Once we made it out of the parking area into the grounds of the stadium, we saw welcome signs.
What we noticed most of all was the LOVE among the brothers. The Zimbabwean people were so very warm and hospitable. They ALL wanted to greet us, meet us, shake our hands or give us hugs. They wanted photos and wanted to know where we're from. From the youngest child to the oldest one, they extended their hands, gave a huge smile and said their names. Over and over they thanked us - and over and over, we thanked THEM for their amazing hospitality and love.
And their given names! Such interesting variety! Of course, many were African, or English names. But there were many with such character - such as Promise, Blessing, Witness, Peace, Givemore, Patience, Desire, Innocence, Noble, Born Face (not sure about that one!), Shinewell, Shelter ... and the most telling names, "No More" and "Surprise"!
There were policemen there to keep order, but Jehovah's Witnesses are so peaceful, respectful and orderly that they had nothing to do. At least one policeman came back the next day with his family to listen to the program!
A businessman told one of our friends that the gathering was particularly amazing because, according to him, there is a bitter history between the Shona people and the Ndebele people. To have them peacefully attend this event with no rancor shows the power of love and God's holy spirit!
During the convention, it was interesting how the speakers (even American speakers like bro Geoffrey Jackson of the GB) adapted their illustrations to local culture. For instance, to illustrate how God's promise of peace is reliable, not like a false promise of political leaders, one said, "You have seen people take a hut and put whitewash on it, then the rain comes, and wash it away?...". Another: "What if you stood in a line for six hours for food, then learned that the food being offered is maize, and you don't particularly like maize? Would you reject it? No!" This was to illustrate the importance of not being picky people in the congregation, how we needed to promote peace and unity.
They announced that the website, jw.org, received 300 requests a day from people who want to study the Bible. There are web pages in over 500 languages, and downloads of information available in over 700 languages! Here is Zimbabwe news article that describes jw.org as the 'world's most translated website'.
The baptism is always a highlight of a convention. There were 1,578 baptized, from ages 7 to 97! There were ten baptismal pools to accommodate the many candidates. We watched a line of new brothers and sisters as they passed from the baptism to the changing rooms - and it was a 'river' of wet but happy faces!
We had a taxi driver on Sunday say that he was so impressed by the love within the brothers, that he attended the convention on Saturday with his family. When he woke up his kids early on Saturday to go, they complained, but when they arrived they enjoyed it so much that they didn't want to leave!
Another taxi driver told how much he enjoyed the brothers too, and could see we are very different. Before the convention, many had assumed we were just a small insignificant sect. But he could see our love and unity. He complained that in his church, there are individuals who want to branch out to make their own church to get more power and money! He could see we are not that way, not interested in money or power. I asked if he would like to study the Bible to learn more, and he said yes. So we took his information and turned it in to the brothers for someone to call on him.
Many of the international delegates wore dress that is typical of their region. We wore "traje tipico" from Guatemala, and Bill created quite a stir with his Guatemalan style!
One sister approached me and said, "La utz a watch?", and I replied "Utz, matiox", which means "How are you" and "Fine, thank you" in both Quiche and Cakquichel, two of the Maya languages here in Guatemala! I was shocked! She recognized my Guatemalan outfit and hoped her greeting would work! She was a delegate, and lives in Bensonhurst in New York City, and has been learning Quiche language to help study the Bible with Guatemalans living in New York. She asked if I knew of anyone who speaks Quiche who would like to come do some teaching in NY. Well, guess what? A few days after we got back to Guatemala, a sister Morgana visited here. She used to live in Pana and went back to Vermont a year or so ago. And she knows Quiche! So I put them in touch with one another, and am excited to hear how Morgana might be able to help in Quiche in New York!
The convention program? Well, I'll be honest. I was so distracted by all the activity that I don't feel like I really absorbed a great deal! But we'd already attended with the same program in Kansas City, and will attend again in October in El Salvador with our congregation, so I guess I can be forgiven! I promise I'll pay special attention in El Salvador.
