Maintain Your Conduct Fine Among the Nations. (1 Pet. 2:12)

“It helps to be known as Witnesses,” say missionaries Adrian and Andrea Reilly. “Whether you are shopping or preaching, it’s prudent to carry literature,” says Adrian. “Granted, this may not guarantee your safety, but it may be of help because it identifies you as a minister of Jehovah. On one occasion, my car broke down in a rough part of Lae. I was alone, and before long a gang of menacing-looking youths gathered around. Thanks to a Bible discussion we had recently had together, two of them recognized me. As a result, they spoke up for me. So instead of stealing anything or harming me, the whole group​—much to my surprise and relief—​pushed my disabled car the full quarter of a mile back to the missionary home.”

In another instance, a sister was in a market when raskols armed with knives whispered to her, “Give us your bag.” She immediately handed it over, and they ran off. A few minutes later, they returned, apologized, and gave her back the bag with all its contents. Why? When they opened the bag, they saw her Bible and Reasoning book and felt guilty about what they had done.

CIVIL WAR ON BOUGAINVILLE

In 1989, on Bougainville Island, the smoldering embers of a longtime secessionist movement finally ignited a full-scale civil war. During the 12-year conflict, some 60,000 people were displaced and 15,000 died. Among the displaced were many publishers, most of whom resettled in other parts of Papua New Guinea.

Shortly before leaving the island, Dan Ernest, a pioneer, was seized by Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) soldiers and taken to a large warehouse. Dan recalls: “Inside was a BRA general wearing a uniform covered with medals and a sword at his side.

“‘Are you Dan Ernest?’ he asked.

“‘Yes,’ I replied.

“‘I heard you were a spy for the Papua New Guinea Defence Force,’ he declared.

“I started to explain that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not get involved with the conflicts of any country, but he interrupted and said: ‘We know! We were watching. Other religions supported whoever seemed to be winning. Yours is the only religion that remained completely neutral.’ Then he added: ‘Our people have been in turmoil during this war and need your comforting message. We would like you to stay in Bougainville and continue preaching. But if you must leave, I will make sure all your belongings get out safe.’ Two weeks later, when my wife and I transferred to a new pioneer assignment on Manus Island, the general lived up to his word.”