“We felt as if we were being showered with love!” That was the reaction of one woman in Ukraine who listened to an important letter read by Stephen Lett of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was one of the 165,000 Witnesses who heard Brother Lett speak during his visit to the country on the weekend of May 10 and 11, 2014.

Scriptural talks and the reading of that letter were translated into five languages and transmitted to about 700 Kingdom Halls throughout Ukraine.

On the same weekend, Mark Sanderson, who is also a member of the Governing Body, read the letter as part of a program presented to our brothers across Russia. That program was translated into 14 languages, and 180,413 in more than 2,500 congregations in Belarus and Russia were tied in to it.

The letter, which came from the Governing Body, was addressed to all congregations in Russia and Ukraine. Brother Sanderson read it in Russian, which prompted the Russia branch office to write: “The brothers and sisters were deeply touched that the Governing Body is so interested in this part of the world field. All of us felt as though we were given a big hug by the Governing Body.”

The letter aimed to comfort and strengthen the Witnesses in the region where there has been political unrest. It urged the brothers to continue to be “no part of the world” by remaining neutral regarding the world’s political issues.—John 17:16.

To that end, the Governing Body encouraged the Witnesses to maintain a close relationship with Jehovah through prayer, study, and meditation on God’s Word. The audience was reminded that regardless of any tests they may face, they can be confident in the unfailing divine promise found at Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon formed against you will have any success.”

The Governing Body concluded their letter with the words: “We love you all very much. Please be assured that you are regularly in our thoughts and that we are supplicating Jehovah on your behalf.”

Commenting on the visits, the Ukraine branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses wrote: “The brothers were overwhelmed by the loving care and attention of the Governing Body. Having Brothers Lett and Sanderson in Ukraine and Russia on the same weekend underscored the unity of God’s people and showed the brothers how much Jehovah and Jesus care about them. All of us agreed that this was the right time for a visit, and we feel strengthened to continue serving Jehovah despite any difficulties we may encounter.”