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00:00:01 Welcome to our update. 00:00:04 In many parts of the world, 00:00:06 conventions are underway. 00:00:09 In fact, as of early July, 00:00:11 over 2.3 million have attended 00:00:14 the “Exercise Patience”! Regional Conventions in person. 00:00:19 Seeing old friends and making new ones at the conventions 00:00:24 is bringing so much joy to God’s people. 00:00:29 And the program is truly spiritual “food at the proper time.” 00:00:34 Those who have already attended the convention have benefited greatly, 00:00:39 and we assure those who will be attending in the future: 00:00:43 You’re going to love it! 00:00:46 On June 1, tours of many Bethel facilities 00:00:50 resumed worldwide. 00:00:52 This has been so exciting for the visitors and for the Bethel family. 00:01:01 Seeing the first tour group arrive 00:01:03 was exciting, so encouraging, 00:01:05 knowing the efforts that they’d made to come. 00:01:10 In honesty, I don’t know 00:01:11 who was more excited, 00:01:12 the Bethel family or the tour group, 00:01:14 because we really love to have them here. 00:01:19 My favorite part was the amazing surprise 00:01:21 of walking in and everyone being there 00:01:23 and welcoming us and waving 00:01:25 and so many hugs. 00:01:26 It was a great surprise. 00:01:33 The welcome we got was amazing, 00:01:34 and they just kept on coming 00:01:36 and talking to us. 00:01:39 When I think about it, 00:01:40 most of their lives 00:01:42 they’ve been watching updates 00:01:43 about Chelmsford on jw.org. 00:01:45 So to finally be here— 00:01:47 I just never imagined it would be possible. 00:01:57 It has been over a month now 00:01:59 since tours have resumed, 00:02:00 and it has been amazing! 00:02:05 We are originally from the Philippines, 00:02:07 and we are now in Canada. 00:02:09 We drove about eight hours 00:02:11 to get to Warwick Bethel. 00:02:15 We planned to tour Warwick in March of 2020. 00:02:19 Here we are three years later. 00:02:20 We said, “There’s one trip that we have to plan 00:02:21 and make this year,” 00:02:23 and it was coming to visit Bethel. 00:02:26 I would definitely encourage families to plan the trip. 00:02:29 It’s definitely encouraging spiritually, 00:02:32 but it’s something that your kids are going to remember. 00:02:37 There are so many things in the museum 00:02:40 that you cannot really absorb them in just one visit. 00:02:42 So, hopefully, 00:02:44 we will be back again. 00:02:49 These brothers and sisters echo the inspired words of David, 00:02:54 as recorded at Psalm 122:1: 00:02:58 “I rejoiced when they said to me: 00:03:02 ‘Let us go to the house of Jehovah.’” 00:03:06 We warmly invite you to experience the joy of touring Bethel. 00:03:12 Please make a tour reservation on jw.org. 00:03:17 You can find more information on the “Bethel Tours” page, 00:03:21 or you may contact your local branch office. 00:03:26 As announced on jw.org, on Wednesday evening, 00:03:30 June 28, 2023, 00:03:34 the Ramapo project received a major approval. 00:03:39 The Town of Ramapo Planning Board 00:03:42 unanimously approved the site plan for the project! 00:03:47 Although there are many permits and technical details to work through, 00:03:52 this approval now allows the project to proceed. 00:03:57 We are grateful for the hard work of the Town Planning Board 00:04:01 and all the brothers and sisters working behind the scenes. 00:04:06 And we thank Jehovah for his continued blessing on this project. 00:04:13 In May 2022, 00:04:15 Brother Dennis Christensen was released from prison. 00:04:20 Shortly after, we interviewed him and his wife, Irina. 00:04:25 As you watch the following video, 00:04:27 notice what helped them to endure and remain faithful. 00:04:35 We were at a meeting of our congregation in the city of Oryol. 00:04:42 But then one of our ministerial servants came running to me and said, 00:04:46 “Dennis, you have to go in the hallway.” 00:04:49 “OK, OK.” 00:04:50 I then went in the corridor, and there were people standing there in masks 00:04:55 —a lot of police officers and a lot of FSB people. 