Something special happened in late 1943 or early 1944. The Society’s president, N. H. Knorr, together with Milton Henschel, visited Guatemala to see what could be done to expand true worship here. The brothers who then met with them at the Maldonado home still recall Brother Knorr’s promise to do everything possible to send missionaries to help organize the work in this land.

During March 1945, Brother N. H. Knorr, with F. W. Franz, visited Guatemala to complete arrangements for the entry of missionaries.

With another visit by Brothers Knorr and Franz on May 10, 1946, came the establishment of the Society’s Guatemala branch office and the missionary home arrangement. For the widely advertized public lecture, 187 filled the Kingdom Hall and some other rooms. After the talk lunch was served to the sixty-five who stayed and then participated in the Watchtower study. According to Brother Maldonado, Brother Knorr said that if a certain number attended he would treat them to ice cream. Though the number fell slightly short, he says, “We ate ice cream anyhow.”