on Suspicious Deaths in the Military ac-
knowledged that the Korean government was respon-
sible for the violent deaths of five of Jehovah’s Wit-
nesses who were forcibly conscripted into the army
from the 1970’s to the mid-1980’s. This is the first sig-
nificant decision recognizing the State’s responsibili-
ty for deaths resulting from violence within the mili-
tary.
Tajikistan The Religious Association of Jehovah’s Wit-
nesses in Tajikistan was banned in 2007, and our lit-
erature from Germany was confiscated by customs of-
ficials. An appeal was submitted to the military court,
and in September 2008, the appeal was denied. A sub-
sequent appeal was filed with the Military Collegium
of the Supreme Court, which also rejected the appeal.
These decisions uphold the banning and confiscation
of literature. Additional efforts are under way to help
our brothers.
Turkey The brothers there face challenges relating to
militar y ser vice. One brother has been in pris-
on for two years for his resolute stand. Many oth-
22 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
er brothers of military age continue to be threatened
with fines and imprisonment as well as loss of jobs.
In March 2009, the brothers were informed that the
Human Rights Committee of the United Nations had
started to investigate two complaints that were filed on
behalf of the Witnesses.
Additionally, in May 2009, the European Court of
Human Rights decided to join three pending appli-
cations together to begin the process of investigat-
ing whether the human rights of six of our brothers
are being violated—four of these brothers having spent
time in prison. Jehovah’s servants are grateful for the
interest being shown by these two judicial bodies and
hope that a measure of relief may be in sight.
Uzbekistan The legal situation of Jehovah’s worship-
pers in Uzbekistan is steadily deteriorating, with
our brothers increasingly being the target of State-
sponsored persecution. One married father of two
sons was released from prison on May 14, 2009, after
completing a two-year sentence for teaching religion.
The next day, he was deported to Tajikistan, the coun-
try of his citizenship. Three other brothers remain in
prison for organizing “illegal religious activity.” Attor-
neys for the three are preparing further appeals to the
Supreme Court of Uzbekistan. Local brothers and a
foreign delegation of brothers have had several meet-
ings with the Uzbekistan State Committee of Religious
Affairs and its representatives in an effort to resolve
these matters.

EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia, Austria, Azerbai-
jan, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Russia, Serbia, and Tur-
key have a total of 22 applications pending before the
HIGHLIGHTS 23
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Stras-
bourg, France. The applications cite violations of basic
human rights afforded to all citizens living under the
jurisdiction of the European Convention on Human
Rights. Nine of the applications involve the right to re-
fuse military service, seven involve persecution and
discrimination on the basis of religion, four involve
deregistration or banning of a legal entity used by Je-
hovah’s Witnesses to organize the work, and two object
to a government’s interference in the right to assem-
ble peacefully for worship.
On June 17, 2008, the ECHR gave attention to the
´
application brought by the Association Les Temoins de
´
Jehovah (ATJ) against the government of France. The
application focuses on the discriminatory 60 percent
tax levied on all the religious contributions the ATJ
received from 1993 through 1996. The Court raised
additional questions about the possible violation of
Article 9 of the European Convention dealing with
freedom of religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses in France
and in other countries of the Council of Europe are
now waiting to see whether the Court will accept this
case.
While Satan tries to disrupt true worship by “fram-
ing trouble by decree,” Jehovah’s servants remain “sol-
id in the faith, knowing that the same things in the
way of sufferings are being accomplished in the en-
tire association of [their] brothers in the world.” May
all true worshippers continue to take an unflinching
stand against Satan and throw all their anxiety upon
the God of all undeserved kindness, knowing that he
cares for them and will make them firm and strong.
—Ps. 94:20; 1 Pet. 5:7-11.
24 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 “QUALIFIED TO TEACH OTHERS”
Training has been a characteristic of the Christian
congregation from its very beginning. The apostle Paul
told Timothy: “These things commit to faithful men,
who, in turn, will be adequately qualified to teach oth-
ers.” (2 Tim. 2:2) Today, too, Jehovah’s organization has
numerous training programs. Since 2008, for example,
6,528 elders from the United States branch territories
—including Alaska, Bermuda, and the Turks and Cai-
cos Islands—attended 70 classes of the School for Con-
gregation Elders at the Watchtower Educational Cen-
ter in Patterson, New York.
The intensive week-long instruction covers various
aspects of elders’ lives, helping them to take the lead
in the preaching work and to be more effective teach-
ers in the congregation. (2 Tim. 4:5; 1 Pet. 5:2, 3) The
course also encourages them to maintain their spiritu-
ality and that of their family and trains them to ‘han-
dle the word of the truth aright’ when assisting others.
(2 Tim. 2:15) The following are a few of the many expres-
sions of gratitude made by elders who attended the
school.
“The humility of the instructors was an example of
how to treat the brothers in the congregation. My heart
wells with appreciation for the Governing Body. This is
one of the greatest educational privileges that has ever
been extended to me in my years in the truth.”
“Our God, Jehovah, knows what we need and when
to provide it. My faith has been renewed, and my spiri-
tual battery has been recharged. This experience has
helped me to appreciate what Jehovah has done by
means of the visible part of his organization and also
to see how he is caring for all of his people.”
HIGHLIGHTS 25
 The School for Congregation Elders equips them
to fulfill their theocratic responsibilities )

“This has been a tremendous experience. The more

I learned in the school, the more I realized how much I
didn’t know. I have developed a new appreciation for
personal study and why I must apply all that I learned
to myself.”
“The training has better equipped me to care for my
family and the congregation, with the mind of Christ.
(1 Cor. 2:16) It has assisted me to reflect on what type
of man I am.”
“I would not trade this one week with Jehovah’s in-
structors for a university education.”
“What an uplifting and beneficial experience! It has
energized me to carry on in Jehovah’s service, be self-
sacrificing, and be a source of refreshment to our
brothers and sisters. (Isa. 32:2) Thank you, Jehovah!”
“Through this course we have perceived the love of
Jehovah. It has been like a shepherding call from him.”
“I thank Jehovah for this privilege to learn how bet-
ter to handle my assignment to his glory and praise.”
In due course the Governing Body will announce
arrangements for elders in other places to get the ben-
efit of this timely instruction.
BRANCH DEDICATIONS BRING JOY
On January 24, 2009, Samuel Herd of the Govern-
ing Body was the guest speaker at the dedication of the
new branch in Tanzania, in East Africa. Twenty-five
years ago, the branch started in a three-room cinder-
block building known by Witnesses throughout Tanza-
nia as House Number 46, Magomeni Quarters. Many
of the 779 joyful guests from 22 countries had tears
26 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
in their eyes as they reflected on the progress of the
work since the ban there was lifted in 1987. “Only Je-
hovah could make such a thing possible in this land,”
observed one old-timer. Now the preaching work has
flourished, and over 14,000 publishers rejoice, thank
Jehovah, and make melody to his name.—Ps. 92:1, 4.
At the Netherlands branch office, on Saturday,
May 2, 2009, some 600 brothers and sisters from 31
lands attended the dedication talk delivered by Theo-
dore Jaracz of the Governing Body. A residence wing
had been added to the structure originally built in
1983, and the areas formerly used for printing maga-
zines had been converted into offices and a video stu-
dio for the Regional Audio
Video Center (RAVC). The
RAVC assists in produc-
ing CDs and DVDs in 24
languages, most of which
are spoken in Europe. In
addition, the RAVC sup-

Brother Jaracz giving

the dedication talk at the
Netherlands branch
 Brother Herd giving
the dedication talk at
the Tanzania branch

ports video productions in some 20 different sign lan-

guages. This work includes coordinating the produc-
tion of CDs in Europe, Africa, and Oceania and DVDs
worldwide. The Netherlands branch also buys and
ships items needed by branches in other parts of the
world, and the remodeled facilities are well suited to
these activities.
“KEEP YOURSELVES IN GOD’S LOVE”
Indeed, we have many reasons to rejoice. How
blessed we are to be living in these thrilling times!
True, as prophesied, “the last days” are “critical times
hard to deal with.” (2 Tim. 3:1) But with deliverance so
near at hand, it is vital for each one of us to be resolved
to heed Jude’s compelling exhortation: “You, beloved
ones, by building up yourselves on your most holy
faith, and praying with holy spirit, keep yourselves
in God’s love, while you are waiting for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view.”
—Jude 20, 21.
HIGHLIGHTS 29
Preaching and Teaching
Earth Wide
JEHOVAH offers to people everywhere a precious gift—the
good news of the Kingdom. We who have accepted that
gift and who love Jehovah have the privilege of sharing it
with others. In so doing, we experience the joy of pleasing
both the Giver of that gift and those who receive it. Truly,
the preaching of the good news is an expression of our
love for God and for neighbor. (Matt. 22:37-40) In the pag-
es that follow, read how Jehovah’s people are demonstrat-
ing that love through their zealous preaching earth wide.

30 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
2009 Grand Totals
Branches of Jehovah’s Witnesses: 118
Number of Lands Reporting: 236
Total Congregations: 105,298
Worldwide Memorial Attendance: 18,168,323
Memorial Partakers Worldwide: 10,857
Peak of Publishers in Kingdom Service: 7,313,173
Average Publishers Preaching Each Month: 7,046,419
Percentage of Increase Over 2008: 3.2
Total Number Baptized: 276,233
Average Auxiliary Pioneer Publishers Each Month: 304,551
Average Pioneer Publishers Each Month: 794,317
Total Hours Spent in Field: 1,557,788,344
Average Home Bible Studies Each Month: 7,619,270

During the 2009 service year, Jehovah’s Witnesses spent over $140 mil-
lion in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers
in their field service assignments. ˛ Worldwide, a total of 19,829 or-
dained ministers staff the branch facilities. All are members of the
Worldwide Order of Special Full-Time Servants of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
 2009 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF
Letter and number following each country’s name indicates
2009 Ratio, 2009 % Inc.
Peak 1 Pub- Av. Over
Country or Territory Population Pubs. lisher to Pubs. 2008
Albania (D-11) 3,600,000 4,125 873 4,070 3
American Samoa (N-26) 70,100 224 313 206 6
Andorra (F-4) 84,484 182 464 170 6
Angola (N-6) 17,000,000 72,680 234 71,949 6
Anguilla (O-32) 14,436 64 226 60 9
Antigua (P-32) 89,138 475 188 450
Argentina (N-36) 36,260,130 140,363 258 136,904 3
Armenia (G-9) 3,240,000 10,586 306 10,332 5
Aruba (Q-29) 106,698 790 135 754
Australia (O-19) 21,991,653 64,815 339 63,454 2
Austria (F-5) 8,359,197 20,884 400 20,662 1
Azerbaijan (G-9) 8,730,300 871 10,023 838 17
Azores (G-1) 244,677 749 327 718 7
Bahamas (G-35) 342,400 1,670 205 1,549 2
Bangladesh (J-14) 156,050,883 127 1,228,747 123 10
Barbados (Q-33) 270,000 2,499 108 2,451 2
Belarus (E-7) 9,671,900 4,669 2,072 4,507 4
Belgium (E-4) 10,771,539 24,965 431 23,764 1
Belize (H-33) 307,899 2,072 149 1,927 6
Benin (L-4) 6,769,914 9,962 680 9,401 4
Bermuda (F-36) 67,837 491 138 453 1
Bolivia (M-36) 10,227,299 20,213 506 18,942 6
Bonaire (Q-30) 12,877 90 143 85 5
Bosnia & Herzegovina (C-10) 4,590,310 1,209 3,797 1,184 2
Botswana (O-6) 1,798,372 1,785 1,007 1,733 4
Brazil (L-37) 191,480,630 708,224 270 689,577 3
Britain (E-3) 59,842,108 133,900 447 128,435 1
Bulgaria (F-7) 7,262,675 1,707 4,255 1,679 4
Burkina Faso (K-3) 15,755,416 1,375 11,458 1,328 6
Burundi (M-7) 8,038,618 9,114 882 8,511 10
Cambodia (K-15) 14,494,293 378 38,345 364 17
Cameroon (L-5) 17,500,000 33,834 517 33,365 3
Canada (C-31) 33,592,686 112,705 298 110,467 1
Cape Verde (K-1) 429,474 1,882 228 1,805 3
Cayman Islands (H-34) 49,035 298 165 233 8
Central African Republic (L-6) 4,430,000 2,515 1,761 2,438 5
Chad (K-6) 10,300,000 616 16,721 582 2
Chile (M-35) 16,928,873 70,473 240 68,537 2
Chuuk (L-21) 67,556 53 1,275 47 -4
Colombia (J-35) 45,101,266 141,179 319 139,194 4
Congo, Dem. Republic of (M-6) 68,692,542 156,035 440 144,697 3
Congo, Republic of (M-5) 4,012,809 5,619 714 5,085 3
Cook Islands (O-26) 19,569 181 108 158 -1
Costa Rica (J-34) 4,509,290 24,930 181 23,894 6
ˆ d’Ivoire (L-3)
Cote 21,962,580 8,358 2,628 8,101 5
Croatia (B-9) 4,491,543 5,603 802 5,510 1
Cuba (G-34) 11,236,790 91,651 123 90,738 1
Curaçao (Q-30) 141,766 1,694 84 1,646
Cyprus (H-7) 877,600 2,302 381 2,254 4
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE
the country’s location on maps following this chart.
2008 2009 Av. Aux. Av. Av. Memorial
Av. No. Pio. Pio. No. of Total Bible Atten-
Pubs. Bptzd. Pubs. Pubs. Congs. Hours Studies dance
3,957 244 412 949 71 1,615,985 6,132 11,420
194 1 7 26 3 50,193 325 798
161 3 7 15 3 34,912 114 350
67,830 4,356 2,532 7,050 1,022 16,783,855 237,082 329,741
55 4 2 9 2 17,307 116 278
449 16 18 44 7 94,856 579 1,424
132,927 5,197 8,376 14,099 1,934 31,529,757 125,665 313,845
9,823 612 896 1,872 109 3,339,607 9,039 24,711
752 32 27 36 10 121,052 763 2,518
62,159 1,331 2,156 4,133 794 10,739,079 25,278 114,211
20,527 499 611 1,149 296 3,439,672 10,743 33,863
714 27 86 178 7 314,778 1,506 1,839
668 45 30 64 15 155,937 852 1,709
1,513 89 75 152 32 343,246 1,919 4,142
112 9 6 22 3 33,727 200 433
2,410 68 114 156 30 436,513 2,236 6,282
4,329 236 390 670 56 1,325,860 3,598 8,688
23,603 443 834 1,080 373 3,569,529 8,875 43,691
1,821 15 104 285 50 537,014 3,163 7,952
9,040 562 540 1,120 156 2,574,479 20,874 34,488
447 11 7 68 5 103,143 315 945
17,898 1,007 1,428 2,408 232 5,310,213 27,571 64,967
81 3 3 9 1 20,205 139 290
1,163 33 88 219 16 386,270 687 2,296
1,670 91 79 129 41 359,365 2,584 4,397
667,793 30,028 25,401 59,978 10,749 137,143,876 803,456 1,650,459
126,580 2,932 4,306 9,533 1,521 21,237,742 55,473 223,432
1,616 69 83 318 25 514,809 1,789 3,726
1,257 19 59 183 35 385,856 2,488 4,028
7,710 815 542 1,146 161 2,881,775 22,719 35,645
311 19 15 194 8 206,229 1,022 1,710
32,364 1,635 1,194 2,744 335 7,162,313 57,177 91,642
109,086 1,947 4,702 9,520 1,345 21,155,159 44,790 186,581
1,749 103 104 297 34 533,210 4,063 9,208
216 14 13 24 4 49,991 235 694
2,326 120 93 272 53 610,645 5,031 15,230
569 18 20 74 18 162,638 954 4,136
67,133 2,472 3,850 7,501 827 15,801,664 62,112 171,544
49 2 2 15 3 23,949 197 255
133,774 7,103 5,671 15,735 2,079 31,687,608 205,409 493,022
140,202 9,177 4,526 11,830 3,044 31,467,675 353,724 951,867
4,936 294 243 311 72 1,240,649 16,994 25,079
160 9 8 17 3 33,862 164 449
22,474 1,296 1,052 1,816 371 4,647,041 29,884 64,336
7,712 299 472 1,053 186 2,441,054 22,126 32,854
5,451 122 253 427 69 1,132,800 2,471 9,926
89,737 3,293 5,503 6,656 1,250 16,996,062 148,147 213,993
1,641 53 61 112 22 284,691 1,919 4,523
2,168 88 131 214 30 489,187 1,465 4,482
 2009 Ratio, 2009 % Inc.
Peak 1 Pub- Av. Over
Country or Territory Population Pubs. lisher to Pubs. 2008
Czech Republic (E-5) 10,675,070 15,512 688 15,348
Denmark (D-4) 5,511,451 14,282 386 14,153
Dominica (P-33) 72,660 394 184 365 5
Dominican Republic (O-29) 11,700,000 31,115 376 29,960 5
East Timor (N-18) 923,198 148 6,238 127 19
Ecuador (K-34) 14,053,674 67,135 209 65,909 7
El Salvador (H-33) 5,789,494 35,831 162 34,305 5
Equatorial Guinea (L-5) 622,505 1,130 551 1,074 8
Estonia (D-6) 1,340,415 4,302 312 4,196 1
Ethiopia (L-8) 75,000,000 8,672 8,649 8,509 4
Faeroe Islands (C-2) 48,778 119 410 112 11
Falkland Islands (Q-37) 3,140 5 628 4 -20
Fiji (N-24) 837,271 2,432 344 2,313 9
Finland (C-7) 5,326,314 19,047 280 18,940
France (F-4) 62,596,000 123,272 508 118,085 1
French Guiana (J-37) 210,000 1,963 107 1,935 3
Gabon (M-5) 1,429,820 3,558 402 3,326 5
Gambia (K-2) 1,782,893 208 8,572 194 -1
Georgia (G-9) 4,385,400 17,860 246 17,272 5
Germany (E-5) 82,002,356 165,837 494 162,890
Ghana (L-3) 23,242,259 98,212 237 92,787 8
Gibraltar (G-3) 29,000 111 261 101 11
Greece (G-6) 10,539,771 28,859 365 28,569 1
Greenland (A-38) 56,462 170 332 157 25
Grenada (Q-32) 104,000 576 181 550
Guadeloupe (P-32) 450,000 8,546 53 8,227 2
Guam (K-20) 178,430 681 262 658 5
Guatemala (H-33) 14,017,057 29,008 483 27,355 5
Guinea (K-2) 10,057,975 651 15,450 630 3
Guinea-Bissau (K-2) 1,533,964 130 11,800 122
Guyana (J-37) 777,648 2,546 305 2,471 5
Haiti (O-28) 8,373,750 16,019 523 14,910 5
Hawaii (J-26) 1,288,198 8,411 153 8,226 3
Honduras (H-33) 7,937,634 18,482 429 17,595 6
Hong Kong (J-17) 7,008,300 5,053 1,387 4,925 2
Hungary (A-10) 10,020,000 23,706 423 22,331 2
Iceland (B-1) 319,246 348 917 340 5
India (J-12) 1,145,429,000 30,717 37,290 29,638 6
Indonesia (M-17) 227,000,000 22,023 10,307 21,097 4
Ireland (E-2) 5,925,109 5,868 1,010 5,713 4
Israel (H-8) 11,515,500 1,332 8,645 1,313 1
Italy (G-5) 60,114,021 243,432 247 240,262 1
Jamaica (H-34) 2,825,928 11,954 236 11,632 2
Japan (G-19) 127,078,679 217,819 583 217,530
Kazakhstan (F-11) 15,776,492 17,225 916 16,446 4
Kenya (M-8) 36,500,000 23,801 1,534 22,321 5
Kiribati (M-24) 92,424 108 856 99 19
Korea, Republic of (G-18) 48,746,693 97,385 501 96,620 1
Kosovo (D-11) 2,350,000 169 13,905 167 6
Kosrae (L-22) 9,922 28 354 24 -11
Kyrgyzstan (G-12) 5,432,000 4,749 1,144 4,514 4
Latvia (D-6) 2,255,000 2,483 908 2,360 2
Lebanon (H-8) 3,971,941 3,630 1,094 3,562
Lesotho (P-7) 1,880,661 3,551 530 3,387 1
Liberia (L-2) 3,476,608 5,689 611 5,255 5
 2008 2009 Av. Aux. Av. Av. Memorial
Av. No. Pio. Pio. No. of Total Bible Atten-
Pubs. Bptzd. Pubs. Pubs. Congs. Hours Studies dance
15,339 284 525 704 235 2,315,219 6,480 27,293
14,114 198 443 736 203 2,178,327 4,713 21,877
349 16 12 42 8 94,732 588 1,240
28,479 1,545 1,925 4,826 401 8,834,234 61,534 113,853
107 22 7 27 3 45,100 234 426
61,607 3,869 3,852 9,459 831 17,449,428 116,799 232,128
32,560 1,894 1,594 2,400 645 6,895,303 41,115 91,950
997 104 65 156 9 320,625 3,364 4,594
4,167 117 190 447 52 847,379 2,811 7,396
8,147 558 609 1,449 164 2,758,621 6,292 24,785
101 1 5 26 4 33,261 78 172
5 1 1 738 4 11
2,122 69 136 243 56 535,003 3,371 9,507
18,962 313 568 1,710 300 3,014,551 10,746 27,091
116,978 2,464 5,245 9,135 1,525 22,744,636 48,658 208,350
1,879 103 112 172 35 470,755 3,942 7,833
3,160 204 213 381 29 961,998 8,509 10,865
196 8 12 26 3 60,848 381 510
16,465 960 908 2,543 188 4,236,254 9,825 33,704
162,544 3,485 4,600 9,263 2,227 26,130,416 74,733 269,303
85,752 5,881 3,205 5,760 1,397 19,703,253 256,468 280,821
91 1 10 2 16,247 27 176
28,189 631 1,163 2,953 377 5,572,272 12,231 48,181
126 2 6 31 6 37,298 122 340
551 16 24 41 9 118,820 613 1,676
8,057 248 331 497 133 1,472,789 9,719 20,288
626 20 36 106 8 175,559 880 1,997
25,946 1,612 1,185 2,669 412 6,100,207 33,994 82,786
613 41 37 104 18 208,510 1,476 3,272
122 6 6 36 2 62,221 418 553
2,347 184 115 243 45 520,577 3,848 11,818
14,264 1,147 762 1,763 221 3,739,512 29,629 65,254
7,968 103 407 1,061 94 1,932,279 6,294 19,584
16,626 1,284 871 2,249 270 4,625,291 27,239 55,400
4,835 267 364 717 59 1,415,697 6,091 9,239
21,839 812 891 1,517 273 4,164,037 13,454 43,829
325 6 13 44 5 71,356 282 625
27,861 1,698 1,334 2,740 421 5,637,388 30,985 78,170
20,309 963 983 1,787 381 4,818,819 25,555 49,575
5,485 128 245 638 114 1,205,370 2,871 11,210
1,300 63 55 90 20 254,249 902 2,726
237,738 5,026 11,433 26,533 3,101 52,654,953 114,276 435,712
11,410 440 520 1,195 194 2,298,272 14,686 36,447
217,339 3,502 16,468 63,269 3,173 80,714,867 172,315 326,983
15,747 986 1,149 2,439 195 4,461,340 14,383 32,262
21,196 754 857 2,908 521 6,108,825 38,306 61,689
83 1 12 14 2 36,942 219 309
95,242 2,880 9,171 34,564 1,412 43,142,969 70,908 141,878
158 18 11 44 4 72,173 295 422
27 1 3 1 5,334 44 72
4,323 276 365 835 61 1,340,470 5,322 9,835
2,318 91 130 354 36 663,800 2,336 4,140
3,552 82 113 141 66 549,683 1,920 6,459
3,341 266 146 313 77 773,210 5,250 8,438
5,018 340 227 634 95 1,579,835 18,100 73,881
 2009 Ratio, 2009 % Inc.
Peak 1 Pub- Av. Over
Country or Territory Population Pubs. lisher to Pubs. 2008
Liechtenstein (F-4) 35,593 53 672 49 7
Lithuania (D-6) 3,338,700 3,130 1,067 2,997 2
Luxembourg (E-4) 580,947 1,994 291 1,955 3
Macao (J-17) 544,200 180 3,023 173 3
Macedonia (D-11) 2,032,017 1,325 1,534 1,304 2
Madagascar (O-9) 19,920,224 21,855 911 20,894 8
Madeira (H-1) 247,367 1,148 215 1,115
Malawi (N-8) 13,066,320 75,877 172 71,386 3
Malaysia (L-16) 28,300,000 3,474 8,146 3,376 8
Mali (K-3) 12,666,987 251 50,466 230 -4
Malta (G-5) 404,139 591 684 576 3
Marshall Islands (L-23) 64,522 198 326 175 -3
Martinique (P-32) 401,000 4,606 87 4,503 2
Mauritius (O-10) 1,275,323 1,730 737 1,685 2
Mayotte (N-9) 186,452 82 2,274 73 -3
Mexico (G-31) 107,550,697 689,705 156 668,876 4
Moldova (F-7) 4,095,000 20,231 202 19,672 2
Mongolia (F-15) 3,041,142 233 13,052 221 25
Montenegro (D-10) 620,145 214 2,898 205 2
Montserrat (P-32) 5,097 10 510 9
Mozambique (O-7) 21,284,701 46,378 459 43,324 2
Myanmar (J-15) 50,020,000 3,629 13,783 3,508 4
Namibia (O-5) 2,103,761 1,701 1,237 1,621 6
Nauru (M-23) 10,800 15 720 11 120
Nepal (H-13) 28,563,377 1,160 24,624 1,086 15
Netherlands (E-4) 16,538,360 30,469 543 29,452
Nevis (P-32) 12,355 61 203 57 8
New Caledonia (O-23) 248,625 1,842 135 1,768 4
New Zealand (Q-24) 4,328,823 14,091 307 13,462 2
Nicaragua (H-33) 5,590,000 22,190 252 20,898 5
Niger (K-4) 11,453,651 291 39,360 276 5
Nigeria (L-4) 140,003,542 312,315 448 291,179 3
Niue (O-26) 1,398 30 47 28 12
Norfolk Island (P-23) 1,860 9 207 9 13
Norway (C-4) 4,838,192 10,659 454 10,384 2
Pakistan (H-12) 176,242,949 1,000 176,243 842 -1
Palau (L-19) 20,461 88 233 83 -9
Panama (J-34) 3,450,349 13,168 262 12,653 4
Papua New Guinea (M-20) 6,716,662 3,907 1,719 3,619 3
Paraguay (M-37) 6,853,578 8,398 816 8,196 1
Peru (L-35) 29,152,987 106,939 273 100,910 4
Philippines (K-18) 90,000,000 166,130 542 162,647 5
Pohnpei (L-22) 34,680 90 385 84
Poland (E-6) 38,135,876 126,518 301 125,679
Portugal (G-2) 10,154,729 49,454 205 48,610 1
Puerto Rico (O-31) 3,954,037 25,776 153 25,155 2
´
Reunion (O-10) 802,000 2,807 286 2,760 3
Rodrigues (O-11) 37,748 38 993 35
Romania (F-6) 21,498,616 39,232 548 38,653 1
Rota (K-20) 2,899 12 242 7 40
Russia (C-15) 141,904,000 157,175 903 154,387 3
Rwanda (M-7) 9,790,071 17,564 557 16,177 8
Saba (O-32) 1,500 14 107 10 11
 2008 2009 Av. Aux. Av. Av. Memorial
Av. No. Pio. Pio. No. of Total Bible Atten-
Pubs. Bptzd. Pubs. Pubs. Congs. Hours Studies dance
46 2 1 1 1 5,475 24 82
2,934 101 178 353 43 743,076 2,431 5,591
1,897 45 71 112 32 333,979 985 3,784
168 6 7 30 2 52,365 194 452
1,277 68 64 198 20 377,296 1,129 3,400
19,417 1,639 929 2,973 433 5,842,628 53,582 103,198
1,119 33 53 90 17 228,093 900 2,171
69,178 4,541 2,852 5,762 1,196 13,728,153 73,928 230,810
3,123 146 169 662 105 1,040,826 5,805 9,441
239 12 13 44 7 88,742 638 915
560 17 16 48 7 105,127 255 998
180 1 10 19 3 46,301 439 1,018
4,404 130 236 348 56 932,047 4,893 10,257
1,651 60 62 114 26 320,673 2,002 3,903
75 3 3 1 12,684 100 210
641,834 23,191 20,646 79,214 12,119 144,440,094 871,258 2,050,912
19,272 900 917 1,694 240 3,658,242 13,789 39,849
177 20 28 84 3 114,068 548 796
201 1 24 25 4 60,837 136 637
9 2 1 2,871 26 87
42,447 2,499 1,332 4,184 995 8,800,458 55,656 216,403
3,383 211 131 451 72 798,192 3,740 7,803
1,535 98 61 138 33 364,490 2,562 4,962
5 2 1 3,528 26 144
945 134 82 196 13 324,656 2,351 4,818
29,318 484 880 1,190 397 4,201,473 10,487 51,578
53 2 4 1 11,481 65 240
1,698 54 101 120 25 365,920 2,117 5,768
13,142 449 552 907 174 2,379,366 7,399 26,045
19,816 1,297 882 2,416 332 5,206,651 37,550 80,474
263 16 10 44 6 85,803 409 916
281,953 13,999 8,411 29,585 5,168 56,156,922 559,497 632,646
25 1 5 1 7,559 44 81
8 1 1 940 2 20
10,173 208 261 582 167 1,477,456 4,159 17,073
851 52 33 51 19 154,024 1,021 3,526
91 1 7 14 1 24,549 157 253
12,137 552 590 1,388 263 2,933,202 18,006 44,853
3,500 200 157 354 59 789,095 4,919 25,191
8,118 371 305 1,081 155 1,975,167 9,671 20,001
96,701 3,362 6,405 22,399 1,209 32,214,685 173,508 343,621
155,412 9,816 6,950 26,325 3,087 35,606,540 163,019 523,200
84 6 7 1 21,524 151 288
125,681 2,853 4,033 6,816 1,813 16,585,755 46,409 210,947
48,118 1,233 2,094 2,820 646 8,739,418 27,158 96,576
24,746 652 911 2,523 323 4,972,013 16,290 60,241
2,685 88 151 150 33 529,531 2,147 5,840
35 1 1 4 1 8,849 41 115
38,103 1,218 1,223 2,863 532 6,718,384 22,188 79,654
5 1 3 1 3,681 18 41
149,251 7,354 10,856 24,205 2,235 43,912,145 125,772 283,571
14,926 1,630 1,229 2,846 388 6,300,215 41,435 67,843
9 2 1 1 1,881 16 46
 2009 Ratio, 2009 % Inc.
Peak 1 Pub- Av. Over
Country or Territory Population Pubs. lisher to Pubs. 2008
St. Eustatius (P-32) 3,500 23 152 19 19
St. Helena (N-3) 3,900 113 35 109 -4
St. Kitts (O-32) 50,675 201 252 188 1
St. Lucia (Q-33) 172,000 739 233 662 4
St. Maarten (O-32) 41,000 338 121 324 -4
St. Pierre & Miquelon (D-37) 6,125 12 510 12 20
St. Vincent (Q-32) 109,000 343 318 329 3
Saipan (K-20) 71,400 188 380 178 6
Samoa (N-25) 180,741 391 462 388 -4
San Marino (F-5) 31,434 209 150 202 11
˜ Tome´ & Prıncipe
S ao ´ (M-4) 212,679 541 393 515 10
Senegal (K-2) 13,711,597 1,086 12,626 1,063 2
Serbia (C-11) 8,118,146 3,871 2,097 3,776
Seychelles (M-9) 87,298 302 289 290 9
Sierra Leone (L-2) 6,440,053 1,952 3,299 1,679 9
Slovakia (F-6) 5,412,254 11,211 483 11,114
Slovenia (B-8) 2,038,733 1,971 1,034 1,950 2
Solomon Islands (M-22) 539,464 1,830 295 1,735
South Africa (P-6) 49,052,489 87,512 561 81,419 1
Spain (G-3) 46,157,822 108,739 424 105,558 2
Sri Lanka (L-13) 20,300,000 4,706 4,314 4,532 5
Sudan (K-7) 39,154,490 1,749 22,387 1,676 6
Suriname (J-37) 501,145 2,379 211 2,336 4
Swaziland (P-7) 1,018,449 2,699 377 2,576 1
Sweden (B-6) 9,302,133 22,418 415 22,054
Switzerland (F-4) 7,701,900 18,093 426 17,301 1
Tahiti (M-27) 245,405 2,248 109 2,204 7
Taiwan (J-17) 23,100,000 7,061 3,271 6,866 6
Tanzania (M-8) 41,475,951 14,171 2,927 13,275 2
Thailand (K-15) 65,905,000 2,997 21,990 2,933 7
Tinian (K-20) 2,940 16 184 15 -25
Togo (L-4) 5,518,300 15,640 353 15,116 4
Tonga (O-25) 120,898 232 521 219 2
Trinidad & Tobago (R-33) 1,297,944 8,776 148 8,640 2
Turkey (G-8) 71,517,100 1,975 36,211 1,935 3
Turks & Caicos (N-29) 22,942 247 93 214 19
Tuvalu (M-24) 11,636 51 228 46 2
Uganda (L-7) 30,388,000 4,945 6,145 4,790 6
Ukraine (E-7) 46,022,306 147,607 312 143,609 3
U.S. of America (E-32) 302,771,526 1,154,275 262 1,096,502 4
Uruguay (O-37) 3,241,000 11,265 288 11,193 2
Vanuatu (N-23) 229,011 439 522 391 6
Venezuela (J-36) 28,384,132 113,002 251 109,521 6
Virgin Islands (Brit.) (O-31) 24,500 236 104 224 7
Virgin Islands (U.S.) (O-31) 110,000 665 165 613 3
Wallis & Futuna Islands (N-25) 15,769 65 243 60 -6
Yap (L-19) 12,167 23 529 22 -8
Zambia (N-7) 12,896,830 159,529 81 140,250 7
Zimbabwe (O-7) 12,230,607 35,807 342 33,506 5
30 Other Lands 20,768 19,004 14.1
Grand Total (236 Lands) 7,313,173 7,046,419 3.2
 2008 2009 Av. Aux. Av. Av. Memorial
Av. No. Pio. Pio. No. of Total Bible Atten-
Pubs. Bptzd. Pubs. Pubs. Congs. Hours Studies dance
16 1 1 3 1 4,828 37 90
113 1 1 3 10,367 65 257
186 4 8 22 3 49,257 335 739
639 15 35 79 9 164,542 1,053 2,030
337 14 16 33 5 80,241 510 1,118
10 1 3 1 4,137 6 17
318 15 18 44 7 89,308 511 970
168 9 14 28 2 55,994 347 553
403 10 21 68 9 110,148 525 1,674
182 1 13 32 2 59,199 117 382
469 41 35 94 10 182,297 1,981 2,136
1,043 42 50 153 26 327,203 1,981 2,495
3,785 97 232 447 55 959,341 1,980 8,365
266 18 8 23 4 58,757 379 781
1,544 136 92 177 34 448,809 3,746 8,536
11,133 192 249 273 161 1,310,695 2,760 20,253
1,915 39 79 183 29 425,021 1,050 3,082
1,737 67 53 247 43 374,124 1,837 8,157
80,496 4,812 3,047 7,405 1,716 16,793,053 100,551 208,085
103,517 2,152 5,669 10,060 1,437 23,646,933 58,339 197,097
4,321 147 239 425 84 936,326 5,916 11,523
1,574 107 74 239 42 474,235 3,696 6,313
2,236 76 154 191 47 510,274 3,781 8,563
2,547 198 96 230 79 583,098 3,565 7,658
22,068 312 686 1,672 325 3,385,731 9,098 35,963
17,068 282 479 703 276 2,500,101 7,935 30,429
2,051 129 127 161 27 490,853 3,185 7,418
6,454 511 656 1,824 103 2,742,856 11,696 16,325
13,067 850 484 1,528 428 3,242,474 21,521 47,549
2,742 129 190 666 81 967,565 4,306 6,771
20 1 2 1 3,340 21 49
14,479 857 853 1,269 247 3,691,773 41,658 56,015
214 23 11 32 5 57,572 289 562
8,445 253 578 959 110 1,871,208 10,684 23,251
1,877 86 105 159 27 429,272 1,127 3,631
180 8 10 24 4 54,742 431 862
45 2 2 2 1 6,838 56 194
4,525 379 238 693 111 1,412,526 11,890 17,085
139,479 6,329 9,467 16,101 1,595 34,120,815 98,019 270,505
1,059,253 34,739 42,076 118,678 12,800 230,075,885 657,544 2,469,036
11,027 405 457 568 161 1,827,494 9,429 24,727
370 29 16 45 4 92,484 921 2,580
103,469 5,293 6,066 16,124 1,399 28,868,438 159,706 364,193
210 1 14 33 3 54,793 251 817
598 17 23 86 9 146,945 632 1,827
64 5 3 7 1 14,325 104 225
24 1 6 1 7,935 56 126
131,034 10,527 4,163 10,389 2,241 27,064,702 248,962 650,611
31,791 2,917 1,638 3,590 936 7,993,708 66,807 85,233
16,649 1,359 1,274 5,128 488 7,487,761 27,023 35,142
6,829,455 276,233 304,551 794,317 105,298 1,557,788,344 7,619,270 18,168,323
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