00:05:00 They showed their IDs and said that they were going to search our hall. 00:05:08 After that, they also showed me some paper. 00:05:12 It was a ruling that I was the main one in this case 00:05:16 and that they would arrest me for two days. 00:05:21 I thought: ‘It’s no big deal, and it’s going to be resolved. 00:05:25 ‘Two days is something I can live with. 00:05:27 Other brothers and sisters were in prison before me, and I can do it too.’ 00:05:31 And I was sure, too, that Jehovah was protecting me. 00:05:44 The hardest part was being separated from my wife, Irina. 00:05:48 The detention center is located 00:05:51 so that you can’t generally see the prisoners, right? 00:05:55 I tried to find a place where I could see his window. 00:05:59 And just from his window, he could see me well. 00:06:03 And so we agreed that I would go there. 00:06:06 Dennis told me what time. 00:06:10 That was my favorite time, you might say, of the whole day. 00:06:15 I was looking forward to 1:00 p.m., 00:06:17 my opportunity to see Irina. 00:06:20 It was only five to ten minutes. 00:06:24 For two years we had this routine. 00:06:27 Irina came every day! 00:06:30 In the snow, 00:06:32 in the rain, in bright sunshine 00:06:35 —no matter what the weather was, 00:06:38 every day she was there. 00:06:41 It was our little secret that we reveal now. 00:06:46 For two years, we didn’t tell it to anyone at all. 00:06:52 I really tried my best to be a good husband. 00:06:55 When I was in the detention center, 00:06:58 I tried to call her twice a month. 00:07:01 I tried to write her letters five times a week. 00:07:07 I had friends supporting me, coming over, visiting. 00:07:11 I got a lot of letters, and so did Dennis. 00:07:14 There were people who said, 00:07:16 “If you’re having a hard time, you can call and text; we’ll come over.” 00:07:20 They offered all sorts of help, and I am very grateful to them. 00:07:29 During the trial, 00:07:31 I particularly remembered 00:07:33 the support of the brothers and sisters. 00:07:35 That’s amazing! 00:07:39 Thank you, everybody, for coming. 00:07:40 I am very happy that you are here. 00:07:42 Thank you! 00:07:44 When I got my final sentence of six years, 00:07:47 then there were a lot of people in the audience. 00:07:54 How I dealt with it: 00:07:57 I was very strict about my attitude 00:08:00 because I knew, basically, as it says in Proverbs: 00:08:05 ‘If you’re sad, then your strength also disappears.’ 00:08:11 I knew it would be a long struggle, and I wanted to endure. 00:08:17 I tried to read the Bible every day 00:08:20 like I was supposed to and to meditate. 00:08:23 I did have a special notebook 00:08:25 where I wrote down good thoughts from the Bible that would strengthen me. 00:08:32 For example, 00:08:34 I often remembered Isaiah 30:15, 00:08:39 where it says that we have to ‘keep calm and trust in Jehovah.’ 00:08:43 And that is our strength. 00:08:48 And very often I prayed 00:08:50 that I’d have peace in my heart, 00:08:52 that Jehovah would help me to keep my joy, 00:08:55 to be happy, because I wanted it to be that way. 00:08:59 I often thought too: ‘Yes, OK, you can steal my freedom. 00:09:04 ‘Yes, you can make me not see my family 00:09:08 ‘and not be able to hug them as often as I’d like. 00:09:12 ‘But inside, I will not let you steal my peace; 00:09:17 ‘I will not let you steal my joy. 00:09:20 ‘I want to be happy, to serve Jehovah, 00:09:23 to do as he wants because he is a happy Father.’ 00:09:29 Dennis once wrote this interesting phrase, 00:09:32 “If you want to be happy, make others happy.” 00:09:35 And that thought helped me a lot. 00:09:39 And I was always busy. 00:09:41 I was always looking for opportunities to help someone 00:09:44 —who to visit and who to bring groceries to— 00:09:47 or to visit the sick. 00:09:56 A member of the prison staff said to me, 00:09:58 “Dennis, I can see that you’re very joyful.” 