CRUSADE PART III

Saturday, March 25, 2006 – CRUSADE DAY II

Somehow I had the strength to wake up at 5.15am, which meant that I only had about 2 hours of sleep. Got to the hotel with Jenly, he was supposed to pick up and drive Mary and some others to the seminar too. Apparently, the hotel management decided to fumed the lobby ‘cause there were so many sick people hanging around there the day before, with my bronchitis I couldn’t stay long in there! I kept coughing and coughing, but a cup of hot tea that I ordered helped a lot.

I left in a van with 4 keyboards, Danny & MacPhee. When we tried to get into the VIP parking lots, we had another trouble with the pass. I had to argue but then we left to find another way. No use. It was raining, everyone was tired and pissy, so when we tried once again to enter the gate to get to the backstage area MacPhee just jumped out of the car, yelled at the security guard, and dragged the can drum which blocked the entrance to the side of the road and signed the driver to move on! I was like “WOW!” and the guards jaws dropped but they couldn’t do anything he3x But then Danny actually left something at the hotel, so I had to return to the hotel with Greg. The 2^nd time we came we had no trouble in the entrance.

Truthfully, I couldn’t concentrate on the seminar, I almost fell asleep at one point. Luckily I found some company but still the few hours seemed like a whole night long. It ended later then expected, so after that we loaded the stuff asap to the van & MacPhee & I went directly to the crusade venue while the others returned to the hotel.

Before the crusade began (backstage) Sarah asked me if there’s any way to order some flowers and had them delivered to the hotel the next morning. I said I could try. So I called Warna Flowers, the one that I usually order from (especially in urgent). Actually Mary’s birthday’s in Sunday and Lee wanted to send some flowers from him & his wife, they’d been friends for like 30 years. The florist said they could deliver the flowers before 10am. Lee said it was okay, so I ordered a hand bouquet of fresh white Lilies to be delivered to Mary’s room the next morning.

At the crusade this time, Sarah replaced Bita. There were more people blocking & filling the space in front of the barricade so it was harder for me to watch the cables, but I managed. Jose started to feel tense in his right shoulder where the carry the camera. He put it down whenever there’s chance, he even used the garbage plastic drum to put the camera while taking shots; poor man. I might’ve been more help if I were a man. He had a little conversation with Les, then Les came to me laughed & shook his head and told me: “You know, Jose always want to adopt another kid wherever we go when he already have like 9!” Ha3x yeah, no wonder he’s amazed ‘cause Les doesn’t want any kids, I think.

The traffic was a lot better before and after the service. I guess the committee learned a lot from the previous night’s situation. Everyone was able to leave the venue with the 2 vans at once. So I left with Bita. Priscilla asked us to drive her family to Putri Duyung Cottage, since we would pass the place anyway we took them in. After dropping them, we went straight to the hotel. Just took a few minutes to make sure none of the crew were in the lobby or need any help anymore, met Sarah in the and returned to Radin. Jenly was already sound asleep by the time we got there, had to knock the doors for quiet some time before he finally opened the door.

CRUSADE PART II

LIFE IS GREAT IF WE DON’T WEAKEN.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

I woke up with a heavy head, I couldn’t sleep well without any of my stuff toy. You see, I usually sleep holding some stuff toy in my hand (half of my bed is occupied with them actually), and wherever I go I always bring at least the smallest one with me. But I was in a hurry & my bag was full so I didn’t bring any and there goes my sleep T_____T

I didn’t get the chance to go to the seminar because Woody needed me to take John Smith, Kim, Sergio, Jose & Mike to take some camera shots around Jakarta. We left at 10am. Sarah & Bita had to pick up someone at the airport. Turned out that 3 people showed up, 2 ladies & a gentleman. They brought quiet a lot of luggage, so Bita had Jeff & Mary in her car while Sarah took Anita with a taxi. When they got to the hotel, Jeff’s name wasn’t in the list. Sarah called me in panic. I tried to call the PIC a couple of times but he didn’t answer, then I called Ael & he told me to call the PIC. So I took the alternative to call Sarah & asked her to arrange with the hotel to get him a room right then no matter what. If he has to move to another place later on was another problem we have to solve, but he needed his room right away. Woody even called me to ask about the reservation. Finally Sarah made it, way to go sis!

