Finding Real Hope in Times of Trouble

Finding Real Hope in Times of Trouble

Ivan-Venita Martinez of Summerville, (SC) has seen much pain and suffering in his 50 years of life. He was diagnosed with polycythemia vera, a rare type of blood cancer that causes his bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. The disease thickens his blood and has caused multiple problems such as blood clots, repeated kidney stones, cancerous tumors in his inner ear, anemia, and recently, diabetes.

“I have recently undergone over 10 surgeries, and my situation makes it hard for me to work,” said Martinez.

Since his baptism in 1987, Martinez has relied on the hope from the scriptures to keep his inner peace through the hard times. He cherishes the hope of a future on paradise earth with no pain or suffering.

“I’m so thankful for the sacrifice of Jehovah and Jesus Christ, that allows all of us to hope for a future with no death or disease, where all this pain will be gone,” he explained.

This spring, after two years of holding religious services in a virtual format, Martinez and his wife join millions of Witnesses worldwide, including the hundreds in the Summerville area, inviting all to hear about that hope in a Bible-based lecture to be held at a local Kingdom Hall during the week of April 4, 2022. This special presentation entitled, “Where Can You Find Real Hope?” comes at a very special time for Jehovah’s Witnesses locally, who will be heading back to their meeting places April 1 for the first time in two years.

“We’re overjoyed to be able to come together again in person at this very special time,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “This event takes on a new dimension as we return to our Kingdom Halls and invite our neighbors to join us. It’s very exciting!” Congregations will also offer a videoconferencing option for all congregants and visitors.
The 30-minute program “Where Can You Find Real Hope?” will be hosted worldwide by congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in person at local Kingdom Halls. The public is also invited the following week to the annual Memorial observance of Jesus Christ’s death on the evening of Friday, April 15, 2022.

Admission to both programs is free, and no registration is required. Information on attending locally is available at www.jw.org.

“In times like these, we need hope more than ever,” said Hendriks. “Hope helps a person look ahead with courage and confidence to the fulfillment of God’s beautiful promises. That’s why attending one of these special programs can be life-changing.”