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00:00:01 Welcome to our update! 00:00:04 The spiritual highlight of our year, 00:00:07 the Memorial of Christ’s death, 00:00:09 was observed by God’s people on April 4, 2023. 00:00:14 In the weeks prior, Jehovah’s Witnesses unitedly extended 00:00:17 the invitation to this event the world over. 00:00:21 This was the first time since the pandemic began 00:00:24 that we could again offer invitations for the Memorial 00:00:28 by means of the house-to-house and public ministry. 00:00:32 No doubt many have been able to expand their ministry during this Memorial season, 00:00:37 including those who could serve as auxiliary pioneers 00:00:40 with the new 15-hour requirement. 00:00:43 It’s thrilling to think about the millions 00:00:46 of brothers and sisters and interested ones who gathered for the Memorial 00:00:50 to show their appreciation for the gift of the ransom. 00:00:56 When we face unexpected events or loss, 00:01:00 we are especially reminded of how vital the ransom is. 00:01:05 As a brotherhood, we were shocked to hear about the shooting 00:01:09 that occurred at a Kingdom Hall in Hamburg, Germany, 00:01:11 in March 2023. 00:01:15 Please note the following video update. 00:01:19 On the evening of Thursday, March 9, 2023, 00:01:22 a terrible tragedy happened in Hamburg, Germany, 00:01:26 after the midweek meeting concluded. 00:01:29 Sadly, four brothers and two sisters 00:01:33 as well as an injured sister’s unborn child were killed. 00:01:37 In addition, two brothers and seven sisters were seriously injured. 00:01:43 We are happy to report that none of them are in intensive care. 00:01:49 Following the shooting, 00:01:50 direction was given that all meetings in Hamburg 00:01:54 should be held by videoconference only. 00:01:57 The Hamburg-Winterhude Congregation 00:02:00 deeply desired to come together again 00:02:02 for in-person meetings as soon as possible. 00:02:05 Shortly thereafter, approval was given for all meetings 00:02:09 to resume in person starting with the very next midweek meeting. 00:02:14 Some of the injured were even able to join the meeting 00:02:17 from the hospital, using Zoom. 00:02:20 The Central Europe Branch Committee 00:02:22 made immediate arrangements to give comfort and support. 00:02:27 To bolster the relief committee which had been appointed, 00:02:30 Branch Committee members and their wives traveled to Hamburg 00:02:34 and accompanied the responsible circuit overseer. 00:02:37 Special meetings were organized to coordinate visits 00:02:41 to the affected brothers and sisters, 00:02:43 which often meant staying at their side literally day and night. 00:02:47 Every day, a tremendous number of letters and cards 00:02:51 from all over the world continue to be delivered to the hall. 00:02:55 The brothers and sisters are completely overwhelmed and deeply touched 00:03:00 by these expressions of affection and fellow feeling. 00:03:06 All congregations within the state of Hamburg 00:03:08 were invited to a memorial service 00:03:10 held on Saturday, March 25, 2023. 00:03:15 More than 3,000 brothers and sisters attended in person, 00:03:19 and over 90,000 connections were made to view this program via stream, 00:03:24 many of whom viewed the program with friends and family. 00:03:28 All in attendance were touched by the heartwarming words 00:03:32 from Branch Committee members 00:03:34 as well as the visiting Governing Body member and helper. 00:03:38 This memorial service provided strong evidence of Christian love 00:03:44 —a convincing testimony that Jehovah’s people 00:03:47 do not face such situations alone. 00:03:54 Our brothers in Hamburg have experienced Jehovah’s loyal love 00:03:58 throughout this very distressing situation. 00:04:01 After attending the funeral, one sister wrote: 00:04:05 “The commemoration for the victims in Hamburg 00:04:08 “was most dignified and deeply moving. 00:04:11 “The profound Biblical thoughts, 00:04:13 “the unadulterated truth, 00:04:15 “the message of comfort, love, trust, and hope 00:04:20 “delivered with such dignity, tenderness, and empathy 00:04:24 “cannot but have moved every sincere heart 00:04:28 and has given a resounding witness for our wonderful God, Jehovah.” 00:04:33 We have also received many expressions of sympathy from officials, 00:04:37 organizations, and individuals from around the world. 00:04:41 For example, the Federal President of Germany said: 00:04:45 “To all of you dear bereaved, 00:04:47 “dear friends and companions of the victims, 00:04:51 “my sincere and deepest sympathy. 00:04:54 “You have the sympathy of the people of Germany. 