CRUSADE PART V: THE PARTINGS

The 4 of us woke reluctantly because we knew that this would be the last day we’re going to spend with the crew. Sarah & I went to Mercure by taxi cause we had to leave earlier to take Woody shopping. Priscilla then suggested why not go straight to the airport from Sarinah Thamrin so they could have more time to shop & didn’t have to rush back to the hotel. Woody said it’s a good idea. So he informed those who wanted to go shopping too to get ready with their luggage. I had a little time to take pictures with Bad Uncle George & Kim. We took pictures with Woody before he got on the van. PICTURES HERE. So I took Woody, Kim, John Smith, Sergio, George & Lee in the van. Sarah would leave later with the other van.

We went to Sarinah Thamrin. Kim went to buy some merchandise in Starbucks while the others shopped at the 5^th floor. We didn’t stay long though, they were ready to leave at 11.30. So we headed straight to the airport. There was a long traffic in the highway so I called Sarah and told her that she better leave soon.

The farewell was short. I couldn’t get into the check-in area, John Smith & Sergio were already got on so I didn’t get a chance to shake hands or say goodbye with them. I just shook hands with Kim, Lee & George. Woody was last one in. I told him how much I enjoy the 1 week that we’re working together, he told me that we’re all very helpful and everybody was satisfied with our aids. I was a bit sad actually… I almost cried when he hugged me and said that maybe we’ll see each other again, maybe on their visit to Asia or maybe I could have a vacation in USA. Maybe, who knows? To prevent myself from crying, I waved him bye as he entered the check-in door & turned around and just walked out of the door.

I waited for the other van for about 30 minutes. I saw Randy, Kenya& Dale in front of the check-in door, said goodbye. Then I saw JK & Mark came in with Bita & Sarah. The most complete farewell, I had the chance to take pictures with them, hugs & kisses, and then they’re gone. And we 3 girls were standing there outside the door, looking at each other as if to make sure that it’s all over just like that… and then we decided to return to Mercure. Sarah & I took 1 van & Bita the other. We didn't say anything for the 1st few minutes, then we shared stories of everything that we'd been through the past week and we both thought that one day we'll have to see them again for sure (^__^).

On our way back to Ancol, my boss called me in my cell, asked things about BH. Then it turned out to be a very meaningful conversation about God & Christianity. I was tired, but I couldn’t help myself to grin from ear to ear to hear him say: “I believe in God, I believe in Christianity!” After so long he declared himself as an atheist, and now suddenly he wanted to believe in a miracle that is called Jesus? Well, he still couldn’t believe 100%, but at least he’s curious now, and that was a sign that I shouldn’t stop praying for him & his family so one day they will believe in the living God that I serve and worship!

We didn’t stay long at the hotel, I transferred the pictures from Sarah’s camera, called a taxi and returned home with my bicycle. Talked with my parents about all I’ve been through the whole week. And at night when I was alone in room I just realized that I’m back home now, that I won’t be seeing those guys anymore until God decides that we should, and I’d be back to work tomorrow and won’t be cabling anymore (^__^).

FINAL WORDS

The Crusade had been a very meaningful event for the growth of Christianity in Indonesia. After so long we’ve been accused of trying to Christianize the country, that we didn’t even get the chance to worship together in an open space. Our house of worships had been burnt down, our people had been killed, and yet we still stood by foundation of the Lord’s words, that WE MUST LOVE. So we loved everybody of every faith & belief, no matter what had been done upon us. The opportunity to worship together & to hear the words of the Lord had been an amazing & overwhelming experience for me. Though I was doing my shares of aid during the service, my heart was filled with joy and I cried my tears on the stage while holding the cables to see those souls who were searching for HIM, wanting to get to know HIM & HIS LOVE.

Before I committed myself to help in the committee, I prayed to God to give me answers to things that had been bothering my mind for the last 2 months. I was depressed and felt that Father didn’t understand how I felt. But through the team that I was working together with, HE showed me that HE loves ME and HE knew what I was going through. HE knows when I’m sad, HE knows when I’m bored, HE knows when I need help, HE knows when I’m angry, HE knows when I need to share, HE knows when I need to humble myself so that only HIS name be glorified, HE KNOWS EVERYTHING & EVERY LITTLE THING THAT WE THOUGHT MIGHT MEAN NOTHING TO HIM. THEY ALL MATTERS TO HIM. Like Pastor Benny said in the 1^st day of the crusade: HE HEALED EVERYONE NOT JUST PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED IN HIM. EVERYBODY. Every words & acts that were shown by the people around me, whether it’s pleasant or not, they all showed me every little thing that I asked of HIM. And I couldn’t be more THANKFUL. If any of Benny Hinn crew ever read this, I wanna thank you all for every efforts that you’ve made to make this Crusade happen for my country. And though you may not realize it, you all had been an answer to my prayers.

