Before that, however, Etienne wrote to an acquaintance in Brazzaville named Timothée Miemounoua, who was the dean of a technical school. His letter began: “I am pleased to inform you that the way that we have been following is not the way of the truth. Jehovah’s Witnesses have the truth.” Etienne went on to explain what he had learned. He also enclosed the book “The Truth Shall Make You Free.” Timothée reacted favorably to the Bible’s message, just as Etienne and Augustin had. These were the first three Congolese to embrace Bible truth, and each of them went on to help many others to do the same.

Timothée invited students who were boarding at the technical school to attend Bible discussions during the evening hours. He also wrote to request additional Bible-based publications. The group began to hold meetings and to preach as best they could.

[Pictures on page 138]

Members of an early Bible study group in 1949, from left to right: Jean-Seth Mountsamboté, Timothée and Odile Miemounoua,