A GREENLAND

HUNGARY
SLOVENIA
B CROATIA
ICELAND
SWEDEN
BOSNIA &
FINLAND HERZEGOVINA SERBIA
C FAEROE NORWAY
ISLANDS

MONTENEGRO KOSOVO
ESTONIA
D LATVIA IT MACEDONIA
ISLE OF MAN DENMARK A
LITHUANIA L
NORTHERN IRELAND Y
NETHERLANDS KALININGRAD

E
IRELAND BRITAIN GERMANY
POLAND
BELARUS ALBANIA GREECE
LUXEMBOURG
GUERNSEY BELGIUM UKRAINE
CZECH REP.
JERSEY K A Z A K H S T A N
FRANCE AUSTRIA SLOVAKIA MOLDOVA
SWITZERLAND
F LIECHTENSTEIN
ANDORRA ROMANIA
OSSETIA KYRGYZSTAN
IT BULGARIA
AL GEORGIA UZBEKISTAN
MONACO Y ARMENIA
PORTUGAL SPAIN SAN
G MARINO GREECE TURKEY TURKMENISTAN TAJIKISTAN
AZORES
GIBRALTAR TUNISIA CYPRUS AZERBAIJAN
SYRIA
MADEIRA MALTA LEBANON IRAN AFGHANISTAN
ISRAEL IRAQ
H MOROCCO
CANARY JORDAN NEPAL
KUWAIT PAKISTAN
ISLANDS ALGERIA
L I BYA EGYP T BAHRAIN
WESTERN SAUDI QATAR
SAHARA ARABIA INDIA
J UNITED
ARAB EMIRATES
CAPE MAURITANIA
OMAN
VERDE MALI NIGER
SENEGAL ERITREA
CHA D YEMEN
K BURKINA
GAMBIA SUDAN DJIBOUTI
FASO SOCOTRA
GUINEA- GUINEA NIGERIA SOMALIA
BISSAU GHANA ETHIOPIA
BENIN CENTRAL SRI LANKA
SIERRA
L LEONE LIBERIA AFRICAN REP.
ˆ TOGO CAMEROON UGANDA
COTE D’IVOIRE MALDIVES
˜ ´ ´ KENYA
SAO TOME & PRINCIPE GABON RWANDA
EQUATORIAL GUINEA ES
M CONGO, BURUNDI LL
CONGO, REP. DEM. REP. HE
TANZANIA E YC
S
ASCENSION
COMOROS
ANGOLA MAYOTTE
N MALAWI
ST. HELENA ZAMBIA

ZIMBABWE MAURITIUS
NAMIBIA MADAGASCAR
O RODRIGUES
SOUTH BOTSWANA
MOZAMBIQUE
´
REUNION

AT L A N T I C SWAZILAND
P SOUTH
OCEAN AFRICA LESOTHO
INDIAN

Q TRISTAN DA CUNHA

R KERGUELEN ISLANDS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

R U S S I A

ALASKA C

MONGOLIA
DEMOCRATIC F
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC
OF KOREA NORTH
PA C I F I C G
JAPAN
C H I N A REPUBLIC
OF KOREA
OCEAN
BHUTAN H
MIDWAY
BANGLADESH

MYANMAR J
TAIWAN
LAOS HONG KONG WAKE ISLAND HAWAII
MACAO
THAILAND TINIAN SAIPAN
PHILIPPINES
ROTA K
CAMBODIA
YAP GUAM
VIETNAM MARSHALL
POHNPEI ISLANDS
BRUNEI
PALAU
CHUUK L
M A L AY S I A KOSRAE
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
NAURU
MANUS NEW IRELAND
SINGAPORE K I R I B A T I
NEW BRITAIN BOUGAINVILLE M
I N A PAPUA TUVALU
D O N E S I SOLOMON
NEW GUINEA TOKELAU
ISLANDS
WALLIS &
EAST TIMOR
COCOS ISLANDS FUTUNA ISLS. N
VANUATU FIJI
SAMOA AMERICAN
SAMOA
NIUE
NEW O
TONGA
CALEDONIA
A U S T R A L I A COOK ISLANDS
NORFOLK
ISLAND
P
OC E A N

NEW Q
ZEALAND

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

A
GREENLAND

C C A N A D A

D
ST. PIERRE &
MIQUELON

E
U N I T E D
O F
S T A T E S
A M E R I C A
NORTH
F AT L A N T I C
BERMUDA
OCEAN
BAHAMAS
G MEXICO CAYMAN
ISLANDS CUBA
PA C I F I C BELIZE JAMAICA
H
OCEAN GUATEMALA
HONDURAS

EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
GUYANA
COSTA RICA VENEZUELA
J SURINAME
PANAMA FRENCH GUIANA
COLOMBIA
´
GAL APAGOS ISLANDS
ECUADOR
K
MARQUESAS
ISLANDS B R A Z I L
L
PERU
TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO
BOLIVIA
M
TAHITI PARAGUAY
PITCAIRN ISLAND CHILE
AUSTRAL
ISLANDS
N TURKS & CAICOS ARGENTINA

VIRGIN ISLANDS (BRITISH)

URUGUAY
ANGUILLA
HAITI DOMINICAN
O ST. MAARTEN
REPUBLIC ST. KITTS
PUERTO RICO NEVIS
VIRGIN ISLANDS (U.S.) SABA ANTIGUA
ST. EUSTATIUS GUADELOUPE
P
MONTSERRAT DOMINICA
MARTINIQUE
ST. LUCIA
ST. VINCENT FALKLAND
Q ARUBA CURAÇAO BARBADOS ISLANDS
BONAIRE GRENADA
TRINIDAD
& TOBAGO SOUTH GEORGIA
R

27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38
 Africa
LANDS 57
POPULATION 878,000,158
PUBLISHERS 1,171,674
BIBLE STUDIES 2,382,709

Benin Claude and his wife, Marie-Claire, have been

enthusiastic missionaries for 27 years. In February,
Marie-Claire slipped and fractured her foot. Two weeks
later, while working in the missionary home, Claude
fell and broke his foot. Both had casts, Marie-Claire on
her right foot and Claude
on his left. Claude wryly
remarked, “We always like
to do things together!”
Claude’s cast permit-
ted some mobility, but
Marie-Claire was confined
to the home for weeks.
Though she arranged to
conduct 4 of her 12 Bible
studies at the missionary
home, she missed other
aspects of the ministry. So
she decided to sit in front
of the missionary home at
a table full of publications
and speak to passersby. In
March she spent 83 hours
at her table. Did Jehovah
P RE ACH ING AND T E ACH ING E AR T H WID E 43
bless her initiative? That month she placed 14 books,
452 brochures, 290 magazines, and more than 500
tracts.
Ethiopia Arega, who lives in an isolated village, decided
to wallpaper his home. Though in his country some
people use newspapers for that, he wanted something
in color. At the market he saw a man offering the bro-
chure Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! Arega obtained a
copy and, without reading it, took it apart and pasted it
to the walls of his house. Two years later, he noticed on
the “wallpaper” the statement: “Jesus was God’s Son.”
This was different from the mysterious Trinity he had
been taught. His interest aroused, Arega walked for
nine hours to the nearest town to find the people who
say that God has a Son. His first attempt was unsuc-
cessful, and he returned home disappointed. Later, he
tried again, but this time people directed him to the
house of the brother from whom he had obtained the
brochure. Arega’s resolve was tested further, as he had
to wait for hours before the brother came home. A dis-
cussion led to a Bible study. In the months that fol-
lowed, Arega made more trips to town to take in knowl-
edge of God. When he talked with others in his village
about what he had learned, much opposition arose
and many people shunned him. But he did not give up,
and others became interested. When the number of in-
terested ones reached 13, two special pioneers were
assigned to the area. Soon they were conducting over
40 Bible studies, and about the same number of peo-
ple were attending meetings. Eight local publishers
are now active in the area. For our new brother Arega,
the pictures on his wall have become more than just
colorful decoration.
44 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Self-discipline and modern technology helped
a sister to conduct a Bible study

Ghana With the rapid spread of cell phones through-

out Africa, it is said that a “communications rev-
olution” is under way. As an incentive to subscrib-
ers, many companies provide free call time at certain
hours of the night. A sister named Grace made use
of this provision. She found it difficult to study with
Monica, her Bible student, because Monica was al-
ways busy with other matters. Grace did all she could
to continue the study, even arranging to go to Monica’s
house at 5:00 a.m. But Monica’s schedule changed,
and even this time was not practical. Then Grace
thought of making use of the free night-call arrange-
ment. Monica agreed, and they arranged to study over
the phone at 4:00 a.m. They were disappointed to
find that so many were already using the network at
that time that it was almost impossible to get a con-
nection. Thus, they arranged to get up even earlier so
they could study at 3:00 a.m., although this was a chal-
lenge for these two working mothers. Grace says: “I
prayed to Jehovah and asked him for the strength and
P RE ACH ING AND T E ACH ING E AR T H WID E 45
the desire to continue in order to sustain the interest
of my student. I set my phone alarm and disciplined
myself to get up at that time. Even though I was very
tired, I did not allow that to discourage me.” How hap-
py she was that she had made the effort, as she was
present to see Monica baptized at the 2008 “Guided by
God’s Spirit” District Convention! Recently, Grace has
used the same free night-call method to study with a
woman who has now begun attending meetings.
Mozambique In August 2008, a jacket fell out of a pass-
ing vehicle and landed near the mud hut of a poor, wid-
owed sister. The sister picked up the jacket and found
that the pockets contained documents, three small
bags of expensive jewelry, and nearly a thousand dol-
lars in cash. She insisted that someone in the village
use the phone numbers listed in the documents to re-
port the loss. That evening, four men in a car arrived
at the village. In the presence of village authorities, our
sister handed the jacket
to the owner, with all its
contents intact. The man
began to cry and said that
if it had fallen into the
hands of anyone other
than one of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, he would have
had little chance of recov-
ering his belongings. Our
fait hful sister, though
poor, gave a witness in the
community that brought
rich praise to the name of
her God, Jehovah.

Her faithfulness gave a witness

 The
Americas
LANDS 55
POPULATION 910,761,124
PUBLISHERS 3,575,123
BIBLE STUDIES 3,778,321

Barbados Many parents find it beneficial to teach their

children to memorize Bible texts. One family in Gre-
nada had the satisfaction of learning how their six-
year-old son used a Bible text to uphold the truth that
Jehovah is superior to all. The boy’s father writes:
“One afternoon when my wife, Laura, went to pick up
our son, Stefan, from school, his teacher called her
aside and said to her: ‘I just have to tell you how im-
pressed I am with your son. Even though I don’t share
your beliefs, I must confess that I admire how well he
articulates his beliefs.’
“When they got home, my wife eagerly asked Stefan
what happened in school that prompted the teacher’s
compliment. He then related that during the first ses-
sion at school, the teacher made the statement that
‘Jesus is God.’
“Stefan then put up his hand, and when he was ac-
knowledged by his teacher, he said: ‘No, Miss. Jesus is
not God. The Bible says that Jesus is the Son of Jeho-
vah, so he can’t be Jehovah.’
“The teacher replied: ‘Well, I believe that Jesus is
the same as Jehovah.’
“Stefan then said: ‘But the Bible says that Jehovah
P RE ACH ING AND T E ACH ING E AR T H WID E 47
 Family worship equipped Stefan to witness at school

alone is the Most High, not Jesus. Only Jehovah is the

Most High.’ He was quoting from Psalm 83:18, a scrip-
ture that we had previously helped him to memorize
and to understand. Although the teacher is a very se-
rious type of person, she was no match for a six-year-
old child armed with accurate Scriptural knowledge.”
Ecuador Several brothers boarded a bus to return
home after working Quichua-speaking territory out
in the countryside. Since the bus was equipped to
play videos, they got permission to show the Quichua
video about Noah and David for the many passengers,
who all spoke Quichua. What a surprise for them to
see and hear something in their own language! They
were so attentive that when the bus stopped to pick
up a passenger, they asked him to sit down quickly so
they would not miss anything. At the end of the pro-
48 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
gram, there were numerous requests for the video.
Some passengers had Bible questions and wanted lit-
erature; others gave their name and address so some-
one could visit them in the city, and all received an in-
vitation to the Memorial to be held in Quichua. This
no doubt contributed to an outstanding Memorial at-
tendance in the area.
Mexico While preaching from house to house, Gabino,
a pioneer brother, came to a home and knocked on
the door. No answer. He knocked again and then a
third time. After pausing, he knocked a fourth time.
The door opened, and an anguished man stood there
crying. He immediately invited Gabino in but could
not talk because he was so upset. Gabino began to
speak comfortingly about the good news, and the
man calmed down. “Do you see that chair over there?”
asked the man. “When you knocked the third time,
I was standing on that
chair. Do you see that
rope up there? When you
knocked the fourth time,
I had the noose around
my neck. But I took it
off to answer the door.
Thank you for persisting
because if you had not,
I would have hung my-
self.” He explained that
he was distraught over
problems with his wife.
Gabino made arrange-
ments for a Bible study.
Usually, t his pioneer
His persistence saved a life
knocks only once or twice at a door. But this time his
persistence, perhaps under angelic direction, brought
fine results.
Chile During the campaign to invite interested ones
to the Memorial of Christ’s death, a small child ap-
proached a Witness and asked her, “How old are you?”
The sister, somewhat surprised by the question, re-
sponded, “And how old are you?” The little girl said
that she was six years old and that her mother had
given her a letter to give to one of Jehovah’s Witness-
es. The mother had instructed her daughter to find a
Witness who was not a child but who was not elderly
either. So the sister told the girl that she was 25 years
old. The girl gave her the letter. It read: “When you have
visited my home, I have not mustered up the courage
to answer the door. I am suffering from severe depres-
sion and have asked God for help. I have also tried
to listen to your message and read the Bible, but it
has been very difficult for me. I would
like to study the Bible with someone
who can help me get over a failed
marriage. If you can help me,
please come to my home this
afternoon, since this morn-
ing I am in bed. Thank you.”
That afternoon the sis-
ter visited the woman and
invited her to the Memorial
and the special talk, both
of which were of true com-

She found a Witness

who was neither young nor old
fort to her. Since then, she has continued to bene-
fit from regular meeting attendance and is making
fine progress in her Bible study by means of the book
What Does the Bible Really Teach? And her six-year-old
daughter? She, as well as her 12-year-old sister, are
also enjoying a personal Bible study.
Puerto Rico A sister writes: “I was offering the maga-
zines on the street when I saw a young lady putting
air in the tires of her car. I approached her, but be-
fore I could speak, she asked for The Watchtower and
Awake! saying that she loved to read them. Although
I offered her a home Bible study, she said that she
could not accept because she lived on the second floor
of her mother’s home and her mother was very op-
posed to our work. When I asked for her address, she
gave me only the name of the street. On another occa-
sion I went to the street and tried to find where she
lived but with no success. Then, one day, I went to the
street and asked the neighbors if they knew a certain
Nancy, a mother with two small children. To my de-
light, I finally obtained her address. However, I still
could not find her at home, so I left magazines and
notes for her. When I finally contacted her, she began
to cry and said she wanted to visit the Kingdom Hall.
She came and enjoyed the warm spirit of love among
the brothers and sisters. She told me that she had
been unable to respond to my earlier visits because
her mother had destroyed my notes and magazines
before she returned home. We began to study the Bi-
ble in the home of her sister, and soon Nancy was at-
tending meetings regularly. Now she never misses a
meeting. She has enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry
School, and it is a delight to hear her and her two
small children participate in the meetings.”
P RE ACH ING AND T E ACH ING E AR T H WID E 51
 Asia and the
Middle East
LANDS 47
POPULATION 4,073,556,172
PUBLISHERS 635,896
BIBLE STUDIES 579,554

South Korea A man who lives near a Kingdom Hall

found a note on his car, which was parked in front of
his house. The note read: “I scratched your car by mis-
take while parking. Please call me, and I’ll have it fixed
for you.” Having observed the conduct of Witnesses
who attend the nearby hall, the man said to himself,
‘Such an honest person must be one of Jehovah’s Wit-
nesses.’
A sister named Su-yeon had left the note, and when
she got the phone call from the man, she apologized
and offered again to have his car fixed. Imagine her
surprise when the man asked, “Excuse me, but are
you one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” The man said that
he would have his car fixed and told her not to worry
about it! He further said that he would like to meet her,
since there were things that he wanted to know about
the Witnesses. Su-yeon, accompanied by her father
and another spiritual brother, went to meet him. “I
have been able to observe the Witnesses,” the man
said, “because I live near the Kingdom Hall. You are
fine people. I can’t understand why you are so hat-
ed.” Using the Bible and the book What Does the Bible
Really Teach? Su-yeon’s father was able to answer the
man’s many questions. He now enjoys a regular Bible
52 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
study with Su-yeon’s father and is making fine spiritu-
al progress.
Lands where the work is restricted or banned An army col-
onel was touched by the positive effect that the truth
had on his wife, who was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Consequently, he agreed to a Bible study. His com-
mander, a general, learned about this and called him
in to talk with him. The general told him that if he did
not stop meeting with Jehovah’s Witnesses, he would
be sent to the remotest place in the country. The colo-
nel boldly answered that his wife had studied the Bi-
ble for a long time and that he did not see anything
dangerous in it. Therefore, he would not stop studying
the Bible. After some time, the colonel decided to leave
the army. Now he is a baptized Witness, serving as a
regular pioneer and ministerial servant. Interestingly,
the wife of the general he spoke to also started study-
ing the Bible. The general could not stop her either,
and now she too serves as a regular pioneer.
In another country, a sister started a Bible study
with a young woman whose husband severely op-
posed her. Since the Bible study could not be held at
the woman’s home, the two women arranged to study
in a small park. During their study an elderly man
who was taking a stroll in the park continually circled
them, observing what they were doing and listening
to their conversation. One day, he approached them
and asked some questions about the Bible. During
the next study, he did the same. The woman who was
studying became a little upset and said, “I only have
one hour to study the Bible, but you come and take up
all my time by asking too many questions.” After that,
the sister arranged for a brother to study with the
P RE ACH ING AND T E ACH ING E AR T H WID E 53
man, who made quick spiritual progress and start-
ed attending meetings. Each Sunday, two women in
his neighborhood saw him leaving home, well-dressed
and with a briefcase in his hand. They were curious
about where he was going and learned that he had be-
gun to believe in a certain “new religion.” Deciding to
investigate, the two women followed the man to the
Kingdom Hall. Several sisters talked with them and
asked if they wished to study the Bible. One accept-
ed. These three individuals—the young woman who
was studying in the park, the man who was contact-
ed in the park, and one of the women who followed
him—have made excellent spiritual progress and were
recently baptized.
Cambodia Louy, a pioneer in Cambodia, regularly rides
her bicycle to a village where houses are constructed
of bamboo and are on stilts. There she conducts Bible
studies. Three days before the Memorial, when she
was in the village explaining the purpose of the Me-
morial to one of her Bible students, curious children
began to gather around and ask questions. The group
of children grew and grew. Louy handed out 57 Me-
morial invitations. The following day Louy cycled to
the village to conduct another study, and this student
said that her relatives and friends would like to at-
tend. So Louy left another 20 invitations for the Bible
student to distribute. Now Louy became worried as to
how she could help all these people attend the Memo-
rial. After praying, she talked to the father of one of her
Bible students, who is the village coordinator. He as-
sured Louy that if she arranged for just one tuk-tuk (a
small carriage usually seating four, which is pulled by
a motorcycle) to take them, everyone could go because
they would either stand up or sit on one another’s
54 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
knees. Louy was very happy to see 18 individuals at-
tend from this village.
India A brother who works as an auto-rickshaw driver
seized the opportunity to witness to a passenger who
happened to be a journalist. She was impressed with
his courage, since some Witnesses in that area had
been assaulted by opposers while sharing the good
news. The journalist decided to reproduce their con-
versation in a national newspaper. She wrote: “I decid-
ed on a little gentle provocation: ‘Haven’t you heard
the news today? How your people have been beaten
up and churches attacked in different parts of the
state?’ He said, ‘Yes, I read about it in today’s paper.’

She arranged for just one “tuk-tuk”

‘So what will you do if [the opposers] continue to trou-
ble you?’ He shook his head, saying: ‘It doesn’t matter.
We will continue to believe [the truth].’ ”
Describing the tract that the Witness had given
her, she wrote: “At home I took the pamphlet out of
my bag. It had an impossibly idyllic scene on it with
green meadows, a lake, flowering trees, people harvest-
ing grain and fruit, and snow-capped mountains. ‘Life
in a peaceful new world,’ it said. The message inside
was religious. Ordinarily, nobody would object to being
handed a pamphlet, whether it advertised a sari shop
or a way of life. But start talking of a peaceful new
world, and you might set the wheels of hate in motion.”
Philippines In one part of the region of Zamboanga is
a mountain so high that its peak can be seen from
125 miles away. Brothers living near the mountain
would often joke while in the field service, saying,
“What will we do if there is an interested person living
at the top of that mountain?” One day while they were
preaching at the base of the mountain, a man ap-
proached, saying that he was looking for Jehovah’s
Witnesses. He said that he wanted their help in study-
ing the Bible. The brothers asked him where he lived.
When he pointed to the summit of the mountain, the
brothers were speechless. The man explained that his
house was, not at the summit, but behind the moun-
tain and that the only way to get there would be to
climb over the top of the mountain. After recovering
from their surprise, the brothers agreed to go. A Bible
study was started, and now the man attends weekly
meetings at the Kingdom Hall, even though it is very
far from his house. This man is now among the peo-
ple of all nations streaming to “the mountain of the
house of Jehovah.”—Isa. 2:2.
56 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Europe
LANDS 47
POPULATION 736,988,468
PUBLISHERS 1,563,910
BIBLE STUDIES 819,067

Finland Two brothers were offering home Bible stud-

ies house to house with the tract Would You Like to
Know the Truth? A man opened the door, interrupt-
ed their introduction, and invited them in. “I have
many questions,” he said. “Why are you coming just
now?”
“Well,” the brothers answered, “we are in this terri-
tory with our congregation.”
The man responded: “I have been praying for Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses to come to my door. Usually I am jog-
ging at this time, but today I did not go. And now you
have come!” The man felt that his prayers had been
answered. At his place of employment, people often
talked negatively about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Interest-
ed in learning whether such assertions were valid, he
went to a library to search for information. He found
the book Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s
Kingdom, read it, and realized that the accusations
against us were lies. Hence, he earnestly wanted to
meet Jehovah’s Witnesses. A study was started, and
he began to attend our meetings immediately. He wit-
nessed to his former wife and their daughter, and they
too started to study.
P RE ACH ING AND T E ACH ING E AR T H WID E 57
 Learning a foreign language led to a Bible study

Britain Kirsty, a regular pioneer, learned French and

Lingala so that she could witness to the Congolese
people in her territory. One day she saw a Congolese
woman who was struggling to get on the bus because
she was loaded down with packages. Speaking in Lin-
gala, Kirsty offered to help her and lifted her bags onto
the bus for her. “Why do you, a white person, speak
Lingala?” asked the woman. Kirsty explained that she
attends a Lingala-language congregation and that the
local Witnesses had taught her the language so she
could speak to people about the Bible. Kirsty wanted
to offer the woman a Bible study, so she stayed on the
bus until the woman reached her destination. Kir-
sty then carried the woman’s bags up to her third-
58 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
floor apartment. Kirsty was welcomed inside by the
woman’s husband and their four children, and she
showed the family how a Bible study is conducted
with the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? The
wife and the two older children are now studying the
Bible. All three are making efforts to please Jehovah.
Georgia Two young pioneer brothers decided to move
to a mountainous area of the country where there
were few Witnesses. They started preaching in village
after village, and the response was outstanding. They
distributed hundreds of pieces of literature and start-
ed many Bible studies. When the brothers began to
preach in the mountains, they had few provisions and
did not know where they would sleep. But their needs
were always met. People in the villages invited them
into their homes overnight and fed them. At times,
even people who did not wish to listen to their mes-
sage invited them to spend the night with them and
to share a meal. Later, the brothers were appointed as
special pioneers in this territory. Because of conduct-
ing so many Bible studies, they placed a reasonable
limit on the number of students they could care for. It
is still not unusual for individuals to approach them
on the street and ask for a Bible study, and in spite of
limiting the number, each brother has conducted, on
average, more than 20 Bible studies every month.
Hungary A sister regularly receives milk in bottles that
are hung in a bag on her fence. One day, when send-
ing back the empty bottles, she put the tract Would
You Like to Know the Truth? into the bag. To her sur-
prise, with the next delivery of fresh milk, the dairy-
maid attached a slip of paper with some questions re-
garding the tract and a request for a Bible. The sister
P RE ACH ING AND T E ACH ING E AR T H WID E 59
immediately visited the dairymaid on the farm where
she lived and started a Bible study with the help of
the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? Before-
hand, the woman had been searching for answers to
her questions in different churches, but her spiritual
hunger had not been satisfied. In fact, her search had
raised even more questions in her mind. When one of
her daughters also showed keen interest, the sister
gave her the book Learn From the Great Teacher. The
mother explained that the girl would often wake up
at night because of nightmares. However, after read-
ing some of the chapters in this book, the girl is less
fearful and now sleeps peacefully at night. The Bible
study continues, and the mother regularly attends
the meetings on Sunday with her two daughters.
Italy Cristina and Manel, two full-time preachers, were
distributing the tract Would You Like to Know the
Truth? in a rural part of central Italy. At one farm
Informal witnessing can take many forms
they heard noises coming from the backyard. As soon
as the householder saw the Witnesses, she shouted:
“Quickly! Run! Come and help me!” As the Witnesses
hurried to help, they saw that she was trying to stop
a huge, angry pig from getting out of the pigsty. The
gate was broken, and the woman was worried that the
pig would run into the woods nearby. She was on her
own, desperately trying to keep the gate closed. “You
hold it shut while I go and find something to block it!”
the woman yelled to Cristina. Cristina immediately re-
plied that she was terrified of the pig. The woman
then handed Manel a pumpkin and a knife and said
to her: “Don’t worry. Keep throwing bits of pumpkin to
the pig to keep him busy while I go and look for a new
bolt.”
The woman then disappeared, and several min-
utes passed. Meanwhile, Cristina was urging Manel to
hurry up and keep throwing food to the pig, but Manel
was finding it difficult to cut through the pumpkin’s
hard rind. Finally, the woman reappeared and re-
paired the gate. Heaving a sigh of relief, she exclaimed:
“You two were sent by the Almighty!”
“That’s exactly right, Madam!” they replied as they
pulled out the tract and showed it to her.
The woman immediately said: “This is too impor-
tant to stand here and talk about. We need to sit down
and talk calmly.” So she fetched some chairs, and as
they sat out in the sun in the farmyard, the woman
asked many questions and listened with keen interest
and appreciation. Later, arrangements were made for
a Bible study to be started. Cristina and Manel say
that they had this experience thanks to a pig who
tried to escape at just the right time.
P RE ACH ING AND T E ACH ING E AR T H WID E 61
 Oceania
LANDS 30
POPULATION 38,338,482
PUBLISHERS 99,816
BIBLE STUDIES 59,619

Australia Fred, a Witness in a quiet coastal town, left

three of our DVDs with a man. Later, Fred received a let-
ter from the man, which said, in part: “Watching and
listening intently to the DVDs was a calming experi-
ence. I could feel the peace, joy, and smiles of the peo-
ple I was watching. I have not felt that way for many
years. Now I am beginning to believe that there could
be a better life ahead for me. In the past, I was often
rude to Witnesses who called at my door. For this I sin-
cerely apologize. Your people have approached me with
nothing but friendliness and the desire to spread the
good news. Who knows, one day you may look over
your shoulder at your Kingdom Hall and see me sitting
behind you.”
New Zealand Two sisters called at a government-run
family trust organization and arranged an appoint-
ment with the director. In preparation they put togeth-
er a “family pack,” specially designed to include sub-
jects that would be of interest to the director in her
work with families. The pack consisted of the books
The Secret of Family Happiness and Questions Young
People Ask—Answers That Work, along with the Au-
gust 2007 issue of Awake! featuring the cover se-
ries “Seven Steps to Better Parenting” and the Octo-
62 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Preparing the
“family pack”

ber 2007 issue featuring the series “Keep Your

Children Safe!”
When making the visit, the sisters explained the
voluntary nature of our work and said that we have
deep interest in helping families, especially spiritually.
They spent time showing the contents of the pack. The
director listened, accepted the literature, and said she
would like to share the information with all 35 em-
ployees. She added that the Awake! articles would ben-
efit all 503 families listed in her records. The sisters
managed to collect 557 copies of the Awake! maga-
zines. Two weeks later, they received a phone call in-
forming them that all the magazines had gone out to
the families.
Fiji A young man named Viliame proved to be an excep-
tional rugby player and aspired to play for his country.
His brother, Leone, also wanted to pursue a career in
rugby, but after accepting a Bible study with a special
pioneer, he realized that he could not serve two mas-
ters. He began attending meetings and gave up rugby.
P RE ACH ING AND T E ACH ING E AR T H WID E 63
His mother, a Witness, bought him clothing to wear
to meetings, but during an argument Viliame took
Leone’s meeting clothes and ripped them up. Leone
was devastated, but he chose not to retaliate. Some
time later, Leone took his watermelon crop to market,
and with part of the proceeds, he purchased meet-
ing clothes for himself as well as a Bible, pens, and
highlighters for use at meetings. He bought the same
things for Viliame. Remembering his own spiteful act,
Viliame was deeply touched by his brother’s kindness.
He donned the new clothing and surprised his broth-
er by attending a meeting. Viliame also accepted a
Bible study, and the two brothers progressed spir-
itually. As both were preparing for baptism, Viliame
received a lucrative offer to play rugby in Europe, an
offer many young men dream of receiving, as it holds
the promise of financial They gave up a lucrative rugby
security and personal glo- career to serve Jehovah
ry. However, his goals had
now changed, and he de-
cided instead to dedicate
himself to Jehovah. Both
Viliame and Leone served
as auxiliary pioneers for
the first six months af-
ter their baptism. Seeing
the good example of his
children, Waisea, their fa-
ther, also accepted a Bi-
ble study. Waisea made
great changes and was
baptized along with his
two daughters at a special
assembly day.

64
Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses
IN MODERN TIMES

Uganda Truth-hungry Ugandans

have endured the most violent chap-
ters in this land’s history. Find out
how they managed to have meetings
in the open, even when they were un-
der ban. Learn what Obwakabaka
bwa Katonda means and how it unites
you with these faithful brothers and
sisters.

Albania How did true worship survive

when all religious activity was abol-
ished? Would our brothers stand
firm despite hours of brutal torture?
What advice did a dying integrity
keeper give to young brothers who
faced imprisonment? Find out in this
faith-strengthening chronicle of
loyalty and integrity.

