Phyllis

And they lasted 5 days and evenings!! following photo taken about 1945 of brother released from detention camp in New Zealand. NZ was the first country to ban the Witnesses ( so the story goes) My husband is 3 rd from the left in back row. Got baptised in camp.

I was 14 and went to first assembly, never been to a meeting. Mum was invited by CO doing door to door, but couldn’t go so I though this might be fun !! Days when Sat morning you went witnessing, asked by some young ones and CO if would like to come. After 3 doors went and sat in the car and another young one came and asked ,” what do you think of this “? and I said it’s not for me and he said the same . 18 months later baptised after being thrown out of home by horrible father. Mum baptised a couple of years later despite awful opposition, 7 children , no car. Faithful till death at 92. and I’m still witnessing at 80 even if it is by phone and letters . Plus the brother became an elder and died faithful in his 70s. Love the picture of Satan standing behind Jesus saying “ see I closed down every Kingdom Hall” and Jesus replies, “ but Jehovah opened one in every home” 🥰😷

Had wonderful time in Detroit on USA vacation and they had “ vittles “ night after the book study then just about the whole congregation came with us after Sunday’s meeting to a fabulous restaurant. Thought New Zealanders were hospitable but no match for that. Think I’m getting off the subject here . Can remember going out country witnessing for the WHOLE day. Got to territory at 10 a.m. lunch at 12. Witnessed all afternoon had another meal then a talk in a country hall which we invited the public to. Can only remember 1 person coming. This was in the 50s. was probably about every 2 months. About 40 in the congregation then, now 2 Congregations , about 300 total..

We had a cuppa with lovely home cooking, 6 pence in the bowl . Mind you we’ve been doing that with Zoom, just don’t tell anyone.

Yes I remember when we handed them in . Meeting attendance dropped off written review night as newer ones and less educated ones were too embarrassed to do it. One good thing about the Covid is that I’m doing a lot more study and that must be good.

Wow who could resist that, might take a while to sail my boat from New Zealand.

I want to have some productive Bible students, should be plenty of them. Was travelling in Northern Italy last year,those poor brothers and sisters.

Thrilling to see the wonderful Conventions , though not there certainly feel the love. Largest I went to was in Christchurch over 40 years ago. Over 11000 if my old brain remembers rightly. The days when we provided 2 meals a day, mains AND dessert. The army was sent in to see the impossibility of serving that many people in such a short time frame. "with Jehovah all things are possible." I remember the sisters making huge plum puddings wrapped in muslin and heated in big steamers and a sister making her secret recipe for custard sauce with brandy in it.🤩

Hoping to go to Rome on vacation in Sept. Jehovah willing. Doing a bit of a side trip to Palma area { actually Bardi} where my Berni grandparents came from. Anyone been there? Also any hints on accommodation , transport etc. Travelling from New Zealand via Australia as going with my son and d/in/law {reg Pioneer} . Anyone travelling to NZ can have free bed at my place in New Plymouth. Can have accommodation in Sept - Oct. while I'm away. Have hosted friends from USA, Sth Africa, Holland, etc

Good reminder.... David didn't focus on how much bigger Goliath was than him but on how much bigger Jehovah was than Goliath. Will pin that on my notice board

I have trouble memorizing numbers so use word association. 1 eg Have good friends ,[ wife Margaret has just joined forum] They have pioneered together for many years so .......I think Jon is not unlucky in love = John 13. Keep that love alive v35 Identifying mark of true Christian. Weird I know but works for me

If I recall rightly New Zealand was the first country to come under ban during WW2 My husband was only 19 and not baptized when he was put in a detention camp for nearly 5 years. Interestingly the majority of the brothers in the camps stayed in the truth all their lives. It was so cold in winter that the water buckets froze over in their huts and there was no heating. Very difficult for wives with young children to manage back at home with very restricted visiting permitted but with their spiritual families support they carried on.

On my way . 45 mins to go. New Plymouth New Zealand sending agape love.

Just over 12 hours to ours. Last meeting in our old Hall as we have combined with 2 other congregations. One Hall sold and hopefully ours soon. Wonderful to see the freeing up of resources to an “equalising “