Witnessing in extreme conditions

undercover

I talked to a JW friend in another city yesterday who told me of an ice storm that hit where he lived. He told me that 70% of the city where he lived was without power Friday. There were tons of trees down in the area including some in his yard. He then mentioned how many people they found in service Saturday morning because the people were all out cleaning up their yards. I didn't say anything at the time, but my immediate thought was "how can you justify going out in service, when the majority of the community is without power, and people are trying to recover from the damage?" The more I thought about it the less sense it made. He should have spent Saturday cleaning up and cutting up trees instead driving around, getting in the way of clean-up efforts. But the JW logic is "come rain, sleet, snow, hurricanes, tornados, gotta get that 2 hours in to keep that average up". I wonder what opening line he used that morning? "In God's new system we won't have to worry about these things. It will be a paradise. Men will not be allowed to run electrical power lines overground then."

Shutterbug

He should have spent Saturday cleaning up and cutting up trees instead driving around, getting in the way of clean-up efforts.

Just one problem with this statement, undercover. Cutting up trees and cleaning does not sell books and magazines, knocking on doors sells plenty.

However, walking around in the icey conditions you've described can be dangerous, the elderly and women in high heels would really be at risk. But safety seems to be secondary to the WTS, books and mag sales come first. Bug

TresHappy

Isn't it all about sacrifice and showing off your faithfulness? Look at those JW's who stayed home because they didn't want to trip and end up in the emergency room. But look at those brothers who sacrificed and went out in service, "showing" their dedication to Jehovah. I'd like to sacrifice the asses of a few elders I know.

freedom96

I grew up in an area where the worst storms were just wind and rain. Of course, we had to go out in service. Every damn weekend. And holidays. Any chance my family had. No breaks. I remember many times being a door with the wind and rain blowing so hard it would turn the umbrella inside out right there at the door. And we expected these people to keep the door open and talk to us.

There just was no excuse not to go to a meeting or door to door.

Then I moved for a couple of years where there might be icy roads. Once, I remember the meeting being called off, for there was too much ice to drive. I was really suprised; I had never heard of a meeting being cancelled. Needless to say, I was pretty thrilled.

But going door to door under extreme weather conditions and expecting householders to talk is just plain rude and inconsiderate.

FlowerPower

I live in New England and the meetings were often cancelled. Boy was that great news!! Out in field service we used to do the "pioneer shuffle" at the door, (often going out in below 0 weather, gotta get your 100 hrs a month!) As you introduce yourself when the householder answers the door you begin to wipe your feet on the mat like you're anticipating stepping in, it was a tactic recommended in pioneer school, a very psychological move...lo and behold more often than not we were inside the doorway before the householder knew what happened! Flower