Strengthening Those Who Have Been Rescued

Once a year a traveling overseer visits the island.  What is it like to visit a handful of Witnesses on  a remote island?  One circuit overseer describes his first visit to Robinson Crusoe:   "This trip was a  dream come true.  It started at 7:00 a.m.  when we left Valparaiso to drive to Santiago's Cerrillos Airport.  We boarded a small seven-passenger plane. After a flight of 2 hours and 45 minutes, we saw in the distance a mountain peak that rose above the clouds. As we got closer the island came into view-an impressive rock-mass in the middle of the ocean.  It seemed to be floating in a watery expanse, like a ship lost at sea. 

After landing, a boat took us to the village.  Here and there, rocky masses protruding from the sea form small islets that serve as resting places for Juan Fernandez fur seals.  The fur seals are a protected species because their numbers have been greatly diminished.  Suddenly, something flew alongside the boat before disappearing again in the sea.  It was  a flying fish, whose pleated fins resemble wings.  It seemed to enjoy leaping out of the water to catch insects.  Of course sometimes the catcher also gets caught; his leaps may draw the attention of other predators who are also ready to swallow him as he makes his splashdown.

"Finally, we arrived at the village of San Juan Bautista  (St.John the Baptist).  There were quite a few islander standing on the dock, either waiting for their visitors or just curious about who might be arriving this time.  We were impressed by a beautiful panorama-the majestic  and jagged mountain called El Yunque (The Anvil), carpeted as if with dark-green velvet,   and   in the  background,m a clear blue sky bordered by masses of white clouds.

"We soon noticed a group of our Christians sister and their children waiting for us on the dock. It was vacation time, so the group was larger than normal.  After exchanging warm greetings, we were taken to the attractive cabin that we would call our home for a week.

"It was a very special week, and we realized that it would pass by quickly.  We needed to make good use of our time.  That very day, right after lunch, we visited a bible student who was soon to become our spiritual sister and part of God's spiritual paradise.  She was beaming with joy but was also a bit nervous.  her long-awaited goal of baptism was nearing.  We considered some necessary information with her so that she could quality as a publisher of the good news.  the next day she participated in the preaching work for the first  time.  The third day, we began to consider the requirements for baptism with her. Before the week ended, she was baptized.

"The meetings held during the week were well-supported, with a maximum attendance of 14.  Each day there were arrangements for field service, return visits, Bible studies, and shepherding calls.  What an encouragement for the sisters who carry out their activity by themselves all year long?"

It has been more difficult for men on the island to respond to the truth, perhaps  because of the strenuous demands of their secular work.  The main work is catching lobsters, which calls for much dedication .  Prejudice also plays role in the negative reaction of many.  Nevertheless, it is hoped that more islanders, both men and women, will respond in the future.  

Until now, ten individuals have been rescued on the island by coming to know the truth and Jehovah God's purposes.  Some of them have since left the island for various reasons.  But whether they remain or  not, their spiritual rescue has proved to be much more significant than Alexander Selkirk's  rescue.  They now enjoy a spiritual paradise wherever they may live.  The sisters who still live on the island and their children enjoy garden like surrounds, but even more than that, they have the prospect of living when the entire earth will be a true paradise in every sense of the word.

Next time:The Rescue Work Continues

The Watchtower, 2000