Belize Humble and hardworking

servants of Jehovah have blazed a
theocratic trail in this cultural melt-
ing pot. Find out what happened on
“the Battlefield,” and see how Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses responded to Hurri-
cane Hattie’s violent fury. Read about
a maritime preaching trip along the
idyllic Belize Barrier Reef.
 Uganda
FOR centuries, explorers searched for the source of
the mighty Nile River, which snakes through half of Af-
rica and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Eventu-
ally, some explorers focused on Lake Victoria and its
surrounding mountains as the primary sources of the
Nile’s perennial waters. In recent decades, many of the
inhabitants of that area have been excited to discov-
er the source of a more precious water—“living wa-
ter” that imparts “everlasting life.” (John 4:10-14) This
is the story of the people of Uganda who have been
“thirsting for righteousness.”—Matt. 5:6.
“THE PEARL OF AFRICA”
Uganda, straddling the equator in the middle of Af-
rica, is a beautiful land with a moderate climate. Melt-
ing glaciers high up in the majestic Ruwenzori Range
—called the Mountains of the Moon—send sparkling
waters cascading into myriads of rivers and lakes.
Fertile soil and copious rain make Uganda ideal for
growing coffee, tea, and cotton. Plantains, a cooking
banana, grow abundantly and are used for matooke,
one of Uganda’s main dishes. Locals also eat cassava,
maize meal, millet, and sorghum.
This tropical country is home to lions, elephants,
hippos, crocodiles, leopards, giraffes, and antelope,
as well as chimpanzees, an assortment of fascinat-
ing monkeys, and the endangered mountain gorilla.
Gorgeous birds fill the air with delightful melodies.
Indeed, there is so much beauty in Uganda that the
country has been hailed as “the pearl of Africa.”
67
 UGANDA’S BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
About 30 million people from approximately 30 eth-
nic groups inhabit Uganda. Many are religiously in-
clined and belong to Christendom’s churches; but as
elsewhere, formal worship is often interwoven with
traditional religious practices. Ugandans are general-
ly friendly and hospitable, and it is not uncommon for
some to kneel when greeting or serving a person who
is their senior.
Sadly, though, in the 1970’s and 1980’s, this beau-
tiful “pearl” and its precious people were severe-
ly scarred by political upheavals and the thousands
of deaths that resulted. Moreover, the ravages of
the AIDS epidemic have added to Uganda’s grief. Un-
der such circumstances, Jehovah’s Witnesses have
brought comfort and hope to these resilient people.
TRUE PIONEERS
The first record of the Kingdom-preaching work in
Uganda dates back to 1931, when the South Africa
branch office supervised the preaching work in all of
Africa south of the equator. To open this tremendous
territory, the branch assigned two pioneers, Robert
Nisbet and David Norman, to preach in the area that
is now Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Brothers Nisbet and Norman were determined to
take the good news of the Kingdom deep into the inte-
rior of Africa. They launched their campaign in Dar es
Salaam on August 31, 1931, with 200 cartons of litera-
ture. From there they went to the island of Zanzibar
and then on to the seaport of Mombasa en route to
the highlands of Kenya. They traveled by train, work-
ing the towns along the railway line to the eastern
shores of Lake Victoria. Crossing the lake by steam-
68 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 ship, the two intrepid pio-
neers arrived in Kampa-
la, the capital of Uganda.
After placing much litera-
ture, as well as subscrip-
tions to The Golden Age,
the two brothers contin-
ued by car even farther
inland.
Four years later, in
1935, four pioneers from
South Africa undertook
David Norman and another expedition into
Robert Nisbet brought the East Africa. They were
good news to East Africa Gray Smith and his wife,
Olga, along with Robert
Nisbet and his younger brother George. With two well-
equipped delivery vans fitted out as living quarters,
these enterprising pioneers negotiated bad roads and
battled their way through elephant grass up to ten feet
high. “They often slept out in the wilds,” says one re-
port, “and could see, hear, and feel the throb of the
heart of Africa with its abundance of wildlife—roaring
lions at night, peacefully grazing zebras and giraffes,
and the ominous presence of rhinos and elephants.”
Undaunted, they visited towns that had never been
reached with the Kingdom message.
While Gray and Olga Smith spent some time in
Tanganyika (now Tanzania), Robert and George Nis-
bet headed for Nairobi, Kenya. Later, when colonial
authorities ordered the Smiths to leave Tanganyi-
ka, they made their way to Kampala, Uganda. This
time, however, conditions were not so favorable, and
UGANDA 69
the Kampala police kept them under constant sur-
veillance. Undeterred, in just two months, the Smiths
placed 2,122 books and booklets and arranged for
six public meetings. Eventually, though, the governor
issued a deportation order compelling the couple to
leave Uganda. They traveled to Nairobi, where they met
up with the Nisbet brothers before returning to South
Africa.
With Jehovah’s blessing, these preaching cam-
paigns were exceptionally successful, and an excel-
lent witness was given. Despite religious opposition
and mounting pressure from colonial authorities, the
pioneers distributed over 3,000 books and more than
7,000 booklets, besides obtaining many subscriptions.
After these campaigns, many years passed before
preaching activity was resumed in Uganda.
RENEWED ACTIVITY
In April 1950, a young couple from England, Broth-
er and Sister Kilminster, arrived in Kampala to set up
house. They eagerly preached the good news and were
delighted when two families, one Greek and the other
Italian, responded to the Kingdom message.
Then, in December 1952, Brothers Knorr and Hen-
schel from the headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses
in New York, visited Nairobi, Kenya. Brother Kilmin-
ster did not want to miss the opportunity to be with
them, so he traveled all the way from Kampala to Nai-
robi. Brothers Knorr and Henschel provided the little
group in Nairobi with encouragement and arranged
for a congregation to be organized in Kampala. That
fledgling congregation soon started producing good re-
sults, and a peak of ten publishers shared in the min-
istry during the 1954 service year.
70 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 During the same year, Eric Cooke, from the branch
office in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), visit-
ed East Africa and spent some time with the new
congregation in Kampala. Although the brothers en-
joyed a weekly congregation study of The Watchtower,
they were not yet very active in the Christian minis-
try. So Brother Cooke encouraged Brother Kilminster
to conduct all the congregation meetings, including a
weekly Service Meeting. To expand the preaching work
further, Brother Cooke emphasized the door-to-door
ministry and lovingly provided a number of the pub-
lishers with personal training.
Up till then, much of the preaching had been done
among the Europeans living in Uganda. But Broth-
er Cooke observed that most native Ugandans in Kam-
pala spoke Luganda. He suggested that in order to
reach the hearts of the local people, the brothers need-
ed to translate a publication into Luganda. In 1958
publishers began using the newly translated booklet
“This Good News of the Kingdom.” What a stimulus
that proved to be! The work progressed, and in 1961 a

George and Robert Nisbet and Gray and Olga Smith

with their vans on a raft ready to cross a river
 Uganda Overview
Land Encompassing thick tropical rain forests, wide-open
savannas, countless rivers and lakes, and the majestic,
snowcapped Ruwenzori Range, Uganda is a country of
amazing contrasts. It covers an area of 93,263 square
miles and includes almost half of Lake Victoria, the largest
lake in Africa.
People More than 85 percent of the population, which is
made up of approximately 30 ethnic groups, live in rural
areas.
Language Luganda is the most common of the more than
32 languages spoken in Uganda. The official languages are
English and Swahili.
Livelihood Producing coffee, tea, cotton, and other cash
crops, Uganda is an agricultural country. Most Ugandans
are farmers who live on the food they grow for themselves,
but some earn a living from fishing or
tourism.
Food A steamed dish called matooke
(pictured), made from plantains, is popu-
lar in most of the south of the country.
Cornmeal, sweet potatoes, and bread
made from millet or cassava flour are
eaten with a variety of vegetables.
Climate Located on a plateau that drops
from approximately 5,000 feet in the
south to about 3,000 feet in the north,
Uganda is a tropical country with a mod-
erate climate. Most areas of the country
have distinct dry and wet seasons.
72
 SUDAN

Arua
Gulu
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
THE C ONGO Lira

Lake Masindi Soroti

Albert
Lake Kyoga
Hoima

U G A N D A Mbale
ts.
M

Fort Portal Tororo

Kalangalo Iganga
ri
n zo

Seta Jinja Namaingo

Mityana
we

KAMPALA KENYA
Ru

Kajansi
Rusese Equator
Entebbe
Lake
Edward
Masaka
Mbarara LAKE
VICTORIA

Kabale

UGANDA
R W ANDA KENYA
KAMPALA Meru
Mt. Kenya

NAIROBI

TANZANIA Mombasa
TANZANIA
BUR UNDI Zanzibar
DAR ES SALAAM
new peak of 19 Kingdom proclaimers shared in the
ministry.
In the course of his secular employment, Broth-
er Kilminster met George Kadu, an enthusiastic Ugan-
dan in his early 40’s who spoke good English as well
as his mother tongue, Luganda. George’s interest in
Scriptural truth was aroused when he learned that
God’s name is Jehovah, and he began studying the Bi-
ble. Soon he was going along as an interpreter when
Brother Kilminster preached from house to house.
Then, in 1956, when the first baptism in Uganda took
place in Lake Victoria near Entebbe, George symbol-
ized his dedication to Jehovah.
Sadly, not long thereafter, the Kingdom work suf-
fered a setback. Some foreign brothers returned to
their home country when their work contracts ex-
pired. A few brothers were disfellowshipped, and sever-
al were stumbled by the unscriptural conduct of some
in the congregation. Brother Kadu, though, loved Je-
hovah and knew he had found the truth. He stuck to
it ‘in favorable season and in troublesome season’ and
faithfully served as an elder until his death in 1998.
—2 Tim. 4:2.
SERVING WHERE THE NEED IS GREATER
The field in East Africa was large, and the need
for Kingdom preachers was great. There was also an
additional challenge. The colonial government would
not allow missionaries into the region. What could be
done?
In 1957 a worldwide call went out for publishers
to serve where the need is greater. Spiritually mature
brothers were encouraged to move where there was a
greater need for Kingdom publishers. The invitation
74 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
was similar to the one the apostle Paul saw in vision
when a man entreated him: “Step over into Macedo-
nia and help us.” (Acts 16:9, 10) How did this modern-
day invitation affect the progress of the Kingdom-
preaching work in Uganda?
Frank and Mary Smith responded to the call with
an Isaiahlike spirit and immediately began pre-
paring for their move to
East Africa.1 (Isa. 6:8) In
July 1959 they set sail
from New York to Momba-
sa via Cape Town. Then
they traveled by train to
Kampala, where Frank
obtained a work contract
as a government chemist
in the Geological Survey
Department. The Smiths
settled about 22 miles
south of Kampala in En-
tebbe, a beautiful city on Mary and Frank Smith, just
the shores of Lake Victo- before their marriage in 1956
ria that was virgin terri-
tory as far as the Kingdom-preaching work was con-
cerned. They regularly attended meetings with the
small but growing congregation in Kampala.
Soon the Smiths introduced the truth to Peter Gya-
bi, who held a responsible position in the Ugandan civ-
il service, and to his wife, Esther. Earlier, Peter had
1 A report on the life story of Frank Smith appeared in The Watch-
tower of August 1, 1995, pages 20-24. Frank’s father, Frank W. Smith,
as well as his uncle and aunt, Gray and Olga Smith, were among the
first to preach in East Africa. Frank’s father died of malaria when he
was returning home to Cape Town, just two months before Frank was
born.

UGANDA 75
received the book What Has Religion Done for Man-
kind?1 but did not pay attention to it because he
was too busy with his secular employment and fre-
quent job transfers. Then Peter was sent to mediate in
a tense, complex land dispute between two tribal fac-
tions. He prayed, “God, if you help me, I will look for
you.” When the situation was resolved peacefully, he
remembered his prayer and started reading the book.
He realized that what he was reading was the truth
and began searching for the Witnesses. How happy he
was to meet Frank Smith, who agreed to conduct a reg-
ular Bible study with him and his wife! As a result, this
delightful couple were baptized, and they are still active
Kingdom proclaimers after more than four decades of
faithful service.
Other foreign brothers also responded to the call to
serve where the need was greater. Some obtained work
contracts that took them to places far away from the
small nucleus of publishers in the Kampala Congrega-
tion. One couple stayed in Mbarara, a small town in
the rolling hills of southwest Uganda, some 180 miles
from Kampala. They arranged to have the Watchtower
Study and book study in their house. From time to
time, however, they traveled all the way to Kampala or
Entebbe to enjoy warm Christian fellowship. They also
stayed in contact with the branch office in Luanshya,
Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), which had over-
sight of the Kingdom-preaching work in East Africa at
the time. Harry Arnott, who was then overseeing that
branch, served as zone overseer and visited Kampa-
la to encourage the handful of publishers in Uganda.
They deeply appreciated his loving concern.
1 Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses but now out of print.

76 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
Genuine Christian
Love Touches Hearts
PETER GYABI
BORN 1932 BAPTIZED 1965
PROFILE An elder who helped translate
publications during the ban. He and his
wife, Esther, are parents of four grown
children.

˛ WHEN the first missionaries of Jehovah’s Witnesses ar-

rived in Uganda, there was much racial prejudice in the
country, and most white people kept their distance from
black Africans. The genuine Christian love of the missionar-
ies touched our hearts, and they became very dear to us.
During the 1970’s, our family enjoyed associating and
preaching with the missionaries, who lived some 40 miles
away in Mbarara. One day, on our way there, soldiers
stopped our car. “You can continue, if you want to die,” said
one of the soldiers. It seemed advisable to turn around
and go home. However, as the days passed, we became in-
creasingly concerned about the missionaries. We wanted
to get to the missionary home as soon as we could to find
out how they were. Security was very tight, but I used my
authority in the hospital administration along with a hospi-
tal sticker on the car to help me get through the road-
blocks. How relieved we were to find that the missionaries
were safe! We replenished their food supplies and spent a
few days with them. After that, we kept visiting them each
week until it was safe for them to move to Kampala. The
more trialsome the conditions became, the more we expe-
rienced the loving bond of our precious brotherhood.
 Ann Cooke and her
children with Brother
and Sister Makumba

Another couple with

a strong desire to serve
where the need for King-
dom preachers was great-
er were Tom and Ann
Cooke from England. Tom
applied for employment
in a number of countries
and obtained a post as
an education officer with
the Ministry of Education
in Uganda. His employ-
ment initially took him
and Ann and their four-
year-old daughter, Sarah,
to the small town of Igan-
ga, about 80 miles east of
Kampala. After the birth
of Rachel, their second daughter, Tom and his family
moved to Jinja, a town located at what is commonly
called the source of the Nile. Later on, they moved to
Kampala.
SACRIFICES AND BLESSINGS
What a fine contribution all these families made to
the Kingdom-preaching work in Uganda! True, they
had left behind a lifestyle and comforts to which they
were accustomed. In return, though, they had the joy
of seeing humble people change their way of life and
respond to the Kingdom good news. They also experi-
enced the strong bond of Christian love that formed
78 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
between their families and the local families as they
gathered together for worship and happy association.
“We were impressed by the warm courtesy shown
us in the ministry and the unassuming dignity of the
people,” recalls Tom Cooke. “Being able to have a small
share in seeing the congregation grow was a very spe-
cial privilege.”
When asked how he felt about his move, Tom re-
plies: “We could not have had a better environment in
which to serve Jehovah with a young family. We had
the fine example of brothers and sisters from many
countries, the company of loving and loyal local broth-
ers, rich privileges of service, freedom from the influ-
ence of television, and exposure to the marvels of the
African countryside. These were just a few of the bless-
ings we enjoyed.”
The deep appreciation that those who served
where the need was greater had for Christian asso-
ciation was also evident in their willingness to trav-
el all the way to Kenya to attend circuit assemblies.
This involved a 500-mile journey each way by bus or
train!
District conventions required even greater effort.
In 1961, for example, delegates from Uganda and Ken-
ya attended a district convention in Kitwe, North-
ern Rhodesia (Zambia). “That meant a four-day trip
of over 1,000 miles on some of the worst—mostly un-
paved—roads in Tanganyika (Tanzania),” recalls one of
the delegates, “and then another four days through
sweltering and dusty African savanna to return to
Uganda. It was quite an adventure, and our happy
association with so many brothers and sisters was
a great blessing.” This was an arduous undertaking
UGANDA 79
that required immense effort, but how spiritually re-
freshing it was!
MISSIONARIES DO A VITAL WORK
In 1962, Uganda gained its independence from
Britain. The following year Brother Henschel visited
Nairobi, Kenya, and discussed the possibility of send-
ing missionaries to Uganda. Who would be assigned
here?
Tom and Bethel McLain, from the 37th class of
Gilead, had recently arrived to serve in Nairobi.
How surprised they were when they were then as-
signed to Kampala! But they willingly accepted the
change and became the
first Gilead-trained mis-
sionaries in Uganda. “Ini-
tially, we missed Kenya,”
admits Tom, “but soon we
thoroughly enjoyed Ugan-
da—the friendly people
and the eager response to
the witnessing work.”
Tom and Bethel had
been learning Swahili in
Kenya, but now they had
to learn a new language
—Luganda. They had lit-
tle more at their disposal
than dogged determina-
tion, reliance on Jehovah,
and the help of a “teach
yourself ” book. During

Tom and Bethel McLain

were the first Gilead-trained
missionaries in Uganda
 The first missionary home in Jinja

their first month in Uganda, they devoted 250 hours to

studying their new language, and during the second,
150 hours. This was in addition to the 100 hours they
spent in field service. Gradually they mastered their
new tongue and enjoyed fine results in their ministry.
In January 1964, Tom and Bethel were joined by
Gilbert and Joan Walters from the 38th class of Gile-
ad. Two other couples from the 38th class, Stephen
and Barbara Hardy and Ron and Jenny Bicknell, had
been assigned to nearby Burundi but because of visa
problems, they too were assigned to Uganda. In short
order, Kampala needed another missionary home.
The congregation in Kampala was unforgettable. It
included Brother Kadu and his family; John and Eu-
nice Bwali, a special pioneer couple from Northern
Rhodesia, and their children; and Margaret Nyende
and her young ones. The meetings were held in a
place that was virtually in the open. “Passersby could
UGANDA 81
 “I Felt I Could Not
Say Anything”
MARGARET NYENDE

BORN 1926 BAPTIZED 1962

PROFILE The first Ugandan sister to
accept the truth. Served as a regular
pioneer for more than 20 years. Still an
active publisher.

˛ MY HUSBAND enjoyed the Bible studies that Brother Kil-

minster conducted with him and thought that I should
study as well because of my deep love for the Bible. So ar-
rangements were made for John Bwali’s wife, Eunice, to
study with me.
I loved what I was learning, but I was afraid of preach-
ing to others. I was timid by nature and felt I could not say
anything. But Eunice was patient with me, first by helping
me to read just one scripture. Then, as we walked between
calls, she taught me to prepare some comments on the
scripture. With Jehovah’s support, I overcame my fear.
Shortly before my baptism, I was stunned when my
husband rejected the truth and left me and our seven chil-
dren. Nevertheless, the brothers and sisters were wonder-
ful; they provided practical and spiritual help to me and
the children. A foreign couple who traveled to Kampala for
the meetings would stop on their way and take the chil-
dren and me in their car. I am very grateful that four of my
children and their families have chosen to serve Jehovah.
Eventually, I was able to serve as a regular pioneer.
When arthritis reduced my mobility, I set up a literature
table outside my house and talked to passersby. In this
way I was able to continue in the full-time ministry.
 Gilead missionaries
Barbara and Stephen Hardy

see and hear us, few as

we were,” recalls Gilbert
Walters. “The Bwali fam-
ily lustily led the singing
of Kingdom songs in des-
cant without accompani-
ment, all in public view. It
gave us courage to contin-
ue.”
Before long, Gilbert
and Joan Walters were
assigned to open a missionary home in Jinja, where
no organized preaching had yet been done. Later, two
more missionary homes were opened—one in Mbale,
near the border with Kenya, and the other in Mbarara.
The missionaries in those homes worked along with a
number of special pioneers from other countries. The
field was clearly “white for harvesting.” (John 4:35) But
what could be done to speed up the ingathering?
IMPROVED ORGANIZATION
The full-time servants in Uganda endeavored to
cover their huge territory as systematically as possi-
ble. During the week, they would preach in the hous-
ing estates, where streets and plots are identified
by names and numbers. How, though, could they
methodically cover territories where streets had no
names and houses were not numbered?
“We divided the territory into hills,” explains
Tom McLain. “Two of us went around one side of the
hill while two others went around the other side. We
UGANDA 83
followed the paths, working up and down the hill un-
til the four of us met.”
The foreign brothers soon began to benefit from
the growing number of Ugandan Witnesses who
knew the territory and understood the local cul-
ture. In return, the local publishers gained valu-
able experience from the foreign brothers and sis-
ters. In Jinja, for example, Ugandan brothers were
already accompanying the missionaries in field ser-
vice. On Sundays they be-
‘It was quite unusual gan with house-to-house
to listen to a conversation work from 8:00 a.m. to
between an American 10:00 a.m. Next, they
and a Scot on an African spent an hour making re-
radio station’ turn visits and then con-
ducted a Bible study until
noon. In this way, all in the congregation benefited
from an interchange of expertise and encouragement.
Jinja, then the second-largest town in the country,
had the luxury of a hydroelectric power station and,
as a result, was an attractive location for industrial
development. The missionaries had great success wit-
nessing at the bustling taxi and bus stations. Travel-
ers from distant places eagerly accepted Bible litera-
ture to read on their journey. Thus, Kingdom seed was
being scattered far and wide into surrounding rural
areas.
The brothers also used radio broadcasts to convey
the good news to as many people as possible. They ob-
tained a regular weekly slot on national radio that
was called “Things People Are Thinking About.” The
brothers presented such thought-provoking subjects
as “Facing the Crisis in Family Life” and “How to Pro-
84 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
tect Yourself From Crime and Violence” in the form of
a dialogue between “Mr. Robbins” and “Mr. Lee.” One
of the brothers recalls: “It was quite unusual to listen
to the broadcast and hear this conversation between
an American voice and a Scottish voice on an African
radio station. We often had feedback about the pro-
gram in our field ministry, showing that it did serve a
useful purpose.”
HELP FOR NEWER PREACHERS
The Jinja group at that time held their meetings
in the community center of the main housing es-
tate, Walukuba. “Many of the brothers were new,” re-
members Tom Cooke, “and had few publications from
which to prepare their meeting assignments.” What
could be done?

Mary Nisbet (center) with her sons Robert (left),

George (right), and William and his wife, Muriel (rear)

UGANDA 85
 “The missionaries put together a library in the
home of a brother who lived in the middle of the hous-
ing estate,” recalls Tom. “Every Monday night those
with assignments would go there to use the library
and to get help with their talk assignments.” Now
there are several congregations around Jinja that find
that spiritual fishing is still successful at this prima-
ry source of the Nile.
TRAVELING OVERSEERS PROMOTE SPIRITUAL GROWTH
In September 1963, the preaching work in Ugan-
da came under the supervision of the newly estab-
lished Kenya branch, and William and Muriel Nisbet
were assigned to visit Uganda as part of their Nairobi-
based circuit. Remarkably, William was following in
the footsteps of his older trailblazing brothers, Robert
and George, who had preached in Uganda some 30
years earlier. The publishers now benefited from the
hard work of a “second shift” of Nisbets.
Interest was growing, more groups were being es-
tablished, and the publishers were scattered over a
wide area. So, regular visits from traveling overseers
rendered a vital service in providing training and en-
couragement and reassuring isolated brothers and
sisters that “the eyes of Jehovah are upon the righ-
teous ones.”—1 Pet. 3:12.
In 1965, Stephen and Barbara Hardy visited con-
gregations in a circuit that extended from Uganda to
the Seychelles, a group of islands 1,600 miles away in
the Indian Ocean. At one point, they made a “scouting
expedition” of Uganda to determine where pioneers
might enjoy the best results. Using a Volkswagen Kom-
bi lent to them by the Kenya branch for transport and
accommodation, they traveled through most of Ugan-
86 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Arua
Gulu
Lira

Masindi Soroti
Hoima
UGANDA
Fort Portal KAMPALA

Masaka

Mbarara LAKE
Kabale VICTORIA

Brother Hardy and his wife traveled through

most of Uganda in six weeks

da in just six weeks, visiting the towns of Masaka,

Mbarara, Kabale, Masindi, Hoima, Fort Portal, Arua,
Gulu, Lira, and Soroti.
“The journey was thrilling,” recalls Brother Hardy,
“and the preaching was a delight. Everyone, including
the local authorities, was helpful and friendly. Many
times when we called at a home to speak with a house-
holder, the visit would develop into a ‘public talk’ as
neighbors and passersby joined in to listen to our mes-
sage. Even when we stopped at what we thought was
a secluded spot, smiling people would soon begin to
approach, feeling that we were their visitors. Litera-
ture supplies diminished quickly. We placed some 500
books and obtained many subscriptions to The Watch-
tower and Awake!”
The friendliness, curiosity, and spiritual inclina-
tion of the Ugandan people seemed to indicate that
UGANDA 87
there was great potential for spiritual growth. Most im-
portant, the Hardys were thrilled to experience Jeho-
vah’s blessing on the preaching work in this fertile
field.
JEHOVAH MAKES IT GROW
A milestone in the history of Jehovah’s people in
Uganda was reached on August 12, 1965, when the
International Bible Students Association was regis-
tered, giving legal recognition to our disciple-making
work. Honesthearted Ugandans—such as George Ma-
yende, Peter and Esther Gyabi, and Ida Ssali—formed
a small but solid core of stalwart Witnesses during the
1960’s. By 1969, Uganda reported 75 publishers scat-
tered among a population of some eight million, a ratio
of more than a hundred thousand people for every
Witness. By 1970, the number of Kingdom proclaim-
ers had increased to 97, and then to 128 in 1971. By
1972, there were 162 active Witnesses of Jehovah in
Uganda.
Though the growth was encouraging, the broth-
ers knew that their strength was, not in their growing
numbers, but in “God who makes it grow.” (1 Cor. 3:7)
What they did not know was that the 1970’s would
bring dramatic changes in their lives and severe tests
of faith. General Idi Amin’s military coup in 1971 was
followed by a dictatorship that caused turmoil for mil-
lions and resulted in many thousands of deaths. In-
creasingly, there were skirmishes between the gov-
ernment and factions that were opposed to the new
political setup. From time to time, borders with neigh-
boring countries were closed. Curfews were imposed.
People began disappearing. Others came under sur-
veillance. How would our peace-loving brothers and
88 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
sisters in Uganda respond to this upheaval, intimida-
tion, and violence?
“DIVINE RULERSHIP” OR MAN’S RULERSHIP?
Right at that time, plans were being made to host
the 1972 “Divine Rulership” District Assembly in Kam-
pala, the first such convention to be held in Ugan-
da. Delegates would be coming from Kenya, Tanza-
nia, and faraway Ethiopia. How would they cope with
the simmering tensions, escalating political and trib-
al clashes, and harrowing border crossings? Should
the convention be canceled? The brothers made the
convention a matter of fervent prayer, petitioning Jeho-
vah’s guidance on convention arrangements and on
the delegates who would be traveling.
Later, the situation appeared even more menac-
ing when delegates arriving at the border saw large

Tom Cooke delivering a talk at the “Divine Rulership”

District Assembly in Kampala
 George and Gertrude Ochola

groups of people fleeing the

country! Most were leaving
because of a government or-
der expelling all noncitizen
Asians—primarily Indians
and Pakistanis. Many, such
as foreign schoolteachers,
were departing because
they feared that the decree
boded ill for other ethnic
groups. Despite that, the
conventioners kept arriv-
ing. What would they find in
a city seething with political
tension?
Surprisingly, they found
Kampala very calm, with
the brothers and interested
people cheerfully waiting at
the convention site for the
arrival of their guests. They
were also amazed to find that the authorities had
granted permission for an enormous banner to be
suspended across Kampala’s busiest street advertis-
ing the date and location of the convention. There, at
this time of unprecedented turmoil, was the title of the
public talk in bold letters: “Divine Rulership—The Only
Hope of All Mankind”!
The program was presented successfully without
disturbance, with a peak attendance of 937—a sig-
nificant milestone in the history of pure worship in
Uganda. Afterward, although the return of foreign del-
90 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
egates was hampered at the borders, their zeal re-
mained undiminished, and all got home safely. In the
midst of growing political uncertainty, Jehovah’s peo-
ple had courageously made known their allegiance to
their Sovereign Ruler. And at this crucial time, God had
made his people ‘bold with strength.’—Ps. 138:3.
Among the Ugandans who attended were George
and Gertrude Ochola. “That was my very first assem-
bly,” recollects Gertrude, “and the one where I was
baptized!” George, though, was not yet a Witness. He
was an avid soccer fan and was more interested in
the stadium as a sports venue. Nevertheless, his wife’s
good conduct and his own study of the Bible eventual-
ly moved him to symbolize his dedication by water bap-
tism in Kenya in 1975.
Gertrude recalls that she was among the first ones
from northern Uganda to learn the truth. “In 1972,
when I was baptized,” she reminisces, “I thought my
area was so remote. Now there is a Kingdom Hall here,
as well as a missionary home and a translation office.
This makes me even more excited than when I was
baptized!”
A “TROUBLESOME SEASON”
Without any warning, on June 8, 1973, radio and
television announcements declared that 12 religious
groups, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, were banned.
The new government had created a climate of pub-
lic fear and suspicion, falsely portraying foreigners as
spies. It became increasingly difficult for the mission-
aries to engage in the public ministry. Jehovah’s Wit-
nesses in Uganda had entered a particularly “trou-
blesome season.” (2 Tim. 4:2) What would happen to
them?
UGANDA 91
 Two missionary couples had already left the coun-
try that year because their applications to extend their
residence permits were denied. By mid-July, the re-
maining 12 missionaries had all been expelled. For-
eign brothers who had come to serve where the need
was greater were able to remain a little longer because
of their secular employment, but their freedom was
short-lived. By the following year, they were all com-
pelled to leave the country.
‘STEADFAST AND UNMOVABLE’
The remaining Ugandan publishers were under-
standably saddened by the departure of their dear
foreign brothers and sisters. But with Jehovah’s
strength they proved to be ‘steadfast and unmov-
able.’ (1 Cor. 15:58) Typical of their loyal spirit was
the unhesitating response of one elderly brother, Er-
nest Wamala, when informed that Jehovah’s Witness-
es had been banned. He asked, “How can they ban
what is in my heart?”
How would Ugandan elders, such as George Kadu
and Peter Gyabi, manage now that the foreign el-
ders had all gone? Their deep spirituality and un-
derstanding of local culture proved to be a blessing.
“For a person to come into the truth and serve Je-
hovah in Uganda,” explains Broth-
er Gyabi, “much self-discipline is
“How can they
needed to abandon customs that
ban what is in conflict with Jehovah’s standards.
my heart?” Self-discipline was especially vital
for responsible brothers who had
to rely solely on written instructions from Jehovah’s
organization.” The meticulous personal study of the
local elders helped them to avoid being misled by
92 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
faulty human wisdom. As a result, this trialsome peri-
od proved to be a time of spiritual progress for Jeho-
vah’s people, rather than a setback.
On the other hand, the population in general was
feeling increasingly insecure. Many people were being
harassed, and some lived in terror of the military. Cor-
ruption was rife, resulting in the collapse of the econ-
omy. A gorgeous land was suffering painful wounds.
Would Jehovah’s faithful servants in Uganda contin-
ue to find causes for rejoicing during this trialsome
time?
JOYFUL GATHERINGS
The government did whatever it could to suppress
all political meetings that seemed to pose a threat to
their regime. While Jehovah’s Witnesses maintained
strict neutrality, they also respected the Bible’s in-
struction not to forsake gathering together to encour-
age one another. (Heb. 10:24, 25) It took much cour-
age and ingenuity to keep meeting together under
the surveillance of suspicious authorities. How could
God’s servants avoid drawing attention to their inno-
cent gatherings?
First, they reorganized most meetings into smaller
groups in private homes. When they gathered in larg-
er groups, they did so under the pretense of having
a picnic. For example, once a month the whole con-
gregation met together for a talk and the Watchtower
Study. The brothers would arrange a picnic in a pub-
lic park or in someone’s garden. This tactic worked
well among the gregarious Ugandans, who did not
think it strange for a group of friends or relatives to
gather to enjoy themselves. In addition to discreetly
UGANDA 93
bringing along their Bibles and study books, the
brothers were adept at carrying everything needed for
a full-scale picnic and cookout! Such meetings made
them think of how the ancient Israelites must have
enjoyed their religious festivals.—Deut. 16:15.
Throughout the time of the ban, abbreviated cir-
cuit assemblies were held in the same way. De-
spite government efforts to hinder them, the broth-
ers never left off meeting together or preaching
the good news. Some brothers were even able to
attend conventions in
Nairobi and could share
their heartwarming ex-
periences when they re-
turned.

In spite of the ban, our brothers

continued to meet together
 ‘CAUTIOUS AS SERPENTS YET INNOCENT AS DOVES’
Responsible brothers had reason to believe that if
they were as “cautious as serpents and yet innocent as
doves,” the ban might not be strictly enforced and theo-
cratic activities could continue. (Matt. 10:16) So with
due caution, special pioneers continued in their as-
signments, and the publishers car-
ried on with the house-to-house Fred Nyende
ministry.
Of course, some were not happy
to see Jehovah’s Witnesses at their
door. One day in the mid-70’s, Peter
Gyabi was working in the ministry
with teenager Fred Nyende. Fred
had been an infant when his moth-
er learned the truth in 1962. Since
then, he had grown up, and his
maturity was about to be tested.
An angry householder—ev-
idently a plainclothes security
officer—recognized the brothers
as Jehovah’s Witnesses. He ar-
rested them and forced them into
his vehicle. They were understand-
ably anxious because thousands
of people who were apprehended
like that had simply disappeared.
Torture was also common, un-
der any or no pretext. On the way
to the security office, Peter and
Fred had time to pray to Jehovah
for strength to stay calm and faith-
ful. The man took them to his chief
officer, making accusations and
UGANDA 95
bombarding them with questions. However, Peter and
Fred saw firsthand the truth of the words of Proverbs
25:15: “By patience a commander is induced, and a
mild tongue itself can break a bone.” Fortunately, no lit-
eral bones were broken that afternoon. Peter’s calm
explanation of our law-abiding position and our ad-
herence to Bible teachings, along with the brothers’ re-
spectful demeanor and answers,
Emmanuel Kyamiza broke down the chief ’s prejudice.
What was the outcome?
The chief not only released Pe-
ter and young Fred but also or-
dered the man who arrested them
to drive them back to the territory!
Their humiliated “escort” grudg-
ingly complied, and the brothers
thanked Jehovah for their escape.
Other encounters with the po-
lice were less stressful. For ex-
ample, Emmanuel Kyamiza and
his wife secretly held meetings at
their home in Entebbe for their
family and a small group of in-
terested ones. To avoid establish-
ing a pattern of activity, Emman-
uel changed the places where he
conducted Bible studies. After
some time Emmanuel assumed
that his methods of eluding the
police were working well. One day,
after Emmanuel concluded a Bi-
ble study in the Entebbe Botan-
ical Gardens, a policeman ap-
proached him as he quickly tried
96 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
to slide his study material out of view. “Why are you
hiding your books?” inquired the officer. “We know
what you’re doing. We know you’re Jehovah’s Witness-
es. We even know where you meet. If we wanted to, we
would have arrested you long ago. But you can contin-
ue as you have been.” And Emmanuel did continue
—very faithfully!
Later, when Emmanuel retired from secular work
and moved back to his family’s village, he endured
much opposition and ridicule. Like Jesus, he was ‘un-
honored in his home territory.’ (Mark 6:4) Neverthe-
less, well into his 70’s, Emmanuel kept on “thriving
during gray-headedness,” and he regularly rode his bi-
cycle 18 miles to and from meetings. (Ps. 92:14) Today,
in his late 80’s, he still serves faithfully as a ministeri-
al servant, though he does not ride his bicycle as much
as he would like to.
PERSEVERING PIONEERS
Despite the continuing uncertainty, there were al-
ways a few who found a way to share in the pioneer
service. One largehearted pioneer during that time
was James Luwerekera, a government surveyor who
was baptized in 1974. Shortly after his baptism, he
took up farming in order to preach the good news to
those in the vicinity of his home village. His wife also
studied for a while, but as time went on, she did more
and more to oppose James.
For example, one morning while it was still dark,
James and some brothers set out to attend a district
convention in Nairobi. Later, when their vehicle was
stopped at a police checkpoint, the brothers noticed
something strange about James’ clothing—it was un-
characteristically mismatched and ill-fitting. Initially,
UGANDA 97
 God Blessed Our
Spiritual Harvest
S A M UEL M UK WAYA

BORN 1932 BAPTIZED 1974

PROFILE For many years Samuel
represented the organization in legal
matters, and he also served as an elder
and a pioneer.

˛ I WILL never forget what happened during a tour of the

Kenya branch office in Nairobi.
“What are these colored pins for?” I asked, as I exam-
ined a map of Uganda.
“These are places with a lot of interest,” replied Robert
Hart, a member of the Kenya Branch Committee.
“When are you sending pioneers there?” I asked, point-
ing to a bright pin at Iganga, my hometown.
“We are not sending anyone there,” he said. Then, look-
ing straight at me with a twinkle in his eye, he continued,
“You are going there.”
I was surprised at Brother Hart’s response because I
was not a pioneer, and I was not living in my hometown.
Somehow, though, this incident stuck in my mind, and af-
ter my retirement as a civil servant, I decided to move back
home and become a regular pioneer. What a joy it was to
see the handful of publishers increase rapidly to become a
strong congregation with their own Kingdom Hall!
When Patrick Baligeya was assigned to Iganga as a spe-
cial pioneer, he stayed with me, and we pioneered togeth-
er. We also planted a field of maize to support ourselves.

98 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
We started each day with an early-morning discussion of
the day’s text followed by a few hours of work in our maize
field. At midmorning we went into the territory and enjoyed
the ministry for the rest of the day.
As our maize seedlings grew, some neighbors suggest-
ed that our preaching was causing us to neglect our maize
field. We were well aware that maize needs protection
against monkeys all the time the cobs are maturing. Still,
we did not want to interrupt our spiritual harvest to chase
monkeys.
Shortly thereafter, we noticed two big dogs loitering
around our field. We did not know where they came from or
who owned them, but rather than chase them away, we put
some food and water out each day. Naturally, while the
dogs patrolled our field, the monkeys were nowhere to be
seen. Then, after four weeks, as suddenly as the dogs had
arrived, they disappeared—but not a day before our maize
was out of danger! We thanked Jeho-
vah for the bumper crop that served as
food for us rather than for the monkeys.
More important, how grateful we were
that God had also blessed our spiritual
harvest!
he joked that it was because he had dressed hastily in
the darkness. But when his friends pressed him for an
explanation, he admitted that his wife had hidden his
dress clothes to stop him from attending the conven-
tion. He had thus been forced to grab whatever clothes
he could find. James’ travel partners kindly gave him
some of their clothes, and he arrived at the convention
suitably attired.
Sometimes the opposition in James’ home and
neighborhood was merely an inconvenience. At other
times it was more intense. But it went on for years.
Through it all, James endured with mildness and built
a faithful record until his death in 2005. His faith is
still admired by the brothers and, without a doubt, re-
membered by his God, Jehovah.
‘A BROTHER BORN FOR WHEN THERE IS DISTRESS’
“A true companion is loving all the time, and is
a brother that is born for when there is distress.”
(Prov. 17:17) The brothers in Kenya proved to be true
companions during the distress and danger endured
by the Ugandan Witnesses in the 1970’s. Traveling
overseers and branch representatives needed cour-
age to cross the border into Uganda to provide sup-
port and encouragement for their dear brothers and
sisters.
Political chaos erupted in 1978 when a faction
of Uganda’s army invaded Tanzanian territory.
Tanzania’s military responded by overthrowing the
Ugandan government in April 1979, forcing Ugan-
da’s feared dictator, Idi Amin, to flee. Amin’s hasty
departure brought many changes to Uganda. “With
Amin,” says one brother, “went the ban.” The Uganda
Times announced: “Missionaries Are Free to Return.”
100 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
Detained
but Sustained
PATRIC K BALIGEYA

BORN 1955 BAPTIZED 1983

PROFILE Entered full-time service
shortly after his baptism. Serves in the
traveling work together with his wife,
Symphronia.

