Germany

Language courses commenced more than 30 years ago in this country, and over 1,000 students have been trained in nine languages, from Albanian to Vietnamese. “This is much better than the course I took at a university,” said one sister. Because students also learn how people from other countries think, they are better able to reach hearts when giving a witness.

Paula, who is 82 years of age, began learning the Vietnamese language and travels about 100 miles [150 km] to attend meetings. “I am not gifted when it comes to language,” she says, “but I am very grateful to Jehovah for giving me so much joy.” Paula studied with a Vietnamese family. The husband was the first to take an interest in the truth, and his wife followed. Both are now baptized.

Since their baptism, the couple and their daughter have realized their dream of serving Jehovah in their home country. They built a house with enough space for congregation meetings, and the husband serves as an elder and auxiliary pioneer. His wife is a regular pioneer. Paula’s joy was unbounded when she received a letter from this family saying that the father baptized his own daughter. In a letter to Paula, the girl wrote: “Dear ‘Grandma.’ I miss you. I often think of you. You will always be my Grandma Paula. I love you.” What a heartwarming experience this was for our dear sister, who took on a difficult language late in life!

[Picture on page 17]

First Hindi class, Germany