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00:00:08 Brazil is the largest country in South America 00:00:12 —from the Amazon rain forest 00:00:15 to the rich farmland 00:00:17 and the beautiful coastline. 00:00:21 Paraguay borders Brazil 00:00:23 and is the eighth largest country in South America. 00:00:27 Its diverse geography includes major rivers, 00:00:31 vast plains, 00:00:33 and fertile farmland. 00:00:35 We wondered how the Bethel families in those countries were doing 00:00:38 after some two and a half years of the COVID-19 pandemic. 00:00:42 Brother Dellinger and I, along with our wives, Lourdes and Angela, 00:00:46 began our journey from Warwick Bethel 00:00:48 with a flight to São Paulo, Brazil. 00:00:51 But after the recent presidential election, 00:00:54 large protests in São Paulo were blocking key roads, 00:00:58 including the road from the airport to the branch office. 00:01:02 But Jehovah provided 00:01:04 an unexpected solution. 00:01:07 Thanks to the generosity of a Witness family, 00:01:10 we were transported from the airport in record time. 00:01:14 We had no problem finding a parking space 00:01:17 on the Bethel soccer field. 00:01:22 The branch is located in a rural area 00:01:24 and serves as a home to some 1,200 volunteers. 00:01:28 During our visit, the entire Bethel family 00:01:31 enjoyed morning worship and breakfast in the dining room. 00:01:35 Irmãos, bom dia! 00:01:39 Are you excited to be here for the branch visit? 00:01:43 We are too. 00:01:45 One of the first stops on our tour was the large printery. 00:01:49 In harmony with the Governing Body’s desire to provide printed material, 00:01:53 Brazil produced publications in 65 languages last year. 00:01:58 Brazil also serves as a warehousing branch. 00:02:01 What is that? 00:02:02 It means Brazil can print, stock, and ship literature directly 00:02:06 to individual congregations 00:02:08 in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, 00:02:11 Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. 00:02:14 Brazil also ships publications to branches 00:02:17 in Colombia, Mexico, the United States, 00:02:19 South Africa, Germany, and Japan. 00:02:23 In addition, there are ten remote translation offices 00:02:26 that translate our publications into other languages spoken in Brazil. 00:02:31 Brazil Bethel has two museums; 00:02:34 one is devoted to the history of Bible translation 00:02:37 and the other shows the history of Jehovah’s people in Brazil. 00:02:42 The Brazil branch also provides the Art Department in Patterson 00:02:46 with photos and artwork for our publications. 00:02:50 Perhaps you recognize some of these scenes. 00:02:55 Under the oversight of Audio/Video Services at headquarters, 00:02:58 Brazil has a regional video team. 00:03:01 Ready, set, action! 00:03:05 With all of this activity and over 900,000 publishers to support, 00:03:09 the branch is being renovated and modernized. 00:03:12 Many commuter Bethelites are sharing in this project 00:03:16 and, as you can see, all are happy to help. 00:03:19 Another highlight of our visit was the special dinner with the Bethel family, 00:03:23 which featured the Bethel chorus, 00:03:26 traditional dancing, 00:03:28 and some excellent field service experiences. 00:03:33 Naturally, we couldn’t wait to see for ourselves 00:03:35 what field service was like. 00:03:37 And, sure enough, 00:03:38 we found that, both in the rural areas and in the city, 00:03:42 people were polite, easy to talk with, 00:03:45 and receptive to the Kingdom message. 00:03:48 We couldn’t help but think that many more 00:03:50 may yet come into Jehovah’s organization in this large country. 00:03:54 At the Assembly Hall on the branch property, 00:03:57 we were able to enjoy a special program 00:04:00 with the Bethel family and nearby congregations. 00:04:03 Over 2,000 attended. 00:04:05 After our final meal with the Bethel family, 00:04:08 it was hard to hold back the tears as we said our farewells. 00:04:12 But just before our departure, we heard of more road blockages! 00:04:17 Would we be able to get to São Paulo in time for our flight? 00:04:22 Absolutely. 00:04:30 Upon our arrival at Paraguay Bethel, 00:04:32 we were surprised and overwhelmed. 00:04:35 What a welcome! 00:04:37 The Paraguay branch is located 00:04:39 just outside the capital city of Asunción. 00:04:42 Just a block down the street, 00:04:44 a beautiful new Assembly Hall 00:04:46 and School for Kingdom Evangelizers facility 00:04:48 were nearing completion. 00:04:51 The enthusiasm of the construction volunteers was contagious. 00:04:56 Just a few weeks after our visit, 00:04:59 the Assembly Hall and school facility were completed. 00:05:03 There are about 100 members in the Paraguay Bethel family, 00:05:08 which cares for the 11,000 publishers in the country. 