The content displayed below is for educational and archival purposes only.Unless stated otherwise, content is © Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
You may be able to find the original on wol.jw.org
Video above © Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
00:19 Well, today we have the very great privilege to get acquainted 00:24 with five faithful Christian women who share something unique. 00:27 Each one was married to a member of the Governing Body 00:31 who has now gone on to his heavenly reward. 00:34 There are nine such dear, faithful sisters with us at Bethel. 00:38 Sisters Lucille Henschel, Audrey Hyde, Margareta Klein, 00:43 and Charlotte Schroeder could not be with us today for this interview, 00:46 but we treasure their faithful example as well. 00:49 Now, these sisters 00:51 had a very demanding schedule 00:53 while supporting their husbands in their work. 00:55 But what were some of the blessings that they enjoyed? 00:58 Let’s find out. 00:59 So let’s begin with Sister Sydney Barber. 01:03 Sister Barber, could you tell us how you began in the full-time ministry? 01:07 Well, I was blessed to have parents who were faithful and diligent, 01:11 and they raised me with the idea 01:13 that full-time service was to be my career. 01:16 However, when I got out of school, 01:19 I was offered a pretty good job that I really enjoyed. 01:22 I took it and then thought about 01:26 what reasons could I give to Jehovah 01:29 why I was working full-time and not pioneering. 01:33 Well, of course, I couldn’t come up with any reasons. 01:35 And so I knew I had to quit this job, which I did. 01:39 And five years later, I was invited to Gilead, 01:42 and that’s where I met my husband. 01:45 All right, so we understand it was in 1956 01:48 that you married Brother Carey Barber. 01:50 Can you tell us a little bit about some of his outstanding qualities? 01:55 Well, the first thing that attracted me to him 01:57 was that he already had a long history in the full-time service. 02:01 He had gone to Bethel in 1923, 02:04 some 30 years before that. 02:07 So I knew if I was going to marry, 02:11 I had to marry someone with the same goal of full-time service. 02:15 And, then, he was easygoing; 02:17 he didn’t get easily excited or upset about things. 02:20 He had a marvelous sense of humor. 02:23 And all of this helped me a great deal 02:26 because the very day after we were married, 02:29 we started in the circuit work. 02:31 And then for the next 22 years, I lived out of a suitcase 02:36 —lived in the homes of the brothers and moved every week. 02:39 Wonderful. Wow! 02:40 That sounds like a demanding schedule, Sister Barber. 02:43 But, of course, there were blessings. 02:45 What were some of those? 02:46 Oh, there were many blessings, 02:47 although at times I did feel very sorry for myself. 02:51 But the blessings and the happiness 02:56 —the joys— far outweighed any difficulties. 03:00 One of the joys was to find interested people in the service, 03:05 and then find years later that whole extended families 03:09 had come into the truth from that person that I’d contacted. 03:14 Then when we came to Bethel, we did more international travel. 03:18 Now, often we went to maybe an exotic country, 03:21 but we only saw the road from the airport to the branch and back again. 03:26 And we didn’t see the tourist attractions that most people would go to see. 03:31 But we did see “the desirable things,” 03:34 ‘the precious things of the nations,’ and that is Jehovah’s people. 03:38 It was such a thrill to go to a country like Myanmar 03:43 and there meet, perhaps, sisters from the Chin Hills 03:47 —little sisters that had learned the truth back in their own language, 03:51 way out in the sticks, you might say— 03:54 or to go to the Andes and meet a little Quechua-speaking brother 03:58 and to know that these are part of our family 04:01 and that they’re worshipping Jehovah. 04:03 It’s always been dear to my heart. 04:06 Very nice. 04:08 Well, now, Sister Barber, as you look back, 04:11 what is it that you especially treasure? 04:14 Well, I’m very thankful that I was married 04:17 to one of Christ’s brothers. 04:19 Just to hear his expressions on spiritual matters 04:24 and to hear his appreciation 04:28 for his service to Jehovah. 04:30 He was a humble man, 04:32 and he didn’t speak publicly 04:34 about being one of the anointed; 04:37 but privately he expressed great awe of that calling 04:42 and great appreciation for it. 04:45 So I’m very thankful that I was able 04:48 to have 51 years of marriage with him. 04:52 Thank you so much, Sister Barber. 05:04 Well, next on our program 05:05 is dear Sister Melba Barry. 05:08 Sister Barry, we’d like to know a little bit 05:10 about how you came into the truth 05:12 and how you started full-time service, please. 05:16 Well, I’m an Australian lassie, born and raised in Australia. 05:20 Way down there, in 1935, my mother accepted the truth, 05:24 and the brother was going from door to door when he met her. 05:29 Being the oldest of three girls, 05:31 I happened to be the only one 05:33 that showed any interest and accepted the truth, 05:36 and I was baptized in 1939. 05:39 But in the small local congregation where I served, 05:43 I was appointed as the company servant, 05:46 since no qualified brothers were available. 05:52 Brothers were assigned from Bethel 05:54 to give talks in the congregation. 05:57 And so one brother came 05:59 to the congregation for such an assignment, 06:02 and when he returned to Bethel, 06:05 he told his buddy Lloyd Barry to come out 06:08 to the congregation to give a talk and to look me over. 06:15 Eventually, he came. 06:17 Meanwhile, I applied to be a pioneer 06:20 but was accepted to Bethel in Sydney in September 1939. 06:24 So I began my 72 years of full-time service. 06:28 Beautiful. 