˛ WHEN a new government came to power in 1979, every-

one who had been connected to the former regime was “in-
vited” to go into protective custody. Announcements were
made that anyone not cooperating with the arrangement
would be viewed as unfriendly toward the new government
and would be treated as such. Because I had served as a
musician in the armed forces, I had to go into detention.
I was grateful that in detention I was able to read the Bi-
ble daily to keep my mind active. Besides, I was looking for
the truth, and I liked to talk with fellow inmates on Bible
subjects. In the same detention facility was one of Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses, John Mundua, who was there because
he had been a civil servant and belonged to the tribe that
was considered to have supported the former regime.
John eagerly shared the good news with me, and I
readily responded. We had only 16 Watchtower magazines
and the book Good News—To Make You Happy,1 but I im-
mediately realized that what I was learning was the truth.
After I had studied the Bible for three months, John felt
that I qualified to be a publisher. Shortly thereafter, he
1 Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Now out of print.

UGANDA 101
was cleared of all allegations and was released. My only
contact with Jehovah’s organization had gone. Still, I kept
conducting studies with interested ones in the detention
center as best I could.
I was released in October 1981, and I returned to my
village, where there were no Witnesses. My relatives tried
to pressure me into joining them in their religious prac-
tices. Jehovah, though, saw my desire to serve him, and he
sustained me. I knew that I should follow Jesus’ example,
so I began preaching on my own, and soon I had many
studies. One day a householder brought out The Truth That
Leads to Eternal Life and remarked, “What you are saying
resembles what I have read in this book.”1 The man had
only a limited interest, and I was very eager to read his
book as well as his stack of Watchtower magazines. So
in this case the householder agreed to place literature
with me!
But I had yet to find my fellow worshippers. Broth-
er Mundua had mentioned that there were Witnesses in
Jinja. Thus, I resolved to find the brothers there. After
spending almost an entire night in prayer, I set off early the
next morning without even having breakfast. The very first
man I met as I started walking was carrying a clear plastic
bag. I could barely believe my eyes when I saw that he
had an Awake! magazine in it. I had found one of my
brothers!
In 1984, I was thrilled to attend the first class of the
Pioneer Service School in Uganda. And who should be with
me in the class? None other than my dear brother John
Mundua. Even now, at 74 years of age, he continues to
serve faithfully as a regular pioneer.
1 Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Now out of print.

102 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
Jehovah’s people once again enjoyed religious free-
dom!
“EVEN IF THEY WANT TO KILL ME, I WILL GO”
In the confusion that followed the change in gov-
ernment, Uganda was looted as much as it was liber-
ated. A climate of anarchy resulted in thievery and un-
told violence. Nevertheless, the brothers in the Kenya
¨
branch immediately arranged for Gunter Reschke and
Stanley Makumba to visit Uganda and begin holding
circuit assemblies.
“Two weeks before going on this postwar visit,” re-
¨
calls Gunter, “we taught a pioneer school in Meru,
near Mount Kenya. I remember reading in the newspa-
per about the many killings in Kampala, especially at
night. After reading one excerpt aloud, I exclaimed:
‘And this is the place we’re supposed to visit next
week!’ But then I thought, ‘Do I want to be like Jonah
and run away from my assignment?’ Immediately, I
lost my apprehension and told myself, ‘Even if they
want to kill me, I will go. I will not run away like Jo-
nah.’ ”
The brothers went as planned, with Stanley visit-
¨
ing congregations in the country’s interior, while Gun-
ter served the larger towns. “There was a lot to re-
organize after the war,” they reported. “Only about 113
publishers were active in Uganda at the time. Every-
one was happy to meet freely again and hold an assem-
bly out in the open, and it was a joy to see 241 in at-
tendance.” Though the seeds of truth had been badly
trampled, it was evident they could still bear fruit.
DANGEROUS TIMES
At Mbale, near Uganda’s eastern frontier, the two
¨
visiting brothers, Gunter and Stanley, parked their car
UGANDA 103
in front of their host’s home for the night. During the
night they heard thieves removing parts from the ve-
¨
hicle. Gunter was about to shout at the burglars when
he remembered that earlier in the week thugs had
shot and killed a person who had tried to stop a bur-
¨
glary. On second thought, Gunter concluded that the
value of the car could not be compared with the val-
ue of life and decided not
to intervene. When day
dawned, they found that
two tires and the wind-
shield had been stolen.
They reported the theft to
the police, who advised,
“Take the car away before
the thieves come back to
get more parts!”
As soon as they could,
Stanley Makumba with his the brothers set off for
wife, Esinala, in 1998 Kampala. But without a
windshield and with only
¨
a blanket to cover Gunter and a hat to protect Stanley,
the wet and breezy 155-mile journey to Kampala was
less than comfortable. They had replaced one of the
stolen tires with the spare tire and had borrowed a
leaky tire to replace the other. To add to their anxiety,
they were informed that the borrowed tire had to be re-
turned in two days! The brothers held their breath and
hoped the tires would hold their air.
¨
To complicate the trip, Gunter and Stanley had to
negotiate a stretch of forest road that was notorious for
robbers. “Drive fast,” their host advised, “and don’t let
anyone overtake you.” The intrepid brothers were re-
104 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
lieved to arrive in Kampala safely—and in record time.
They had just enough time, in fact, to find someone to
take the borrowed tire back to Mbale.
NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
In 1980, while visiting world headquarters in
Brooklyn, New York, Brother Reschke was invited to
give a report to the Bethel family on developments in
Uganda. Afterward, members of the Governing Body
expressed the hope that missionaries might be sent
to Uganda once again. Everyone agreed that the time
was certainly ripe for more missionary activity. Larger
gatherings were again possible, and by 1981 the num-
ber of publishers in Uganda had already rebounded to
175. In fact, by July of that year, Uganda was thrilled
to record a new peak of 206 publishers.
Sadly, though, the fighting over the past ten years
had left discarded weapons and ammunition in the
hands of many unscrupulous people. Random shoot-
ings and robberies were alarmingly common. With
caution, preachers of the good news endeavored to
distribute our comforting Bible literature throughout
the territory, placing an average of 12.5 magazines
per publisher during July. However, prudence dictat-
ed that field service, as with other activities, should
be limited to daylight hours because nightfall great-
ly increased the risk of assault. Despite the dangers,
though, the potential for growth was unmistakable.
MISSIONARIES WELCOMED AGAIN
Gilead graduates Jeffrey Welch and Ari Palviainen
arrived in Kampala from Kenya in September 1982.
From the outset, Jeff and Ari, as the two brothers
became known, enjoyed gratifying results. “People at
UGANDA 105
that time were hungering for spiritual things,” Jeff re-
calls, “so the magazines with their appealing subjects
virtually placed themselves.”
In December, Jeff and Ari were joined by Heinz and
Marianne Wertholz from the Gilead Extension School
in Wiesbaden, Germany. From the start, the Wertholz-
es were deeply impressed by the way their Ugandan
brothers were able to thrive in Uganda’s damaged and
dangerous communities.
“Many services,” recalls Heinz, “such as water sup-
ply and communication had broken down. The politi-
cal situation remained tense. More than once there
was rumor of a coup, and there were many military
roadblocks. Shootings and robberies were common,
especially at night. When darkness fell, not one per-
son was to be found out on the streets. Everyone re-
mained at home hoping—and often praying—that the
night would pass without uninvited visitors.”
Heinz and Marianne were invited to stay with Sam
Waiswa and his family while looking for a house to use
as a missionary home. Although Sam was a profes-
sional educator, economic conditions in the country
had severely limited his resources, making his family’s
hospitality truly remarkable.
“It was difficult to find a house in a safe area,” says
Heinz, “so we ended up staying at Sam’s home for five
months. In that time we got to know each other very
well. Sometimes his large family had only one meal
a day, but they were always happy; and the children
were obedient and respectful. Because the city water
supply was not functioning properly, the children had
to carry home five-gallon plastic jerricans full of water
on their heads. When we came back from the ministry,
106 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
there was always fresh water for us. Of course, we
learned to economize. For example, we bathed with
just a few quarts of water and saved the rinse water in
a basin for flushing the toilets.”
In April 1983, some ten years after the earlier mis-
sionaries had been compelled to leave Uganda, the
four new missionaries found a home in a reasonably
safe area. The general insecurity and the scarcity of
provisions presented many challenges, but the love of
the local brothers more than compensated for those
inconveniences.
“We always enjoyed sharing the good news with the
people,” explains Marianne. “They were religious, most
had a Bible, and they were open to discussion. They
were very easy to approach and well mannered. And
despite the economic and other hardships, they al-
ways wore a happy smile.”

Heinz and Marianne Wertholz attended the first class

of the Gilead Extension School in Germany
 TIME LINE

Uganda
1931 Robert Nisbet and
David Norman preach
in East Africa.

1950 Kilminsters
move to Uganda.

1952 First congregation

is formed.

1956 First baptism

takes place.

1959 Foreign brothers

provide spiritual help.

1963 Gilead
missionaries
arrive.

1930 1940 1950 1960

 5,000
1972 First district
convention is held.

1973 Jehovah’s Witnesses

are banned and missionaries
expelled.

1979 Ban is lifted.

1982 Missionaries once

again allowed into the country.

1987 The Watchtower is

translated into Luganda
on a regular basis.

3,000
1988 First permanent
Kingdom Hall is dedicated.

2003 Branch office

is established.

2007 New
branch facilities
are dedicated.
1,000

Total Publishers
Total Pioneers

1980 1990 2000 2010

UGANDA 109
 OLDER ONES WANT TO DO MORE
Many older ones, held in high regard in Ugandan
culture, have responded to the good news and have
used their advancing years to serve Jehovah. For ex-
ample, Paulo Mukasa, a former teacher, was 89 years
old when he learned the truth. Having lived through
two world wars, colonial rule, a violent dictatorship,
and other political upheavals, Paulo was eager to
learn about God’s Kingdom. He was delighted when he
found out that the Messianic King, Jesus Christ, ‘will
deliver the poor one and the afflicted one from oppres-
sion and from violence.’—Ps. 72:12, 14.
When Paulo qualified for baptism two years later,
the brothers wondered, ‘Can we really dip a person
this old completely under the water?’ But they need
not have worried. While an anxious youthful candi-
date was hesitating to go into the water, 91-year-old
Paulo was baptized and emerged all smiles. Although
somewhat limited in his ministry, Paulo zealously
shared the Kingdom good news with any who would
visit him, until his death some years later.
Lovinca Nakayima was another one who had to
deal not only with advancing age but also with poor
health. Sickness left her legs so swollen that she was
unable to go anywhere without assistance. Still, when
the congregation was encouraged to auxiliary pioneer
for one month during the Memorial season, Lovinca
wanted to try. By taking interested people to Lovinca’s
home to study the Bible, the congregation helped her
to pioneer. The missionaries also taught her to write
letters to people in the villages, which she could do at
her own convenience. Then, on Saturdays, an elder
took Lovinca to a busy public area in Kampala, where
110 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 she could sit comfortably on a low wall and witness to
passersby all day long. Happy and satisfied at the end
of the month, Lovinca said, “Now I see that I can do it
—and enjoy it!” Not only did she auxiliary pioneer for
that one month but, with the kind support of the con-
gregation, she did so for 11 consecutive months!
“HOW DO YOU SAY . . . ?”
During the 1980’s, the hardworking publishers in
Uganda warmly welcomed a steady influx of eager
missionaries. Some were new Gilead graduates, and
others had been compelled to leave missionary as-
signments in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the
Congo). The increase in missionaries in Kampala and
Jinja made it possible to cover those densely populat-
ed territories more thoroughly, and the missionaries
were thrilled to find the Ugandan field ripe for harvest-
ing. Actually, the challenge was not just finding inter-
est but cultivating it.
Full of momentum from his months of Gilead train-
ing, Mats Holmkvist was eager to master the local
language in order to cultivate people’s interest in the
truth. By this time, Fred Nyende
“How do you say was a special pioneer in En-
‘God’s Kingdom’ in tebbe, and his translating and
Luganda?” interpreting skills were put to
good use teaching the new mis-
“Obwakabaka bwa sionaries to speak understand-
Katonda” able Luganda, a language full
of potential tongue twisters. In
fact, Mats found the challenge of learning his new lan-
guage quite daunting.
“How do you say ‘God’s Kingdom’ in Luganda?”
asked Mats in one of his first language classes.
UGANDA 111
 “Obwakabaka bwa Katonda,” came Fred’s rhyth-
mic reply.
‘That sounds impossible,’ thought Mats, regretting
that he had even asked the question. Nevertheless,
Mats made remarkable progress and gained a good
command of Luganda.
THE INGATHERING PROSPERS
Despite the difficulties Ugandans experienced
through most of the 1980’s, the response to Bible
truth was extraordinary. The number of publishers
mushroomed by more than 130 percent—from 328 in
1986 to 766 in 1990. New groups were springing up all
over the country. In Kampala the number of congrega-
tions doubled. The congregation in Jinja rejoiced to
see the number of publishers more than triple, while
the group in Iganga quickly became a full-fledged con-
gregation.
“The growth was so rapid,” recalls an elder in Jin-
ja, “that we wondered where all the new publishers
were coming from. For a while we had to schedule time
nearly every Sunday to meet with those who wanted to
become unbaptized publishers.”
HARVESTING A BIGGER FIELD
One of the factors contributing to the remarkable
growth was the outstanding pioneer spirit of the
brothers. Just like the first-century preachers Paul, Si-
las, and Timothy, full-time servants in Uganda ‘offered
themselves as an example to imitate.’ (2 Thess. 3:9)
With the growing need in the field and such fine exam-
ples, many zealous publishers were motivated to ex-
pand their ministry. Young and old, single and mar-
ried, male and female, and even some with families
112 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
He Finally Found the
True Religion
A sister asked a missionary, Mats
Holmkvist, to meet with Mutesaasira
Yafesi, who had been a pastor in the
Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Now he
was interested in Jehovah’s Witnesses
and had prepared a list of 20 neatly
printed questions. When he met Mats,
he presented the list to him.
After a two-hour Bible discussion, Mutesaasira stat-
ed: “I think I have finally found the true religion! Please
come and visit me in my village. There are other people
who want to know more about Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
Five days later, Mats and another missionary set out
on a motorcycle to visit Mutesaasira in Kalangalo—a
70-mile trip over difficult and muddy paths through tea
plantations. They were surprised when Mutesaasira took
them to a thatched hut that had a sign saying “Kingdom
Hall.” Yes, he had already prepared a structure that could
be used for Bible study and meetings!
There were ten others who were interested as a result
of the truths Mutesaasira had shared with them. Bible
studies were started, and Mats, undeterred by the long
distance, conducted them twice a month. The Bible stud-
ies progressed well. More than 20 people have become
publishers in Kalangalo, and a congregation is flourishing
in the nearby town of Mityana. In the meantime, Mute-
saasira made rapid progress and was baptized. He is
now well into his 70’s and serves as a congregation el-
der.
to support reinforced the ranks of hardworking pio-
neers. On average, more than 25 percent of all publish-
ers shared in some form of pioneer service during the
late 1980’s. Some have been able to continue in full-
time service up to now.
The pioneers readily supported special annual
preaching campaigns that were fondly called Mac-
edonia campaigns. (Acts 16:9, 10) Such campaigns
have continued over the years. Congregations preach
in unassigned or seldom-worked territory for up to
three months. Additionally, some regular pioneers
are appointed as temporary special pioneers in terri-
tories where there is greater need. The results have
been very encouraging. Many sincere people have ex-
pressed appreciation for these campaigns, which in-
troduced them to the truth, and numerous new
groups and congregations have been formed.
In one campaign, missionaries Peter Abramow and
Michael Reiss preached in the town of Kabale and con-
tacted Margaret Tofayo, who had previously studied
the Bible. She was convinced that what she had been
taught was the truth, and she had already been shar-
ing her beliefs informally. To provide whatever help
they could, the missionaries gave her their only copy
of Reasoning From the Scriptures. When the brothers
visited Margaret one last time before their departure,
she surprised them with a specially prepared meal.
They were overwhelmed by her kindness and generos-
ity but felt uneasy because they realized that she had
cooked her only chicken. They knew that the eggs she
used to get from this fowl had supplemented her fam-
ily’s meager diet. “Don’t worry,” she said, “you have giv-
en me more during your visit than I am giving you with
114 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
this meal.” She was eventually baptized and contin-
ued as a zealous publisher until her death.
The rapid growth can also be attributed to the way
the brothers used the excellent publications. “Al-
though we try to improve our skills as teachers,” says
Mats, mentioned earlier, “it is the Bible and the publi-
cations that make an impact on people and move them
to make changes in their lives. Even those who cannot
read well but who thirst for the truth can have their
hearts touched by our practical brochures.”
CONTENDING WITH OBSTACLES
The exciting progress during the late 1980’s, how-
´
ever, did not come without challenges. A coup d’etat
staged in July 1985 saw the military once again take
over the government. Security deteriorated as before,
and guerrilla warfare intensified. Fleeing troops went
on the rampage, looting property and shooting people
at random. For a while, the battle raged around the
area where the missionaries lived in Jinja. One day
their home was raided by soldiers, but when the in-
truders learned the identity of the missionaries, they
did not destroy anything and took very little. Then, in
January 1986, yet another regime came to power and
made an effort to restore some stability to the country.
The new government soon had to come to grips
with a new and devastating foe—AIDS. When the pan-
demic struck during the 1980’s, Uganda was one of the
nations most affected. A million people are thought to
have died, possibly more than those killed in 15 years
of political turmoil and civil war. How did the disease
affect our brotherhood?
“Some new brothers and sisters came into the truth
with much zeal and energy,” explains Washington
UGANDA 115
Ssentongo, a regular pioneer, “only to be consumed by
AIDS. They had been infected with the HIV virus before
learning the truth.” Others were infected by unbeliev-
ing mates.
“Sometimes it seemed that hardly a month would
go by without hearing about the burial of someone we
knew and loved,” says Washington, “and everyone was
losing family members. Also, there was a lot of super-
stition about AIDS. Many people linked it to witchcraft
and being cursed. This misguided outlook made peo-
ple fearful, stirred up unfounded prejudices, and un-
dermined reasoning ability.” Nevertheless, our broth-
ers and sisters loyally comforted one another with the
resurrection hope and with reassurances of their gen-
uine Christian love.
As the 1980’s drew to a close, there was a great deal
of optimism in Uganda. Security was being restored,
and the country was making an economic recovery. In-
frastructure improved, and social programs were re-
newed or implemented.
As more people placed greater emphasis on political
ideals, however, the neutrality of Jehovah’s Witnesses
was at times misunderstood. In one instance, authori-
ties arbitrarily stopped the construction of a Kingdom
Hall. Permission for some assemblies was denied, and
some missionaries had to leave the country when their
permits expired. By the end of 1991, only two mission-
ary brothers remained. What could be done to improve
the situation?
Eventually, a delegation of brothers met with au-
thorities to explain our neutrality. Once the authori-
ties understood our position, missionaries were per-
mitted to return to Uganda. The work progressed
116 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
unhindered, and in 1993, Uganda was happy to report
1,000 publishers. Then, it took only five more years to
reach 2,000 Kingdom proclaimers. Presently there are
about 40 missionaries doing fine work throughout the
country.
TRANSLATION SPEEDS UP THE INGATHERING
The English language is used throughout the
country. Luganda is, however, the most widely used lo-
cal language, while more than 30 languages are spo-
ken by various ethnic groups. Thus, a key factor that
has contributed to faster growth in recent times has
been the progress of translation work.
“Although my mother was a faithful witness,” said
Fred Nyende, “she found the meetings far more mean-
ingful when I translated study articles from English to
Luganda. What I didn’t realize was that I was getting
practice for a much greater translation work.” What
did Fred mean?
Shortly after he began pioneering in 1984, Fred
was asked to teach a Luganda-language course to the
missionaries. The following year he was invited to be-
come a member of the Luganda translation team. Ini-
tially, he and the other translators did their work
at home during their free time. Later, the team was
able to do their translation work together full-time in
a small room attached to a missionary home. Inter-
estingly, during the ban in the mid-1970’s, some is-
sues of The Watchtower had been translated into Lu-
ganda and mimeographed. After a while, though, this
project was discontinued. It was only in 1987 that
The Watchtower was once again published in Lugan-
da. Since then, the translation team has been en-
larged, and the translators have worked hard to
UGANDA 117
 Translation Teams
Luganda

Acholi

Lhukonzo

Runyankore
translate many more publications for the growing
number of Luganda-language congregations. Present-
ly, almost half of all congregations in the country are
Luganda speaking.
In time, our publications were also translated into
other languages. There are now permanent full-time
translation teams for Acholi, Lhukonzo, and Runya-
nkore. In addition, individual publications have been
translated into Ateso, Lugbara, Madi, and Rutoro.
The Acholi and Runyankore teams operate from
translation offices in Gulu and Mbarara respective-
ly, where those languages are predominantly spoken.
This helps the translators to keep up their mother
tongue and to produce a translation that is easily un-
derstood. At the same time, the local congregations en-
joy the support of the translators.
Without a doubt, translation work requires much
effort and considerable resources. The diligent Ugan-
dan translators, together with other translation teams
worldwide, have benefited from advanced training in
language comprehension and translation skills. The
results have been well worth the effort and expense
—more people in Uganda, from various “tribes and
peoples and tongues,” are benefiting from reading Bi-
ble truth in their own language than ever before. (Rev.
7:9, 10) As a result, by 2003, there were more than
3,000 Kingdom preachers in Uganda, and just three
years later, in 2006, there were 4,005.
NEEDED—MORE PLACES FOR WORSHIP
In earlier years the brothers gathered together for
meetings in private homes, community centers, and
school classrooms. The first buildings to be used ex-
clusively for Christian meetings were thatched-roof
UGANDA 119
adobe structures in the rural areas of Namaingo and
Rusese. The initiative and efforts of the brothers in
these two areas were clearly blessed, and congrega-
tions became firmly established there.
In the towns, however, even a modest building rep-
resents a large investment, and economic conditions
in Uganda made hopes for Kingdom Halls seem un-
realistic. It was not until March 1988 that the first
permanent Kingdom Hall was dedicated in Jinja. And
what effort that construction required—felling trees in
a nearby forest, trucking logs out on muddy roads, and
constructing the hall! Later, the brothers in Mbale,
Kampala, and Tororo also built Kingdom Halls using
their initiative and expertise.
Kingdom Hall construction gained impetus in 1999
when a construction group was established with
support from the Regional Engineering Office at the
South Africa branch. That branch appointed a crew of
nine, which included two international servants and
their wives. The eager crew quickly learned the job,
and they were also able to train local brothers. The
building program gained momentum, and 67 halls
were completed, on average, within a month and a half
each—a remarkable pace considering that power tools
are few, water is often scarce, and the supply of con-
struction materials is erratic.
Most congregations in Uganda now enjoy their
meetings in their own Kingdom Hall and experience
the benefits of having a hall in their community. Inter-
ested people are more inclined to come to a proper
place of worship than to a school classroom, so meet-
ing attendance has mushroomed and congregations
have experienced rapid growth.
120 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 COPING WITH RAPID EXPANSION
The phenomenal growth in the congregations,
however, was putting a strain on the limited venues
available for assemblies and conventions. What could
be done to find suitable places that did not require the
brothers to travel long distances, especially from ru-
ral areas? A happy solution was found when approval
was given to build expandable Kingdom Halls. These
are regular-size halls with a large, open-air extension
that has just a roof and a floor. When the rear wall of
the Kingdom Hall is opened for an assembly, the larg-
er audience can be accommodated using the covered
area. Such halls have already been completed in Ka-
jansi, Rusese, and Lira, and a fourth is under con-
struction in Seta.
Jehovah’s blessing on the spiritual growth in
Uganda has also required adjustments in organiza-
tion. Before 1994, there was just one circuit for the
whole country. Later, more circuits were formed to
care for the increasing number of congregations and
groups and the diversity of languages. Today, with 111
congregations and about 50 groups, Uganda has eight
circuits, three of which are Luganda speaking.
Apollo Mukasa, one of Uganda’s circuit overseers,
was baptized in 1972. In 1980 he entered full-time
service instead of pursuing higher secular education.
Does he regret his decision?
“Far from it,” says Apollo. “I have had so many re-
warding experiences as a special pioneer and as a
traveling overseer visiting congregations and, in the
early days, groups. I particularly enjoyed the advanced
spiritual and organizational training at the Ministeri-
al Training School.”
UGANDA 121
 In addition to Apollo, more than 50 brothers from
Uganda have received valuable education at the Min-
isterial Training School since 1994, when classes were
first held at the Kenya branch. Many of these will-
ing brothers provide vital assistance as special pio-
neers in smaller congregations and groups, while
others serve their brothers and sisters as traveling
overseers.
In 1995 a Country Committee was appointed in
Uganda to serve under the direction of the Kenya
branch. One of the Kampala missionary homes be-
came the home for a fledgling family of eight full-
time volunteers, which included the Luganda trans-
lation team. In September 2003, Uganda became a
branch.
“WE ARE NOW IN PARADISE”
For some time the Country Committee had been
trying to keep pace with the growth of the translation
teams and care for other increasing office functions.
Two properties adjacent to the office in Kampala were
purchased to fill the need. Eventually, though, larger
facilities were required to organize further expansion.
In 2001 the Governing Body gave approval for a ten-
acre piece of land to be bought for new branch facili-
ties on the outskirts of Kampala, close to the shore of
Lake Victoria.
Initially, the company best equipped to do the con-
struction did not respond to our request because they
were too busy to take on more work. But suddenly
they changed their mind and, amazingly, submitted
the most economical offer to build the new branch. Ap-
parently they had unexpectedly lost a large contract,
122 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
prompting them to agree to build the branch as soon
as possible.
In January 2006 the Bethel family was delighted to
move into the attractive, new two-story, 32-room resi-
dence. The complex included an office building, a spa-
cious dining room, a kitchen, and a laundry. The prop-
erty also has an ecologically friendly sewage system,
a warehouse for the shipping and literature depart-
ments, and buildings for a maintenance workshop,
water storage, and an electric generator. “We are now

Modern Kingdom Halls

are quite different
from earlier structures
(left)
Uganda Branch
Branch Committee: Mats Holmkvist,
Martin Lowum, Michael Reiss, and
Fred Nyende; office building (below)
and residence (right)
in paradise,” stated one brother enthusiastically, “only
everlasting life is missing!” The dedication talk was
given on Saturday, January 20, 2007, by Anthony Mor-
ris, a member of the Governing Body.
TRUE KNOWLEDGE BECOMES ABUNDANT
Throughout recent decades, in times both turbu-
lent and tranquil, Jehovah’s people in Uganda have
learned what it is like to ‘preach the word in favor-
able season and in troublesome season.’ (2 Tim. 4:2) In
2008 the 4,766 publishers rejoiced to be conducting
11,564 Bible studies and to have 16,644 in attendance
at the Memorial of Christ’s death. Those figures, and
the ratio of 1 publisher to 6,276 of the population, in-
dicate that the fields here are still “white for harvest-
ing.”—John 4:35.
At the same time, our brothers and sisters in Ugan-
da have learned from bitter experience how suddenly
circumstances can change and how quickly tests of
faith can be thrust upon us. Nevertheless, their expe-
riences have taught them to trust in Jehovah as well
as in the guidance of his Word and the support of our
worldwide brotherhood.
An angel told the faithful aged prophet Daniel that
in ‘the time of the end, true knowledge would become
abundant.’ (Dan. 12:4) With Jehovah’s blessing, true
knowledge has certainly become abundant in Uganda.
No doubt, in this region where the mighty Nile has its
source, abundant waters of truth will continue to bub-
ble forth to satisfy all those who are thirsting for spir-
itual truth. As Jehovah continues to bless the work
throughout the earth, we eagerly anticipate the time
when everyone will be united in giving a mighty shout
of praise to Jehovah—for all eternity!
UGANDA 125
 Albania
ALBANIA is a small land with a rich, complex story. It
has been traversed by tribes and nations, buffeted
by world powers, and subjected to decades of radical
isolation. While Jehovah’s Witnesses here have faced
many challenges and much adversity, Jehovah God
has sustained and blessed them with delightful spir-
itual prosperity. The following pages briefly portray
their exciting history and show how “the hand of Je-
hovah” has supported his humble servants in this
land.—Acts 11:21.
For centuries, foreign powers struggled for con-
trol of Albania, and with their struggle they brought
religious conflict. By the early 1500’s, the area
was religiously divided, with some people professing
to be Muslim, others Orthodox, and still others Cath-
olic.
The late 1800’s saw the rise of Albanian nation-
alism and the formation of many patriotic societies.
Most people in Albania were peasants, and many
blamed years of foreign intervention for their poverty.
By 1900, autonomy and independence were burning
issues that sparked wars with Greece, Serbia, and
Turkey. Eventually, in 1912, Albania declared itself an
independent country.
Later, government policy virtually eliminated the
practice of organized religion. After World War II, Com-
munist authorities abolished all religion and hailed
Albania as the world’s first atheist state.
127
 ‘TAKING HOLD OF THE TRUTH WITH JOY’
Before 56 C.E., the apostle Paul reported that he
and his companions had thoroughly preached the
good news “as far as Illyricum,” a Roman province
that included part of what is today Albania. (Rom. 15:
19) It is quite likely that some in the region became
true Christians at that time, for secular history re-
ports that Christianity took root in Albania in the first
century.
The first modern record of true worship in this
general area was in 1921, when John Bosdogian-
nis wrote to Brooklyn Bethel from Crete about visit-
ing the Bible study “class” in Ioannina, now a part
of northern Greece. At about the same time, many
Albanians settled in New England, in the United
States, including Thanas (Nasho) Idrizi and Costa
Mitchell. When they learned the truth, they immedi-
ately got baptized. Brother Idrizi went back to Gjiro-
¨
kaster, Albania, in 1922—the first Albanian to return
to his country with Bible
truths. Jehovah blessed
his self-sacrificing spirit,
and people began to re-
spond. Soon other be-
lieving Albanians living
in America followed him
back home. In the mean-
time, Costa Mitchell con-
tinued preaching in the
Albanian field in Boston,
Massachusetts, U.S.A.

After learning the truth

in New England, U.S.A., Thanas
Idrizi took the good news to
¨
Gjirokaster, Albania
 Sokrat Duli taught his brother the truth

Sokrat and Thanas Duli (Athan Doulis) were born

in Albania but were taken to Turkey as boys. Sokrat re-
turned to Albania in 1922. The following year, 14-year-
old Thanas also went back, looking for his brother.
“On arrival at our old home,” he wrote, “I did not im-
mediately find my brother, for he was working some
125 miles away. But I did find The Watch Tower, the Bi-
ble, and seven volumes of Studies in the Scriptures,
as well as other pamphlets on Bible topics. Evident-
ly, even in that remote mountain district, there were
active Bible Students who had been to America and
brought back with them a familiarity with the Bible
and a love for it.” When the two finally met, Sokrat—by
then a baptized Bible Student—did not hold back from
teaching his brother, Thanas, the truth.
In 1924, the Romania office was assigned to over-
see the newly opened field in Albania. Although the
ALBANIA 129
witness work was still limited, The Watch Tower of De-
cember 1, 1925, reported: “The Harp of God, also The
Desirable Government and The World Distress booklets
were translated and printed in the native tongue . . . A
goodly number [have been] placed in the hands of the
people, and the Albanians are taking hold of the truth
with much joy.”
During that time, Albania was torn apart by politi-
cal strife. What, though, about Jehovah’s servants?
“In 1925 there were three orga-
The title was nized congregations in Albania, as
first translated well as isolated Bible Students,”
The Guitar wrote Thanas. He also noted that
of God the love among them was in sharp
contrast to the strife, egotism, and
competition of the people around them. While many
Albanians were leaving the country, others who had
learned the truth were returning, eager to teach their
relatives about Christ’s newly established Kingdom.
Meanwhile, back in Boston, public talks were being
delivered in the Albanian language on Sunday morn-
ings to audiences of about 60 people. Those in atten-
dance were serious students who loved to pore over
the volumes of the Studies in the Scriptures. The book
The Harp of God was also thoroughly studied, despite
some translation errors. (For example, the title was
first translated The Guitar of God.) Nevertheless, this
book helped scores of Albanians learn Bible truth and
build a strong faith.
“DON’T BOTHER THEM!”
In 1926, The Watch Tower reported that in Alba-
nia 13 had attended the Memorial of Christ’s death.
“There are only about fifteen consecrated brethren in
130 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
Albania,” said the 1927 Yearbook, “and these are doing
their best to spread the message of the kingdom.” The
Yearbook stated: “In America there are about thirty
consecrated Albanian brethren, and these are anx-
ious to assist their fellow countrymen to get a knowl-
edge of the Truth.” The 15 brothers in Albania rejoiced
to have 27 at the Memorial in 1927, more than twice
the number that had attended the previous year.
During the late 1920’s, there was still much politi-
cal turmoil in Albania. A government led by Fan Noli,
an Orthodox bishop, briefly seized power, only to be
toppled by President Ahmed Bey Zogu. He proclaimed
Albania a kingdom in which he, as King Zog I, had the
final word.
During 1928, Lazar Nasson, Petro Stavro, and two
other brothers traveled from the United States to Al-
bania to show the “Photo-Drama of Creation.” At the
same time, a Catholic priest and an Orthodox priest
from the United States were also in Albania, visiting
King Zog I.
“Beware!” the Catholic priest cautioned Zog. “Men
have come from America to cause you trouble.”
The Orthodox priest, however, disagreed. He knew
the brothers because not long before this, they had left
his very church in Boston. “If everyone in Albania were
like these men,” he told Zog, “you wouldn’t have to lock
your palace doors!”
“Then leave them alone,” replied Zog, “and don’t
bother them!”
During that same year, Songs of Praise to Jehovah
was printed in Boston in Albanian, and as a result, the
brothers in Albania eventually learned the melodies
and words of the songs it contained. Two favorites were
ALBANIA 131
 Albania Overview
Land Albania is located in southeastern Europe, north of
Greece and east of the heel of Italy’s boot. It covers 11,100
square miles, and its 225-mile coastline stretches along
the Adriatic and Ionian seas. White sandy beaches and tur-
quoise waters with a backdrop of tall mountains adorn Al-
¨ ¨
bania’s riviera, which extends from Vlore to Sarande. The
north and the interior of the country are filled with jagged
mountain ranges, whereas the southwest has fertile low-
lands used for farming.
Population The population is estimated at 3,600,000 and
is mostly made up of ethnic Albanians, with a small per-
centage of Roma, Greek, and Serbian ethnic groups.
Climate Along southern coastal flat areas, summers aver-
age 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet, in the northern mountains
¨
of Diber in the winter, temperatures drop to as low as mi-
nus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Food A pie with a flaky crust filled with spinach, cheese, to-
matoes, and onions or with a variety of other vegetable or
meat fillings is called byrek. Chicken or lamb baked in a sa-
vory yogurt-and-dill sauce is tava e kosit. Albanians love
eating with a spoon, as soups and stews are common. Of-
ten on special occasions when lamb is on the menu, the
honored guest will be served the head. Among Albania’s
many desserts are baklava (pictured right)
and kadaif, which are baked pastry
dough covered with syrup or honey
and nuts. For an Albanian, bread is a
staple. If you want to tell someone
that you have eaten, you simply say,
¨ ¨
“Hengra buke,” meaning “I ate bread.”

