Regards from Venezuela

[Daniel244]

4 hours ago, Shawnster said:

While our hearts ache for our friends in Venezuela, we want to remind everyone of the instructions we have received from the Slave.

 

Our instructions are to donate to the world wide work. Do not earmark funds be used for specific purposes. Trust the brothers to best use donated funds. 

 

Having said that,  anything you choose to do personally is your business. It's your money.  Just be aware of all dangers and pitfalls.  Research the options carefully, prayerfully and thoroughly before making any decision on what to mail or donate or send to these brothers and sisters in need.  

 

These friends are in desperate need, and it would be a great waste if your valuable donations did not reach them due to the greed and corruption of Satan's world that has plunged Venezuela into this disaster.  

 

Above all else, persevere in prayer as was mentioned in the Annual Meeting.

 

 

Dear brothers and sisters.

 

What brother Shawn posted here is completely true, the best way to donate is thru the Matt 24:14 box in your congregation or using the jw.org site, the Slave has a broader view of the need and with Jehovah´s help  the help will get thru.

 

I enjoy this forum a lot, I think you are all very special and dear friends, and I love you and I don´t want to give a bad impression of me or the brothers here. When I posted about the provisions from the branch I didn´t do it as a complain, I was just trying to answer the question if the help was arriving. The brothers at the branch are doing the best they can, and we love them for that, it is just that everything is so complicated here, things that usually shouldn´t. I want something to be crystal clear, I´m not asking for money. Your prayers and thoughts and encouraging messages give us strenght and the fact that we were mentioned at the AM was really, really encouraging.

 

I don´t want to make this too long to read, but to explain a bit about the situation. In Venezuela there is a strict money control that is being going on for 15 years now, this has completely distorted the economy, although there is an official currency exchange rate , actually there are many, DolarToday BsF. 26.808,31 / $ - at sept 29 was at 19.000/$ -(the free market / unofficial and vetted by the goverment rate), the DICOM (Goverment best rate), extremely difficult to get as the government only liquidates a few million dollars once or twice a month , at this moment at BsF. 11.311,00 /$ , the DIPRO (goverment dollar for subsidize food and medicine) currently at 10 BsF / $.

 

DICOM Dollars are not being sold as the market needs, and for DIPRO you have to be extremely well connected to the goverment to get them.

 

So lets suppose you want to exchange dollars in an official way, the best rate you will get will be below the DIPRO dollar, this is below 11.311 BsF per each dollar. The problem the food you find in the shelves is being calculated at DollarToday rate, because as I said these business don´t get enough dollars at DIPRO or DICOM to buy food from foreign providers and so they can sell them at an affordable price, and there is the case that sometimes they do get those cheap dollars, but nevertheless they sell the food as if they bought it with freemarket dollars. But this doesn´t surprise us right ? 2 Tim 3:1-5.

 

As I posted in 2015, the long lines you see in the supermarket form when they are selling regulated products, in 2015 the regulated prices was still affordable, nowadays even the price of the regulated products is extremely high, that is why a family who earns 5,85$ a month cannot cover their needs, and most of our brothers and sisters are in this predicament.

 

There is another problem, suppose that you have the surplus money, criminality in Venezuela is rampant. Those raped or killed are victims of this problem that is out of control. If you have the money and you decide to store large quantities of food, your truck could be robbed on the road, please look at the following video, this is a truck from a person who worked as a transportist, he was transporting sugar, look at what happens

 

 

But suppose that you avoid the robbers in the road, your food could be confiscated in an official check point, even if you had the legal papers, you could be declared a Bachaquero and sent to prison.

 

These two previous conditions cause another problem, food scarcity. Sometimes even if you have the money you won´t find the food or the medicine.

 

So food and medicine here in Venezuela is controlled by black markets and mobsters.

 

What if the help arrived in containers? Well,  some brothers from Canada and the US did that, they shipped a few containers with food and medicine, it was confiscated at the La Guaira port, the provisions never arrived. It wouldn´t suprise me that those items entered the black market.

