William Dingman of the first class of Gilead and his wife, Estelle, along with Thelma Critz and Flossie Coroneos, were transferred from the Puerto Rico branch to the Dominican Republic just two days after Trujillo’s assassination. “The country was in a state of upheaval when we arrived,” explained William, “and there was quite a bit of military activity. A revolution was feared, and soldiers were searching everyone on the highway. We were stopped at several checkpoints, and at each one our luggage was searched. Everything was taken out of our suitcases, even the smallest items.” It was a challenge to preach in such a volatile political climate.

“During Trujillo’s dictatorship,” said William, “the public had been told that Jehovah’s Witnesses were Communists and were the worst kind of people. . . . Little by little, though, we were able to break down prejudice.”