Greetings All,
They call it the "Annual Meeting Buzz", and a buzz it has been!
Guests arriving from every corner of the earth, coming in for the annual meeting. We have met many, most have been serving Jehovah for decades in various assignments, their gray-headedness reflecting their dedicated service.
At lunch on Thursday we met a sister who is serving in Mozambique as a missionary who is in her late 80's. Graduated from the 18Th class of Gilead she has served loyally with her husband who died nearly 25 years ago. Soon after his death a brother who had admired them, took an interest in our now widowed sister. He being much younger, some 25 years pursued her, but she was not interested, considering the huge age difference. He though was persistent, insisting and not giving up. She then went to a close friend an older sister & dear friend to ask for advice, the advice... "If you don't marry him I will!" They have been happily married for 20 years now.

On Friday evening we were invited to an 'Open Room' (open house), the couple we attend meetings with. The room was filled with pillars, what a treat. We met a couple in their 20's, who have just completed their third year as missionaries in Malawi, and were here for annual meeting & to visit friends & family. Their experience was upbuilding, especially for any pursing extended-service privileges. As regular pioneers they had the goal of going to Gilead and so submitted applications. After about 9 years in his family a number of serious problems shook them up, with his mother leaving the truth, which affected other family members shaking them up spiritually, which brought tremendous stress on them. Affected by all this his health suffered. The right side of his face began to droop, come to find out it was cerebral palsy.
However, they were determined to keep regular pioneering & continue w/ their goal, which they did for an entire year. Finally it took it's toll and they had to stop pioneering but would go back on the list in 1 year. Imagine how they must have felt when just 1 week later of discontinuing pioneering, in the mail was the 'Long-Form' (Gilead App.), which now they no longer qualified for. Discouraged, they called Bethel to ask could they fill it out and submit it? The answer: NO.
After 1 year, they were able to go back on the list as planned, however they knew that now they would have to start all over again, and that it may take years for them to reach their goal, or perhaps not at all.
A brother told them that they shouldn't have to wait, you have the 'Long-Form'! Write the branch, explain your situation, and leave it in Jehovah's hands. 3 months later they were invited to attend Gilead, and are now serving in Malawi!
The lesson, don't give up, never doubt that Jehovah knows and takes a personal interest in each one of us.
Bye, for now, Love, Vince & Capri