Message from the US Branch Committee RE: Hurricane Irma

[Jack Ryan]

The Branch Committee has prepared an encouraging video meant to encourage and reassure those affected by the recent storm.

 

[Jack Ryan]

On behalf of the United States Branch Committee it's my privilege to speak with you for a few minutes.

You dear friends have been close to our minds and hearts over the past days, and we have been earnestly supplicating Jehovah in your behalf. This is especially the case since many of you are now preparing for yet another storm, Maria. 

As you know, over the past few weeks portions of our Branch territory have suffered greatly as a result of numerous storms. Because of this our Branch Committee has been working very closely with the Disaster Relief Desk here at the Branch to keep up-to-date on the difficult situation being faced by so many.

However today, we want to talk to you who have been directly affected by Hurricane Irma. We want you to know that already your Circuit Overseers and four Disaster Relief Committees are working tirelessly, responding to your immediate needs and organizing for a long-term relief effort.

It is evident that you have taken to heart Proverbs 22:3 where it states “the shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself.”

We want to some sincerely commend you dear ones for working in harmony with the organizational arrangements put in place for situations like these. Due to your excellent cooperation with the local elders and your congregation, information about your condition has been made available quickly, which greatly assist us in caring for your immediate and long-term needs. We also wish to thank those of you who, out of brotherly love, immediately made homes available to receive brothers and sisters who have been displaced, as well as those who have assisted in other practical ways.

You will be pleased to know that representatives from the branch will be visiting your area this weekend and will assist your local brothers to begin laying the foundation for a successful relief effort. In addition, we have asked that they visit many of you personally, and view the extent of damage this hurricane has caused.

The relief effort is sure to extend into the coming weeks and months. Therefore continue to work along with your local elders and the circuit overseer as they provide direction. As soon as possible please try to resume your theocratic routine and be alert to opportunities to provide spiritual and emotional support to others including your neighbors. 

In addition be assured that we are making every effort to help you.

In the meantime remember that Jehovah is aware of your situation and is your fortress in times of distress as stated at Psalm 37:39. In addition please continue to take to heart these words at Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people. Pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us.”

It is with deep heartfelt love that our Committee sends this message to you.

You friends are dear to our hearts and it is our sincere prayer that Jehovah will care for you and watch over you in the days to come.

[The Librarian]

US branch committee member Leon Weaver, Jr. 

Here are a couple of his talks from the past in our archive:

http://www.jw-archive.org/search/Leon+weaver

[The Librarian]

He quoted:

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

Wait on Jehovah ... but HUSTLE WHILE YOU WAIT!

Remember the Haiti earthquake relief fiasco?

Check out the details on JW.ORG.

[Jack Ryan]

The original used to hang outside of the Service Department along the tour route at Patterson.

Who knows where it ended up when they moved to Wallkill?

[Jack Ryan]

Three questions:

Why would they need to "supplicate Jehovah" in behalf of someone else, isn't he aware of what's going on with his people or does he have to receive a certain amount of "supplications" or "supplications" from noteworthy individuals such as the GB memebers, before he will do anything to help ?

What other kind of "supplication" is there other than one that is earnest...are their times when their "supplications" are insincere? 

Why would he do anything, since his (supposed) intent was that the earth be cursed and life on it be made difficult so that human kind would suffer and pay for the sins of Adam and Eve?

[Jack Ryan]

The only specific action spoken of, is what a JW should do. Keep your spiritual routine. Give emotional and spiritual support to others.

[Jack Ryan]

First - the background for both English and Spanish is completely the same (plant on left side is also unmoved etc) BUT they swapped over the Bibles on the right hand side - English has the new 'silver' bibles on display, but of course the Spanish don't, they get the 'old' version 

Second - the lighting! The English version is darker with Leon Weaver, Jr, while the Spanish version with 
Adrian Fernandez has noticably brighter lighting....

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/21/its-lit-how-film-finally-learned-how-to-light-black-skin

[JW Insider]

8 hours ago, Jay Witness said:

The original used to hang outside of the Service Department along the tour route at Patterson.

Who knows where it ended up when they moved to Wallkill?

Don't get the point you are making about the Patterson picture, unless it's that they have an even older version of the scrolls (pre-pre-2013) and the brother from Spain off to the left is in very poor light. This picture was still at Patterson last year on the tour route. I suspect it already got moved to Warwick. First thing I noticed when I saw this painting about 6 years ago is that the tall lamp makes a distinct shadow, but none of the apostles, etc., make any shadows. Reminds me of this picture:

 

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

In the picture the Apostles don't cast shadows, eh?

 

I wonder if they could see their reflections in mirrors?

 

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

......

Caleb and Sophia have appointed a Helper Special Representative (HSR) and some humans to assess the situation and gather resources.