• Samoa
    2009 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    • HELP FROM OVERSEAS

      May 1953 saw the arrival of Australian pioneers Ronald and Olive (Dolly) Sellars to assist the Apia Congregation. “The Australia branch had temporarily lost contact with the brothers and were concerned about them,” writes Ron. “Since we had indicated our willingness to serve in the Pacific, they asked us to go to Samoa and work along with the newly formed congregation as special pioneers.”

      Traveling to Samoa by seaplane, Ron and Dolly prepared themselves mentally for the sort of challenges that are often encountered in remote missionary assignments. “What a surprise awaited us,” recalls Ron. “Lush tropical vegetation covered the island. Everywhere, we saw happy, smiling people with strong, healthy bodies. Children frolicked around open-sided homes that had thatched roofs and clean coral floors. No one rushed or worried about the time. We had, it seemed, arrived in paradise.”

      Finding accommodations with Pele’s family, the Sellars immediately set to work. “I met with the brothers almost every night to answer their many questions,” says Ron. “Although they knew basic Bible doctrines, I soon saw that they needed to make numerous changes to measure up to godly standards. To help them during that difficult period, Dolly and I tried to be extra patient and show them more than the usual love.” Sadly, though, some resisted this loving Scriptural readjustment and gradually fell away from the congregation. Others, however, showed a humble spirit and responded well to the training and encouragement. In time, they made spiritual progress, and as a result, the congregation was refined and strengthened.

      Ron and Dolly also took the lead in witnessing from house to house. Up until then most of the brothers had only witnessed informally to friends and neighbors. Now, as they worked along with the Sellars in door-to-door preaching, they found much interest. “On one occasion,” writes Ron, “we were invited to the village of an interested chief to tell him more about the Kingdom. After our meal a lively Bible discussion ensued. By the time an hour had passed, the discussion had escalated into a public talk because the audience had grown to almost 50​—and this without any advertising on our part!” The publishers often found that Bible studies with 2 or 3 individuals attracted 10 to 40 onlookers who were curious about the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

      Such activity, however, did not go unnoticed by Christendom’s clergy. When the authorities refused to extend Ron and Dolly’s visitor permits, Ron approached the high commissioner to ask the reason why. “He told us,” recalls Ron, “that certain clergymen had complained to the government about our witnessing. As a result, he said that he would only extend our visas if we promised to quit helping the congregation in their preaching work. This I refused to do. I also told him that no one could stop God’s work, a fact that he would do well to note. Laughing, he said, ‘We’ll see what happens when you leave!’”