Lynne's Thoughts

Well it's hard, and really impossible, to sum up such an amazing experience and help you feel the emotion we felt.  But seeing another aspect of our international brotherhood was truly breathtaking.  I didn't expect so much attention, warmth, and love.  There were groups and lines of brothers and sisters welcoming us everywhere we went for 5 days.  And they didn't just casually say 'welcome' and 'thank you for coming'; it was a very heartfelt greeting.  We were greeted at the airport, at the hotel, on the bus in the morning, at the convention, and then lines of friends applauding at Bethel.  The emotion is hard to convey.  But having an immediate connection and love for friends you just met who also speak another language is truly amazing.  The Japanese brothers were beyond hospitable and many sacrificed a lot of time, planning, and hosting of all 1500 foreign visitors.  I certainly can't say thank you enough to them for their hard work and planning which made this an experience of a lifetime.

Japan has a beautiful culture in general.  They are known for being hospitable and for the feelings of others to be of prime importance over their own opinion. So they give their opinion very mildly so as not to offend.  Even the worldly people we met in touring were very helpful and mannerly.  The cities were clean as everyone has enough respect to clean up after themselves.  The respect and cleanliness were very impressive.  We knew we were in another world.

Something else impressive with the friends was that they were in their seat during the convention when the music started.  No walking around, standing, and talking.  They were quiet and ready for the beginning of the sessions.  That is not what we experience here.  No young people were walking the hallways during the sessions talking to their friends or on their cell phones.  We can learn from their respect.

Jehovah is very generous and, as a mother, I appreciate the affect it had on my family and what it did to educate my youngest son who has the goal of pioneering and learning another language.  When they can do something like this, it gives them the inspiration and courage to do more and Jehovah becomes more real to them. The governing body knows what they are doing in scheduling these international conventions.  A couple of friends on tour asked us if we are going next year and commented that this is like an 'addiction'.  It really is because the enthusiasm is unmatched!!!