00:10:02 I said: “Yes, I’ll be free soon; 00:10:05 “all my thoughts are there right now. 00:10:09 “It’s like I’m not here. 00:10:11 I’m already out there.” 00:10:14 Then he said to me, “Look, Christensen, you’ve never been here. 00:10:18 “You’ve always been on the outside. 00:10:20 “You’ve always been free. 00:10:22 You’ve always been joyful and happy.” 00:10:25 I also imagined that day many times: 00:10:29 when I’d go out, 00:10:30 when I’d see my brothers and sisters again and my family, 00:10:34 and when I’d hug them. 00:10:50 I was amazed at the number of people who were already there. 00:10:54 They got there early, 00:10:56 and they were people from completely different cities. 00:11:26 We already knew ahead of time that there would be a few people 00:11:30 who would meet us at Copenhagen Airport. 00:11:36 But it was a great feeling 00:11:38 when we saw so many brothers and sisters there 00:11:42 who were shouting with joy. 00:11:46 I hugged everybody. 00:11:48 I had waited a long time for this, 00:11:51 so there were a lot of emotions there. 00:12:01 Now we’re back in Denmark. 00:12:04 Here we have to start a new life, start from scratch. 00:12:14 We had an invaluable and unique experience 00:12:17 that we really want to use to help others. 00:12:24 You could say that prison is a very good school 00:12:27 to polish your Christian qualities. 00:12:32 I’m out now, and I’m very happy about that. 00:12:35 But my prayers for my brothers and sisters 00:12:38 who are still in prison haven’t changed. 00:12:41 On the contrary, 00:12:42 I pray for them even more now because I know what they’re facing there. 00:12:51 It’s not always easy, 00:12:53 but I’m also sure that Jehovah helps them as he helped me. 00:13:09 Brother and Sister Christensen, 00:13:11 thank you for sharing your experience with us. 00:13:15 We’re encouraged by your patient endurance. 00:13:20 I recall many years ago 00:13:22 when I was working with the brothers behind the Iron Curtain, 00:13:25 I saw their faith and integrity. 00:13:29 It was so touching, and that has stayed with me until now. 00:13:34 When we see vivid accounts or hear reports about the faith 00:13:39 and determination of our brothers in countries under ban today, 00:13:44 doesn’t it strengthen and inspire us? 00:13:48 We continue to pray 00:13:50 for the over 180 brothers and sisters worldwide 00:13:55 who are presently in prison for their faith. 00:14:00 As you watched the interview, 00:14:02 did you notice what helped the Christensens to endure? 00:14:07 Brother Christensen said that daily Bible reading 00:14:10 and meditation helped him. 00:14:14 He wrote strengthening thoughts from the Bible in a notebook. 00:14:20 Brother and Sister Christensen encouraged each other 00:14:22 by regular letters and phone calls. 00:14:26 And wasn’t it touching to hear 00:14:28 how seeing each other briefly from a distance strengthened them? 00:14:35 They were also built up by the support of their spiritual family. 00:14:40 And they did not just receive support; 00:14:44 they looked for opportunities to help and encourage others. 00:14:49 Do you remember what Dennis wrote to Irina? 00:14:53 “If you want to be happy, make others happy.” 00:14:58 This reminds us of Jesus’ words 00:15:00 recorded at Acts 20:35: 00:15:04 “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” 00:15:10 One of the scriptures that Dennis said helped him through this trial 00:15:15 was Isaiah 30:15. 00:15:18 There we read: 00:15:20 “Your strength will be in keeping calm 00:15:24 and showing trust.” 00:15:28 We are pleased to inform you that the full interview 00:15:31 of Brother and Sister Christensen will be made available 00:15:34 on jw.org in the future. 00:15:38 Yes, just as Jehovah strengthened the Christensens to endure their trial, 00:15:43 he will help all of us to endure faithfully 00:15:47 as we keep trusting in Jehovah! 00:15:52 Dear brothers and sisters, we take note of your patient endurance. 00:15:57 Please know that we love you all very much. 00:16:03 From the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 00:16:06 this is JW Broadcasting®.
00:00:01 Welcome to our update. 00:00:04 In many parts of the world, 00:00:06 conventions are underway. 00:00:09 In fact, as of early July, 00:00:11 over 2.3 million have attended 00:00:14 the “Exercise Patience”! Regional Conventions in person. 00:00:19 Seeing old friends and making new ones at the conventions 00:00:24 is bringing so much joy to God’s people. 00:00:29 And the program is truly spiritual “food at the proper time.” 00:00:34 Those who have already attended the convention have benefited greatly, 00:00:39 and we assure those who will be attending in the future: 00:00:43 You’re going to love it! 00:00:46 On June 1, tours of many Bethel facilities 00:00:50 resumed worldwide. 00:00:52 This has been so exciting for the visitors and for the Bethel family. 00:01:01 Seeing the first tour group arrive 00:01:03 was exciting, so encouraging, 00:01:05 knowing the efforts that they’d made to come. 00:01:10 In honesty, I don’t know 00:01:11 who was more excited, 00:01:12 the Bethel family or the tour group, 00:01:14 because we really love to have them here. 00:01:19 My favorite part was the amazing surprise 00:01:21 of walking in and everyone being there 00:01:23 and welcoming us and waving 00:01:25 and so many hugs. 00:01:26 It was a great surprise. 00:01:33 The welcome we got was amazing, 00:01:34 and they just kept on coming 00:01:36 and talking to us. 00:01:39 When I think about it, 00:01:40 most of their lives 00:01:42 they’ve been watching updates 00:01:43 about Chelmsford on jw.org. 00:01:45 So to finally be here— 00:01:47 I just never imagined it would be possible. 00:01:57 It has been over a month now 00:01:59 since tours have resumed, 00:02:00 and it has been amazing! 00:02:05 We are originally from the Philippines, 00:02:07 and we are now in Canada. 00:02:09 We drove about eight hours 00:02:11 to get to Warwick Bethel. 00:02:15 We planned to tour Warwick in March of 2020. 00:02:19 Here we are three years later. 00:02:20 We said, “There’s one trip that we have to plan 00:02:21 and make this year,” 00:02:23 and it was coming to visit Bethel. 00:02:26 I would definitely encourage families to plan the trip. 00:02:29 It’s definitely encouraging spiritually, 00:02:32 but it’s something that your kids are going to remember. 00:02:37 There are so many things in the museum 00:02:40 that you cannot really absorb them in just one visit. 00:02:42 So, hopefully, 00:02:44 we will be back again. 00:02:49 These brothers and sisters echo the inspired words of David, 00:02:54 as recorded at Psalm 122:1: 00:02:58 “I rejoiced when they said to me: 00:03:02 ‘Let us go to the house of Jehovah.’” 00:03:06 We warmly invite you to experience the joy of touring Bethel. 00:03:12 Please make a tour reservation on jw.org. 00:03:17 You can find more information on the “Bethel Tours” page, 00:03:21 or you may contact your local branch office. 00:03:26 As announced on jw.org, on Wednesday evening, 00:03:30 June 28, 2023, 00:03:34 the Ramapo project received a major approval. 00:03:39 The Town of Ramapo Planning Board 00:03:42 unanimously approved the site plan for the project! 00:03:47 Although there are many permits and technical details to work through, 00:03:52 this approval now allows the project to proceed. 00:03:57 We are grateful for the hard work of the Town Planning Board 00:04:01 and all the brothers and sisters working behind the scenes. 00:04:06 And we thank Jehovah for his continued blessing on this project. 00:04:13 In May 2022, 00:04:15 Brother Dennis Christensen was released from prison. 00:04:20 Shortly after, we interviewed him and his wife, Irina. 00:04:25 As you watch the following video, 00:04:27 notice what helped them to endure and remain faithful. 00:04:35 We were at a meeting of our congregation in the city of Oryol. 00:04:42 But then one of our ministerial servants came running to me and said, 00:04:46 “Dennis, you have to go in the hallway.” 00:04:49 “OK, OK.” 00:04:50 I then went in the corridor, and there were people standing there in masks 00:04:55 —a lot of police officers and a lot of FSB people. 