LAND MINES
W hat Can Be Done? 3 -9
Awake! M ay 8, 2000
IC R C /D a v id Higgs
A FOOTSTEP AWAY
FROM DEATH
Sometimes I dream that I have two legs again.
. . . Years ago, when I was very small, I went to play
with my friends close to my house. All of a sudden
BOOM . . . The whole of m y right leg was blown off.
Song Kosal, 12, Cambodia.
b ro th e rs a n d h e r a u n t.
Awake!(ISSN 0005-237X ) is published sem im onthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.; M ilton G. Henschel, President; Lyman
A. Swingle, Secretary-Treasurer; 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn, N.Y., and at additional m ail
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Vol. 81, No. 9 Printed in U.S.A. 2000 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. Sem im onthly ENGLISH
4 Awake! M ay 8, 2000
31 a Em 40
RWANDA IRAN ANGOLA AFGHANISTAN IRAQ EGYPT CROATIA CAMBODIA BOSNIA and
HERZEGOVINA
Average number of land mines per square mile
source: unitedNationsDepartment
o f H um anitarian Affairs, 1 9 9 6
in the nine most densely mined countries
doned hom es. W hen the fighting ended, the may not sound too expensive to some. But for
refugees re tu rn e d , o n ly to b e m aim e d o r m ost o f the population o f Angola, $125 repre
killed by hidden explosives. sents m ore than th ree m o n th s wages!
But land m ines th reaten m ore th an life and Consider also the agonizing social cost. Cit
limb. C onsider som e o th er effects o f these sin izens in one Asian land, for instance, avoid so
ister weapons. cializing with am putees for fear o f being con
tam inated by bad luck. M arriage m ight be
Economic and Social Cost
ju st an elusive dream for an am putee. I dont
Kofi A nnan, secretary-general o f the U nit p la n to m a rry , la m e n ts an A n g o lan m an
ed Nations, notes: The presenceor even the whose leg had to be am putated after he was
fear o f the presenceo f a single landm ine can injured in a land-m ine explosion. A wom an
prevent the cultivation o f an entire field, rob a wants a m an who can w ork.
whole village o f its livelihood, place yet an o th
U nderstandably, m any victim s suffer feel
er obstacle on a co u n try s road to reconstruc
ings o f low self-worth. I can no longer feed
tion and developm ent. Thus, in A fghanistan
my family, says a C am bodian m an, and this
and Cam bodia, about 35 percent m ore land
m akes me asham ed. Som etim es such feel
could be cultivated if farm ers did not fear to ings can be even m ore debilitating th an the
tread on the soil. Some take the risk. Im ter loss o f a limb. I believe th a t the greatest dam
rified o f m ines, says a C am bodian farm er. age I experienced was em otional, says A r
But if I dont go ou t to cut grass and bam boo, tur, a victim in M ozam bique. M any tim es I
we wont survive. would becom e irritated sim ply because som e
O ften, survivors o f land-m ine explosions one looked my way. I thought th a t no one had
face a crushing financial burden. For example, any respect for me anym ore and th at I would
in a developing country, a child who loses a leg never again have a norm al life.*
at ten years o f age may need up to 15 artificial
* For more information on dealing with the loss of a limb, see
limbs during his or her lifetime, each o f which the cover series entitled Hope for the Disabled, appearing on
will cost, on the average, $125. G ranted, that pages 3-10 of the June 8, 1999, issue of Awake!
Would you welcome more information? Write Watch Tower at the appropriate address.
Publication of Awake! is part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations.