The team who went with me seemed to enjoy the ride, we stopped by at Warehouse Factory Outlets but actually nothing interests them. We went straight to the venue, then they left to the hotel without me, I had to wait for the others. Around 2.30pm the others who were still at the venue decided to call it a day and they told me that they wanted to eat some Chinese food. I took them to Nelayan Resto nearby. There were 6 other besides me: Woody, Kim, George, Roger, Dan and Mark. Since they wanted to have separate bills for each of them, the waitress coded them as Mr. A, Mr. B, Mr. C and so on ha3x but they preferred to be Doctor A & Doctor B instead hehehe silly… They really enjoy the food, I could tell, I did too. I had broccoli & scallop, Kim & George tried a spicy soup while the rest had sweet corn chicken soup. Oh, George ordered a unique menu, Fried Scallop with Melon & mayonnaise. I thought it would taste odd but it was good. Roger & Dan tried duck, Mark had steamed fish, Roger & Woody ate fried rice. It was too much for me because the portion was quite large, but yeah it was great… and we got desserts as compliments too!

Then Woody got a call, the van was needed to bring John Kunst & Les (the camera men) to the seminar in PRJ Kemayoran. So I just dropped the team off at the hotel & went straight with them to the seminar. For this assignment Danny gave me his special access pass, so I got the same access like the team. I accompanied John to walk outside the halls to take some shots, I really envy his height! He could get some great views… Oh, he liked bottled green tea too ha3x (had nothing to do with his height, though). We didn’t stay until the seminar finish cause Les just came a few hours earlier and John was still jet lag, they needed sleep badly. We got to the hotel at 8 pm. Since I ran out of pants, I went to ITC with Jenly to buy one, but then while we were buying dinner we got a call that we have to had to return to hotel asap cause some people were coming and no one was available to check them in. After almost an hour in the lobby I found it hard to keep my eyes open so I returned to Radin by myself & Jenly waited for them. I was the 1^st arrived, and I could have the luxury of a long hot shower he3x Sarah & Bita arrived while I was in the shower. I went to bed at almost 12. Tomorrow would be a big day… the 1^st day of the crusade…


Friday, March 24, 2006 – CRUSADE DAY I

Got to the hotel at 9am. The 4 of us prayed together before we leave the hotel. We prayed that God give us patience, wisdom & strength to do everything that we have to do. As soon as everybody finished breakfast, we left to the venue. The hotel lobby & entrance was already full with people bringing their sick friends & families, or people who wanted to check in to the hotel. It was pretty crowded. About an hour later Woody asked me to accompany Jeff to return to the hotel but I had to help Roger & Kim translated some stuff to the plasma TV guys who were installing audio speaker at Pastor Benny’s room at the venue. On my way back, the car was stopped at the Carnaval entrance because I haven’t gotten the VIP car pass. I had to quarrel with the guards and even called Woody to meet me at the entrance so I could get in. But then somebody from the committee recognized me & the special access pass and he let me through. When we returned to the hotel the road was already packed, but I still got the chance to get to Radin, freshened up a little and then picked up the team at 4pm. The traffic was very bad. The van couldn’t go on and we have to stop & walked to get to the VIP area. I was almost lost in the crowd, luckily I saw Tom and ran after him. John Kunst was feeling a bit sick (and furious) because nobody told him when they were leaving, he had to walk 2km from the hotel to the venue. It was long walk, not to mention the crowd, I could understand how he felt. Les was lucky, he took the police boat to get there. I thought he passed out in his room the whole day ha3x

