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00:00:01 At Isaiah 40:4, 5, 00:00:05 Jehovah says he would remove 00:00:06 seemingly insurmountable obstacles 00:00:09 so the Jews could return to Jerusalem. 00:00:12 The account says: 00:00:14 “Let every valley be raised up, 00:00:17 “and every mountain and hill be made low. 00:00:20 “The rough ground must become level, 00:00:22 “and the rugged ground a valley plain. 00:00:25 “The glory of Jehovah will be revealed, 00:00:28 “and all flesh will see it together, 00:00:30 for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken.” 00:00:33 This inspiring prophecy 00:00:35 was initially fulfilled in 537 B.C.E. 00:00:40 There is nothing that can stand in the way 00:00:43 of what Jehovah wants accomplished. 00:00:46 In this report, we will see clear evidence 00:00:49 of Jehovah’s support on theocratic projects today 00:00:53 despite a pandemic, supply chain shortages, 00:00:57 and other challenges. 00:00:59 For example, 00:01:00 the February 2020 announcement 00:01:03 featured in the JW Newsroom 00:01:05 informed us that the Cameroon branch relocation project 00:01:09 finished shortly before the outbreak of COVID-19. 00:01:14 Just in time, the Bethel family had a home 00:01:16 where they could safely shelter in place during the pandemic and still care 00:01:21 for the Kingdom work and more than 48,000 publishers 00:01:25 in that branch territory. 00:01:26 The Argentina Bethel family 00:01:29 also moved into their new branch facility 00:01:31 in Buenos Aires shortly thereafter. 00:01:34 The move, which was organized in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols, 00:01:39 began in July 2021. 00:01:42 The Bethel family saw numerous examples 00:01:45 of Jehovah leveling out overwhelming challenges 00:01:48 during the pandemic. 00:01:50 The successful completion of the new branch facilities 00:01:54 in the midst of that turmoil 00:01:56 has already given a great witness to the community. 00:02:00 It has allowed the Bethel family to focus 00:02:03 on caring for close to 170,000 publishers 00:02:07 in that branch territory. 00:02:09 What a blessing to have these new facilities 00:02:13 to support the Kingdom preaching work! 00:02:16 What about projects happening right now? 00:02:20 Listen closely as we hear updates from brothers in Italy, 00:02:25 Congo, and Angola. 00:02:29 The Italy branch is relocating its facilities 00:02:32 to the city of Bologna in northern Italy, 00:02:35 which is located about 370 kilometers, 00:02:38 or 230 miles, from Rome. 00:02:42 Initially, the Construction Project Committee 00:02:45 wanted to use our brothers and sisters 00:02:47 as volunteers. 00:02:48 However, at a certain point, it was decided 00:02:51 to rely on an outside development company, 00:02:54 both for the design and renovation of the office building that was purchased 00:02:59 as well as for the design and construction of the residential buildings. 00:03:06 When this decision was made, 00:03:08 we did not imagine that a few months afterward 00:03:10 we would not be able to use our volunteers 00:03:13 because at the beginning of 2020, 00:03:16 COVID-19 struck northern Italy, 00:03:18 including the city of Bologna. 00:03:21 As a consequence, the government suspended activities, including construction. 00:03:28 After about one month, they lifted the restrictions. 00:03:31 And as a result, 00:03:33 we could get back in touch with the companies and continue the work 00:03:38 while respecting government protocol 00:03:40 and direction from our organization. 00:03:44 Thanks to Jehovah’s direction, 00:03:46 despite the pandemic, 00:03:48 we are happy to see how this project 00:03:50 is moving forward much faster than we expected. 00:03:53 And we look forward to being able 00:03:56 to move into these new buildings 00:03:57 by the end of 2024. 00:04:00 In 2012, we had a little over 00:04:03 168,000 publishers in our branch territory. 00:04:08 By the end of 2021, the total number of publishers grew 00:04:13 to more than 209,000 publishers. 00:04:16 Because it was impractical to expand the branch facility in Kinshasa, 00:04:21 we looked for property that could care for the immediate 00:04:24 and future needs of the branch. 00:04:26 We purchased property 00:04:28 in the country’s second-largest city, 00:04:31 Lubumbashi, 00:04:32 where a developer 00:04:34 was already building housing and office units. 00:04:37 The developer already had the zoning, permits, 00:04:41 and completed design packages. 00:04:43 This saved much time and allowed the project to move ahead 00:04:47 with minimal disruption even during the pandemic, 00:04:51 and we were happy for that. 00:04:53 For the internal work of the new offices, 00:04:56 we needed a contractor 00:04:58 who could design and install to the standards of our organization 00:05:03 and within the project budget. 