http://www.mediafire.com/?44n9kmyzgml
the pdf is located on the link above ...
10th English District Convention in México-2007
Dates: 10-12 August 2007
Location: Querétaro, Querétaro, México
Auditorio Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez
Theme: Follow the Christ!
24 August 2007
Dear Friends,
Who can believe it? TEN English district conventions in México! For us “old-timers” – those who have had the privilege of
attending each of them – never did we even imagine this day back in November 1998 when the first such convention was held. But,
here we are; and now it has come and gone. Yet, forever to remain in our hearts.
And still after ten district conventions some continue to ask: English in México? We answer with a resounding YES ! Not only
English, but because of Jehovah’s wise direction there are now thriving congregations and/or groups throughout this beautiful land in
Chinese, Italian, French, Korean, Low German, and Japanese, as well as dozens of indigenous languages.
Have you noticed Jehovah’s focus on this matter? The frequent mention in our literature of the foreign language activity? Take for
example the opening paragraph on page 6 of the 2007 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses:
“To increase the praise rendered to Jehovah, many branches have sponsored language classes so
that publishers and pioneers can reach out to even more people with the good news. Perhaps you
may be moved to think about expanding your own ministry by learning another language.”
And with good reason: there is a NEED in México, an almost unquenchable thirst for the truth to be heard in the English language.
Does Jehovah make it worth the effort for the Mexican brothers to learn English and then preach in this foreign language? Does he
lovingly care for the foreigners who leave home, friends, family, and familiar surroundings to step over to Mexidonia? We’ll let you
come to your own conclusions after reading some of the following highlights of this – the 10th
– English District convention in
México.
Having heard there was a record number of hotel rooms reserved by convention delegates we arrived at the convention site on Friday
morning at what we thought was early enough to secure seats up close. At 8:15 a.m. the first level was nearly full! A record number
of reserved hotel rooms means a record peak attendance. What would that be?
Heightened anticipation was expected due to Brother John Barr’s participation in this program. The first time a member of the
Governing Body would be at an English convention in México. Would this have any special affect on the “great crowd” of delegates?
We didn’t have to wait for the answer.
In his first discourse of the convention Brother Barr spoke primarily about the
faithful and discreet slave class. Who better in Querétaro at that moment to present
such a moving talk? Although we all know he is a devoted member of the slave
class, throughout his presentation he always referred to them as “they” and never
used the pronoun “we.” How humble and motivating to us as he ended the
discourse by encouraging us: “Never be ashamed to identify yourself as a
companion of those mentioned at Hebrews 3:1 and 2:11, but rather consider it
always a grand privilege to be fellow workers with them.” At that moment, we all
felt just such a privilege to personally hear this vibrant 94-year-old’s enthusiastic
expressions about our God Jehovah and His truth.
And what about our precious Mexican brothers who have willingly given up praising
Jehovah fluently in their native tongue? It’s not easy, brothers, to approach a fellow
Mexican who cannot understand why you choose to speak to him in a foreign language!
An example of this kind of self-sacrificing love was seen in Brother Eduardo Garcia who
speaks English and serves in the México French congregation.
On his way to a previous year’s district convention Eduardo received a call on his cell
phone informing him that a dear brother, Julio Verasco, had just been hospitalized with
cancer. Immediately, he turned back, going straight to the hospital in México City. A
round-the-clock schedule was established with the local brothers so that Julio would never
be alone. Eduardo’s self-sacrificing love moved him to dedicate his time to comforting this
dear friend. Does Jehovah notice and bless such love?
John Barr, Member Governing Body
Born 1913 in Scotland
Attended his 1st
District Convention in 1926
pg 2 and 3 on the pdf link
- phantom wac