132
MONTENEGRO KOSOVO

Lake
Scutari
¨
Kukes
¨
Shkod er
AD

Burrel
R

MACEDONIA
¨
Mezez
¨ ¨
I

Durres TIRAN E

¨
A

Kavaje

Lake
A L B A N I A
T

Ohrid

Lake
Gramsh Prespa
I

¨
Kuçove
Fier
C

Berat ¨
Korçe

¨
Vlore
S

¨ ¨
¨ Kelcyre
Tepelene Barmash
E

¨
Permet
¨
A

Gjirokaster

¨
Sarand e GREEC E

Ioannina
 Early Conventions
Aside from the Albanian Public Meet-
ings on Sunday, the Albanians in New
England, U.S.A., generally associated
with English or Greek congregations.
During the 1920’s and 1930’s, the Al-
banians enjoyed attending conven-
tions held in the Greek language. Still,
they were happy to have their own lan-
guage badge, which read: “Albanian
Bible Students’ Three-Day Conven-
tion.”
Badge (at right) worn by Albanian
brothers (below) at a Boston
convention in the late 1920’s

134 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
“Fear Not, O Little Flock” and “To the Work!”—songs
that fortified the brothers in the difficult years that fol-
lowed.
Albanians in general do not mince words, and they
appreciate frank speech. What others may consider to
be a sharp conversation is to Albanians often normal,
animated communication. Albanians who feel strong-
ly about a certain matter not only eagerly share their
opinions but also often speak and act on them with
strong conviction. These traits have certainly influ-
enced their reaction to the good news.
DIFFICULTIES PRODUCE POSITIVE RESULTS
On account of increasing political and economic
problems, more Albanians were leaving the country,
and some of them were learning the truth in New En-
gland and New York. Wherever there was a concentra-
tion of Albanians, the truth flourished. Eager for more
literature, the brothers rejoiced to receive the booklets
Kingdom and The Crisis in Albanian.
At the same time, authorities in Albania had con-
fiscated some of our literature. In 1934, however, the
Bulletin (now Our Kingdom Ministry) reported from Al-
bania: “With great joy we write to you that an order has
just been issued from the Secretary of Justice to all
the provinces to the effect that all our literature is
from now on free for circulation . . . All books and
booklets which have been seized by the different pre-
fects have been restored to the brethren . . . Now seven
brethren have hired an automobile [and are] visiting
the distant cities with books while the other brethren
are working in places near by.” As a result, in 1935 and
1936, the brothers placed over 6,500 pieces of litera-
ture!
ALBANIA 135
 “BELIEVED TO BE THE MOST WIDESPREAD
BROADCAST IN HISTORY”
“What is believed to be the most widespread broad-
cast in history will be attempted,” announced the
British newspaper Leeds Mercury in early 1936.
“The occasion will be a speech at Los Angeles by
Judge Rutherford, the evangelist.” J. F. Rutherford,
who took the lead among Jehovah’s Witnesses at the
time, was to deliver a discourse that would be trans-
mitted throughout the United States and Great Brit-
ain by radiotelephone and relayed to a number of Eu-
ropean countries. “There is one European Country in
which the speech will certainly not be heard,” conclud-
ed the Mercury article. “That is Albania, which has no
telephone service.”
A few weeks after the discourse, however, Nicholas
Christo in the Albanian congregation in Boston wrote
to the world headquarters: “We wish to inform you
that from communications recently received from Al-
bania Judge Rutherford’s speech on ‘Separating the
Nations’ was heard in that land, thus adding another
country to the already long list of those that heard it.
It was picked up at two different places . . . , apparent-
ly by shortwave transmission. . . . The friends were
thrilled beyond expression at hearing Judge Ruther-
ford’s voice.”
How were the Albanian publishers conducting
their meetings before The Watchtower was pub-
lished in Albanian? Most Albanians who embraced
the truth were men who had attended Greek schools
in southern Albania. So they had no difficulty study-
ing the Greek Watchtower. Others studied it in Italian
or French. While the meetings were held in Alba-
136 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Nicholas Christo
shared the good news with
Albanian dignitaries

nian, the brothers trans-

lated the literature as they
went along.
In Boston too the
Monday-night Albanian
Watchtower Study was
conducted with a Greek
edition of the magazine.
Nevertheless, many broth-
ers taught their chil-
dren well, and years later
their sons and daugh-
ters, nieces and nephews,
grandchildren and great-
grandchildren became
full-time servants. In fact,
the Albanian brothers be-
came so well-known for
their zealous witnessing that people began calling
¨
them ungjillore, meaning “evangelizers.”
THOSE IN HIGH PLACES GET A WITNESS
In 1938, one year before King Zog’s monarchy was
overthrown, two of his sisters traveled to Boston. In
December the magazine Consolation (now Awake!) re-
ported: “When the Albanian princesses came to Bos-
ton, two of us from the Albanian unit of the Boston
company of Jehovah’s witnesses called at their hotel
and presented them with a message of God’s kingdom.
They received us very kindly.”
ALBANIA 137
 The two Witnesses were Nicholas Christo and his
sister, Lina. They met not only the princesses but also
five other dignitaries, including the then Albanian am-
bassador to the United States, Faik Konitza [Konica].
Prior to the meeting, an Albanian testimony card was
read to the group explaining how extensively the truth
was being preached among Albanians. “We are glad to
inform you,” it stated in part, “that this message has
also been proclaimed in Albania for many years and
tens of thousands of books have been placed in the
hands of the officials and the people of Albania for
their enlightenment and comfort.”
Ambassador Konitza said to the princesses: “It is
their wish that you use your influence that their
preaching go on unmolested in Albania. Theirs is a
‘new’ faith, and they believe that the world [present
world organization] will soon come to an end and after
that Christ shall reign and then even the dead will be
resurrected.”
How did Mr. Konitza know so much about the King-
dom message? Consolation explained that it was “be-
cause a witness, prior to . . . coming into the truth
years ago, knew him well . . . and had on several occa-
sions discussed the truth with him.”
WORLD WAR II BRINGS TESTS
During the 1930’s, Italy took control of Albania,
and King Zog and his family fled the country in 1939.
The invading Fascist military from Italy banned our
literature and made it illegal for the 50 publishers to
preach. In the summer of 1940, some 15,000 pieces
of literature were confiscated. On August 6, in Kel- ¨
¨
cyre, the Fascists arrested nine of the brothers and
confined them in a 6-by-12-foot cell. Later they were
138 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
moved to a prison in Tirane.¨ They were detained for
eight months without a trial and then received sen-
tences ranging from ten months to two and a half
years.
Under these circumstances, prisoners had to get
food from their families. But in this case the bread-
winners who usually provided for their families were
in jail. How would they provide for themselves?
“We got 30 ounces of dry bread, seven pounds of
coal, and a bar of soap every 15 days,” remembers
Nasho Dori. “Jani Komino and I had enough money
for two pounds of beans. We used the coal to boil the
beans, which other prisoners then offered to buy by
the spoonful. Pretty soon we had five big pots of beans
going. We eventually had enough money to buy some
meat.”
In the winter of 1940/1941, Greek armies invaded
southern Albania and forced men there to join them.
In one village when a brother refused, saying that he
was neutral, the soldiers dragged him by the hair and
beat him until he passed out.
“Are you still disobedient?” snapped the com-
manding officer when the brother regained con-
sciousness.
“I am still neutral!” said the brother.
Frustrated, the soldiers let him go.
Several days later, the officer went to the home of
the brother whom he had tortured and commended
him for his courage. “A few days ago, I killed 12 Italians
and received a medal,” he said. “But I have a guilty
conscience, and I am ashamed to wear it. I keep the
medal in my pocket because I know that it is a sign of
criminal activity.”
ALBANIA 139
 NEW RULERS—THE SAME TESTS
Amid the battles and turmoil of the war, the Alba-
nian Communist Party was stealthily gaining a foot-
hold, despite the Fascist struggles to keep control. In
1943, soldiers fighting against the Communists cap-
tured a brother, threw him into a truck, took him to the
battle lines, and handed him a rifle. He refused it.
“You are a Communist!” screamed the commander.
“If you were a Christian, you would fight just like the
priests do!”
The commander ordered the soldiers to kill the
brother. Just as the firing squad was about to shoot,
another officer came by and asked what was going on.
Learning about the brother’s neutral stand, he gave a
counterorder not to shoot, and the brother was set
free.
In September 1943, the Fascists withdrew and the
¨
German armies invaded, killing 84 people in Tirane in
just one night. Hundreds were sent to concentration
camps. Meanwhile, the brothers typed out messages
of hope and encouragement
“If you were a from the Bible. When a person
Christian, you would finished reading the typewrit-
fight just like the ten message, he was asked to
priests do!” return it so that it could be of-
fered to someone else. Then, us-
ing the few booklets they had hidden, the brothers just
kept preaching. They preached with only parts of the
Bible and did not have a complete Bible translation
until the mid-1990’s.
Fifteen brothers had served prison sentences by
1945. Two of them had been sent to concentration
camps, where one of them was tortured to death. Iron-
140 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
ically, while the brothers in Albania were being perse-
cuted for not joining the Axis forces, some Albanian
brothers in the United States were imprisoned for not
fighting against the Axis forces.
In war-torn Albania, confiscated literature was be-
ing held at a customs house. In the fury of a battle
nearby, the building collapsed, flinging much of our
literature into the street. Afterward, curious passers-
by picked up books and booklets and started reading
them! The brothers did not waste any time collecting
the remaining literature.
In 1944, German forces withdrew from Albania,
and the Communist army established a provision-
al government. Immediately, the brothers applied for
permission to reprint booklets, but their request was
denied. “The Watchtower attacks the clergy,” the broth-
ers were told, “and in Albania we still recognize the
clergy.”
THE WAR ENDS BUT PERSECUTION CONTINUES
The new Communist administration imposed high
taxes and took over property, factories, businesses,
shops, and cinemas. People were not allowed to buy,
sell, or rent land, and all produce had to be turned over
to the State. On January 11, 1946, Albania declared it-
self the People’s Republic of Albania. The Communist
Party won elections and established its government
with Enver Hoxha as chief of state.
More schools were opened, and children were be-
ing taught to read, though the government did not
want anyone to read any literature that did not pro-
mote Communism. Our publications were seized, and
the government also confiscated the small supply of
paper and the few typewriters that the brothers had.
ALBANIA 141
 Each time the brothers made attempts to get ap-
proval to publish literature, they were rebuffed and
threatened. But they stood firm. “Jehovah has given
us the responsibility to inform the Albanian people
about his divine purpose,” they told the authorities,
“and you are prohibiting us. Now the responsibility
rests on your head.”
The implicit response from the government was:
‘Here in Albania we are the lords! We do not permit
theocracy, and we cannot be bothered with you or
your God, Jehovah, whom we do not acknowledge!’
Undaunted, the brothers continued sharing the good
news wherever and whenever they could.
Voting became compulsory in 1946, and anyone
who dared to abstain was considered an enemy of the
State. Laws were passed that prohibited meetings, and
it was a crime to preach. How did the brothers re-
spond?
¨
The brothers in Tirane,
who numbered about 15,
organized a preaching
campaign in 1947. Imme-
diately they were arrested.
Their Bibles were ripped
up, and they were tor-
tured. When released,
they were ordered not to
travel anywhere without
police authority. Newspa-
pers ridiculed Jesus and
Jehovah.

The two-page letter that

Albanian brothers in Boston
sent to Enver Hoxha
 The Albanian brothers in Boston learned about
this, and on March 22, 1947, they wrote a respect-
ful two-page letter to Enver Hoxha in behalf of Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses in Albania. They explained that Je-
hovah’s Witnesses are no threat to the government
and pointed out that religious opposers had fomented
false accusations because our publications rightly ex-
pose their unchristian practices. The letter concluded:
“When the Albanian delegation to the United Nations
under the direction of Mr. Kapo made a visit to Boston,
we visited his hotel. Mr. Kapo graciously and genuine-
ly received us and without bias listened to our mes-
sage.” Hysni Kapo was for years one of the highest-
ranking authorities in Albania. Despite this appeal,
problems in Albania only increased.
In 1947, Albania became allied with the Soviet
Union and Yugoslavia and had conflicts with Greece.
The following year, Albania cut ties with Yugoslavia
and drew closer to the Soviet Union. Anyone who did
not support the government’s ideology was ostracized.
The brothers’ neutral stand elicited increased opposi-
tion and antagonism.
For example, in 1948, six brothers and sisters were
gathered for the Memorial in a small village. The police
burst into the meeting and beat the publishers for
hours before they let them go. A couple of weeks later,
the police arrested the brother who had given the Me-
morial talk and kept him standing for 12 hours. At
midnight, the chief of police snapped, “Why did you
break the law?”
“We cannot put the State’s law above the law of the
Lord!” responded the brother.
ALBANIA 143
 Incensed, the chief slapped the brother, asking,
“What are you doing?” when he saw the brother turn-
ing his head to the side.
“I told you before that we are Christians,” replied
the brother. “Jesus taught us that when someone
hits you, you should turn the other cheek.”
“Because your Lord thus commands,” snarled the
infuriated chief, “I will not obey him, and I will not hit
you anymore! Get out of here!”
“I WILL KEEP PREACHING”
Sotir Ceqi was a devout Orthodox who lived in Ti-
¨
rane. As a child he had tuberculosis of the bone and
suffered excruciating pain in his legs. When he was 17
years old, he became so depressed that he decided
to kill himself by jumping in front of a train. Shortly
before he was about to do so, Leonidha Pope, a rela-
tive, visited him. Not knowing what Sotir was planning,
Leonidha told him that Jesus cured the sick and that
the earth would be a paradise. He also gave Sotir a
copy of the Greek Scriptures, which Sotir immediately
began to read.
“It was like water poured into me,” said Sotir. “I had
found the truth!”
Within a few days and without further contact with
Leonidha, Sotir reasoned: ‘The Bible says that Jesus
preached. The apostles and disciples all preached. Ob-
viously, that is what I must do.’
So, Sotir set out to preach. With the Greek Scrip-
tures in one hand and his crutch in the other, he cou-
rageously went from door to door.
During those years the Sigurimi, or Directorate of
State Security, was responsible for protecting the na-
tion’s security. Ever alert to any apparent threat to
144 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
Communism, they could
hardly fail to notice So-
tir’s bold preaching.
They arrested him, held
him for hours, beat him,
and ordered him not to
preach.
When Sotir was re-
leased, he contacted
Leonidha, who took him
to Spiro Karajani, a doc-
tor who had learned the
truth some years earli-
er. Besides medical atten-
tion, Spiro helped Sotir
get a better understand-
ing of the truth.
Leonidha Pope
“If you are arrested
again,” Spiro advised Sotir, “before you sign anything,
count every word and every line. Draw a line after their
words. Don’t leave a space. Read everything carefully.
Be sure that what you sign is what you said.”
Just two days later, the police caught Sotir preach-
ing again. At the police station, the officers ordered
him to sign a statement. As he was about to sign, he
remembered Spiro’s advice. Despite pressure from the
police to sign quickly, Sotir took the time to read every
word.
“I am sorry,” he said, “I cannot sign this. I did not
say these words. If I signed this document, it would be
a lie, and I cannot lie.”
The police responded by making a whip out of a
rope, which they used to beat Sotir for several hours.
ALBANIA 145
When he still would not cooperate, they forced him to
hold two wires and repeatedly gave him excruciating
electric shocks.
“When I could hardly stand the pain,” Sotir later re-
called, “I prayed with tears. Suddenly, the door swung
open. There stood the chief officer. He glanced over
and quickly turned his head away. ‘Stop!’ he ordered.
‘You’re not supposed to do that!’ ” They were all ful-
ly aware that torture was against the law. The police
stopped the torture, but they did not stop putting pres-
sure on Sotir to sign the document. Still, he refused.
“You win!” they eventually said. Reluctantly, they
wrote down the statement that Sotir himself had made
in which he gave a fine witness. They handed him the
document. Despite hours of beatings and shock treat-
ment, Sotir read every word carefully. When a sen-
tence ended halfway across the page, he drew a line at
the end of the sentence.
“Where in the world did you learn that?” asked the
amazed officers.
“Jehovah taught me not to sign what I did not say,”
replied Sotir.
“OK, so who gave you this?” asked an officer, hand-
ing Sotir a piece of bread and a piece of cheese. By then
it was 9:00 p.m., and Sotir was ravenous, not having
eaten all day. “Was it Jehovah? No. We did.”
“Jehovah has many ways of providing,” Sotir re-
plied. “He just softened your hearts.”
“We’ll let you go,” said the frustrated officers, “but if
you preach again, you know what will happen.”
“Then do not let me go, because I will keep preach-
ing.”
146 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 “You’d better not tell
anyone what happened
here!” commanded the of-
ficer.
“If they ask,” responded
Sotir, “I cannot lie.”
“Just get out of here!”
barked the police.
Sotir was one of many
who were tortured that
way. It was only after this
faith-testing incident that
Sotir was baptized.
“Jehovah taught me not to
For years, mail was sign what I did not say.”
censored and only sketchy —Sotir Ceqi
reports trickled out of Al-
bania. As travel and meeting attendance became in-
creasingly risky, brothers around the country started
to lose contact with one another. With no central orga-
nization, it was difficult to get a clear picture of what
was happening. Nevertheless, the number of those
who embraced the truth continued to grow. In 1940
there were 50 brothers and sisters in Albania, and in
1949 there were 71.
THEOCRATIC INCREASE AMID POLITICAL TENSION
The 1950’s saw even tighter controls enforced on
all aspects of life. Political tensions between Alba-
nia and Greece were mounting. Diplomatic relations
with England and the United States were nonexistent.
Even links with the Soviet Union were strained. Alba-
nia was withdrawing into an isolationist shell, closed
to the outside world with all communications closely
monitored.
ALBANIA 147
 Nevertheless, two of the brothers had limited suc-
cess sending letters and postcards to the brothers in
Switzerland. The Swiss brothers replied in French or
Italian, using coded language. By means of these post-
cards, the Albanian brothers learned about the Nu-
remberg convention that had been held in 1955. News
of the freedom enjoyed by the German brothers after
the end of Hitler’s regime encouraged the Albanian
brothers to remain steadfast in the faith.
By 1957, Albania was reporting 75 publishers. Al-
though exact figures were not available, the Memorial
was commemorated “by a goodly number,” reported
the 1958 Yearbook, and “the Albanian brothers are
still preaching.”
The 1959 Yearbook reported: “These faithful wit-
nesses of Jehovah are continuing to do what they can.
They have spoken the truth plainly to others and have
even tried to publish some things. They are grateful
for the meat in due season that has reached them
on occasions, but evidently the communistic rulers
have closed down all communications from the out-
side world.” The report concluded: “While the rulers of
the land may separate the brothers in Albania from
the rest of the New World society, they cannot cut off
the operation of God’s holy spirit upon them.”
STRUGGLES CONTINUE
At that time everyone was expected to carry a mil-
itary identity card. Those who refused would lose
their job or be imprisoned. As a result, Nasho Dori
and Jani Komino again spent some months in pris-
on. Although a few feared losing their jobs and com-
promised, a solid core of loyal brothers observed
the Memorial in 1959, and many brothers and sisters
148 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 were still preaching fear-
lessly.
In 1959 the Ministry
of Justice was dissolved,
and lawyers were no lon-
ger allowed to practice.
The Communist Party it-
self made and applied
all laws. Those who did
not vote in elections were
considered to be the en-
emy. Fear and suspicion
abounded.
The Albanian broth-
ers sent out messages
indicating how trying
things were but express-
ing their determination
Helen and John Marks before to remain loyal. In the
he returned to Albania meantime, the world
headquarters in Brook-
lyn kept trying to make contact with the brothers in
Albania. John Marks, who was born in southern Al-
bania but was living in the United States, was asked
to try to obtain a visa for Albania.
A year and a half later, John succeeded in getting
a visa to enter Albania, although his wife, Helen, did
not. John arrived at Durres ¨ in February 1961 and
¨
traveled to Tirane. There he met his sister, Melpo, who
had shown interest in the truth. She helped John
make contact with the brothers the very next day.
John talked with the brothers at length and gave
them some literature that he had concealed in a
ALBANIA 149
secret compartment of his suitcase. The brothers
were thrilled. They had not had a visit from brothers
outside of Albania in over 24 years.
John calculated that there were 60 brothers in five
¨
towns and a few others in smaller villages. In Tirane,
the brothers were trying to meet secretly once a week
on Sundays to review the publications they had kept
hidden since 1938.
With so little contact with the organization for so
long, the Albanian brothers had to be brought up-to-
date on organizational matters and current truths.
For example, both brothers and sisters were conduct-
ing meetings, and sisters even offered prayers. John
later wrote: “The brothers were rather skeptical and
concerned about how the sisters would accept the
adjusted arrangements, so they asked me to explain
them to the sisters privately, which I did. I was glad to
see that they accepted them.”
Despite their poverty, these faithful servants zeal-
ously supported the Kingdom work. For instance,
John took note of two elderly brothers from Gjirokas-
¨
ter who had saved “from their very little money and
had accumulated a certain amount for donations to
the Society.” Each one had saved over 100 dollars in
gold coins.
The brothers in Tirane¨ appreciated receiving the
booklet Preaching and Teaching in Peace and Unity,
which provided direction on how the congregations
were to function, even under ban. Then, in March,
¨
John held the Memorial in Tirane at the home of
Leonidha Pope with 37 present. Right after the talk,
John took a boat back to Greece.
150 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 “Jehovah Never
Left Us!”
FROSINA XHEKA

BORN 1926 BAPTIZED 1946

PROFILE She learned the truth as a
teenager. Although her parents opposed
her, and the authorities isolated her, she
always felt close to Jehovah and his
organization. She died faithful in 2007.

˛ FROSINA learned the truth from her brothers in the

1940’s. Her non-Witness parents threw her out of their
home because she refused to enter an arranged marriage.
A brother, Gole Flloko, took her into his family and treated
her like a daughter.
“Once I was arrested because I refused to vote,” Frosi-
na said. “I was alone in a room when about 30 officers sur-
rounded me. One screamed, ‘Do you have any idea what
we can do to you?’ I felt that Jehovah was with me and
said, ‘You can do nothing that the Sovereign Lord Jehovah
will not permit you to do!’ They
thought I was crazy, so they said,
‘Get her out of here!’ You see, I
was right. Jehovah was with me!”
In 1957, Frosina married
Lu çi Xheka, and in time they
had three children. In the early
1960’s, Luçi was made a mem-
ber of the newly formed Coun-
try Committee, which was to
oversee the work in Albania. Soon he was sentenced to five
years of internim (internment) in Gramsh, far from Frosina
and the children. There Luçi continued to preach and talk
about the organization. People in Gramsh remember him
to this day.
With Luçi in internim, the Communist Party blacklisted
Frosina, so she could not officially buy food. Frosina says:
“It didn’t matter. The few brothers shared what they had.
We got by because Jehovah never left us!”
After Luçi’s death, meetings with the brothers were rar-
er. Yet, Frosina still preached. She recalls: “John Marks vis-
ited us in the 1960’s. When I finally met his
wife, Helen, in 1986, it felt as though we had
known each other for years! Luçi and I had
secretly sent messages to the Marks, and
they had passed them on to the broth-
ers in Brooklyn.”
When the ban was lifted in
1992, Frosina was one of the nine
baptized Witnesses left in Albania.
She was regular at meetings and was
out in the service the very day of her
death in 2007. Shortly before she died,
Frosina said: “I love Jehovah with all my
heart! Compromise was never an option.
I knew I had a large family around the
world, but now I’m overwhelmed to see
how big our theocratic family is in Alba-
nia. Jehovah was always with us, and he
is still holding us in his loving hands!”

Frosina Xheka in 2007

 After the brothers at headquarters considered
John’s report on his visit to Albania, they assigned
Leonidha Pope, Sotir Papa, and Luçi Xheka to care
¨
for the Tirane Congregation and the work in Albania.
Spiro Vruho was appointed as a circuit overseer. He
was to visit congregations and meet with the brothers
every evening, giving talks and discussing the publica-
tions. The organization was making every effort to help
the brothers in Albania grow spiritually stronger and
be brought up-to-date.
Needless to say, with mail being carefully censored,
the organization could not send a formal letter provid-
ing this direction. Instead, John conveyed the informa-
tion to the brothers in Albania little by little, using a
code that referred to pages in the publications. Soon,
reports came back showing that the brothers had got
¨
the point precisely. The three brothers in Tirane were
functioning as a Country Committee, and Spiro was
visiting congregations regularly.
The Albanian brothers had to find novel ways of
sending field service reports to headquarters. One way
was on postcards sent to specific brothers abroad.
Then, using a fine-tipped pen, the reports were writ-
ten in code under the stamp. For example, they would
write the page number in the Preaching and Teaching
booklet where the subject “publishers” was consid-
ered. Next to that they would write the number of pub-
lishers who reported for the month. For many years
the brothers abroad used similar methods to commu-
nicate with the brothers in Albania.
A GOOD START—THEN A BLOW
Though the Country Committee was working hard
to promote pure worship, trouble was soon to come.
ALBANIA 153
 In 1963, Melpo Marks wrote her
brother John that two of the three
brothers who made up the Coun-
try Committee, Leonidha Pope and
Luçi Xheka, were “away from their
families” and that meetings were
not being held. Later came word
that Spiro Vruho was in the hos-
pital and that Leonidha Pope and
Luçi Xheka were sick, referring to
Acts 8:1, 3, where Saul of Tarsus
sent Christians to prison. What
was happening?
Leonidha Pope, Luçi Xheka, and
Sotir Ceqi worked in a factor y
where members of the Communist
Party held talks for all the workers,
promoting Communist ideals. One
day during a talk about evolution,
Spiro Vruho served
as a traveling Leonidha and Luçi stood up and
overseer said: “No! Man did not come from
monkeys!” The next day both were
taken away from their families and sent to work as ex-
iles in distant cities, a punishment Albanians called
internim (internment). Luçi was sent to the mountains
of Gramsh. Because they considered Leonidha to be
“in charge,” he was sent to the rugged, cold mountains
of Burrel. It would be seven years before he returned
¨
to his home in Tirane.
By August 1964, meetings had essentially stopped.
The little information that trickled out indicated that
the brothers were under strict surveillance by the Si-
gurimi. One message beneath a stamp read: “Pray to
154 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
the Lord for us. Seizure of literature house to house.
They do not allow us to study. Three persons in inter-
nim.” At first, it was thought that brothers Pope and
Xheka had been released, since they were the only
ones who knew about writing under stamps. However,
it later turned out that Luçi’s wife, Frosina, had com-
municated that message.
The brothers who took the lead had been sent
away. The vigilant eye of the Sigurimi did not let the
others communicate with one another. Nonetheless,
the brothers in internim gave a remarkable witness to
whomever they met. The people of Gramsh would say:
¨
“The ungjillore [evangelizers] are here. They don’t go
into the military, but they build our bridges and fix
our generators.” These loyal brothers gained a glowing
reputation that remained for decades.
AN ATHEISTIC STATE IS BORN
On the political front, Albania severed ties with the
Soviet Union and became more closely allied with Chi-
na. Communist ideology was gaining such momentum
that some Albanians even dressed in outfits similar to
those worn by Chinese Communist Party Chairman
Mao Tse-tung. By 1966, Enver Hoxha abolished mili-
tary ranks, and in a climate of mistrust, no opposing
opinions were tolerated.
State-run newspapers began printing articles
against religion, calling it “a dangerous element.”
¨
Then, in Durres, a group of students used a bulldozer
to destroy a church. In quick succession, in city after
city, other religious buildings were destroyed. In 1967,
with the government fanning the flames of antireli-
gious sentiment, Albania became the first completely
atheistic country. Whereas other Communist states
ALBANIA 155
kept religion under control, Albania did not even toler-
ate it.
Some Muslim, Orthodox, and Catholic priests were
imprisoned because of their political activities. Nu-
merous priests fared better because they capitulated
and simply stopped being religious. A few historic reli-
gious buildings were turned into museums. No reli-
gious insignia were permitted—no crosses or icons, no
mosques or minarets. The word “God” was used only
in a derogatory way. These developments made the sit-
uation difficult for the brothers.
During the 1960’s, some of the brothers fell asleep
in death. The remaining scattered publishers still
spoke up in defense of the truth as much as they
could. But even people who had some interest were too
afraid to listen.
LOVE FOR THE TRUTH NEVER GREW DIM
In 1968, Gole Flloko wrote to John and Helen
Marks about his failing health. It was illegal to preach,
and meetings were banned. But Gole, now in his 80’s,
described how he regularly spoke to friends and to
people he met in the market, the park, or coffee shops.
Not long thereafter, Gole died faithful. Like so many
others in Albania, nothing could extinguish his irre-
pressible love for Jehovah and the truth.
With advancing age, Spiro Vruho could no longer
make circuit visits as he had. Then, early in 1969, he
was found dead at the bottom of a well. The Sigurimi re-
ported that he had committed suicide. But was this
true?
Although Spiro supposedly left a suicide note say-
ing that he was depressed, the note was not in his
handwriting. Also, before his death, Spiro was con-
156 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
firmed to be in good spirits. In addition, there were tell-
tale black marks around his neck, indicating some
kind of assault. No ropes were found at the well on
which he could have hung himself, and there was no
water in his lungs.
Years later, it came to light that Spiro had been told
that if he did not vote, he and his family would be put
in prison, and their food supplies would be cut off. The
¨
brothers in Tirane found out that Spiro was killed the
day before elections, then thrown into the well. This
was not the last time false reports of suicides were
used against Jehovah’s Witnesses.
A DECADE OF ENFORCED ISOLATION
In 1971, Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world re-
joiced when more members were added to the Gov-
erning Body in Brooklyn, New York. Great was the
anticipation when the arrangement for appointing el-
ders and ministerial servants was announced. It was
years, though, before our
Llopi Bllani brothers in Albania heard
about these organization-
al adjustments. When
they did, it was because
tourists from the United
States made brief contact
with Llopi Bllani, a sister
in Tirane.¨ They learned
that no meetings were be-
ing held, and they were
told that there were only
three active Witnesses
in the city, though there
were actually many more.
ALBANIA 157
 Kosta Dabe had been in Greece since 1966 trying
to get a visa permitting him to return to his native Al-
bania. At 76 years of age, he wanted to teach the truth
to his children. Unable to get a visa, Kosta handed in
his U.S. passport at the Albanian border and entered
the country, knowing that he might never be able to
leave.
In 1975, an Albanian couple from the United
States visited Albania as tourists. They wrote that
the surveillance was “tighter than ever” and that Je-
hovah’s Witnesses were being closely watched. For-
eigners were accompanied everywhere by official tour
guides, many of whom were part of the Sigurimi. After
the foreigners left, the Sigurimi would focus attention
on those who were contacted. Tourists themselves
were regarded with suspicion and were unwelcome.
People were fearful of foreigners.
In November 1976 a letter from Kosta Dabe report-
ed that five attended the Memorial in Vlore.¨ He knew
¨
that in Permet and Fier,
one Witness in each city
held the Memorial alone.
In Tirane,¨ two joined at
one location and four at
another. So, from what he
knew, at least 13 were at
the Memorial in 1976.
Years later, Kulla Gji-
dhari remembered how
she observed the Me-
morial: “In the morning I
made bread and took out

Although alone, Kulla Gjidhari

still observed the Memorial
From Little Literature
to an Abundance
VASIL GJOKA

BORN 1930 BAPTIZED 1960

PROFILE He took a firm stand for the
truth amid totalitarian rule. Today he
¨
serves as an elder in Tirane.

˛ I REMEMBER seeing the Greek

Watchtower in my village of Bar-
mash in the 1930’s. My father
pointed at the magazine and said,
“Those people have it right!” I did not know what his words
meant until years later. I loved reading the Bible, though it
became dangerous to have one. At an in-law’s funeral, I
¨
met a brother from Tirane. I asked about the sign of the
“last days” in Matthew chapter 24. He explained it, and
right away I told everyone I could what I was learning.
In 1959, I attended a private meeting with the brothers
at Leonidha Pope’s home. I had been reading the book of
Revelation and asked about the identity of the wild beast
and Babylon the Great. When the brothers explained them
to me, I knew this was the truth! I got baptized a year later.
I was zealous in preaching, and because of that, I was
fired from my job. So I got a rickety old wooden cart and de-
¨
livered goods in Tirane. Though I had limited contact with
the brothers and no literature, I kept preaching.
In the early 1960’s, before Leonidha Pope was sent
into internim, he managed to get a couple of Greek publi-
cations that were smuggled into Albania. He translated out

ALBANIA 159
loud, and I wrote down what he said in a notebook. Then,
at his direction, I made copies and sent them to a few
¨
brothers in Berat, Fier, and Vlore.
What changes have come about since the 1990’s! I am
thrilled to see the abundance of literature that Jehovah
has given us. From 1992 until today, we have placed over
17 million magazines in Albanian! The new publications
are translated into Albanian, and we have the entire New
World Translation in our language! When I think of the
years without literature, I cannot hold back my tears of
joy. Having so little for so long has made us very apprecia-
tive!
wine. That evening I closed the curtains and got out
the Bible I had hidden behind the toilet. I read in Mat-
thew chapter 26 how Jesus instituted the Memorial. I
prayed, held up the bread, and then put it down. I read
some more from Matthew, prayed again, held up the
wine, and then put it down. After that, I sang a song. I
was alone physically, but I knew I was united with my
brothers all over the world!”
Kulla had little family. Years earlier Spiro Karajani
had adopted her when she was young, and she lived
with him and his daughter Penellopi in Tirane.¨ He
died about 1950.
INCREASING ISOLATION FOR ALBANIA
A new era of isolation began in 1978 when Alba-
nia cut ties with China. A new constitution aimed
to make Albania completely self-sufficient, with strict
guidelines governing all aspects of life, including the
theater, the ballet, literature, and art. Classical music
that was considered seditious was banned. Only au-
thorized writers were permitted to own private type-
writers. Anyone caught tuning in to television pro-
grams from other countries would be interrogated by
the Sigurimi.
In this climate of severe repression, brothers from
Austria, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Unit-
ed States entered as tourists in an effort to contact
the local brothers. The few who were contacted truly
appreciated those efforts. Yet, the brothers in general
remained isolated from one another, so that few knew
if a visitor was coming.
In 1985, Albanians mourned the death of the long-
term dictator Enver Hoxha. Government and social
ALBANIA 161
changes were soon to be made. By the following year,
John Marks had died and his widow, Helen, in her
mid-60’s, decided to visit Albania. “If anything hap-
pens to you while you’re there,” the authorities told
her when she picked up her visa, “do not expect help
from the outside world.”
Helen’s two-week trip was a landmark for the
handful of publishers in Albania. Helen finally met
Melpo, John’s sister, who had heard about the truth
from her brother 25 years earlier. Though still not
baptized, Melpo was a key contact for the organization
for many years.
Helen also met with Leonidha Pope and Vasil
Gjoka, who was baptized in 1960. She learned about
seven Witnesses who were still alive in various parts
of the country. She gave the brothers in Albania up-
to-date facts about the organization and how the work
was moving forward in other Communist lands. Hel-
en cautiously preached informally to those she met.
She noted, though, that economic problems abound-
ed in Albania.
“To get a small ration of milk,” she said, “it was nor-
mal to wait in line from three o’clock in the morning.
Many stores had no supplies.”
In 1987 the branches in Austria and Greece com-
bined efforts to get other visitors into Albania. In
1988 a couple from Austria, Peter Malobabic and his
wife, traveled in as tourists and gave Melpo a blouse,
which she was delighted to receive. She was far more
thrilled, though, to find the book “Things in Which It Is
Impossible for God to Lie” hidden inside the blouse.
Later that year, another couple contacted Melpo
with more literature, but they had to be extremely
162 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
I Found Real Work
Back Home
ARDIAN TUTRA

BORN 1969 BAPTIZED 1992

PROFILE He learned the truth in Italy
and thereafter returned to Albania. He
is a member of the Albania Branch
Committee.

