In the face of widespread economic strain, national conflicts, and social unrest, confidence in the future is at an all-time low in many countries including the Cook Islands.

Against this backdrop of pessimism, a special global programme featuring the theme, "You Can Face the Future with Confidence!" will be held on the weekend of April 1-2, 2023. The free 30-minute presentation will be hosted locally at the Rarotonga Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, with a videoconferencing option available. Please check the “Attend a Meeting” section on the homepage of JW.ORG for local addresses and meeting times.

“The challenges we face may seem overwhelming, but the Bible holds out a powerful hope for the future that can help us right now,” said Victor Ioramo, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “This global programme is designed to give all those who attend tangible reasons to face the future with confidence.”

Local Cook Islander, Mama Metua Napa has lived most of her life in Rarotonga after returning in 1957 from New Zealand, along with her husband and two youngest children.

In recent years, Mama Metua Napa has faced various challenges. In 2016, she suffered the loss of her beloved husband, and three months later she underwent hip replacement surgery.

“I was very anxious being on my own for the first time and still mourning the loss of my husband whilst travelling to New Zealand for my operation.” Mama Metua Napa said.

“It isn’t until you are unable to do what you used to, that you really treasure the support of those around you.” She said, “Many in our organisation visited me at the hospital every day whilst in New Zealand, some I had never even met. This, and my faith in the Bible’s promises for the future, has helped me remain hopeful and cope with my current health issues.”

 Mama Metua says that like many others, she is looking forward to attending the upcoming special programme. 

The special talk is the first of two free programmes that will be held in all 118,000 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses during the first week of April. The public is also invited to join nearly 20 million other global attendees for the annual observance of the Memorial of Jesus Christ’s death, to be held on the evening of Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Admission to both programmes is free, and no registration is required. Details on when and where these events will be held locally are available on JW.ORG, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses.