Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses
Peter was our Bethel tour guide. He is from the UK and was encouraged to move to Russia after the 1993 International convention. He saw how hungry people were for the truth after the Iron curtain collapsed. He moved to St. Pete in 1994, married some time later. They moved to serve in Siberia as special pioneers, and then to another area before they began Bethel service 8 years ago. He is currently part of the translation team working on the Insight volumes.
The branch has not received printed copies of the Watchtower and Awake magazines since 2010. And since March 2015, they have not been allowed to receive any literature at all. This was quite unexpected as there was no advanced warning at all. This really has impressed upon me the importance of keeping up to date with reading the literature as it is made available to us! And to sharpen my skills by using the Bible on every single call.
Even though JW broadcasting was only available in English, the friends enjoyed watching it every month. And this dear brother would visit the homes and provide some real-time translating. He's appreciative that the program is now translated into the Russian language.
Focus on the Positive
:-: Bethel construction is ongoing due to some fire code "violations". Likened it to those who opposed Daniel by decree. Sisters who never imagined they could work at Bethel see this as a blessing.
:-: There is a huge need for Kingdom Hall. Though it is hard to get permission to build K Halls, brothers would donate their personal homes - albeit strange dwelling places given that they didn't have kitchens but had one large open room.
:-: Rapid growth in Russia - In 1991, there were 40,000 publishers. Today, there are over 440,000. There are some 400 congregations with only 1 elder. And 30 with no elders (though the brother shared that they do have quite a few elderettes). But the service department reports 1,500 applicants for SKE - the students are sent to other countries to attend this school.
The brothers said that they know that many of the friends in other countries are worried about what's happening here. But they asked us to share that we need not to worry. They need our prayers but not a time for anxious concerns. Besides, this is a fulfillment of bible prophecy - so why not happen here?
After the tour, we enjoyed lunch with the Bethel family - even got reunited with some friends we met last week at the convention. And we also met two single sisters who are working at Bethel part time. We plan to keep in touch via email so they can practice English.
No comments:
Post a Comment