Singapore zzzzzz

Yeah so in between the last time I was on - all of things have been happening...

Fiji was great. And that is a massive understatement.

Many souls were saved. People restored. And lives changed in ways that only the life-changer, life-giver can do.

But right now I write this blog from a Singapore Airport nap lounge chair.

Yep that's right - the whole crew is in Singapore right now - enroute to South Africa.

It is going to be a time of major sharing with family and friends about the Saviour of the World. As well as ministering in some of the churches around in Durban.

A very full-on 6 weeks to say the least. But one with much expectation.

But for now i am about to head to sleep for a couple of hours before catching the next flight over to South Africa.

And greeting the wonderful country of South Africa a warm, Aussie "Hello JOZI" greeting :)

Catch you later.

:)anneline

Backpain...? What backpain...? Email from Lautoka, Fiji

Hey there,

Okay Fiji 08 - Mission 3 has just kicked off as the crew have left for Fiji at roughly 11am this morning (and still have another 1.5 hours to go til landing...).

They arrive in Nadi tonite at ~7pm local time and then drive from there straight to the Coral Coast about 3.5 hours away. Pray for their safety too - Fijian roads are something to behold...and experience...especially at nite as they come complete with cows, horses, pigs, piglets and massive potholes that are so big the locals reckon you could do a lovo in them :)!

The rally starts tomorrow. And there is only one thing we ask you to keep doing - and that is pray...for our "God is faithful and just to hear" (1 John 1:9) and answers "above and beyond our greatest expectations" (Ephesians 3:20). Please pray for many souls to come to the saving knowledge only found in the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ.

On another note though...I got this email late last week for Ps Eddie in Lautoka, Fiji. It is such a great encouragement of the goodness of God, the restoration, healing, deliverance that only can be done through His Son Jesus...Ps Eddie (a youth Pastor in Lautoka) had majorly chronic backpain that was caused by a fall of a horse. This pain had been constant for numerous months, making everyday movement difficult to say the least. However what is so inspiring is that regardless of this pain, Ps. Eddie still attended all meetings, even did the food and clothing drops in Sabeto village carrying many bags and walking many km's like the rest of us. He was in charge of the sound system etc and also led worship on stage. On the last nite in Sabeto, after everyone else had been ministered too, at about 11.55pm, he came up for prayer for his back...Talk about common aches and pains sometimes becoming spiritual!! It was totally riveting watching a demon spirit of infirmity come out of his back. The poor guy dropped to his knees, his face clearly displaying unbearable agony that he was going through, gasping and groaning in pain...but in the name of Jesus, this debilitating oppression left him. He got up and started twisting, turning, bending, touching his toes etc...This is all on video. When I get some more time I may post it. I won't comment anymore...but rather you read on and enjoy...and be encouraged...God is on the throne. But is still close enough to meet you where you are at.

Email from Ps Eddie Molia, Lautoka Fiji

September 26 at 12:14pm
Bula Anneline,

Hey I'm all good......yea that was a powerful prayer of healing...yes indeed God is really working. Well with that back pain, I would say...I've been totally healed. Right now I even forgot that I had that pain on my back...Totally healed in Jesus.

Bless you all....Ps Eddie.

FIJI 08 - Mission 3...

hey there...

well it is less than a week to go to Fiji 08-Mission 3. jesse & ian & kathy thomson will be off to fiji next week september 30, 2008.

straight from the airport in nadi to navoua - this time the outreach is going to held in the main indian district in navoua.

why?

well after the June-July trip, 3 house churches have been started in the indian community as a number of indian people gave their lives to the Saviour of the world.

so...now they want to share this gospel truth that they experienced with their community...and hence mission 3.

...so please pray, pray, pray...and pray, pray, pray some more afterwards...

...prayer is what moves the hand of God...

...check our the statistics for the number of people dying per second, per minute, per day around the world on the post "A friendly notification letter from Prof You. R. Dead" (it's under the label "you die...then what...").

this really puts into perspective the fraility of human beings...and the realisation that someone somewhere right now is about to meet their Maker...but do they know Jesus...that is what really matters.

...so yeah thanks for the prayers so far...and thanks for the prayers to come...

...oh yeah and God was God (as He is) and did what only He could do last sunday at kbc...

:) anneline

If you don't stop swearing, I'll dump you off this jetty!!!

Top: Lying on the Jetty (boy in background getting ready to jump off)
Bottom: Climbing up the ladder of the Jetty to jump off again...

Bareback brumby (wild Australian horses) riding. Barge in the background that comes over from Ingham.

The Jetty a common place for fishing, swimming, and jumping off the poles...

Lying on the Jetty - boy in the back about to back somersault of a Jetty pole into the ocean below.
(*Photo's by Helena Lumme & Mika Manninen)

Sorry - been heaps busy. But all good though, have more updates on Palm Island... Jesse got back home last week Tuesday nite (Sept 9th 08). And one word - WOW!!The amazement of God's greatness, God's goodness was so intense that for many people God became real.One example of the life changing...well...changes...that only Jesus can do to a person is with a group of boys Jesse met on the Palm jetty...

He had been ministering during the day and was gearing up for preaching that evening, with a couple of hours to rest in the afternoon. Jesse went down to the jetty to do a bit of fishing, relax in God's creation and contemplate the evening. There was already a group of boys (~10 boys) aged around 10-15 years old...and swearing profusely.

...it is important to understand that for these kids and numerous others out there, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, kids in a remote community or those growing up in a mainline city, swearing is not a "bad language" that is only used when someone is fumingly angry. Conversely swearing, although still considered "bad language", has become a normal part of convesation. Walk into any state school (and even private schools), university, and practically every worksite (from offices, law firms and hair salons through to building sites, gyms, and factories) and swear words are commonly used in common conversation even though many know that swearing is offensive. So these kids are not an isolated case. Swearing unfortunately has become an almost integral part of many families. And children brought up in these environments, are not "bad" but simply following older examples.

However one of the boys (about 15 years old) approached Jesse and started up conversation as follows...

"What's your name?"

"Jesse."

"What's your wife's name?"

"Cookie."

The kid proceeded to ask what Jesse's mom and dad's names were etc...and then got to this question...

"So what are you doing here?"

"I am an Evangelist. That means I am a preacher of the good news about Jesus."

"So you're a Christian?"

"Yes."

"So you're a Christian...you don't swear do you?"

"No I don't."

"WOW - you know I am a Christian, but I don't go to church much...and I swear. That's it I don't want to swear anymore."

Some of the other boys on the jetty were swearing away at the own content. This boy however hearing them swear got really upset and yelled out at them,

"Hey stop swearing! This man here is a Christian and he doesn't swear!!"

The boys kind of gawked a Jesse, who was still fishing. But they stopped swearing.

However another group of boys (about 5 boys) about the same age rode their bikes up onto the jetty to see what was going on...and yes they were swearing profusely. This newly convicted non-swearer hearing them swear with Jesse still there reared up and yelled out at them the same as to the first group. But one of the new boys was a bit of a smart alec, and continued to swear (more to reinstate his authority more than anything else). The non-swearer however would have none of it and confronted him angrily, "Hey stop swearing!! This man here is a preacher and is a Christian. And He doesn't swear. So stop swearing!! If you don't I will dump you off the jetty!!"

