Life Story

A lifetime of lessons from our grand instructor.

As told by Franco Degistini.

The picture shows Franco Degostini.

Armed checkpoints, burning barricades, cyclones, civil wars, and evacuations.

Those are some of the hazards my wife and I faced in the pioneer and missionary work.

Still, we wouldn't trade our way of life for anything else.

Through it all, Jehovah has supported and blessed us.

As our grand instructor, he has also taught us valuable lessons. The example of my parents.

In the late 1950s, my parents emigrated from Italy to kindersly in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Shortly afterward, they learned the truth, and it became the center of our lives. I remember that as a child,

I spent long days in the ministry with my family, so I sometimes jokingly say that I auxiliary

pioneered at the age of eight. My parents were poor, yet they set a fine example in sacrificing for

Jehovah. For instance, in 1963, they sold many of their

belongings to raise money to attend the International Convention in Pasadena, California, USA.

In 1972, we moved some 1,000 kilometers or about 620 miles to trail British Columbia, Canada, to help in the Italian field.

My father worked as a janitor. He turned down promotions so that he could focus on spiritual activities.

The picture shows Franco as a child with his parents and siblings.

The picture caption reads,

With my family, about 1966. I am grateful for the example my parents set for me and my three siblings. That laid a solid foundation for my theocratic training, which included a lifelong lesson.

If I seek the kingdom first,

Jehovah will look after me.

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