INTRODUCTION

In this issue we bring you up to date on what is happening in some of our far-flung assemblies. We also report on the many ways your contributions to the Mission Fund help out these saints.

There is an important message from the Council Chairman, Pastor John Kuhlmann, about visiting assemblies in third world countries.

Finally we bring you a pot-pourri of news and photos of the varied camps conducted in the Revival Fellowship. Camps perform a valuable function and help in the growth of our members. An old saying has it that “six days at Camp is worth six months back in town”. Whether that is strictly true or not isn’t important: they are always great fun and a wonderful blessing. We truly enjoy “how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity”.

By the grace of God we have a wonderful Fellowship. Let’s all enjoy it; protect it; and help it grow!

U.K. SPRING RALLY

The U.K. assemblies held their Easter weekend Rally 6-9th April in Richmond, in London’s western suburbs. Members gathered from around the country and the assemblies in Manchester, Liverpool, Yorkshire, Exeter and Medway were represented, as well as the two local centres. They were joined by brethren from Ireland, France and Holland. A highlight of the weekend was the fellowship picnic lunch before the Communion meeting (see photo below). Outreaches were in place for four out of the five sessions over the weekend. In addition, the venue provided a steady flow of inquisitive hotel guests, who poked their heads in to see what all the singing was about. In all, ten visitors attended meetings, of whom three were baptised. Praise the Lord.

Sunday Meeting		Picnic in the English Spring weather

FIJI

Pastor Ilaitia tells us all is going well in Fiji. He has recently appointed two new pastors: Pastor Moala Eati who is starting a fellowship in Vanua Vatu and Pastor Api who is heading a new centre in Moala Lau.

The Suva fellowship is continuing on strongly, now spread over two centres, with Pastor Joe in Suva and Pastor Babae in Nasouri.

Pastor Aquila of Lambasa has expanded to three separate meetings on Sunday including one in Lambasa, one on an island, and one at Seaqaqa, an outer suburb.

Recent 21st birthday celebrations

HUNGARY

Saints from all over Europe came together in Hungary from 4th till 9th April to enjoy the Hungary Spring Camp in hotel-style accommodation on the shores of picturesque Lake Balaton (at 80km long, Europe’s largest inland lake). There were the usual morning prayer meetings and Bible studies and evenings were filled with testimonies, items and talks from the senior men and pastors.

This was immediately followed by the big blessing that week - after much work and preparation - the official opening of the Hungary Fellowship’s Hall on the Monday following Camp. Congratulations to Pastor Chris Kaye and the Hungarian saints!

Brethren in front of the new hall		First Meeting in the New Hall

BALI

At last! The assembly in Bali has successfully registered with the government as the “Bali Revival Fellowship”. Although some countries wouldn’t be too worried about official registration, this matter is particularly important in Bali, part of the Indonesian archipelago. With their new-found official status they may now hold church meetings with more than 40 participants. In addition, they may officially lease property for church services, conduct open outreaching and so on. It also opens the way to appoint pastors and conduct wedding ceremonies. Their first proposed pastor, brother William, is in the process of gaining his accreditation.

INDIA

Ps Steve Gillespie reports his work transfer to India has proceeded well. He and his wife Pam have settled into a house in Bangalore and have started meetings (they have converted the basement of their house into a meeting area with room for about 30 people). Vijay and family from Bangkok assembly recently joined them. They have a house in the same colony as the Gillespies (just around the corner), so there will be regular meetings and preaching in the area. Pastor Steve passes on his warm regards to all brothers and sisters and asks that we keep him in our prayers. Please feel free to pass him any good contacts you may have in India.

AFRICA

Ivory Coast

In January Pastor Ron Carslake of Capetown visited our brethren in Abidjan with a group of saints from Europe. It was a good time of fellowship and encouragement, with a lot of emphasis on street witnessing. During the stay 10 people were baptised, and subsequently another 4 have been baptised and Spirit-filled. There are now about 30 folk in fellowship, and our brother Wellington is looking for a larger place to meet.

