WEBVTT
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Welcome, brothers and sisters!
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We are happy to share
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several updates with you.
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At this time of year,
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we are thinking
about the Memorial of Christ’s death.
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This will be observed on Thursday, April 2.
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The special talk will be given
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during the week of March 23
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and is entitled “Who Will Restore the Earth?”
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In the next few weeks,
we have the opportunity
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to invite as many as possible
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to attend the special talk and the Memorial.
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Perhaps your circumstances
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will allow you to auxiliary pioneer.
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During March and April,
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you can auxiliary pioneer
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for either a 15- or 30-hour requirement.
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We can prepare our hearts for the Memorial
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by reading and meditating
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on the events related
to Jesus’ death and resurrection.
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This is in harmony
with the principle recorded
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at Hebrews 12:3, which says:
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“Consider closely the one
who has endured . . . ,
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so that you may not get tired and give up.”
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As we meditate on Jesus’ example,
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it will help us to keep our appreciation
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and endurance strong
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as we grow in love
for our heavenly Father, Jehovah,
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and his beloved Son.
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Recently, the Memorial Bible Reading Schedule
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was made available
as a stand-alone publication
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in JW Library®.
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This schedule highlights key Gospel accounts
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and includes links for reading the passages.
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You can find this schedule
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under “Brochures and Booklets.”
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You may find it helpful
to add it as a “Favorite.”
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Another provision
is our Memorial morning worship.
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It will be posted on the website
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starting on March 26.
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How wonderful that Jehovah’s people
around the world
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will view this program on Thursday, April 2!
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After the Memorial,
we look forward to following up
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on those who showed interest and attended.
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Our goal is to start Bible studies
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with as many as possible.
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We can also continue using
our public magazines in the ministry.
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For March and April,
we can offer the Awake! magazine
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entitled “Find Relief From Stress.”
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People need this encouraging message today
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more than ever before.
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As previously announced,
the branch office in Italy
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is moving from Rome to new facilities
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in Bologna.
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Let’s see how the project is progressing.
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In 2019,
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a jw.org article announced
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the relocation of the Italy branch
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from Rome to Bologna.
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It concluded:
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“Our prayer is that Jehovah will continue
to bless this project
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“and that these new facilities
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“will be a support for the work
being done in Italy,
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a field that is ‘white for harvesting.’”
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We have seen Jehovah answer those prayers,
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especially during challenges and delays.
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We are happy to share
a few updates on this project.
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In September 2020,
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the residential building,
the Via Freud Building,
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was completed despite the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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It provided 41 apartments
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for members
of the Construction Department.
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Then, in January 2022,
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contracts were signed
for the office building,
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previously acquired in 2018,
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and for the three remaining
residential buildings.
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Another major highlight
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was the opening
of the Visitor Center in Bologna.
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It was designed to build enthusiasm
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throughout the branch territory
and to encourage the volunteer spirit.
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In just 15 months,
the Visitor Center welcomed more than
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50,000 guests, with tours offered
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in 15 different languages.
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Many expressed that seeing it in person
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strengthened their joy, unity,
and appreciation
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for the brotherhood.
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Working closely with world headquarters
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and having members of the Governing Body
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and their representatives visit us
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really reassured us
that Jehovah was supporting the project.
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Their calm and encouraging spirit
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helped us to stay patient,
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trust Jehovah’s timing, and remember
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how important it is to show appreciation
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for all the brothers involved in the work.
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We have felt the support
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of the local brothers and sisters
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who have willingly given their time, energy,
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skills, and resources.
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Many prayerfully consider how they can help.
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Some reduce their secular work
or have even left
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their employment to support the project.
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And of course, in Italy
the brothers express their generosity
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with amazing food.
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But it’s not only Jehovah’s people
who will benefit from this project;
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the local community will too.
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Redeveloping an abandoned industrial site
and a vacant office building
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in such prominent locations
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and adding a public park
has already been a great witness.
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You may be wondering
where the project is now.
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We are happy to share that on March 1, 2025,
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the Kingdom Hall that is part
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of the new branch was completed
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and is now being used by four congregations.
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On January 30, 2026,
the contractor completed their work
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on the office building,
and it has now been handed over
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to the Construction Project Committee
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for the fit-out and finishing phase.
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Our goal is that by June 2026
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Bethel departments
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can begin operating
in the new office building.
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Next, we eagerly look forward
to the upcoming completion
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of the three residence buildings.
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This project will bring a lot of benefits.
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The newly renovated office building
will be far more cost-effective
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and will offer a pleasant,
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efficient place to work.
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The new apartments from the residence site
will provide the housing we need.
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They’ll reduce the amount of support required
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while giving the Bethel family
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more space to live.