 

So ,  as I said before, what has been working in the our congregatios is the elders coordinate the help that some in the same congregation, or some that have moved to other countries send or give to us. We then use this funds, exchange it in the market at the best rate possible and then we go to the supermarkets or try to find wholesalers and buy food in small quantities so that we can take it into our cars, store it in our homes and give it at the next meeting in a few small black bags. By doing this we have been giving some relief to the friends that are in greater need, currently in our congregation about 30 to 40 friends, including the elderly, women, children and babies. Only one of the elders in our congregation is in need of help, and is benefiting from this arrangement.

 

So as we studied last sunday we are doing our best with what we have, like Hezzekiah , but we know somehow this will end someday or Jehovah will do something unexpected.

 

Agape

 

 

 

[Miss Bea]

Hard to think about, my dear brother. In my personal study regarding Daniel 20:19:20, Satan has this world and the possibility to appoint demon rulers. Invisible forces are behind the visible rulers of this nation. It is more evident in some countries then others at this time. My heart breaks for what Jehovah's people are going  through in Venezuela. Yes, I love your attitude, Jehovah will do the unexpected. And, yes, I'm trying to cut down on unneeded spending to dig deeper in my pockets for our worldwide brotherhood. As I do, I know what is going on is temporary. And, yes, those prayers are primary. We do what we can, we love you all dear ones, and we pray to our dear Father...much Christian love coming your way...

[Omoyeme]

I appreciated your explanation of the monetary situation as well as the video uplink Brother Antonio.  No doubt it's indicative of the corruption and chaos that is prevalent in Venezuela.  (But still, my heart has moved me to make a small contribution to jw.org.)

 

Please continue dear brother to give up updates as the situation arises.  We continue to send our Christian love to you, your family, your congregation and all our spiritual family there. 

[Brandon]

On 10/9/2017 at 9:44 PM, Allabord4Jah said:

raped by the evil socialist government

 

I really debated whether I wanted to correct this inaccuracy--given that our focus here is of course on the basic needs of our brothers and sisters in Venezuela--but I can't help but point out that Venezuela is actually a presidential republic, not a "socialist government."  This is actually the same form of government that the USA officially is (federal, presidential, constitutional republic;  all the same political pieces).

 

I just feel like sometimes we mentally distance ourselves, perhaps without even trying to, from places where bad things are happening by pointing to a particular polity as the root cause, and thinking that could never happen in the country we live in.  Any man-made organization, and especially political ones, can have either just leadership, or bad leadership.  As Proverbs 29, particularly verse 2, says: "When the wicked one rules, the people groan."

 

In fact a number of reports I've read point out that the causes for the current situation, and apparently some of the worst decision made by the government, were regarding state-controlled capitalism (not socialism), as well as dependence on slumping oil exports during the 80s and 90s, and finally populist policies (which are neither "left" nor "right leaning").

 

Also, policies that might seem good or even improve the quality of life for ourselves, our neighbours, or those in our congregation, can often be short term, which seems to have happened in this particular case of bad leadership according to a NACLA Report on the Americas.  The summary of this report is worded this way on WP:

The Venezuelan government established [in the late 90s/early 2000s] populist policies that initially boosted the Venezuelan economy... temporarily reducing economic inequality and poverty.

However, such policies later became inadequate, as their excesses – especially an extreme fossil fuel subsidy – are widely blamed for destabilizing the nation's economy, leading to hyperinflation, an economic depression, and shortages of basic goods.

 

for more facts, figures, and details in an outline form: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis in Venezuela (2012–present)

[Stormswift]

Dear Brother Daniel ... I'm constantly on the outlook for a change in Venezuela ... just keep hanging in there. When it is all over the depth of Jehovah's help while apparent now, will be moreso when we all look at it - when reports are able to be reported more freely. 