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Afrikaans, Arabic, Cebuano, Chinese, Chinese (Simplified), Croatian, Czech* America, United States of, New Zealand, P.0. Box 142,
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* Audiocassettes also available. St. Catherine Avondale
Awake! M ay 8, 2000 5
What About Demining? take a century. T he worldwide picture is even
In recent years intensive efforts have been m ore dismal. It is estim ated th a t using c u r
p u t forth to encourage nations to ban the use rent technology, dem ining the planet w ould
o f land mines. In addition, some governm ents cost $33 billion and take m ore th an a th o u
have b e g u n th e d a n g e ro u s ta sk o f rem ov sand years!
ing those m ines th at have been planted. But G ranted, innovative techniques for clear
several obstacles stand in the way. One has ing m ines have been p roposed from the use
to do w ith time. D em ining is painfully slow. of fruit flies th a t are genetically m anipulated
In fact, dem iners estim ate that, on the aver to detect explosives to the use o f giant radio-
age, it takes a hundred tim es longer to clear a controlled vehicles th a t w ould dem ine five
m ine th an to plant one. A n other obstacle is
acres per hour. It may be som e time, though,
expense. A single m ine costs betw een $3 and
before such techniques can be used on a large
$ 15, b u t to rem ove one can cost up to $ 1,000.
scale, and they will likely be available only to
T hus, to ta l dem ining seem s virtually im the richest countries.
possible. To clear all the m ines in C am b o
In m ost places, therefore, dem ining is ac
dia, for example, would require th a t everyone
com plished the old-fashioned way. A m an
in th a t country devote his entire incom e to
this task for the next several years. It is es craw ls on his belly probing the soil a h ead
tim ated th a t even if the finances were avail w ith a stick, inch by inch, clearing 200 to
able, rem oving all th e m in es th e re w ould 500 square feet a day. D angerous? Yes! F or
every 5,000 m ines cleared, one d e m in e r is
killed and two are injured.
M aking M oney Tw ice?
Efforts to Unite Against Land Mines
A b asic p rin c ip le o f b u s in e s s is th a t co m In D ecem ber 1997, representatives from a
p a n ie s are lia b le w h e n th e ir p ro d u c ts cause num ber o f countries signed the Convention
h a rm . Thus, Lou M cG ra th , o f th e M in e s Ad on the P rohibition o f the Use, Stockpiling,
v is o ry G ro u p , a rg u e s t h a t c o m p a n ie s P roduction and Transfer o f A nti-P ersonnel
th a t have p ro fite d fro m m a n u fa c tu rin g land
M ines and on T heir D estruction, also known
m in e s s h o u ld be o b lig e d to pay re p a ra tio n s .
Iro n ica lly, th o u g h , m any o f th e m a n u fa c tu r
as the O ttaw a treaty. This is an achievem ent
e rs ha ve b e e n th e v e ry o n e s to p ro fit fro m w ith o u t p reced en t o r parallel in e ith e r in
d e m in in g . For e x a m p le , a fo rm e r m in e p ro ternational disarm am ent or international hu
d u c e r fro m G erm any re p o rte d ly g o t a $ 1 0 0 - m anitarian law, says Jean C hretien, prim e
m illio n d e m in in g c o n tra c t in K u w a it. And in m inister o f C anada* Still, nearly 60 countries
M o z a m b iq u e a $ 7 .5 - m illio n c o n tr a c t fo r including some o f the w orlds greatest land
c le a rin g p rio rity ro a d s w e n t to a c o n s o rtiu m mine m anufacturers have not yet signed the
o f th re e c o m p a n ie s tw o o f w h ich had d e ve l
treaty.
op e d m in e s.
S o m e fe e l th a t it is g ro ssly im m o ra l fo r th e Will the O ttaw a treaty succeed in elim inat
c o m p a n ie s th a t m a n u fa c tu re land m in e s to ing the scourge o f land m ines? P erhaps to
be th e o n e s to m a ke m o n e y c le a rin g th e m . some extent. But m any are skeptical. Even if
In a s e n se , th e y c la im , la n d -m in e d e v e lo p e rs all the countries o f the world would adhere
are m a k in g m o n e y tw ic e . Be th a t as it may, to the proceedings o f O ttaw a, p o in ts o u t
bo th th e m a n u fa c tu rin g a n d th e d is a rm in g Claude Sim onnot, a codirector o f H andicap
o f la n d m in e s c o n tin u e to be th riv in g b u s i
nesses. * The treaty went into effect on March 1, 1999. As of Janu
ary 6, 2000, it had been signed by 137 countries and ratified by
90 of them.