All the while Jesse watching these kids thinking to himself "What? Because I am a Christian and don't swear, these kids are getting told off for their swearing...by a boy who was just swearing as much as the rest of them not even 5 minutes ago! What the???" and getting ready to intervene if things got nasty...

The non-conforming ignored the non-swearer and continued swearing. That did if for the non-swearer. Grabbing the boy still swearing, he pulled him down the jetty stairs and dunked him, clothes and all, into the ocean, all the while reiterating that swearing is bad. And Christians don't swear....etc...

...Okay just to paint another picture about Palm Island...all the kids are A+ swimmers and many could jolly well take on some of the world's best in diving. Diving of the Jetty is a favourite pastime with the kids from the time they are able to walk. And the Jetty is not shallow at all. The above picture of the barge shows you what "pulls up" at the jetty. It is a VERY VERY high Jetty with very deep water so that barges and Catamarans (that often ferry people to and from Palm) can come into shore. But although it is very deep, with sharks and jelly fish, the Palm Islander kids are legendary at swimming and diving and getting wet - clothes and all!

The dunked boy, wet to the core came up the stairs complaining that he would tell his brother to which the non-swearer simply retorted, "He shouldn't swear too. Christians don't swear!! And if he swears, I'll dump him too!" But this dumping provoked the kids to have a massive interest in Jesse for some reason as they all converged around him asking questions...

"So you're a Christian?"

"Yes."

"So that means you don't swear?"
"Yes."

"So what do you preach?"

"I tell people about the good news that God sent to the world."

"So what what does God look like?"

"God is a spirit - not like a physical person, who is only here, God is a Spiritual being. But you can know God through the way He sent to us through Jesus His Son."

"Really?"

"Yes."
"So are you God's son then?"

...and to this Jesse first thought was "Where did that just come from??!!" But just as quickly he replied, "Yes I am. I have become a son of God. And you can too. You want to know how you can be a son of God too?"

"Yeah! Will this make us Christians and then we don't have to swear too?"

"Yes."

...and so Jesse told all these kids about Jesus, the Saviour of the world, and why He came to earth, and what He did, and how He died, but how He rose up from the dead too. And what He is doing now.

They were so interested the group decided they would come to the rally that nite. And so they did...Some came in but some also sat outside the building instead of coming inside because they were shy. Yet they listened to everything being preached. And when the alter call was made, some gave their lives to Jesus inside, but those sitting outside asked someone if the preacher could come outside to them, because they want Jesus too, but are too shy to do it in the building in front of all "those other people".

However when Jesse came outside, a group of adults followed him out which frightened the kids, who took off running. Unfortunately Jesse didn't lead them to the Lord that nite, but the seeds were planted. And more importantly some of their friends got saved, which has allowed Pastor Ron to follow up these boys further.

Also for the first time in Palm Island history, the high school now has Years 11 & 12. Before highschool education stopped at Year 10, and if kids wanted to further their education, they had to leave the Island and move to mainland away from their families. But now they have Year 11 & 12 taking kids further in their educational career. But also because of these inquiring boys amongst other things that God did, Jesse has been requested by the high school (kids and teachers) to come and talk to Year 11 & 12 about life, about career, lifeskills etc and (most important) the importance of God in a person's life and how to know God personally.

...And this was just one example of Jesus doing what no-one else can and working in the lives and hearts of people in Palm. So many things have happened and I will post more of God doing's in Palm Island September 08 shortly. Thanks heaps for the prayers. And please don't stop! The wake of these meetings and encounters with Jesus has definitely had a marked change to the atmosphere of Palm and the Christian, especially Pastor Ron Geia, are "overloaded" in a good way with the work. And it is slowing up either - which is even better!And please pray for the people of Palm. Jesse will be back up there in October as they want to hold more meetings to other parts of the Palm Island community.

All I can say is this...truly "How Great is Our God. The Name above all Names. He is worthy of all Praise." (Adapted from How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves & Ed Cash). He alone is "The Lord. The Famous One. Great is His fame in all the earth." (Adapted from Famous One by Chris Tomlin & Jesse Reeves).

:) anneline

The move is on...in Palm Island...:)

(Sunset of the Jetty at Palm Island - a great place to go fishing for squid at nite!) (If Christ died & stayed dead, then He would currently be extinct. That is non-existant. But (thankfully) He does exist. Death couldn't defeat Him. And the tomb couldn't hold Him...and so we have the reason for HOPE.)

Spoke to Jesse the other nite - and things are revving up more than a few notches in Palm - while I am sitting in the comfort of my home typing this blog, Jesse is preaching right now in a 3nite campaign in Palm that started last nite (06/09/08) and concludes tomorrow (08/09/08).

We didnt have much time to talk, but the main gist Jesse wanted to convey is this:

People are the same everywhere. People need Jesus everywhere...and...but wait yes there is more...

......when Christ comes into a person's life, even though we can't see what has and is taking place in that person's emotional and spiritual parts, but the outward expression of JOY cannot be mistaken. It is clearly written all over their faces. The smile. The twinkle in the eyes...their eyes are smiling too. A bright radiance that is simply glowing. Without saying any words, it can be clearly read "Hey! Everybody! Look at me! Can't you see? I got Jesus. You hear me? I GOT JESUS! I GOT HIM! In my heart! Here! Right now! I got Him! And boy oh boy oh boy - I am SO STOKED!!! I can't explain this joy - but no drug, no alcohol, no packet of smokes, no nite out on the town or at a casino can ever or will ever compare to this fulfilling JOY I finally got now. Because of Jesus."

Jesse mentioned about praying for a lady with kidney failure. She was so sick and in pain due to her kidney disfunctions. But something notable happened to her. God met her where she was at in her life. And instantly the pains left. But regardless though, Jesse told her to go to a doctor, and get a doctor's report on the healing in her body. But he also mentioned on the phone that she was one very excited lady, putting it mildly.

There is something about Jesus. The real Christ. Not the cheap imitators that pop-up every so often. But the real message of Jesus Christ. To share the gospel (i.e. the GOOD NEWS) that He, and only He, can impart JOY, PEACE...and LOVE into a person's life.

Healing is one side of the coin. But the other side is HOPE. A HOPE that is so sure that God is with them. That He hears their cries. He hears their prayers. He hears their sobs. And He is more than willing to get His hands dirty when He cleans up their lives. Which is just what Jesus when He came to earth. Compare earth to heaven, where it is so pristine, clean, spotless, immaculate to earth. Dirty. Dusty. Muddy. Mouldy. Sinful. And complete with cockroaches, weevils and mosquitos that can transmit elephantitis and Ross River fever.

...and yet Jesus would actually leave the glory, splendor, pristiness of heaven for dirty, smelly, sinful earth? Why?

