Captain’s Blog

Captain’s Blog #80

November 15, 2008 on 8:48 am | In Uncategorized | No Comments

FIJI

Last Sunday here in Fiji we had a combined crusade with all Nazarene churches from across Viti Levu as well as Kadavu coming together in Suva and celebrating together. This was a GREAT time of worship as the people were very receptive, both during the worship time and throughout the message and following. God’s Holy Spirit was certainly evident! This was followed by sharing a meal together and then launching into the business session of the Fiji District Assembly in the afternoon. Preparation had been taken seriously by district leadership. Auxiliary Conventions had been held in prior weeks. The assembly went great and all necessary business concluded.

The next day, our GS (Dr. Middendorf) was used powerfully by God and the focus of discussions turned to prayer and concluded with all of us breaking into small groups praying. Testimonies indicated God’s confirmation on specific and multiple points in many people’s lives. Overall, I can’t think of how it could have gone better. God’s presence and direction was obvious!

Early Tuesday we headed to the airport - over to Nadi and on to Solomon Islands, all without incident which is always our prayer and our prayer that that’s your prayer.

Solomon Islands

During the 2 evening services and throughout the day sessions in the Solomon Islands, God REALLY was at work! Amazing!
The GS was certainly listening to the Holy Spirit with all sessions. Responsiveness was great and at times altars lined very many deep. Topics touched on in each session seemed to hit the nail on the head over and over.

Vanuatu

This 2nd Assembly for the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu went very well.  The opening worship service indicated that God was at work as I witnessed the responsiveness of the people. Great day of celebration and organization for this coming year.

Overall, 3 very good assemblies with all involved voicing that God is at work and building His church and marked progress is the rule!!

#79 Do you know the people around you? Do you know what they believe? Do you know how it affects them, and why? … (written by Danielle)

November 2, 2008 on 3:39 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

There are many legends… But my neighbor tells me only one, so perhaps that is the one I should tell. (note: this is the best I understand the story, forgive me if I get some of the details wrong)

In Kosala (now northern India) many millennia ago, King Dasaratha ruled in the capital city of Ayodhya. (yes, your tongue will need some therapy after this blog to get untwisted) King Dasaratha was good and wise, and the country was prosperous and at peace. The king had three queens: Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra, but no children. The royal family held a sacrifice, and begged the gods for children– four sons were soon born.

Kaushalya’s son was the firstborn, Ram. Bharat was Kaikeyi’s son, and Sumitra had twins: Lakshman and Shatrughn.

Our story skips forward to the marriages of all the sons: Ram won the hand of the princess Sita, daughter of Janak, ruler of Videha. Lakshman married Sita’s sister, and Bharat and Shatrughn married Sita’s cousins.

The princes and their wives lived in Ayodhya with King Dasaratha and his three queens. The king was growing old, however, and decided to appoint his eldest son, Ram, as regent.

Kaikeyi (mother of Bharat) was convinced by her evil maid, that as soon as Ram became king, he would become jealous and would remove her as queen and kill her son. She panicked, and decided to take drastic action. Many years ago she had saved the king’s life, and he had promised to grant her two wishes. She decided it was now time to use a wish. She requested that the king send Ram into 14 years of exile in the jungle. The king was broken-hearted, but he could not recall his promise, so Ram was exiled. With him went his wife, Sita, and his younger brother, Lakshman.

When Bharat learned what his mother had done to his half-brother, he was furious. He ran after Ram, and begged him to return, but Ram insisted on honouring his father’s promise. Bharat returned to the city, but refused to be king. King Dasaratha died, however, and someone had to rule the kingdom. Bharat consented to rule Ayodhya in Ram’s name, but would not sit on the throne. Instead, he placed there a pair of Ram’s shoes, to remind the people that Ram was the true king.

Ram, his wife, and his brother lived in the forest for many years. They faced many trials, sometimes fighting with demons, but they survived and overcame.

Finally, the 14 years were over, and Ram, Sita, and Lakshman returned from exile. The city of Ayodhya was decorated with lamps and flowers, and Ram was crowned king. He ruled long and well, and many thousands of years later, his coronation is remembered and celebrated as the Hindu festival of Diwali.

Outside, the fireworks are bursting; I can hear them. My neighbors are getting ready for the prayer tonight. People are shouting, and laughing at the fireworks.

-Danielle

“Father, it is my desire to love You, the Lord my God, with all my heart, and with all my mind, and with all my soul…. and to love my neighbor as myself.”

(right: my neighbor)