MISSIONARIES ARRIVE

On a fine summer day in February 1945, a Pan American Airways plane rolled to a halt at Albrook Air Force Base, Canal Zone. Among the passengers alighting were a middle-aged man and woman carrying briefcases. A group of the faithful Witnesses warmly welcomed Brother and Sister Roy W. Harvey, the first Gilead School graduates to reach Panama. In early 1945 there were 45 Kingdom proclaimers in this land. Just three Christian congregations then functioned in the entire country. These were in Panama City, Colón and Bocas del Toro.

It was necessary to find a suitable home for Gilead missionaries that were soon to follow the Harveys, some from their own second class. Brother Harvey was to be a “servant to the brethren,” or circuit overseer, visiting congregations to help them to achieve better organization for the furtherance of the Kingdom interests. When not traveling, Brother and Sister Harvey were associated with the congregation in Panama City.

By means of a local attorney, Brother Harvey had gotten legal status for the Society. Everything was set up for the increase, and the people began to respond.

In April, N. H. Knorr, the Watch Tower Society’s third president, visited Panama, accompanied by F. W. Franz. To the delight of all, it was announced that the Society was establishing a branch office in Panama. Roy W. Harvey became the country’s first branch overseer.