Immediate efforts were made to obtain a piece of land for a Kingdom Hall. But where? Although there were many interested ones in Nemba, there was strong opposition from the Anglican Church. Unfortunately, the traditional landowners were all members of the church and very much against having any Kingdom Hall constructed in their vicinity. So the decision was made to build in John Mealue’s home village, on the island of Malo, a three-hour canoe ride from Nemba.

When the pioneers approached John with this suggestion, he replied: “This is exactly what I have wanted for a long time.” So that very same day, construction started at a frantic pace. Partway through the construction, the circuit overseer arrived for his regular visit to the congregation, and he too joined in the building work. Right on time, a neat, well-constructed leaf hall, with a roof, a platform, and three open sides, stood ready to house the crowd expected for the assembly program.

In time John, James, and Drawman, along with their wives, were baptized. These three fleshly brothers were highly valued by the Anglican Church, but after they accepted the truth, the clergy put pressure on education officers and had James and Drawman fired from their jobs. This did not deter the two brothers. They decided to live off the land and sea and use their time to preach from house to house about real treasures, the marvelous Kingdom truths. Soon many more joined them. Finally a Kingdom Hall was built at Nemba.

Because Michael would not stop speaking publicly about the truth, the clergy pressured the education officers at Lata Station to have him fired, just as they later had James and Drawman fired. Michael decided to live off the land. He and his wife, Naomi, along with their children, were finally forced to leave their village as outcasts. Far from the village, they built a new home and later a Kingdom Hall.