A Tribute To The Eleven

Have you ever heard of Taree? I had not until just this March. I was in Australia sharing about the plight of helpless refugees. I spoke all around New South Wales. I did a radio interview on a Christian Radio station in Newcastle. When the interview was broadcast a truck driver was tuned in and called his pastor and told him about it. That pastor, Ed Trotter, met me at one of the churches I spoke at and we had an immediate connection. Ed was the Associate Pastor of Manning Valley Church of Christ in Taree. I got a call from him and was invited to speak at their church. I met Glenn and Felicity Hodson the pastors of the church just before the meeting began. What happen that night will be in my memory for ever. We had a time of intercession following the service that was such a tender and broken time. We all wept, repented, and groaned over the sufferings of the Indonesian saints. We prayed for around an hour and then a peace came. We knew God had heard our prayers.

This church later contacted me about bringing a team to Manado. All my stories of the conditions didn't dissuade them in the least. A date was set and I met them here in Manado on Saturday, September 28. I have been spending all my waking hours with The Eleven resources Down Under. I am learning to speak Australian. That means using phrases like--Good on ya! Ga Day Mate--all in one breathe.

On a serious side--I have been with some of the dearest and most compassionate people I have every served with. They spent 10 weeks preparing in weekly prayer meetings to come here. They had the heart of God when they came. They learned to sing a couple songs in Indonesian and some of the basic greetings. This team has two young men who are "full on" for God and a wonderful saint in the golden years of her life that is every bit as "full on" for God as the youth. The team was well organized and all the crafts, skits, and ministry were all A+. The ministry in the Word has been "spot on". Kindness and concern are the graces that join the ministry in the Word. Pastor Felicity has a way of making you sense peace and assurance. They are truly leaving a part of themselves here. I can't thank the Lord enough for the sheer joy of serving along side them. There is something going on in Taree. Don't be surprised if I go there for more of what they have.