00:05:11 The largest department at the branch is Translation. 00:05:15 These dear brothers and sisters devote much effort 00:05:19 to translate our publications and our website 00:05:21 into the Guaraní language. 00:05:23 This has proven to be a blessing 00:05:25 for honesthearted ones throughout the country. 00:05:28 For example, we learned of a Guaraní-speaking woman named Angelina. 00:05:32 During the pandemic, Angelina studied the Bible by cell phone. 00:05:35 But because she lives in a remote location, 00:05:39 electricity is unreliable. 00:05:42 But that did not deter Angelina. 00:05:44 For her Bible study, Angelina walked four kilometers, 00:05:47 or two and a half miles, round-trip to charge her cell phone. 00:05:50 As she progressed, she walked that distance more often 00:05:53 so that she could connect to our meetings. 00:05:56 Was it worth the effort? 00:05:57 Today, Angelina is now baptized 00:06:00 and her husband is studying the Bible! 00:06:02 We were curious about what we would find in the ministry. 00:06:05 In one city park, virtually everyone we spoke with 00:06:09 was polite, humble, and willing to talk. 00:06:12 The next day, despite an outbreak of COVID-19, 00:06:16 we enjoyed a special meeting 00:06:18 that was transmitted to all congregations throughout the country. 00:06:21 The program featured experiences 00:06:23 that highlighted the progress of the preaching work. 00:06:26 No doubt many more 00:06:28 will respond to the Kingdom message in Paraguay. 00:06:31 For the special meal with the Bethel family, 00:06:34 we enjoyed delicious food 00:06:36 along with traditional dancing and singing. 00:06:40 We also enjoyed hearing nice experiences of Bethelites 00:06:43 who witnessed by letter and telephone during the pandemic. 00:06:49 Yes, as was true of Brazil, 00:06:52 the Paraguay Bethel family is united and joyful. 00:06:55 Many in the Bethel family said, 00:06:58 “We did not realize how much we needed this visit.” 00:07:02 Truly, these visits are evidence of the Governing Body’s love 00:07:06 in caring for our Bethel families worldwide. 00:07:11 As you can imagine, 00:07:13 it was hard to tear ourselves away from our dear brothers and sisters. 00:07:16 But we rejoiced in seeing 00:07:19 how Jehovah has so lovingly cared for them 00:07:21 during the past few years. 00:07:25 We will remember them fondly. 00:07:29 Both Bethel families send their warm love to the Governing Body.
00:00:08 Brazil is the largest country in South America 00:00:12 —from the Amazon rain forest 00:00:15 to the rich farmland 00:00:17 and the beautiful coastline. 00:00:21 Paraguay borders Brazil 00:00:23 and is the eighth largest country in South America. 00:00:27 Its diverse geography includes major rivers, 00:00:31 vast plains, 00:00:33 and fertile farmland. 00:00:35 We wondered how the Bethel families in those countries were doing 00:00:38 after some two and a half years of the COVID-19 pandemic. 00:00:42 Brother Dellinger and I, along with our wives, Lourdes and Angela, 00:00:46 began our journey from Warwick Bethel 00:00:48 with a flight to São Paulo, Brazil. 00:00:51 But after the recent presidential election, 00:00:54 large protests in São Paulo were blocking key roads, 00:00:58 including the road from the airport to the branch office. 00:01:02 But Jehovah provided 00:01:04 an unexpected solution. 00:01:07 Thanks to the generosity of a Witness family, 00:01:10 we were transported from the airport in record time. 00:01:14 We had no problem finding a parking space 00:01:17 on the Bethel soccer field. 00:01:22 The branch is located in a rural area 00:01:24 and serves as a home to some 1,200 volunteers. 00:01:28 During our visit, the entire Bethel family 00:01:31 enjoyed morning worship and breakfast in the dining room. 00:01:35 Irmãos, bom dia! 00:01:39 Are you excited to be here for the branch visit? 00:01:43 We are too. 00:01:45 One of the first stops on our tour was the large printery. 00:01:49 In harmony with the Governing Body’s desire to provide printed material, 00:01:53 Brazil produced publications in 65 languages last year. 00:01:58 Brazil also serves as a warehousing branch. 00:02:01 What is that? 00:02:02 It means Brazil can print, stock, and ship literature directly 00:02:06 to individual congregations 00:02:08 in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, 00:02:11 Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. 00:02:14 Brazil also ships publications to branches 00:02:17 in Colombia, Mexico, the United States, 00:02:19 South Africa, Germany, and Japan. 00:02:23 In addition, there are ten remote translation offices 00:02:26 that translate our publications into other languages spoken in Brazil. 00:02:31 Brazil Bethel has two museums; 00:02:34 one is devoted to the history of Bible translation 00:02:37 and the other shows the history of Jehovah’s people in Brazil. 