Found 2 guys from the protocol team to help Sergio. Called Sam too but he didn’t show up until 5, so I told Sergio that he only have me, Bita & those 2 guys. Actually, Sergio assigned me & Bita to help Jose. I have to stay right behind him to hold his camera cables so he wouldn’t get tangled or tripped the cables when he’s moving around taking shots. Bita would be at the end of the cables by the corner of the stage, pulling and throwing me more cables if needed. Sergio lent me a pair of gloves, but it was too big. I couldn’t feel the cable. Was I losing it? Was I still holding it? Ha3x So I took them off, but that was a big mistake. At first it was pretty okay, ‘cause Jose just moved around the stage but then he started to get down and moved in front of the crowd. Now the hard work began. I had to move real fast (almost running) pulling & throwing cables behind me while at the same time I had to make sure that I didn’t pull Jose instead. Well, to err is human… I did pull him a couple of times, not to mention that it got stuck at the barricade that I started to think: “Uh oh! He hates me!” ha3x But after a couple of hours I started to get the hang of it and also 2 red palms. I should’ve worn the gloves. When the healing began, it started to get difficult too. Because I had to have enough cables with me for Jose to move around the stage, I had to pull & throw from behind the bush (flower pots actually he3x) and I couldn’t get further to the sterile area. I felt like playing kites, you know, watching where the wind blows & let my kites go with it. Only this time I had to watch where Jose goes and made sure nobody on the stage tripped on it especially Pastor Benny!! Ha3x I guess the choir had enough display of my butt, since I couldn’t stand and blocked the view I had to kneel down beside the speaker and got my head out of the bush to get a better view of the cables. What I didn’t realize till it’s over was that my pants got wet & dirty because the carpet was soaking from the Air Con water. It was finished around 11. At first Bita & I couldn’t get into the backstage area again though Jose already told Pastor Benny’s security that we’re okay. So we went up the stage again & waited beside the choir. I was exhausted & thirsty. Then Woody came & got us with him.

Woody said though he hated to ask me to do it but I had to be the one who left the last and make sure that no one was left out. Apparently, the traffic was a disaster, the van couldn’t return to the venue. Priscilla helped me to get some vehicles to get guys back. Sarah & I almost walk back to the venue, thank God our PIC took us & Priscilla in his car. MacPhee was in the car too. As soon as we got to the hotel the committee held an emergency meeting to arrange VIP car pass for us, simulating the traffic for the next day. At the same time, Sarah & I helped Andy complained the hotel about his room’s broken telephone unit. It was already 1am, I was soooooo starving cause I hadn’t eaten anything for the whole day! So I ordered fried rice for Sarah & I. I got to Radin at 2.15am, took a hot shower (thanks to my lovely cousin Sarah who prepared the hot water for me when I felt that I’d pass out anytime. Love you sis!! *smooch*) and went to bed at 3. Woke up at 5 to get Danny’s team to the seminar at 6.

I thought that would be the end of me… but I survived… and there were still 2 more days to go! Don’t stop reading here!!

PS: A little about the service. Our governor, Sutiyoso, gave a great speech. He asked us to stop killing & hurting each other, that the country will protect every single person no matter what your religion is. It was great. Some people were healed, and the sermon was ok. But I think it was just warming up, the next day would be even greater. Too bad about the traffic though, many sick people were still stuck at the venue at 2am!! I wished I could help but I was a wreck myself. God bless them all.

CRUSADE PART I

“WHAT DOESN’T DESTROY ME MAKES ME STRONGER!”

That’s a new phrase I got from George. Who’s George? Oh, he’s someone from Woody’s team. Who’s Woody? Oh, he’s my boss for a week in Benny Hinn’s Indonesia Crusade. Who’s Benny Hinn?

Okay, okay… those who wanna know about Benny Hinn can read about him & his ministry here. Go on… browse now… but if you wanna know about the other guys, it’s my story to tell. What can I say but that I’ve had a wonderful week of hard works & blessings. I got to meet some wonderful people and I’ll miss them much. I got to learn to humble myself and do His work the best I can. And I wanna share this great experience with you all. I’ll miss some things, but I’ll try my best.