06:31 Well, then in 1942, you married that brother who came to check you out. 06:35 What were some of his outstanding qualities, Sister Barry? 06:38 Well, he truly loved Jehovah and the brothers. 06:42 He was serious. 06:44 He had a kind and courageous spiritual manner. 06:46 I thought a spiritual giant, 06:48 since I was such an immature person at that time. 06:52 And I thought I needed someone to help me get through Armageddon. 06:56 It was so close at that time. 06:59 And Lloyd was a very decisive person, 07:02 and when he learned the truth in his teenage years, 07:06 he came to appreciate that serving Jehovah 07:08 is a course to lifelong success. 07:12 And so he began full-time service to Jehovah in January 1939. 07:16 He made it the center of his life. 07:19 I liked that about him and, of course, 07:21 he was handsome; he was the best! 07:25 Now, Sister Barry, of course, 07:27 you had this same very demanding schedule, 07:30 but what were some of the blessings? 07:34 A Christian wife must be in submission to her husband. 07:37 And when he’s busy in theocratic activities, 07:40 she also has to be flexible. 07:43 For example, we were called to the 11th class of Gilead in 1948 07:48 and were assigned to Japan. 07:51 During our very first month in Japan, 07:54 Lloyd and I were assigned to separate congregations 07:58 in opposite parts of the city of Kobe. 08:01 We had so few publishers that we all spread out, 08:04 each going our separate ways to get the territory worked. 08:08 When we arrived, there were just three Japanese Witnesses 08:11 in the whole country, 08:13 our language was very limited, and hardly anyone understood English. 08:18 But Jehovah blessed our efforts. 08:20 In fact, one woman I met on my first day preaching, 08:23 she accepted the truth and served Jehovah faithfully 08:26 for 50 years as a pioneer. 08:28 But in time, more missionaries came to help, 08:31 and in about nine years, we had 1,000 publishers or so. 08:35 In 1975, we were up to 33,000 publishers, 08:40 but in 1995, over 200,000. 08:44 That was a rich blessing. 08:46 A wonderful blessing. 08:48 Well, Sister Barry, as you look back, 08:50 is there a memory that you especially treasure? 08:54 Yes, there is one that touched me very much. 08:57 For the last 24 years of his life, 09:00 Lloyd was used extensively for conventions and zone work. 09:04 And in that time, we traveled together to some 80 countries. 09:08 One highlight that I especially treasure 09:10 is that of the district convention in Cuba in 1998. 09:15 After each talk, the dear brothers and sisters actually all stood up 09:20 and gave each speaker a standing ovation 09:24 —clapping their hands vigorously over their heads. 09:28 Such happiness and gratitude and joy for Jehovah’s provisions 09:33 left a very lasting impression on me, and I’ll never forget it. 09:37 So over the years, we could see how Jehovah blessed us in full-time service 09:43 and we found much joy in that. 09:45 So it has been a treasure and a great privilege 09:47 to have lived a life of nearly 60 years 09:51 with such a devoted brother and a faithful servant of Jehovah 09:55 and another treasure and privilege 09:57 to continue serving Jehovah in my advanced age. 10:01 I keep trying with Jehovah’s help. 10:03 I think you’re succeeding, Sister Barry. 10:05 Thank you so much. 10:19 Next, we have the privilege 10:21 to interview Sister Melita Jaracz. 10:24 Sister Jaracz, we understand that you’re from Canada. 10:27 So please tell us about your early days in the truth there. 10:31 Well, I was six years old when my parents learned the truth 10:34 after they read the booklet Where Are the Dead? 10:37 Reading that booklet was all that it took my mother and dad 10:41 to learn the truth about what happened to their first son, 10:44 who had died in the hospital. 10:47 And my relatives were fiercely opposed 10:51 to my parents becoming Jehovah’s Witnesses. 10:54 However, they did not waver. 10:57 We left Saskatchewan to go to British Columbia. 11:01 And that was when us children, 11:03 we had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the meetings in English 11:08 and also go out in service 11:11 and comment at the meetings —making comments at the meetings. 11:15 But all of a sudden, no meetings 11:18 and no service —house-to-house work. 11:22 The ban came on, and we were still young. 11:26 So immediately, announcements were made, 11:29 “We’re going to go from door to door,” 11:32 and they paused, and they said, 11:34 “but only with the Bible.” 11:37 With us children, that was good for us. 11:40 Us young people learned to use the Bible from door to door. 11:43 And that was when I really was convinced 11:46 that I wanted to become a pioneer. 11:48 Fascinating. 11:50 Well, then in 1956, you married Brother Theodore Jaracz. 11:55 What were some of his outstanding qualities, Sister Jaracz? 11:57 Well, he was 13 when he started to study the Bible with the family, 12:01 but the family didn’t want to continue, so he did. 12:04 And none of them ever came into the truth —of his family. 12:08 However, he started pioneering when he was 17; 12:12 at 20, he became a special pioneer; 12:15 at 20, he went to Gilead —was invited to go to Gilead; 12:20 and he was in the traveling work when he was 21. 12:23 I was hearing a lot about this Ted Jaracz. 12:26 So he had a fine reputation. 12:30 It didn’t take me long to appreciate that his goals 12:33 involved serving Jehovah whole-souled, 12:36 and that was my goal. 12:38 As we got to know each other, 12:40 I learned that Brother Jaracz was very dedicated and serious 12:43 in his devotion to serve Jehovah. 12:46 And I appreciated these things, 12:49 and I found out that he was very serious 12:53 in his devotion, very kind, friendly. 12:56 Brothers seemed to be very friendly with him and he with them, 13:00 and he became friendly with me. 13:05 I rather appreciated that. 13:07 Well, Sister Jaracz . . . 