00:02:42 The Brazil branch also provides the Art Department in Patterson 00:02:46 with photos and artwork for our publications. 00:02:50 Perhaps you recognize some of these scenes. 00:02:55 Under the oversight of Audio/Video Services at headquarters, 00:02:58 Brazil has a regional video team. 00:03:01 Ready, set, action! 00:03:05 With all of this activity and over 900,000 publishers to support, 00:03:09 the branch is being renovated and modernized. 00:03:12 Many commuter Bethelites are sharing in this project 00:03:16 and, as you can see, all are happy to help. 00:03:19 Another highlight of our visit was the special dinner with the Bethel family, 00:03:23 which featured the Bethel chorus, 00:03:26 traditional dancing, 00:03:28 and some excellent field service experiences. 00:03:33 Naturally, we couldn’t wait to see for ourselves 00:03:35 what field service was like. 00:03:37 And, sure enough, 00:03:38 we found that, both in the rural areas and in the city, 00:03:42 people were polite, easy to talk with, 00:03:45 and receptive to the Kingdom message. 00:03:48 We couldn’t help but think that many more 00:03:50 may yet come into Jehovah’s organization in this large country. 00:03:54 At the Assembly Hall on the branch property, 00:03:57 we were able to enjoy a special program 00:04:00 with the Bethel family and nearby congregations. 00:04:03 Over 2,000 attended. 00:04:05 After our final meal with the Bethel family, 00:04:08 it was hard to hold back the tears as we said our farewells. 00:04:12 But just before our departure, we heard of more road blockages! 00:04:17 Would we be able to get to São Paulo in time for our flight? 00:04:22 Absolutely. 00:04:30 Upon our arrival at Paraguay Bethel, 00:04:32 we were surprised and overwhelmed. 00:04:35 What a welcome! 00:04:37 The Paraguay branch is located 00:04:39 just outside the capital city of Asunción. 00:04:42 Just a block down the street, 00:04:44 a beautiful new Assembly Hall 00:04:46 and School for Kingdom Evangelizers facility 00:04:48 were nearing completion. 00:04:51 The enthusiasm of the construction volunteers was contagious. 00:04:56 Just a few weeks after our visit, 00:04:59 the Assembly Hall and school facility were completed. 00:05:03 There are about 100 members in the Paraguay Bethel family, 00:05:08 which cares for the 11,000 publishers in the country. 00:05:11 The largest department at the branch is Translation. 00:05:15 These dear brothers and sisters devote much effort 00:05:19 to translate our publications and our website 00:05:21 into the Guaraní language. 00:05:23 This has proven to be a blessing 00:05:25 for honesthearted ones throughout the country. 00:05:28 For example, we learned of a Guaraní-speaking woman named Angelina. 00:05:32 During the pandemic, Angelina studied the Bible by cell phone. 00:05:35 But because she lives in a remote location, 00:05:39 electricity is unreliable. 00:05:42 But that did not deter Angelina. 00:05:44 For her Bible study, Angelina walked four kilometers, 00:05:47 or two and a half miles, round-trip to charge her cell phone. 00:05:50 As she progressed, she walked that distance more often 00:05:53 so that she could connect to our meetings. 00:05:56 Was it worth the effort? 00:05:57 Today, Angelina is now baptized 00:06:00 and her husband is studying the Bible! 00:06:02 We were curious about what we would find in the ministry. 00:06:05 In one city park, virtually everyone we spoke with 00:06:09 was polite, humble, and willing to talk. 00:06:12 The next day, despite an outbreak of COVID-19, 00:06:16 we enjoyed a special meeting 00:06:18 that was transmitted to all congregations throughout the country. 00:06:21 The program featured experiences 00:06:23 that highlighted the progress of the preaching work. 00:06:26 No doubt many more 00:06:28 will respond to the Kingdom message in Paraguay. 00:06:31 For the special meal with the Bethel family, 00:06:34 we enjoyed delicious food 00:06:36 along with traditional dancing and singing. 00:06:40 We also enjoyed hearing nice experiences of Bethelites 00:06:43 who witnessed by letter and telephone during the pandemic. 00:06:49 Yes, as was true of Brazil, 00:06:52 the Paraguay Bethel family is united and joyful. 00:06:55 Many in the Bethel family said, 00:06:58 “We did not realize how much we needed this visit.” 00:07:02 Truly, these visits are evidence of the Governing Body’s love 00:07:06 in caring for our Bethel families worldwide. 00:07:11 As you can imagine, 00:07:13 it was hard to tear ourselves away from our dear brothers and sisters. 00:07:16 But we rejoiced in seeing 00:07:19 how Jehovah has so lovingly cared for them 00:07:21 during the past few years. 00:07:25 We will remember them fondly. 00:07:29 Both Bethel families send their warm love to the Governing Body.
