[Pictures on page 112]

The ABC islands have been blessed with couples in the traveling work, such as (above) Ludmila and Humphrey Hermanus and (left to right) Paul and Marsha Johnson and Edith and Marc Millen

The Loving Service of Circuit Overseers

Though growth in the three islands was very slow in the beginning, there was always a steady increase, and literature placements were easily made. In 1964 there were four congregations with 379 publishers, and in 1980 the congregations increased to 16 with 1,077 publishers. Between 1981 and 2000, the publishers increased to 2,154, and with the addition of two Dutch and two Spanish congregations, the number of congregations grew to 29, with a Memorial attendance of 6,176.

To serve the different language groups, circuit overseers were needed who could speak at least three languages, and such brothers are not always easy to find. However, the ABC islands have been blessed with traveling overseers who, like Paul, were well pleased to impart their own souls. (1 Thess. 2:8) Engaged in this work were Humphrey and Ludmila Hermanus, now missionaries in Suriname, and Edsel and Claudette Margarita, local pioneers. Aruban pioneers Frankie and Maria Herms also served in the circuit work until they were called to Bethel, where they now serve as part of the translation team.

In 1997, Marc and Edith Millen, previously in the circuit work in Belgium, came far away from home to strengthen the brothers. Like all new missionaries, the Millens had to learn the language, a challenge sometimes with very amusing results. Brother Millen recalls that he was trying to say that a Christian must not be like a soldier who hides in a trench (buracu) and, instead, he said not to be like a soldier who hides in a donkey (buricu)! In spite of the challenges, Marc and Edith persevered. Becoming proficient in the language, they now serve the Dutch and Papiamento congregations with joy. In 2000, Paul and Marsha Johnson became the first couple to participate in a new arrangement wherein a circuit overseer from Puerto Rico serves the local English and Spanish congregations.