Basic HTML Version
PAS·roR GENERAL
1
s REPORT, September s, 1979
Page 11
In Martinique we have over 140 members, most of whom live in the southern
area of the island. On Sabbath 1st September, they all were accounted for
at the services in their own church building--undamaged by the storm.
Although private gardens and plantations had been damaged, no members had
been injured nor had any of their homes been damaged. A miracle, considerin,
the devastation around!
In Dominica (approximately 25 members), the hurricane devastated the island.
The banana and coconut crops have been eliminated for at least two years
and severe economic times 1
ahead. The capital, Rosean, was severaly
damaged, however most of our members live in scattered rural areas of the
island. Communications are cut and the one road from the airport to Rosean
was still being cleared of debris. Mr. Bass (Regional Director for the
Caribbean) was unable to get in. However, he hopes to be able to personally
visit the members later this week and evaluate their needs then.
On Guadaloupe, there was much damage too, but all the members (approximately
25) were reported to be fine and in no difficulties. The hurricane then
headed for the Dominican Republic and Haiti on the island of Hispaniola.
In the Dominican Republic, which was widely devastated, the airport is not
yet open and we presume the three members there are fine as the area in
which they live was not indicated to be the worst hit.
In Puerto Rico, no members have been seriously affected. There is severe
agricultural damage running to $75-100 million and flooding is expected to
follow as the less severe hurricane "Frederic" now passes to the north.
A further report will be included next week when we have more information.
South Africa
Mail income for July has been very encouraging, maintaining a 14% increase
over last July. Tqis represents only first tithe contributions that have
been sent through the mail to us.
We have recently contacted 9700 PLAIN TRUTH readers who did not renew their
subscriptions back in 1978. We are happy to say 13% requested further copieE
of the PLAIN TRUTH magazine. Many had moved, so the actual response rate
from those who received the offer may be considerably higher. We feel these
subscribers are especially valuable since they already have a basic knowl
ledge of
what we
teach and what our Work is all about. With the revitalized
content of the PLAIN TRUTH, we are hoping a number of th�se people will
react very positively to it.
The 8600 letters and cards we received in July brings our year-to-date total
to 61,600. This is 70% of the total incoming mail...for 1978. If the current
trend continues, we will receive 20% more mail in 1979 than 1978!
In the first seven months of this year we sent out 140,000 items of mail,
which is 10% above what we projected for this period of time. This is
partly due to a number of extra renewal projects that we decided to use to
increase the PLAIN
TRUTH
mailing list.
New Zealand
God is continuing to bless the New Zealand Work with a very fine increase
in mail and income. Mail during July quadrupled that received during the