On Vacation With Other Witnesses

Although those were hard times, vacations also had a place in the lives of Jehovah’s people. When carefully planned, such vacations became a time not only for physical refreshment but also for spiritual upbuilding. At a time when meetings were held with a maximum of 10 people in attendance, imagine what it was like for perhaps 30 of Jehovah’s Witnesses to be together for a week or two!

Making wise decisions as to whom to invite was important. Those making the plans endeavored not to give preference to the young over the elderly or to brothers over sisters. An effort was made to include several spiritually mature Christian brothers, who would provide needed oversight.

A main concern was that there be a balanced spiritual program. The daily schedule was something like this: Morning prayer, daily text, and Bible reading. On some afternoons there were hour-long meetings. In the evening there was often a spiritual gathering with a prearranged program. The rest of the day was free. The friends could study, go hiking, go swimming, or the like. The ministry was usually associated with a hiking trip, but again there were unwritten rules to follow. Try to imagine a group of 20 hikers. In villages, in the forest, and in fields, they would find local people. Upon meeting someone, a brother or a sister would leave the group and try to strike up a conversation. The rest of the group continued on their way.

These vacations, enjoyed by a group, resulted in much good. They were faith strengthening, and they served to spread the good news. These group vacations were an integral part of the modern-day history of Jehovah’s Witnesses in this country. At no time, however, could Jehovah’s servants afford to let down their guard spiritually.

[Picture on page 185]

Group vacations provided opportunities for spiritual upbuilding