6 Awake! M ay 8, 2000
International, in France, th a t would be only the m ost secret places o f the hum an heart,
one step in the direction o f freeing the plan . . . where pride reigns, w here em otion is p a ra
et from all danger o f m ines. Why? M illions m ount, where instinct is king. Treaties can
of m ines rem ain buried in the soil, patiently not reverse such deeply en tren ch ed h u m an
waiting for future victim s, Sim onnot says. traits as h atred and greed. But does this m ean
M ilitary historian John Keegan brings up th at hum ans will forever be helpless victims
another factor. W arfare, he says, reaches into o f land mines?
ICRC/Till M ayer
In Cambodia, graphic posters and
signs warn of land mines
U L Y 1 999 SA W M A N Y O F T H E M O S T
/ B E A U T IF U L S A I L I N G S H I P S I N T H E
W ORLD CO N VERG E IN
n o r th e r n Fr a n c e , fo r a su m p
tu o u s F E S T IV A L C A L L E D T H E
A rm ada of th e Ce n tu r y .
Th ir t y g r e a t s a il in g s h ip s
^jjJU
M a p s on p ages 1 0 ,1 7 ,
an d 3 1 : M o u n ta in H i g h
M a p s C o p yrig h t 1 9 9 7
H onfleur D ig ita l W isd o m , In c.
Awake! M ay 8, 2000
The event was billed as the m aritim e ex Some of the old ships present in Rouen
travaganza o f the m illennium . C oncerts, had been saved from a watery grave. For ex
fireworks, nautical events, and exhibitions ample, determ ined enthusiasts rescued the
of m aritime paintings and photographs were Uruguayan Capitan Miranda by restoring the
scheduled during the event. magnificent vessel. The Molene, which
Friday, July 9, was m arked by the majes sank in the early 1980s in the p o rt of Douar-
tic arrival of the sailing ships. Over the next nenez, Brittany, was refloated and given a
ten days, m illions o f visitors from France new lease on life, th an k s to m uch loving
and other E uropean countries flocked to the care.
quays. A local association of am ateur radio op
Some of the shipssuch as the erators decided th at during the festival they
dziezy (Poland), the Khersones (Ukraine), the would establish a radio connection between
Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway), and the Liber- the ship Mir and the orbiting Russian space
tad (Argentina)are seafaring giants mea station, Mir.Finally, at 10:27 p.m., on July 17,
suring 300 feet in length, with the tallest the link was made between the three-m asted
mast rising 160 feet above the water. ship and her sister sh ip in space. C ap
Tall ships were present from 16 countries, tain Zorokhov was able to speak with Com
including Belgium, G erm any, Ireland, Por m ander Afanassiev, who was in the space
tugal, Russia, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The station some 220 miles above.
Netherlands was the m ost represented coun The Arm ada reached its climax on Sun
try, with six ships. Among these were the day, Ju ly 18, w ith a p a ra d e dow n th e
handsom e three-m asted b ark Europa and Seine River, from Rouen to the open sea.
the old Oosterschelde, a three-m asted to p Hundreds of thousands o f people lined the
sail schooner launched in 1918, which used 75-mile-long route, waving at the crews on
to carry wood, salted herring, clay, cereals, the ships as they passed by old N orm an vil
hay, and fruit between Africa, the M editer lages, abbeys, and chateaus.
ranean, and northern Europe. Afterward, the splendid sailing ships left
The A rm ada provided an exceptional op for a regatta, a film, or some other extrava
p o rtu n ity for visitors to satisfy th eir cu ganza in a distant port. The quays returned
riosity. The gangplanks were p u t down, and to their regular business. But Rouen will re
everyone could easily visit the decks, free of m em ber that, at least for ten days, it was the
charge. crossroads of the sailing world.