[Daniel244]

13 hours ago, Brandon said:

 

I really debated whether I wanted to correct this inaccuracy--given that our focus here is of course on the basic needs of our brothers and sisters in Venezuela--but I can't help but point out that Venezuela is actually a presidential republic, not a "socialist government."  This is actually the same form of government that the USA officially is (federal, presidential, constitutional republic;  all the same political pieces).

 

I just feel like sometimes we mentally distance ourselves, perhaps without even trying to, from places where bad things are happening by pointing to a particular polity as the root cause, and thinking that could never happen in the country we live in.  Any man-made organization, and especially political ones, can have either just leadership, or bad leadership.  As Proverbs 29, particularly verse 2, says: "When the wicked one rules, the people groan."

 

In fact a number of reports I've read point out that the causes for the current situation, and apparently some of the worst decision made by the government, were regarding state-controlled capitalism (not socialism), as well as dependence on slumping oil exports during the 80s and 90s, and finally populist policies (which are neither "left" nor "right leaning").

 

Also, policies that might seem good or even improve the quality of life for ourselves, our neighbours, or those in our congregation, can often be short term, which seems to have happened in this particular case of bad leadership according to a NACLA Report on the Americas.  The summary of this report is worded this way on WP:

The Venezuelan government established [in the late 90s/early 2000s] populist policies that initially boosted the Venezuelan economy... temporarily reducing economic inequality and poverty.

However, such policies later became inadequate, as their excesses – especially an extreme fossil fuel subsidy – are widely blamed for destabilizing the nation's economy, leading to hyperinflation, an economic depression, and shortages of basic goods.

 

for more facts, figures, and details in an outline form: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis in Venezuela (2012–present)

 

I liked this post very much. Thanks Brother Brandon.

 

 

[Daniel244]

10 hours ago, Stormswift said:

Dear Brother Daniel ... I'm constantly on the outlook for a change in Venezuela ... just keep hanging in there. When it is all over the depth of Jehovah's help while apparent now, will be moreso when we all look at it - when reports are able to be reported more freely. 

Thank you Sister Mandi, for your continuing support.

 

We all, you, me and the worldwide brotherhood, just have to endure until the end, who knows what more we will see until the kingdom. Keep fighting the good fight with your head high!.

 

Agape.

[sunshine]

Dear Brother,

 

Thank you for your obserations about the situation in Venezula - they are all in our prayers, I cannot see this system holding on much longer, but while it does we will just have to act wisely and trust Jehovah.  We must also trust the brothers - these are the ones that will rule with Jesus and regulate the global "economy" they will be the ones used by Jehovah to set all these things in order so Jehovah will given them the wisdom as to how best use our donations to help the friends; and if Jehovah sees fit for a time for that to be impossible for them economically, nothing can stop his spirit from sustaining those he loves (Job 42:2).  The most important thing to remember is that Satan is taunting Jehovah that when we lose evertything, when our lives and those of our children are in danger we will "curse God and die"; we will all personally have to take a stand on this issue.

 

So as the brothers said this summer in our convention ,  to our brothers and sisters in Venezuela, in Russia, in Eretria, in hospital beds, fighting poverty, cancer, low self esteem, family problems, economic hardships, lonliness ... whatever your "plague", don't give up, don't give up, DON'T give up!!

 

 

We love you all!!

 

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2017 by sunshine

[Daniel244]

42 minutes ago, sunshine said:

Dear Brother,

 

Thank you for your obserations about the situation in Venezula - they are all in our prayers, I cannot see this system holding on much longer, but while it does we will just have to act wisely and trust Jehovah.  We must also trust the brothers - these are the ones that will rule with Jesus and regulate the global "economy" they will be the ones used by Jehovah to set all these things in order so Jehovah will given them the wisdom as to how best use our donations to help the friends; and if Jehovah sees fit for a time for that to be impossible for them economically, nothing can stop his spirit from sustaining those he loves (Job 42:2).  The most important thing to remember is that Satan is taunting Jehovah that when we lose evertything, when our lives and those of our children are in danger we will "curse God and die"; we will all personally have to take a stand on this issue.

