“After a few days of working ‘from hut to hut’ we arranged a public meeting for one evening. Around fifty persons came from the surrounding jungle. Our lantern drew thousands of insects and mosquitoes as well. Jacket zipped up to the neck and hat pulled down over my ears, I spoke to an audience that was most attentive. Everyone wanted literature.”

Of course, Peru also has its lofty mountainous areas where the air is thin and the nights are cool enough for blankets. But everywhere throughout the land one can find hearing ears and inquiring minds. There are many places that have need of help. Some large cities still do not have one Witness, and have never been touched. Santiago de Chuco is one of these. It is in northern Peru where the government is now putting through a road to the interior. This will open up vast new fields, not only to Spanish-speaking people, but also to many Indian tribes that are only now having contact with modern society. And towns such as Chachapoyas, Moyobamba, Boca Grande and Boca Chica all are open to those who can come and serve where the need is so great.

VENEZUELA ALSO BECKONS

Here is a land that has 10 million inhabitants. Place alongside that the figure of 5,314 Witnesses, and you can see the need for more fishers of men, for many are the eager and friendly natives. How eager they are to hear the good news may be gathered from the following experiences.

One missionary toured many of the cities and towns of the country showing the Watch Tower Society’s films. In one place an interested man undertook to paint one wall of his home white so that it might serve as a movie screen. In a mountain settlement near Carupano a friendly storekeeper furnished electricity from his light plant—the only source available for miles. He also offered the use of his rooster-fighting arena without charge, and even shot off rockets to inform the hill people of the event. Eighty-five of them responded, many of them riding burros.

There are missionaries graduated from Gilead School who have spent many years in the work of ‘fishing for men’ in Venezuela, some of them well over ten years. How do they express themselves on their record of perseverance? “As missionaries,” said one, “we are so blessed by being free from the general worries that beset people of the world, free from having to spend most of our effective hours in secular work instead. Returning home each night after a full day’s service brings a satisfaction in knowing that one has truly fulfilled Jehovah’s will.”

Said another: “To have been able to devote many years to missionary service here in Venezuela has enriched my life so much. The constant activity in the ministry has been a safeguard against the pitfalls of a world that lives so contrary to Bible principles. It also has maintained for me a clear vision of Jehovah’s grand purpose.”

And a Witness with fourteen years of missionary service writes: “I am glad to have been in this grand work all those years, for it has given me opportunity to observe God’s mercy and protection and his marvelous ways of guiding the steps of his willing servants. I am now more convinced than ever that my decision to be a missionary was the only right one to make and I would do it all over again.”

Another Witness with sixteen years of missionary activity behind him expresses himself this way: “In this service my thoughts are undivided and constantly on Jehovah’s Word. It aids me to avoid bad associations that would assuredly have presented a hazard in any other occupation. And when one gets tired physically in this work he has the satisfaction that he has spent himself in a worthwhile work, Jehovah’s service.”

One and all, these persevering “fishers” would say to you if they had the opportunity, “Yes, we are in urgent need of more willing hands to tend the nets.” There are doubtless still many ‘fine fish’ in Venezuelan waters.

FOLLOWING THE APOSTOLIC EXAMPLE

The apostle Peter and his fellow fishermen yielded themselves to the bidding of the Master, Christ Jesus. The timing and the location for their further activities were laid down by One whom Jehovah used to create both fish and men, the One who could lead them in the way of success and peace. Today, we too can yield ourselves for service under the Master Fisherman, who can direct us unerringly to rich and satisfying catches of men. Through the Christian congregation he supplies the equipment, the training, the cooperation, so that Jehovah’s witnesses individually can become more adept at handling the “fishing nets.”

When we have taken advantage of all this help and encouragement, what are we going to do? Be satisfied with using our “fishing” abilities in a limited manner? Or are we ready to expand with the vast “fishing” organization and reach out into new and untouched regions of the sea of humankind? Chile, Peru and Venezuela are some of the places where “fishers of men” who have been plying their vocation have located vast shoals of “fishes” and have signaled for helpers. Can you respond?

If you can, it means organizing your affairs with that aim in view. It means dispensing with many of the nonessential things and laying plans that can be carried out. For example, you could write and request information from the Office of the President, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, about the requirements for those who would like to serve in a foreign land. Also, you could write to the branch office in the country where you believe you could serve and request information as to possibilities of obtaining entrance to that country, giving particulars such as your age, health, knowledge of Spanish, and so forth.

By all means, count the cost first. Single men and women, married couples and even families have moved and served where the need is greater in connection with the proclamation of the “good news.” But each case has its own unique features. Take your case to Jehovah in prayer. Ask for his direction in the matter. And call to mind that God’s glorified Son, Christ Jesus, now directs the entire global “fishing” effort, so assuring success for those who will be guided by him in the timing and the location of their “fishing” activities. Can you say as did Peter, ‘At your bidding, Master, we will lower the nets’?

“Prove Yourself a Blessing”

●When Jehovah directed Abraham (Abram) to move to another land, God had a loving purpose in view. Abraham responded, and as a result he was blessed, and he proved himself a blessing to others. The account at Genesis 12:1-4 reads: “Jehovah proceeded to say to Abram: ‘Go your way out of your country and from your relatives and from the house of your father to the country that I shall show you; . . . and prove yourself a blessing.’ . . . At that Abram went just as Jehovah had spoken to him, and Lot went with him.”