13:09 I was very glad to become his wife. 13:11 Very good. 13:13 Well, now, you had this very, very busy schedule too, 13:16 but what were the blessings? 13:19 Well, eight weeks after we were married, 13:21 Brother Knorr assigned us to the traveling work, 13:24 starting in Missouri and Arkansas. 13:26 It was a good thing I was a country girl. 13:29 I knew what an outhouse was, and we had quite a few of those. 13:33 However, for the next 19 years, 13:37 we lived with friends in different homes each week, of course. 13:41 And it was sometimes a little rough, 13:45 but the discomforts weren’t that bad. 13:50 But we had such wonderful experiences in the ministry 13:53 that it made up for everything. 13:57 And my husband, in 1974, was invited to become 14:02 a member of the Governing Body, 14:05 and so we were going to live in Bethel. 14:08 That was my first home after 19 years, and I love it. 14:12 Of course, my husband had many demanding schedules, 14:15 but we were always together for morning worship, lunch, and dinner. 14:20 And since he often had to work overtime, 14:23 I had much to do as far as my spirituality at home 14:28 and as well as duties that I had to perform. 14:31 I kept busy with my spiritual things. 14:34 But we always had time together, and I appreciated that. 14:37 In fact, 54 and a half years —I’m very grateful for. 14:41 Beautiful. 14:42 So, Sister Jaracz, now as you look back through all those years, 14:45 what is it that you especially treasure? 14:48 Well, I treasure those 54 and a half years 14:51 for the reason that we spent it together serving our living God. 14:54 It was a blessing to take care of 14:56 one of Jehovah’s sons by being a wife to him. 14:59 And, of course, it took a “power beyond what is normal” 15:02 to see that I met his needs and fulfilled them. 15:05 I also treasure that I had the privilege 15:08 of going with my husband on many zone visits 15:12 and to see the joy that it brought him 15:15 to serve our brothers in many lands, 15:17 especially in the lands under ban 15:20 —like, for instance, Russia, Ukraine, and Poland. 15:25 Each of these countries was like home to us; 15:28 we were always in a family. 15:30 We just went from the airport to the the branch or wherever, 15:35 and we enjoyed having that association together. 15:39 So these memories bring me much happiness and contentment now. 15:43 And I’m grateful to Jehovah for them and thank him 15:46 that he still gives me “the power beyond what is normal” 15:49 to continue to serve here in Bethel 15:51 and do what I can that I’m assigned to. 15:54 Thank you so much, Sister Jaracz. 16:07 Well, next on our program, 16:08 we have Sister Edith Suiter. 16:11 And, Sister Suiter, we’d like to know 16:13 how you got started in the full-time ministry, please. 16:16 Well, I was raised in the truth, and my parents always took us 16:19 to all the meetings and the conventions. 16:22 And my father always talked to us about the truth at the supper table, 16:26 and we had to be there. 16:28 And as we grew older, we were out in service every Saturday and Sunday, 16:32 but service was not easy then 16:34 because the war was on and mobs would form. 16:38 And they would run us out of town, but they never hurt us. 16:43 I think they were more afraid than we were. 16:45 And at the convention in 1946, pioneering was stressed, 16:50 and that’s when I decided, “That’s what I want to do.” 16:53 So I started pioneering October 1946. 16:57 Now, Sister Suiter, we understand that it was 1956 17:00 when you married Brother Grant Suiter. 17:02 Can you tell us about some of his outstanding qualities? 17:05 Well, he was a very kind, caring person. 17:08 And he was very generous —always wanting to help someone in need. 17:12 And he began full-time service in 1928. 17:16 He was a very hard worker; 17:18 he was very loyal to Jehovah and His organization. 17:21 And he really loved Bethel, as I do. 17:25 And he never complained, and he, too, he had a good sense of humor also. 17:30 He was very serious about his assignments at Bethel. 17:36 Well, now you had this demanding schedule as well as the other sisters. 17:39 What were the blessings that you enjoyed? 17:43 Well, we had many blessings; I had many blessings, of course. 17:45 And I especially enjoyed traveling 17:48 with my husband to different branches 17:51 and to work in the branches with the sisters there 17:54 and see how they did the work differently in other countries. 17:58 And then in the ministry, 18:03 it was a great joy to me to go out 18:05 in the ministry with the missionaries 18:08 and see how they did the work. 18:11 And I really appreciated the work my husband was doing; 18:16 it was for Jehovah. 18:18 And when he was very busy, 18:20 I would find things to do that I never had time to do 18:25 because of the busy schedule that he had and I had. 18:29 And that kept me very busy too. 18:31 So also, we found— 18:33 But he did find time for me too, and I really appreciated that. 18:40 That’s very touching. 18:41 Sister Suiter, is there a memory that you particularly treasure? 18:45 Oh, yes! I really enjoyed this one: 18:48 Grant was scheduled to give a talk 18:51 at the Cadiz Prison in Spain, 18:55 where 100 brothers were incarcerated for their neutrality, 18:59 but the officials said no. 19:01 But we got there two days early, 19:04 and the brothers said, “Well, let’s try it.” 19:07 So we went into the prison as visitors, 19:11 and the brothers had discovered in their workshop 19:14 an unused door that led into their dormitory. 19:18 It was hidden behind wallpaper. 19:21 So the brothers decided to camouflage the door completely 19:25 by covering it with a backless cupboard. 19:30 Thus, you could step into this cupboard door, 19:33 open the door behind, and enter the dormitory. 19:38 And once we were in the prison, 19:40 we were invited to visit the workshop. 