Greetings Everyone,
The conference was a resounding success!! It was a first for the men. Usually they run Youth, Ladies or Sunday School conferences. Some of he comments were:-
Pastor Kingsford – “Usually conferences are inspirational — be filled with the Spirit, etc. This one was foundational — integrity of character, the husband’s and father’s role — we need these things in order to be men and leaders.”
Jerome – “I learnt a lot of new things. I want to think about them some more. It has really helped my ministry.”
Simon (on forgiveness) – “It took me seven years to forgive the policeman who ill-treated me. It was like a weight coming off me.”
Esau (refering to Hebrews 4:12) – “I never new the word of God had the power to heal — to go right inside you and cut out bad things (referring to emotional problems resulting from childhood mistreatment) like a surgeons knife.”
The worship time with all the deep voices harmonising together was tremendous and the men really enjoyed the times of sharing — the early morning prayer time (4.30-5.30am), the discussion groups and free time to sit and chat in the afternoon. There was a good mix of ages from our age to quite a lot in late teens, early twenties. Phil spoke really well and runs a big risk of being asked to do it again.
On Monday we are sailing (probably motoring in the still conditions) to the north coast where I want to spend a week attempting to teach Isikel, a young man with no education, to read English — at least to get him started. We will spend about a week there and then go to Panaeati Island to do some work before heading back to Australia around the 7th of November.
God bless,
Pam and Phil
