• Ecuador
    1989 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    • Greater Affection for Christ

      During this time Carlos Salazar, a young Ecuadorean who had learned the truth in the United States of America, took up the full-time ministry.

      Carlos was just 16 years old when a pioneer sister in New York City placed a Bible and the book “This Means Everlasting Life” with his mother, who gave them to Carlos to read. Since he was not interested in religion, he put them on the shelf. However, one day while playing in Central Park, he broke his leg and so was laid up at home. With time on his hands, he reluctantly accepted the pioneer’s offer to study the Bible, but only on the condition that she teach him some English. He says: “The more I read the book, the more I was convinced that this was the truth.”

      Soon Carlos began to attend meetings and share in the field service, even standing on street corners offering the magazines. True, his mother had given the book to him, but when she saw him reading it, she became so angry that she threatened to send him back to Ecuador. She was imagining that Ecuador had no Witnesses. So in 1953, escorted by his devout Roman Catholic great-aunt Rosa, Carlos returned to Ecuador.

      “Carlos, now that you are back in Ecuador, you must begin attending Mass again,” his great-aunt said.

      But Carlos was not about to give up something as valuable as the hope of everlasting life. (John 3:36) Jesus’ words, “He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me,” had real meaning for him. (Matt. 10:37) He replied: “Aunt Rosa, you do not understand at present what I am doing. But now that I am here in Ecuador, I intend to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and you must respect my wishes.”

      After Carlos was baptized in 1954, he began pioneering. In 1958 he became the second Ecuadorean to be invited to Gilead School. He was assigned back to his home country, where he has continued in the full-time service. Finally after ten years of patient witnessing to her, he saw his great-aunt also accept the truth; and at the age of 84, she continues to be an active Witness.