Because of His unfathomable love. Something no one can ever get their heads around even if they analyse it from every angle possible from birth to their death at 100 of age. No one will ever be able to understand the love that God so willing wants to impart into lives. To fix it up. To clean it up. To wash it down. To brighten it up. To transform. To change.

And one thing is for sure, no one would ever be able to say that the God of the Bible is a coward. How could He be when He left heaven, for smelly earth knowing completely well why He was coming to earth. To die. On a cross. With spikes & a hammer. With a crown of thorns. With lashes from the latest Roman designed state-of-the-art cat-o-nine tails complete with fragments of bone, glass, rock, and metal to ensure deep gourging out of flesh and sinews.

To know all this...and to still carry it out...willingly...unbelievable...

That is what has been sinking into the lives of many Palm Islanders. And with that life changing transformations are taking place too.

Thanks for the prayers.

:)anneline

Palm Island -day 1: Fresh off the plane with people eagerly waiting

(Palm Island ~60km off the coast of Queensland, Australia - in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef!) (One of the pristine beaches on Palm Is)

Spoke to Jesse last nite and here is a quick update on the latest of what's happening on Palm.

And one thing is for sure - Palm Island would have to be the place to be right now :)!

Jesse arrived yesterday late afternoon and went straight to a meeting.

There were about 40people gathered! This is absolutely amazing. To have 40 people in Palm Island gather together to hear about Jesus is like the people packing the Brisbane convention centre to hear about Jesus! Consider this - the Palm Island population is roughly 5000 people...and you could count the number of people attending the church on your hand - two hands on a really good day. So 40 people gathered together on a Tuesday nite to hear about Jesus is pretty full on :)!

There were 4 people who gave their lives to Jesus for the first time. And there were another 4 backslidders who recommitted their lives over to the Lord.

And from the word go, it was an amazing demonstration of the power of God. Demons were screaming out, crying out left, right and centre. It could not be denied that Jesus is alive. It could not be denied that the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead (i.e. the Holy Spirit) was present right there.

God was simply being God and doing what only He can do through the power His Son Jesus purchased for us at the cross. People were set-free from all sorts of oppressions...and all this happening in the presence of the Palm Island community leaders. Well politicians and community groups need to know that Jesus loves them too. That Jesus died, was entombed but rose up from the dead for them too. That Jesus is able to change lives still today. That Jesus can and will change their life too.

And it could not be denied that Jesus loves the lost. He loves the destitute. He loves the broken. He loves the drunk. He loves the abused. He loves the hopeless. He loves the depressed. He loves the sick. He loves the violent. He loves the unwanted. He loves those that society ostricizes. He loves community leaders. He loves politicians. He loves the poor. He loves the wealthy. He loves the unemployed. He loves the business-person. He loves men. He loves women. He loves the old. He loves the young. He loves adults. He loves babies. He loves adolescents. He loves the road worker. He loves the developer. HE LOVES EVERYONE. To the extent that He would take our place on a rough, dirty cross and die so that we can be free. He loves us so much that He rose from the dead so we do not need to be eternally separated from Almighty God. That is who Jesus is.

A great time of freedom...and this was on nite 1! And this is still continuing until next week Monday.

Keep praying. God is answering.

:) anneline

Palm Island 08 - time for a fresh start. A new beginning.

(A view of Palm Is from Wallaby Point)

Hi everyone,

Spring is finally back and the weather is certainly starting to warm up.

Baby curlew birds are out of their eggs and walking around under the watchful eyes their parents.

Flowers buds are appearing.

And...we are only weeks away from scrumptious, sweet, fleshy Queensland mangoes and lychees.

Gotta love that.

All this however is just the fruit of God's creation. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1) and everything in it. And He commissioned all of His creations to continue creating themselves in their due seasons...flowers, mangoes, baby curlews are just a continuation of God's spoken word that continues today for "His word is forever established in the heavens..." (Psalm 119:89).

Spring conjures a new change. A new beginning. Fresh start. New life.

Ironically this is the reason behind the trip to Palm Island.

Jesse will be leaving for Palm Island on the 2nd September 2008. For those who don't know, Palm Island, the largest Aboriginal community with a population of ~5000 people from nearly 50 different tribes, is located about 60km North-west of Townsville, North Queensland.

This trip will be one week long. But one very full-on week at that. Evangelism and ministry to the lost and backslidden is a key component and something that needs to be held up in prayer.

However just like the fresh newness that Spring brings, the main part of this trip will be to uplift the believers. Encourage, raise-up and inspire the Christian remnant in Palm that they are NOT ALONE. They are NOT UNDER. They are NOT DEFEATED. To reinstate and raise up the truth that there is HOPE in Jesus. There is PEACE in Jesus. There is JOY in Jesus. There is LIFE in Jesus. And because Jesus lives, they "can do all things through Christ who gives us strength" (Philipians 4:13).

Prominent community leaders will also be attending the meetings. Please pray that lives will be changed. Lives will be restored. And Jesus will be back in the place that is rightfully His in Palm - the centre of their lives.

Prayer is what moves the hand of God. So keep it coming. And God is faithful and just to hear, answer, forgive and restore (1 John 1:9).

Keep you posted on the latest as it happens.

:) anneline

...A friendly notification letter from Professor You. R. Dead...

You just received this in the mail....

_____________________________________________________________________

Dear Sir/Madam

It is with great pleasure that I inform you that you will be dead in 60 seconds. You have not been picked for any personal reason, but rather you have been randomly selected out of the rest of the world population for this event. In the last second, 1.7 people* have died somewhere in this world. At the end of this 60 seconds, 104* other people internationally will also die with you. Within the hour, all of you newly dead persons will be joined with a further 6180 people*.

Please do not to worry as death is a very common event. It happens all the time. By the end of this 24 hour period, commonly known as 1 day, you will simply be 1 of the 150 835 people to die today*. No big deal really. Death happens to everyone, everwhere, at some stage in their short life here on earth.

We cannot provide you with any guidance or assistance once you are dead, only while you are alive. Our aim is to provide you with this short notice of this major life-changing event that will be taking place in your life in less than 1 minute so that you can quickly complete any unfinished tasks.

Once you are dead, you may experience enthusiastic joy, crazy happiness and wild peace because you have no regrets. You made the right choices. The right decisions. Said the right things. Did the right things. Obviously, it is completely understandably that you have not always done everything correctly - that would be impossible for us mere humans (who have the potential to make mistakes). But regardless of your fears and failures, you have demonstrated humility in acknowledging these misgivings and actively pursuing change in that attitude or situation. Rather than throwing a pity-party for yourself, you have made a "U-turn" by trying to do the right thing. Say the right thing. Make the right choice.

Conversely you may experience unimaginable tortment because of regrets over what could have been. What you could have done. What you could have said. What choices you could have made. But choices can only be made in this life. Hence we hope that this notification will enable to you to amend anything that you would like to, or on a more personal note, need to accomplish before you die.

If you have read this far, 50 seconds of your 60 seconds of remaining existance in this life has already expired. We hope that with the remaining 10 seconds you are able to accomplish all that you need to do in order to have no regrets once dead. That you can whole-heartedly die thinking "Mission Accomplished. I have run this race." If not, you now have the remaining 5 seconds to do so.