19:43 And in this workshop, we stepped into the cupboard and through the door. 19:48 And here, there were 100 brothers waiting to see him. 19:52 So he was able to give the talk to them. 19:55 They were so excited to have a member of the Governing Body 19:58 visit them in prison. 20:00 It was so heartwarming, so exciting. 20:03 Well, you know, my life in full-time service 20:07 has been a very happy one, 20:09 even though there were hardships 20:12 and there were also challenges. 20:14 And I appreciate so much the privilege 20:17 of having served at Bethel with my husband. 20:20 And I still love and I’m happy 20:22 to be at Bethel serving Jehovah. 20:25 Thank you so much, Sister Suiter. 20:38 So now we have the pleasure to get acquainted with Sister Marina Sydlik. 20:41 And, Sister Sydlik, would you tell us about how you got started 20:43 in the full-time service? 20:45 Well, my parents started studying the Bible in the mid-’50’s, 20:49 and my mom gave my sister and me our first few studies 20:53 in the “Let God Be True” book in the kitchen/dining room of our home. 20:58 My first day in field service was when I was ten years old, 21:05 on the face of the anointed brother that was taking us out. 21:08 He was a special pioneer, 21:10 and it soon became evident to me that the happiest people 21:14 are those in the full-time work. 21:16 In time, my dad, my sister, and I were all baptized. 21:21 And about ten years after our first initial contact with the truth, 21:27 Dan Sydlik started visiting our family. 21:30 And it was due to long conversations 21:32 around our dinner table during his visits 21:35 that my mom saw the beauty of the truth and began making it her own. 21:40 I pioneered in later teenage years without a partner, 21:44 which meant that after a good call there was no one to share the joys with 21:48 except Jehovah, of course. 21:50 And so my relationship with Jehovah really blossomed during that time. 21:55 I have some nice memories from London Bethel, 21:58 where I waited through the immigration process to come to the U.S. 22:02 I sat at Brother and Sister Barr’s table, 22:05 and my London Bethel roommate, 22:07 Joey Orram, and I have kept up our friendship to this day. 22:11 We still have a little phone call 22:13 each Saturday morning before I leave for field service. 22:17 That’s wonderful! 22:18 Well, we understand, now, in 1970, 22:20 you married Brother Daniel Sydlik. 22:22 Can you tell us some of his outstanding qualities? 22:26 Well, Dan was known for his genuine love of people, 22:29 his great love of Jehovah and the truth, 22:32 and his innate love of life. 22:35 That combination really gave me 22:38 a wonderful life to live with him, 22:41 and I have many memories, of course, from it. 22:45 But some of the memories that I treasure are 22:47 our conversations after the supper meal. 22:50 Sometimes we’d sit and talk about a Bible topic, 22:54 and it’s those spiritual conversations that I miss to this day. 22:59 It’s understandable. 23:00 Now, of course, you had a demanding schedule, 23:02 but there were blessings. 23:04 What were those, Sister Sydlik? 23:06 Yes, the schedule was demanding, 23:08 and for a rather reticent person like myself, 23:10 I found the crowds and the attention overwhelming. 23:14 But the wonderful friendships we made with some brothers and sisters 23:19 around the world are what I treasure to this day. 23:22 Now when I think of a country like France or Poland or China, 23:27 it’s not the topography of the country that comes to mind 23:30 but the faces of the dear brothers there. 23:34 For example, in Poland, 23:36 we went there when it was still under ban 23:38 and we visited the brothers in their homes. 23:41 But, then, years later to go back and see those same brothers 23:45 in their beautiful new branch and Assembly Halls, 23:48 well, I was just so happy for them. 23:51 Indeed! 23:53 Well, now, as you look back, Sister Sydlik, at this rich life, 23:56 is there a memory that you particularly treasure 23:58 that you’d like to share with us? 24:00 Well, this may be an unusual memory to treasure, 24:04 but recalling it now may help some other sisters. 24:07 It was when Dan was in hospital 24:09 —one of those many days when I was trying to help him with something— 24:13 and he began grumbling, almost fighting me. 24:16 So I just said: 24:17 “Babe, I know this has been terribly hard, 24:21 “and you’ve been so brave, and you’ve endured so much already. 24:25 But just, please, hang in there a bit longer.” 24:28 And immediately he softened. 24:30 He stopped resisting me. 24:31 He never resisted me like that again. 24:33 He just needed that word of commendation 24:37 and, you know, 24:39 just a little bit of kindness like that, approval like that. 24:43 Sisters often give compliments to other sisters and receive compliments. 24:47 And it’s just a little pleasant moment in the day. 24:51 It buoys us up; it’s a little something we share. 24:54 But that’s not the way things work among brothers. 24:58 And it may seem that husbands 25:00 who give talks and travel for the Society 25:03 get enough compliments and praise, 25:06 but that praise is of very limited value to a husband 25:10 compared to a word of approval from his wife 25:14 —a word of commendation from his wife. 25:16 And it’s just as Paul said about a married man, 25:20 how he’s anxious to “gain the approval of his wife.” 25:23 And so without commendation from a wife, 25:27 a husband is missing a little moment of being buoyed up, of being appreciated. 25:32 It’s a simple gift a wife can give her husband. 25:36 And as we know from James’ words: 25:38 ‘Every good gift and every perfect present comes from above, 25:42 from the Father of celestial lights.’ 25:45 Yes. Thank you so much, Sister Sydlik, for sharing that with us. 26:15 Well, how heartwarming to learn how each of you 26:20 unselfishly and lovingly supported 26:22 your husbands in Jehovah’s service 26:25 and how richly you were blessed for doing so. 26:29 Your fine example as faithful Christian women 26:32 is a gift to all of us, and we thank you so much 26:37 for sharing your beautiful memories with us today.
