A former Bethelites SAD testimony at the convention

AuntBee

I was just typing some of the sessions out for someone (long story), but i heard the tesitmony again, of one of the Brothers, who had served at Bethel for 12 years. The thing that was surprising, was that it was not a joyous testimony. You can actually hear his sadness, and his voice breaking a few times, when he recounts coming back to "the system" (real world) from Bethel, and being completely unprepared and untrained for a job, or to earn a living. And this man was talking about it 5 years after that time, telling how he and his wife were able to survive, and then get to the point where finally now they are able to pioneer again. -- It had me wondering if this 'testimony' turned out to be not exactly what they were looking for.

Brother Gonzalez, I’m going to ask you the same questions. What adjustments have you made in view of the time? -- The adjustments started right after I left Brooklyn Bethel where I had served 12 years, 7 of those with my wife. But we knew that when we left, we were determined to get back into the full time service. But when we found ourselves back in the system, having to make a living, we struggled. We actually felt like fish out of water. We actually choked, and it was hard. (voice is breaking here , kind of teary. L ) But with a lot of prayer, and …..help from Jehovah, we survived. But ……..(hard to understand)…….we did it. (still voice is breaking during last sentence) But we knew that after 5 hard years, we were able to accomplish that goal, of being able to pioneer. --- SO, what are some of the benefits you’ve received from doing this? --- The benefits were being able to serve at Brooklyn Bethel. It’s allowed me experience first-hand Jehovahs organization in action. At the same time, being able to work with spiritual brothers built appreciation for Jehovah, and for the ……work we are doing today. At the same time the pioneering has built appreciation for the people and the work itself. At the same time it’s allowed us to reach out to the people – reach out to the English congregations, and down in Mexico, being able to help them out as well. ---- So, what are some of the joys that you are experiencing now? -- The joy I have now is being able to serve with my wife. Together, staying focused, which , working together, has allowed us not to allow the world to lull us to sleep, but concentrating on the more important things, that is the kingdom work. Staying busy and working hard for Jah’s organization has really been a blessing for us in the congregation. It’s a privilege to be serving Jehovah at this time. -- -Well, thank you both for sharing with us (clapping) (IT was an odd juxtaposition, with the interviewer being so upbeat, and the interviewee had obviously been through hell.....)

Another thing that was shocking to hear was the phrase earlier in the talk "Eagerly anticipating Armageddon"

AuntBee

Sorry for those verses at the end. I was trying to do somehting else there. DOn't know how to edit after the fact.

watson

Click on the little pencil/pad in the upper right corner of your post. You have 30 minutes from posting time to edit.

jeeprube

How sad. In five years time he could easily have earned a bachelor's degree in any number of fields. Instead he probably worked his way up to assistant manager for Bro. Betterthanyou's window washing business. His wife has probably enjoyed equal success with her house cleaning business, and now they can just barely afford to make it on two part time low-wage salaries. Jehovah's blessings in action!

truthsetsonefree

The sad thing is they will view themselves and be viewed as martyrs. It will all be chalked up to the "undeniable fact" that we are living in the last days and "Jehovah's servants" must EXPECT trials and tribulations.

bibledike

If I was still a Jdub that interview would turn me away from bethel service and pioneering for real. Trying to make ends meet in a recession thanks but not thanks. They really need to be teaching people trades and getting them certified.

OUTLAW

The WBT$ screwed him and his wife......In 12 years..The WBT$ never trained ethier of those Adult Children,to survive in the outside world..........Now he`s trying to find reasons why being screwed by the WBT$,is a good thing..It gives meaning to 12 wasted years.........Ridiculas!................................OUTLAW

startingovernow

Weird, he didn't say why they left in the first place? Anytime anyone has been in full-time service for a while, it is expected by others that they will never stop, no matter what. And if they do, they are suddenly, and without doubt not such a spiritual person anymore. To leave Bethel, one better have a good reason (to help sick parents, child on the way, health problems that prevented them from being of full use in their assignment) or else they will not only face gossip from others but their own feelings of loss of self-worth. Pioneering helps them to avoid such things to a certain extent. 12 years is a long time to go without much or any savings, and to not try to make up for that lost time may just bite them in the butt.

The only thing sadder than his experience is the great probability that he didn't want to give the interview, but to refuse such a "privilege" is something a JW, especially one in his postition cannot do.

steve2

When you've given up so much, and had so little back in return, you kind of hang out for everything to end; hence, something like Armageddon seems extremely attractive - because it'll cause others to lose what you've had to lose. A very sad and revealing testimony to the futility of Watchtower sacrifices.

bluecanary

Taking this topic in another direction, I find this line interesting: " The joy I have now is being able to serve with my wife."

How many people have remained single either to serve more fully or because they couldn't find a suitable mate at the Kingdom Hall? They are denied the only joy that this brother was able to find.

A former Bethelites SAD testimony at the convention

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