Brothers in Panama set up four centers to receive, sort, and pack donated items. Within a few days, more than 45,000 pounds [more than 20,000 kilograms] of relief items had been collected. One non-Witness commented: “I thought the military were number one in organizing relief work. But now I see that Jehovah’s Witnesses occupy that position.” Witnesses have now begun visiting this man regularly to share Bible truths.

A brother in the transportation business provided a semitrailer and a driver (non-Witness) to take relief items to Nicaragua. Officials in both Panama and Costa Rica waived customs requirements when allowing the truck to pass through their borders. One gas station donated enough fuel to fill the truck’s two tanks—enough for a round trip! In Nicaragua the customs officials likewise waived inspection of the parcels. “If this is from Jehovah’s Witnesses, we don’t need to inspect it,” they said. “We never have any problems with them.”

Airport employees in Panama were particularly moved to see over 20 Witness volunteers assist in unloading the donation to be sent to Honduras. The following day, some of these airport workers showed up with a donation that they had collected among themselves.