00:19 Well, today we have the very great privilege to get acquainted 00:24 with five faithful Christian women who share something unique. 00:27 Each one was married to a member of the Governing Body 00:31 who has now gone on to his heavenly reward. 00:34 There are nine such dear, faithful sisters with us at Bethel. 00:38 Sisters Lucille Henschel, Audrey Hyde, Margareta Klein, 00:43 and Charlotte Schroeder could not be with us today for this interview, 00:46 but we treasure their faithful example as well. 00:49 Now, these sisters 00:51 had a very demanding schedule 00:53 while supporting their husbands in their work. 00:55 But what were some of the blessings that they enjoyed? 00:58 Let’s find out. 00:59 So let’s begin with Sister Sydney Barber. 01:03 Sister Barber, could you tell us how you began in the full-time ministry? 01:07 Well, I was blessed to have parents who were faithful and diligent, 01:11 and they raised me with the idea 01:13 that full-time service was to be my career. 01:16 However, when I got out of school, 01:19 I was offered a pretty good job that I really enjoyed. 01:22 I took it and then thought about 01:26 what reasons could I give to Jehovah 01:29 why I was working full-time and not pioneering. 01:33 Well, of course, I couldn’t come up with any reasons. 01:35 And so I knew I had to quit this job, which I did. 01:39 And five years later, I was invited to Gilead, 01:42 and that’s where I met my husband. 01:45 All right, so we understand it was in 1956 01:48 that you married Brother Carey Barber. 01:50 Can you tell us a little bit about some of his outstanding qualities? 01:55 Well, the first thing that attracted me to him 01:57 was that he already had a long history in the full-time service. 02:01 He had gone to Bethel in 1923, 02:04 some 30 years before that. 02:07 So I knew if I was going to marry, 02:11 I had to marry someone with the same goal of full-time service. 02:15 And, then, he was easygoing; 02:17 he didn’t get easily excited or upset about things. 02:20 He had a marvelous sense of humor. 02:23 And all of this helped me a great deal 02:26 because the very day after we were married, 02:29 we started in the circuit work. 02:31 And then for the next 22 years, I lived out of a suitcase 02:36 —lived in the homes of the brothers and moved every week. 02:39 Wonderful. Wow! 02:40 That sounds like a demanding schedule, Sister Barber. 02:43 But, of course, there were blessings. 02:45 What were some of those? 02:46 Oh, there were many blessings, 02:47 although at times I did feel very sorry for myself. 02:51 But the blessings and the happiness 02:56 —the joys— far outweighed any difficulties. 03:00 One of the joys was to find interested people in the service, 03:05 and then find years later that whole extended families 03:09 had come into the truth from that person that I’d contacted. 03:14 Then when we came to Bethel, we did more international travel. 03:18 Now, often we went to maybe an exotic country, 03:21 but we only saw the road from the airport to the branch and back again. 03:26 And we didn’t see the tourist attractions that most people would go to see. 03:31 But we did see “the desirable things,” 03:34 ‘the precious things of the nations,’ and that is Jehovah’s people. 03:38 It was such a thrill to go to a country like Myanmar 03:43 and there meet, perhaps, sisters from the Chin Hills 03:47 —little sisters that had learned the truth back in their own language, 03:51 way out in the sticks, you might say— 03:54 or to go to the Andes and meet a little Quechua-speaking brother 03:58 and to know that these are part of our family 04:01 and that they’re worshipping Jehovah. 04:03 It’s always been dear to my heart. 04:06 Very nice. 04:08 Well, now, Sister Barber, as you look back, 04:11 what is it that you especially treasure? 04:14 Well, I’m very thankful that I was married 04:17 to one of Christ’s brothers. 04:19 Just to hear his expressions on spiritual matters 04:24 and to hear his appreciation 04:28 for his service to Jehovah. 04:30 He was a humble man, 04:32 and he didn’t speak publicly 04:34 about being one of the anointed; 04:37 but privately he expressed great awe of that calling 04:42 and great appreciation for it. 04:45 So I’m very thankful that I was able 04:48 to have 51 years of marriage with him. 04:52 Thank you so much, Sister Barber. 05:04 Well, next on our program 05:05 is dear Sister Melba Barry. 05:08 Sister Barry, we’d like to know a little bit 05:10 about how you came into the truth 05:12 and how you started full-time service, please. 05:16 Well, I’m an Australian lassie, born and raised in Australia. 05:20 Way down there, in 1935, my mother accepted the truth, 05:24 and the brother was going from door to door when he met her. 05:29 Being the oldest of three girls, 05:31 I happened to be the only one 05:33 that showed any interest and accepted the truth, 05:36 and I was baptized in 1939. 05:39 But in the small local congregation where I served, 05:43 I was appointed as the company servant, 05:46 since no qualified brothers were available. 05:52 Brothers were assigned from Bethel 05:54 to give talks in the congregation. 05:57 And so one brother came 05:59 to the congregation for such an assignment, 06:02 and when he returned to Bethel, 06:05 he told his buddy Lloyd Barry to come out 06:08 to the congregation to give a talk and to look me over. 06:15 Eventually, he came. 06:17 Meanwhile, I applied to be a pioneer 06:20 but was accepted to Bethel in Sydney in September 1939. 06:24 So I began my 72 years of full-time service. 06:28 Beautiful. 06:31 Well, then in 1942, you married that brother who came to check you out. 06:35 What were some of his outstanding qualities, Sister Barry? 06:38 Well, he truly loved Jehovah and the brothers. 06:42 He was serious. 