00:04:57 “They feel and mourn with you. 00:05:00 They share in your suffering.” 00:05:03 No doubt we all continue 00:05:05 to keep our brothers and sisters in Hamburg in our prayers. 00:05:11 Another recent event that’s had a significant impact 00:05:14 on our brothers and sisters was Cyclone Freddy, 00:05:17 which struck East Africa. 00:05:20 In February and March 2023, 00:05:23 Cyclone Freddy made multiple landfalls 00:05:26 and brought strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding. 00:05:31 Sadly, in Malawi, 00:05:33 eight publishers were killed and three are currently missing. 00:05:37 And in Mozambique, one publisher was killed and one is missing. 00:05:43 There’s extensive damage in Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. 00:05:48 Altogether, over 7,000 publishers and their households were displaced. 00:05:54 More than 1,400 of our brothers’ homes were damaged or destroyed, 00:05:59 and 24 Kingdom Halls were damaged or destroyed. 00:06:03 The Branch Committees, circuit overseers, and local elders 00:06:07 responded quickly to provide comfort and support 00:06:11 along with help for their immediate material needs. 00:06:14 Relief efforts are under way to provide humanitarian aid 00:06:19 and to repair or rebuild their Kingdom Halls and homes. 00:06:23 This may well be the largest relief effort that our brothers in Malawi have faced. 00:06:29 Please keep these dear brothers and sisters in your prayers 00:06:33 along with those who are working hard to provide relief. 00:06:39 When we face trials or tragedies, 00:06:42 we are not the only ones who are affected. 00:06:45 At Isaiah 63:9, it says of Jehovah: 00:06:48 “During all their distress it was distressing to him.” 00:06:54 This assures us that Jehovah is affected too. 00:06:58 He’s moved to help his faithful servants. 00:07:01 And especially during times of distress, he can become our refuge. 00:07:06 He stands ready to help us. 00:07:09 But how can we benefit from his help and protection? 00:07:13 Well, the answer can be found 00:07:14 in what we read at Psalm 91:9. 00:07:18 It says: “Because you said: 00:07:21 “‘Jehovah is my refuge,’ 00:07:24 you have made the Most High your dwelling.” 00:07:28 It doesn’t just say that “Jehovah is [our] refuge,” 00:07:31 but that we have made him our refuge. 00:07:35 We can make Jehovah our refuge 00:07:37 by drawing close to him during our trials. 00:07:40 How? 00:07:42 We lean on him in prayer, 00:07:45 we keep up our good spiritual routine, 00:07:48 we stay busy in the ministry, 00:07:51 and we look for ways to encourage others. 00:07:55 When we do this as individuals, 00:07:58 we make Jehovah our refuge. 00:08:01 Then, even when we do suffer tragedies of one sort or another, 00:08:05 our faith and our spiritual security will not be destroyed. 00:08:10 And when we do this as a brotherhood 00:08:12 —when we all turn to Jehovah in times of distress— 00:08:16 it unites us further. 00:08:19 And it gives a wonderful witness. 00:08:24 An example of this is what our brothers experienced 00:08:27 on Abaco Island in the Bahamas. 00:08:30 In 2019, they suffered a Category 5 hurricane. 00:08:35 Hurricane Dorian destroyed the only Kingdom Hall on the island 00:08:38 and damaged or destroyed 16 of our brothers’ homes. 00:08:43 What did our brothers do? 00:08:45 They made Jehovah their refuge. 00:08:48 They relied on him in fervent prayer. 00:08:51 They supported one another through that trial. 00:08:55 And as soon as it was safe to do so, the Kingdom Hall was rebuilt. 00:09:00 Recently, the Kingdom Hall was completed 00:09:03 and then dedicated in January 2023. 00:09:07 Let’s watch the following video. 00:09:12 The sun is shining—not a cloud in the sky. 00:09:15 We’re in Abaco to dedicate 00:09:17 this beautiful Kingdom Hall right here. 00:09:22 I can’t wait to be a part of this 00:09:24 and see this and be able to sing 00:09:25 with my brothers and sisters 00:09:26 from the Abaco Congregation 00:09:28 and the Haitian Congregation 00:09:29 and be able to hear our voices blend. 00:09:34 But what a blessing from Jehovah 00:09:36 that finally we can be here 00:09:38 for this wonderful program! 00:09:47 Here we are, three years later. 00:09:50 We just didn’t think that this day 00:09:52 would actually come. 00:09:58 I received a text message—I was at home— 00:10:03 “Pray for Abaco.” 00:10:09 The devastation to the Kingdom Hall was so complete 00:10:12 that I think it is forever etched in my mind. 00:10:16 You could see the Kingdom Hall chairs 00:10:19 and our publications thrown all around. 