Wellington has also been busy with the arduous process of registering the fellowship with the Ivorian authorities. The application has been completed, paid for and lodged with three separate ministries, and now we are waiting for approvals. Registration should give them some protection from harassment, which is a very real problem in a country suffering constant unrest. We are praying for the Lord’s continued blessing on the work here.

Brother Jakuba, newly Spirit-filled, as you might guess from the smile.		A baptism. (The tank is located in sister Gifty’s kitchen)

Cameroon

In February Pastor Ron and brother Alain Artus from France visited a group of saints in Douala. Brother Georges who is leading the work there was only baptised in August last year, but already he has baptised another 16 folk. Another 8 were baptised while our brothers were there, and a further 2 have been baptised since they left.

The group has managed to rent a large house which they are renovating and using as a hall for meetings. Douala is a bustling port city with a lot of potential for revival. Brother Alain is planning a return visit in May.

The first Sunday meeting in the new hall; still under construction.		The new banner boldly advertising our presence on the side of the house-hall.

Democratic Republic of Congo

In Lubumbashi our brother Jimmy Lumbala (see photo - below left) is leading the group. During a visit in February by Pastor Ron and Pastor Millan of Zambia another 3 people were baptised and Spirit-filled. Jimmy has had a problem trying to find a place for everyone to meet at once, so we have now rented a piece of land where they are in the process of constructing a temporary structure which will suit the purpose.

Some of the saints from Lubumbashi. Jimmy, our leader here, is on the extreme left hand end, wearing the creamcoloured jacket, and his wife Rachael is at the opposite end, dressed in black.		A new sister, Sophia, being baptised

South Africa

In Cape Town the saints recently enjoyed their Easter camp. The theme was “Here am I, Send Me”, and during the camp there were 2 baptisms, bringing the total to 9 people baptised and Spirit-filled so far this year. Our brothers in the prison just north of Cape Town are also continuing to walk on, and the change in their lives has been so significant that 2 of them now have the prospect of an early parole and release.

Zambia

Since the last visit in August 2006 there have been 62 baptisms, and Pastor Ron and crew saw a further 26 during a recent trip. He reports as follows.

“The assemblies are growing and our pastors have a good understanding of the Word of God. At the end of last year Pastor Eddie was able to use his connections at ZNBC to arrange some radio interviews with himself and Pastor Emman to inform people of who the Revival Fellowship is and what we believe. A lot of people heard the interviews and a number of contacts have been generated as a result.

It seems that local people are not as suspicious now of the assemblies as they were (partially a legacy of the radio interviews), and the saints are finding more people are willing to come to meetings and see what we are about.

On a practical note, almost all of our rural assemblies have planted areas of maize this year which will be harvested shortly and will certainly provide some funds to help the work. Other small projects are also helping financially.

As we travelled around we heard many testimonies. In Lumwana West a sister told us how she had been constantly sick (probably AIDS) before she heard the gospel, but after she was baptised and Spirit-filled she was completely healed. Everyone who knows her is amazed at her recovery. Recently Pr Eddie’s little boy, about one year old, contracted what was probably malaria. His fever was so high that he kept fainting, but as his mother Emelda prayed, the Lord completely healed him. In Mufumbwe last year, our sister Florence was admitted to hospital with a serious kidney condition. An operation was performed but there were complications and she was expected to die. Pr Eddie visited her with Pr Emman, and, the day after they prayed for her, she miraculously recovered. Praise the Lord.”

Brother Basil with 2 new sisters. The smiles tell the story!		Folk at a meeting in Njilamtambo

Brother Fordson baptising a new sister at Mwinilunga		The saints at Lumwana West

PROTOCOL WHEN VISITING OVERSEAS COUNTRIES

With all the overseas travelling these days, Pastor John Kuhlmann has again asked Australian visitors to be sensitive to the cultural differences when visiting international assemblies.

“Please remember you must check with your local pastor, who will check with the liaison pastor, before making any plans to visit assemblies in other countries.

