The Watchtower—Study Edition  |  July 2017

They Offered Themselves Willingly​—In Turkey

They Offered Themselves Willingly​—In Turkey

FIRST-CENTURY Christians made great efforts to reach as many people as possible with the “good news of the Kingdom.” (Matt. 24:14) Some even traveled to foreign countries. For example, the apostle Paul went to the region where modern-day Turkey is situated and preached there extensively during his missionary journeys. * Some 2,000 years later, in 2014, Turkey was once again the focus of a special preaching campaign. Why was the campaign organized? Who shared in it?

“WHAT’S GOING ON?”

There are over 2,800 publishers in Turkey, but the country has a population of 79 million. This means that the publisher-to-population ratio in Turkey is nearly 1 to 28,000. As you can imagine, the publishers have been able to contact only a small number of the inhabitants of this country. The aim of the special preaching campaign was to reach as many people as possible in a short time. About 550 Turkish-speaking brothers and sisters from other countries traveled to Turkey and preached alongside the local publishers during the campaign. What was achieved?

A widespread witness was given. One congregation in Istanbul wrote: “When people saw us, they asked: ‘Is there a special convention here? We see Jehovah’s Witnesses everywhere!’” A congregation in the city of Izmir wrote: “A man working at a taxi stand approached a local elder and asked, ‘What’s going on? Have you increased your activity?’” Yes, the campaign was noticed.

Steffen

The foreign participants thoroughly enjoyed the preaching work. Steffen, who is from Denmark, said: “Every day, I was able to preach to people who had never heard about Jehovah. I felt that I was really making Jehovah’s name known.” Jean-David from France wrote: “We preached on just one street for hours. It was wonderful! Most people didn’t know Jehovah’s Witnesses. At almost every door, we were able to start a conversation, show one of our videos, and leave literature with the householder.”

Jean-David (center)

 The 550 participants placed about 60,000 pieces of literature in just two weeks! The campaign did indeed result in a widespread witness.

Zeal for the ministry increased. The special activity had a motivating effect on the local brothers. Many started thinking about full-time service. In fact, the number of regular pioneers in Turkey increased by 24 percent during the 12 months following the campaign.

Şirin

Participants from abroad expressed how the campaign affected their ministry even after they returned to their home countries. Şirin, a sister from Germany, wrote: “The brothers in Turkey witness informally with great ease. I am very shy when it comes to preaching informally. But thanks to the special campaign, the example of the local brothers, and many prayers, I was able to do what I couldn’t do before. I even preached and placed tracts in the subway! Now I am not as shy as before.”

Johannes

“I learned some lessons for my own ministry,” said Johannes from Germany. “The brothers in Turkey really want to share the truth with as many people as possible. They give a witness at every opportunity. I decided to do the same when I returned to Germany. And now I really do preach to more people than before.”

Zeynep

“This campaign affected my personal ministry a lot. It helped me to be more courageous and to trust more in Jehovah,” commented Zeynep from France.

The publishers drew closer to one another. The love and unity among the brothers from different countries made a lasting impression. “We ‘tasted’ the brothers’ hospitality,” said Jean-David, mentioned earlier. He added: “They accepted us as their friends and as part of their family. They opened their homes to us. I knew that we are an international brotherhood; I had read it many times in our literature. But this time, I experienced it firsthand. I felt even more proud of being one of Jehovah’s  people, and I thank him for this wonderful privilege.”

Claire (center)

“Whether from Denmark, France, Germany, or Turkey, we were all one family. It was as if God had rubbed out all the national borders with a big eraser,” said Claire from France.

Stéphanie (center)

Stéphanie from France added: “The special campaign taught us that what unites us is not the culture or language but the love for Jehovah that we have in common.”

THERE HAVE BEEN LONG-TERM BENEFITS

Many of the foreign participants began to think about moving to Turkey to help with the tremendous work still to be done there. Quite a few have already moved. These need-greaters are very much appreciated.

Take, for example, a small isolated group of 25 publishers in one area. For many years, there was only one elder. Imagine the joy of the publishers when in 2015, six need-greaters from Germany and the Netherlands moved in to support them!