Until we meet after I & my colleagues die, we wish you all the best in your future endeavour.

Kind regards,

Professor You R. Dead

Chief Executive Officer

The International Centre of Here Today & Gone Tomorrow

123 Homerun Rd,

Laststop, BYE

The Democratic Republic of Lifesoveresia

Zip Code 4567

_______________________________________________________

The above statistics were sourced from the US Census Bureau - World Vital Events, available at http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ipc/pcwe) and are for the year 2008. Please click on the link for the current years data. It changes every year - but unsurprisingly is still equally intriguing...  

Quite confronting. It is sometimes unimaginable to conceive so many people dying right at this very minute all around the world. But the reality of living is dying. And it is happening all around us all the time.

You do not need to be a person with a terminal illness to know that you are to die. To prepare for death and what is beyond that. You may be in a plane that is about to crash into the ground and only have 3 or 4 minutes at the max to realise this is where it is going to end for you. You may be crossing the road at the traffic lights and have only 3 seconds to realise that the car shooting the red light at 90km/hr is heading right for you and... You are gone before you realise you are gone. You go out to a restaurant to celebrate an event with family and friends. You are allergic to peanuts. In the midst of all the partying and celebrations, you eat a prawn cocktail, not knowing that it was prepared with the same uncleaned utensils used earlier to make a peanut satay dish. Within 2-3 minutes you are gagging for breath, eye-sight blurry, face swelling and throat consticting. As you fall to the floor, your last thoughts are what...? me...? this is it...? And it is - without any adrenaline shots nearby you are stone dead before the ambulance arrives 20mins later.

... ... ... ...

Although we may realise and acknowledge that death is inevitable, we tend to believe that it won't happen to us now though. There are so many things I want to do-like hot air-ballooning, game fishing, scuba-diving, zorb-balling and tight-rope walking. There are so many things that I need to do-like finishing all my ironing, straightening my hair and polishing my car for the 5th time this week. There are so many things I need to see-like the Egyptian pyramids, the Grand Canyon, Montezuma's Ruins and the bird's nest at the top of the Taj Mahal. There are so many people I need to talk to-like my great-aunt, my possible long lost cousin that I am still to find, a friend I met in prep-school and lost contact with after grade 1, the receptionist at the hair salon, the Sandwich artist at the local subway and the Prime Minister's wife's personal assistant. How can I possibly die now? How rude! How inconvenient! That would so get in the way of my life....!

Regardless of the busyness of our lives, whether we admit it or continue to bury our head in the sand like an ostrich, death can and will hit anyone of us down at anytime. Regardless of who we are, to death, we are nothing more than another number. A mere statistic.

But more sobering about this major reality about living in this life, is that we do not have the thoughtful fictious Professor You R. Dead and his colleagues from The International Centre of Here Today & Gone Tomorrow sending us out a 60 second notification about the impending end to our life here. Instead of letting us know in advance, death turns up at the door and sometimes doesn't even bother to knock. And that's it. Game over.

...which brings up the big questions...

...am I ready to die?...

...will I have any regrets?...

You have just taken another breath...live like it is your last...

What choice will you make now?

...anneline...

Fiji 08 - The Epilogue - Part 2.....Forget a thousand words, or an essay - the faces tell it all...!

Hi again,

Yes we are back again after a nearly 2 week hiatus..

Life has been busy. But through it all, the focus of why we are here in this life. Who we are. Who we were. What has changed. And now who we have become. Has been at the core of my thoughts...and with it I find myself drifting back to contemplating the life-changing experience many have experienced and are still experiencing as a result of the mission trip to Fiji in June-July 2008 of this year. There is so much happening in ministry back here. So much prep work going on etc - but I will post more details on a later post.

Right now I am still dumb-struck with the greatness of God demonstrated so tangibly in the lives of so many people in Fiji...

There were 272 people in Navoua who accepted Jesus as their Saviour + conservatively 60 people in Sabeto (the final numbers had not been fully confirmed by the time we left). In Navoua, the local church that hosted the rally - Garden of Joy Christian Church has had a 40% increase in the number of people attending church :)! The Senior Pastor, Ps Sevuloni Cakau sent an email with details about the harvest that hasn't stopped coming in! Every week there are baptism services. New believer classes are swelling beyond capacity in numbers. What an absolutely great "problem" to be having:)! It is sure keeping 'all hands on deck' - but they are loving it!

You know words cannot describe knowing that the relatively short time we were there, has been the greatest life-changing experience so many individual lives have experienced...and I am not God...so imagine what He is feeling (as impossible as it is to try to imagine what the INFINITE God is thinking with our FINITE minds). No wonder the bible says that all the hosts of heaven rejoice when one sinner gets saved...no doubt the party is still going on up there :)!

But in all honesty words cannot describe the expressive joy on the moslem man's face when he accepted Jesus as his Saviour...every single nite of the Sabeto rally! He just "want more and more and more of Jesus - so I must accept Him again...!"
Words do not do justice to the happiness that was shining through the tears of the mom whose son was healed of blindness.
Words are not adequate to describe the deep sincere smile that spread across the man with leprosy when he received healing from all the pains that raked his body...to the extent he couldn't stop dancing (Islander style!) and singing out praise to Jesus.
It is wrong to use words to describe the young hindu mother who was disfigured from being burnt from her chin down to her chest by her husband and lived a life of constant fear to the extent she carried a large sharp butcher's knife with her for protection of her and her infant son - and the complete transformation in her life so clearly evident in her face when she received Jesus and He set her free from this debilitating evil spirit of fear that her Hindu deities couldn't help her with.
Words are not suitable to use when describing the 28 children aged 8-14 who with tears streaming down their faces, eyes tightly shut, praying to Jesus to save them. To come into their hearts. To make them "good & clean". Asking Him to be their God.

Words are not able to correctly describe the complete state of joy and amazement in the young 15 year old boy who was deaf. Or the little 11 year old girl who was deaf in her left ear from birth. And their expression on their faces when they could hear a whisper from 6-7 meters away. Completely healed. But more than that physical healing - their faces were faces that epitomized HOPE. It read something to the lines of, "WOW! I can hear?! Me? I can hear?! WOW! Jesus you healed me! You have opened my ear up! I can hear! I can hear! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You God! I can hear!!!"
It is impossible to describe the absolute faces of sheer joy at the receival of the "red bags" filled with food and clothing that we dropped at the homes.

...and for me I will never forget the old granfather of 12 children and 36 grandchildren who had tears well up in his eyes when I gave him my packet of Oreo cookies. He had never tasted a 'chocolate biscuit' before - it was completely out of his affordability. But here was whole packet just for him which he so quickly opened and shared with his children and grandchildren.

...or the precious children that we met at the Dilkusha Orphanage in Nausori will be forever engrained in my memory. The joy. The happiness. On their little faces at chocolates, lollies, toys, school supplies, sport equipment...even nail polish that the team brought for them.

