Two neighbors, Carola Beltramelli and her friend Catalina Pomponi, watched Mabel curiously. On a Saturday afternoon as Mabel was returning home after sharing in the field ministry, the two curious neighbors approached her and asked Bible questions. Catalina Pomponi recalls: “I always had many religious anxieties. That is why I started reading the Bible on my own. I learned many things. For instance, I learned that prayers to God should be made in private, not to be seen by others. After that I often kneeled and prayed to God for understanding. When Mabel Jones spoke to us for the first time, we felt as if a veil was removed from our eyes. I came home, and I got on my knees to thank God. The following day both Carola and I attended the public meeting at the assembly.”

Despite the opposition they received from their husbands, Mabel’s two neighbors progressed rapidly and got baptized.

Carola Beltramelli also proved to be a zealous Kingdom proclaimer, helping more than 30 persons to baptism. Carola’s two sons became pioneers. The older one, Delfos, had the privilege of attending Gilead School, and he has helped to provide oversight in the branch since 1970.

[Pictures on page 235]

Early Uruguayan publishers (from left to right): María de Berrueta, Carola Beltramelli, Catalina Pomponi