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Psalm 127:1 says:
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“Unless Jehovah builds the house,
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it is in vain that its builders
work hard on it.”
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It is our sincere prayer
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that Jehovah will continue
to build this house
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and that these new facilities
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will bring great praise to Jehovah’s name.
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We thank Jehovah
for his continued generosity,
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and we thank you, dear brothers,
for your support.
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We pray for Jehovah’s continued blessing
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on our theocratic construction projects.
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Around the world, our brothers and sisters
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continue to face challenges from disasters.
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In Malawi, droughts and flooding
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have caused crops to fail,
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resulting in severe food shortages.
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Two Disaster Relief Committees
have been appointed.
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So far, nearly 4,000
of our dear brothers and sisters
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have received food
and other practical assistance.
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In early February,
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Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar.
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Thankfully, none of our brothers or sisters
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were seriously injured or killed.
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However, 199 homes of our brothers
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were destroyed and 237 were damaged.
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One Assembly Hall
and three Kingdom Halls were also damaged.
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Two Disaster Relief Committees
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are currently operating to help the brothers
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repair their homes.
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Soon after the cyclone struck,
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the Branch Committee
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received approval
to hold to hold a special meeting
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for those in the most affected area.
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Those in attendance
were strengthened by the program.
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As mentioned in previous updates,
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Hurricane Melissa devastated
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several Caribbean islands late last year.
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Recently,
Brother Jacob Rumph of the Governing Body
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visited the brothers and sisters in Jamaica.
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A special meeting was held to provide
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Scriptural encouragement
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for affected congregations on the island.
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Late last year, the Philippines
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faced multiple disasters
within just seven weeks.
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Brother Paul Gillies,
a helper to the Coordinators’ Committee,
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recently visited the region.
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He met with brothers and sisters
in the hardest-hit areas.
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We continue to pray
for our brothers and sisters
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as they cope with disasters.
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Psalm 145:18 assures us:
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“Jehovah is near
to all those calling on him.”
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And we thank all of you
for your generous donations
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that allow us to assist
our brothers and sisters
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who are facing these devastating disasters.
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May Jehovah bless you
for your generosity and kindness.
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In Russia, our brothers and sisters
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continue to face persecution.
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Many who are imprisoned for their faith
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also need ongoing medical care.
00:09:50.986 --> 00:09:54.114 line:90% position:50% align:center
This was true of Brother Rustam Diarov.
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On February 17, 2026,
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he was granted medical parole
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because of a serious medical condition.
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He had been serving an eight-year sentence
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since 2021.
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After being released,
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he was immediately deported to Uzbekistan.
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Brother Diarov
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can now receive treatment for his cancer.
00:10:22.142 --> 00:10:25.813 line:90% position:50% align:center
He and his wife, Yelena,
were warmly welcomed
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upon their arrival.
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As of March 16,
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there are 280 brothers and sisters worldwide
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imprisoned for their faith.
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This includes 181 in Russia.
00:10:41.078 --> 00:10:43.539 line:90% position:50% align:center
At least 35 of them
00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:47.960 line:90% position:50% align:center
have disabilities or serious health problems.
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We continue to pray
00:10:49.753 --> 00:10:52.965 line:90% position:50% align:center
for these loyal servants of Jehovah,
00:10:52.965 --> 00:10:56.176 line:90% position:50% align:center
their families, and their congregations.
00:10:57.845 --> 00:11:00.305 line:90% position:50% align:center
Jehovah God is the Life-Giver,
00:11:00.305 --> 00:11:04.476 line:90% position:50% align:center
and he wants us to respect the gift of life.
00:11:04.476 --> 00:11:07.646 line:90% position:50% align:center
One way we show respect for life
00:11:07.646 --> 00:11:12.192 line:90% position:50% align:center
is by obeying his commands concerning blood.
00:11:12.192 --> 00:11:17.072 line:90% position:50% align:center
Jehovah gave Noah and his descendants
the timeless command:
00:11:17.072 --> 00:11:20.993 line:90% position:50% align:center
“Only flesh with its life—its blood—
00:11:20.993 --> 00:11:22.578 line:90% position:50% align:center
you must not eat.”
00:11:22.953 --> 00:11:24.788 line:90% position:50% align:center
He likewise directed Christians
00:11:24.788 --> 00:11:27.916 line:90% position:50% align:center
to ‘abstain from . . . what is strangled
00:11:27.916 --> 00:11:30.419 line:90% position:50% align:center
and from blood.’
00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:35.340 line:90% position:50% align:center
As Jehovah’s Witnesses,
we conscientiously obey this command today.
00:11:36.550 --> 00:11:38.969 line:90% position:50% align:center
It also affects the decisions we make
00:11:38.969 --> 00:11:41.638 line:90% position:50% align:center
about medical treatment involving blood.