Of course the physical items were "a hit" with these kids. But it was more than that. Their happiness was from the tangible touch that they were being "drowned" in - for that short time we were there. No doubt the kids are taken care of well - they are clean, clean clothes, clean facilities, and well fed - but like all people they really desired and wanted affection. Which the staff give out as best they can on the 40 orphans. But it is unfortunate that there are more children than carers to go around. One little 9 year old girl Milli captured us - so cute. so precious. but stuck in a tiny cot due to a boil on her back. She held our hands through the bars so hard. No wanting to let go.

People are all the same anywhere in the world. Everyone needs compassion. A Hope that is never failing...Everyone needs forgiveness. The kindness of a Saviour. (Words adapted from Mighty to Save by Reuben Morgan).

Every individual regardless of culture or faith want to be recognized that they exist. Want to be treated with respect. With kindness. With integrity. To be treated with worth. To be treated as an equal.

Which is only right. Because we are all equal. Regardless of our culture, family history, background, financial situation, we are all at the end of this life going to die. Death. The inevitable end to this life as we know it. We are not in control of the next phase.

So what next? Where to next? After we die...? Rich or poor. Free or slave. From a mainline developed country or from a humble rural remote village in a developing community. Regardless of colour, age or gender. Whether we have a PhD or are completely illiterate. A world leader or a chimney sweeper...

After death is the inevitable. A one-on-one meeting with the Creator of the world. God Alone.

All alone with The Supreme God Alone.

Scarey.

Have I done enough? Everything I was capable of doing did I do it? Did I forget anything?

Am I listed on His roll-call?

Regardless of what have done, at the end of the day we are all equal as "all of our righteousness is as filthy rags in His sight" according to the infallible Word of God.

At the end of this life we are all in need of a Saviour. A Mediator between us and God. An Advocate to speak on our behalf.

Only found in the Son of God -Jesus Christ.

And when He puts joy, real joy - not artificial hype - into a person's life, the expressions are priceless - indescribeable.

He is Indescribable. Uncontainable. He placed the stars in the sky and He knows them by name. He is an Amazing God. All powerful. Unchangeable. Untameable. Incomparable. He sees the depths of our hearts and loves us all the same. He is an Amazing God (words adapted from Indescribeable by Laura Story & Jesse Reeves).

Being in awe of God is the best position I think we can be. To be totally dumb-struck of Him in recognition of His greatness. His might. His power. His awesomeness.
A real reality check of how small we are in the greater scheme of His things...

Keeping Jesus as the centre. Keeping everything and everyone in their rightful position.

Keeping it real.

:) anneline

FIJI 08 - the Epilogue...Part 1...Keeping it Simple...

Well it has been 2 weeks back from Fiji 08 mission...an absolutely amazing experience...a life changing experience for me and my family. An experience never to be forgotten...yet I come to understand and except that it has been an experience never to be re-visited either...for His mercies are new every morning.
There are so many things I want share...more of the miracles and healings and salvations that took place. More of the lives that were changed by the strong hand of Almighty God.But right now I will share a bit of how my life has been changed as I cannot speak for anyone else...

I recall a comment made by Tyler, a member of Team USA about what this trip to Fiji has taught him...and I quote "they (i.e. the Fijians) are simply REAL with God. And He in turn is simply REAL with them. There is no theological mumbo-jumbo, just REAL sincerity". REAL people.Facing REAL problems.Knowing that there is a REAL God. Able to meet their REAL needs. Simply put, I have experienced the attitude of "simply being REAL with God, and He in turn is REAL with them."And that is so true...

I know I mentioned it in an earlier post that we were on the receiving side of things as well. Even though we went to give them the gospel and also clothing and food, for me personally I think I received something more priceless than the physical gifts. Something that cannot be bought. Something that so easily is forgotten in the comforts, intellect, and theological debates of this life - something that I would easily give up my "life" here to go back to Fiji...

And that something is the simple rawness of a genuinely greatful heart. So precious. To me...and I am not even God...How much more to Him...?

I saw this demonstrated in the lives of people over and over and over again - Fijian natives, Indo-Fijians, the old, the young, the men, the women, the children, the young people, those who just got saved, and those who have been saved for some time...a real genuineness.

I recall this meeting we were at in Sabeto, 3pm June 22 2008. There was a small group of believers who had gathered together on the veranda of a particular family. A small veranda. With themselves, their Hindi bible, Hindi songbook and that was all. Nothing else. No musicians. No elaborate pulpit. Nothing fancy.
I do not know Hindi. I do not know the content of their prayers. But I know what it means to be feeling that you are standing on Holy Ground...Their prayers were SINCERE. GENUINE. A RAW EXPRESSION of a heart that is still in awe of a God who gave His only Son to die the most barbaric, inhumane, shameful, humiliating, painful, blood-leaking way possible. For our sins. My sins. That nailed Him to the cross. They have still not gotten "used to" this. Their salvation still has the same meaning as it did on day 1. You didn't have to understand Hindi to know they were really thanking God for who He is and what He alone can do. You could feel it. You could see it. The tears was not for show. But genuince sincerity. Tangible expression of their gratitude. Being REAL with a REAL God in a REAL way. And did God answer? Yes He did - in ways completely beyond our understanding...in addition to the 60+ souls that gave their lives to Jesus in 4 nites, there were healings and deliverances from a lady being set from Shiva, through to witchcraft curses being broken, through to chronic eyesight deterioration being restored, through to severe hearing deficiencies being healed, through to scabies rashes completely disappearing amongst so many other things...

There is something about being REAL with God. Many people did not have much material possession, if anything in some circumstances. There were some people who were financially secure - like the old man in Sabeto that owns the power station and properties in Nadi. Although being a King-pin in the community in Hinduism, this man came to the realisation that He was indeed a sinner in need of a Saviour. A Saviour that can only be Alive. A Saviour only found in Jesus Christ. But both the rich and the poor I noticed did not have all the theological understandings that are so easily accessible here in Australia. Nothing really. But they have what really matters....
GENUINESS. SINCERITY. BEING REAL with a REAL GOD.
...Complacency has not set in. Superficiality is unheard off.

An attitude of "If that is what God says, then let's do it!" Why? Why this state of complete beliefe? I think it stems for a heart of complete gratitude.

A heart that has not forgotten the cross. A heart that is still in awe of God's goodness and love demostrated on the cross. Love never expressed before. Love never expressed afterwards. A heart that although accepts the sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation, still feels contrite to know that it was me who put Jesus there. A deep sense of gratitude.

And then with the dawning that death could not keep its hold over Jesus. That He is alive. That the tomb, with its big rock, Pontius Pilate's seal and the Roman soldiers could not keep Jesus in the grave. But He is Alive! ALIVE! This gives way to exuberant thankfulness. And combined with a sincerely greatful heart of gratitude, together this produces FAITH. REAL FAITH. EXPECTANT FAITH. The REAL stuff. The stuff that matters. The stuff that God is looking for. Not for show. Not because they were coerced into it. Not because it is the "right" thing to say or do. Not because someone tells them to do it. Not because it is the "Christian" thing to say or do. None of that. Simply because they REALLY believed.