00:05:00 They showed their IDs and said that they were going to search our hall. 00:05:08 After that, they also showed me some paper. 00:05:12 It was a ruling that I was the main one in this case 00:05:16 and that they would arrest me for two days. 00:05:21 I thought: ‘It’s no big deal, and it’s going to be resolved. 00:05:25 ‘Two days is something I can live with. 00:05:27 Other brothers and sisters were in prison before me, and I can do it too.’ 00:05:31 And I was sure, too, that Jehovah was protecting me. 00:05:44 The hardest part was being separated from my wife, Irina. 00:05:48 The detention center is located 00:05:51 so that you can’t generally see the prisoners, right? 00:05:55 I tried to find a place where I could see his window. 00:05:59 And just from his window, he could see me well. 00:06:03 And so we agreed that I would go there. 00:06:06 Dennis told me what time. 00:06:10 That was my favorite time, you might say, of the whole day. 00:06:15 I was looking forward to 1:00 p.m., 00:06:17 my opportunity to see Irina. 00:06:20 It was only five to ten minutes. 00:06:24 For two years we had this routine. 00:06:27 Irina came every day! 00:06:30 In the snow, 00:06:32 in the rain, in bright sunshine 00:06:35 —no matter what the weather was, 00:06:38 every day she was there. 00:06:41 It was our little secret that we reveal now. 00:06:46 For two years, we didn’t tell it to anyone at all. 00:06:52 I really tried my best to be a good husband. 00:06:55 When I was in the detention center, 00:06:58 I tried to call her twice a month. 00:07:01 I tried to write her letters five times a week. 00:07:07 I had friends supporting me, coming over, visiting. 00:07:11 I got a lot of letters, and so did Dennis. 00:07:14 There were people who said, 00:07:16 “If you’re having a hard time, you can call and text; we’ll come over.” 00:07:20 They offered all sorts of help, and I am very grateful to them. 00:07:29 During the trial, 00:07:31 I particularly remembered 00:07:33 the support of the brothers and sisters. 00:07:35 That’s amazing! 00:07:39 Thank you, everybody, for coming. 00:07:40 I am very happy that you are here. 00:07:42 Thank you! 00:07:44 When I got my final sentence of six years, 00:07:47 then there were a lot of people in the audience. 00:07:54 How I dealt with it: 00:07:57 I was very strict about my attitude 00:08:00 because I knew, basically, as it says in Proverbs: 00:08:05 ‘If you’re sad, then your strength also disappears.’ 00:08:11 I knew it would be a long struggle, and I wanted to endure. 00:08:17 I tried to read the Bible every day 00:08:20 like I was supposed to and to meditate. 00:08:23 I did have a special notebook 00:08:25 where I wrote down good thoughts from the Bible that would strengthen me. 00:08:32 For example, 00:08:34 I often remembered Isaiah 30:15, 00:08:39 where it says that we have to ‘keep calm and trust in Jehovah.’ 00:08:43 And that is our strength. 00:08:48 And very often I prayed 00:08:50 that I’d have peace in my heart, 00:08:52 that Jehovah would help me to keep my joy, 00:08:55 to be happy, because I wanted it to be that way. 00:08:59 I often thought too: ‘Yes, OK, you can steal my freedom. 00:09:04 ‘Yes, you can make me not see my family 00:09:08 ‘and not be able to hug them as often as I’d like. 00:09:12 ‘But inside, I will not let you steal my peace; 00:09:17 ‘I will not let you steal my joy. 00:09:20 ‘I want to be happy, to serve Jehovah, 00:09:23 to do as he wants because he is a happy Father.’ 00:09:29 Dennis once wrote this interesting phrase, 00:09:32 “If you want to be happy, make others happy.” 00:09:35 And that thought helped me a lot. 00:09:39 And I was always busy. 00:09:41 I was always looking for opportunities to help someone 00:09:44 —who to visit and who to bring groceries to— 00:09:47 or to visit the sick. 00:09:56 A member of the prison staff said to me, 00:09:58 “Dennis, I can see that you’re very joyful.” 