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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, APRIL 16, 1982
PAGE 2
New Zealand
March brought in the second highest monthly income ever
received by the office here, with an excellent 34.7% increase over the
figure for March last year. This brings the year-to-date income increase
to 27.7%. However, the old adage that "The Lord giveth •.• but the govern
ment taketh away" once again applies, with postage charges rising by 20-25%
as of April first.
The mail count for March was very fine also, with just under 9,000 items
received during the month--an increase of 66% over last March. White mail
was up by 141%, regular mail up 64%, and donation mail up 26%. The year-to
date incoming mail total now stands at a 74% increase. Outgoing mail for
the year to date is 45% higher than last year, so the level of activity in
the office has been high all around so far this year.
we have now received 9,500 responses to Mr. Armstrong's last semi-annual
letter, representing over 21% of our PLAIN TRUTH list. Of these people
5,200 requested a sample copy of YOUTH 82, and 700 of these have already
seen their sample copy and requested a full subscription.
The series of eight WALL STREET JOURNAL ads in the NEW ZEALAND HERALD has
now been run and has resulted in the addition of 600 new PLAIN TRUTH sub
scribers, besides getting an important message into the hands of multiple
thousands of New Zealanders. From a response point of view, the ad head
lined "A Staggering Turn in World Events" well outpulled all of the other
ads, bringing in 220 responses alone.
The same series of ads will be published in the Welli ngton newspaper, THE
DOMINION, through April and May. We're also running a series of full-page
ads in New Zealand's highest circulation magazine, THE NEW ZEALAND
LISTENER, one per month from March through August. The March ad has already
brought in 200 replies.
Tonga Our brethren in Tonga miraculously escaped the full force of Cyclone
Isaac, which devastated large areas of the tiny Island Kingdom early in
March of this year. The cyclone veered largely around the islands where our
members live, but went straight through island groups where no members
live. The only major damage sustained by the brethren was the loss of the
roof of one member family's home. Crops were lost as well. Contributions
from members in New Zealand, plus generous support from Pasadena, are being
used to help the brethren through the current food shortage.
The brethren are looking forward to the upcoming Passover and Holy Day
season with extra anticipation, as Dr. and Mrs. Herman Hoeh are scheduled
to be with them. Dr. Hoeh planned to be in Tonga for the Passover and the
First Day of Unleavened Bread, which will be a great boost to the Tongan
brethren at this time of hardship. Dr. Hoeh was then to come to Wellington
to speak to a combined group of Churches on the weekly Sabbath, and to
Auckland for another combined service on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread.
Then he will take a Sabbath service in Suva, Fiji, on April 17th.
Appreciation for the Second Ministerial Refreshing Program
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
We have finished the second session of the second Ministerial
Refreshing Program.
My wife and I can certainly say that you