06:44 He had a kind and courageous spiritual manner. 06:46 I thought a spiritual giant, 06:48 since I was such an immature person at that time. 06:52 And I thought I needed someone to help me get through Armageddon. 06:56 It was so close at that time. 06:59 And Lloyd was a very decisive person, 07:02 and when he learned the truth in his teenage years, 07:06 he came to appreciate that serving Jehovah 07:08 is a course to lifelong success. 07:12 And so he began full-time service to Jehovah in January 1939. 07:16 He made it the center of his life. 07:19 I liked that about him and, of course, 07:21 he was handsome; he was the best! 07:25 Now, Sister Barry, of course, 07:27 you had this same very demanding schedule, 07:30 but what were some of the blessings? 07:34 A Christian wife must be in submission to her husband. 07:37 And when he’s busy in theocratic activities, 07:40 she also has to be flexible. 07:43 For example, we were called to the 11th class of Gilead in 1948 07:48 and were assigned to Japan. 07:51 During our very first month in Japan, 07:54 Lloyd and I were assigned to separate congregations 07:58 in opposite parts of the city of Kobe. 08:01 We had so few publishers that we all spread out, 08:04 each going our separate ways to get the territory worked. 08:08 When we arrived, there were just three Japanese Witnesses 08:11 in the whole country, 08:13 our language was very limited, and hardly anyone understood English. 08:18 But Jehovah blessed our efforts. 08:20 In fact, one woman I met on my first day preaching, 08:23 she accepted the truth and served Jehovah faithfully 08:26 for 50 years as a pioneer. 08:28 But in time, more missionaries came to help, 08:31 and in about nine years, we had 1,000 publishers or so. 08:35 In 1975, we were up to 33,000 publishers, 08:40 but in 1995, over 200,000. 08:44 That was a rich blessing. 08:46 A wonderful blessing. 08:48 Well, Sister Barry, as you look back, 08:50 is there a memory that you especially treasure? 08:54 Yes, there is one that touched me very much. 08:57 For the last 24 years of his life, 09:00 Lloyd was used extensively for conventions and zone work. 09:04 And in that time, we traveled together to some 80 countries. 09:08 One highlight that I especially treasure 09:10 is that of the district convention in Cuba in 1998. 09:15 After each talk, the dear brothers and sisters actually all stood up 09:20 and gave each speaker a standing ovation 09:24 —clapping their hands vigorously over their heads. 09:28 Such happiness and gratitude and joy for Jehovah’s provisions 09:33 left a very lasting impression on me, and I’ll never forget it. 09:37 So over the years, we could see how Jehovah blessed us in full-time service 09:43 and we found much joy in that. 09:45 So it has been a treasure and a great privilege 09:47 to have lived a life of nearly 60 years 09:51 with such a devoted brother and a faithful servant of Jehovah 09:55 and another treasure and privilege 09:57 to continue serving Jehovah in my advanced age. 10:01 I keep trying with Jehovah’s help. 10:03 I think you’re succeeding, Sister Barry. 10:05 Thank you so much. 10:19 Next, we have the privilege 10:21 to interview Sister Melita Jaracz. 10:24 Sister Jaracz, we understand that you’re from Canada. 10:27 So please tell us about your early days in the truth there. 10:31 Well, I was six years old when my parents learned the truth 10:34 after they read the booklet Where Are the Dead? 10:37 Reading that booklet was all that it took my mother and dad 10:41 to learn the truth about what happened to their first son, 10:44 who had died in the hospital. 10:47 And my relatives were fiercely opposed 10:51 to my parents becoming Jehovah’s Witnesses. 10:54 However, they did not waver. 10:57 We left Saskatchewan to go to British Columbia. 11:01 And that was when us children, 11:03 we had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the meetings in English 11:08 and also go out in service 11:11 and comment at the meetings —making comments at the meetings. 11:15 But all of a sudden, no meetings 11:18 and no service —house-to-house work. 11:22 The ban came on, and we were still young. 11:26 So immediately, announcements were made, 11:29 “We’re going to go from door to door,” 11:32 and they paused, and they said, 11:34 “but only with the Bible.” 11:37 With us children, that was good for us. 11:40 Us young people learned to use the Bible from door to door. 11:43 And that was when I really was convinced 11:46 that I wanted to become a pioneer. 11:48 Fascinating. 11:50 Well, then in 1956, you married Brother Theodore Jaracz. 11:55 What were some of his outstanding qualities, Sister Jaracz? 11:57 Well, he was 13 when he started to study the Bible with the family, 12:01 but the family didn’t want to continue, so he did. 12:04 And none of them ever came into the truth —of his family. 12:08 However, he started pioneering when he was 17; 12:12 at 20, he became a special pioneer; 12:15 at 20, he went to Gilead —was invited to go to Gilead; 12:20 and he was in the traveling work when he was 21. 12:23 I was hearing a lot about this Ted Jaracz. 12:26 So he had a fine reputation. 12:30 It didn’t take me long to appreciate that his goals 12:33 involved serving Jehovah whole-souled, 12:36 and that was my goal. 12:38 As we got to know each other, 12:40 I learned that Brother Jaracz was very dedicated and serious 12:43 in his devotion to serve Jehovah. 12:46 And I appreciated these things, 12:49 and I found out that he was very serious 12:53 in his devotion, very kind, friendly. 12:56 Brothers seemed to be very friendly with him and he with them, 13:00 and he became friendly with me. 13:05 I rather appreciated that. 13:07 Well, Sister Jaracz . . . 13:09 I was very glad to become his wife. 13:11 Very good. 13:13 Well, now, you had this very, very busy schedule too, 13:16 but what were the blessings? 