THEY OFFERED THEMSELVES WILLINGLY In New York

A FEW years ago, Cesar and his wife, Rocio, were living a comfortable life in California, where Cesar was working full-time in the field of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning and Rocio worked part-time at a doctor's office.  They owned their home, and they had no children. However, something happened that changed their lives.  What was it?

In October 2009, the United States branch office sent a letter to all congregations in the country, inviting skilled volunteers to apply for temporary Bethel service to assist with the expansion of the branch facilities in Walkill, New York. Even those over the usual age limit for Bethel service were invited to apply.  "Because of our age, we knew that this could be a once-in-a-lifettime chance to serve at Bethel," relate Cesar and Rocio.  "We were  not about to pass that opportunity up for anything!" The couple immediately submitted  their applications.  

More than a year went by, but Cesar and Rocio had not been invited to  Bethel.  Nonetheless, they took further steps toward reaching their goal by simplifying their life.  "We converted our garage  into a studio apartment so that we could rent our house to someone else.  Then we moved out of our 2, 200 square-foot  (200 sq m) dream home that we had built just a couple of years earlier and moved into our 270-square foot (25 sq m) apartment.  Making these changes," says Cesar,  "Put us in a better position to accept an invitation to Bethel, should one come our way." What happened next?  "One month after we moved into our small apartment," relates Rocio, "we received an invitation  to serve as temporary volunteers at Walkill. It was clear to us that by simplifying our life, we have given Jehovah something to bless." 

Next time: THEIR SELF-SACRIFICING SPIRIT IS BEING BLESSED 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015