Herbert W Armstrong

Get-Well Cards Get-well cards are flooding in to Mr. Armstrong from all over the world. Members are deeply concerned about his health and wrote to assure him of their continued prayers. Some had never written before. A number of cards were signed by several people. All cards are forwarded to Mr. Armstrong's office. Here are a few comments:

"We had a real great Feast, but one thing we missed and were looking forward to was to hear and see you live from Pasadena. It saddened us to hear that you were ill. You will have our continuous prayers...."
Tennessee

"I've been a member of God's Church since 1967. I've never written to you before, but I do want to thank you so very much for bringing God's truth to me. We all need you, Mr. Armstrong, in these last days to help prepare us to teach in God's Kingdom."
Indiana

"I just wanted to let you know how much I missed seeing a good friend at the Feast this year. I pray you will soon be feeling better so we can hear from you by a tape in our local churches."
Kansas

WATS Calls Up Over the past few years, we have noticed a shift in the way viewers respond to the "World Tomorrow" program. Many more are now calling to request literature instead of writing. This year 90 percent of those responding used the WATS line. Last year it was 83 percent. In 1983 the figure was 77 percent.

This change is mainly due to Mr. Armstrong's encouragement for viewers to call. Also, the use of the super imposition at the close of the program enables more people to phone us. People find calling quicker, easier and more convenient than writing.

Record Month Pasadena and Big Sandy combined answered a record 85,580 TV calls during September. This surpassed the previous record of 72,793 calls, set in July of this year. This increase can be attributed to better times and stations, more WATS lines and the use of the super imposition.

“Busy Outs” Our WATS lines are currently averaging about 30,000 "busy outs" per month. A "busy out" is recorded when our toll-free number is dialed and the caller receives a busy signal. The majority of callers get through on their first attempt. Some, however, dial a second or third time before reaching us.

In order to reduce the number of “busy outs,” 20 additional lines have been ordered for the WATS in-home program. This will not require additional employees. These lines will be manned by volunteers in local church areas.

— Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center