˛ I WAS 21 years old in 1991 when I left Albania with thou-

sands of refugees. We had hijacked a ship headed for Italy.
Albania was destitute, so I was thrilled that I could escape.
I thought this was a dream come true.
After two days in Brindisi, Italy, I sneaked out of the
refugee camp to look for work. A man gave me a small
photocopied Bible message in Albanian and invited me to
a meeting that afternoon. I quickly thought: ‘Hey, why not?
Maybe someone will give me a job!’
I never expected the friendly reception I received. After
the meeting at the Kingdom Hall, everyone came up to me,
and they were warm and loving. A family invited me to din-
ner. What kindness and dignity they showed me—a scruffy,
illegal Albanian refugee!
At the next meeting, Vito Mastrorosa offered me a Bible
study. I accepted and soon recognized that this was the
truth. In August 1992, I got baptized in Italy.
My residency documents were finally in order. I had se-
cured a good job and was sending money to my family in Al-
bania. However, I started thinking: ‘Now that the work is
open in Albania, there is a great need. Should I go back

ALBANIA 163
and serve there? But how will my family react? They need
the money I send them. What will people say?’
¨
Then I got a phone call from the office in Tirane, asking
if I would be willing to go there and teach Albanian to a
group of Italian special pioneers who were moving to Al-
bania that November. Their example made me think se-
riously. They were heading off to the territory I had left.
They didn’t know the language and were thrilled to go. My
language and culture were Albanian. What was I doing in
Italy?
I made my decision and got on the boat with those spe-
cial pioneers. Right away, I began serving at the small Beth-
el. I taught Albanian in the morning and worked with trans-
lation in the afternoon. At first, my family was not happy.
But when they understood why I had moved back to Alba-
nia, they began to listen to the good news. Soon my par-
ents, two sisters, and a brother got baptized.
Do I regret having given up work and money in Italy? Not
for a minute! I found real work in Albania. As far as I’m con-
cerned, the work that really matters and brings lasting joy
is serving Jehovah with everything you have!

Ardian with his wife, Noadia

cautious because the Sigurimi was watching them
like hawks. Within the few minutes that the visitors
were unaccompanied by their so-called official guides,
they could make only brief contact. They learned that
Leonidha was ill and that many other brothers in Al-
bania had grown old and could not move about freely.
CONDITIONS BEGIN TO CHANGE
The political scene was changing in 1989. The
death sentence for attempting to escape from Albania
was abolished. Helen again visited that summer. She
spent hours transmitting information and instruc-
tions entrusted to her. Vasil Gjoka made brief visits to
the brothers as well as he could.
The Sigurimi heard that Helen was visiting there
and paid her a visit. Instead of causing problems, they
said that they wanted a gift from America. How quick-
ly people changed!
The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, and it
took no time for the effects to ripple into Albania. In
March 1990 a riot against Communism broke out in
Kavaje.¨ Thousands of people flooded foreign embas-
sies in Tirane,¨ trying to leave the country. Students
demanded reforms and went on hunger strikes.
In February 1991, a massive crowd toppled the
30-foot-high statue of Enver Hoxha, which had domi-
¨
nated Tirane’s Skanderbej Square for years. As far
as the people were concerned, the dictator was gone.
During March, some 30,000 Albanians hijacked ships
¨ ¨
from Durres and Vlore and sailed to Italy as refugees.
That month, multiparty elections were held for the
first time in years. Even though the Communist Par-
ty won, it was clear that the government was losing its
grip.
ALBANIA 165
 Helen Marks made a final visit to Albania in Au-
gust 1991, but this time she found that conditions had
changed. Just one month earlier, the government had
opened an office of the secretary of religion, legaliz-
ing religious activities once again after 24 years. The
brothers lost no time in increasing their preaching ac-
tivity and organizing congregation meetings.
Vasil Gjoka traveled to Greece and spent time at
the branch office learning how to organize the preach-
ing work. Because his Greek was limited, the brothers
who knew a little Albanian taught Vasil as best they
¨
could. Back in Tirane, Vasil conscientiously applied
what he had learned and tried to organize the two
weekly meetings better, one of which was a study of the
recently released Albanian edition of The Watchtower.
“Previously, the meetings were opened with song
and prayer,” recalls one brother, “using the songs the
older brothers had taught us. We enjoyed the study,
then closed with a song—or two, or three, or more!
Eventually, we closed with prayer.”
In October 1991 and February 1992, Thomas Zafi-
ras and Silas Thomaidis brought literature to Albania
¨
from Greece. They met with the brothers in Tirane
and with unbaptized publishers in Berat and com-
piled lists of the many interested persons who needed
help. After decades of spiritual isolation, the populace
was spiritually famished. In Berat, for instance, inter-
ested ones were holding meetings, even though there
were no baptized brothers in the city. What could be
done to fill this spiritual need?
AN UNEXPECTED ASSIGNMENT
Michael and Linda DiGregorio were missionaries
serving in the Dominican Republic. Michael’s grand-
166 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Michael and Linda DiGregorio

parents were among the

Albanians who got bap-
tized in Boston in the
1920’s, and he had a
working knowledge of
Albanian. So when the
DiGregorios decided to
visit relatives in Alba-
nia in 1992, they asked
the Governing Body if it
was advisable for them to
meet with brothers dur-
ing their three-day visit.
To their surprise, the Governing Body asked them to
stay in Albania for three months to help organize the
preaching work.
At the branch in Rome, brothers from Greece and
Italy briefed the DiGregorios on the situation in Al-
bania and showed them photographs of some of the
Albanian brothers, including Vasil Gjoka. When the
¨
DiGregorios flew to Tirane in April 1992, Albanians
from abroad were once again welcome in the country.
Nevertheless, there was still much civil unrest, and
people were anxious about the future.
As Michael and Linda walked out of the airport, Mi-
chael’s family rushed up to greet them. At the same
time, Michael recognized Vasil Gjoka, who had also
been advised that the DiGregorios were arriving that
day.
“You go with the family,” Michael said to Linda,
“and I’ll be right back.”
ALBANIA 167
 After embracing Linda, the relatives grabbed the
DiGregorios’ luggage and hurried toward the automo-
biles, while Michael went quickly to Vasil.
“I will be back in Tirane¨ on Sunday,” Michael said
hastily to Vasil, “and then I will find you.”
Koço, a member of Michael’s family in Albania,
who did not know that Michael and Linda were Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses, rushed up to him and said: “What
are you doing? We do not talk to strangers!”
Winding their way through the country to Korçe,¨
the DiGregorios realized how different this was from
the Caribbean. “Everything was old, brown or gray,
and covered with dust,” recalls Michael. “Barbed wire
was everywhere. People looked dejected. There were
hardly any automobiles around. Windows were bro-
ken. Farmers worked the land by hand. Not much had
changed from my grandparents’ day! It felt as if we
had stepped back in time!”
“YOUR TRIP WAS GUIDED BY GOD”
Koço had something that he had kept hidden for
years, and he wanted to show it to Michael. When Mi-
chael’s grandmother died, the family in Boston wrote
a long letter to the family in Albania. The first ten pag-
es covered mostly family matters, but near the end of
the letter, the family had explained about the resur-
rection.
“The police checked the letter,” Koço told Michael,
“and read the first few pages. Then they got bored and
said: ‘Take it! It’s only family stuff!’ When I read the
last part, I was so happy to hear something about
God!”
168 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Michael then revealed that he and Linda were Je-
hovah’s Witnesses, and he gave Koço a thorough wit-
ness.
As people did in Bible times, Albanians feel an ob-
ligation to care for and protect their guests. So Koço
insisted on accompanying Michael and Linda to Ti-
rane.¨
“In Tirane,¨ we could not find Vasil’s home,” Michael
remembers, “because there were no street signs. So
Koço suggested that we ask at the post office.”
“When he returned from the post office,” continues
Linda, “Koço seemed stunned, and we drove straight
to Vasil’s apartment.”
Later, Koço explained: “When I went into the post
office and asked about Vasil, they said: ‘That man is a
saint! Do you know what he has been through? There
¨ When I heard that,
is not a more noble man in Tirane!’
I knew that your trip was guided by God! I cannot
stand in the way!”
¨
GETTING ORGANIZED IN TIRANE
Vasil was delighted to see the DiGregorios, and
they spoke for hours. Only at the end of the evening
did Vasil reveal that Jani Komino, who had been im-
prisoned with Nasho Dori, had died that very morning.
Why had Vasil stayed at home and missed the funeral
of this dear brother and close friend? “Because,” he ex-
plained, “someone sent by the Governing Body was
coming.”
¨
Michael and Linda needed to stay in Tirane, but the
government in power at that time did not allow foreign-
ers to live in the city. What could they do?
ALBANIA 169
 “We put the matter in Jehovah’s hands,” said Mi-
chael, “and eventually we found a small apartment
and moved in.”
“The owners kept the key,” remembers Linda, “and
came in and out at will. In addition, we had to go
through someone else’s apartment to get to ours. But
at least our place was out of the way, and we preferred
not to be in the public eye.”
The DiGregorios listened for hours as the older
¨
brothers in Tirane told about the trials they had en-
dured. One of the problems, though, was that some of
the older ones were suspicious of one another.
“Individually they were loyal,” recalls Michael, “but
they wondered if the others had been faithful. Never-
theless, even though some kept their distance from
one another, they did not keep away from us. After
calmly discussing the matter, they agreed that the
most important thing was to make Jehovah’s name
known. They were united in their love for Jehovah and
were excited about the future.”
The lack of a functioning congregation was evident.
For example, when Kulla Gjidhari and Stavri Ceqi
first saw the booklet Examining the Scriptures Daily,
they flipped through the pages with no idea what it
was.
“Oh, Manna!” Stavri suddenly exclaimed, referring
to the book Daily Heavenly Manna for the Household of
Faith, which was used back when Stavri learned the
truth.
“By the way,” asked Kulla, “how’s the president,
Brother Knorr, doing? Is his friend Fred Franz OK?”
That showed how many years had slipped by since
they became isolated!
170 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 WHAT A MEMORIAL THAT WAS!
The 9-by-12-foot room where the brothers normal-
ly held their meetings in Vasil Gjoka’s home was
too small for the Memorial. Instead, the 105 in at-
tendance gathered in a room that used to be head-
quarters for the Communist Party’s newspaper. This
marked the first time in Tirane¨ that the Memorial was
not held in a private home. Though there were only 30
publishers in Albania in 1992, they rejoiced to have
325 at the Memorial.
¨
The group of interested persons in Tirane was in-
creasing steadily, with meeting attendance in Vasil’s
apartment up to 40. Some new ones wanted to be-
come unbaptized publishers, and others wanted to
get baptized. The brothers spent many hours meeting
with those who wanted to get baptized. Because the
book Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry had not
been published in Albanian, each question had to be
translated orally for the baptism candidates. Inten-
sive study was conducted with some newer ones to be
sure they understood the truth. Though none had
ever had an actual Bible study, it was amazing how
good their Bible knowledge was.
LEGAL RECOGNITION AT LAST!
Over the next weeks, the brothers spent many
hours with lawyers and officials, trying to get the
Kingdom-preaching work legally registered. A group
¨
of brothers and interested persons in Tirane had al-
ready submitted a formal request, but a new govern-
ment had come to power, so persistence was needed.
“Everything was done on foot,” recalls one broth-
er. “While walking in the city, we would happen to
ALBANIA 171
meet the minister of human rights, the minister of
the interior, the minister of justice, the chief of po-
lice, members of the constitutional court, and oth-
er influential men. These men were kind and were
pleased that things were loosening up. Most of them
¨
already knew about the ungjillore. There was no doubt
that Jehovah’s Witnesses were alive and active in Al-
bania.”
For weeks, officials had said that the government
would grant legal recognition to Jehovah’s Witnesses,
but nothing materialized. There was a breakthrough,
though, when Angelo Felio, a brother from the United
States with Albanian background, visited his fami-
¨
ly in Tirane. While in Albania, Angelo went with the
brothers to meet with the legal adviser of the govern-
ment minister who was authorized to grant legaliza-
tion. The adviser was happy to learn that Angelo’s
family was from her region of Albania.
“What village is your family from?” she asked
Angelo. Amazingly, it was her own village.
“What is your family’s name?” she asked.
Surprisingly, Angelo turned out
to be her relative, but their families
had lost contact many years earlier.
“I was already impressed by
your charter and planned to help,”
she said. “But now, I am obliged to
help because you are family!”
A few days later, the legal ad-
viser handed the brothers Or-
der No. 100, granting legal recog-
nition to Jehovah’s Witnesses in

Order No. 100 granted legal recognition

to Jehovah’s Witnesses
An End to
Secret Meetings
ADRIANA MAHMUTAJ

BORN 1971 BAPTIZED 1993

PROFILE She was invited to a secret meeting,
and then things changed dramatically. Cur-
rently she is serving as a special pioneer.

˛ WHEN my cousin died in 1991, I overheard a wom-

an named Barie encourage my aunt with Bible thoughts.
Right away I asked questions and was invited to meet her
friend Rajmonda at her place of work. Rajmonda’s family
was meeting at the “class.” Rajmonda told me that I would
have to have Bible discussions for a while, because new
ones were not let into the class right away. I loved what I
was learning, and soon I was allowed to attend.
That class was made up of unbaptized people who had
originally begun meeting with Sotir Papa and Sulo Hasani.
Years earlier, the Sigurimi had infiltrated classes and had
turned the brothers in to the police. So all were cautious,
and they were careful about who was invited to meetings!
At my first meeting, I learned that we were supposed to
make a list of our friends and tell them what we were
learning. Right away I talked to Ilma Tani. Soon she was al-
lowed to come to the class. Our little class of 15 grew
quickly.
In April 1992, Michael and Linda DiGregorio visited Be-
rat. It was recommended that we openly invite people to
his talk. As a result, 54 persons came. None of us were
ALBANIA 173
baptized. After that meeting, we bombarded the DiGrego-
rios with questions for hours. We finally learned how our
group was supposed to function.
Soon Jehovah’s Witnesses were legally recognized.
¨
Ilma and I, along with two brothers, went to Tirane to learn
how to go from door to door. We were asked to show
others in Berat what we had learned. We tried our best.
When four Italian special pioneers were assigned to Berat
in March 1993, the congregation really got going, with two
open meetings a week.
That March, Ilma and I got baptized at the first special
¨
assembly day in Tirane. There were 585 people present.
We became regular pioneers and were soon invited to be-
come the first local special pioneers. Nothing was secret
¨
anymore. We were assigned to Korçe.
Ilma later married Arben Lubonja, who had been
¨
preaching alone in Korçe just a few months earlier. Eventu-
ally, they went into the circuit work, and they now serve at
Bethel. I’m happy that I invited Ilma to that class!
Recently, when I was sitting at a district convention
with over 5,500 present, I thought of our secret class.
What changes Jehovah has
made! Meetings and as-
semblies are wide open
now. Though hundreds of
brothers have left Berat
on account of the econo-
my, our little class has now
turned into five bustling
congregations!

Ilma (Tani) and Arben Lubonja

Albania. At last, the worship of the true God, Jehovah,
which had been under ban since 1939, was now legal-
ly recognized and unrestricted! “There are no words to
describe the feelings we had in our hearts that day,”
the DiGregorios said.
A couple of weeks later, the branch in Greece,
which had oversight of Albania, sent Robert Kern
to visit Tirane.¨ Robert announced to the local broth-
ers the registration of the work and the formation of
the Tirane¨ Congregation. He also informed them that
their congregation’s territory was “the whole country
of Albania.” Organized door-to-door preaching needed
¨
to proceed in real earnest. In Tirane, a three-bedroom
house was rented for a missionary home and office,
with a large adjoining room that could be used as the
first Kingdom Hall.
AN ISOLATED SHEEP IS FOUND
¨
“Are there any Witnesses in Vlore?” the broth-
ers asked when discussing the advancement
of the preaching work in Albania. Some knew
¨
Congregation meeting in the first Kingdom Hall, 1992, Tirane

ALBANIA 175
 TIME LINE

Albania
1920-1922 Albanians learn the
truth in the United States.

1922 Thanas Idrizi returns to

¨
Gjirokaster with the truth.

1925 Three small Bible study

classes are functioning in
Albania.

1928 The “Photo-Drama of Creation”

is shown in many cities.

1935-1936 An extensive preach-

ing campaign is carried out.

1939 Jehovah’s Witnesses

are banned.

1940 Nine brothers

are imprisoned for
neutrality.

1946 Communist
government begins.

1960 A Country
Committee begins to
oversee the work in
Albania.

1930 1940 1950 1960

176 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
1962 Members of the committee
are sent to labor camps.

4,000
1967 Albania officially
becomes atheistic.

1992 Jehovah’s Witnesses

are legally recognized.

1996 Milton Henschel

attends the first Bethel

3,000
dedication.

1997 The trazira begins.

2005 The complete

New World Transla-
tion is released in
Albanian.

2,000
2006 The branch
office is dedicated
¨ ¨
in Mezez, Tirane. 1,000

Total Publishers
Total Pioneers

1980 1990 2000 2010

ALBANIA 177
 only of an old woman
who was reportedly se-
nile. Then a woman came
to the office saying that
she and her family were
¨
ungjillore and that some-
one named Areti had
taught them the truth in
¨
Vlore. So brothers from
¨
Tiran e made a trip to
¨
Vlore to find Areti.
Areti Pina, a short el-
derly lady, invited the vis-
itors into her home, but
she seemed somewhat
Areti Pina preached faithfully
on her own reserved. When they ex-
plained that they were
her spiritual brothers, it produced absolutely no reac-
tion.
“Can I ask you some questions?” Areti suddenly
said after a few minutes. Then she started firing ques-
tions at them: “Do you believe in the Trinity? What is
God’s name? Do you believe in hellfire? What happens
when we die? What about the earth? How many will go
to heaven?”
The brothers answered each of the questions.
“Do you preach?” Areti then asked.
“Yes,” said one brother, “we preach.”
“But,” she responded, “how do you preach?”
“We preach from house to house,” replied the
brother.
Areti burst into tears, leaped to her feet, and em-
braced the brother.
178 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 “Now I know that you are my brothers!” she ex-
claimed. “Only Jehovah’s people preach from house to
house!”
¨
Protestant groups in Vlore had heard that Areti was
a religious person and had asked her to join them.
“But I did not want anything to do with Babylon the
Great!” she explained to the brothers. “So I needed to
make sure that you were my real spiritual family!”
Areti was baptized back in 1928 at the age of 18.
She traveled up and down mountains on foot, preach-
ing with Bible in hand. Although Areti had lost contact
with the brothers for years, she kept preaching faith-
fully on her own.
“Jehovah is wonderful,” said Areti through her
tears. “He never forgot me!”
People thought Areti was crazy for keeping faith
in God under Albania’s ironclad totalitarian rule. Yet,
Areti was anything but senile. Her mind was as clear
as ever!
SO MUCH TO DO!
Now that our work was legally registered, there
was much to do to develop Kingdom interests in Alba-
nia. The brothers needed to be brought up-to-date and
strengthened spiritually. Publications were needed in
Albanian for the brothers and for the field. And there
was an urgent need for more preachers. Who could
help?
In 1992 special pioneers arrived from Italy and
Greece and attended an Albanian-language course. At
the same time, a small team began translating our lit-
erature. Even though at times there was no electricity
for as long as 21 days in a row, the brothers kept a
ALBANIA 179
good sense of humor and busied themselves with the
work at hand.
There was much menial work too. When it was
cold, the missionary home needed to be heated. But
it was not possible to buy wood in Albania. How
were the brothers going to keep warm? Brothers from
Greece came to the rescue by sending a supply of
large pieces of wood and an electric saw. There was
still a problem, though, because the opening in the
woodstove was tiny, and there was no electricity to op-
erate the saw. Fortunately, one of the brothers had a
friend on the other side of Tirane¨ who owned an ax.
Because there were no buses, it took two hours to get
the ax to the missionary home, and it had to be re-
turned before dark. “We all took turns chopping wood
while we had the ax,” recalls one of the missionaries,
“but we managed to keep warm!”
In the midst of all the wood chopping and the lan-
guage courses, the Albanian translation team enjoyed
the first of many visits by Nick and Amy Ahladis from
Translation Services, now in Patterson, New York.
Their kind and balanced approach was an enormous
help to the new translators, who learned quickly and
did good work. The Italy branch printed the literature
and shipped it into Albania.
All the hard work was more than worth it in view of
the wonderful response the publishers were enjoying
in the field ministry. New publishers too were ablaze
with zeal. Lola, for example, had just begun publish-
ing, yet she spent 150, 200, or even more hours each
month in the ministry! When advised to be careful
and to pace herself in service, Lola replied: “My life has
been a waste until now! What else is worth my time?”
180 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 THE WORK FORGES AHEAD
March 1993 was a historic month for Albania. The
special pioneers began new assignments in Berat,
¨ Gjirokaster,
Durres, ¨ Shkoder,
¨ Tirane,¨ and Vlore;¨ The
Watchtower of March 1 was the first issue prepared by
the Albanian translation team; the brothers had their
first Theocratic Ministry School, thus all five meetings
were held for the first time; the first Albanian edition
of Our Kingdom Ministry came out; and the first spe-
cial assembly day was held in Tirane’s ¨ Skanderbej
Square at the Ballet-Opera Theater.
Delegates arrived from Greece and Italy to enjoy
this historic special assembly day. Nasho Dori opened
the assembly with prayer, thanking Jehovah for all
the blessings they were enjoying. The attendance
reached 585, and 41 were baptized! Among them
were children and grandchildren of brothers who had
served Jehovah faithfully in Albania.
Great was the excitement in 1993 over having a
district convention in Albania for the first time. There
were more than 600 people in attendance, with dele-
gates from Austria, France, Greece, Italy, and Switzer-
land. How thrilled the Albanian brothers were that
after having been isolated for so long, they could as-
sociate freely with so many brothers from so many
lands!
For the sake of better organization, the Govern-
ing Body appointed a Country Committee made up of
Nasho Dori, Vito Mastrorosa, and Michael DiGregorio
to serve under the supervision of the Italy branch.
One of their first priorities was to find property to
house the office and the growing translation team.
ALBANIA 181
 Among the next group of special pioneers who
started learning Albanian was Stefano Anatrelli from
Italy. After five weeks of language training, he was
called into the office and told: “We’d like you to vis-
it the special pioneers and groups as a circuit over-
seer.”
“But I can’t even speak Albanian properly!” was
Stefano’s first reaction. Yet, he viewed this assignment
as a wonderful privilege. After getting some help pre-
paring a couple of talks, Stefano set off to the far-flung
corners of Albania. About 30 years had elapsed since
Spiro Vruho had visited the brothers as circuit over-
seer during the ban. In 1995, Stefano was appointed
as a member of the Country Committee.
In 1994, a third group of pioneers, from Italy, came
to Albania. The new Albanian publishers were stirred
up by the zealous spirit of all those pioneers. At the
end of the 1994 service year, there were 354 publish-
ers engaging in the preaching work.
However, many publishers had emotional chal-
lenges. Changing from an extremely oppressive sys-
tem to a completely free society was not easy. In or-
der to survive under totalitarianism, they had to be
careful that they never openly expressed their feel-
ings to others—especially not to foreigners. Neverthe-
less, the foreign brothers and sisters understood this
and patiently worked to gain the trust of the newer
ones.
That same year the elderly brothers and sisters
as well as the new publishers were delighted to meet
Theodore Jaracz, the first member of the Governing
Body to visit Albania. Over 600 gathered for a talk he
¨
gave in Tirane.
182 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
“OK, Let’s Go!”
A L T I N H O X H A¨ A N D
ADRIAN SHKEMBI

BORN Both in 1973

BAPTIZED Both in 1993
PROFILE They left university to pioneer,
and they now serve as congregation
elders.

˛ EARLY in 1993, they were uni-

¨
versity students in Tirane. A friend
talked to them for hours about
what he was learning from Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses. Everything was
supported by the Bible. Later they learned more, applied
what they learned, and were baptized the same year. That
¨
summer, they went to preach in Kuçove, where there were
no publishers.
¨
After returning to Tirane, Adrian said to Altin: “What are
we doing in school? Let’s really get the work going in Ku-
¨
çove!”
Altin’s response was, “OK, let’s go!” Seven months af-
¨
ter their baptism, they were back in Kuçove.
Jehovah richly blessed their efforts. Today over 90 pub-
¨
lishers are active in Kuçove. Some 25 Witnesses have left
there to serve as pioneers or to serve at Bethel. Adrian
and Altin conducted studies with many of them.
Thinking about the university, Altin smiles and says:
“The apostle Paul decided not to pursue a worldly career,
and in 1993, I made a similar decision. Never have I re-
gretted saying, ‘OK, let’s go!’ ”
 An old villa was converted into modern offices

In the meantime, property had been purchased in

Tirane¨ for an office. In less than six months, a team of
hardworking foreign brothers remodeled an old villa
into modern offices and constructed a residence for
24 people. The dedication was held on May 12, 1996,
when Milton Henschel of the Governing Body visited
Albania.
THEY PREACHED ALONE
¨
A young man in Korçe, named Arben, read the Bible
literature his sister had sent him and recognized the
ring of truth. He wrote to the Albania office, and for a
while he continued to learn the truth by means of
correspondence with the brothers. To provide further
spiritual assistance, two brothers made a special trip
to meet him. During the course of the conversation
with Arben, it became evident that he qualified to be a
publisher. The two brothers then took him to the cen-
¨
ter of Korçe and let him watch as they preached to
passersby.
184 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Arben relates: “Then they gave me magazines and
said, ‘Now it’s your turn.’ They told me to go alone, and
I did.”
It was a few months before special pioneers came to
help him. In the meantime, though, people responded
to his preaching. Not long after the special pioneers ar-
rived, a group was formed.
¨
Toward the end of the year, the pioneers in Vlore
called the office, saying that Areti Pina was ill and
wanted to meet with one of the responsible brothers.
When the brother arrived, Areti dismissed everyone
else from the room so that she could talk to him pri-
vately.
“I do not have long to live,” she said, gasping for air.
“I have been thinking, and I need to ask you some-
thing. I cannot absorb all the details, but I need to
know, Has the book of Revelation been fulfilled?”
“Yes, Areti, most of it has,” responded the brother,
who then outlined a few things that are still awaiting
fulfillment. Areti paid rapt attention to every word.
“Now I can die in peace,” she said. “I needed to know
how close we are.”
For many years Areti had been an enthusiastic
publisher—whether preaching alone in the moun-
tains or from her bed when she was sick. Shortly after
that conversation, Areti faithfully finished her earthly
course.
HIS FAITH WAS STRONG TO THE END
Nasho Dori, in his 80’s, was ill, and his strength
was failing. But one group of brothers in particu-
lar needed his encouragement—the young broth-
ers who were being called up for military service.
The Orthodox clergy in Berat, who envied the rapid
ALBANIA 185
growth among Jehovah’s
Witnesses, pressured the
authorities to prosecute
these young men.
Six young brothers
there who refused to
join the militar y faced
the prospect of several
months in prison. Recog-
nizing their need for en-
couragement, Nasho sat
up in bed and videotaped
a message for them.
“Do not be afraid,” “If you go to prison, do not
Nasho urged the young worry.”—Nasho Dori
brothers. “We have been
through this before. Jehovah will be with you. If you go
to prison, do not worry. It will turn out for the good of
Jehovah’s name.”
As Nasho’s health continued to fail, he called broth-
ers to his bedside and said: “I had to pray for forgive-
ness. Last week I was in so much pain that I prayed to
die. Then I thought, ‘Jehovah, you are the Author of
life. Everything you stand for is life. I was asking for
something that goes against your will. Please forgive
me!’ ”
When Nasho learned that the number of publish-
ers in Albania had grown to 942, he said: “We have
finally got a great crowd in Albania!” A few days later,
he died, finishing his earthly course.
THE TRAZIRA—A TIME OF ANARCHY
By 1997 there was much exploitation, bribery, and
corruption. Many Albanians sold everything they had
186 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
and invested all their money in get-rich-quick pyra-
mid schemes. When their investments failed, embit-
tered citizens took their protests to the streets.
At that very time, while the special assembly day
program was in progress, a sister who worked for a
high-ranking official told the brothers that the prime
minister was about to resign. She learned that there
was going to be an outbreak of unprecedented vi-
olence. The special assembly day program was cut
short so that the brothers could get home quickly.
Two hours after the program ended, the country was
in a state of emergency and a curfew was enforced.
No one knew exactly what was happening. Rumors
were rampant. Was it foreign intervention or local pol-
itics? The pyramid schemes had collapsed, and most
people had lost everything they had invested. Rioting
erupted in Vlore.¨ People broke into national armories
and plundered all the weapons and ammunition. As
newscasts reported what was happening, people in
city after city resorted to violence. The country was in
an uproar, and the police lost control. Albania disinte-
grated into armed revolt and anarchy.
Most of the 125 foreign full-time servants in Alba-
nia went to Tirane¨ for safety. Many Albanians blamed
foreigners for what was happening, so it was prudent
for the foreign pioneers to leave the country. Because
the airport was closed, some of the pioneers from Ita-
ly were taken to Durres, ¨ where the port was in the
hands of local armed men. After a tense wait of 12
hours, the pioneers boarded a boat for their home
country.
The Country Committee was in daily telephone
contact with brothers in various parts of the country.
ALBANIA 187
During the early part of the day, there was an eerie
calm on the streets. But by the afternoon, people be-
gan firing their weapons and continued doing so right
through the night until dawn. Some even had anti-
aircraft artillery. The struggle became known as the
trazira, or turmoil.
“FOR THE GOOD OF JEHOVAH’S NAME”
Arben Merko, one of the six brothers from Berat
who was imprisoned for neutrality, relates: “In my cell
there was a small hole in the wall. A man in the next
cell asked who I was.” Arben witnessed to him for
weeks. One day the voice was no more.
After Arben was released from prison, a young man
came to his door. Arben did not recognize the man’s
face, but his voice was familiar—it was the man who
had been in the prison cell next to his.
“I came to give you this,” he said to Arben, handing
him an amplifier.
“During the trazira,” he told Arben, “I stole this am-
plifier from your Kingdom Hall. But what you told me
in prison touched my heart. I want to have a clear con-
science before God, so I have brought it back to you.”
Arben could not help but recall Nasho Dori’s final
message to the group of young integrity-keepers: “It
will turn out for the good of Jehovah’s name.”
TAKING CARE OF JEHOVAH’S SHEEP
The departure of the foreign elders left most con-
gregations and large groups in the care of 19- and
20-year-old ministerial servants. One day, at great risk
to themselves, three of these young brothers traveled
from Vlore¨ to Tirane.¨ Concerned about the food short-
188 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 age, the Country Committee asked if the brothers
needed any material provisions in particular.
“We’ve just run out of field service report slips,” the
young men answered. Like elderly faithful ones from
years ago, they were more concerned about spiritual
needs than physical needs. They then related that
many people were responding positively to the good
news because of all the fear and uncertainty.
Soon after the Memorial, the office received a
phone call. “We are a group of your sisters in Kukes,” ¨
said one of them, “and we have been holding meetings
alone since the pioneers left.”
As a result of the turmoil, the brothers in Tira-
¨
ne had lost communication with the publishers in
Kukes.¨ Nevertheless, a group of seven unbaptized
publishers had held the Memorial in two places. Al-
though they were concerned that they may not have
conducted the Memorial perfectly, they were hap-
py to report that 19 had attended at the two ven-
ues. Amazingly, despite the curfew and difficult
conditions in 1997, there were 3,154 present at the
Memorial throughout Albania. And despite the anar-
chy, the publishers kept preaching,
“We’ve just run giving comfort while also being care-
out of field ful.
service report When the Country Committee
slips” found out that the brothers in Gji-
¨
rokaster needed food and literature,
they discussed whether it would be safe to send a
truckload of provisions there. However, their discus-
sion was interrupted by a sister who said that a news
broadcaster who might have some helpful informa-
tion had come to see the brothers.
ALBANIA 189
 Without knowing what the committee was dis-
cussing, the news broadcaster advised: “Whatever
you do, do not go down south tomorrow. We have
received reports that something dangerous is being
planned in Tepelene.Ӭ Because the truck to Gjirokas-
¨ ¨
ter would have to go through Tepelene, the brothers
decided to cancel the trip.
The next day, shortly after 11 o’clock, a special
news bulletin reported that an extremely violent and
¨
bloody clash had taken place in Tepelene and that the
bridge in the city had been blown up. How grateful the
brothers were to Jehovah that they had been prevent-
ed from going there that day!
For weeks the Bethel family heard gunshots
throughout the night, and they often conducted
morning worship with the sound of machine-gun fire
and bombs in the background. Guns were being fired
into the air at random, and there was always the risk
of stray bullets. For safety’s sake, the Bethel family
stayed indoors, and the translators sat on the floor
away from the windows while they continued with
their work.
In April 1997, a force of 7,000 United Nations
troops arrived to restore order to the country. By Au-
gust the UN forces had left Albania, and it was possi-
ble for the brothers to arrange a district convention.
The publishers were delighted; for months they had
been able to meet only in small groups.
Armed robbers held up some of the buses char-
tered by the brothers to bring them to the convention.
However, when they found out that the passengers
were Jehovah’s Witnesses, they said: “You people are
different! We cannot harm you.”
190 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
A Teacher of
Atheism Now
Teaches the Truth
ANAS TAS RUVINA

BORN 1942 BAPTIZED 1997

PROFILE He taught atheism to subordi-
nates in the military before learning the
truth from his children. Today he serves
as an elder and special pioneer.

˛ IN 1971, after graduating from the

military academy, I became a political
brigade commissioner. That term was used because the
government had abolished military ranks in 1966. Among
my responsibilities was indoctrination of those in my com-
mand with the ideology that God does not exist. I expound-
ed on the philosophy that religion is the opium of the peo-
ple.
I had a wife and three children. In 1992 my son, Artan,
started attending religious meetings of Jehovah’s Witness-
¨
es in Tirane. Then he took his sister Anila along. I consid-
ered that to be a waste of their time and very stupid. Conse-
quently, many arguments broke out at home.
One day, out of curiosity, I picked up a copy of The
Watchtower. Oddly enough, it sounded reasonable. Yet,
even though Artan and Anila kept encouraging me, I would
not study the Bible. I reasoned that you can’t study the Bi-
ble if you don’t believe in God. In 1995 the book Life—How
Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? came out in Al-
banian. Artan and Anila gave me a copy. That’s all it took to
convince me. God does exist! I no longer had an excuse;
I had to study. Soon my wife, Lirie, joined me, and we were
convinced of the truth.
To be honest, my progress took time. I was 53 years old.
It was not easy to let go of my political and military way of
thinking. I have to say it was the Creator, Jehovah, who
helped me move forward.
I did not want to become a publisher because I wor-
ried about preaching to the very people I had taught athe-
ism. What would they think? One day at our study, Vito Ma-
strorosa read me the account of Saul of Tarsus. That did
it! Saul persecuted Christians, learned the truth, and then
preached. With Jehovah’s help, I knew I could do the same.
I still laugh at myself sometimes as Jehovah continues
to help me become less strict, more reasonable, and less of
a commanding officer. I’m slowly getting there.
I don’t argue with my children about the truth anymore.
On the contrary, I am proud of them. Artan serves as a spe-
cial pioneer and elder. My daughters, Anila and Eliona, both
¨
serve at Bethel in Tirane.
Lirie and I serve as special pioneers. We feel privileged
to teach people the truth about our Grand Creator and
watch the changes in their lives. What a joy it is to offer real
hope based on the promises of the only living and true God,
Jehovah!