Some of the ships have been featured in
m otion pictures. The Norwegian ship Chris Rouen, the city of D G AUTHIER M A R IN E S /
P hoto Jo G a u th ie r
tian Radich, for example, had a starring role one hundred steeples,
in the 1958 film Windjammer. The old wood became a forest
en Kaskelot (sperm whale in Danish) has of masts
been in several movies, including the French 22
film Beaumarchais linsolent and a remake of
Treasure Island.
The Polish three-masted Iskra is unique in
that her three masts have different riggings.
The foresail mast is square-rigged, the main
mast has a gaff (trapezoidal) rig, and the miz
zenmast has a Bermuda (triangular) sail.
Awake! M ay 8, 2000 11
A S T O L D B Y L E A N N E K A R L I N S K Y
C om es H om e
C o u rte s y : T o u ris m ,
N e w fo u n d la n d an d L a b ra d o r
BY AWAKE! CORRESPONDENT IN CANADA
ACH spring, after seven or eight m onths sure anywhere from 20 inches in length to
14 Awake! M ay 8, 2000
C o u rte s y : T o u ris m , N e w fo u n d la n d and L a b ra d o r;
p h o to g ra p h e r: B a rre tt an d M ack ay
Puffins a t Witless Bay, Newfoundland
Tom V e s Q /C o rn e ll
L a b o ra to ry of O rn ith o lo g y
1 9 9 6 V is u a l Lan g u ag e
20
comforting th at realization is for us today! Christian meetings. U pon returning home,
The Bible states: G od is for us a refuge M arias feelings of distress would come back
and strength, a help th a t is readily to be full force. However, by focusing on how she
found during distresses. (Psalm 46:1; 55:22) can help others, M aria is able to endure.
Though it may seem th at feelings of despair But what if we find it difficult to pray or
are pulling us under, Jehovah promises that cannot seem to pull ourselves out o f isola
he will keep fast hold of us with his right tion? In that case we m ust reach out for help.
hand of righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10) How The Bible encourages us to tu rn to the old
can we avail ourselves o f this assistance? er men of the congregation. (James 5:13-16)
The Bible explains th a t through prayer A man dealing with severe ongoing depres
the peace of G od th at excels all thought sion stated: Som etim es talking to som e
will guard [our] h e a rts and [our] m ental one you trust helps ease the mind and calm
powers by means o f C hrist Jesus. (Philippi- the spirit, so that rational thinking prevails.
ans 4:6, 7) Because o f our distress, we may (Proverbs 17:17) O f course, when prolonged
see no way out o f our problem. If we perse and intense despondency is indicative of a
vere in prayer, however, Jehovah can guard medical problem, appropriate professional
our hearts and minds, providing us with the assistance may also be needed* M atthew
strength we need to endure.Romans 12:12; 9:12.
Isaiah 40:28-31; 2 C orinthians 1:3, 4; Philip- Though no easy solutions exist, we should
pians 4:13. not underestim ate G ods ability to help us
We will benefit by being specific in our cope with our problems. (2 C orinthians 4:8)
prayers. Though our thoughts may be dif Persisting in prayer, avoiding isolation, and
ficult to put into words, we should feel free getting qualified assistance will help us re
to talk to Jehovah about what we feel and gain stability. The Bible prom ises that G od
what we perceive is the root of the problem. will bring to a com plete end the root causes
We need to petition him for the strength to of our intense despair. Christians are deter
sustain us through each day. We have the mined to rely on him while awaiting the day
assurance: The desire o f those fearing him when these form er things will not be called
[Jehovah] will p erform , and th eir cry for to m ind.Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:4.
help he will hear, and he will save them . *Awake! does not endorse any particular treatment. Chris
Psalm 145:19. tians should make sure that any treatment they pursue does
not conflict with Bible principles. For more information, see
In addition to praying, we m ust resist iso The Watchtower of October 15, 1988, pages 25-9.
lation. (Proverbs 18:1) Som e have found
stre n g th in giving o f th em selv es to o th
ers. (Proverbs 19:17; Luke 6:38) Consider a IN OUR NEXT ISSUE
woman named Maria,* who not only battled
with cancer b u t also experienced the loss of Chronic Illness Coping as a Family
eight family m em bers in just one year. M a
ria had to force herself to get out o f bed Runaway Dads
and get back into a routine. She went out Can They Really Run Away?
nearly every day to teach others about
the Bible, and she regularly attended
How Our Family Was Reunited
* Not her real name.
