Scarborough, England, Feastgoers enjoyed Indian summer with beautiful sunny days and warm temperatures, matching the ambience that prevailed among brethren.
Some described the atmosphere as electric, and many expressed reassurance over church teachings, said coordinator David Stirk.
Sermons were supplemented with two Bible studies, one covering the new covenant and Sabbath, and the second was a question-and-answer session.
In the opening message in Llandudno, Wales, the speaker explained that, because of budgetary restraints, this would be a no-frills Feast and that the members themselves would, with God's Spirit, make the Festival special. They did.
"The congregation was the warmest, most responsive Feast audience I have experienced," said coordinator Robert Harrison. "After months of difficulty and sadness, this Feast was sorely needed. The atmosphere of friendship, love, welcome and gratitude was so tangible one could almost touch it."
In Camber Sands, England, a family night of games early in the Feast helped break the ice. Keeping the Feast in a campground offered many fellowship opportunities, according to coordinator Russ Couston.
Brethren raised one thousand pounds (about $1,600) for a convoy of supplies to needy people suffering in Bosnia.
In Guernsey, Channel Islands, coordinator Barry Bourne gave an interview to BBC Radio Guernsey, and two independent newspapers on the island interviewed Mr. Bourne and John Halford, United Kingdom regional coordinator. Two area residents who heard the media reports attended services.
Visitors came from the British Isles and as far afield as Australia and Canada. Youths helped usher during services and take up the offerings.
A warm Irish welcome greeted Feastgoers in Kenmare, Ireland. Members gave money to a Kenmare farmer who lost hundreds of bales of hay in a fire. A donation was also made to St. Vincent de Paul, a charity for the needy. Brethren felt uplifted to attend the Feast in this relaxed setting.
At Idre Fjèll, Sweden, the northernmost Festival site, an intimate family atmosphere enhanced feelings of friendship and fellowship.
Guest speaker Randal Dick and members in the four Scandinavian countries met for planning and discussion meetings. This interaction added a new dimension to the Festival, said coordinator John Andrews, and greatly sparked the enthusiasm of the brethren.
This was the first year brethren gathered at two West African sites, Accra and Hohoe, Ghana. This was forced on us because of a lack of finances and accommodation problems, said coordinator David Bedford.
Alfred Ablordeppey, a local church elder, spent two days with members and families in Togo and gave two sermons in the Ewe language.
Many of the brethren in Hohoe spent the Feast together in a big house. They appreciated financial assistance from churches in England and the United States
This year brethren met for the Feast at eight locations in East Africa: three sites in Kenya, three in Uganda, one in Malawi and one in Tanzania.
International guests commented on the warm reception they received from African members, and many expressed a desire to return to these sites.
Social highlights included a tea dance in Nairobi, a game barbecue of impala and hartebeest and dance in Dar-es-Salaam, a family afternoon at the Kibirichia (Meru) church hall, a trip to the Bamburi reclamation project in Mombasa, various communal meals at the Ugandan sites and an African evening in Blantyre.
Feastgoers were pleased to watch the video of the satellite transmission of Pastor General Joseph Tkach's keynote address, which arrived at most of the sites.
In past years the satellite video has often arrived after the Feast, but this year there were no delivery problems.
The Worldwide NewsReel video was also shown, and most of the sermons revolved around the deliverance and salvation we have received through Christ Jesus.
After the Feast most visitors went on safaris to either the Masai Mara in Kenya, the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania or the Mvuu River in Malawi. A good number spotted the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo--exceptional for a two- or three-day trip.
Brethren observed the Feast in church-owned facilities in Lagos, where favorable weather and a relatively tranquil political situation were blessings appreciated by brethren.
Activities included a children's party and family fun day. Youths entertained brethren with traditional dances, drama, songs and poems in a talent show.
Lagos will be remembered as a site "where our little physical resources were multiplied into spiritual abundance due to our faith in Christ," said coordinator Emmanuel Okai.
In Owerri, brethren were encouraged by a sermon titled "A Call to Prayer." Many came to coordinator Eke O. Udeagha in tears, thankful to hear a public acknowledgement of our sins and shortcomings as a church in prayer and the need for God's forgiveness and mercy.
Some longtime readers and co-workers also attended. Members of the newest congregation from Awka attended on the first day and took part in a talent and cultural show.
Pastor General Joseph Tkach's message encouraged Feastgoers, many of whom wept openly as their commitment to God was renewed.
In the northern Nigerian city of Jos, brethren shared a couples seminar, a YOU play and songs and poems by the children. A lecture by a professor of applied psychology titled "Reasons Why Families Have Problems With Adolescent Children" added to a family-oriented spiritual Feast, said coordinator Josef Forson.
A high point of the Benin site was members' understanding of Christ as the cornerstone of the Festival. "Brethren are elated at the new understanding and were encouraged by the opening message of the new pastor general," said assistant coordinator Michael Ogunlase. Some described Mr. Tkach's sermon as a bold message of hope for the church.
Members made a modest beginning to their church building project by launching an appeal for funds.
"This year's Feast has gingered a great desire and zeal among the membership
to reach out to our communities with Christ's message of salvation," Mr.
Ogunlase said.
Llandudno, Wales ---------------- 370
Scarborough
---------------------- 768
Camber Sands ------------------ 1,029
Guernsey, Channel Islands ------- 302
Kenmare, Ireland
---------------- 370
Idre Fjèll, Sweden ---------------
168
Accra and Hohoe, Ghana -------- 450
Benin,
Nigeria -------------------- 114
Jos, Nigeria -----------------------
144
Lagos, Nigeria ------------------- 305
Owerri, Nigeria
----------------- 286
Blantyre, Malawi -----------------
169
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania ---------- 88
Kampala,
Uganda ----------------- 27
Tororo, Uganda -----------------
113
Meru, Kenya -------------------- 96
Mombasa, Kenya ---------------- 104
Nairobi, Kenya
------------------ 228
Kinshasa, Zaire ------------------
220
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