Left to right: Artan, Anila, Lirie, Anastas, Eliona,

and her husband, Rinaldo Galli
 What effect did the trazira have on the preach-
ing work in Albania? Rather than hinder the growth,
the danger and anxiety seemed to make many peo-
ple more conscious of their spiritual need. As a re-
sult, in just 15 months, 500 new publishers started in
field service, bringing the total of publishers to over
1,500.
KOSOVO IN THE SPOTLIGHT
After the trazira, the guns seemed to disappear,
and the congregations kept growing. However, prob-
lems were erupting in neighboring Kosovo. The
war there was felt in Albania, as waves of refugees
streamed over the border. The Albanian publishers
lost no time in providing the refugees with a mes-
sage of hope and with comforting literature. They also
cared well for a group of 22 made up of Jehovah’s Wit-
nesses and their little children.
In August, when the war ended, the Kosovar broth-
ers returned to their homes, but not alone. They were
accompanied by Albanian and Italian brothers, in-
cluding ten special pioneers, who wanted to provide
needed spiritual help. By the end of the 1999 service
year, there were 1,805 publishers in Albania and 40 in
Kosovo.
INCREASED SPIRITUAL STABILITY
“I’m glad we are translating so much,” Nasho Dori
had said before he died, “but what we really need
is the New World Translation—a good-quality Bi-
ble on which to build our faith!” Just three years
after Nasho’s death, in 1999, the Governing Body
gave approval for the translation of the New World
Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures into Al-
banian.
ALBANIA 193
 At the convention in 2000, a wonderful surprise
awaited the Albanian audience—the release of the
New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scrip-
tures in Albanian! The hardworking translation team
poured their heart and soul into the project and com-
pleted it in just under a year. A regular pioneer who
was formerly a Communist member of the parliament
wrote: “How wonderful! Only after studying this trans-
lation have I been able to appreciate how beautiful the
Bible is, with its prose, poetry, and flowing accounts.
When I read how Jesus performed miracles and was
rebuked and mocked, I felt deep emotions that I had
never felt before. I could imagine each touching scene
so clearly!”
By now, there were 2,200 publishers in Albania
and the Bethel family had grown to 40. Apartments
had been rented, but more room was needed. Conse-
quently, the Governing Body approved the purchase

David Splane releasing

the complete “New World
Translation” in Albanian
of a seven-acre piece of land on the outskirts of Tirane¨
¨
in Mezez. To help oversee the growing field in Albania
and in Kosovo, the Country Committee began func-
tioning as a Branch Committee in 2000.
In September 2003, when construction began on
the new branch facilities, Albania reported 3,122 pub-
lishers. At the same time, translation of the Hebrew
Scriptures into Albanian was well under way. Not only
was the preaching work advancing rapidly but the
publishers were making commendable spiritual prog-
ress. Many of the 20 young men who made up Alba-
nia’s first class of the Ministerial Training School in
August 2004 had been teenagers when they cared for
congregations during the trazira a few years before.
How happy they were now to have received further
theocratic training!
‘THE DEVIL WAS ANGRY’
“Jehovah Teaches People to Kill Themselves!”
read the newspaper headlines in February 2005.
News reports on television and in newspapers car-
ried false rumors that a teenage girl who had commit-
ted suicide was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In fact,
the girl had neither studied nor attended meetings.
Nevertheless, opposers used the incident to launch
an all-out attack.
Teachers ridiculed Witness children. Brothers
lost their jobs. People clamored for our work to be
banned. Though brothers tried to reason with the
media, the news reports only got worse.
It was clear that Jehovah’s servants needed guid-
ance and support to cope with this new attack. So the
branch arranged for a special talk to be presented
ALBANIA 195
to show the value of continuing to preach the truth
in order to counter the venomous lies. The brothers
were encouraged to reason with people and not give
in to fear of man. They could point out to honest-
hearted ones that the number of Jehovah’s Witness-
es had increased phenomenally over the past few
years, which would not have been the case if Wit-
nesses had been killing themselves. This type of at-
tack was nothing new. The brothers were reminded
of the false suicide reports about Spiro Vruho back in
the 1960’s. The present reports would fail miserably,
and fail they did!
Just a few months later, in August, David Splane
of the Governing Body joined the 4,675 delegates
from Albania and Kosovo at their district conven-
tion. The audience could barely contain their de-
light when Brother Splane released the complete
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in Al-
banian!
“No wonder Satan was trying hard to hinder
us!” said one old-timer. “He was angry because so
many good things were happening to Jehovah’s peo-
ple.”
Despite negative reports in the media, God’s
servants in Albania continued to grow stronger.
Many unbelieving husbands and relatives who saw
through the untrue news reports began to study
the Bible and became publishers. In the face of Sa-
tan’s most vicious onslaughts, Jehovah’s will was be-
ing accomplished. The Bethel family moved into the
new branch, and the second class of the Ministerial
Training School got under way.
196 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 BRANCH DEDICATION
¨
In June 2006, Theodore Jaracz and Gerrit Losch,
both of the Governing Body, were among the 350 dele-
gates from 32 countries present for the dedication
of the new branch facilities. Also at the dedication
was Sotir Ceqi, who had been tortured with electric
shocks in the 1940’s. Now in his late 70’s, he contin-
ues to serve with joy.
“I only dreamed of this day,” said Frosina Xheka,
still serving loyally despite decades of intense hard-
ship. Polikseni Komino, Jani’s widow, was there to tell
about her daughters and granddaughter, who were
serving as regular pioneers. Also in attendance was
Vasil Gjoka, now hunched over after years of suffer-
ing. His eyes filled with tears as he reminisced about
visiting Leonidha Pope and being baptized secretly in
1960.
The former branch in Tirane¨ was turned into a
Kingdom Hall complex and missionary home for

Missionaries currently serving in Albania

14 missionaries. Six classes of the Ministerial Train-
ing School have produced a crop of faithful, self-
sacrificing special pioneers who are an enormous as-
set to the Albanian field. More than 950 local regular
and special pioneers reflect a similar glowing evange-
lizing spirit.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Our brothers and sisters in Albania deeply appre-
ciate the Bible and the literature that has been trans-
lated into their mother tongue. Jehovah’s work in this
part of the field continues to progress steadily. In ad-
dition to the eager and capable men who are being
trained to take on theocratic responsibility, “the wom-
en telling the good news are a large army.”—Ps. 68:11.
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Albania are living testimo-
ny to the truthfulness of the inspired words: “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 con-
demn. This is the hereditary possession of the ser-
vants of Jehovah.” (Isa. 54:17) Because of Jehovah’s
undeserved kindness and strength, they remained
unbroken by totalitarian rule, torture, isolation, mali-
cious media publicity, and personal problems.
Jehovah’s people in Albania face the future abso-
lutely certain of God’s loyal love and blessing. Regard-
less of difficulties, they rejoice in the privilege of mak-
ing their heavenly Father’s heart glad and in the hope
that is set before them. (Prov. 27:11; Heb. 12:1, 2) If one
thing has echoed through Albania’s theocratic histo-
ry, it is this: Jehovah never forgets the sacrifices, great
and small, made by his loyal servants, young and old.
—Heb. 6:10; 13:16.
198 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Albania Branch
Branch Committee: Artan Duka, Ardian Tutra,
Michael DiGregorio, Davide Appignanesi, Stefano Anatrelli
 Belize
SITUATED on the Yucatan ´ Peninsula and bounded
by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea is the
tropical gem known as Belize. This little country, for-
merly called British Honduras, is a melting pot of cul-
tures, languages, customs, foods, and religions.
With a population of about 300,000, Belize is un-
crowded compared with the rest of Central America.
Its lush, tropical jungles are home to gorgeous birds
and fascinating animals, including the elusive jag-
uar. Here, too, you will find many ancient Maya ru-
ins and majestic mountains adorned with towering
palms and cascading waterfalls. A fascinating feature
of the land is its huge network of caverns, some of
which are connected by clear, winding rivers. The Be-
lize Barrier Reef, which stretches the full length of the
coastline, contains a spectacular array of corals and
is dotted with cays—low islands covered with white
sandy beaches and coconut palms.
EARLY HISTORY
The Arawak and the Carib, who migrated from
South America, were early settlers in Belize. Centu-
ries before the Europeans came to what was called
the New World, Belize is thought to have been the
heart of the Maya civilization, with flourishing cere-
monial centers and magnificent temples.
Early efforts by Europeans to colonize Belize are
not well documented. What is known is that Spain’s
attempts to subjugate the Maya failed. In 1638, British
pirates settled on the coast of Belize. By the middle of
201
the 17th century, settlements for exploiting logwood
(from which a valuable dye was extracted) had been
established.
The British brought slaves to the country from
markets in Jamaica and the United States, as well as
directly from Africa, to harvest logwood and mahog-
any. Even though whip-wielding slave drivers were
not as common in the timber industry as they were
elsewhere in the Americas, living conditions were de-
plorable and ill-treatment was common. Many slaves
revolted, committed suicide, or escaped and estab-
lished independent communities within Belize. In
1862, Belize was proclaimed a British colony, and in
1981 it gained independence.1
SEEDS OF TRUTH TAKE ROOT
One of the first Witnesses, then called Internation-
al Bible Students, to arrive in Belize was James Gor-
don, who was baptized in Jamaica in 1918. In 1923
this slightly built, soft-spoken young man left Jamai-
ca to live in Belize. He settled in a remote Maya village
called Bomba, where he married and began to raise a
family. Although far from his Christian brothers, he
shared the good news with his friends and neighbors.
How did the Kingdom good news reach the rest
of this British colony? In 1931, Freida Johnson, a
small woman in her late 50’s from the United States,
began preaching in parts of Central America. Travel-
ing alone, sometimes on horseback, she preached in
towns, villages, and scattered banana plantations on
the Caribbean Coast.
1 Although Belize was called British Honduras until 1973, we will
refer to the country as Belize unless the context demands otherwise.

202 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Arriving in Belize City in 1933, Freida rented a
small room from Mrs. Beeks. She heard Freida read-
ing from the Bible and singing a hymn before going
out each morning. Many could not help noticing Frei-
da’s unflagging zeal, such as when she did not stop for
the usual afternoon rest as did most others in the
Tropics. During her six-month stay in the country,
she stirred the interest of a Jamaican baker named
Thaddius Hodgeson. Although concentrating her ef-
forts in Belize City, Freida also visited some rural
areas, where she made contact with James Gordon in
Bomba. Freida’s fine work enabled those who shared
the same beliefs to become acquainted with one an-
other and begin meeting together.
MORE HELPED INTO THE TRUTH
Though communication was very difficult at the
time, James and Thaddius maintained contact as
they carried on the preaching work in their respective
regions. As early as 1934, Thaddius wrote to the world
headquarters in Brooklyn requesting a transcription
machine and recorded Bible talks.
On Saturday nights Thaddius played recorded
talks in front of the Supreme Court building, in a
small park that had been used as an exercise ground
for the army garrison. Known as “the Battlefield,” the
park became just that. Thaddius played recordings
of Brother Rutherford’s talks on one side, and the
Salvation Army band played on the other side, ac-
companied by the booming of a large drum played by
Beaumont Boman. Soon, though, Beaumont respond-
ed to the Kingdom message and joined Thaddius on
his side of the battlefield. “I give thanks to my God,
BELIZE 203
Jehovah,” said Beaumont, “for making me put down
that drum!”
Another good place for public preaching was a
small area in front of the open market known as Mule
Park, where there was a hitching post for mule carts
used to transport goods into and around town. Thad-
dius—who was tall, brown-skinned, and good-looking
and was known as a very dynamic speaker, could of-
ten be heard there. Despite the strong hold of Chris-
tendom’s churches on the Bible-loving people of Be-
lize, many honesthearted ones, such as James Hyatt
and Arthur Randall, both from Jamaica, responded to
the good news.
On the north side of Belize City, Thaddius began
conducting meetings in his bakery. To do so, he had
to push aside the serving counter and place boards
on chairs to create crude benches. On the south side
of the city, meetings were held at the home of Cora
Brown. In addition, Nora Fayad recalled that when
she was a young girl, the few Witnesses in her area
used to meet in Arthur Randall’s yard, next to her
home.
VIGOROUS PREACHING YIELDS RESULTS
The hallmark of many of those early Witnesses
was their tireless preaching. For example, James
(Jimsie) Jenkins, though blind, walked all over Belize
City, feeling his way with his stick. Molly Tillet says
she could hear him preaching at the market, even
when she was two blocks away! James was also re-
membered for paying rapt attention at the meetings,
where he sat leaning slightly forward on his stick to
catch every word. He memorized many Bible texts,
which he used in the preaching work.
204 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Meanwhile, James Gordon was known in the vil-
lages around Bomba for preaching to everyone he
met, carrying his literature in a portable mahogany
case in one hand and a transcription machine in the
other. Every Sunday in the predawn darkness, he
paddled upriver in his hollowed-out log canoe and
then walked for many miles in the territory through-
out the day. At day’s end he could be seen trudging
up the path from the river in the fading light. After
supper, James conducted a Bible study with his six
children until he was just too tired to hold up his
book.
At that time, Brother Gordon’s wife was not yet
a Witness. In fact, one day when he was away, she
burned much of his Bible literature. When James re-
turned and saw what she had done, he stayed calm.
With a firm voice, he simply said, “Don’t ever try
that again!” His children were impressed by his self-
restraint because they knew what a painful loss his
wife had inflicted on him.
DRAWN BY JEHOVAH’S SPIRIT
One Sunday morning James preached to Derrine
Lightburn, a devout Anglican, who accepted the book
The Harp of God. She could not hear everything the
soft-spoken man said, but she wondered what he was
talking about. Later, during a stay with her aunt Al-
phonsena Robateau in Belize City, a man stopped at
the gate and asked permission to enter the yard.
“He looks just like the man who brought me that
nice book I told you about,” Derrine told her aunt.
It turned out to be, not James Gordon, but James
Hyatt. He played his transcription machine for
BELIZE 205
 Alphonsena Robateau and
Amybelle Allen along with three
special pioneer brothers

the two women and placed

The Harp of God with Al-
phonsena. Although very
involved in politics, Alphon-
sena and her sister Octa-
belle Flowers had been
searching for the truth.
What Alphonsena heard
that day moved her to ex-
claim to Octabelle: “You
know, a man came here
talking about the King-
dom of God. I think this
is what we’re looking for!”
Octabelle made a point of being there when the broth-
er returned. All three women—Alphonsena, Octabelle,
and Derrine—embraced the truth and were baptized
in 1941.
The mother of Alphonsena and Octabelle had re-
cently passed away, and Amybelle Allen, their younger
sister, prayed to God that she too would die and go to
heaven to be with her mother. Octabelle invited Amy-
belle to hear the talk “Where Are the Dead?” Amybelle
accepted the invitation and never stopped attending
meetings.
“Those people were drawn by Jehovah’s spirit just
by reading the publications and going to the meet-
ings,” says Olga Knight, Derrine’s daughter. “They
were so excited about the truth that they soon start-
ed telling others what they had learned.”
206 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 For example, Olga’s father, Herman Lightburn, ac-
cepted the truth after reading the book Children dur-
ing a stay in the hospital. He was so enthusiastic
about what he was learning that he rented a truck
every Friday to take the small band of publishers to
witness in the surrounding villages. He also did ex-
tensive preaching in the rural area of Black Creek,
where he had a farm.
“My parents preached along the Belize River,” re-
calls Olga, “and the people would come with lanterns
in the evening to listen. Every morning when we were
on vacation at the farm, my parents, my aunt Amy-
belle, her daughter Molly Tillet, and I—all mounted on
my father’s horses, one
Herman and Derrine Lightburn
behind the other—would with Stephen, their son
ride along the trail until
we got to Crooked Tree.
There, while the horses
were let out to graze, we
studied the Bible with in-
terested ones. As a result,
some of those families
came into the truth.”
In 1941 the first group
of new publishers was
baptized in the waters
of the Caribbean in Be-
lize City. Included in this
group was George Longs-
worth, who pioneered
from that year until he
died at the age of 87 in
1967. He did much of his
 Belize Overview
Land A low coastal plain rises to the Maya Mountains in
the south. The forests are home to jaguars, pumas, black
howler monkeys, peccaries, green iguanas, and croco-
diles, as well as up to 60 species of snakes, such as the
very poisonous fer-de-lance, locally known as the yellow-
jaw tommygoff. There are almost 600 species of birds, in-
cluding the endangered scarlet macaw and the gorgeous
keel-billed toucan. The kaleidoscope of marine life ranges
from corals, sponges, and parrot fish to manatees, barra-
cuda, and whale sharks.
People Inhabitants include Maya (Kekchi, Mopan, and
Yucatec), Creoles (people of mixed African and Euro-
pean ancestry), Mestizos (mixed Spanish and Maya), Gari-
nagu (mixed African and Carib), East Indians, Lebanese,
Chinese, and Europeans, including German and Dutch
Mennonites.
Language English is the official language, but Belize
Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, Kekchi, Maya, German, and
Mandarin are also spoken.
Livelihood Much of the population is employed in growing
and exporting cane sugar and tropical fruit. Fishing and
tourism also provide income for many.
Food The country’s varied cultures contribute to a deli-
ciously diverse cuisine. Rice and beans cooked together in
coconut milk is a traditional favorite, often served with
fried or stewed chicken, beef, or fish and fried ripe plan-
tains. Delectable seafood is abundant and very popular.
Climate Located on the Caribbean Coast of Central Ameri-
ca, Belize has a hot, humid, subtropical climate and is vul-
nerable to hurricanes.

208 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Corozal

MEXIC O COROZAL
DISTRICT
Orange Walk
Ambergris Cay
August Pine Ridge
Bomba San Pedro
Santana
Crooked Tree Cay Caulker

Black Creek
ORANGE WALK r
e
iv
Ladyville
e R

DISTRICT
l iz
Be

Belize City
BELIZE
DISTRICT
BELMOPAN

Benque Viejo
Melchor de CARIBBEAN
Mencos Dangriga SEA
Stann Creek Valley

B E L I Z E Hopkins

STANN CREEK
CAYO DISTRICT DISTRICT
.
TS
M Seine Bight
A
AY Mango Creek
M
Placencia
TOLEDO DISTRICT
Monkey River Town

San Antonio Punta Negra

Sundaywood Punta Gorda

Crique Sarco Barranco

GUATEMAL A
preaching in the interior, where he opened up new ter-
ritories, riding on horseback for miles between towns
and villages. George’s consistent zeal for the ministry
and his regular meeting attendance were especially
encouraging to newer ones. Jehovah was using these
zealous and faithful servants in a powerful way to
draw honesthearted ones into his organization.
THE FIRST MISSIONARIES ARRIVE
October 5, 1945, saw the arrival of Elmer Ihrig and
Charles Heyen, graduates of the first class of Gilead.
Just the day before, however, a hurricane had struck
about 100 miles south of Belize City. The ten-mile
stretch of road from the airport to the city was un-
der water, so the two missionaries were transported
in large army trucks. Thaddius Hodgeson placed ce-
ment blocks and wooden boxes in the water in front
of his home so that when the two arrived, they could
enter without getting their feet wet.
The brothers in Belize eagerly anticipated the ar-
´
rival of the first missionaries. James Gordon, Leon
A group of Witnesses with sound cart, Belize City, 1940’s;
(1) Thaddius Hodgeson, (2) George Longsworth

1
2

210 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
Requena,˜ and Rafael Medina were willing to travel
from the north of the country to Belize City to meet
the new missionaries—quite a challenge at that time!
“There was no highway connecting the north of the
country and Belize City,” explains Ismael Medina,
Rafael’s grandson. “There were only picados, rutted
trails used for mule carts. There were no houses along
the way, so they slept wherever night found them, de-
spite the snakes. When they had met the missionar-
ies and received instructions and literature, the
three brothers walked all the way back again. It took
days!”
The missionaries were introduced to the public in
Mule Park in a most unusual way. James Hyatt began
the program with a scathing attack on the clergy for
their false teachings, which provoked an outburst of
profanity from some of the onlookers. At the end of his
talk, he abruptly pointed to the two new missionaries
and said, “I hand these two over to you!” That was
about as much as the public was going to find out
about the two new brothers on that occasion!
There was no doubt that those early brothers had
an outstanding love for Jehovah and Bible truth, as
well as an abiding hatred for false religious teachings.
It was clear too that the missionaries had valuable
experience to share with the eager publishers that
would help them become more effective preachers.
The two missionaries started their work in Be-
lize City, which had a population of about 26,700
at the time. It was built on fill, which brought it to
the height of just one foot above sea level, and it had
poor drainage. Added to that, the climate was hot and
humid. The homes had no city water supply, but in
BELIZE 211
almost every yard, there was a large wooden vat to col-
lect rainwater during the rainy season. Sometimes,
though, the rain came with a vengeance, such as in
1931 when a hurricane demolished the city and killed
more than 2,000 people.
PROGRESS DESPITE RESTRICTIONS
Although there was never a ban against the ac-
tivity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Belize, the govern-
ment imposed a ban on our publications for some
time during World War II. Shortly before the arrival of
the missionaries, though, these restrictions had been
lifted.
Nevertheless, The Watchtower of July 15, 1946, re-
porting on the activity of the two missionaries in Be-
lize, stated: “In the interior a Roman Catholic priest
still tries to have the ban enforced against the litera-
ture received by mail. The Roman Catholic clergy re-
sent the presence of these two missionaries of Jeho-
vah’s witnesses; and one Irish-American priest . . .
grew indignant that the British Colonial Government
should let them into the country. . . . The two [mission-
aries] reminded the priest that he claimed to be an
American himself, and they sent him scurrying away
by showing him from American prison statistics that
the Roman Catholic system was no real guardian of
the morals of the people of the United States.”
The first accurate record of publishers in Belize
was in 1944 when seven publishers reported. To give
a more effective witness, the publishers began using
testimony cards in the door-to-door work. Within a
year of the arrival of the missionaries, the number of
publishers rose to 16.
212 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 In 1946, Nathan H. Knorr and Frederick W. Franz,
from the world headquarters, visited the country and
established a branch office here. Brother Knorr gave
a talk on organization, explaining the need to report
field service on the printed forms provided. Broth-
er Franz urged the congregation to show mercy to oth-
ers by continuing to preach the Kingdom message.
Later in the week Brother Knorr explained to an audi-
ence of 102, which included many interested persons,
why the interested ones should be glad to be with Je-
hovah’s people. He invited them to study the Bible reg-
ularly with the Witnesses.
That same year, Charles and Annie Ruth Parrish
and Cordis and Mildred Sorrell arrived. Truman Bru-
baker and Charles and Florence Homolka followed
them in 1948. They were most welcome, for much
work lay ahead.
MUCH WORK TO DO
“There was only the one small congregation then,”
wrote Elmer Ihrig, “there
being no congregations
in the outer districts. I
used to go to these
places and spend a cou-
ple of weeks at a time,
sowing seed by placing
books, taking subscrip-
tions and giving talks.”
During that first year,
Charles Heyen traveled
by truck to Orange Walk,

Elmer Ihrig expanded his

ministry to the outer districts
where he worked the territory and encouraged the
brothers to hold regular meetings.
The only link with the southern towns was by
boat. So Elmer and Charles traveled on the Heron H
to reach the coastal towns of Stann Creek (now Dan-
griga) and Punta Gorda, two Garifuna settlements,
with the goal of opening
up the preaching work
there. Back then, Pun-
ta Gorda could only be
reached by a 30-hour
boat trip from Belize City.
Elmer made the trip and
then gave a public talk
to about 20 people in the
lobby of the hotel where
he was staying.
Olga Knight remem-
bers Elmer accompany-
ing her family to the
remote village of Crook-
Charles Heyen encouraged ed Tree, where her fa-
the brothers to hold regular
meetings ther conducted meet-
ings along the tree-lined
river. The local brothers appreciated the hard work
and humble attitude of the missionaries.
By 1948, there was an average of 38 publishers,
and four new congregations were formed outside of
Belize City. These small congregations were made
up of a handful of publishers in rural communities,
such as the Lightburn family in Black Creek, the Gor-
don family in Bomba, the Humes and Aldana fami-
˜
lies in Santana, and Brothers Requena and Medina
214 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
The Garinagu
Respond to
the Truth
B E V E R LY A N N F L O R E S
BORN 1961 BAPTIZED 1993
PROFILE A Garifuna who accepted the
truth and now helps her people learn
about Jehovah.

˛ THE Garinagu (plural of Garifuna) trace their ancestry to

the early 17th century, when slaves intermarried with indig-
enous Carib. Garifuna is an Arawakan language with ele-
ments of French and Swahili.
Garinagu religion is a mixture of African and Amer-
indian traditions, with strong Catholic influences. The
dugu, for example, is an elaborate ceremony to appease
dead ancestors by offering them food and drink. “My moth-
er did not believe in the dugu ceremony,” says Beverly.
“She couldn’t see how God could approve of all that food
being buried. She used to say, ‘Food is for people to eat!
And if the dead are loved ones, why would they come back
and do you harm?’ ”
Beverly goes on to explain what happened when she
learned the truth. “Being a Garifuna motivated me to go to
Dangriga to preach to my people. I knew that most Gari-
nagu would respond better to one of their own people.
Many stop and listen when I speak Garifuna, and several
have begun to associate with the congregation. They have
seen that they can break away from unscriptural traditions
and not be killed by evil spirits.”

BELIZE 215
in Orange Walk. The missionaries and special pio-
neers were concentrating their efforts on Belize City,
as they had been encouraged to do. Jehovah blessed
their diligent efforts, and an ever-increasing num-
ber of sincere people were becoming Jehovah’s ser-
vants.
Brother Knorr’s next visit, in December 1949, was
timely and encouraging. He spent one evening in
the missionary home talking about the challenges of
missionary work. Many new publishers wanted to
serve Jehovah but did not appreciate the need to ded-
icate their lives to him and symbolize it by baptism.
Brother Knorr reminded the missionaries that pa-
tience, endurance, and love for people were needed.
He also reminded them that they had enjoyed good
results.
NO MORE MISSIONARIES ALLOWED
By 1957 the brothers sensed that the government
was keeping a close check on the activities of Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses in Belize. For example, at a presenta-
tion of one of the Society’s films in Orange Walk, a po-
lice officer questioned the brothers from the branch
about their time of arrival in the village and the time
they would be leaving. He said that this was for a re-
port to the superintendent of police and pointed out
that a plainclothes officer was present at a recent as-
sembly to make a similar report.
Between 1951 and 1957, ten more missionaries
had been granted permission to enter the country.
Suddenly, in June 1957, the brothers received a letter
from the police and immigration headquarters, stat-
ing: “The Government of British Honduras [now Be-
216 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
lize] has decided that, with immediate effect, no fur-
ther Ministers of your Society will be permitted to
enter British Honduras from overseas.” A request to
meet with the governor to ascertain the reason for
this decision was denied.
Although some other religious groups were not
permitted to bring in new missionaries, they were al-
lowed to replace missionaries that left. This provision
was not extended to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who need-
ed to replace two missionaries. In 1960 the brothers
wrote to the authorities in Belize as well as in London
pointing out that they were not applying for new mis-
sionaries but, rather, requesting replacements.
The curt reply was: “The Governor-in-Council has
reached a firm decision not to permit the entry into
British Honduras of any further missionaries of the
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.”
When the brothers requested an interview, they
were told: “The Governor-in-Council reached a firm
decision in 1957 not to permit the entry into British
Honduras of any further missionaries of your Soci-
ety; and in these circumstances His Excellency does
not consider that it would serve any useful purpose
for him to see you on this matter.” It seemed that the
brothers had come up against a stone wall.
Finally, after almost five years of continual re-
quests, the branch received a letter in October 1961
from the Secretariat in Belize, which said: “I am to in-
form you that your most recent representations have
been considered by the British Honduras Govern-
ment which has decided that, for the time being, it
will permit further foreign missionaries to enter this
BELIZE 217
 “Jehovah Always
Took Care of Us”
L I L LY M I L L E R

BORN 1928 BAPTIZED 1960

PROFILE She raised six children on her
own and has been in full-time service
for 47 years.

˛ “IN 1959, Amybelle Allen talked to me about the Bible,”

recalls soft-spoken Lilly. “We had been warned in church
about all these ‘false prophets’ who were going from door
to door. I agreed to a study using only the Bible, accepted
the truth, and was baptized the following year.
“At first, it was difficult for me to preach. My hands were
trembling so much I could hardly hold my Bible. But my de-
sire to share what I was learning was ‘like a burning fire
shut up in my bones,’ as Jeremiah said, and I had to speak,
whether people listened or not.”—Jer. 20:9.
How did Lilly raise her six children by herself and man-
age to pioneer? “I prayed to Jehovah, and he made it possi-
ble,” says Lilly. “Three times a week, I got up at 3:30 a.m. to
make biscuits. My daughters and I baked them in a wood-
stove, and people lined up to buy them hot out of the oven.
After all the biscuits were sold, my children left for school
and I went out in field service. Jehovah always took care of
us.”
Since 1969, Lilly has been pioneering in Corozal. Her
eldest son and two of her daughters have entered the full-
time service, and she has had a share in helping 69 peo-
ple to baptism.

218 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
country as replacements for the existing foreign mis-
sionaries who are already here.” As a result, in 1962,
Martin and Alice Thompson from Jamaica were per-
mitted to enter the country as missionaries.
THE WORK WAS UNHINDERED
It was obvious that religious opposers had tried to
slow down our work, but had they succeeded? The re-
port for the 1957 service year showed a peak of 176
publishers in seven congregations. Belize had a pop-
ulation of 75,000 people at the time, which means
the ratio was about 1 publisher to every 400 people.
The 1961 service year report showed 236 publishers,
a 34 percent increase, bringing the ratio to 1 pub-
lisher to every 383 people! Jehovah’s promise to his
people 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 judg-
ment you will condemn.” (Isa. 54:17) The preaching
work continued unhindered.
Many couples who studied the Bible were living to-
gether without being legally married, and some drift-
ed from one partner to another. But as soon as they
learned of Jehovah’s high standards, many went to
great effort and expense to become properly married.
Some of them were over 80 years of age!
A NEW KINGDOM HALL IS NEEDED
In December 1949 the brothers paid in advance to
use Liberty Hall in Belize City for a series of four spe-
cial talks to be held in January 1950. The day be-
fore the final talk, an announcement was aired on
the radio that the hall was going to be used the next
day for the funeral service of a prominent person.
BELIZE 219
Despite several appeals by the brothers to the own-
ers of the hall, the special talk was interrupted by a
group of people who entered the hall and loudly start-
ed making preparations for the funeral. Eventually,
the brothers had to ask the police to intervene. Clear-
ly, the brothers needed a Kingdom Hall of their own.
Available halls were all used as clubs and dance halls,
and rent was expensive.
“Last Sunday night at the Watchtower Study there
were 174 present,” relates Donald Snider, serving then
as branch overseer. “The hall is not able to accommo-
date nearly that many, so quite a few have to stand.
Because it’s very crowded, it’s hotter than ever.” The
branch office and missionary home were moved to
various rented locations several times.
In September 1958 construction began on a two-
story structure. The first floor housed a small branch
office and missionary home, while the entire second
floor was an auditorium. In 1959 construction was
completed, and the Belize City Congregation finally
had its own Kingdom Hall!
GROWTH IN THE SPANISH FIELD
One outstanding area of spiritual growth among
Jehovah’s people in Belize has been among Spanish-
speaking people. In 1949 there were places where
Spanish was spoken, but none of the missionaries
then spoke the language. Later, however, some were
sent who could speak Spanish. One of these was Les-
lie Pitcher, who came in 1955. He was assigned to
work in Benque Viejo, a town with a Spanish-
speaking population, located in western Belize next to
the Guatemalan border. When he arrived, some of the
locals were already waiting for him. Why was that?
220 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Branch office, missionary
home, and Kingdom Hall
in Belize City