 

So as the brothers said this summer in our convention ,  to our brothers and sisters in Venezuela, in Russia, in Eretria, in hospital beds, fighting poverty, cancer, low self esteem, family problems, economic hardships, lonliness ... whatever your "plague", don't give up, don't give up, DON'T give up!!

 

 

We love you all!!

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Sister Rosie, for your beautiful words.

[Brandon]

3 hours ago, sunshine said:

We must also trust the brothers - these are the ones that will rule with Jesus and regulate the global "economy" they will be the ones used by Jehovah to set all these things in order

 

I'm just glad that we will be speaking a new language then, because I don't think I will be able to handle hearing this english word "economy" ever again after this system is gone.

 

 

[Brandon]

On 10/11/2017 at 9:43 AM, Daniel244 said:

What has been working in our congregations is the elders coordinate the help that some in the same congregation--or those that have moved to other countries--send or give to us.

 

We then use this funds, exchange it in the market at the best rate possible and then we go to the supermarkets or try to find wholesalers and buy food in small quantities so that we can take it into our cars, store it in our homes and give it at the next meeting in a few small black bags. By doing this we have been giving some relief to the friends that are in greater need

 

Forgive any ignorance on my part since I've yet to travel outside north america;  what is the state of electronic communications among the brothers and sisters? (or perhaps it varies greatly from area to area).   Do many have internet and/or cell phones, or just a few?   If they do, I imagine this helps with organizing these provisions and prioritizing/triaging needs?

 

It certainly sounds like a good arrangement.  If I understand correctly, those inside the congregation (and some witnesses outside of your congregation) donate funds, which the elders then carefully use themselves to purchase the largest amount of foodstuffs in a safe way, and then pool these food items together again in a safe place, and finally distribute to the neediest in the congregation?

 

This seems very prudent.  I often think about how much we as witnesses in my own congregation spend on food and clothing individually, and how much we would be able to save if we purchased in bulk/collectively.  Then we'd also have more money to donate to the world headquarters for disaster relief and other lifesaving activities!

[Daniel244]

3 hours ago, Brandon said:

 

Forgive any ignorance on my part since I've yet to travel outside north america;  what is the state of electronic communications among the brothers and sisters? (or perhaps it varies greatly from area to area).   Do many have internet and/or cell phones, or just a few?   If they do, I imagine this helps with organizing these provisions and prioritizing/triaging needs?

 

It certainly sounds like a good arrangement.  If I understand correctly, those inside the congregation (and some witnesses outside of your congregation) donate funds, which the elders then carefully use themselves to purchase the largest amount of foodstuffs in a safe way, and then pool these food items together again in a safe place, and finally distribute to the neediest in the congregation?

 

This seems very prudent.  I often think about how much we as witnesses in my own congregation spend on food and clothing individually, and how much we would be able to save if we purchased in bulk/collectively.  Then we'd also have more money to donate to the world headquarters for disaster relief and other lifesaving activities!

Exactly as you explained, that`s what we do with the personal donations.

 

Communications here in Venezuela  work somewhat well, cellular phones are very popular, I think Venezuela is the latin american country with more cellphones percapita, the goverment has tried to keep the cell companies from elevating prices so the call plans are still affordable, not so much the data plans. The goverment holds the monopoly on internet, it is supplied via Cantv, it works relatively well but it is slow comparing to the standards today. The speediest plan is 10 Mb. However it is subsidized. On the other hand criminals are now stealing the power and telephone cables from houses to take the copper and sell them, so many are without intenet or electricity because of this.

 

Thank you for your concern brother Brandon.

 

Agape.

[Brandon]

@Daniel244  can I ask what are the highest priorities in the day to day lives of you and other witnesses?  Is it food? Safety? Medicine? Shelter?

