BOLIVIAN WITNESSES OPEN UP NEW FIELDS

Particularly from 1956 on, an increased number of devoted Bolivian Witnesses took up the full-time ministry as pioneers and helped to open up new fields. Most of these brothers could speak Quechua, thus enabling them to reach thousands who had not yet heard the good news. Walter Martínez, Jaime Valdivia, and Jaime Barrery were among these zealous workers. Later, Joaquin Copa and Antonio Zamudio, along with others, joined the ranks. The strenuous efforts of these early pioneers led to the formation of congregations in Uyuni, Atocha, and other mining centers. They helped many families of miners, salt harvesters, and farmers to break free from religious superstition and to become loyal servants of Jehovah.

The self-sacrificing spirit of these pioneers was exemplary. Illustrating this, a special pioneer couple asked the circuit overseer to explain something they did not understand. Holding out a handful of checks, they asked, “What are these for?” Each month the Society sends a small allowance to special pioneers to help them with living expenses, since the amount of time they devote to preaching usually allows no time for secular work. This couple were simply grateful for the privilege of serving.

But Felicia Chinchilla embraced the truth, and even when the missionaries were reassigned, she continued to serve faithfully. When near death, her main concern was that her children become worshipers of Jehovah. She asked the special pioneers in the area if they would adopt the girls. Though they were not in position to do that, they did promise to do all they could to help them spiritually. One of those girls, along with her husband, is now a special pioneer.

That same year, a missionary sister was found to have committed immorality in a small town near Santa Cruz. Though the case was given the necessary judicial attention, people in that town became antagonistic toward Jehovah’s Witnesses. It became almost impossible to witness at the doors there, so it was decided to transfer the pioneers to other areas.