“Preaching Here Is a Feast!”

In recent years, growing numbers of Witnesses from around the globe have moved to Indonesia. “Need-greaters play an important role in countries like ours,” explains Lothar Mihank. “They bring experience, maturity, and enthusiasm to their congregations, and they help to build greater appreciation for the worldwide brotherhood.” What motivated them to move? And how have things worked out for them? Consider some of their comments.

Jason and Casey Gibbs from the United States relate: “We studied the population-to-publisher ratios in the Yearbook and discovered that Indonesia has one of the highest ratios in the world. Then some friends who were need-greaters told us that there was great potential in Indonesia. So we phoned the Indonesia branch, and they directed us to Bali. The English field in Indonesia was just starting to open up, so we would be able to make an impact right away. We planned to go for one year, but we’ve stayed three. Most people we preach to have never heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses. How rewarding the ministry is!”

Stuart and Mandy Williams, a middle-aged couple from Australia, state: “We wanted to meet people thirsting for the truth, so we decided to move to Indonesia. In Malang, East Java, we have met hundreds of English-speaking university students who eagerly listen to the good news. And they love the jw.org website! The preaching work here is awesome.”

Takahiro and Mari Akiyama, who pioneer in Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, relate: “Here we feel safer than we did at home in Japan. People are kind and polite. Many of them, especially the young people, are curious about other religions. One day while manning our public witnessing table, we placed about 2,600 magazines in only five hours.”

Dan and Janine Moore, a couple in their late 50’s, explain: “When we go preaching, people gather around us. We smile at them; they smile back. They are curious, then interested, then excited. When we show them something in the Bible, some say, ‘Can I write that down?’ They marvel at the Bible’s spiritual wisdom. We’ve been here for a year, and we’re sorry we didn’t come earlier. We were looking for the next preaching frontier​—and we’ve found it!”