 

also, in the case of something like food, is there a bigger challenge with having money for food, difficulty in finding places to shop, or something else?

 

(I hope I'm not taking too much of your time and/or energy with my questions )

[Daniel244]

2 hours ago, Brandon said:

@Daniel244  can I ask what are the highest priorities in the day to day lives of you and other witnesses?  Is it food? Safety? Medicine? Shelter?

 

also, in the case of something like food, is there a bigger challenge with having money for food, difficulty in finding places to shop, or something else?

 

(I hope I'm not taking too much of your time and/or energy with my questions )

I`d say personal security, medicine and food.

 

In the case of food, the problem is that the prices change everyday and the food now is almost unaffordable for a person who ears minimum wage. There is food on the shelves in major supermarkets, but most of the people cannot afford it.

 

In the case of personal security it is a risk to be on the street, even at broad daylight you could be robbed, mugged or killed, easily. There is an increase in news where even some members of the police have been involved in criminal activities.

Edited October 13, 2017 by Daniel244

[Daniel244]

Some links for your research bro Brandon

 

http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/03/news/economy/venezuela-food-prices/index.html

 

http://www.insightcrime.org/news-analysis/corruption-military-police-growing-evil-venezuela

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/25/americas/venezuela-maduro-un/index.html

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/06/22/venezuela-medical-shortages-doctors-health-care/103039928/

[Brandon]

6 minutes ago, Daniel244 said:

There is food on the shelves in major supermarkets, but most of the people cannot afford it.

Is it possible for individuals in your country to receive electronic funds?  (paypal, bitcoin, wire transfer).  At least that way, some stress would be alleviated.

 

Perhaps cash transfers could also possibly help with security?  (as simple as reinforcing doorstops, or perhaps saving it up in order to relocate an entire household?)

 

My mind is brainstorming all sorts of things so please forgive me if any of my ideas are silly.  I tend to be very creative in problem solving;  many ideas ultimately end up being absurd, but every so often, I get a bright one too.

[Daniel244]

Some brothers who have left Venezuela to try to find work in other countries are helping donating electronic funds to their families, these brothers then share with the local brothers, friends and family from some part of the world also are doing that. Sometimes friends who return to visit carry with them small bags with medicine, nothing big (like a full baggage) as they could easily end up in jail accused of trying to introduce prohibited material to the country.

 

 

Edited October 13, 2017 by Daniel244

[Stormswift]

15 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Is it possible for individuals in your country to receive electronic funds?  (paypal, bitcoin, wire transfer).  At least that way, some stress would be alleviated.

 

Perhaps cash transfers could also possibly help with security?  (as simple as reinforcing doorstops, or perhaps saving it up in order to relocate an entire household?)

 

My mind is brainstorming all sorts of things so please forgive me if any of my ideas are silly.  I tend to be very creative in problem solving;  many ideas ultimately end up being absurd, but every so often, I get a bright one too.

 

If I may pop in here ... I feel like you do Brandon the second Brother Daniel confirmed the news reports at the beginning of this thread - I became acutely aware of how much we have versus how little they have (and I have to add the joy and love I received from conversing with Brother Daniel has humbled me). Even having a bigish meal here, my thoughts would turn to the Venezuelens, the non witnesses too. I think this economic disaster has really got under my skin .. the atrocities, deprivations and the feeling of hopelessness must prevail in the community. 

 

I've also learnt something important, and that is how Jehovah takes care of his people ... so if you want to brainstorm - your frist stop and I'm sure you are doing this more than I've done, is Jehovah ... his arrangements ... its amazing how Jehovah can filter through help discreetly. So what we have to do as individuals is trust in his processes and channels.  If Jehovah opens up a few doors over and above that on a personal level, then that's just a cherry on the top.

 

 

[Brandon]

So it would seem the only things that can help right this moment, are either to leave the country, or purchase food and medicine at rates which are inflating each week at an astronomical rate?

