"This thread is about the Jesus Christians. Please stay on topic."

Thanks for the reminder, I will henceforth focus like a laser.

JESUS CHRISTIAN NEWSLETTER, #126, AUGUST, 2010

What a month it has been!

Touristy sidelights along with some serious distributing and frantic filmwork, a "Christmas in July" musical production, and all the last-minute plans for the arrival of relatives for the "cruise of a lifetime" for our community. Along the way there were a number of crises and close calls as well.

Lifeguard rescue

Trevor was caught in a dangerous tidal "rip" while surfing on the East Coast. He was being pulled out to sea, but Roland, with the help of a local lifeguard, was able to rescue him. We thank God for that.

Robbery

Our warehouse in Nairobi was broken into, with an old fridge and washing machine taken. Fortunately the thieves were not very literate, as they left hundreds of thousands of books untouched. We have now changed the locks and hired a Massai security guard.

Another shipment of books is on the way from India, which should give us enough books in Kenya for the next two years at the present distribution rate.

Visacard scam

A professional scammer hijacked one of our websites to be used for a visa card scam. Anti-fraud investigators informed us and we worked together to give them information which could be helpful in tracking down the culprit. Note: People visiting our site were not affected. The scammer just used the site to create a counterfeit visa card page, which could not be seen by ourselves, and which could not be (easily) traced back to them.

Gianstefanis leave the community

Roland, Sue and Daniel, who arrived from the U.K. later than the rest of us because of Dan's schooling in the U.K., spent a day in Melbourne with some of Sue's relatives before Sue and Dan joined the film crew and Roland joined the distributing team in Sydney.

There were a number of community discussions with the three of them over the month, with them deciding to leave the community after more than twenty years of membership. There have been numerous tensions over their parenting skills, which led to the decision. However, we are hopeful that our relationship will continue in a positive and helpful way.

New whipping trial

We held another mock trial this month, as a political demonstration against horrific persecution of peaceful Falun Gong practitioners in Communist China. Alf and Jayme submitted to 25 lashes of the whip as a form of substitutionary punishment for the former leaders of the Communist Party (Jiang Zemin) and the Secret Police (Luo Gan) who both refused to attend. Falun Gong practitioners attended and gave testimonies. Many were moved to tears during the proceedings. You can read more about it and (if you scroll down a little) find a link to a Chinese television report on the trial, with JCs acting as representatives of nine different countries on the jury. The forum link is:
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

See also:
[www.ntdtv.com]

Footage from the trial will be incorporated into the documentary "Beyond Justice", which we hope to complete after the cruise.

By way of explanation, the whippings of innocent volunteers were an attempt to draw attention to the reality of suffering that goes on out of sight of the general public in Australia. The aim is to channel outrage against corrupt regimes as well as show solidarity with the suffering of those who have no voice in China.

More kidney donations planned

Joe and Bob are going through preliminary tests in the hope of being able to donate a kidney in the next couple of months. Details of when and where they will donate are not being revealed for fear of interference by people who are committed to stopping Jesus Christians from helping people who are dying from end stage renal disease. We will probably not tell a lot more about this until after the donations have taken place.

Sightseeing & family visits

The film crew and distributing crew each downed tools near the end of the month and linked up for various outings in Sydney, including a ferry trip to Cockatoo Island, the Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, the Opera House, a visit to the botanical gardens, and some bush walks led by Kim's father, Keith. Kim's family has been especially gracious, accommodating more than a dozen JCs in the days leading up to the cruise. We had a great barbecue at Manly Dam with many of Kim's relatives present.

Seven Jesus Christians had a great evening at Gary (Dave and Cherry's son) and Roshini's house, including a fantastic meal and a couple of games of Werewolf. Gary and Roshini and their four kids made room for us to stay the night as well.

Chock full of chokos

Rob, Chris, and Karl have been holding the fort over in Kenya throughout the reunion, where they have been getting about 100 chokos a week from just three vines. Hundreds of sprouting chokos (ready for planting) have been distributed to local school children, many of whom are orphans. Chokos do not have much flavour, but they are a good source of nutrition.

We have also harvested ten pumpkins and ten stalks of bananas this month. Karl has planted many sukuma seedlings, and the blackberry vines are producing now. Since keeping the chicken yard locked, egg production has improved as well.

Riot threat to ease?

A referendum on the new Kenyan constitution is happening as this newsletter goes to press. We have stocked up on food, fuel, and other supplies in case of riots, such as happened during the last election. However, most people expect that violence will be restricted to the Rift Valley, where MPs are threatening anyone who votes in favour it. People from tribes outside that area are moving away to avoid bloodshed.

The former President, Daniel Arap Moi, is opposing the new constitution. Recently, 21 people who were tortured under his regime were awarded two million shillings each, although nobody has been charged with actually doing the tortures.

Freegan report

On one bin-raiding expedition, Jesse and Alf were called back by a store worker after an unsuccessful attempt to find food. He gave them $30, insisting that they "go and have yourselves a good feed". Acts of kindness like this are humbling and inspiring.

Christmas in July

Our final musical performance was at a Christmas in July function celebrating winter in Australia. The crowd was entertained with such classics as Winter Wonderland and White Christmas, complete with confetti snow. Alf's rendition of "Oh Holy Night" at the end, sung by candle light, was very moving.