Awake! M ay 8, 2000 21
Loidas Journey
OUT of SILENCE
As told by L o id a s mother
L
ried that my baby might be born books Listening to the Great Teacher and My
with some type of defect. Still, I Book o f Bible Stories* I read many of the chap
| was not prepared for the heart- ters from these books to Loida repeatedly.
^ rending scream s o f Loida, my N o t being able to c o m m u n ic a te w ith
someone
third child, as she came into the world. Inad you love is truly frustrating. W hen I
vertently, the doctor had broken Loidas col took Loida to the park, she would cry incon
larbone with his forceps. A couple of weeks solably. Why? It seemed to me th at she was
a fte r c o rre c tiv e surgery, Loida was sent torm ented by the fact that she could not run
home. O ur joy, however, was short-lived. and play like the other children. On one oc
During the next few m onths, it became ap casion, Loida burst into tears when her sis
parent that something was terribly wrong. ter read something to me from a school text
L oidas m ed icatio n caused adverse reac book. Clearly, something bothered her, but I
tionsincluding fever, diarrhea, and convul had no idea what it was. Loidas speech was
sionsand treatm ent for these symptoms limited to a few inarticulate sounds, which
only seemed to make her condition worse. indicated her basic needs for food, water,
Soon Loida could not control her bodily bed, or toilet.
movements. Finally the doctors told us that At age nine, Loida began a tte n d in g a
Loida had cerebral palsy. They said that she school for children with special needs. D ur
would never walk or speakor even under ing the next three years, however, her condi
stand us. tion worsened. She was afraid to walk even
a few steps w ithout help, and she all but
Early Attempts at Communication
D espite the grim prognosis, I still felt * Published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of
New York, Inc. Listening to the Great Teacher is now out of
that Loida could understand many things. print.
IMl
Are You
Lactose Intolerant?
BY AWAKE !CORRESPONDENT IN MEXICO
crease the am ount you drink on subsequent ucts altogether. Instead, try to determ ine how
occasions. In this regard, rem em ber th at while m uch you can tolerate, and then consum e no
the sym ptom s o f lactose intolerance are un m ore th an th a t am ount. W hen possible, eat
com fortable, they are rarely dangerous. other foods along w ith any products contain
What to Eat and What to Avoid ing lactose. Rem em ber, too, th a t aged cheeses
If you suffer from lactose intolerance, you contain less lactose, and it may be th a t they
need to d eterm in e w h a t you can and c a n will not cause a problem . W h at a b o u t yogurt?
not eat. M uch will depend up o n your toler It has alm ost as m uch lactose as milk, but
ance level. Foods th a t contain lactose include som e people w ith lactose intolerance can di
milk, ice cream , yogurt, b utter, and cheeses. gest it w ith ease. Why? Because yogurt has
Some prepared foods, such as cakes, cereals, m icroorganism s th a t synthesize lactase, and
and salad dressings, m ight also contain lac this aids the digestion o f lactose.
tose. Therefore, people w ith lactose intoler So if you suffer from lactose intolerance, do
ance should check the n u tritio n label on such not worry. As we have seen, knowledge about
products. this ailm ent will allow you to control it easily.
O f course, m ilk is a prim e source o f cal But keep the following p oints in mind:
cium, and insufficient calcium intake can lead (1) C onsum e sm all am ounts o f m ilk and
to the developm ent o f osteoporosis. Hence, dairy products, along w ith o th er foods, to de
those w ho are lactose intolerant should look
term ine your degree o f tolerance.
for oth er sources o f calcium . Som e fresh veg
etables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and spin (2) E at yogurt and aged cheeses, w hich are
ach, contain calcium . So do alm onds, sesam e usually m ore easily digested.
seeds, and soft-boned fish, like sardines and (3) M ake use o f a n y av ailab le p ro d u c ts
salmon. th at are lactose free o r th a t contain lactase.
