The Runner Changes Racecourses

In 1919 a youngster in Finland named Otto Mäkelä set a national record in the 3,000-meter race. Later that same year in his hometown, he heard a talk given by the pilgrim Viljo Taavitsainen. How the truth appealed to this small, but tough, runner! Otto decided to change his racecourse. After his baptism, he took up the pilgrim work, in March 1921. Later he served as circuit overseer for decades and was known as an excellent teacher right up to the time when he finished his earthly course in 1985.a

The experiences of Otto Mäkelä would fill many books. Let us go along with him on a trip of about 60 miles [100 km] from Iisalmi to Kärsämäki: “I started in the morning about seven in order to reach my destination in time for the public talk at 7:00 p.m. Although I was traveling all the time, I did not make it until 9:00 p.m. There were several inns along the way, and every coachman drove me only to the next inn. When I asked for an immediate lift to the next place, they took their time catching a horse in the woods. Then it had to be fed and watered, and also the coachman had to eat. They did not hurry, as I did not look like a very high-ranking or important traveler.”

[Picture on page 157]

Otto Mäkelä, who served in traveling work and in the branch office for many decades