So, yesterday was the much anticipated Zone Visit Meeting. It was broadcast from Mexico where just over 17,000 were gathered for the special program. There were three broadcasts (of the same program) throughout the day throughout the branch territory (Mexico to Panama) and at our hall two congregations came for each session. In total about 700 saw it at our hall throughout the day. A lot of brothers had to stand up, and it was a 3 hour program.
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| The screen wasn't huge, but the sound was connected to the sound system, so that was the most important part. There weren't any demos or visual aids to look at anyway, just the speakers. |
After song and prayer, Brother Quintero did a very good Watchtower summary.
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Then Brother Joaquin Reyes gave a report on the work in the region with some figures, but then mostly some experiences about how the truth reaches hearts.
The region is from Mexico to Panama, and here are a few numbers he gave:
949,166 publishers. 140,080 regular pioneers. 2481 special pioneers. In March, 246,084 auxiliary pioneers. 1,347,627 bible studies being conducted.
He told an interesting experience about a family with two boys, a 6-year old who was very right, and proper, and obedient and then 2-year old David who was QUITE the opposite. At just 2 years old he told his parents he didn't want to be a Jehovah's Witness, he didn't like going to meetings, going out in service, studying at home. Whenever they watched dramas or read Bible stories he always liked the bad characters in them. His parents didn't know what to do with him, they even took him to a doctor. But then, along came another little boy who changed everything - Caleb! Yes, the Become Jehovah's Friend DVD. This video really struck a cord with him, and after watching it his parents could see him making an effort to change his ways. Now he is a completely different little boy. He wants to be like Caleb. Isn't that amazing how such tools of teaching reach little hearts?!?!
Another experience I liked was a special pioneer in Mexico, learning Korean. He met this young man who told him he wasn't interested. The pioneer, still learning the language, thought he said he was busy, so left the magazines. That happened about three times until eventually the young man used the little Spanish he knew to tell him he wasn't interested! But he was curious to know why the pioneer kept coming, so after further discussions he ended up accepting a bible study, but on the condition that he'd never become a witness. He went to a large convention in Mexico and was really impressed by what he saw, but still didn't want to become a witness. He went regularly to the meetings, but wasn't going to be come a witness. Then he visited Bethel in Mexico. That changed everything. He left that visit saying that he wanted to become a witness and made spiritual progress. Nice example of how even when you're learning a new language and don't speak it well, Jehovah can use you, and even use your limitations to his advantage to draw right-hearted ones!
The highlight for me though, was the talk Demostrando que tenemos la mente de Cristo en todo lo que hacemos - Showing we have the mind of Christ in everything we do.
This was given in English by Harold Corkern, one of the zone overseers, and translated into Spanish. It was tiring listening to it in both languages, and I think I was part translating it too with the brother, but it was an EXCELLENT talk. So many precious gems in this talk that it would take me all day to write it! The translator did a good job, that's tiring work, but I think those of us who understood English got just a bit more out of it. You just can't translate someone's speaking style, sense of humor, etc.
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| Brother Corkern and his translator. Two different camera shots, they weren't standing that close together! |
He talked about Jesus pre-human existence, how we can imitate him. The warm working relationship he had with his Father (Proverbs 8:30). Do we have that relationship with our brothers? Do they enjoy working with us?
Jesus did quality work. Jehovah declared it "very good". But despite that he always gave Jehovah the glory. In Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus didn't say "Did you not read that I who created them" he said "he", giving all glory to Jehovah. So, if we do well at an assignment, and perhaps receive praise for it, direct all honor to Jehovah.
Talking about Jesus being "The Word" he made an interesting point about being a good communicator. Daniel 7:10 talks of thousands of millions of angels. They are all powerful and fast. Yet Ezekiel and John talk of a rainbow being seen around the throne too, which represents peace and tranquility. Imagine what a good communicator Jesus is, directing all those powerful, fast angels, millions of them, and yet there is still a rainbow, tranquility in heaven, each one knowing what to do, when and how. I thought that was a fascinating detail.
Other ways to imitate Jesus.
- Treat everyone the same, no matter how we feel. Jesus was as kind to the first person he saw on an evening of curing and teaching, as he was to the last person in line, even if he was tired.
- If you say you're going to do something in Jehovah's service, do it. (Mark 1:38, 39).
- Don't be righteous overmuch. Jesus worked hard, but he knew how to relax too (example of wedding feast in Cana).
Luke 22:41-43 - Jehovah sent an angel to strengthen Jesus. Jesus didn't say to that angel "I'm older than you, I have more experience than you, I made you, how are you going to help me?" He was glad to receive Jehovah's help. So we should accept help from whoever it comes from. Don't look down on the brother or sister that helps us, view it as an answer to our prayers. I thought that was a really great point.
Speaking of anxieties, he quoted a writer who said "Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of it's sorrow, it empties today of it's strength". I liked that line! Highlights the truth of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25, 27 & 34. Don't worry and fret. Be encouraging to others. Jesus didn't spend his time worrying about where he was going to sleep that night, or eat. And he didn't keep a countdown of how long he had left of his life during his 3 1/2 year ministry.
And my favorite point because I couldn't figure out what on earth this scripture had to do with doing our best to do Jehovah's will. I was convinced the brother was reading the wrong scripture!! So it made me enjoy even more this point, being proved wrong!!
First, read Ezekiel 29:18 - now, think, tell me, what does that have to do with us doing Jehovah's will. Maybe it's obvious to you, but I couldn't figure it out!
He talked a bit about the Babylonians, how reportedly their siege on Tyre was 13 years long, so long that the soldiers helmets rubbed their hair off, and armor rubbed the skin off their shoulders as the scripture alludes to. But when they finally captured Tyre, there were no treasures to be had as the people had taken them away. So they got no reward for all their hard work.
What they were doing was Jehovah's will, although they didn't know they were doing His will, they were doing it for personal gain. But vs 19 shows how Jehovah gave them the spoils of Egypt as a reward for all their hard work against Tyre.
The point is, if Jehovah rewarded the Babylonians for doing his will without knowing they were doing it, without having that as their motivation, how much more so will he reward us when we knowingly do his will. That point just warms my heart and proved to me that I need to learn to read the Bible like that. I don't think I would ever have drawn out that lesson from those two verses on my own!
The final talk was about imitating Jehovah's generosity, given by Daniel Molchen, the other zone overseer. He speaks Spanish so no translator needed for this talk. His most interesting point to me, was how generous Jehovah was when he created us. He talked about how people can live with just one lung, one kidney, with only small part of their liver, and we can still see pretty well with just one eye. Jehovah left a very large safety margin when he created us, which shows his generosity. Very interesting point!
So, that was our wonderful meeting. It was such a privilege to be down here for that and wonderful how it was made available to everyone this year. Technology is a wonderful thing when it's used in such a way!
Well, I'm sure you have other things to get on with. I hope you enjoyed those points. It was a nice way of reviewing them myself, writing about them. Time to go get started on some housework now I think.
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