00:11:42.806 --> 00:11:45.225 line:90% position:50% align:center
When making decisions about blood,
00:11:45.225 --> 00:11:48.312 line:90% position:50% align:center
we have also been guided over the years
00:11:48.312 --> 00:11:50.689 line:90% position:50% align:center
by what the Mosaic Law stated
00:11:50.689 --> 00:11:54.401 line:90% position:50% align:center
at Leviticus 17:13:
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“If one of the Israelites or some foreigner
00:11:57.362 --> 00:12:00.240 line:90% position:50% align:center
“who is residing in your midst is hunting
00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:03.035 line:90% position:50% align:center
“and catches a wild animal or a bird
00:12:03.035 --> 00:12:05.871 line:90% position:50% align:center
“that may be eaten, he must
00:12:05.871 --> 00:12:08.290 line:90% position:50% align:center
“pour its blood out
00:12:08.290 --> 00:12:10.626 line:90% position:50% align:center
and cover it with dust.”
00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:15.047 line:90% position:50% align:center
However, is that law binding on Christians?
00:12:15.881 --> 00:12:19.635 line:90% position:50% align:center
The simple answer is no.
00:12:19.635 --> 00:12:24.348 line:90% position:50% align:center
For one thing, Christians today
are not under the Mosaic Law.
00:12:25.390 --> 00:12:27.309 line:90% position:50% align:center
As the apostle Paul said,
00:12:27.309 --> 00:12:31.355 line:90% position:50% align:center
as recorded at Colossians 2:13, 14:
00:12:33.690 --> 00:12:36.318 line:90% position:50% align:center
“God . . . erased the handwritten document
00:12:36.318 --> 00:12:38.737 line:90% position:50% align:center
“that consisted of decrees
00:12:38.737 --> 00:12:41.281 line:90% position:50% align:center
“and was in opposition to us.
00:12:41.281 --> 00:12:44.743 line:90% position:50% align:center
“He has taken it out of the way by nailing it
00:12:44.743 --> 00:12:46.536 line:90% position:50% align:center
to the torture stake.”
00:12:46.536 --> 00:12:51.291 line:90% position:50% align:center
Therefore, Christians are not
under the command
00:12:51.291 --> 00:12:55.504 line:90% position:50% align:center
that blood be poured out
and covered with dust.
00:12:56.338 --> 00:12:59.716 line:90% position:50% align:center
Furthermore, the Bible does not comment
00:12:59.716 --> 00:13:03.387 line:90% position:50% align:center
on the use of a person’s own blood
00:13:03.387 --> 00:13:06.014 line:90% position:50% align:center
in medical and surgical care.
00:13:07.057 --> 00:13:09.810 line:90% position:50% align:center
Regarding the use of one’s own blood,
00:13:09.810 --> 00:13:12.271 line:90% position:50% align:center
our position has been as is stated
00:13:12.271 --> 00:13:16.942 line:90% position:50% align:center
in the October 15, 2000,
issue of The Watchtower.
00:13:16.942 --> 00:13:18.026 line:90% position:50% align:center
There it says:
00:13:18.026 --> 00:13:21.113 line:90% position:50% align:center
“A Christian must decide for himself
00:13:21.113 --> 00:13:24.283 line:90% position:50% align:center
“how his own blood will be handled
00:13:24.283 --> 00:13:27.786 line:90% position:50% align:center
“in the course of a surgical procedure,
00:13:27.786 --> 00:13:31.248 line:90% position:50% align:center
medical test, or current therapy.”
00:13:31.248 --> 00:13:35.252 line:90% position:50% align:center
For that reason,
many Christians accept simple procedures,
00:13:35.252 --> 00:13:39.506 line:90% position:50% align:center
such as blood tests,
as well as more complicated procedures
00:13:39.506 --> 00:13:41.883 line:90% position:50% align:center
involving their own blood,
00:13:41.883 --> 00:13:44.970 line:90% position:50% align:center
such as the use of heart-lung machines,
00:13:44.970 --> 00:13:47.347 line:90% position:50% align:center
cell-salvage devices,
00:13:47.347 --> 00:13:49.933 line:90% position:50% align:center
and kidney dialysis treatments.
00:13:50.767 --> 00:13:55.022 line:90% position:50% align:center
However, the list of treatment options
continues to grow.
00:13:56.398 --> 00:14:01.320 line:90% position:50% align:center
Therefore, after much prayer
and consideration of the Scriptures,
00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:05.824 line:90% position:50% align:center
the Governing Body has decided
to clarify our position
00:14:05.824 --> 00:14:08.785 line:90% position:50% align:center
on the use of a patient’s own blood
00:14:08.785 --> 00:14:11.246 line:90% position:50% align:center
in medical and surgical care.