13:19 Well, eight weeks after we were married, 13:21 Brother Knorr assigned us to the traveling work, 13:24 starting in Missouri and Arkansas. 13:26 It was a good thing I was a country girl. 13:29 I knew what an outhouse was, and we had quite a few of those. 13:33 However, for the next 19 years, 13:37 we lived with friends in different homes each week, of course. 13:41 And it was sometimes a little rough, 13:45 but the discomforts weren’t that bad. 13:50 But we had such wonderful experiences in the ministry 13:53 that it made up for everything. 13:57 And my husband, in 1974, was invited to become 14:02 a member of the Governing Body, 14:05 and so we were going to live in Bethel. 14:08 That was my first home after 19 years, and I love it. 14:12 Of course, my husband had many demanding schedules, 14:15 but we were always together for morning worship, lunch, and dinner. 14:20 And since he often had to work overtime, 14:23 I had much to do as far as my spirituality at home 14:28 and as well as duties that I had to perform. 14:31 I kept busy with my spiritual things. 14:34 But we always had time together, and I appreciated that. 14:37 In fact, 54 and a half years —I’m very grateful for. 14:41 Beautiful. 14:42 So, Sister Jaracz, now as you look back through all those years, 14:45 what is it that you especially treasure? 14:48 Well, I treasure those 54 and a half years 14:51 for the reason that we spent it together serving our living God. 14:54 It was a blessing to take care of 14:56 one of Jehovah’s sons by being a wife to him. 14:59 And, of course, it took a “power beyond what is normal” 15:02 to see that I met his needs and fulfilled them. 15:05 I also treasure that I had the privilege 15:08 of going with my husband on many zone visits 15:12 and to see the joy that it brought him 15:15 to serve our brothers in many lands, 15:17 especially in the lands under ban 15:20 —like, for instance, Russia, Ukraine, and Poland. 15:25 Each of these countries was like home to us; 15:28 we were always in a family. 15:30 We just went from the airport to the the branch or wherever, 15:35 and we enjoyed having that association together. 15:39 So these memories bring me much happiness and contentment now. 15:43 And I’m grateful to Jehovah for them and thank him 15:46 that he still gives me “the power beyond what is normal” 15:49 to continue to serve here in Bethel 15:51 and do what I can that I’m assigned to. 15:54 Thank you so much, Sister Jaracz. 16:07 Well, next on our program, 16:08 we have Sister Edith Suiter. 16:11 And, Sister Suiter, we’d like to know 16:13 how you got started in the full-time ministry, please. 16:16 Well, I was raised in the truth, and my parents always took us 16:19 to all the meetings and the conventions. 16:22 And my father always talked to us about the truth at the supper table, 16:26 and we had to be there. 16:28 And as we grew older, we were out in service every Saturday and Sunday, 16:32 but service was not easy then 16:34 because the war was on and mobs would form. 16:38 And they would run us out of town, but they never hurt us. 16:43 I think they were more afraid than we were. 16:45 And at the convention in 1946, pioneering was stressed, 16:50 and that’s when I decided, “That’s what I want to do.” 16:53 So I started pioneering October 1946. 16:57 Now, Sister Suiter, we understand that it was 1956 17:00 when you married Brother Grant Suiter. 17:02 Can you tell us about some of his outstanding qualities? 17:05 Well, he was a very kind, caring person. 17:08 And he was very generous —always wanting to help someone in need. 17:12 And he began full-time service in 1928. 17:16 He was a very hard worker; 17:18 he was very loyal to Jehovah and His organization. 17:21 And he really loved Bethel, as I do. 17:25 And he never complained, and he, too, he had a good sense of humor also. 17:30 He was very serious about his assignments at Bethel. 17:36 Well, now you had this demanding schedule as well as the other sisters. 17:39 What were the blessings that you enjoyed? 17:43 Well, we had many blessings; I had many blessings, of course. 17:45 And I especially enjoyed traveling 17:48 with my husband to different branches 17:51 and to work in the branches with the sisters there 17:54 and see how they did the work differently in other countries. 17:58 And then in the ministry, 18:03 it was a great joy to me to go out 18:05 in the ministry with the missionaries 18:08 and see how they did the work. 18:11 And I really appreciated the work my husband was doing; 18:16 it was for Jehovah. 18:18 And when he was very busy, 18:20 I would find things to do that I never had time to do 18:25 because of the busy schedule that he had and I had. 18:29 And that kept me very busy too. 18:31 So also, we found— 18:33 But he did find time for me too, and I really appreciated that. 18:40 That’s very touching. 18:41 Sister Suiter, is there a memory that you particularly treasure? 18:45 Oh, yes! I really enjoyed this one: 18:48 Grant was scheduled to give a talk 18:51 at the Cadiz Prison in Spain, 18:55 where 100 brothers were incarcerated for their neutrality, 18:59 but the officials said no. 19:01 But we got there two days early, 19:04 and the brothers said, “Well, let’s try it.” 19:07 So we went into the prison as visitors, 19:11 and the brothers had discovered in their workshop 19:14 an unused door that led into their dormitory. 19:18 It was hidden behind wallpaper. 19:21 So the brothers decided to camouflage the door completely 19:25 by covering it with a backless cupboard. 19:30 Thus, you could step into this cupboard door, 19:33 open the door behind, and enter the dormitory. 19:38 And once we were in the prison, 19:40 we were invited to visit the workshop. 19:43 And in this workshop, we stepped into the cupboard and through the door. 19:48 And here, there were 100 brothers waiting to see him. 19:52 So he was able to give the talk to them. 19:55 They were so excited to have a member of the Governing Body 19:58 visit them in prison. 