The Coming of Missionaries

In March of 1946, Witness missionary Alexander Tharp was sent to Trinidad to work in the Watch Tower Society’s branch office along with elderly and ailing Gilbert Talma. Brother Tharp’s arrival coincided with the visits of N. H. Knorr and F. W. Franz from the New York headquarters.

Later that year, eight more missionaries were assigned to Trinidad. A new branch building was purchased, which also served as the missionary home. It remained as branch headquarters for 26 years. Eventually, a total of 30 missionaries served in Trinidad at one time or another, working out of three missionary homes. In time they were joined by a number of local Witnesses who were trained at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead and who then returned to Trinidad. Some missionaries have served here faithfully until death. Today the original missionary sent to Trinidad remains, together with six others. Although experiencing some of the problems of advancing age, they still find joy in bearing fruit and serving to the glory of their heavenly Father.​—John 15:8.