On the first day, we spent a great deal of time just looking for seats. We eventually landed in the Elderly and Infirm section - Bill is over 65, after all, and we were feeling pretty debilitated after climbing huge staircases looking for seats. (Plus we'd just arrived the evening before after over fifty hours of traveling, and eight time zones change!) On the second day, we looked for our friends in the Chinese section, then elsewhere. We finally landed in some empty seats that were actually between the Sign Language section and the Chinese section - but we were grateful to have a place to land, considering the crowds. Shortly thereafter a young attendant approached us and asked if we'd like to sit in a place that was cooler and on the ground floor? Sure we would! And guess where he led us? Right back to the Elderly and Infirm section, right by where we were on the first day! So on the third day, we just accepted the kindness and went there directly.
A couple days after the convention, we attended a reception that combined delegates with local witnesses at a hotel. It was wonderful to get to know some more friends, and to enjoy the program they presented. They talked about the history of Jehovah's witnesses in Zimbabwe, as well as had choral groups sing for us a cappella with their beautiful harmonies, and a demo of drums and African dancing. I understand that the choral groups had been rehearsing for a year for the program!
The convention itself was an overwhelming demonstration of what life can be like when God's promise of paradise is fulfilled. It was a 'spiritual paradise', while we await the physical one to come soon. We love our dear family there in Zimbabwe and around the world, and look forward to the time when no national boundaries, no language barriers, or financial constraints limit our ability to get to know them ... forever!
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| Teams ready to help us |
What we noticed most of all was the LOVE among the brothers. The Zimbabwean people were so very warm and hospitable. They ALL wanted to greet us, meet us, shake our hands or give us hugs. They wanted photos and wanted to know where we're from. From the youngest child to the oldest one, they extended their hands, gave a huge smile and said their names. Over and over they thanked us - and over and over, we thanked THEM for their amazing hospitality and love.
And their given names! Such interesting variety! Of course, many were African, or English names. But there were many with such character - such as Promise, Blessing, Witness, Peace, Givemore, Patience, Desire, Innocence, Noble, Born Face (not sure about that one!), Shinewell, Shelter ... and the most telling names, "No More" and "Surprise"!
There were policemen there to keep order, but Jehovah's Witnesses are so peaceful, respectful and orderly that they had nothing to do. At least one policeman came back the next day with his family to listen to the program!
A businessman told one of our friends that the gathering was particularly amazing because, according to him, there is a bitter history between the Shona people and the Ndebele people. To have them peacefully attend this event with no rancor shows the power of love and God's holy spirit!
During the convention, it was interesting how the speakers (even American speakers like bro Geoffrey Jackson of the GB) adapted their illustrations to local culture. For instance, to illustrate how God's promise of peace is reliable, not like a false promise of political leaders, one said, "You have seen people take a hut and put whitewash on it, then the rain comes, and wash it away?...". Another: "What if you stood in a line for six hours for food, then learned that the food being offered is maize, and you don't particularly like maize? Would you reject it? No!" This was to illustrate the importance of not being picky people in the congregation, how we needed to promote peace and unity.
They announced that the website, jw.org, received 300 requests a day from people who want to study the Bible. There are web pages in over 500 languages, and downloads of information available in over 700 languages! Here is Zimbabwe news article that describes jw.org as the 'world's most translated website'.
The baptism is always a highlight of a convention. There were 1,578 baptized, from ages 7 to 97! There were ten baptismal pools to accommodate the many candidates. We watched a line of new brothers and sisters as they passed from the baptism to the changing rooms - and it was a 'river' of wet but happy faces!
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| On their way to change for the baptism |
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| Young and old! |
We had a taxi driver on Sunday say that he was so impressed by the love within the brothers, that he attended the convention on Saturday with his family. When he woke up his kids early on Saturday to go, they complained, but when they arrived they enjoyed it so much that they didn't want to leave!