So when I heard about this crusade I really wanted to come and tried to reserve a room at any hotel around the area to no avail. So I thought I’d have to miss it this time. But then my uncle called me and offered me to join the committee in the protocol team. So I said yes, I thought this would be a great opportunity to see how it works from up close. After a few meetings and just a couple of days before the arrival of the first team, we’re all still not sure what our job is and what we’re supposed to do after getting those people to the hotel. In the last meeting on Monday, March 20, I was a bit pissed off with the committee because I still didn’t get a confirmation when I will start working while my 1 week leave from the office had been approved. The PIC seemed to care more about the people who can provide vehicles than us who only offered ourselves & our time. After the meeting I called the PIC and when he found out that I’ll be available on Tuesday he asked me to come to Mercure Hotel – Ancol at 8am. So I came.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Actually, the committee provided 2 vans for the use of the some people. And I was appointed right away to be the person in charge of the vans, coordinating the usage with Woody – the team leader (I guess). That Tuesday, I didn’t do much work, except driving them to the venue from hotel and vice versa, translating stuff when necessary. I finished around 8 and one of the cars drove me & Jenly (a guy in the protocol team) home. The committee promised us a room in the hotel before but that night suddenly our reservation wasn’t available. The PIC said we’d get it the next day.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

I got to the hotel at 8am again. This time there were more things I could do to help. I found some people to help Sergio with the cables and eventually I worked with the cables too (^__^) It’s because the people couldn’t speak English and after a few minutes we only got 2 people out of 4 that we asked. I was doing nothing, so I thought why not helping. It was much better than being bored and all I had to do was unknotted the tangled cables. Later on, more people that’s still part of the team were coming. After working in the venue we returned to the hotel and some guys wanted to go to Carrefour WTC Mangga Dua to buy some personal things. After returning from Carrefour I thought my job was done for the day. But then some of them wanted to go to Hardrock to buy merchandises. I just had a few minutes to straighten my leg and I went to Hardrock with Sergio, George, Lee, Kim, Jose and John Smith. They actually decided to have dinner there too. By the way, the chicken tender was too spicy for me he3x While eating I got the news that we finally got a room at Mercure for the night, but then we have to move to Radin the next day. I got back to the hotel around 10.30pm - Sarah & Bita already in the room - arranged my stuff in the drawers, prepared clothes for the next day, took a shower and went to bed until 6.30 in the morning because I had to be in Mercure at 8am. At that time, I was really really mad at the committee because I didn’t think that they care about us. They didn’t care at all as long as the job was done, then it’s glory for their names. To tell the truth, we didn’t get a room until we threat to go home and not to return the next day (though I wouldn't do that anyway, just to send a message for them). I mean, we didn’t ask for anything fancy, really, just a decent place to crash cause we finish late and start early everyday. We could take care of our food but not our accommodation which, by the way, was already promised to be provided to make it easier for us to coordinate the schedule with the team. A driver who’s in charge with Danny also complained that he had to sleep in the car every night; he was a promised a place to sleep in too by the PIC. So Jenly & I tried to persuade him to stay, I gave him some money to get through the night. He said he’d call his boss and asked for confirmation what would be of him.

Before I went to sleep I took my time to pray and God reminded me that I have promised him to give my best for HIS work in this crusade. That there are no small jobs & big jobs, no important jobs & less important jobs. They’re all the same. They’re all our service to HIM. So I prayed to God to keep my mind and heart pure to do the things that HE wanted me to do, which was to work with Woody’s team and provided them the best that I could for the glory of the Lord. Don’t think about the committee, just think about HIS work. So I slept better with a peaceful mind and ready to start the next day which would started to get busy with the seminar.

And tomorrow… CRUSADE PART II… keep reading! (^___^)