As I said earlier - No superficiality. Jus the real deal. With a REAL God. Who REALLY wants to meet our REAL needs...

If Jesus Christ -THE Son of God. THE Messiah. THE Name above all Names. The Blessed Redeemer. Immanuel. THE Rescue for Sinners. THE Ransom from Heaven. THE Lord of All. (words adapted from Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin & Daniel Carson). Could take my place on a dirty, rough, splinter-producing cross. With large rough metal triangular shaped spikes hammered through His wrists and feet. With His face completely ripped off His face. If He Jesus Christ with His sharp thorny crown and back completely bare from the whipping. With spine exposed. With kidneys lacerated. Who would have had His inner organs ripped apart from the sword that plunged into the sac around His heart gushing out blood and water. If He Jesus Christ could go through the most blood-leaking death possible. And still arise up from the dead and have this huge boulder roll away for Him, then shouldn't I give Him credit where it is due...?
That regardless of the situation, and what seems like happening, and who seems to be happening...if He is in my boat, isn't He all I need? I know this concept is nothing new to many of us, yet I have fully come to understand how this concept as "a way of life" really works.

All that I have is from Him.
And all of my succession are because of Him.
So is there any real reason to worry in times of need? No...

I am full of expectant sincere faith. Nothing superficial. Nothing artificial. No fake fur. But the real deal.

I hope you feel inspired too.

:)anneline

What can I say? How do you describe the indescribable God? - date 02/07/08

Here is another blog compiled during Fiji mission - date 02/07/08 - unfortunately internet difficulties and computer time restraints prevented me from posting this while there...

Blog date: 02/07/08

“Well what can I say? What can I do? But offer this heart oh God completely to You” (lyrics from The Stand by Joel Houston).
This is fast developing into one of the most memorable moments in my life. Definitely the highlight of this year to date. Up there with the trips to South Africa and Mauritius.

God is so good. Too good. Uncomprehendably good.

We’ve been doing village visits to the poor village visits around Navoua. And in more ways than one it has been a blessing all persons involved – we have all been on the receiving end...

One thing about the people we have visited is that they may not have everything materially – in some circumstances if anything at all...but they are focused on what is more important – relationships with family. They are so open and accepting to allowing us into their homes and hearing the gospel message. Although there have been some who have not accepted the invitation to the meetings, there have been so many others who have come and heard the Gospel and received Christ.

On Tuesday we and the Nova students went to visit and orphanage just outside Nausori. Although the bulk of the 38 residents were away at school we were able to spend time with 6 disabled/special needs children. It was sad to learn that the majority of the children had parents but were simply abandoned at birth. But at this home you could see that they were well cared for and loved by the staff.

Yesterday (Wednesday 2/7/08) – was rather spectacular. It started with village visits. The families were open and welcoming. But one household – the man of the house – was rather intrigued and taken aback by the sacrifice that Jesus did on the cross for us. Although he claimed to be a Methodist, he acknowledged that he did not fully serve the Lord. But what intrigued me is that most people although they knew the ‘textbook’ answer as to “Do you know who Jesus is? Why did He come to earth? What is Jesus doing now?” – with responses such as “He is God’s Son; He died on the cross for our sins; He is in heaven now” – the reality of such questions as to who Jesus really is and what He really had to go through on the cross to bear our sins and that He is actually in heaven continually praying for us daily – that really hit them. When I described the suffering that Christ went through on the cross for our sins – the fact that His back was ripped open to the extent you could see His ribs and spine...that His kidneys were cut apart...that the crown of thorns ripped His head and temples open...that when the soldiers pulled of Jesus beard they ripped of the skin and flesh with it so He was “defaced”...that the nails used were not nails that we know of but really large coarse iron spikes in the shape of a long pyriamid...and that when the sword pierced His side it also cut His internal organs such as His lungs as it plunged into the sac surrounding His heart to release the blood and water...that really clicked with them...

That really made them stop and think...Jesus did this for me...

One man really opened up about is alcohol problems etc. Another really staunch Hindu lady with all the paraphernalia clearly placed outside her home and inside, with a big dot and ashes on her head – came last nite to the meeting. She simply lapped up everything we told her in her home – and although she clearly mentioned that other Christians had come to her house etc, and she had heard it all before – her eyes became watery when she realised that Jesus did that for her...to the extent she came to the meeting.

We went for a walk around Navoua praying in the streets and one word. WOW! In one stretch there were 3 Hindu temples within 5 mins walk of each other. We took authority over these spirits and really prayed for God to bring the people in.

What has been so great is seeing the people we have witnessed to come to the meetings...and some give their lives to Christ.

Today was another village visit and outreach service this morning...but gotta go – talk more about that in the next post.

Thanks for the prayers-God is answering. Tumours, cysts, growths are dissolving, ears are opening, homosexuals are being set free, adulterers and fornicators are repenting – and to top it off lives are coming to Christ. Which is the most important miracle. The reason why we are here.

anneline

God is Great - Navua 29/06/08

These blogs were done while in Fiji - however I was not able to load it up due to internet issues and then being unable to use the memory stick to transfer files to a computer with the internet...but here they are now.

Blog date: 29/06/08

Hi everyone,
Truly the scripture “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. For Christ came not into the world to condemn the T
God is so great. He is so awesome. He is so mighty. He is all powerful. We truly worship the highly lifted glorified Christ. He is so good – we will never be able to know His majesty.
Sunday was totally awesome. God has answered our prayers to the tee and above what we asked for.
We have been praying for souls souls souls souls souls...and souls have been added to the Kingdom of God.
During the morning service there were 4 people who surrendered to the Lord – 3 hindu’s & 1 Fijian lady.
There were 28 kids aged between 8 and 14 who gave their lives to Christ – quite a few with tears streaming down their faces. There were many adults – Fijians & Indo-Fijians who gave their lives to Christ.
Additionally there was so many healings and deliverances with so many people in every facet of life. One of the more notable miracles that is stuck in my mind is that off a
The Kingdom of God is in full manifestation.
Village visits are happening in this community – and it is truly a great witnessing opportunity – with people coming to the meetings.
Please keep praying – God is not just ‘in the house’ but also in the villages.
Anneline

Navoua to date...Jesus is here...

Well Navoua has been pretty full on...village visits during the day and rally at nite...

But all good none the less.

There have been quite a few people who have gotten saved during this time of the rally. Over 70 people for sure...

One one nite there were 28 kids between the ages 8-14 who gave their lives to Christ with tears running down their faces. Likewise there has been many adults as well.

Additionally many healings and deliverances have taken place. A homosexual got saved and delivered when he repented with tears down his face. Dad also had the opportunity of ministering on the radio - and likewise a lesbian called in repenting wanting Jesus to save and deliver her.

Many many lives have been convicted on immorality and repentance has been happening in the droves.

And as the bible says, "The signs will follow the preaching of the word of God" - and they sure have. One thing that is notable to me is a mother and daughter who both got healed. The 11 year old girl was completely deaf in her left ear from birth. Never heard before in that ear. And instantly Jesus opened it! She was so surprised - her face told more than a 1000 words! The mom had a tumoural growth of some sort in her abdomen - so much so that it was pushing her stomach out and causing severe pain. Instantly the pain stopped. She went and checked herself out and found that she could squeeze her tummy - the tumour was disappearing right there!