 

I'm curious, do you think many brothers and sisters there would want to leave the country if that option was easy and on the table?  or is there still a feeling of, these are the last days, there are terrible things in many places around the world, and we might as well just 'stick it out' here with the types of trials we at least have experience with?

 

One thing I've learned from seeing how social work here in my area has changed over the years is:  you can't help someone by coming up with a plan and asking them to follow you;  the person being helped must direct their own life and can only be successful if their agency/free will is not impeded.  (granted, this is a bit of wisdom from people in the world, but I have noticed even among some of my Bible studies over the years, that if an idea regarding improving their spiritual routine came from me, it was often less successful than if the student came up with the idea on their own/via Jehovah's spirit/through bible research.)

 

Edited October 13, 2017 by Brandon

[Daniel244]

Hi Brother Brandon, thank you for your continuing interest.

 

That is actually a very good question, my calculations are that at least 20% of the brothers and sisters have emigrated to other countries, mostly Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador and the US, not so much to the USA because they don´t want to be illegal. This year only in my congregation 10 friends have moved elsewhere.

 

I think many more would do so if they had the circumstances. mostly because of the high cost of life and personal security, here if you are robbed at home or at the street, the police won´t even put an investigation in motion. Of course moving to another country is a personal decision, however we the elders try to be sure that they understand that what we are going through is a sign of the end, as Jesus prophesied and that if they decided to move they will just be exchanging some problems for others, but ultimately is their choice.

 

I think that you are absolutely right about trying to change people or improve their situation in life by suggesting solutions, each one of us is in charge of our own lives and a suggestion from others, although appreciated, won´t have the same effect as coming up with a solution by yourself,  mostly because no one will have a true understanding of your life as yourself and of course Jehovah. That is why as elders we are always reminded not to give counsel according to our own experiences or expertise and rely on the Bible as the counsels from Jehovah never fail.

 

Thank you for your genunine interest bro Brandon

 

Agape.

 

 

Edited October 13, 2017 by Daniel244

[NSSewer]

Oh mi Hermano Antonio you are going to make me cry...again as usual at your spiritual thinking. I want to be an encouragement to you in the difficulties you are going through in your country, but yet again you are encouraging me! You give answers the way Jesus would! You delicately redirected our well meaning Brandon with love.

They ask us who we want to meet in The New World, I would like to meet you and your wife and your precious baby girl in the New World por favor!

[Daniel244]

Dear sister Venus, thank you for always having a nice word towards me. You guys in this forum really mean a lot, I'm sorry if I have offended some by telling some situation here in our country, that was never my intention. When I see what the brotherhood is going thru in places like California, México, Russia and thinking about each one of The situations some of you post about your personal Plagues, make me Long for The day when all this won't ever be remembered.

 

Thank you again Sis, and thank you all dear friends for lending an ear.

 

Agape

Edited October 13, 2017 by Daniel244

[Brandon]

3 hours ago, NSSewer said:

You delicately redirected our well meaning Brandon

 

It must have been very subtle, since I still can't see where that occurred... 

 

I thought I was just asking questions and brother Antonio was giving great answers.

[Daniel244]

47 minutes ago, Brandon said:

 

It must have been very subtle, since I still can't see where that occurred... 

 

I thought I was just asking questions and brother Antonio was giving great answers.

Dear brother Brandon, feel free to ask any quest, if I can be of help  then,  my pleasure.

 

Agape.

Edited October 14, 2017 by Daniel244

[Brandon]

1 hour ago, Daniel244 said:

Dear brother Brandon, feel free to ask any question, if I can be of help, my pleasure.

 

Agape.

 

Thank you. I've learned very much so far from you. It may be one day that even in other countries, we may need to share money, food, purchasing power, etc. among our congregation too.

 

If any questions pop into my head, I'll be sure to ask you here!  And I will continue to pray and wait to see any changes, and hear any reports or updates from you!  Please pass on our great love to the friends there.

 

Agape.