Even if you are lactose intolerant, you may By follow ing th ese suggestions, you can
not have to elim inate m ilk and dairy prod cope w ith lactose intolerance.
Awake! M ay 8, 2000 27
W A T C H I N G THE W O R L D
Counting Fame by Books press release, Hurricane Mitch Powell, the lead researcher, the
If fame is having a book is estimated to have caused findings emphasize the dangers
written about you, . . . Je some 11,000 deaths in the Ca of driving while sleepy.
sus Christ remains the most ribbean. Both the Seychelles
and M auritius have experi Nearly a Third of the World
famous figure in the modern Infected With TB
world, says the British news enced severe droughts in the
paper T h e G u a rd ia n . Research past two years. High tempera Nearly one third of the world
on the books in the Library of tures and pollution are bleach population1.86 billion peo
Congress, in Washington, D.C., ing coral reefs, reducing biodi plewere infected with TB in
revealed 17,239 books about Je versity. Islanders also fear the 1997, says a panel of 86 health
sus. That was almost twice as effects of rising sea levels result experts from more than 40 na
many as those written about ing from global warming. It is tions. The panel, chosen by
William Shakespeare, who oc estimated that 80 percent of the the World Health Organization,
cupied second place with 9,801 atolls in the Maldives could dis also estimated that 1.87 million
books. Vladimir Lenin came appear into the ocean. people died from the disease
in third with 4,492, followed that year, while 7.96 million
Sleepy Drivers
by Abraham Lincoln, who had Versus Drunk Drivers new cases of infection were re
4,378 books written about him, ported. The study, published in
and Napoleon I, with 4,007. T h e J o u rn a l o f th e A m e ric a n M ed
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was ic a l A sso cia tio n , said that eighty
in seventh place, with 3,595 percent of all incident TB cas
books, and was the only woman es were found in 22 countries,
in the top 30. Joan of Arc, the with more than half the cas
next closest woman, had 545 es occurring in 5 Southeast
books written about her. As for Asian countries. According to
composers, Richard Wagner the study, nine of 10 countries
led the list, followed by Mozart, with the highest incidence rates
Beethoven, and Bach. Picasso per capita were in Africa. In
heads the list of painters, ahead Not sleeping enough can some countries with high HIV
of Leonardo da Vinci and Mi have the same results as drink infection rates, the case fatality
chelangelo. However, Leonardo ing too much, says T h e N ew rate exceeded 50 percent. High
heads the list of scientists and York Tim es. A Stanford Univer TB rates continue as a result of
inventors, beating Charles Dar sity study checked the reaction poor control of the disease
win, Albert Einstein, and Gali time of 113 people with sleep in those lands. The authors of
leo Galilei. There is no living apneaa condition that inter the study forecast 8.4 million
person in the top 30, says T h e rupts sleep at night and causes new cases of TB this year. Most
G u a rd ia n . daytime sleepinessagainst a of those infected never become
control group of 80 volunteers. sick with the disease. However,
Paradise Lost? After their baseline reaction where the bacteria is dormant,
At a special session of the time was determined, the com it can become active when the
United Nations General As parison group began drinking patient becomes malnourished
sembly, 43 small island nations 80-proof alcohol. On three out or the immune system is weak
aired their concerns over envi of seven tests of reaction time, ened, states the same source.