There have been so many kids with deafness healed - at least about 6! Last nite another little girl who had gone deaf in her right ear 6 months ago was healed immediately - she was so surprised, that with tears running down her face that she could hear, she hid behind her grandmother. A smile spread across her face.

An old man over 70 years old had severe back pains and stiffness. He really did move very slowly and stiffly. But last nite Jesus did what only Jesus can - heal the sick and set the oppressed free. This man started bowing down touching his toes, bending backwards, squatting, twisting - exercises that even some teens and young adults would have difficulty doing. God is so good. No pain whatsoever. And the smile - priceless.

The village visits have been quite amazing - people have been getting saved. They are so open to hearing the gospel.

The Nova's students and some of the team left today. Definitely miss them.

But we continue to march forward. Tomorrow there is an outreach in an Indian village at 2pm Fiji time. Please pray for this. I have never seen so many Hindu temples within 5 min walk of each other! That is definitely a stronghold here.

Talk more later.

Anneline

Jehovah Jireh - The All Supplying God...provider to Jughli Moorghi (chicken) among other things...

Hi all...
I wrote this the other nite (26/06/08) after the last meeting in Sabeto Settlement...but no internet access until now...

I am right now sitting on my hotel bed – everyone is over here right now having a bite and sharing their experience of tonight-the accumulation of the last 3 nites...

I am stuck with describing what God has done...I have so much to write, but my mind is awe-struck...my emotions are numb in wonder of God...I am just hearing Peter say what I am thinking... “...the smile on their face, oh!”
And now the tears are filling my eyes again and running down my face...
It was the last nite tonite. And the last nite is always the toughest for me – it like the end of experiencing the greatness of God with these people and their community for this time period in such a concentrated way...and then there are goodbyes to be said – which aren’t easy to do. You just meet these wonderful Fijian people, and get to know them and work with them in disseminating the gospel to their community. And now it’s time to go. Saying bye to the Americans was tough-great guys & girls who are really passionate about God... keeping emotionally stable and dry eyes was tough...but now it is time for all of us to move again......one thing for sure is it is great being part of the body of Christ...truly the blood of Jesus really makes you all part of one big happy family...and if we never meet again in this temporal life...at least we will meet again in heaven...

But this time it has been different for me. I am so privileged to have grown up in a family that has experienced sharing the gospel to so many people in Australia and around the world. And seeing their smiles and hope etc fill their faces is priceless...But I finally really understand what the scripture means where Jesus said He was moved with compassion for those around Him...Compassion to take action. Not sympathy. But compassion. Compassion is really profound. It drives you to tell someone about the life that you have been given out of your personal conviction of the power in this God-given life. The life that is only found from the source of Life. Jesus Christ.

And tonite was no different...driving back to this place from Sabeto the team just prayed out to say thanks to God...and I couldn’t hold it back...tears just spilled out everywhere-not out of sadness for leaving these wonderful people and this beautiful community – but in absolute awe of God...His absolute ABSOLUTENESS. His absolute GREATNESS. His absolute MAGNIFICENCE. His absolute UNRIVALDENESS. No one – but no one can compare to Jesus and the change that He does to people’s lives. Taking away a sickness is just one aspect. The hope and freedom that is evident in their faces is amazing. Inspiring. Humbling. Truly awe inspiring. There is NO ONE like our God. No One.
I think of what dad preached the other nite – the challenge he put out...Can anyone find another person who is comparable to our God? Has there been any guru, any teacher, any prophet, and religious leader that has done what Jesus did and die the most blood leaking way possible but still rise from the dead? Can anyone save souls like Jesus Christ? No one – but no one is like our God. He is a class of His own. Above all the others.

I am crying typing this right now...

God is just so good...yes this is a song line...yes it is a famous line used among Christians...but honestly God is so good. This really what life is all about. The giver of life, Jesus Christ, saved our souls. He gave us life. And to be able to impart this life into others is just priceless...

Money cannot determine its value. Words escape me.

I will just give you a couple of highlights about tonite so you can understand where I am coming from...
There was a Fijian lady who came up for prayer. She had a boil on the left side of her lower back region. This started 1 month ago after she was cursed by someone in her village. She had backslided from God, but tonite rededicated her life to Jesus. Without knowing her, speaking to her or even seeing her down the line, dad stopped praying from people on the other end of the line as he had a word of knowledge – Jesus right now wanted to heal someone with an infirmity on the lower left region of their back...the details of the infirmity weren’t that clear, but the position of this infirmity was-the exact region though was really precise. This lady turned around to me with tears just spilling down her face...I told dad and he started praying for her. She wept as she forgave the person(s) who cursed her. But as he started to pray for her, she fell down. This witchcraft curse demon started to manifest and she started squirming and trying to bring up something...which she spat out into a container...When she got up from the floor, her face was changed. The smile coming through the tear stained face was priceless. No pain. NO PAIN!!! She had been in pain. This boil was causing her major discomfort. And now NO PAIN! I spoke to her and she said when she fell down she felt like there was a snake writhing within her working its way up her body to her throat – which is why she was trying to bring up. And Jesus set her free. The doctors couldn’t help her. There wasn’t anything they knew to do for this boil. Which makes sense as the Bible clearly says that we cant wrestle against spiritual behaviours with flesh and blood and our intellect. Have to knock the powers of darkness down with the greater power of the Kingdom of God.

The reality of the deeper effects of these sort of physical ailments only really hit me today. Yes it is great that diseases are cast out of people’s lives and their bodies restored – but deeper than that is the emotional hope that comes with it. The emotional liberation. No amount of counselling can do what Jesus does. Nothing compares to the name of Jesus. Human intellect just doesn’t match up with God’s way of doing things. Nothing compares to the authority in the name of Jesus. He gets rid of sin, sickness and disease – and imparts hope, peace, joy, happiness into the person instead. He imparts life. His life. And gives them the reason for living.

There was a 14 y/o Fijian boy whose eyesight was deteriorating very badly. It had already deteriorated badly. He was very short sighted. Objects that were 3+ metres away he could not distinguish let alone words! Dad prayed for him. He fell down. When He got up there was some improvement in his eyesight as he could read a small sign on a building about 4 metres away! But no further. Dad prayed for him again. He fell and again when he got up his eyesight was still the same. Dad prayed for him again but this time in obedience to the word of God that he was told to do the 1st time he prayed for this boy– like Jesus mixed spit and sand together and put on the blind person’s eyes in the bible, dad spat onto his hands and rubbed his saliva onto the boy’s eyes. Again he went down. But this time when he got up, he could see great distances. He could read the sign from about 8 metres away. He could see and count a group of men standing in the dark about conservatively 9 metres away. He could see their hand gestures. Totally healed. But the smile. Oh so priceless. His mother was delivered the other day from bodily issues she had. She doesn’t speak fluent English – actually it is very very broken – and just stood to one side saying this one statement, “Thank You very much God! Thank You very much God!”I spoke to her. Her son has had this eye problem for quite a while, and it is progressively getting worse and worse. His schoolwork is negatively affected. He can’t keep up with the other kids in his class. But they can’t afford medical help. But Jesus was able to meet their need.