00:05:05 We knew this would be hard to find in Congo 00:05:08 —and even harder with the limitations of the pandemic. 00:05:13 One of the suppliers that we use 00:05:15 for food and relief supplies in the area 00:05:18 mentioned to us that they have a partner company 00:05:22 who specializes in construction 00:05:24 and is newly active in the country. 00:05:26 We didn’t expect that the answer to this challenge 00:05:29 would come from this unusual direction. 00:05:32 But we were surprised to find that they did in fact qualify 00:05:36 to meet the high standards and expectations of such a branch project. 00:05:41 As the relationship grew, we saw 00:05:44 fine collaboration between our teams, 00:05:46 and they continue to work along with us now as the project expands. 00:05:51 We truly have seen 00:05:53 Jehovah smoothing out the path for this project. 00:05:57 We have already started moving 00:05:59 some Bethelites to this new site 00:06:02 and look forward to the project’s completion 00:06:04 in mid-2024. 00:06:08 In December 2021, 00:06:10 a building was purchased that will provide 00:06:13 additional rooms and offices 00:06:16 for the Bethel family at our branch. 00:06:20 This building is located about a ten-minute walk 00:06:24 from the current Bethel facility. 00:06:26 Because of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 00:06:30 the entire process for the acquisition of this building, 00:06:34 even including the verification of the legal aspects, 00:06:38 had to be done by videoconference. 00:06:42 During the last week of the negotiation process 00:06:46 when there were just five days remaining to sign the purchase and sale agreement 00:06:50 and during a stage 00:06:52 in which the negotiation team from the branch and the seller 00:06:55 had already agreed on the purchase and sale price, 00:06:59 we discovered that the structure of the building needed some repairs 00:07:04 and reinforcement in some areas. 00:07:07 How did the team negotiating the purchase handle this obstacle? 00:07:13 The seller was asked to take responsibility for the repairs 00:07:17 and to reinforce the building’s structure, 00:07:21 closely following the engineering details that would be provided by the branch. 00:07:27 After several prayers by the branch’s negotiation team, 00:07:32 the seller accepted the responsibility 00:07:36 and even paid for all the expenses involved in this repair. 00:07:43 The repair was completed. 00:07:45 And shortly after, 00:07:46 the work to completely renovate the building began. 00:07:50 We look forward to seeing 00:07:53 some of the Bethel family 00:07:54 move into this new building in early 2024. 00:08:00 In addition to these new branch facilities, 00:08:03 we also have many other needs to fill. 00:08:06 For example, in order to train brothers and sisters 00:08:10 to carry out the preaching and teaching work, 00:08:13 there continues to be a need for theocratic school facilities. 00:08:18 In Madagascar, the branch hosted classes at Bethel 00:08:22 because they didn’t have any other suitable facilities. 00:08:27 Well, in June 2021, they finished construction 00:08:30 of a new school facility 00:08:32 and will now be able to schedule up to four classes there each year. 00:08:37 Currently, 00:08:38 there are over 40 existing school facilities 00:08:42 and we have around 20 00:08:43 active school facility projects 00:08:45 at various stages of development. 00:08:49 What about facilities to support 00:08:52 the growing media production of the organization? 00:08:54 We’re happy to report that we have finished the studio projects 00:08:58 at the South Africa and Australasia branches. 00:09:02 In Australasia, 00:09:03 that includes the backlot that is used 00:09:06 for The Good News According to Jesus video series. 00:09:10 Soon, if Jehovah wills, 00:09:12 we will begin construction on the new site in Ramapo, New York. 00:09:16 We look forward to seeing how Jehovah 00:09:19 uses this facility 00:09:21 to care for the needs of his people. 00:09:24 It is clear that neither the pandemic 00:09:27 nor ongoing turmoil in this world 00:09:30 has been able to stop theocratic building projects. 00:09:34 And as world conditions continue to deteriorate, 00:09:38 we are confident that the words of Isaiah 40:4, 5 00:09:43 will be true for us. 00:09:45 Yes, Jehovah will help us overcome 00:09:48 any mountainlike obstacles that we face. 00:09:52 We earnestly pray for Jehovah to bless these 00:09:55 and future building projects. 00:09:58 And we thank you dear brothers and sisters 00:10:02 for supporting them by means of your prayers, 00:10:05 skills, time, and resources. 00:10:10 May all praise and glory go to our great God, Jehovah, 00:10:15 who continues to clear the way for us!