Members of the band have also been working on ten original songs to be included with the videos that we have been making.

Track record

Casey has continued on his record-breaking way, clocking up a personal best of 10:35 for two miles this month. Nevertheless, based on handicaps and consistency, Bob took out the honours for the ten-week round, with a personal best time of 11:50 for the distance.

Boop leaves

Boop left Nairobi for India, having been a great help with everything from a flea and mouse extermination campaign to working in the garden and dealing with needs of a few of our neighbours.

Listed below are some of the new topics that have been raised on the forum this month:

"How Many Times Should You Forsake All?" asked by CrossReach (Irish Dave).
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Contributions by 3rd parties on communication between Joe and Sheila, started by Dave.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Denise Matteau Videos trashing the JCs, posted by RedYucca.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Support for JCs, from Pagan Respector.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Freeganism and the teachings of Jesus, from Sheila.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

The Revolution, by Joe.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Personal testimonies about miracles, started by Catherine.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

How much families in various countries spend on food, raised by Jackie.
And a similar one about living on $2 a day from Joe.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Research on how spiritual strength relates to physical strength, posted by Ashwyn.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Songs with a good message, started by Dave.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Art as an expression of faith, by Little Rose (Denise).
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

What it means to be a prophet, started by Ulrike.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Transsexuals and Jesus, an article from Catherine.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Billboards that scan your face, from Rob.
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

The frustration of being told by churchies that Jesus didn't mean what he said, by Pagan Respector
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Update on Zoe's near selection for Big Brother, from Lisa (Zoe).
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Did Jesus really want all of his followers to forsake all? by Littlerose (Denise)
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Please visit our forum and have your say!
[www.jesus-teachings.com]

Am surprised to read that the Gianstefanis have left the JCs. And the footage of the JCs' latest whippings on Chinese television was a hoot.

Thanks for posting the newsletter in your semi-retirement, Zeuszor. Where would we be without the updates from this sorry group?

So now the Gianstefanis have left because of opinions on raising children.

Well all accounts have it that children are not really a part of the Jesus Christians way of life, or something that they historically do very well.....I am sure that given time, the Gianstefanis might find some things in common with other ex-members with children.

Kidney donations continue......and they want to claim that there is no undue influence behind these very personal decisions????



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2010 05:24PM by Blackhat.

You are welcome, Blackhat. I am not in semi-retirement, I have moved on to bigger and better things, and will continue to pop in from time to time.

So they recruit one, and then lose three. In any case, at least they are shrinking, not growing.

I wish you well in your bigger and better things, Zeuszor.

Yes, the count is down. WIN!

Thank you, Blackhat.

For my part, I continue to look forward to the day when I get word that DM has left his body. May that day come sooner, rather than later.

I suspect that he has longevity genes, combined with a relatively healthy lifestyle, so don't hold your breath!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2010 09:44PM by Blackhat.

Yes, now that IS news, isn't it! The Gianstefani's moving out! Praise God! That's amazing!

I would have never imagined that Roland would have had the "guts" to have done as much (Sue always did!)...

......to be able to say "enough is enough" to McKay!

......all things ARE indeed possible with God.

David will want to remain on "friendly terms" with them as long as he can, in order not to feed the ranks of his enemies...

although I suspect that's a perspective that the Gianstefani's will not share forever....

There have been numerous tensions over their parenting skills, which led to the decision.

Hmmm...that comment tells us a lot....so Sue (like Vicki!) wanted a future for her son, further to simply distributing David's vile vomit, unpaid, for the rest of his days...and she then no doubt, refused to "submit" her son to the "discipline" of the "JC community"(i.e. psychopathically self-centered McKay.....)....

....no doubt she has already been through countless grievance meetings admonishing her for her "pride" and her "wilful refusal" to "consider" the "needs" of the wider community (to put absolutely nothing before their obligations of bootlicking....) ...and yet Sue held firm!! A credit to her!

"Parenting skills" would be the "rationalization" McKay needs to explain away the departure of the Gianstefanis' (both to other members within the JC's and to eternal observors) with a fraudulent reference to an (invented) inadequacy on their part, that David tried "valiantly" to correct.....

MY PREDICTION : Psychotic McKay has again had it confirmed to him, that permitting "couples" in the community, self generates, potential cells of "rebellion" against him.....hence internally, McKay will rail against Sue and Roland, failing to "follow" the Shepherd (himself) due to their progressively taking their eyes off "Jesus" and will thus re-emphasize the "dangers" of marriage, that he "protects" his disciples from, with his (unscriptural)call to celibacy....


...and so after TWENTY years service, the Gianstefanis' umm....well,...have of course left the JC community with a "tenth" of all that the JC's own, don't they? You know...(Their fair "share") of the JesusChristians "goods and chattels" which we are repeatedly told ad naseum is "held in common"......

(....and didn't David put a "price" on this (JC cash on account) recently....)

But....NO, of course not!! David will have seen them off as cheaply as possible.....!

What a God forsaken, thieving fraud, the man is!!

From what I've read lately on the JC Forum, Rols and Sue would have agreed that they leave with nothing, and they would be happy about that.

They are still so friendly with the JC's that there is no apparent friction.

So the only way they could leave with no friction would be for them to forsake all again, and leave with nothing.

After how many years? Bonus $$$ for Dave....

That's my reading of it, for what it's worth....