Well, if it wasn't already, this convention is definitely one for the history books. I definitely didn't want this weekend to end. We sat in section12. They had all of the delegates sit in sections 12 & 13. It was nice to be with everyone from all different countries. Today, the children were more aggressive in wanting candy. But by day 3, we had learned to be extremely discreet when giving gifts to avoid the mob. Though we ended up getting mobbed anyways before the program and at lunch. Again we missed a lot of the program from people wanting pictures and not being able to move. I was worried about the friends who might have crowd anxiety or claustophobia. It was stressful on us who don't deal with these issues, so I can't imagine. I know two sisters had to be lifted up over the fence to get away and they just cried because of the stress. Another sister was saved by Ryan at our lodge, who had to act as a body guard almost. It's nice to feel so loved, but when everyone crowds around you and everyone wants your attention all at once, it's hard. And you don't want to have people think that you are ignoring them. I do feel bad for the ones who are maybe more quiet and less forceful, because they probably didn't get much attention, as hard as we tried.
Daniel and Walter.
Little collectors, very sweet though. I am amazed at the level of spirituality of these children. They pay attention during the programs. They don't complain about the heat, or not having backs to their seats, or having to sit on the grass, or not having toys to play with. Most of them would ask how you are enjoying the program and then say what they enjoy about it. It was quite something to witness. It makes you realize how many distractions we have in the US.
Two brothers from Bethel.
This family was standing off to themselves at lunch, so went over to say hello. The mother and father used to be special pioneers. When they found out they were having a child, they were so certain of their child's future career path that they named him Pioneer. It is indeed his goal. I can't wait to hear as he grows older.
They had already started bringing out the banners.
Little boy seeing a picture of himself. I just missed his smile right before this.
And now to the end of the last day. As we say, time to put on the sunglasses. People flocked to our sections. To wave us goodbye. The banners were brought out. The Shona section started singing. I tell you, they all have most of the songs memorized. Then the clapping. Then more singing. We just stood there for a long time. Definitely not crying....definitely not. Not me.......I wish I could have stood there longer. We made our way to our bus. People started taking more pictures with us. Our bus was one of the last to leave, and a ton of people were still there. They crowded around our bus and the bus next to us (the last 2). And then they started singing "see you when all is new" in Shona. Then our bus started singing in English. After a while, we all just started humming it. We put our hands out the windows and they all jumped up to shake our hands and give us high fives. When our bus did depart, people walked alongside it and kept singing and shouting we love you and there was a line on both sides of the bus. One sister grabbed my hand and she broke down in tears, and then I started crying. Because how else can you react to someone who loves you so much and you haven't even met them? They didn't want us to leave. One brother said that they viewed the convention as the start and end of 2014 they had been looking forward to it for so long. They never thought it would happen for them. Since I'm tearing up on the plane, and I'm sure I'm getting some looks, I'm going to just post some pictures now.
Attendance:
ZSL: 744
Ndebele: 4,305
English: 14:497
Shona: 62,863
TOTAL: they stopped counting at 82,409 in order to get Brother Jackson a final number. There was an entire field at least left.
Baptized: 1,568
Oldest: 97
Youngest: 7
This convention was a true testament to the power of Jehovah's word. It showed them how much interest there truly is in their country. There are only about 42,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in the total of Zimbabwe. Only about 35,000 probably were able to make it. Add the 3-4,000 delegates, and you have a number in which the interested parties exceed the rest.
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