Witnesses on San Lucas

It turned out that Franklin was studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. On Sundays, relatives and friends were allowed on the island. Often, two or three boats would bring as many as 30 Witnesses across the bay from the Puntarenas Congregation. Being new there, I was surprised to see the officials simply wave the Witnesses past the checkpoints while everyone else was thoroughly searched. Even more surprising to me was the fact that the Witnesses treated with respect inmates and guards alike and talked to everyone about their Bible-based message.

A few inmates had regular, personal Bible studies with the Witnesses on these Sundays.

One day before lunch, Franklin saw a prisoner sitting alone outside the dining hall. His neat appearance made Franklin inquire if he was the Atalaya. When being told that he was, Franklin’s first reaction was: “Why are you here?” The man explained that he had first been sentenced to the Central Penitentiary in San José, the capital, and had begun to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses while there. After being transferred to San Lucas, he continued his studies with a Witness from Puntarenas. In time he was baptized right there at Coco Beach on San Lucas Island.