00:00:01 At Isaiah 40:4, 5, 00:00:05 Jehovah says he would remove 00:00:06 seemingly insurmountable obstacles 00:00:09 so the Jews could return to Jerusalem. 00:00:12 The account says: 00:00:14 “Let every valley be raised up, 00:00:17 “and every mountain and hill be made low. 00:00:20 “The rough ground must become level, 00:00:22 “and the rugged ground a valley plain. 00:00:25 “The glory of Jehovah will be revealed, 00:00:28 “and all flesh will see it together, 00:00:30 for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken.” 00:00:33 This inspiring prophecy 00:00:35 was initially fulfilled in 537 B.C.E. 00:00:40 There is nothing that can stand in the way 00:00:43 of what Jehovah wants accomplished. 00:00:46 In this report, we will see clear evidence 00:00:49 of Jehovah’s support on theocratic projects today 00:00:53 despite a pandemic, supply chain shortages, 00:00:57 and other challenges. 00:00:59 For example, 00:01:00 the February 2020 announcement 00:01:03 featured in the JW Newsroom 00:01:05 informed us that the Cameroon branch relocation project 00:01:09 finished shortly before the outbreak of COVID-19. 00:01:14 Just in time, the Bethel family had a home 00:01:16 where they could safely shelter in place during the pandemic and still care 00:01:21 for the Kingdom work and more than 48,000 publishers 00:01:25 in that branch territory. 00:01:26 The Argentina Bethel family 00:01:29 also moved into their new branch facility 00:01:31 in Buenos Aires shortly thereafter. 00:01:34 The move, which was organized in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols, 00:01:39 began in July 2021. 00:01:42 The Bethel family saw numerous examples 00:01:45 of Jehovah leveling out overwhelming challenges 00:01:48 during the pandemic. 00:01:50 The successful completion of the new branch facilities 00:01:54 in the midst of that turmoil 00:01:56 has already given a great witness to the community. 00:02:00 It has allowed the Bethel family to focus 00:02:03 on caring for close to 170,000 publishers 00:02:07 in that branch territory. 00:02:09 What a blessing to have these new facilities 00:02:13 to support the Kingdom preaching work! 00:02:16 What about projects happening right now? 00:02:20 Listen closely as we hear updates from brothers in Italy, 00:02:25 Congo, and Angola. 00:02:29 The Italy branch is relocating its facilities 00:02:32 to the city of Bologna in northern Italy, 00:02:35 which is located about 370 kilometers, 00:02:38 or 230 miles, from Rome. 00:02:42 Initially, the Construction Project Committee 00:02:45 wanted to use our brothers and sisters 00:02:47 as volunteers. 00:02:48 However, at a certain point, it was decided 00:02:51 to rely on an outside development company, 00:02:54 both for the design and renovation of the office building that was purchased 00:02:59 as well as for the design and construction of the residential buildings. 00:03:06 When this decision was made, 00:03:08 we did not imagine that a few months afterward 00:03:10 we would not be able to use our volunteers 00:03:13 because at the beginning of 2020, 00:03:16 COVID-19 struck northern Italy, 00:03:18 including the city of Bologna. 00:03:21 As a consequence, the government suspended activities, including construction. 00:03:28 After about one month, they lifted the restrictions. 00:03:31 And as a result, 00:03:33 we could get back in touch with the companies and continue the work 00:03:38 while respecting government protocol 00:03:40 and direction from our organization. 00:03:44 Thanks to Jehovah’s direction, 00:03:46 despite the pandemic, 00:03:48 we are happy to see how this project 00:03:50 is moving forward much faster than we expected. 00:03:53 And we look forward to being able 00:03:56 to move into these new buildings 00:03:57 by the end of 2024. 00:04:00 In 2012, we had a little over 00:04:03 168,000 publishers in our branch territory. 00:04:08 By the end of 2021, the total number of publishers grew 00:04:13 to more than 209,000 publishers. 00:04:16 Because it was impractical to expand the branch facility in Kinshasa, 00:04:21 we looked for property that could care for the immediate 00:04:24 and future needs of the branch. 00:04:26 We purchased property 00:04:28 in the country’s second-largest city, 00:04:31 Lubumbashi, 00:04:32 where a developer 00:04:34 was already building housing and office units. 00:04:37 The developer already had the zoning, permits, 00:04:41 and completed design packages. 00:04:43 This saved much time and allowed the project to move ahead 00:04:47 with minimal disruption even during the pandemic, 00:04:51 and we were happy for that. 00:04:53 For the internal work of the new offices, 00:04:56 we needed a contractor 00:04:58 who could design and install to the standards of our organization 00:05:03 and within the project budget. 