SERVING AT THE FRONT LINE

What do need-greaters who have been in Turkey for a while say about their life there? Granted, at times it is challenging, but life as a need-greater is very rewarding. Consider what some have said:

Federico

“Not having many material possessions to be attached to helps me to feel free, and it allows me to concentrate on the most important things,” says Federico, a married brother in his early 40’s who moved from Spain. Would he recommend this type of service? “Yes, absolutely!” he says. “When you move abroad with the purpose of helping people to get to know Jehovah, you are in reality putting yourself in his hands. You really feel Jehovah’s care more than ever.”

Rudy

“It gives us tremendous satisfaction to serve at the front line, so to speak, and to share the truth with so many people who have never heard about it  before,” says Rudy, a married brother in his late 50’s from the Netherlands. “Seeing the happiness of people when they accept the truth is a great source of joy.”

Sascha

Sascha, a married brother in his early 40’s who moved from Germany, says: “Every time I am in the ministry, I meet people who are hearing the truth for the very first time. Giving such ones the opportunity to get to know Jehovah gives me tremendous satisfaction.”

Atsuko

Atsuko, a married sister in her mid-30’s from Japan, states: “In the past, I always wanted Armageddon to come immediately. But after having moved to Turkey, I thank Jehovah that he is still showing patience. The more I see how Jehovah directs matters, the more I desire to draw closer to him.”

Alisa, a sister in her early 30’s from Russia, comments: “Serving Jehovah in this kind of ministry has helped me to taste all his goodness.” (Ps. 34:8) She adds: “Jehovah is not only my Father but also my close Friend, whom I get to know better under different circumstances. My life is full of happy moments, exciting experiences, and generous blessings!”

“VIEW THE FIELDS”

By means of the special preaching campaign in Turkey, the good news reached many more people. Yet, there is still a vast untouched territory. Every day, need-greaters who moved to Turkey meet people who have never heard about Jehovah. Would you like to serve in such a territory? If so, we encourage you: “Lift up your eyes and view the fields, that they are white for harvesting.” (John 4:35) Could you assist in a part of the world where the fields are “white for harvesting”? If so, begin taking practical steps now toward reaching that goal. One thing is sure: Having an increased share in spreading the good news “to the most distant part of the earth” will bring you rich blessings beyond compare!​—Acts 1:8.

^ par. 2 See the brochure “See the Good Land,” pp. 32-33.

Owa Ọkhẹ (Na Ruẹ Vbe Iko)  |  July 2017

Iran Keghi Ya Ekhọe Hia Rhiegbe Ladian​—⁠Vbe Turkey

Iran Keghi Ya Ekhọe Hia Rhiegbe Ladian​—⁠Vbe Turkey

IVBIOTU E KRISTI vbe orre nokaro keghi loo ẹrhiọn ya kporhu “iyẹn nọ maan ọghe Arriọba” ma emwa nibun. (Mat. 24:14) Eso kue mu okhian gha rrie ẹvbo ọvbehe ya gha kporhu. Vbe igiemwi, ukọ e Pọl keghi kporhu ẹsẹsẹmwẹse vbe ọ mu okhian gha rrie ẹvbo na ghi tie ẹre Turkey vbe ẹghẹ na. * Ukpo 2014, nọ gba vbe ukpo 2,000 ne Pọl ya kporhu vbe ẹvbo nii, ẹre etẹn ru emwamwa ne kpataki ne iran vbe ya kporhu vbe evba. Vbọzẹe ne iran na ru emwamwa na? De emwa ni ghaa mwẹ obọ vbọ?

“VBỌ SUNU?”

Etẹn ni ya iyẹn wewe vbe Turkey gberra 2,800, sokpan emwa ni rre ẹvbo nii keghi re ẹbo 79. Ọni rhiema wẹẹ, emwa ni rrie odẹ 28,000 ẹre ọtẹn ọkpa nọ ya iyẹn wewe khian kporhu ma. Nọ rhiema wẹẹ, ibozẹghẹ emwa ẹre etẹn he sẹtin kporhu ma vbe ẹvbo nii. Evbọzẹe ne etẹn na ru emwamwa na, ọre ne iran sẹtin loo ovbi ẹghẹ kherhe ya kporhu ma emwa nibun. Etẹn ni rrie odẹ 550 ni zẹ urhuẹvbo e Turkey ẹre ọ ke ẹvbo ughughan rre do deba etẹn ni rre Turkey kporhu. Vbe iran sẹtin fiangbua?

