In spite of such diverse backgrounds, people from all walks of life have come to learn about Jehovah. María Luisa was one of them. Ever since she was seven years old, she had been involved in spiritism. As she grew up, she became addicted to alcohol and drugs, led an immoral life, and was steeped in the worship of the Venezuelan goddess María Lionza.a Becoming disgusted with her way of life, she took up work in a Catholic mission among the Indians in the western part of the country. She soon concluded that her work was helping neither the Indians nor her. Then she started dabbling in metaphysics and reincarnation but to no avail. At this point, María Luisa was visited by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Bible knowledge that she gained gave her the strength she needed to fight against the wicked spirits. Now she is putting her trust in Jehovah and is an active proclaimer of the Kingdom good news.

Even handicapped persons are learning to put their trust in Jehovah, as is the case with Juan and Carlos, two fleshly brothers. When he was nine years old, Carlos contracted meningitis and lost his sight. Later, though involved with the Catholic charismatic movement, he started to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was baptized in 1982, and since December 1983 he has been a full-time minister. As a blind pioneer, he walks to every corner of his territory, by himself when necessary. His brother Juan, however, is quite a different story.

Juan is over six feet [1.8 m] tall and was quite a street brawler. One day he was shot in the back twice. Although he survived, he was left paralyzed from the chest down and became completely bedridden. When the Witnesses called on him, he reluctantly accepted their offer to study the Bible with him. The studies rekindled his respect for the Bible. The hope of perfect life in Paradise touched him. After he stopped smoking, drinking, and using foul language, all his former friends left him because, as they put it, Juan had become a “saint.” Still, he continued to trust in Jehovah, and eventually he was baptized.

“Being confined to bed has not stopped me from doing Jehovah’s will,” says Juan, “because at least my hands and brain still function well.” How does he serve Jehovah in his condition? “I use my tape recorder to fulfill my responsibilities, such as talks in the Theocratic Ministry School, parts on the Service Meeting, and reading at the weekly Watchtower Study. I have the privilege of conducting one of the local Congregation Book Studies, which is held at my home. I have also been able to serve as a regular pioneer.” How does he feel about all of this? “I am very grateful to my relatives and spiritual brothers and sisters, who are so helpful to me. I hope and pray that all of us persevere in placing our trust in Jehovah so that we can see the day when ‘the lame one will climb up just as a stag does.’”​—Isaiah 35:6.

Assemblies Bring Praise to Jehovah

To carry on the work that is helping so many to put their trust in Jehovah, the Witnesses in Venezuela have recently built two Assembly Halls. One of these is in Campo Elias, Yaracuy State, in the west-central part of the country. The other, located about 40 miles [60 km] south of Caracas, is fully equipped with baptismal pool, air-conditioning, kitchen, and dining-room facilities.

These halls have greatly impressed outsiders and interested people who have come to see them. One bus driver was hired by a group of Witnesses to take them to their circuit assembly. Upon arriving and seeing the spacious parking lot and beautiful surroundings, the driver thought he must also go inside to see this place. “What I saw inside that Assembly Hall was another world, another dimension,” he later said. He was so impressed by the order and unity that he listened intently to the whole program. Later he asked for a Bible study and is now a baptized brother.

At another assembly, a sister’s husband, a man with a political career, came to see if she was having an affair with someone there. He was surprised by the quality of the talks given. “If I could talk like that man, I would really move ahead in my political career,” he told his wife. After the program, he approached one of the elders and asked to be shown how he could improve his public speaking​—and only that. “Do not expect me to go from door to door with a briefcase,” he cautioned. A Bible study was started, and soon the man changed his mind​—he wanted to go from door to door with a briefcase and preach the good news! He resigned from politics and got baptized, and now he and his family put their trust in Jehovah.