00:14:12.331 --> 00:14:15.083 line:90% position:50% align:center
The clarification is this:
00:14:15.083 --> 00:14:18.670 line:90% position:50% align:center
Each Christian must decide for himself
00:14:18.670 --> 00:14:21.298 line:90% position:50% align:center
how his own blood will be used
00:14:21.298 --> 00:14:24.092 line:90% position:50% align:center
in all medical and surgical care.
00:14:25.052 --> 00:14:28.138 line:90% position:50% align:center
This includes whether to allow his own blood
00:14:28.138 --> 00:14:31.266 line:90% position:50% align:center
to be removed, stored,
00:14:31.266 --> 00:14:33.560 line:90% position:50% align:center
and then given back to him.
00:14:34.603 --> 00:14:36.855 line:90% position:50% align:center
What does this mean?
00:14:36.855 --> 00:14:38.941 line:90% position:50% align:center
Some Christians may decide
00:14:38.941 --> 00:14:42.235 line:90% position:50% align:center
that they would allow
their blood to be stored
00:14:42.235 --> 00:14:45.155 line:90% position:50% align:center
and then be given back to them.
00:14:45.155 --> 00:14:47.824 line:90% position:50% align:center
Others may object.
00:14:47.824 --> 00:14:52.329 line:90% position:50% align:center
Each Christian must make
his personal decision
00:14:52.329 --> 00:14:56.667 line:90% position:50% align:center
on all matters involving
the use of his own blood
00:14:56.667 --> 00:14:59.544 line:90% position:50% align:center
with regard to medical or surgical care.
00:15:01.046 --> 00:15:05.717 line:90% position:50% align:center
In review,
Christians are not under the Mosaic Law.
00:15:05.717 --> 00:15:08.971 line:90% position:50% align:center
However, we obey the apostolic command
00:15:08.971 --> 00:15:11.348 line:90% position:50% align:center
to abstain from blood.
00:15:11.348 --> 00:15:14.685 line:90% position:50% align:center
Furthermore, the Bible does not comment
00:15:14.685 --> 00:15:17.229 line:90% position:50% align:center
on the use of a person’s own blood
00:15:17.229 --> 00:15:20.023 line:90% position:50% align:center
in medical and surgical care.
00:15:20.023 --> 00:15:24.861 line:90% position:50% align:center
Therefore, like other choices
about health care,
00:15:24.861 --> 00:15:28.365 line:90% position:50% align:center
each Christian must make his own decision
00:15:28.365 --> 00:15:31.076 line:90% position:50% align:center
about the use of his own blood
00:15:31.076 --> 00:15:34.579 line:90% position:50% align:center
in all medical and surgical care.
00:15:35.664 --> 00:15:38.500 line:90% position:50% align:center
In this report, we shared encouraging updates
00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:41.795 line:90% position:50% align:center
about the Italy branch construction project
00:15:41.795 --> 00:15:45.132 line:90% position:50% align:center
and about our brothers in Russia.
00:15:45.132 --> 00:15:48.051 line:90% position:50% align:center
We also saw how Jehovah helps his people
00:15:48.051 --> 00:15:50.470 line:90% position:50% align:center
during disasters.
00:15:50.470 --> 00:15:53.015 line:90% position:50% align:center
And how much we appreciate the clarification
00:15:53.015 --> 00:15:55.267 line:90% position:50% align:center
about the use of our own blood
00:15:55.267 --> 00:15:57.644 line:90% position:50% align:center
in medical and surgical care!
00:15:58.854 --> 00:16:00.897 line:90% position:50% align:center
These examples assure us
00:16:00.897 --> 00:16:04.026 line:90% position:50% align:center
that Jehovah is caring for his people
00:16:04.026 --> 00:16:07.029 line:90% position:50% align:center
—whether through organizational arrangements
00:16:07.029 --> 00:16:11.241 line:90% position:50% align:center
or by giving them strength to endure trials.
00:16:12.117 --> 00:16:14.453 line:90% position:50% align:center
As we approach the Memorial,
00:16:14.453 --> 00:16:17.748 line:90% position:50% align:center
may we continue to draw close to Jehovah,
00:16:17.748 --> 00:16:20.625 line:90% position:50% align:center
confident that he never forgets
00:16:20.625 --> 00:16:23.503 line:90% position:50% align:center
those who stay loyal to him.
00:16:23.503 --> 00:16:26.256 line:90% position:50% align:center
We love you all very much!
00:16:26.256 --> 00:16:29.718 line:90% position:50% align:center
From the World Headquarters
of Jehovah’s Witnesses,
00:16:29.718 --> 00:16:32.179 line:90% position:50% align:center
this is JW Broadcasting®.