Iran keghi ya ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan vẹwae. Iko ọkpa nọ rre Istanbul keghi gbẹn wẹẹ: “Emwa ghi bẹghe ima, iran na nọ wẹẹ: ‘Asikoko ne kpataki wa do ra? Avbe Osẹe Jehova wa gba ehe hia!’” Iko ọvbehe nọ rre ẹvbo na tie ẹre Izmir na vbe gbẹn vbekpae okpia ọkpa nọ winna vbe ehe ne okotọ na kun sie. Ọ keghi nọ ọkpa vbe ediọn wẹẹ, ‘Vbọ sunu?’ Vbene ẹmwata, etẹn wa gele ye ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan vẹwae.

Steffen

Etẹn ni ke ẹvbo ọvbehe rre wa sọyẹnmwẹ iwinna ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan vbe Turkey. E Steffen nọ ke Denmarki rre keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ẹdẹgbegbe ẹre I ya gha miẹn emwa ni ma he ka họn vbekpae Jehova. Ọna keghi wa gha ye ọyẹnmwẹ sẹ mwẹ.” Jean-David nọ ke France rre na vbe kha wẹẹ: “Ughaẹdẹ nibun ẹre ima ya kporhu vbe idunmwu ọkpa. Emwa nibun ma he ka rẹn vbekpae Avbe Osẹe Jehova. Iyobemwahia ne ima miẹn vbe owa ẹre ọ rhie ehọ ne ima taa yi, ẹre ọ ghee vidio, ẹre ọ vbe miẹn ima ebe. Emwi ọyunnuan ghaa nọ.”

Jean-David (adesẹneva)

Etẹn ni re 550 keghi rrie ebe iyẹn nọ rrie odẹ 60,000 ladian vbe uzọla eva kẹkan ne iran ya kporhu. Te iran wa gele ye ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan vẹwae.

 Etẹn kegha mwẹ izọghae sayọ. Emwamwa ikporhu na keghi gua etẹn ni rre Turkey kpa ne iran ya ru sayọ. Iran nibun na gele rhie obọ ye iwinna arọndẹ ọghe ẹghẹ hia, nọ ghi ya arọndẹ ni rre Turkey muan sayọ vbe iyeke emwamwa ne kpataki ne etẹn ya kporhu.

Şirin

Etẹn ni ke ẹvbo ọvbehe rre keghi guan kaan vbene ikporhu ne iran kpere vbe Turkey ya ru iyobọ ne iran hẹ vbe iran sẹ owa. Ọtẹn nokhuo Şirin, nọ ke Germany rre keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ẹi zẹdẹ lọghọ etẹn ni rre Turkey ne iran kporhu vbe ẹkpotọ gha wa kie. Ne I na re ọmwa ne ekhue mu, ikporhu ẹkpotọ nọ rhirhi kie i zẹdẹ khuẹrhẹ mẹ. Emwamwa ikporhu na, igiemwi ọghe etẹn ni rre Turkey kevbe erhunmwu ne I ghaa na vbe ẹghẹ hia ẹre ọ ru iyobọ mẹ. Te I mẹ ghi sẹtin kporhu ma emwa ni khian vbe ukpo nia, I vbe rhie ebe ne iran! Ekhue i ghi mu mwẹ vbene ọ ka ye.”

Johannes

Johannes nọ ke Germany rre keghi kha wẹẹ: “I ruẹ emwi nibun nọ dekaan ifuẹro na ya kporhu iyẹn nọ maan. Ẹkpotọ nọ rhirhi kie ẹre etẹn ni rre Turkey ya kporhu rhunmwuda iran hoo ne emwa hia họn igiuhunmwu na. I keghi tamuolọyan rẹn wẹẹ, I gha ya egbe ta iran vbe I ra sẹ owa. Nia, te imẹ ghi vbe loo ẹkpotọ nọ rhirhi kie ya kporhu ma emwa.”

