This desire to congregate was outstandingly demonstrated in January 1988. Don Adams, from the Brooklyn headquarters, was visiting as zone overseer. A bullring in Valencia had been hired, and a two-hour program had been arranged. At that time there were just 40,001 publishers in all of Venezuela. Yet, 74,600 people showed up for the program; they had come from the farthest corners of the country. Some had traveled 12 hours or more by bus to be present; and when the program was over, they climbed back into their buses for the 12-hour return trip. But for the smiling, cheerful, uncomplaining Venezuelan Witnesses, it was worth it just to be among so many of their spiritual brothers and sisters for half a day.

[Picture on page 227]

In 1988 more than 74,600 packed out the bullring in Valencia for a special program