There was another boy about 15 years old who had a major hearing impairment problem. His hearing was so bad that he could not hear his teacher in class and had fallen behind his school work badly. You just about had to talk really really loud and be very close to him for him to hear what was being said. However Jesus – the ALL SUFFICIENT one – able to meet our every need – met his. Hearing completely restored. Laurie tested it out. Laurie stood about 3 meters away and whispered some statements. I was sitting on the same bench as this boy, and honestly I had to really listen carefully for what Laurie was saying. This boy could so clearly hear everything that Laurie said and repeated it word for word. No lip reading involved here because Laurie didn’t move his lips much and also because English is not this boys first language. But Jesus restored his hearing completely. That was so amazing. But more than that even was his smile. It told more than a thousand words. Education is so important over here. It is their passage out to a better life. And the realisation that he could hear and what the repercussions of this were overwhelming. All he could do was smile. Smile. Smile. Not just his mouth – but his eyes. Filled with hope. Exuberant joy. Amazement at God’s love for him.

Another one is that there was a bus dropping people in from a nearby town, Lautoka and picking them up at 10pm. On the dot – if you were late, you would miss the bus. But on the last nite, the driver came at 10pm and decided he wanted to see what was happening. The man didn’t even hear the preaching. But when he saw people being set from demons, some wild manifestations, healings etc – he decided to join the line too...to accept Jesus as His Lord and Saviour. The bus only ended up leaving after 11pm because they were waiting for the driver who wouldn’t leave until he had given his life to Jesus and had received Jesus Christ as his Saviour!!!

There was a Hindu woman we witnessed to the previous day in her home when we were doing house visits. She was very staunch – vegetarian, etc – the whole works. But what we said about Jesus inspired something in her and her daughter. They came that night and the mum; dad and daughter surrendered their lives to Jesus. The mum also had some sort of skin disorder on her face – it looked almost like the top layers of her skin had burned off. But within 2 days, her skin is healing and clearing up. Dan spoke to her. She said, “All I want to do is praise Jesus for being so good to me. I just want to thank Him everyday all the time for the rest of my life.”

There was another lady. She was as Hindu – dot, ashes the whole thing. But she couldn’t sleep. Evil spirits would attack her in her sleep with evil dreams etc. But she gave heart to Jesus on day 1. The next day she came up again in the line – this time not for prayer but rather to just say Jesus “thank you!” For the 1st time in a very long time, she was actually able to sleep the whole night without fear and no attacks of these evil dreams and evil spirits.
I hope you can feel what I am feeling...Jesus is soooo good. There is nothing like seeing hope, joy and peace being imparted into a person’s life. It shines out of their eyes. Their smile. They may not have everything in the world materially – but they have something more priceless than all the gold in the world – PEACE. HOPE. That no matter what life may through at them. No matter what they may go through. Jesus is with them. They have Jesus. And He is someone they don’t take for granted. He is so precious to them – because of what He has done for them.

Whoa – Jesus is way too good for me to comprehend.

It truly is all because of Jesus we are here. Because of his blessings – because of his bountiful blessings.
Just like this mother, I just want to say “Thank you very much God! Thank you very much Jesus! Thank you so very very very much!” There is so much more I could write about.

What is so amazing is how spot on God answers prayers. We prayed and asked God to send in principalities. To send in demonic strongholds. To save people of influence. We took authority over all demons of witchcraft and curses associated with them. We prayed for Jesus to restore sight to the blind. To heal the deaf. To recreate. To do what only He can do. To change lives. God’s style. God’s way. And He did. He did and soooooo much more.
There was a youth pastor from Lautoka. Ps. Eddy. He fell off a horse a few weeks ago and was in severe pain on the left side of his body. He was the last person to come for prayer. From about 9.30pm – 12am people were being prayed for and receiving Jesus. But he was controlling the sound system and also leading the music. But he came for prayer at about 11.55pm. This demon of infirmity started manifesting and he started staggering around, in excruciating pain. Suddenly his legs gave way and as dad cast this demon out of him, the demons of infirmity and pain left so violently that dad actually felt some unseen force come out of Ps. Eddy’s back and hit really hard into his own hand! Eddy got up from the floor – no pain. NO PAIN. Totally healed.

On Tuesday we went walking the streets, praying, talking to people on the way. It was a really great experience. And I think it was a great time of bonding for all of us. We split into 2 groups and headed into opposite directions down the main road. There was Luke, Peter, Cliantha, Liz, Kelly and I in our group. It was full on prayer, praise and hard core spiritual warfare proclaiming the supremacy of Christ and telling the devil who we are in Christ – more than conquerors with authority over him and his low life demons – and reminding him that he is defeated. We prayed in turns for nearly 2 hours straight, loudly and unashamed about our God. On the way back we stopped at the Sabeto Moslem Primary School and spoke to the kids through the fence. They were so eager to tell us about the “Sleeping Giant Mountain” – complete with directions, which taxi to catch and what instructions to tell the driver. Totally precious. So cute. So helpful. Some of the kids weren’t moslem. But heaps were. We told them about Jesus and the rally and invited them to come with their parents. One moslem boy was totally amazed with mum’s healing and said he wanted to come. His other moslem friends told him that he couldn’t do that – he couldn’t go to that place with those people. But this boy was adamant – he simply wanted to learn about how a brain tumour could simply disappear. How could this man called Jesus do something like that? We took pictures with them. They were so stoked. The next day I went back to by “Monkey Balls” red peaches from the school – the kids were so happy that this bunch of foreigners came back to their school.

But what was truly amazing was one of these Moslem kids – a 7 year old – walked to the meeting all by himself. And was one of the last people to walk home – well after 10.30pm all by himself. He was brought up as a Methodist. But was so amazed to see people getting healed. And the words dad had preached that he now wanted to become a preacher. He was going to tell his parents what he heard. They came the following nite with him. There was another bunch of kids from older grades who were also from the Moslem school who came to the meeting.

So much has happened. Too much to write down. But the most important thing is roughly 50 people, including Hindu’s, Moslems and Sikhs, and native Fijians gave their lives to Jesus. And to see the transformation clearly visible in the never ending smiles that are plastered all over their faces is worth it all. Worth the mozzies. Worth the midgies and sandlies. Worth the humidity. Worth any discomfort. Because we know that with Jesus in our boat, there is nothing to worry about. He is so great. So awesome.

But really I just want to say Thank you Jesus. Thank you Lord God so much for what you have done. Honestly this is what life is all about. THIS is what life is all about. Jesus imparted LIFE into our life. And there is nothing more worthwhile than imparting His life into the life of these people. Life truly is worth living because of Jesus. There is nothing in this life that can take the place of Jesus.

Thanks for the prayers...God is answering them in ways we cannot comprehend...

I don’t want to come home...

:)anneline