Zeynep

Zeynep nọ ke France rre na vbe kha wẹẹ: “Emwamwa na, wa ru iyobọ mẹ. Te I ghi mwẹ udinmwẹ vbe ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan kevbe wẹẹ, amuẹtinyan ni mwẹ dae Jehova na vbe wegbe sayọ.”

Etẹn keghi sikẹ egbe sayọ. Ahoẹmwọmwa kevbe akugbe ne etẹn ni ke ẹvbo ughughan rre rhiema keghi re nai sẹtin mianmian ẹdẹ. Jean-David, ne a ka yunu kaẹn ban na vbe kha wẹẹ: “Ma keghi do bẹghe ẹre vbene etẹn ni rre Turkey mu ọghọ ye ọmwa egbe hẹ. Iran keghi miẹn ima yi zẹvbe ọse kevbe etẹn vbuwe ẹgbẹe. Iran na viọ ima la owa. Evba nii ẹre I na gele rẹn wẹẹ ẹgbẹe ọkpa ma khin vbe otagbọn hia. I ka tiẹ re vbe ebe ọghomwa sokpan te aro mwẹ ghi wa sẹ ọre nia. Te ọyẹnmwẹ ghi wa sẹ mwẹ ne I na re ọkpa vbe usun eguọmwadia e Jehova. I kpọnmwẹ e Jehova ye ukpo amuyọmọ nọ hiunsi na.”

Claire (adesẹneva)

E Claire nọ ke France rre khare wẹẹ: “Etẹn ni ke  Denmark, France, Germany kevbe Turkey rre, kegha yin zẹvbe ẹgbẹe ọkpa. Ọ na yevbe na miẹn wẹẹ Osanobua ye agbẹnvbo hia khian ẹgbẹe ọkpa nẹ.”

Stéphanie (adesẹneva)

Stéphanie nọ ke France rre keghi rhie tẹ wẹẹ: “Emwamwa ikporhu ne kpataki na, maa ima re wẹẹ, ẹi re emwi arre ra urhuẹvbo ọghe ima ẹre ọ ya ima mwẹ akugbe. Ọ keghi re ahoẹmwọmwa ne ima mwẹ dae Jehova.”

Ọ KEGHI BIẸ ỌMỌ ESI

Etẹn nibun ni ghaa mwẹ obọ vbe iwinna ikporhu na, keghi do gha mwẹ ọnrẹn vbe orhiọn ne iran si gha die Turkey do ru iyobọ, rhunmwuda, ako ne ikporhu ma he sẹ vba ye gẹdẹgbẹẹ. Eso vbọ si sẹ Turkey nẹ. Etẹn ni rre Turkey wa gele gbọyẹmwẹ yọ.

Vbe igiemwi, ọ mwẹ iko ọkpa nọ rre eke nọ wa khian rre vbe Turkey. Etẹn ni ya iyẹn wewe vba keghi re 25. Ọdiọn ọkpa ẹre ọ wa gha ga vbe iko nii vbe ukpo nibun sokpan u miẹn ọyẹnmwẹ nọ ghaa sẹ etẹn ni rre iko nii vbe etẹn ehan ke Germany kevbe Netherlands rre do deba iran!

IKPORHU IYẸN NỌ MAAN VBE EHE NE A NA GELE GUALỌ IYOBỌ

De isievẹn eso ne etẹn ni do ru iyobọ vbe Turkey werriẹ aro daa? Agharhemiẹn wẹẹ iran werriẹ aro daa isievẹn eso, iran miẹn afiangbe nibun. Gia ghee emwi eso ne iran tae:

Federico

Federico nọ rre odẹ ukpo 40 nọ ke Spain rre, nọ vbe rhie okhuo nẹ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Rhunmwuda I ma gha mwẹ emwi nibun, ẹre ọ zẹe ighẹ I sẹtin rhie aro tua emwi nọ ru ekpataki sẹ. U gha mu okhian gha rrie isi rhunmwuda wẹẹ, u hoo ne u ru iyobọ ne emwa do rẹn vbekpae Jehova, te u sẹ arrọọ ruẹ rae ye ọre obọ vberriọ. U gele do bẹghe vbene ọ ya gbaroghe ruẹ hẹ. I rhie igiọdu ne etẹn ni gha sẹtin ne iran ru vberriọ.”