ronmental threats, reports the people known to have apnea did
French daily L e M on de. Many of worse than those whose blood Children Exposed
to Cigarette Smoke
these paradisaic islands are in alcohol measured [.08] percent,
creasingly vulnerable to hurri making them too drunk to drive Nearly half of the worlds
canes, cyclones, floods, and wa in 16 states, the T im es report children live with a smoker,
ter shortage. According to a UN ed. According to Dr. Nelson B. says the U n iv e rsity o f C a lifo r-
Awake! M ay 8, 2000 29
F R O M O U R R E A D E R S
Choosing a Marriage Partner Thank you At the time I read the article, I was feeling
for the fatherly care you showed us young very down. Sometimes I feel that I will never
ones in the article The Bibles Viewpoint: reach my spiritual goals. I have also had a dif
How to Choose a M arriage Partner. (Oc ficult time m aintaining a positive attitude to
tober 8, 1999) Inexperience makes many ward my work as a full-time evangelizer. Wil
young ones rush into marriage, mistaking lem and Gre had a fine, optim istic outlook
infatuation for true love. I would rather be in the face of obstacles, and Jehovah blessed
alone than be with someone with whom I their efforts. T hat reinforced my confidence
am notcompatible. that I too can reach my goals if I keep my
S.R.M., Brazil faith strong.
K. C., United States
I am 40 years old and have never married.
I pray to Jehovah each day concerning find Outgoing Thank you so much for the arti
ing a mate, and I try hard to cultivate the cle Young People Ask . . . Why C ant I Be
qualities needed to make a successful m ar More Outgoing? (October 22, 1999) I am
riage. It was so encouraging to read the sug 17 years old, and the article almost made
gestions on looking for a spiritually strong me think it was w ritten just for me. It ex
person, someone who shares the same goals pressed exactly the way I feel inside. I have
and is endeavoring to cultivate the fru it often heard it said that I am conceited. But
age of G ods spirit. Thank you so much for the fact that someone is quieter than every
strengthening my resolve to continue waiting body else is no reason to misjudge that per
on Jehovah. son.
E. E, United States R. R., Germ any
Swifts For many years, from my balcony A serious illness I suffered as a child has
I have observed European swifts building made me feel isolated from others. This ar
nests. They arrive in May and disappear ticle helped me to come to term s with my
suddenly in August. Thanks to the article feelings and to find a way of overcoming the
Swift in Nam eSwift in Flight (Octo situation. I am going to work on cultivating
ber 8, 1999), I now know m uch more about friends in my congregation.
these fascinating creatures. J.EE, Brazil
A. D., Germany
Wrong Number! I always enjoy your arti
Life Story I have been a full-time evange- cles and their usual accuracy. However, in
lizer for over a decade now and have often Watching the World, the item Car C ra
felt a strong urge to thank you for your zy (September 8, 1999) stated: It is esti
well-written articles. M ost meaningful to mated that about 40 million vehicles are
me have been the wonderful experiences of currently operating in the United States.
missionaries. Ive always wanted to be one The actual figure is much larger than that.
myself. Experiences like those of Willem R. K., United States
and Gre van Seiji (Reality Has Exceeded
My Expectations, October 8, 1999) help Our apologies for this error. We inadvertent
me to m aintain my desire to serve in a for ly quoted the wrong statistic. Currently, over
eign land. 130 million cars are registered in the United
P K., United States States.ED.
30 Awake! M ay 8, 2000
IN A F R I C A
What
Hope for the
New Millennium?
BY AWAKE! CORRESPONDENT IN ZAMBIA
A S T S e p te m b e r d e le g a t e s fr o m v a r io u s
L p a rts o f A fric a g a th e re d in L u sa ka , Z a m -
J b ia , fo r th e 1 1 th In te r n a tio n a l C o n fe r
e n c e on AID S a n d STD s in A fric a . O ne p u rp o s e
o f th e c o n fe re n c e w a s to e n c o u ra g e g re a te r in
te rre g io n a l c o o p e ra tio n in a n s w e rin g th e q u e s
tio n , H ow ca n w e ta c k le th e s p re a d o f A ID S in Professor
A fric a ? Nkandu Luo
P h o to g rap h by p e rm is s io n o f
P r o fe s s o r N k a n d u L u o , th e n th e Z a m b ia n E. M w a n a le z a , T im e s o f Z a m b ia