Hello Brothers and Sisters
I'm a circuitoverseer. I recieved this upbuilding experience to share with fellow witnesses.
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I just returned from Manhattan last night at 10:30. Saundra Miller and I were volunteering at the Jacob Jarvis Center, the hub for volunteers and supplies to the disaster site. We had plenty of work to do, but more importantly, we were able to share information with many others from the May 22 Awake! "The New Look Of Terrorism". We did not simply place the magazines, we engaged people in meaningful conversations first. It was rewarding to be able to speak with several people with whom it would normally be difficult to share the Truth: doctors, psychiatrists, etc. Several people listened intently for long periods of time as we talked and reasoned with them from the Scriptures. Then we would work for a while longer sweeping or cleaning the area until another opportunity arose to talk with another volunteer. By the end of the day, we had placed all of our magazines.
According to a brother from Brooklyn who was at the Jacob Jarvis Center, the factory has printed additional lots of the May 22 Awake! which will be used amply to address peoples' questions during the aftermath of the disaster.
It was a fruitful and rewarding weekend among many needy people. Understandably, most people are mongering for justice and vengeance; however, we found with people who opened our conversations with urgings for justice or vengeance that is was best not to ignore such sentiments. Rather than ignore such feelings, we listened intently to them. Then after listening, we helped people recognize that justice is one of the principal attributes of God and thus He certainly acknowledges the appropriateness of vengeance. This type of reasoning lead on to explaining, more importantly, why justice is important to Jehovah when it is balanced with love and wisdom. From there we were able to redirect the conversations to where such love, wisdom, and justice are readily found today.
We found that this type of witnessing-via-listening was far more advantageous and rewarding than to simply preach at people during such a great need. At this time, they have strong, genuine feelings that need to be addressed, not ignored or discarded. Since the Bible clearly covers themes of justice and vengeance, there was no need to avoid these subjects as though they were unpleasant or "un-Christian". ALL of our conversations ended quite amiably, with people congratulating us for our clear understanding of the matter.
It goes without saying, we maintained absolute neutrality in our conversations, not siding or commenting on the raging, near-beastlike nationalism and patriotism that is rampant. We simply listened and redirected our conversations to help people reason on their own personal feelings for vengeance and justice.
In fact, one Indian psychiatrist with whom we spoke was openly upset and angry. She shared her lack of faith in God due to all the suffering in the world and admitted that she was at somewhat of a loss on what to say to the survivors whom she was attending. We engaged her in conversation by asking for a few examples of the type of suffering to which she referred. She quickly listed the uprisings and conflicts and wars that have wrought immeasurable suffering: Bhopal, Bosnia, Ireland, etc... So we thoughtfully asked her whether God or man had participated in such activities. She smiled and reluctantly answered that "man alone" has caused such problems. Her smile and pause indicated that she clearly grasped the point we were driving at by posing that simple question. A question that was only possible because we allowed her to talk at length, unburdening herself, while we displayed sincere interest in her views.
From there we had an ideal basis to continue our conversation. Thirty minutes later, the psychiatric doctor, sent there to assist others, was congratulating us for our healthy approach in facing the disasters that befall mankind today.
Yes, it was a rewarding weekend serving as volunteers and incorporating our witnessing during the frequent opportunities that arose.
Thank you for letting me share this experience.
Nicolas Ledu
Portuguese Congregation
Central Massachusetts, USA