Rudy

Rudy nọ rrie odẹ ukpo 60 nọ ke Netherlands rre, nọ vbe mwẹ okhuo keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ọ keghi emwi nọ wa sẹ ọmwa ọkẹn ne ima na rhiegbe ye ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan vbe ehe ne a na gele gualọ iyobọ kevbe ne ima na sẹtin kporhu ma emwa nibun ni ma he  họn iyẹn nọ maan ẹdẹ. Ọ keghi re emwi nọ wa ye ọyẹnmwẹ sẹ ọmwa vbe emwa na kporhu ma gha ye oghọghọ miẹn ẹmwata yi.”

Sascha

E Sascha nọ rre odẹ ukpo 40 nọ ke Germany rre, nọ mwẹ okhuo keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ẹghẹ hia ẹre I ya gha kporhu ma emwa ni ma he ka họn ẹmwata nọ rre Baibol ẹdẹ. Ne I na sẹtin ru iyobọ, nọ ghi ya emwa vberriọ do rẹn e Jehova keghi re emwi nọ wa ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn mwẹ.”

Atsuko

Ọtẹn nokhuo Atsuko nọ ke Japan rre, nọ rre odẹ ukpo 35 nọ vbe rọnmwẹ ọdọ nẹ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Erhunmwu ne I ka gha na ọre ne Amagẹdọn wa rhe banban. Sokpan ke ni ya sẹ e Turkey, te I ghi kpọnmwẹ e Jehova ye izinegbe ne ọ mwẹ. Zẹ vbene I ya miẹn obọ e Jehova vbe otu ọghẹe, erriọ I ya hoo ne I sikẹ ọre sayọ.”

Ọtẹn nokhuo Alisa nọ rre odẹ ukpo 35 nọ ke Russia rre keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan ni rhie egbe yi na, wa do ya mwẹ rẹn vbene Jehova gele maan hẹ.” (Psm. 34:8) Ọ na vbe rhietẹ wẹẹ: “Erha mwẹ kevbe Ọse mwẹ ẹre Jehova khin. Emwi nibun nọ gbe ọmwa otiti, emwi ẹwaen nibun kevbe afiangbe ne wọrhọ wọrhọ ẹre I he miẹn. Ena hia ẹre ọ ya mwẹ do rẹn Jehova sayọ!”

“WA GHEE UGBO”

Emwamwa ne kpataki ne a ya kporhu iyẹn nọ maan vbe Turkey keghi ya emwa nibun họn iyẹn nọ maan. Sokpan ako ne gẹdẹgbẹ ye rrọọ ne a ma he na kporhu. Ẹdẹgbegbe ẹre etẹn ni kpaa gha rrie Turkey ya miẹn emwa ni ma he họn vbekpae Jehova ẹdẹ. Deghẹ u hoo ne u ya ru iyobọ vbe ehe ne a na gualọ iyobọ vberrio, ma rhie igiọdu nuẹn ne u “ya ghee ugbo, emwi orhọ wo nẹ, ọ vbe sẹ nẹ na rhọ.” (Jọn 4:35) U gha sẹtin ya ru iyobọ vbe ehe ne emwi orhọ na “sẹ nẹ na rhọ” ra? Deghẹ u gha sẹtin, suẹn gha ru emwamwa nia ne u mieke na sẹtin ru vberriọ. Gha mwẹ ọnrẹn vbe ilẹkẹtin wẹẹ, u gha ru sayọ vbe iwinna ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan “rhinrin ya sẹ ehe ne agbọn sẹe,” u gha miẹn afiangbe nẹi gia gie!—Iwiina 1:8.

^ okhuẹn 2 Ghee ne ebe ẹmu “See the Good Land,” ipapa 32-33.