Besides the Gilead graduates who were assigned to help, almost 300 brothers and sisters from about five countries came as long-term international servants and short-term international volunteers to help on the project. Nearby residents were amazed when they saw that people from other countries came to help. They were even more taken aback when they learned that the majority of these had come at their own expense! Local brothers and sisters added to the atmosphere of international unity.

Filipinos Go Out as International Servants

During the branch construction, international servants from other countries shared their skills with Filipino brothers. Hubertus Hoefnagels, who trained others, comments: “Many of the local brothers are very zealous, and they were able to apply what they had learned.” As a result, when the Philippines project was finished, some of these trained brothers were able to go out as international servants to help on branch projects in other countries, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Joel Moral, from Quezon Province, was one of them. He first came to the branch construction project in Manila with the thought of volunteering to work for one week. However, his help was needed, and he was asked to stay on. Although he had no extensive experience in construction, working on the branch project enabled him to gain skills quickly by learning from foreign international servants.

Even before the project in the Philippines was finished, a need arose for help on a new branch in Thailand. Joel says: “I wasn’t expecting it, but I was invited to go to Thailand. My experience on construction in the Philippines was a big help to prepare for international work.” He stayed more than one year helping on the construction in Thailand.

Joshua and Sara Espiritu got acquainted with each other while they were both working on the Philippines branch construction. They were married shortly after the dedication of the branch and made it their goal to serve together as international servants. After a few months, they were invited to share in construction work in other countries. Since then, they have served in five countries: three in Asia and two in Africa. Joshua says of his experience while still in the Philippines: “While we were working with the brothers from other countries, we learned skills. We now had knowledge that we could share with others.” When they were sent to other countries, they told the local brothers: “We will not always be here. In the future you will continue the work.” Regarding his goal when going to other countries, he explains: “We do not go there just to work, but we really try to teach the brothers.”

Of course, going to different countries requires flexibility. Jerry Ayura was sent to several places, including Thailand, Western Samoa, and Zimbabwe. He explains: “I learned that Jehovah uses people of all kinds of backgrounds. We love them because Jehovah loves them.” How happy these Filipino brothers are that they can contribute to Jehovah’s work on an international scale!