20:00 It was so heartwarming, so exciting. 20:03 Well, you know, my life in full-time service 20:07 has been a very happy one, 20:09 even though there were hardships 20:12 and there were also challenges. 20:14 And I appreciate so much the privilege 20:17 of having served at Bethel with my husband. 20:20 And I still love and I’m happy 20:22 to be at Bethel serving Jehovah. 20:25 Thank you so much, Sister Suiter. 20:38 So now we have the pleasure to get acquainted with Sister Marina Sydlik. 20:41 And, Sister Sydlik, would you tell us about how you got started 20:43 in the full-time service? 20:45 Well, my parents started studying the Bible in the mid-’50’s, 20:49 and my mom gave my sister and me our first few studies 20:53 in the “Let God Be True” book in the kitchen/dining room of our home. 20:58 My first day in field service was when I was ten years old, 21:05 on the face of the anointed brother that was taking us out. 21:08 He was a special pioneer, 21:10 and it soon became evident to me that the happiest people 21:14 are those in the full-time work. 21:16 In time, my dad, my sister, and I were all baptized. 21:21 And about ten years after our first initial contact with the truth, 21:27 Dan Sydlik started visiting our family. 21:30 And it was due to long conversations 21:32 around our dinner table during his visits 21:35 that my mom saw the beauty of the truth and began making it her own. 21:40 I pioneered in later teenage years without a partner, 21:44 which meant that after a good call there was no one to share the joys with 21:48 except Jehovah, of course. 21:50 And so my relationship with Jehovah really blossomed during that time. 21:55 I have some nice memories from London Bethel, 21:58 where I waited through the immigration process to come to the U.S. 22:02 I sat at Brother and Sister Barr’s table, 22:05 and my London Bethel roommate, 22:07 Joey Orram, and I have kept up our friendship to this day. 22:11 We still have a little phone call 22:13 each Saturday morning before I leave for field service. 22:17 That’s wonderful! 22:18 Well, we understand, now, in 1970, 22:20 you married Brother Daniel Sydlik. 22:22 Can you tell us some of his outstanding qualities? 22:26 Well, Dan was known for his genuine love of people, 22:29 his great love of Jehovah and the truth, 22:32 and his innate love of life. 22:35 That combination really gave me 22:38 a wonderful life to live with him, 22:41 and I have many memories, of course, from it. 22:45 But some of the memories that I treasure are 22:47 our conversations after the supper meal. 22:50 Sometimes we’d sit and talk about a Bible topic, 22:54 and it’s those spiritual conversations that I miss to this day. 22:59 It’s understandable. 23:00 Now, of course, you had a demanding schedule, 23:02 but there were blessings. 23:04 What were those, Sister Sydlik? 23:06 Yes, the schedule was demanding, 23:08 and for a rather reticent person like myself, 23:10 I found the crowds and the attention overwhelming. 23:14 But the wonderful friendships we made with some brothers and sisters 23:19 around the world are what I treasure to this day. 23:22 Now when I think of a country like France or Poland or China, 23:27 it’s not the topography of the country that comes to mind 23:30 but the faces of the dear brothers there. 23:34 For example, in Poland, 23:36 we went there when it was still under ban 23:38 and we visited the brothers in their homes. 23:41 But, then, years later to go back and see those same brothers 23:45 in their beautiful new branch and Assembly Halls, 23:48 well, I was just so happy for them. 23:51 Indeed! 23:53 Well, now, as you look back, Sister Sydlik, at this rich life, 23:56 is there a memory that you particularly treasure 23:58 that you’d like to share with us? 24:00 Well, this may be an unusual memory to treasure, 24:04 but recalling it now may help some other sisters. 24:07 It was when Dan was in hospital 24:09 —one of those many days when I was trying to help him with something— 24:13 and he began grumbling, almost fighting me. 24:16 So I just said: 24:17 “Babe, I know this has been terribly hard, 24:21 “and you’ve been so brave, and you’ve endured so much already. 24:25 But just, please, hang in there a bit longer.” 24:28 And immediately he softened. 24:30 He stopped resisting me. 24:31 He never resisted me like that again. 24:33 He just needed that word of commendation 24:37 and, you know, 24:39 just a little bit of kindness like that, approval like that. 24:43 Sisters often give compliments to other sisters and receive compliments. 24:47 And it’s just a little pleasant moment in the day. 24:51 It buoys us up; it’s a little something we share. 24:54 But that’s not the way things work among brothers. 24:58 And it may seem that husbands 25:00 who give talks and travel for the Society 25:03 get enough compliments and praise, 25:06 but that praise is of very limited value to a husband 25:10 compared to a word of approval from his wife 25:14 —a word of commendation from his wife. 25:16 And it’s just as Paul said about a married man, 25:20 how he’s anxious to “gain the approval of his wife.” 25:23 And so without commendation from a wife, 25:27 a husband is missing a little moment of being buoyed up, of being appreciated. 25:32 It’s a simple gift a wife can give her husband. 25:36 And as we know from James’ words: 25:38 ‘Every good gift and every perfect present comes from above, 25:42 from the Father of celestial lights.’ 25:45 Yes. Thank you so much, Sister Sydlik, for sharing that with us. 26:15 Well, how heartwarming to learn how each of you 26:20 unselfishly and lovingly supported 26:22 your husbands in Jehovah’s service 26:25 and how richly you were blessed for doing so. 26:29 Your fine example as faithful Christian women 26:32 is a gift to all of us, and we thank you so much 26:37 for sharing your beautiful memories with us today.
