About then, two young men from El Alto, Hugo Fernández and his brother, began attending meetings in La Paz. To get home they had a hazardous two-hour climb out of the canyon late at night. But they continued to come.

In time a full schedule of meetings was being held by the group on El Alto. Hugo spent entire mornings each week preparing meeting parts. It was hard work for him, but it contributed much to his spiritual growth. Shortly after his baptism he expressed to the circuit overseer his interest in being a pioneer. “Why not start right away?” asked the overseer. Hugo felt that he should work at his shoemaking for about six months more. “How many shoes can you make in six months?” the circuit overseer asked. Then he added: “How many lives are waiting to be saved?” Hugo thought about it seriously. By August 1, he was a special pioneer. He has seen the group on El Alto grow manyfold, till that original group has become four congregations of praisers of Jehovah.

Illustrating what can be involved is an experience had by Hugo Fernández, then a circuit overseer. Rains had turned the roads into slippery mire. With his motorcycle heavily loaded, he managed to cover about 90 miles (140 km) in eight hours. A swollen river many yards wide brought him to a stop. Nightfall was approaching. Staying out all night in the torrential rain was unthinkable. Crossing the river seemed impossible. He prayed to Jehovah, then decided to try to cross. He covered the motor with plastic and made the plunge. He relates: “Entering the river heavily loaded, I made great effort to control the handlebars through the strong cold current. Water splashed in my face, cutting off visibility, and I even felt I had water over my head. But before I knew it, there I was on the other side!” Moments later a car from the other direction tried it and stalled in the middle. How grateful Hugo was to Jehovah, who he felt had been the Provider of escape for him in that time of need. (Ps. 18:1, 2) He arrived safely at the next congregation. Since 1977, Brother Fernández has served as a member of the Branch Committee in Bolivia.

He shares in Branch Committee responsibilities along with Hugo Fernández, Marco Ibieta, and Walter Meynberg, who has served in La Paz Bethel for nearly 20 years. Jehovah’s blessing on the arrangement has been evident.