I copied the 2 storeis into Word and then here - hope it works
What's Happening Around U.S. Bethel.
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We think you will like to hear of some recent happenings around Bethel.
Max Larson:
At 6:10 pm on April 29, 2004 a small group of workers met in Max Larson's presence as he 'pulled the plug', so to speak by pushing the off button for the printing press for the last time, thus ending the printing work in Brooklyn.
This ended an era that began in 1927. A historic moment for sure. The act was met with loud applause by printery workers, followed by some emotion on their part. As Max Larson wiped a tear from his face, a brother approached and hugged him. Others rallied around. A short 3 minute personal video of this was shown privately to some of us here. Before being president of the Watchtower of course, Max was 'Factory Overseer' for decades so this was not an easy aspect of the progress. A short speeded up video of the Wallkill Printery project was shown to the Bethel family at Morning Worship about a week ago. Not only does it show the tremendous effort put into furthering the preaching work, but the project has turned out beautifully. The fa?ade of the new building and parking facilities makes the approach to the complex accessible and attractive. Nothing looks 'added on', but as if it was always there.
The new Printery has uprooted hundreds of Bethelites.
Because of restrictions on population at the Wallkill NY Bethel, the Computer Dept there is now located back in Brooklyn NY where it originated, meaning the move for all those working in that department , and those that were involved with the Printery in Brooklyn have been relocated to Wallkill. It is and has been a vast undertaking, not without some stress on the part of Bethelites. For instance, some who moved from Brooklyn to Wallkill over 20 years ago because of the Computer Department, now have had to move back to Brooklyn. Room changes have been going on for a quite some time.
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George Couch:
On another subject: George Couch at Morning Worship never disappoints us. His candor and amusing remarks keep us awake early in the morning. On May 19, 2004 he related to the Bethel family incidents from the past. On the point of preaching wherever you go, at every opportunity, he told of 3 past presidents of the US that had a personal witness to his knowledge.
Then mentioned working in service years ago with a brother in Maryland just outside of Washington DC, where many government officials resided. He said the houses were mansions and you could only speak to butlers, maids, gardeners etc. At one house the butler came to the door, so they witnessed to him. He was pleasant so the brother asked to speak to the man of the house. The man came to the foyer along with a house guest. Both listened attentively and a good discussion ensued. Literature was accepted and addresses exchanged. Later, a note of thanks was received from the house
guest: The Duchess of Windsor. George also related other experiences such as calling on a governor, etc.
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Garrit Losch:
Bro Losch gave a report on Mexico. They now average 4 new Kingdom Halls every week. Mexico has 8 fine Assembly Halls. Besides Spanish there are 28 English congregations and 108 Sign Language (more than in US). When Hurricane Isadora struck a couple of years ago, the relief brothers went in to rebuild 3 houses of witnesses in a town. There has been much opposition to the witness work there. While reconstructing the houses the mayor came by. He asked who they were. They explained. He then went to some of the workers, asking what they were paid, etc. When finding they truly were volunteers, he was speechless. Later gave speech praising JW's comparing them to other religions, & told people to listen when they called. There are 150 prisons in Mexico where witnesses can preach. Some brothers can actually go cell to cell. There are 89 prisoners that are baptized. 2 congregations in prisons. The CO sometimes spends a night in prison to serve them 2 days. A strange but true story: A hit man for an organized crime had killed 32 people. When he began studying with Jehovah's Witnesses he started changing his life. Crime bosses approached him in prison. Told him they would buy his way out of prison if he would kill just one more person. He refused, telling them about his changes. Not long after, he supposedly had a heart attack & died, but brothers say it was cover-up for his being killed, as you don't disobey the crime bosses.