Here are the main issues that cause difficulties:

• General cultural differences.
• Concern for our physical safety.
• Cargo cult mentality
• Risk of jealousy over gifts.
• Cross-cultural romances

Liaison Pastors:

	PNG	Joe Abel	(Central Coast)
	Fiji	Terry Coles	(Gold Coast)
	Vanuatu	Bob Beverley	(Canberra)
	Brazil	David Elliott	(Fresno; or Darryl Williams in Melbourne)
	Philippines	Colin Tan	(Singapore & Manuel Giannikouris in Darwin)
	Bali	Deane Clee	(Coober Pedy)
	Asia	Australian contact - Graeme Hazeldine (Adelaide)
	West Africa	Pieter Visser	(Holland)
	Kenya/Zambia/Congo	Brian Allen	(Mt Gambier & Ron Carslake in Cape Town)

Thank you for your co-operation.”

MISSION FUND DONATIONS

P.N.G. – Project 1

After ten years running his 4-wheel-drive vehicle around some of the roughest jungle tracks in the world, the Fellowship raised sufficient funds to buy our senior pastor in Papua-New Guinea, Godfrey Wippon, a new vehicle at the beginning of 2007. Pastor Godfrey is delighted, and has asked that we express his profound gratitude to all those who contributed. Be well assured he will put it to excellent use in further spreading the Good News.

P.N.G. – Project 2

The mammoth task of helping Pt Moresby assembly with a hall is well under way with donations collected so far standing at $300 000. (NB. Pt Moresby assembly’s communion count Sunday two weeks ago was over 3 100 Spiritfilled! – a very big group to house). Plans are being prepared and, provided local council approvals are gained, we expect to start building shortly. Again, warm thanks to all who participated.

Zambia

In excess of $7 000 was raised over the New Year to fund a motor bike to help Pastor Eddie get around the assemblies in Zambia. We will buy the first bike shortly. We are also looking to purchase a second one for Pastor Millan. These men walk, cadge lifts, ride pushbikes, bivouac in the open and catch unreliable public transport in their 700km round trip to minister to all their assemblies. A motorbike is a simple, but extremely valuable, aid to their work. Again, many thanks to all who contributed in the recent appeal.

CONVENTION 2008

Darwin assembly tells us they will not be holding the 2008 Convention, as originally hoped, as the project would be too big for them. However, with all the interest generated in the Top End, they have decided to conduct a special outreach there in July, 2008 instead. So if you had planned some time off there next year, hang on to it, and join in their evangelical efforts instead. Watch this space for more details.

CAMPS

One of the features of the Revival Fellowship is the wide variety of Camps available. These are held all over the globe in places as far afield as P.N.G., Germany, Fiji, U.S.A. and throughout Australia. Heading off to camp is a great way to unwind, as well as spend some excellent time fellowshipping with the saints. Most camps are based around the Word of God; with plenty of Bible studies, encouraging testimonies and warm fellowship. Camps provide an outlet too for latent artistic talents as members perform songs, act out skits and even recite their own poetry. (Each evening there is usually a family-style concert.)

For most assemblies Christmas Camp is usually the most popular. There are also regular Easter camps (again it’s the availability of time off from work – not the “religiousness” of the holiday). Many assemblies hold Young People’s Camps, Children’s Camps and Teen’s Camps. There are Spring Camps and Winter camps. The list goes on.

If outreaching is the “pointy end” of our Fellowship, then camps are definitely the most relaxing part. You haven’t lived till you’ve been to a Revival Fellowship camp.

Christmas & Northern Hemisphere Winter Camps Around The World

New Zealand		England

Western Australia		Tasmania, Australia

Fiji

South Africa		Singapore

Easter & Northern Hemisphere Spring Camps

Tasmania, Australia		Virginia, USA

South Africa

Port Macquarie, Australia		Hungary

Fresno, USA

Young People’s and Other Camps

Perth, Western Australia

Canada

Queensland, Australia