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:
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See also:
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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).
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Contributions by 3rd parties on communication between Joe and Sheila, started by Dave.
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Denise Matteau Videos trashing the JCs, posted by RedYucca.
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Support for JCs, from Pagan Respector.
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Freeganism and the teachings of Jesus, from Sheila.
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The Revolution, by Joe.
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Personal testimonies about miracles, started by Catherine.
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How much families in various countries spend on food, raised by Jackie.
And a similar one about living on $2 a day from Joe.
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Research on how spiritual strength relates to physical strength, posted by Ashwyn.
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Songs with a good message, started by Dave.
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Art as an expression of faith, by Little Rose (Denise).
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What it means to be a prophet, started by Ulrike.
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Transsexuals and Jesus, an article from Catherine.
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Billboards that scan your face, from Rob.
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The frustration of being told by churchies that Jesus didn't mean what he said, by Pagan Respector
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Update on Zoe's near selection for Big Brother, from Lisa (Zoe).
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Did Jesus really want all of his followers to forsake all? by Littlerose (Denise)
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Please visit our forum and have your say!
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