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    00:35 About every two or three minutes, 00:37 we prayed because the hurricane was so terrifying. 00:42 Imagine that your house just lifted up into the air and flew away. 00:46 At that time, we were standing in water, 00:49 so we just ran. 00:55 This is our Kingdom Hall. 00:57 When we saw that it was damaged, 01:00 we were deeply affected because we realized 01:03 we could not meet here anymore with our brothers and sisters 01:06 to sympathize with them. 01:08 That was very hard for us. 01:16 Even in this situation, I know we’re not alone 01:20 —even though our town was destroyed. 01:22 I know our brothers, no matter where they are, 01:25 will come to help us. 01:33 The priority of disaster relief 01:35 is for the Branch Committee to quickly appoint 01:38 qualified local brothers to respond 01:40 to the first immediate needs of our brothers and sisters. 01:43 Of course, 01:45 giving support to our brothers and sisters oftentimes means funds. 01:50 So it’s the worldwide brotherhood, the “Matthew 24:14 contributions,” 01:54 that really does help. 01:58 Here in Haiti, many brothers are overjoyed 02:00 that they can send something to help their brothers. 02:04 There are brothers who have even donated beyond their means. 02:13 In our brotherhood, 02:15 no matter where a brother is, 02:18 if he’s suffering from a disaster or he has a problem, 02:21 all the brothers feel 02:23 as if they’re also facing that problem. 02:25 We all do our best to support and help them. 02:37 We didn’t have any way to make a bed to lie down. 02:40 Eventually, our sisters in the Paillant Congregation helped us out. 02:45 They ran up and made beds for us out of plywood 02:47 that they would put on top of eight blocks. 02:49 And they brought sheets and pillows so that we could lie down. 02:52 That was very touching, 02:54 that kind deed our brothers did for us. 02:58 We truly felt that it was Jehovah who was coming 03:01 to our aid at that moment. 03:07 They brought boxes of Bibles, medical kits, food stuffs. 03:11 Besides that, they brought several tents. 03:15 That helped the brothers that lost all that they had, 03:18 even their houses, 03:20 so that they could have shelter from the rain. 03:29 In one of the talks given by a Governing Body member, 03:32 he showed that we have more difficult situations ahead. 03:35 The only thing we can do 03:37 is continue to rely on Jehovah. 03:43 A way we can help our brothers cope when they’re in such a circumstance 03:45 is to make them realize that it is the Kingdom hope 03:49 —to refresh their memory, to make them really believe 03:53 and feel that it’s the Kingdom hope— that’s going to change all of this. 03:59 They shared encouraging words and read Bible verses that really helped us 04:02 to see the power of God’s Word. 04:05 That boosted our faith in the promises 04:08 Jehovah made to remove all causes of suffering that afflict us today. 04:17 It’s like the Bible says: 04:19 “A righteous man’s supplication has a powerful effect.” 04:23 So the strength I regained makes me feel 04:25 that the entire worldwide brotherhood is praying for me. 04:28 I feel that it’s that strength that has allowed me 04:31 to resume my theocratic activities with zeal. 04:36 As Jehovah’s Witnesses, not only do we know 04:38 that these things must take place —since we are deep in the last days— 04:41 but we also know that our deliverance is closer. 04:45 I lost my livelihood; 04:48 it’s all completely gone. 04:52 But I have been so encouraged; 04:54 it’s as if the hurricane never even happened. 04:56 That’s how I feel, like it never even happened. 05:01 Many people say it would have been better if they had died in the hurricane. 05:04 But no matter what sufferings we endure, 05:07 we have hope. 05:08 We see beyond the suffering and see God’s Kingdom is coming. 05:11 This is extraordinary. 05:13 No matter what form suffering may take, 05:16 we are able to patiently endure 05:18 because we know that suffering will not last forever.