00:10:22 It rips your heart apart 00:10:24 to see the Kingdom Hall like that. 00:10:37 We got to the airport, 00:10:40 and it looked like 00:10:43 there was no way out of this situation. 00:10:46 So the brother prayed, 00:10:49 and after he prayed, 00:10:52 it was like a window opened 00:10:54 for us to get out of there. 00:10:57 We got to Nassau. 00:10:58 There was food; there was clothing. 00:11:01 There was a— 00:11:02 It seemed like we were having a convention where we landed. 00:11:04 There were so many brothers there with placards, 00:11:07 singing at the top of their voice. 00:11:22 The operation was huge. 00:11:24 We almost had about 70 or 80 individuals that came in and out. 00:11:27 It was a mini army as it were. 00:11:30 We were a few weeks away from what was going to be the fastest 00:11:33 project I’ve ever worked on. 00:11:34 We were just absolutely 00:11:36 finishing houses at almost record speed. 00:11:40 The Kingdom Hall was about to be ready for the Memorial. 00:11:43 So we could start to see the end, 00:11:46 and then we got the call that COVID 00:11:49 was putting an end to the project. 00:11:51 Our overseer got on stage, 00:11:53 and within three or four words, he started crying. 00:11:55 I mean, we knew it was because we had to leave. 00:11:59 Sitting on that plane made me cry, thinking, ‘I am just leaving.’ 00:12:08 We kept thinking, ‘When we will be able to go back?’ 00:12:17 I got the phone call from my overseer 00:12:19 that they wanted to get Abaco finished up, and I was thrilled. 00:12:24 I was praying for that for 15 months —to go back and finish this project. 00:12:33 When that hurricane blew through, 00:12:35 it may have taken a lot of things with it, but it sure didn’t take your faith. 00:12:38 And it sure didn’t take away your relationship with God. 00:12:43 When we got to Nassau, 00:12:45 the friends sang “Unfailing Love” to us. 00:12:49 And so now they landed, 00:12:52 and we sang it to them. 00:13:03 It was overwhelming to listen and hear 00:13:06 the beautiful voices 00:13:07 of the brothers and sisters 00:13:08 singing about the love that we have 00:13:10 among all of us. 00:13:20 To have seen 00:13:22 what the friends went through and how their hearts can be soothed— 00:13:26 To have a place of worship 00:13:27 is such a wonderful privilege. 00:13:29 It was a joy to be back at the hall, 00:13:32 and it felt like we were victorious once again. 00:13:36 It doesn’t matter if there are 10 publishers or 10,000 publishers, 00:13:40 Jehovah is going to take care of them. 00:13:42 It has been a reunion, 00:13:45 a piece of Paradise. 00:13:52 No matter what happens to us, 00:13:54 whether it be a natural disaster or unrest or war, 00:13:57 we’re always going to be there for our brothers. 00:13:59 We’re going to support one another, we’re going to help each other, 00:14:03 and we’re going to be OK with Jehovah’s help. 00:14:13 It’s so encouraging to see our brothers and sisters 00:14:17 back in their Kingdom Hall! 00:14:19 Their love and appreciation for Jehovah and his organization is evident, 00:14:24 and they’re making good use of their Kingdom Hall. 00:14:27 For this year’s Memorial, 00:14:29 the 47 publishers of the two congregations 00:14:32 had a combined attendance of 217. 00:14:38 Before we conclude, 00:14:39 we have a new feature in JW Library® that we’re excited to share with you. 00:14:44 JW Library will soon support 00:14:47 Playlists in the Personal Study tab. 00:14:50 With this feature, 00:14:52 you’ll be able to add videos, 00:14:54 audio programs, 00:14:55 and pictures to personal playlists. 00:14:57 For example, you can make playlists 00:14:59 of your favorite theocratic songs 00:15:04 or of videos to use in the ministry. 00:15:06 You can also make a playlist 00:15:08 of pictures to use in a talk, 00:15:10 and then share it 00:15:11 with the audio/video support brothers 00:15:13 so that they can use JW Library 00:15:15 to display the pictures. 00:15:18 Look for an update to the app in the coming weeks. 00:15:23 Brothers and sisters, what have we discussed? 00:15:27 Whatever trials or tests you’re dealing with personally, 00:15:32 be assured that Jehovah sees you 00:15:34 and is aware of what you’re going through. 00:15:37 He too is affected and is moved to help. 00:15:41 So continue to lean on Jehovah in prayer, 00:15:45 keep up your good spiritual routine, 00:15:48 stay busy in the ministry, 00:15:51 and reach out to others for support. 00:15:55 Yes, continue to make Jehovah your refuge! 00:16:00 And please know that we love you all very much. 00:16:05 From the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 00:16:07 this is JW Broadcasting®.