In March 1956 the first four missionaries arrived, from France: Jean and Ida Seignobos

Brother Seignobos was appointed branch servant. Shortly after that, tragedy struck when Jean’s wife, Ida, died in a car accident while the couple was visiting congregations in what is now Central African Republic. Jean continued to serve in his assignment.

Occasionally, Jean Seignobos accompanied Brother Bayonne. Jean was surprised that people deep in the equatorial forest knew that they were coming. Drums had forwarded this message: “The One Who Is Walking is coming with a white man.”

These expeditions accomplished much good. Previously, people claimed that Jehovah’s Witnesses existed only in Congo (Brazzaville). The presence of Brother Seignobos and other missionaries, along with showings of the film The New World Society in Action, proved otherwise.