We were in Bethel when it happened. Actually, an announcement was made at breakfast one morning about the murders. I believe it was Redford who made the announcement. He mentioned that the murderer came down the stairs holding the "smoking" gun. Funny thing that's all I remember about the sad tale. We had actually met the murderer; he sat at our table a few times when he was going through Gilead or when he had returned for a visit. If memory serves me, there were six missionaries living in the house and they were constantly arguing over duties in the house.
Missionary homes can be quite small, maybe a little house with two bedrooms. Ex-missionaries have told us how difficult it is to get along with some of the missionaries that live in the same home who can be quite annoying. We have heard many stories about the arguments over kitchen duties and the horrible food cooked by a missionary. When we were JWs, it might have seemed the missionary work was so special and we looked at it with a golden glow, but the reality is that for most, it is an awful life. Back ten years ago, I was told that the average length of missionary service was three years and most leave after that.
My oldest and dearest friend has been a JW missionary in Spain way over 30 years. Because of being shunned I don't know what has become of her and her husband, but I do know that missionary life was very hard on them both. When she became ill, they lived in a horrible, sub-standard apt. while he visited nearby congregations as a circuit overseer. She could be dead by now for all I know. The last time I saw her in the mid-90s, she looked old beyond her years. And, oh, the complaints they had about the organization; and about the poverty they lived in contrasting it with the luxury of the branch buildings. Too sad for words. Why did they continue to do what they did? Because they were trapped with no way out. Even if they had doubts about the organization, it is too late for them to start again. People like them stay loyal to the organization because that's the only way they can be provided with life's necessities. I can only wonder at how they fit in with what is happening in Spain to the organization.
Barb