About a year before,

in the town of San Beni-
to, farther west in Gua-
temala, Natalia Contreras
had learned the truth and
was baptized. She crossed
the border into Belize to
witness to her relatives
living in Benque Viejo.
One of these, Serviliano
Contreras, took special
note of Natalia’s Scriptur-
al comments about idol
worship, and he accept-
ed the truth. He was a
faithful Witness until his
death in 1998 at the age of 101. Many of his children
and grandchildren are Witnesses. The territory of the
small band of publishers in Benque Viejo in those ear-
ly days extended across the Guatemalan border to the
town of Melchor de Mencos, where they conducted
meetings. Eventually, a congregation was formed in
Melchor de Mencos, and the Benque Viejo Congrega-
tion is still known for its zealous spirit.
As early as 1956, portions of the district and cir-
cuit assembly programs were presented in Spanish.
But it was not until February 1968 that a complete
circuit assembly program was presented in Spanish
at the Kingdom Hall in Orange Walk. There were 85 in
attendance, and 4 were baptized.
BELIZE 221
 Marcelo Dominguez and Rafael Medina, two
Spanish-speaking brothers, along with other
Spanish-speaking Witnesses, such as Dionisio and
Catalina Tek, faithfully attended the meetings and as-
semblies in English, even though their understand-
ing of the language was limited. It was not until Octo-
ber 1964 that a Spanish-language congregation was
formed in Orange Walk with 20 publishers, who had
been associating with the English congregation.
During the 1980’s, civil wars were raging in near-
by El Salvador and Guatemala, causing many people
to flee to Belize. Among them were several Spanish-
speaking Witness families that included elders, min-
isterial servants, and pioneers. These boosted the
expansion in the Spanish field, as did some bi-
lingual missionaries from other Spanish-speaking
countries.
“TRUE CHRISTIANS PREACH FROM DOOR TO DOOR”
One day, two strangers knocked on Margarita Sa-
lazar’s door in Orange Walk and asked, “Do you know
one of Jehovah’s Witnesses by the name of Margari-
´
ta Salazar?” The callers, 23-year-old Teofila Mai and
her mother, were from August Pine Ridge, a village
21 miles southwest of Orange Walk. Why were they
looking for Margarita?
´
“About a year before,” explains Teofila, “my nine-
month-old son was very ill. So I took him to the vil-
lage of Botes to dedicate him to a virgin saint known
as Santa Clara. I was traveling in the front seat of
a truck, and the driver, who lived in our area, be-
gan to witness to me. After asking why I was taking
my baby to Botes, he told me that the Bible did not
222 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 The first complete Spanish circuit assembly, at the
Kingdom Hall in Orange Walk, 1968

approve of image worship. This interested me very

much. Over time, this man shared many Scriptural
truths with me, which he had learned from Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses.
´
“On one trip,” continues Teofila, “the truck driv-
er told me that true Christians preach from door to
door. He explained that Jehovah’s Witnesses did and
that they would read scriptures such as Zephaniah
BELIZE 223
 1:14 and 2:2, 3 to people. So, taking my small son by
the hand and my baby on my arm, I went from door
to door in August Pine Ridge, reading these verses to
my neighbors. Later, the man suggested that if I real-
ly wanted to know the truth, I should study the Bible
with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He told me about the Sa-
lazars and said where in Orange Walk I could find
them. I had never been to Orange Walk, so with my
mother, I went to look for them.”
´
Margarita remembers the morning that Teofila
and her mother first visited her. “They asked many
Bible questions,” she recalls,
“The truck driver “and we had a lengthy discus-
told me that true sion. They wanted to know if
Christians preach it was true that Jehovah’s Wit-
from door to door” nesses help people understand
the Bible, no matter how far
they must travel to teach them. I assured her that it
was true and promised that we would go to their vil-
lage every two weeks to study the Bible with them.”
´
When Margarita and her husband, Ramon, ar-
´
rived at August Pine Ridge, Teofila had gathered six
adult members of her family for the Bible study. Sub-
sequently, other pioneers from Orange Walk regular-
ly traveled the 21 miles of narrow, unpaved, bumpy
road with the Salazars to preach in the village while
´
Teofila and her family had their Bible study. Often
Amybelle Allen stayed overnight in the village so
´
that she could conduct Bible studies there. Teofila
was baptized in 1972, five months after her first Bi-
ble study. A congregation was formed in August Pine
´
Ridge in 1980, and over the years, 37 members of Teo-
fila’s family have embraced the truth.
224 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 BUSH TRIPS YIELD FRUITAGE
Although Belize City and the largest towns in Be-
lize were being worked thoroughly, rural territory was
not being covered regularly. Early missionaries had
made trips by boat to the southern towns, but later a
road was built that connected the southern districts
of Stann Creek and Toledo with the rest of the coun-
try. Then, early in 1971, the branch organized annual
preaching excursions, called bush trips, to take the
Kingdom message to the Mopan and Kekchi Maya in
remote parts of the Belize rain forest.
Using rented vehicles and dugout canoes, the
brothers and sisters were able to reach villages and
towns from Dangriga to Punta Gorda and as far south
as Barranco, near the border with Guatemala. Some
trips were made by a group in a van accompanied by
two to four motorcyclists. Each night they stopped at
a different village, and during the day, while the larg-
er group worked the village, the motorcyclists went in
pairs up trails to isolated farms.
In the Punta Gorda area, the brothers backpacked
from village to village. They often had to speak to the
alcalde (chief ) in the cabildo, the meeting place for the
older men of the village, before preaching to the rest of
the villagers.
“At one village,” relates missionary Reiner Thomp-
son, “the brothers arrived when the men were in a
meeting in the cabildo, discussing the procedure for
the corn harvest. After the meeting, the men asked
the brothers to sing a Kingdom song for them. The
brothers were tired and hungry, and they did not have
a songbook.” Brother Thompson adds, “They sang
with all their hearts, much to the delight of the men.”
BELIZE 225
In time, congregations were formed in Mango Creek
and later in San Antonio, one of the largest Maya vil-
lages.
“Sometimes we walked between villages at night to
keep up with our schedule,” explains Santiago Sosa.
“We learned to walk in single file in the middle of the
road, not at the sides, because the bushes along the
road were sure to harbor snakes. We also learned to
drink from a water vine when we were out of water.”
Sometimes the group was divided into twos or
fours to preach in different parts of the village. Then,
they all met up again in the evening. Two would stay
behind to do the cooking. “That could be a disaster,”
recalls Santiago with a chuckle, “because some didn’t
really know how to cook. I remember looking at one
meal and asking, ‘What is it?’ The cook said, ‘I don’t
know, but it’s food.’ If the cook couldn’t identify the
food, we thought we had better test it first on a skinny
stray dog. But even the hungry dog wouldn’t eat it!”
KEKCHI ACCEPT THE TRUTH
Rodolfo Cocom and his wife, Ofelia, moved from Co-
rozal to a remote Kekchi village in the south called
Crique Sarco. Ofelia had grown up in this village,
which the Witnesses visited only on the annual bush
trips. When she was about 14 years old, Ofelia found
the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life under
an orange tree and began to read it. She wanted to
know more, but it was not until she was married and
living in Corozal that she and her husband, Rodolfo,
studied the Bible with two special pioneers, Marcial
and Manuela Kay.
When the Cocoms moved to Crique Sarco in 1981,
they wanted to renew contact with the Witnesses,
226 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Bush Trips
—Preaching in the Rain Forest
“In March 1991, a group of 23 brothers and sisters
from all over the country gathered at Punta Gorda for a
ten-day preaching adventure in the depths of the rain for-
est,” relates Martha Simons. “Included in our load of cloth-
ing, blankets, and hammocks was literature in English,
Spanish, and Kekchi. We also carried food, which included
200 journey cakes, or biscuits.
“The following morning we set out into a choppy sea in
a wooden dugout, made by hollowing out a large ceiba (cot-
ton) tree. At the village of Crique Sarco, we off-loaded and
set up camp. As the brothers put up the hammocks, the
sisters cooked one of our favorite dishes—pigtail boilup—a
stew made from cassava, yams, green plantain, coconut,
boiled eggs and, of course, a pig’s tail. Word got around
that we had arrived, and soon a steady stream of Kekchi
villagers stopped by to greet us. In this way we were able to
witness to the entire village within two hours. That night,
the brothers slept in hammocks underneath the police
station, which was raised on stilts, while the sisters slept
inside a thatched cabildo, the meeting place for the older
men of the village.
“The next day we loaded up the boat again and went
farther up the creek, which in some places was overgrown
with mangrove roots that made it dark and eerie. After
about half an hour, we disembarked and hiked another
hour and a half through the bush to the village of Sunday-
wood. The people there were small with dark olive skin
and straight black hair. Most of them were barefoot, and
the women were dressed in native skirts and wore bead
jewelry. The thatched-roof houses had dirt floors, no inner
partitions, and no furniture, other than hammocks. To one
side of the houses was a communal cooking hearth.
“The people were very friendly, and we found much in-
terest. They were especially impressed with the fact that
we had literature in Kekchi and could show them scrip-
tures in our Kekchi Bibles.
“The next morning we were awakened by the roosters,
forest birds, and howler monkeys. After a hearty breakfast,
we made return visits on all those who had shown interest
the day before. We started several Bible studies and en-
couraged all of them to continue studying on their own un-
til we returned to study with them next year. Subsequent
days followed a similar pattern as we penetrated deep into
the rain forest to reach remote villages.
“After ten happy days in the forest, our minds went
over the long distances we had traveled, the many villag-
es we had reached, and all the people we had met. We
prayed that Jehovah would protect the seeds of truth we
had planted until we returned the following year. Our feet
were sore, and our bodies were tired; but our hearts were
overflowing with thankfulness to Jehovah for the joy of
sharing in this year’s bush trip.”
 Special pioneers Marcial
and Manuela Kay

so Rodolfo went to Punta

Gorda to look for them, a
trip that took at least
six hours on foot and by
boat, on both river and
sea. In Punta Gorda he
met Donald Niebrugge,
a pioneer, who arranged
to study with the couple
by correspondence. How-
ever, there was a problem.
There was no post office
in Crique Sarco.
“At the post office in
Punta Gorda, I asked how I could send mail to Crique
Sarco,” explains Donald, “and I was told that the
priest went there once a week.” So, for about six
months, the priest carried the Bible study correspon-
dence back and forth without realizing that he was
acting as a courier for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“When the priest found out what he was carrying,”
says Donald, “he was quite upset and refused to car-
ry our letters any longer.”
During those months Donald made several trips
to Crique Sarco to study with the Cocoms. When the
next bush trip was made, Rodolfo started out in field
service. “We took him with us for four days,” continues
Donald, “preaching in several villages, and the asso-
ciation with the brothers on that trip really helped
him make progress.”
BELIZE 229
 “Ofelia and I would go out to preach in our vil-
lage,” explains Rodolfo, “just the two of us sharing
what we had learned. The people I studied with faced
more opposition than we did. Some were denied ac-
cess to the medicine, food supplies, and clothing that
were donated to the village. My mother-in-law was also
very opposed to what we were doing. Ofelia and I real-
ized that we wouldn’t be able to progress spiritually in
Crique Sarco. We needed to attend meetings. Hence,
we moved to Punta Gorda to continue studying. There
we made spiritual progress, and we were baptized in
1985.” Today the Cocoms associate with the Ladyville
Congregation, where Rodolfo serves as a ministerial
servant.
SEA TRIPS BRING IN A SPIRITUAL CATCH
Sea trips were arranged each year to preach to peo-
ple on the cays and in villages along the coast. Such
villages as Hopkins, Seine Bight, Placencia, and Pun-
ta Negra, as well as Monkey River Town, were inacces-
sible by land at the time. Polito Bevens captained his
lobster boat in the off-season and took four pioneers

A typical Maya village, Toledo District

and missionaries on a two-week trip from north to
south, stopping at every place along the way.
Donald Niebrugge, who participated frequently in
the annual bush and sea trips, remembers with fond-
ness the time they borrowed Ambroncio Hernandez’
sailboat for a sea trip. As a result, Ambroncio, affec-
tionately known as Bocho, began to study the Bible.
“The following year four of us planned a two-week
sea trip all down the coast,” recalls Donald, “but by
this time, Bocho had sold his boat. He recommend-
ed another fisherman, who was willing to take us,
along with his partner and Bocho. There we were, two
special pioneer couples with these three fishermen.
During that trip Bocho started in field service. When
we got to Placencia harbor, there were a lot of yachts
moored there, so we preached from yacht to yacht. The
two unbelievers were very supportive during those
two weeks. One day when we returned after preach-
ing all day in a village, the two fishermen had bought
chicken and cooked a meal for us on a little kerosene
stove.” By the time of the next sea trip the following
year, Bocho was baptized. He has been serving as an
elder in Belize City for the past 18 years.
UNASSIGNED TERRITORY PRODUCES GOOD FRUIT
Toledo District, in southern Belize, is an area of
rolling hills and dense rain forest, peppered with Mo-
pan and Kekchi Maya villages of thatched-roof hous-
es with dirt floors. For the most part, the villagers
lead hard lives doing heavy farmwork with simple
hoes. During dry spells they have to carry water to
the fields by hand to grow corn, beans, and cacao.
Many of the women do traditional Kekchi embroidery
and make baskets for the souvenir shops throughout
BELIZE 231
the country. Increasing numbers of young people are
leaving the villages to study or work in the more pop-
ulated centers of the country.
In 1995, Frank and Alice Cardoza were invited to
serve as temporary special pioneers during April and
May to help distribute Kingdom News No. 34, “Why Is
Life So Full of Problems?,” in the Toledo District. “I had
taken part in one of the annual bush trips in this
area,” recalls Frank, “and I saw that the Maya peo-
ple could be better helped to learn the good news if
someone would move into the area. The branch rec-
ommended that I rent a place to stay, start a Bible
study group, and give the special talk in San Antonio.
We were to distribute the Kingdom News there, as well
as in eight other villages.”
The Cardozas conducted a weekly group study in
their rented one-room basement, and within a few
weeks, three to four families started attending. These
interested ones also joined the Cardozas for their
hour-long drive in a well-worn pickup truck on a rut-
ted dirt road to Punta Gorda for the Theocratic Min-
istry School and Service Meeting. That first month,
Frank delivered the special talk in San Antonio. Jesus ´
Ich, one of those attending for the first time, paid rapt
attention. As a member of the Nazarene Church, he
was particularly impressed to learn that the teaching
of hellfire is rooted in paganism and that the Biblical
hell is the common grave. He took Frank aside after
the meeting, plying him with more questions on the
subject. As a result, he began to study the Bible and
was baptized a year later.
At the end of their two-month assignment as tem-
porary special pioneers, the Cardozas had to make an
232 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
important decision. “We had started many studies,”
remembers Frank, “more than we could handle. Our
hearts and consciences just wouldn’t let us go back to
our comfortable house in Ladyville. If we decided to
stay in San Antonio, we could have better living condi-
tions by renting the upstairs of the house we were in
rather than the basement. I could install a little sink,
a water gutter to pick up rainwater and, in time, may-
be a flush toilet and electricity. We prayed to Jehovah
about it, confident that with his blessing a congrega-
tion could be formed in this area. Then we wrote to the
branch, informing them that we were willing to stay in
San Antonio as regular pioneers.”
Jehovah’s blessing on the Cardozas’ decision was
quickly apparent. Within just six months, in Novem-
ber, they held their first Public Meeting in their rented
house. And by April of the following year, they began
holding the Theocratic Ministry School and Service
Meeting in San Antonio. How relieved the little group
was not to have to make the weekly 40-mile round trip
to Punta Gorda for the meetings.
“HIS THREATS COULD NOT STOP ME”
The group of sincere Bible students in San Antonio
soon began to progress, and their love for the truth
was truly moving. “In these villages,” explains Frank,
“the women in particular are very shy, and by tradi-
tion they are submissive to their fathers and hus-
bands. It is not their custom to talk to strangers. It was
very difficult for them, therefore, to participate in the
door-to-door ministry.”
Priscilian Sho, who was 20 years old at the time,
was an unbaptized publisher who really wanted to
preach to her neighbors in the area. On one occasion,
BELIZE 233
 Priscilian was making some return visits with a sister-
in-law, Amalia Sho, when they suddenly faced a crisis.
Priscilian remembers: “I hadn’t told my father I
was going out to preach publicly because he had for-
bidden me to do it and I was afraid of him. That Sun-
day morning when we were out preaching, we sudden-
ly saw my father in front of the Baptist church he
attended. At first, we crouched in
“It’s not right for the grass because we didn’t want
us to be afraid him to see us. But then I said, ‘You
of my father. It know, Amalia, Jehovah is watching
is Jehovah we us. It’s not right for us to be afraid
must fear” of my father. It is Jehovah we must
fear.’ ”
Priscilian’s father was furious, but an even bigger
issue lay ahead because he was violently opposed to
her becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After pray-
ing about the matter until the day before the assem-
bly where she was to be baptized, Priscilian finally
mustered up the courage to tell her father.
“Tomorrow,” she said to her father, “I’m going to Be-
lize City.”
“What are you going to do?” he inquired.
“I’m going to be baptized,” replied Priscilian. “I’m
going to do what Jehovah wants me to do. I love you,
but I have to love Jehovah too.”
“Are you really going to do that?” he responded an-
grily.
“Yes,” said Priscilian. “Acts 5:29 says I must obey
God rather than man.”
Priscilian’s father stormed off in a rage. “I didn’t
feel safe until I was in the truck, ready to leave for the
234 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
Maya Who Love Jehovah
JORGE AND NICOLAS SHO
(W I T H T H E I R S I S T E R , P R I S C I L I A N)

BORN 1969 and 1971 BAPTIZED 1997

BACKGROUND Maya tradition stresses respect and complete
obedience to parents, even from married adults.

˛ WHEN Nicolas and Jorge came to know and love Jeho-

vah, their father adamantly opposed their Christian activi-
ties.
“I explained to my father that I was learning beneficial
things,” says Nicolas, “but he was a member of the Baptist
Church, and he didn’t share my enthusiasm. I quit my Bible
study a few times because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
But I also knew that by getting drunk with my father, I was
not setting a good example for my children. My wife and
children were so unhappy that they never smiled.

BELIZE 235
 “Once I began studying the Bible and attending Chris-
tian meetings regularly, the truth helped me to break free
from bad conduct. I worked hard for my family, and they got
the full benefit of my income. Now, as a family, we are busy
in Jehovah’s service, and there is happiness and laughter
in our house.”
Jorge’s situation was much the same. His drunkenness
and bad language caused problems for his family, and he
was never at home on the weekends. But his study of the
Bible resulted in a marked improvement in his conduct.
“As I progressed,” Jorge relates, “my father became
more opposed. He called us false prophets. More than
once he threatened us with his machete. Brother Cardoza,
with whom I was studying the Bible, had tried to prepare us
much earlier. ‘Suppose your father tells you to leave the
family property?’ he asked us. ‘My father loves me,’ I ex-
plained, ‘and he won’t do that.’ But, sadly, that is exactly
what he did.
“Nevertheless,” continues Jorge, “I loved what I was
learning, and my life was improving. My family was benefit-
ing from my new Christian personality. We respected one
another and were happy together. Today, the preaching
work brings me much joy, and thanks to Jehovah, I am a
regular pioneer.”

Frank Cardoza
witnessed to Jorge
assembly,” she recalls. “I didn’t know what he would
do when I came home after the assembly. But I knew
that by then I would be baptized, so even if he killed
me, I would have done what was right.”
Although Priscilian’s father did not harm her
when she got home, he later threatened to kill her.
“But he saw that his threats could not stop me,” she
says, “and since then he has softened toward me.”
AN OPPOSER TAKES SIDES WITH JEHOVAH
The newly formed group of zealous publishers in
San Antonio was prospering spiritually when the Car-
dozas were suddenly informed in a letter from the lo-
cal village council that they should leave San Antonio.
Earlier, when he paid an application fee, Frank had
obtained permission from the council to stay in the
village. Now, a prominent member of the village was
intent on having the Cardozas chased out. At one of
the council meetings, three of Frank’s Bible students
spoke in his behalf. Then Frank’s landlord spoke up,
warning the council that if they evicted the Cardozas,
they would have to pay the rent the Cardozas had
been paying him. Frank himself then presented a let-
ter from the Lands Department stating that a person
renting privately owned property could not be asked
to leave. In the end, the council granted the Cardozas
permission to stay.
The man who had wanted the Cardozas evicted
was Basilio Ah, a former alcalde (chief ) who was still
prominent in politics. Basilio used his influence to op-
pose Jehovah’s Witnesses in San Antonio in every
way he could. When the little group wanted proper-
ty to build a Kingdom Hall, he warned, “You’ll nev-
er build a Kingdom Hall in this village!” In spite of
BELIZE 237
 Joyfully Serving Where
the Need Is Greater
Moving to a country where there is a need for more
Kingdom proclaimers is a big step. But remaining in a for-
eign field year after year often requires much effort and
self-sacrifice. Many of our brothers and sisters have met
these challenges with great fortitude and joy.
Arthur and Roberta Gonzalez, for example, came from
the United States to serve in Belize with their three-year-old
son, Dalton, in 1989. “The
biggest challenge,” admits
Roberta, “was leaving a se-
cure, well-paying job to live
in a country where so many
people are out of work.”
“Yes,” confirms Arthur,
“you have to trust in Je-
hovah. Reading in the Bi- Left to right: Dalton,
Roberta, Arthur, and his
ble about Abraham, I’m mother, Martha Gonzalez
amazed at how he went out
from his home, family, and everything he knew. But Jeho-
vah took good care of him. One challenge we faced was
getting our ears tuned to Belize Creole. But we relied on Je-
hovah, and he took care of us.”
Frank and Alice Cardoza came from California in 1991
to pioneer in Belize. “Reading the book of Acts,” says
Frank, “made me want to be a missionary. But because
we have four children, I knew we would never qualify for
Gilead School. So when our youngest daughter finished
her schooling, we saw the opportunity to move to another
country. When we read in The Watchtower about Belize, we
made up our minds.”
 Alice and Frank Cardoza

“I agreed to try it for three

years,” says Alice. “Now
we’ve been here for 18 years,
and I love it!”
“We love people, and we
love to work,” adds Frank, “so it’s easy for us to draw close
to those who love Jehovah. Starting more studies than we
could handle and seeing people respond to the truth has
made these the best years of our life. We would not give up
this privilege for all the money in the world.”
Carl and Martha Simons moved from Texas to Belize
in 1988. “Our two children were ten and eight years old
when we moved,” says Martha. “In Belize we spent en-
tire days preaching together with the congregation in villag-
es in the bush. We also worked together on the construc-
tion of the Assembly Hall, and we always had a house
full of brothers and sisters staying with us during the as-
semblies. We are grateful that we could raise our chil-
dren here, because they associated with special pioneers
Carl and Martha Simons and missionaries. Yes, there
were times when we felt like
getting on a plane and leav-
ing—times without electricity,
running water, batteries, and
telephones. But if we had to
do it again, with all the ups
and downs, we would do it.
Our lives have been enriched
because of serving where the
need is greater.”

BELIZE 239
that, the brothers obtained property and built a mod-
est and attractive Kingdom Hall. Amazingly, one of
those at the dedication of the Kingdom Hall in Decem-
ber 1998 was Basilio. What had happened?
Two of Basilio’s married sons had been having
family problems. Twice Basilio had asked his church
to help his sons, and both times he had received no re-
sponse. Then his sons started studying the Bible with
´
Jehovah’s Witnesses. Basilio’s wife, Marıa, began to
notice that her sons were making changes for the bet-
´
ter and that their family life was improving. So Marıa
herself asked to study the Bible with the Witnesses.
´
“I really wanted to get to know Jehovah God,” Marıa
says, “and I told my husband we should go to the King-
dom Hall to learn more about God.” Although Basi-
lio did not easily let go of his strongly held feelings
against Jehovah’s Witnesses and Frank Cardoza,
whom he called “that foreigner,” he was impressed
with the positive changes his sons were making as
they applied Bible truths in their lives. Basilio decid-
ed to examine Jehovah’s Witnesses for himself, and
after a few discussions, whom did he agree to have
as his Bible study con-
ductor? None other than
“that foreigner,” Frank
Cardoza!
“What I read in the Bi-
ble changed my mind,”
explains Basilio. “I had
been a Catholic for 60
years, lighting incense
before the idols in the
church. Now what I was
´
Marıa and Basilio Ah
learning about Jehovah was in his own book, the Bi-
ble. I am ashamed of the way I acted with Frank Car-
doza, who is now my brother. I’m not afraid to say that
I was wrong. I was zealous for the things I believed
were right for my village and my religion. But I stopped
practicing the Maya traditions that have to do with
spiritistic healing, common in our villages. I also end-
ed my involvement in the Maya political movements.”
´
Today Basilio and Marıa Ah happily serve Jehovah as
baptized publishers.
Jehovah’s servants are known for their loving, joy-
ful, and zealous spirit. In remote regions of Belize,
many publishers walk three hours or more up and
down steep hills to reach householders, and they do
not like to miss meetings. For example, one evening
Andrea Ich was assigned to be a householder on the
Theocratic Ministry School. That day she had walked
two or three miles through the jungle to pick avo-
cados with her sons. In the process she received 23
wasp stings. Nevertheless, she went home, prepared a
meal for her family, went to the meeting, and han-
dled her part on the program. Her face was swollen
from the insect bites, but it was a happy face. It is al-
ways encouraging to see that although the dear Maya
brothers and sisters may have traveled a whole day in
a truck or bus to attend assemblies and conventions,
they are delighted to be united in worshipping the
true God, Jehovah.
VIOLENT WEATHER BATTERS BELIZE
Over the past 115 years, Belize has had 51 hur-
ricanes and tropical storms. Since 1930, there have
been 12 hurricanes that either hit Belize directly or
passed close enough to cause serious damage and
BELIZE 241
loss of life. One of the worst, Hurricane Hattie, struck
in the early morning of October 31, 1961, with winds
gusting up to 200 miles an hour and a tidal surge
that caused hundreds of deaths. Belize City, which
lies only one foot above sea level, was a foot deep in
mud. A report from the branch stated: “While most of
the brothers [in Belize City] have had their homes
badly damaged or destroyed completely, they do not
have any serious injuries. They have lost their clothes
or had them ruined by the water.
“Bulldozers are clearing the streets and large fires
are burning up what is left of the destroyed houses.
Here in the [missionary] home, we had about two feet
of water, which did much damage. It was up to about
nine feet on the outside, . . . but it was good that the
missionary home was built above street level. . . . Very
little food can be purchased . . . , and they are still dig-
ging out bodies.”
Ten days later, the branch reported: “Conditions
[in Dangriga] are worse than here [in Belize City]. The
people are forced to work eight hours a day to get cou-
pons to buy anything. The army controls everything,
and nothing can be bought with money.” Two boys
died, and their father’s legs were broken when their
house collapsed. Both boys were active publishers,
and the 12-year-old had a fine reputation for witness-
ing to his schoolteachers.
The eye of the hurricane passed between Belize
City and Dangriga, where most of the brothers suf-
fered either partial or total loss of their homes and
possessions. In the days after the hurricane, the gov-
ernor invoked emergency powers, imposed a curfew,
and summoned the British army to enforce these
242 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
measures and to shoot looters. Men, women, and chil-
dren caught breaking the curfew were herded into
pens for the night.
Despite the chaotic conditions, regular congrega-
tion meetings and field service activities were re-
sumed as soon as possible. This was difficult with
so many people living in shelters and with the yards
swamped with water and mud. But people needed the
comforting message of the good news of the Kingdom,
and Jehovah’s Witnesses were willing to make sacri-
fices to share it with them.
Living conditions were very difficult, but the love
and generosity of Jehovah’s Witnesses abroad did
much to lift the spirits of the brothers in Belize.
Twenty-five boxes of clothing and other items were re-
ceived from other branches and distributed among
Witnesses as well as many non-Witness neighbors.
The branch office and the Kingdom Hall were among
the few buildings that withstood the onslaught of the
hurricane. Consequently, when the government re-
quested the use of the Kingdom Hall as a public hur-
ricane shelter for the community, the brothers readi-
ly agreed.1
“WOULD YOU PRAY FOR US, MRS. PRATT?”
For three days in October 2000, the inhabitants of
San Pedro on Ambergris Cay were battered by Hurri-
cane Keith’s 125-mile-an-hour winds and torrential
rain. Ladyville, 10 miles north of Belize City, was flood-
ed by some 32 inches of rainfall in three days. Forty-
two brothers sought refuge in the Assembly Hall
in Ladyville. Almost all the homes on Cay Caulker
1 As a result of this hurricane, the capital was moved from Belize
City to Belmopan, in the interior of the country.

BELIZE 243
 TIME LINE

Belize
1923 James Gordon
preaches in Bomba.

1933 Freida Johnson

preaches in Belize City.
A boatload of brothers
1934 Thaddius Hodgeson going to an assembly
conducts meetings in
his bakery.

1941 First publishers

baptized in Belize City.

1945 First missionaries arrive.

1946 Branch
office established.

1957 No more
missionaries allowed.

1959 Branch office,

missionary home,
and Kingdom Hall
are built.

1961 Missionaries
again permitted.

1930 1940 1950 1960

 1961 Hurricane Hattie
devastates Belize.

1971 Bird’s Isle is

used for assemblies
for the first time.

1988 An Assembly Hall

is built in Ladyville.

2000 Hurricane Keith

batters Belize.

2001 Mexico branch

is given oversight of
Belize.

2002 A double
Kingdom Hall (left),

1,800
a missionary home,
and the renovated
Assembly Hall are
dedicated.
1,200

Total Publishers
Total Pioneers
400

1980 1990 2000 2010

BELIZE 245
 were destroyed. The 57
publishers on Ambergris
Cay and Cay Caulker lost
most or all of their pos-
sessions, and both cays
were without electricity,
water, and telephone ser-
vice for several weeks.
The prime minister de-
clared the Belize, Orange
Walk, and Corozal Dis-
tricts as well as Amber-
gris Cay and Cay Caulk-
Cecilia Pratt er to be disaster areas.
A mandatory curfew was
enforced throughout the stricken region in an effort
to stop looting.
Cecilia Pratt, a special pioneer on Cay Caulker,
heard the hurricane warnings and prepared a bag
in case she had to seek refuge when the hurricane
struck. That day, she had just collected the field ser-
vice reports from 12 sisters and had intended to take
the afternoon boat to the mainland to turn them in
to the branch. Cecilia carefully wrapped the group’s
field service reports in plastic and put them in her
emergency bag. Sure enough, during the night, Ceci-
lia and some of the sisters had to take shelter in a
concrete school building, while the rest of the group
found protection in the health center.
“The wind ripped the zinc roof off the first class-
room we were in,” relates Cecilia. “We all had to grab
our things and dash to another room. It felt as if the
whole building were shaking in the wind, even though
246 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
it was made of concrete. When we peeped outside, it
seemed like the sea was all around us—there was no
land. Our little group stayed together, and we prayed
intensely. The 40 people in the classroom, all from
different religions, were terrified. Some were saying,
‘This is God’s work.’ A Catholic lay preacher came to
me and asked, ‘Would you pray for us, Mrs. Pratt?’ I
answered, ‘I can’t. I’m a woman, and I don’t have a hat.’
The man replied, ‘Well, I have my cap.’ I wasn’t sure if
I could pray for everyone, but I wanted to let these peo-
ple know that it wasn’t Jehovah who was bringing
the hurricane. So I prayed with our little group loud
enough for everyone to listen. Just as I finished pray-
ing and everyone in the classroom said ‘Amen,’ the
wind went quiet! At that point the eye of the hurri-
cane was passing over us. The Catholic preacher said:
‘That was a good prayer. Your God is the true God.’ Af-
ter that, they didn’t want us five Witnesses to leave the
shelter, and for the next three days, they gave us food
and coffee.
“I was worried, though, about the other publish-
ers. The next morning, when the wind stopped, I left
the shelter to look for them. There were fallen trees
and destruction everywhere. Some houses had been
moved 40 or 50 feet by the wind. I looked in the com-
munity center first and found two sisters and their
children. Another sister’s house was gone, but she
was alive.”
In the aftermath of the hurricane, the branch had
difficulty collecting field service reports from the
storm-ravaged congregations. But the reports from
Cay Caulker were the first to arrive. Cecilia had kept
them safe in her emergency bag and had personally
BELIZE 247
handed them to the brothers who came from the
branch to check on their welfare.
During the following weeks, the brothers on the
devastated cays received relief supplies as well as
practical assistance from volunteers who helped
clean and repair their homes and the Kingdom Hall
on Ambergris Cay.
Merle Richert, who worked with the team in
Cay Caulker, reports: “First we set up accommoda-
tions and arranged for the distribution of supplies.
The next day we started repairing the houses of the
publishers. On Sunday we all went out in field service
in the morning. Then we prepared a place for meet-
ings in a sister’s yard, making benches for the au-
dience and a podium out of an old coconut stump.
We adjusted the meeting schedule to allow for the
8:00 p.m. curfew and had 43 at the public talk and
Watchtower Study.”
ASSEMBLING TO BE TAUGHT BY JEHOVAH
In the late 1960’s, the use of a tent made it pos-
sible for assemblies to be held in various places in
the country. Yet, it takes days of hard work to put
up a large tent. Santiago Sosa explains: “We started
work early in the week, putting up the tent, bring-
ing benches from the Kingdom Hall, and borrowing
chairs. We had a cafeteria at assemblies then, so we
borrowed pots and pans and often stayed up all night
to cook and complete the work. Sometimes we would
have everything set up, only to have it all blown down
by a violent squall during the night. The next day we
simply had to put everything up again. But nobody
complained.”
248 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
 Jeanne Thompson remembers a convention held
in a rural community between Belize City and Or-
ange Walk. The brothers had to chop out the bush
next to the Kingdom Hall before the tent could
be erected and the benches set in place. “It ended
up raining for the whole district convention,” says
Jeanne, “and it flooded under the tent. So we sat with
our feet propped up on the bench in front of us. Little
did we realize that the area was infested with coral
snakes. Thanks to the rain, we were compelled to
stay in the tent and close to the Kingdom Hall. It
would have been dangerous to venture out into the
bush.”
In the 1970’s, Bird’s Isle, a small tropical island
about 400 feet off the southeast tip of Belize City,
became available for assemblies. The owner had

Sitting under a tent at a circuit assembly,

Punta Gorda, 1960’s

BELIZE 249
“Somebody Who Cares!”
A L E JA N D RO A N D R EB E C C A ( B E C K Y ) L AC AYO

BORN 1950 and 1949 BAPTIZED 1966 and 1959

PROFILE After graduating from Gilead in 1972, they served as
missionaries in El Salvador, Belize, Nicaragua, Mexico, and
Honduras. They now serve in the circuit work in the United
States but have never forgotten the time they did relief work
in Belize.

˛ “WE’RE in the middle of Hurricane Keith!” wrote Becky

on Monday, October 2, 2000. “It’s been raining for about
two-and-a-half days without letup.”
The following day, after the wind and rain abated, Ale-
jandro and special pioneer Donald Niebrugge were able to
take some provisions to Ambergris Cay. They and two local
elders visited every publisher in the two congregations to
check on their welfare.
“On Wednesday,” recalls Becky, “brothers from differ-
ent parts of the country brought food, water, and clothing
to the branch for the brothers on the islands. Soon the lob-
by and the library were filled with supplies.”
Meanwhile, Alejandro and three others took provisions
to Cay Caulker, gave timely encouragement, and prayed
with the group. Witnesses as well as non-Witnesses were
deeply moved by the brothers’ love and concern. “I’ve been
giving donations to my church for years,” grumbled one
woman, “and no one has come from my church to ask how
I am.”
“Look at the other people,” said one sister through
tears of joy, “and look at us! We have somebody who
cares!”
 built a thatched audito-
rium with electricity, wa-
ter, and toilet facilities
with the idea of using it
for entertainment. The
brothers built a wood-
en bridge from the main-
land, providing ready
access to a quiet and
peaceful place for many
assemblies.
Becky and Alejandro Lacayo In March 1983, land
was leased from the gov-
ernment for an Assembly Hall in Ladyville. At first,
the brothers built a temporary structure for circuit
assemblies, special events, and district conventions.
Then, in 1988, a steel building was purchased in
Guatemala that could be used as a permanent As-
sembly Hall on the Ladyville property.
PROGRESS IN THE CHINESE FIELD
Since the 1920’s, Chinese immigrants have set-
tled in Belize, many of whom enjoy reading our
publications in their language. For example, Rober-
ta Gonzalez relates: “I wanted to witness to a friend-
ly Taiwanese lady who owned a bakery, but I knew
she was not religiously inclined and was always very
busy. I also knew she had two teenage children, so
one day while I was in her bakery, I gave her a copy
of the Young People Ask book in Chinese and told
her I would like her opinion of it. A few days later,
as I drove by her bakery, I saw her waving frantical-
ly at me. When I stopped, she excitedly told me that
since I left the book, she had been waiting for me to
BELIZE 251
come back. She said that most of the teenagers in the
Taiwanese families were having problems after immi-
grating to Belize. She felt they all needed to read the
Young People Ask book. She had her son count up the
number of Taiwanese families in town that had teen-
agers and then asked for 16 books because she want-
ed to give each of them a copy as a gift.”
In October 2000 the branch arranged for a three-
month language course in Mandarin for pioneers and
publishers who were willing to care for the Chinese
communities in their territory. What were the re-
sults? A Chinese group with several pioneers was
formed, which has subsequently grown into a congre-
gation. In spite of intense
opposition, some have re-
sponded to the good
news and to the love they
are shown in the congre-
gation.
For example, Monje
Chen accepted a Bible

The steel building below

now serves as an Assembly
Hall (right)

252 2 010 Y E A R B O O K
study in 2006. In the beginning, his family cooperat-
ed with him, but soon they started to ridicule and op-
pose Monje. Suddenly, the family sold all their prop-
erty, including the store Monje was managing, and
gave him an hour to give up his new religion and
move with them to another country. He refused to re-
nounce his new beliefs, so his family moved away,
leaving him with nothing. Monje moved in with a
brother and continued studying the Bible and attend-
ing meetings regularly. “I built up a close relation-
ship with Jehovah,” says Monje, “and he took care of
me. My Bible study and meditation on the Scriptures
have helped me, as has the encouragement from the
brothers.”
Monje was baptized in November 2008,
and his family’s attitude has improved af-
ter seeing the transformation in his con-
duct and speech. “Obeying Jehovah did not
make me poor,” Monje adds, “and it certain-
ly brought me happiness. Jehovah did not
leave me but let me live among a united, lov-
ing brotherhood.”

Renovated Assembly Hall

 MEXICO BRANCH OVERSEES THE WORK IN BELIZE
After carefully considering the needs of the King-
dom work with the Branch Committees in Belize
and Mexico, the Governing Body determined that the
work in Belize should come under the supervision of
the Mexico branch. This became effective on Janu-
ary 1, 2001, and has resulted in benefits and happi-
ness for our brothers in this part of the world.
Since then, the Mexico branch has helped super-
vise the construction of a number of Kingdom Halls
in Belize. On March 16, 2002, a modest double King-
dom Hall was dedicated in Belize City. The following
day, a dedication program was held for the beauti-
ful new missionary home and renovated Assembly
Hall in Ladyville. Many who had been serving Je-
hovah faithfully for five or six decades were among
those who enjoyed the dedication talk given by Ger-
¨
rit Losch of the Governing Body. Good progress
has been made since the formation of a Kingdom
Hall Construction Group, which has helped build 20
Kingdom Halls throughout the country.

Brothers and sisters at the site of the

double Kingdom Hall, Belize City
 In 2007, to help preach in seldom-worked territo-
ries, 325 pioneers from Mexico came to Belize. Their
visit proved to be a fine stimulus to the evangelizing
spirit in Belize. As a result, the number of pioneers
here rose impressively.
In contrast with church leaders who pray every
year that Belize be protected against hurricanes, Je-
hovah’s Witnesses received practical direction for
emergency procedures in advance of the 2007 hur-
ricane season. How grateful they were for this in-
struction when Category 5 Hurricane Dean struck in
August. All the brothers at risk were evacuated and
housed with brothers in safer areas. After the hur-
ricane passed, Witnesses from all over the country
helped repair homes and Kingdom Halls, prompting
a local radio station to praise Jehovah’s Witnesses as
an example worthy of imitation.
UNITING PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS
With Jehovah’s blessing, there are now over 1,800
publishers in Belize—a ratio of 1 publisher to every
149 inhabitants. And with 1 out of every 39 Be-
lizeans attending the 2009 Memorial, the potential
for growth is great!
The disciple-making work in Belize over the past
80 years has produced a mosaic of beautiful, spiri-
tual people, who are united by the “pure language,”
the truth about God and his purposes. “Shoulder to
shoulder” with their spiritual brothers and sisters
earth wide, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Belize are making
good use of the pure language to give a public witness
that brings honor to Jehovah, our loving God.—Zeph.
3:9.
BELIZE 255
 Would you welcome more information?
You may contact Jehovah’s Witnesses at www.jw.org.