Texas, Part I

Texas is such a large state that it will have to be covered in several parts on this blog. The first few towns I visited were within 90 miles or less of Dallas. Since I prefer smaller towns Dallas was bypassed on this trip. After leaving Louisiana I arrived in:

Tyler, TX

Tyler is located about 90 mi. E of Dallas. It is a large town, pop about 88,000. There are 4 KH's here, one of which has 3 Spanish congs, some of which need to split because of the large no. of publishers & interested ones. The cong I worked with for 2 days has about 75 publishers, 8 elders and 9 pioneers. We spent an enjoyable 2 days in the special tract distribution. So great was the turnout of friends that they practically ran out of tracts on the third day. Fortunately, a shipment of 1500 was due that morning and some of the brothers scrambled to outlying cities in order to obtain some more. On my 2d day there I worked with 80 yr-old Bro Billy Joe Price, a native Texan. Bro. Price is in very good physical shape despite his age and kept up with me very well as we walked door to door. Texas is a place of big changes and this was evident during the two days I was there. The first day we worked an exclusive neighborhood with many large, beautiful homes. Here we talked to many housekeepers since the owners were often away. The weather was quite hot & humid...temps in the 90's. However, the next day saw temps only in the 50's in the morning and a blustery wind was blowing. This time we worked a neighborhood that was of a much lower class than the previous day. At least here we were catching people at home and they were, as is often the case, more receptive than those in the richer neighborhoods. One day made a big difference in both the weather and the territory.

Corsicana, TX

This town lies about 75 miles west of Tyler and just south of Dallas. It's population, including the entire county is about 38,000. There is one modest Kingdom Hall here which is home to 55 publishers and 3 pioneers. This small congregation must cover a huge territory (the entire county) which measures about 50 X 50 miles. I was able to spend only one morning in field service here because the congregation was about to attend their circuit assembly north of Dallas during the following 2 days (I had already attended in Bossier City, LA). One memorable sister I met was Sister Carrizales (her picture is included in the photos). Although she doesn't look it, she is 69 years old and has 11 children. She had to put up with a very abusive husband for years until he finally passed away. She appeared relieved that he was gone and she could be involved in the Truth without opposition. We worked some apartment complexes that morning with the special tracts. An interesting experience ocurred that I'll relate here: we drove up to a house in order to place one of the tracts and were greeted by two barking dogs who prevented us from going to the door. They chased after the car as we left. Later on, we decided to go back to that house and give it another try. For some strange reason, this time the dogs just layed down in there places and didn't approach the car as we pulled up. After assessing the situation I decided to be the one who would go to the door. Keeping a careful eye on the dogs, I managed to successfully reach the door. I worried that the dogs would come after me as I left, as dogs are known to do. However, I got back to the car safe & sound, without the dogs making so much as a whimper. They even allowed us to leave without chasing the car (I remember one experience in Russellville, AR a few years ago when a German Shepherd bit a hole in the brother's car bumper). We discussed the situation and came to the conclusion (somewhat tongue-in-cheek, of course) that an angel "stopped the mouths" of the dogs, just as he stopped the lions from attacking Daniel. Of course, we can't say for sure that was the case but we certainly entertained the thought.

Hillsboro, TX

This town is located just south of Dallas and has a population of about 28,000. I spent only a day here since there was nowhere to stay except the Wal*Mart parking lot, which was somewhat noisy the night I was there (Fri). However, I had an enjoyable time the following morning, first joining the congregation book study at the Hall and then engaging in service with them. The Kingdom Hall has an interesting history behind it. It was once a private home and has been in continual use for 50 years, making it the oldest Hall in the circuit. In '76 an auditorium was added and a remodel completed in '94. Bro Patton, with whom I worked in field service that morning, has an interesting family background: his grandmother was the first woman to obtain a driver's license in Amarillo, TX and the 2nd woman in the entire state. This ocurred in 1912 when she was 12 years old (there were no age restrictions back then). She was thereafter employed to teach other women how to drive. I wanted to spend more time with this warm congregation but had to move on.

Whitney, TX

Whitney is a small town (about 1800 pop.) but thousands more reside in their territory, which centers around Lake Whitney for many miles. I stayed at a campground right on the lake during my first two nights but was invited by Bro & Sis Doll to stay on their property, where I was supplied with an electric & water hookup. The Dolls tell me that they do this frequently for traveling brothers since their property is equipped similar to a campground. I enjoyed several days here engaging in the important Kingdom News tract work both in town and in the outlying areas. I was impressed with the fortitude of the sisters since some have infirmities requiring use of a walker or cane, yet they are regular in service regardless of any discomfort. I felt "needed" on those days when I was in service with them, being able to work those homes where there were many steps or other impediments so that they could work the homes with easier access. Sister Walker, one of those sisters with an infirmity but still a zealous Witness, relates an interesting story from her past (her family have been witnesses since her grandparents' day):

One day, the brothers decided to send 4 sound cars to a certain town. The cars were stationed in 4 corners surrounding the town. The brothers made sure that 3 of the cars had a different exit route in order to avoid capture (remember, there was persecution in those days). However, one of the sound cars had no choice but to exit along the same route.The brothers carefully timed themselves in order to place the phonograph needles on the 4 records at the same time and then played their message. Upon completion, the 3 cars that had planned different routes out of the city made their escape but the 4th car had to retrace its route through the town. The brothers in that car expected to be arrested as they passed a police station but it so happened that the local policeman had listened to the recorded message and decided to visit a bar across the street so he wouldn't be obligated to perform the arrest (evidently, the message touched his heart). Later, at an assembly the brothers who were in that car were located by ths policeman who related this account to them and who was now a baptized brother. Now they understood why they were allowed to leave that town without being intercepted.

Observations while working the terrtory: Some of the outlying counties have no building restrictions or codes nor is there any animal control. This makes witnessing in these areas "interesting", to say the least. It's often hard to tell if a home is lived in or abandoned and dogs roam about freely, often several at a time. Here's where discernment comes to play: one has to be constantly watchful for dogs and able to read their "body language". i.e., is the tail wagging, is the hair bristling up on its back, does it back away from you as you approach the house?, etc. A combination of silent prayer and sweet talking the dog(s) seems to work and so far no one's been bitten. Still, constant vigilance is needed. Ahhh, the things we Witnesses have to endure in order to reach others with the Good News!

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