More Thoughts From N. Carolina

As I approach two months in western N. Carolina I look back with pleasure at my activities here, particularly when engaging in the ministry with the friends from the various congregations in the area (Taylorsville, Statesville, Hickory, Conover & Newton). I especially enjoyed the company of the Hoffmans, Taylors & Bro R.L. McCree from the Newton Cong.You'll find listed below various experiences from the friends as well as my own observations:

Related by Bro Darius Bennett, Hickory Cong: While in the military he, along with his wife & children, were transferred to Panama. Some time later Darius was sent back to the States for further military training while his wife & children remained in Panama. Before leaving, he instructed his wife to look for a church in tha area that she and the kids could attend. His wife proceeded to investigate various churches but was disturbed by their patriotic sermons, even though she was a serviceman's wife. She finally checked out the English-speaking congregation at the local Kingdom Hall and liked what she heard. Around the Christmas holidays Darius returned and expressed surprise that the house wasn't decorated for the holidays. His wife explained that she was now meeting with Jehovah's Witnesses and learned that this holiday wasn't Christian at all. Darius accepted her explanation and eventually accepted the Truth and he and his wife were baptized. He now serves zealously in the ministry, thankful that his wife "checked out" the Kingdom Hall while he was away.

Sister Barbara Hoffman of the Newton Cong relates her own personal experience while growing up in West Virginia: She used to be a Baptist but always questioned the hellfire doctrine. She didn't understand how a loving God could torture someone in fire forever. She approached the minister one day and asked him about the doctrine. The minister admitted that it wasn't a Bible teaching. She asked him why he taught something he knew was false. He laughed, slapped his knee and replied, "I know it's not scriptural but it's what the people want to hear, and they're paying my salary." Needless to say, this sister easily embaced the Truth and she, along with her husband Kyle, make a very effective couple in the ministry.

When returning from field service with brothers from the Hickory Cong the brother's car ran out of gas on a very busy street. We contemplated pushing the vehicle to the nearest gas station. Well, the brother decided to "give it one more try". After several attempts, the engine roared to life and we were able to make it to a gas station a few miles away. We joked that an angel must have helped push us there....we were happy that we didn't have to push the car those several miles.

There is almost no crime in Taylorsville. To illustrate, I frequently walk in the local park where I often meet Bro Weinkeiper from the Taylorsville Cong who is also taking a walk. When we walk together he removes his Walkman radio and lays it on a park bench. I questioned him about this. "Aren't you taking a chance that someone will steal it?", I inquired. Bro Weinkeiper replied that he wasn't worried since there was virtually no crime here. And, he was right. On several occasions he would remove his radio and lay it on the bench. It was always there when he returned. I couldn't imagine doing that in L.A. It's pleasant to see that such trust among people still exists.

Encountering Dogs: We often come across dogs on the loose while in the ministry. Since much of our territory consists of driving house to house we must assess the situation when spotting a dog in the yard. We note if it's wagging it's tail and try to read it's "body language" before disembarking. The brothers, and sisters as well, are pretty adept at handling any dog situation and some exhibit almost no fear at all. Two of us will get out of the car and let the dog(s) check us out, then we'll cautiously proceed towards the door. So far, no one's been bitten. An incident took place a few days ago when me and Sister Klein (Newton Cong) went up to a house and were greeted by a large pack of Pomeranians ("ankle biters", I thought to myself). We slowly approaced the house, all the while keeping our eyes on these little dogs as they barked furiously and scurried about our feet. When we got to the porch all the dogs lined up facing us and we knew we could go no further. Fortunately, the householder came out to "rescue" us. We learned that she raises Pomeranians and owned fifteen of them! It was a good call that will probably turn into a Bible study.

Here's something else of interest: I was curious about signs I'd see in certain front yards that read "Protected by Invisible Fence". I learned that a householder's dog could be fitted with some sort of electronic device that would prevent it from leaving the yard. This explained the many unchained dogs we would see in people's yards. We never had to worry about them because they wouldn't leave the yard due to this electronic device they wore. I suppose it gave them a shock if they went out of bounds...very interesting, indeed...Some of the friends I've met in my travels also carry a device that emits a sound that dogs don't like. They push a button and (hopefully) the dog is gone. The device is manufactured by a company other than Stoops Mfg that also caters to the Witnesses.

Today I engaged in the street witnessing work with Bro McCree for the second day in a row and again placed virtually all of my literature (we had to return to my car for more). Bro McCree is a very special brother, as you learned in my recent e-mail. He was hit on the head with a rock in his younger years and was in a coma for about 8 weeks. He was almost given up for dead but was able to revive. He can't read or write, has never been married and has lived in Newton practically his entire 77 years. He is very regular in service and exhibits good zeal in the work. It is a pleasure working with brothers such as this. One comes to appreciate the great variations there are among Jehovah's people and how Jehovah uses each one no matter what the circumstances. In a few weeks I should be "on the road again". Who knows what adventures await as I slowly meander back towards the west coast. Stay tuned....

NOTICE: For all you new readers of this blog: If you would like to have photos of my travels e-mailed to you, contact me at the below address:

mred1914ce@hotmail.com