# More thoughts on WTS

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Posted by Gilead [Guest] on November 11, 1999 at 11:46:02 {mJnjjpluA6ysuHkrDaEoni6QXcPL8M}:

Greetings to all,

It was asked how and who benefits from the WTS, While I'll say that I know of no corruption scandals in the society living in the lap of luxury is not uncommon. While on our way to our missionary assignment the executive office gave us instructions that during our 12-hr layover in Brussels Belgium, we would be met at the airport by a member of the branch and brought in for a rest. That was most loving and kind, we felt like royalty. We were indeed met by a brother from the branch committee and brought to the branch where we ate some lunch and went off to rest up some in one of the rooms. Then toured around a bit and then back of to the airport. So the benefit comes in being part of an international network of offices, accommodations, agents and contacts. If we'd paid for that same service at local hotels, I'm sure we would have paid around $500 US or so.

To give you a glimpse of real stories from the front. Our country in West Africa had about 2000 or so pubs. This was due in part to neighboring countries being war-torn and some of the refugees were in our country and this brought with it many witnesses from neighboring countries. The missionaries were quite busy during this time. It surprised me how the branch was almost uncaring for the local brothers as refugees and said that the local authorities and UNHCR would care for them. This angered one of the missionaries and went against the branch and tried to get some help organized. Once things got going the branch called him in for a scolding.

Well to highlight some of the dishonesty that takes place on a higher level, the time came for end of the year reports, by this time many of the refugees had moved back since the fight came to a stand still. But for the last 2 years the branch had been reporting 2000 plus pubs. When about half of the refugees left the branch sent in the same report with an increase. I remember vividly one morning at morning worship when the missionaries got the new year books sent out by friends at HQ. They looked at our countries numbers and were quite surprised to see and increase, knowing the refugees had left and we all were hard pressed for studies in this all Moslem country. The DO was also a missionary as well as the CO for the interior
And said from where did the increase come. They knew at conventions that this was not the case.
When some members of the committee came for a special assembly day, since the branch was not in the country they were somewhat out of touch with the reality. They were asked about the increase in the yearbook. The reply was "we figure the refugees would come back soon and you must have an increase somewhere, you must not have been able to properly record it." The truth of the matter is that was a lie, and millions of people all over the world may have been happy to know that there was an increase in that west African country when in effect there was not.

This started me thinking again about the society as a direct channel to Almighty God. One other sad note, we had a brother and his wife who had been in the missionary work for 25 years and had been through 2 wars in their assignments. Never had any children and in fact had over 30 years FTS. His wife's mother died leaving behind her father of 90 plus years who was a witness and he asked the branch coordinator for leave of absence to take care of the arrangements and get the aged father taken care of. He told the brother he didn't feel it was necessary, he didn't go to his parent's funeral and going will not bring them back. He further said he has a die with me boots on attitude. So the brother took his vacation time 2 weeks and when he got to Brooklyn he asked Don Adams and he gave he the LOA without problem.

Another question is answered in all of this and it is this. Many have no where else to go once they've spent those many years in the FTS. So they have to stay. But in so doing they are very bitter and resentful thus making it difficult for others. One thing about long-time missionaries is they have a security. The "Missionary Counsel Booklet" (equivalent to "Dwelling together in Unity") for bethelites, says that once a missionary has spent 15 years in a missionary assignment, they have a permanent home with the missionaries and don't have to worry about the 140 hr requirement. So long as they abide by the rules and continue to believe the WTS is God's channel.

The reality is many are just trying to get to the 15-year mark and then kick back and take things easy. Travelling and seeing the country at living and eating free all at the expense of the brothers. Our generator cost $15,000 and it sat for months because no one knew how to install it. When it was finally installed the thing made so much noise the neighbors complained and we had to live in the dark. What a waste…

I hope these stories don't bore you. It's just that many should know what goes on in the WTS in other countries. I know all here are an international bunch. So you would more than likely relate to what I'm talking about.

Au moins dans tout ca j'ai appris francais (At least in all of that I learned French)

Best wishes

Gilead

Follow Ups:

- *More thoughts on WTS former bethlite 17:10:31 11/11/99 (1)
  - **More thoughts on WTS Michael 13:21:03 11/12/99 (0)
- *More thoughts on WTS Reen 17:08:57 11/11/99 (0)
- *More thoughts on WTS CrossRoads 16:28:52 11/11/99 (0)
- *More thoughts on WTS Luis 15:30:32 11/11/99 (0)
- *More thoughts on WTS WotM 12:31:59 11/11/99 (0)

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