Another taxi driver told how much he enjoyed the brothers too, and could see we are very different. Before the convention, many had assumed we were just a small insignificant sect. But he could see our love and unity. He complained that in his church, there are individuals who want to branch out to make their own church to get more power and money! He could see we are not that way, not interested in money or power. I asked if he would like to study the Bible to learn more, and he said yes. So we took his information and turned it in to the brothers for someone to call on him.
Many of the international delegates wore dress that is typical of their region. We wore "traje tipico" from Guatemala, and Bill created quite a stir with his Guatemalan style!
One sister approached me and said, "La utz a watch?", and I replied "Utz, matiox", which means "How are you" and "Fine, thank you" in both Quiche and Cakquichel, two of the Maya languages here in Guatemala! I was shocked! She recognized my Guatemalan outfit and hoped her greeting would work! She was a delegate, and lives in Bensonhurst in New York City, and has been learning Quiche language to help study the Bible with Guatemalans living in New York. She asked if I knew of anyone who speaks Quiche who would like to come do some teaching in NY. Well, guess what? A few days after we got back to Guatemala, a sister Morgana visited here. She used to live in Pana and went back to Vermont a year or so ago. And she knows Quiche! So I put them in touch with one another, and am excited to hear how Morgana might be able to help in Quiche in New York!
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| Yvonne Bravo, who supports Quiche in Bensonhurst, NY |
The convention program? Well, I'll be honest. I was so distracted by all the activity that I don't feel like I really absorbed a great deal! But we'd already attended with the same program in Kansas City, and will attend again in October in El Salvador with our congregation, so I guess I can be forgiven! I promise I'll pay special attention in El Salvador.
On the first day, we spent a great deal of time just looking for seats. We eventually landed in the Elderly and Infirm section - Bill is over 65, after all, and we were feeling pretty debilitated after climbing huge staircases looking for seats. (Plus we'd just arrived the evening before after over fifty hours of traveling, and eight time zones change!) On the second day, we looked for our friends in the Chinese section, then elsewhere. We finally landed in some empty seats that were actually between the Sign Language section and the Chinese section - but we were grateful to have a place to land, considering the crowds. Shortly thereafter a young attendant approached us and asked if we'd like to sit in a place that was cooler and on the ground floor? Sure we would! And guess where he led us? Right back to the Elderly and Infirm section, right by where we were on the first day! So on the third day, we just accepted the kindness and went there directly.
A couple days after the convention, we attended a reception that combined delegates with local witnesses at a hotel. It was wonderful to get to know some more friends, and to enjoy the program they presented. They talked about the history of Jehovah's witnesses in Zimbabwe, as well as had choral groups sing for us a cappella with their beautiful harmonies, and a demo of drums and African dancing. I understand that the choral groups had been rehearsing for a year for the program!
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| A California brother, Amos Lee, enjoyed the comfortable African wear! |
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| We even met some Kansas City folks there! This is Dave Towner, formerly of Olathe. |
The convention itself was an overwhelming demonstration of what life can be like when God's promise of paradise is fulfilled. It was a 'spiritual paradise', while we await the physical one to come soon. We love our dear family there in Zimbabwe and around the world, and look forward to the time when no national boundaries, no language barriers, or financial constraints limit our ability to get to know them ... forever!
I experienced the international convention here in Zimbabwe, it was a privilege to be host of this convention. We really enjoyed the whole association of our brotherhood, and it showed us that we are one people under one government with one king Jesus Christ. it was very exhorting when bro Jackson of the GB explained the need of urgency to our life saving work also when he helpd us to foresee some of the features of new earthly paradise fulfilling this day. to be the subjects of this currently 100year reigning kingdom all we need is to hold firm the truth. apart from spiritual paradise we enjoyed with our brothers many activities such as performing our Cultural Dances. we are already missing you brothers.
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