00:05:05 We knew this would be hard to find in Congo 00:05:08 —and even harder with the limitations of the pandemic. 00:05:13 One of the suppliers that we use 00:05:15 for food and relief supplies in the area 00:05:18 mentioned to us that they have a partner company 00:05:22 who specializes in construction 00:05:24 and is newly active in the country. 00:05:26 We didn’t expect that the answer to this challenge 00:05:29 would come from this unusual direction. 00:05:32 But we were surprised to find that they did in fact qualify 00:05:36 to meet the high standards and expectations of such a branch project. 00:05:41 As the relationship grew, we saw 00:05:44 fine collaboration between our teams, 00:05:46 and they continue to work along with us now as the project expands. 00:05:51 We truly have seen 00:05:53 Jehovah smoothing out the path for this project. 00:05:57 We have already started moving 00:05:59 some Bethelites to this new site 00:06:02 and look forward to the project’s completion 00:06:04 in mid-2024. 00:06:08 In December 2021, 00:06:10 a building was purchased that will provide 00:06:13 additional rooms and offices 00:06:16 for the Bethel family at our branch. 00:06:20 This building is located about a ten-minute walk 00:06:24 from the current Bethel facility. 00:06:26 Because of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 00:06:30 the entire process for the acquisition of this building, 00:06:34 even including the verification of the legal aspects, 00:06:38 had to be done by videoconference. 00:06:42 During the last week of the negotiation process 00:06:46 when there were just five days remaining to sign the purchase and sale agreement 00:06:50 and during a stage 00:06:52 in which the negotiation team from the branch and the seller 00:06:55 had already agreed on the purchase and sale price, 00:06:59 we discovered that the structure of the building needed some repairs 00:07:04 and reinforcement in some areas. 00:07:07 How did the team negotiating the purchase handle this obstacle? 00:07:13 The seller was asked to take responsibility for the repairs 00:07:17 and to reinforce the building’s structure, 00:07:21 closely following the engineering details that would be provided by the branch. 00:07:27 After several prayers by the branch’s negotiation team, 00:07:32 the seller accepted the responsibility 00:07:36 and even paid for all the expenses involved in this repair. 00:07:43 The repair was completed. 00:07:45 And shortly after, 00:07:46 the work to completely renovate the building began. 00:07:50 We look forward to seeing 00:07:53 some of the Bethel family 00:07:54 move into this new building in early 2024. 00:08:00 In addition to these new branch facilities, 00:08:03 we also have many other needs to fill. 00:08:06 For example, in order to train brothers and sisters 00:08:10 to carry out the preaching and teaching work, 00:08:13 there continues to be a need for theocratic school facilities. 00:08:18 In Madagascar, the branch hosted classes at Bethel 00:08:22 because they didn’t have any other suitable facilities. 00:08:27 Well, in June 2021, they finished construction 00:08:30 of a new school facility 00:08:32 and will now be able to schedule up to four classes there each year. 00:08:37 Currently, 00:08:38 there are over 40 existing school facilities 00:08:42 and we have around 20 00:08:43 active school facility projects 00:08:45 at various stages of development. 00:08:49 What about facilities to support 00:08:52 the growing media production of the organization? 00:08:54 We’re happy to report that we have finished the studio projects 00:08:58 at the South Africa and Australasia branches. 00:09:02 In Australasia, 00:09:03 that includes the backlot that is used 00:09:06 for The Good News According to Jesus video series. 00:09:10 Soon, if Jehovah wills, 00:09:12 we will begin construction on the new site in Ramapo, New York. 00:09:16 We look forward to seeing how Jehovah 00:09:19 uses this facility 00:09:21 to care for the needs of his people. 00:09:24 It is clear that neither the pandemic 00:09:27 nor ongoing turmoil in this world 00:09:30 has been able to stop theocratic building projects. 00:09:34 And as world conditions continue to deteriorate, 00:09:38 we are confident that the words of Isaiah 40:4, 5 00:09:43 will be true for us. 00:09:45 Yes, Jehovah will help us overcome 00:09:48 any mountainlike obstacles that we face. 00:09:52 We earnestly pray for Jehovah to bless these 00:09:55 and future building projects. 00:09:58 And we thank you dear brothers and sisters 00:10:02 for supporting them by means of your prayers, 00:10:05 skills, time, and resources. 00:10:10 May all praise and glory go to our great God, Jehovah, 00:10:15 who continues to clear the way for us!
