By Aub Warren
They came by plane, car, train, boat, on foot and even in open canoes.
They came from many nations, spoke a variety of languages and represented dozens of cultures. But with a renewed sense of unity, purpose and love for what God has done, more than 5,600 people celebrated their faith in Jesus Christ at 19 sites in 10 countries in the region at this year's Festival of Tabernacles.
In the course of the eight-day celebration members experienced new worship opportunities, enjoyed rich and Christ-focused messages and music, reflected care and concern for one another and reached out to their Festival communities with help and comfort.
"I think the quality of the messages, music and fellowship this year at the Festival underpins and validates the whole process of change we've been through in the church this year," said Randall Bourchier, a Melbourne, Australia, East member and Ulladulla music director.
"Nearly 600 people kept the Feast in Perth," said coordinator Kerry Gubb. "Most of them expressed the same sentiment: Jesus Christ has been here among us."
A member attending the Festival in Hobart told coordinator Cliff Worthing that "this is how the Feast should have always been."
In Taupo, New Zealand, the Festival opened with prayer and then a song of welcome from the Maori brethren. The song, Haere Mai, was followed by the hymn, Whakaaria Mai, ("How Great Thou Art"), which all rose to sing after the opening verse had been sung in Maori. The service concluded with the singing of the New Zealand national anthem ("God Defend New Zealand").
"This opening stamped a flavor of brotherhood and unification over the Feast, reflecting the intended outcome of the theme this year--a Festival of Faith," said coordinator Dennis Richards.
Music and song were highlights of this year's Festival, according to the various coordinators' reports.
"Every day the brethren from the western province of Ranongga sang special music a cappella, improvising beautiful traditional harmonies with the melodies of the church hymnal," said Chris Crawford, Honiara, Solomon Islands, visiting speaker.
Praise services were conducted at several sites this year, using slides, congregational singing, recorded special music from contemporary Christian recording artists, scripture readings and prayer.
At the Gold Coast, Australia, site the song service was led each day by a small group of singers, rather than the traditional songleader. Each day the songleading groups represented different congregations attending the site.
Several sites found opportunities to reach out into their Festival communities.
Hobart Feastgoers, after an address about homelessness by Lucas von Rijkwijk, Red Cross youth program coordinator, volunteered to pack Red Cross doorknock appeal kits. Later they were hosts at a party for church children, and they invited mothers and children from women's refuges. The invitations were received with almost effusive gratitude, according to coordinator Cliff Worthing.
"One of the mothers from a refuge expressed her appreciation and said it had been so long since her child had been to a party the child had forgotten how to play party games," said Mr. Worthing.
In Sri Lanka members invited 40 children from children's homes to join family day activities.
"The children, aged 5 to 15, had a fantastic time and we had our children give gifts to them," said coordinator Bharat Naker. "Some of the adult helpers said the children rarely get to go out and this was a special treat for them."
Gosford children were the ones doing the giving and serving when they followed a "Dare to Care" activity with a fund-raiser for the Dizon family in the Philippines, who lost their home and possessions.
In Merimbula, Australia, a public concert was staged by church musicians in honor of the senior citizens. About 190 people attended the afternoon event, which included afternoon tea served by YOU and other church members. Among the audience were 60 residents of retirement home villages who had been invited to the concert. In addition, several members invited the managers of their holiday units.
Fellowship is always a key ingredient of the Feast, and this year's Festival provided too many fellowship opportunities to recount.
"People found themselves emotionally moved with compassion for the sick, pity for the weak and a new depth of love for one another as brethren in the same family," said Mr. Gubb. "People who had kept their distance from each other because of mixed responses to developments in the church have put aside the less important differences and begun to exercise their fellowship again."
In Port Vila, Vanuatu, the Festival family--made up of 70 visitors and 50 Vanuatu members--enjoyed four meals together.
"Overseas brethren contributed so that all of the Vanuatu members could enjoy the meals," said coordinator Rex Morgan. Family afternoon began with all the local members forming a line to talofa, or shake hands with each of the overseas visitors as they filed past and introduced themselves.
Many of the Feastgoers in the Solomon Islands traveled for more than two days by open canoe and inter-island ferry to attend.
"Most have limited income, yet make every effort to come so that they can be spiritually refreshed and re-establish friendships," said visiting speaker Chris Crawford.
"Some members in India don't have the opportunity to meet other brethren except at the Feast," said Joseph D'Costa, coordinator of the Bangalore, India, site. "Some were not sure what to expect at the Festival this year. They were quickly reassured by the messages, attitude and love expressed among the membership."
In Nuku'alofa, Tonga, the 33 members who gathered for the Festival were saddened by the departure of the former elder and about half the members to another fellowship a few days before the Feast began.
"This established a strong bond of unity that could only be established under such tragic circumstances," said Epeli Kanaimawi, Fiji and Tonga pastor.
Saying that God's bounteous blessings were poured out on the group, Mr. Kanaimawi observed that "the group was vibrant, dynamic and happy. Their worship in songs was as beautiful and touching as could be experienced at any other bigger site."
In Fiji, the country was celebrating its 25th year of independence the first day of the Feast. Members watched parades and rejoiced with the nation at what was a festive time.
Some sites offered tea and coffee before and after services. In Caloundra, Australia, a children's corner provided a location for children to gather and play before services.
Fellowship in Papua New Guinea was enriched by the inaugural visit to the country by regional director Rod Matthews and his wife, Ruth. They also visited the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu during the Feast.
"The Feast is the only time the Papua New Guinea brethren are able to meet together in one place," said coordinator Hans Pedersen.
Papua New Guinea and Sri Lankan members were among those active in inviting people to attend Festival services and activities.
In Papua New Guinea members often brought along wontoks (relatives) to services.
In Sri Lanka the church conducted its first open house, inviting 97 subscribers to services, with members also inviting friends and relatives. Thirty-one guests came, including a priest and an evangelist who recommends our magazine.
Ulladulla coordinator Peter McLean reflected the views of many when he said: "A wonderful spirit of love and goodwill prevailed. The site was filled with marvelous people who willingly pooled their labors to make the Feast an uplifting celebration for all."
Bandarawela, Sri Lanka --------------------------- 115
Bangalore,
India ---------------------------------- 138
Caloundra, Australia
------------------------------ 824
Christchurch, New Zealand
---------------------- 155
Frankston, Australia
------------------------------ 494
Gold Coast, Australia
----------------------------- 916
Gosford, Australia
------------------------------- 477
Hobart, Australia
--------------------------------- 123
Honiara, Solomon Islands
------------------------ 80
Langkawi, Malaysia
------------------------------ 199
Merimbula, Australia
------------------------------ 312
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
-------------------------------- 33
Perth, Australia
----------------------------------- 591
Port Moresby, Papua New
Guinea --------------- 45
Port Vila, Vanuatu
------------------------------- 126
Suva, Fiji
----------------------------------------- 159
Taupo, New Zealand
----------------------------- 473
Ulladulla, Australia
-------------------------------- 387
Chiang Mai, Thailand
------------------------------ 35
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