Assembly

This weekend was my first Circuit Assembly in Taiwan- Let God's Name Be Sanctified. And since the English circuit is the entire country, we had brothers and sisters traveling from all over the place. It was cool to finally meet some of the other English congregations that we'd only heard about before. We traveled nearly 3 hours by bus to get to the city where the convention was held (which was in the gymnasium at an elementary school in Taizhong) Melissa and I stayed with my former room-mate Angela at one of her previous Bible studies' homes. It was really interesting and fun. Me, Melissa, an elderly British sister, and an elderly Taiwanese bible study- I kept thinking... only in Jehovah's organization would this group be having a slumber party together. hehe.
Here are a few of the highlights...

- I thought that my congregation in Taipei was diverse, but getting to meet people from all the English congregations was like going to an international convention. There really are people from every corner of the globe here helping in the English field.
- These are two of my favorite experiences from the assembly. First a brother from Australia that serves on the HLC here was interviewed. He informed us that although at times his work on the HLC can be emotionally taxing, he has seen great improvement in the way the local hospitals work with the witnesses. Even calling us 'Jehovah's Witnesses' now as apposed to 'The Jehovahs'. But the biggest news was that the brothers held a discourse for the public to explain blood alternatives and JW's stand on the issue. Over 300 people showed up, over half of which were doctors, surgeons, and nurses- all of whom received a witness of Jehovah's name.
The second experience was an interview with our friend JR from Hawaii. He, and another brother (John) moved here a year or so before I left Maui. This was our first time getting to see them since we've been here which was great. His experience was regarding the work witnessing from ship to ship. Their congregation put into motion port witnessing in Taiwan, and it has proven to be a gold mine of people looking for the truth. They visit the ports every week, and can hardly keep up. On average they conduct 14 bible studies each time they go, and start another 4 or 5 new studies each week. The interest is so huge that they actually have to keep a roster with names and notes indicating where each person left off in the Bible teach book, and when they last studied so that no one is neglected. They preach to fisherman from all over Asia in many languages. These fisherman have some of the worst lives of anyone in Taiwan. They are verbally and physically abused by their employers, in constant danger, sometimes even watch their shipmates die, and spend nearly a year out at sea without a day off and away from their families. So when the brothers preach to them they are so appreciative of the kindness and warmth they have been shown, many times the brothers listen and cry along with them as they express what they're dealing with. Although the territory is fruitful, it is also hard for the brothers because they usually only have a two month window to give them as much spiritual nourishment as possible before they have to see them go out to sea again for 10 months to a year, and sometimes they never return. But their hearts are warmed when ones who they have preached to before do come back, well worn magazines in hand, eager to find the nearest witness to get their Bible study.
- There were quite a number of Bible studies at the assembly, and I had the opportunity to meet one young lady that traveled all the way from Khaosiung (over 3 hours train ride away). She moved here from Haiti, by herself, to attend school and began studying with the witnesses. This was her first time attending an assembly. She was a little shy, but very friendly. And I noticed that she had been introduced to sisters from America, Taiwan, Canada, Mexico, Czech Republic, and Africa throughout the assembly. By the end of the last day when she was leaving the assembly hall with our sisters she was in tears because she had never felt so welcomed and so loved by a group of strangers in her life.
- We had a peak attendance of 517 and 8 baptized- 5 of which were from my congregation.
- The report for Taiwan English Circuit showed that last year the number of bible studies being conducted exceeded the number of publishers... 360 bible studies being conducted by 312 publishers... more than one per pub. on average. (Which means about 200 'other' people filled the seats at our assembly- think about that!)
- If you've ever wanted to serve in a circuit with some true spiritual pillars- this is the place to come. Each English Congregation has a healthy supply of special pioneers, traveling missionaries, Bethelites, Gilead graduates, MTS graduates, etc. There is a wealth of experience and some great examples to look up to. Not to mention the majority of those who serve in the English congregations have traveled here from other countries, each having their own story of how Jehovah helped them get here. Talk about a thriving environment.

Well, that is a quick recap of my first Taiwan assembly. I hope this 'report from a distant land' has been of some encouragement, I know it has been for me. A thorough witness is being made here in Taiwan, and the response is incredible.

SO... who's ready to come over??? (^_^)