00:10:02 I said: “Yes, I’ll be free soon; 00:10:05 “all my thoughts are there right now. 00:10:09 “It’s like I’m not here. 00:10:11 I’m already out there.” 00:10:14 Then he said to me, “Look, Christensen, you’ve never been here. 00:10:18 “You’ve always been on the outside. 00:10:20 “You’ve always been free. 00:10:22 You’ve always been joyful and happy.” 00:10:25 I also imagined that day many times: 00:10:29 when I’d go out, 00:10:30 when I’d see my brothers and sisters again and my family, 00:10:34 and when I’d hug them. 00:10:50 I was amazed at the number of people who were already there. 00:10:54 They got there early, 00:10:56 and they were people from completely different cities. 00:11:26 We already knew ahead of time that there would be a few people 00:11:30 who would meet us at Copenhagen Airport. 00:11:36 But it was a great feeling 00:11:38 when we saw so many brothers and sisters there 00:11:42 who were shouting with joy. 00:11:46 I hugged everybody. 00:11:48 I had waited a long time for this, 00:11:51 so there were a lot of emotions there. 00:12:01 Now we’re back in Denmark. 00:12:04 Here we have to start a new life, start from scratch. 00:12:14 We had an invaluable and unique experience 00:12:17 that we really want to use to help others. 00:12:24 You could say that prison is a very good school 00:12:27 to polish your Christian qualities. 00:12:32 I’m out now, and I’m very happy about that. 00:12:35 But my prayers for my brothers and sisters 00:12:38 who are still in prison haven’t changed. 00:12:41 On the contrary, 00:12:42 I pray for them even more now because I know what they’re facing there. 00:12:51 It’s not always easy, 00:12:53 but I’m also sure that Jehovah helps them as he helped me. 00:13:09 Brother and Sister Christensen, 00:13:11 thank you for sharing your experience with us. 00:13:15 We’re encouraged by your patient endurance. 00:13:20 I recall many years ago 00:13:22 when I was working with the brothers behind the Iron Curtain, 00:13:25 I saw their faith and integrity. 00:13:29 It was so touching, and that has stayed with me until now. 00:13:34 When we see vivid accounts or hear reports about the faith 00:13:39 and determination of our brothers in countries under ban today, 00:13:44 doesn’t it strengthen and inspire us? 00:13:48 We continue to pray 00:13:50 for the over 180 brothers and sisters worldwide 00:13:55 who are presently in prison for their faith. 00:14:00 As you watched the interview, 00:14:02 did you notice what helped the Christensens to endure? 00:14:07 Brother Christensen said that daily Bible reading 00:14:10 and meditation helped him. 00:14:14 He wrote strengthening thoughts from the Bible in a notebook. 00:14:20 Brother and Sister Christensen encouraged each other 00:14:22 by regular letters and phone calls. 00:14:26 And wasn’t it touching to hear 00:14:28 how seeing each other briefly from a distance strengthened them? 00:14:35 They were also built up by the support of their spiritual family. 00:14:40 And they did not just receive support; 00:14:44 they looked for opportunities to help and encourage others. 00:14:49 Do you remember what Dennis wrote to Irina? 00:14:53 “If you want to be happy, make others happy.” 00:14:58 This reminds us of Jesus’ words 00:15:00 recorded at Acts 20:35: 00:15:04 “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” 00:15:10 One of the scriptures that Dennis said helped him through this trial 00:15:15 was Isaiah 30:15. 00:15:18 There we read: 00:15:20 “Your strength will be in keeping calm 00:15:24 and showing trust.” 00:15:28 We are pleased to inform you that the full interview 00:15:31 of Brother and Sister Christensen will be made available 00:15:34 on jw.org in the future. 00:15:38 Yes, just as Jehovah strengthened the Christensens to endure their trial, 00:15:43 he will help all of us to endure faithfully 00:15:47 as we keep trusting in Jehovah! 00:15:52 Dear brothers and sisters, we take note of your patient endurance. 00:15:57 Please know that we love you all very much. 00:16:03 From the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 00:16:06 this is JW Broadcasting®.
