“I Am One of Jehovah’s Witnesses”

Adolfo, a young man who had recently become a Kingdom publisher, was working one day at a radio station in Ocosingo. Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. A group of hooded men burst in and pointed their guns at his head. They rushed into the transmission booth, commandeered the equipment, and announced over the air that they had declared war against the government.

Turning to Adolfo, the armed men ordered him to join their movement. “I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” responded Adolfo, even though he was not yet baptized. He explained that the only hope for peace was God’s Kingdom, and he firmly refused the uniform and gun that they offered him. Seeing his determined stand, they let him go. Recalling the incident, Adolfo states: “That event really strengthened my faith.”

Eventually the situation stabilized, but the area was still under military control. In spite of that, Adolfo gladly accepted the invitation of the elders of the local congregation to work with an isolated group of Christians in the area. At the checkpoints that he had to pass through, the soldiers showed him respect when he identified himself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was later baptized and has had the satisfaction of helping that isolated group become a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Now that I am baptized,” Adolfo declared, “I can say with full conviction that I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses!”

During the campaign​—in a place called Pueblo Nuevo—​Ciro, a regular pioneer, found a family who showed interest. Returning three days later, he was able to start a Bible study with them. But when Ciro and a companion went back to continue the study with the family, the man of the house was not at home. Instead, a group of hooded men were waiting for him to do him harm. They asked Ciro and his companion what they were looking for and threatened to kill them. After silently praying to Jehovah, the two Christians courageously explained that they had come to teach the family the Bible. With that the hooded men let them go.