On Wednesday, while I was helping Sergio with the cables for the 1^st time, my mom was undergoing her last radiation therapy. I didn’t dare to ask her about it, thought I’d wait till I got home and then we could have a talk. So when I got home, I asked my mom. She said that her doctor said that her condition was far more better than before the radiation. In fact, she should’ve had her inside radiation on Friday (she has to stay in the hospital for a couple of days for it) but she told her doctor that it could wait because she wanted to come to the Crusade. She came twice, on Saturday & Sunday. And she believed that she’d been healed too. On Sunday she thought she was too tired and her body was a bit fragile, but she made up her mind, she had faith. And she said she felt that God had healed her when she worshiped him with the crowd.

How can you not believe in a GREAT GOD LIKE HIM? How can you not believe in HIS POWER? How can you not believe in HIS LOVE & MERCY? TO GOD BE ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND PRAISE. God Bless you All!!

CRUSADE PART IV : THE FINALE

Sunday, March 27, 2006 – CRUSADE DAY III

Got better sleep, 5 hours, but still woke up pretty early. When all of us had woken up, Jenly asked me: “By the way Kristin, was it you I saw down there in front of the crowd with Jose?” I said of course it was me, who else would it be? He was so shocked ‘cause he thought my job was only staying by then end of the stage sitting on a chair pulling cables like he did! Ha3x And I was like: “Now that you mention it, so you’re telling me that you just sat on the chair all the time & not moving anywhere at all?? Yeah, why me and not you? How come? I thought I’m the girl here?” He3x Funny…

While waited for the hot water to fill up the tub, I called the florist. The flowers had been delivered. Then I thought why not order one arrangement from us too? The florist said it could be delivered in 2 hours. I promised to pay by ATM transfer, I saw one machine at Mercure. Sarah & I left Radin by taxi because we promised to meet Jeff at 10, Jeff needed my help to translate the governor’s speech at the 1^st night. When we arrived at Mercure Jeff was still not around. So I went to the ATM. Sarah called Jeff in his room, told him we’re already waiting in the lobby. He came down a few minutes later, and we worked the translation at the business centre.

Apparently, the flower arrangement from us was delivered to Mary’s room with a message from Lee & Nancy (again). So Lee was a bit confused why would there be 2 bouquets sent from him? Ha3x Sarah explained to him outside while I was translating, and gave him the transfer slip. By the way, I met Ira’s mom at Mercure’s lobby. I hadn’t seen her for like a year I think. She said her husband’s upstairs in their room but I didn’t get the chance to meet her again later on. By that time I was ready to leave with the 1^st van. I met Sergio at the coffee shop when I ordered lunch. He showed me a picture of his wife, a very beautiful lady and found out that he had no kids. He’s a super nice guy.

Since the service began at 3pm, 1 van left at 1pm. Inside the venue some road was blocked, even the road to the backstage were already filled with people. Our driver became impatient and got out of the van to search for a security guard to open the way for us. After a few minutes some ushers were kind enough to help us and asked the people blocking the way to stand and step aside until we’re through. Avanza in front of us was already like 3 meters ahead and still no sign of our driver. To prevent the people from blocking the way again, I jumped to the driver’s seat and followed the Avanza. After a few meters the driver returned but it was impossible for me to stop while turning so I signaled him to get into the passenger’s seat. We changed position again after the road was clear, phew…

Everybody was more relaxed backstage. Perhaps because it’s already the last day and I could see that they’re all tired, couldn’t wait to get home too. Had a little conversation about everybody with Woody. That day happened to be Woody’s 18^th anniversary so I congratulated him. He showed me pictures of his son & daughter, also told me how many the others have. Jose already had 3 sons but he really wanted to have a daughter. He already prepared an adoption process for a Filipino girl named (about 14 years old), his wife was in Manila ready to take her home but the government said he had to wait for another year. He didn’t want to wait. So from Jakarta he’d go straight to Manila to meet his wife. Jose then asked everybody to say something to Angie (the adopted daughter) while he record them with his camera. When it’s Sergio’s turned, he asked: “What should I say?” Jose said: “Say: I’m going to pay for your first class ticket to America!” (^0^) I really wished him luck and he’d be able to bring Angie home with him this time.

It was so hot when the service started I thought I wouldn’t make it. But I had prepared a bottle of water by the stage. Just a few minutes before it started Jenly came to my side of the stage, saying that JK needed someone to help him out too. Hal was having a sore foot so he asked of he could switch with Sarah. I said no problem as long as that guy was ready ‘cause the service was about to began. But I didn’t get anyone for about 1 hour! Jose already wanted to get to the crowd but it’s a bit of trouble without someone at the end of the cables. I had trouble already just when he moved to the center of the stage. I could tell that he started to feel pissed of and asked Woody where’s the other girl? After an hour or so I finally got someone I never knew to help me out & Jose went to the crowd. There were about 500K people coming, it was amazing! Oh, Mike made some ugly pics of me, like I need another one?? He3x I never even have a picture of myself that I think is good enough… maybe next time he should make a nice one of me.

Things were more exciting on stage. John Starnes even helped me with the cables (when I mouthed sorry & thank you to him he mouthed back: “That’s okay. Is this enough?” Nice guy…) and Naomi offered her seat at the end of the front row cause she saw me winced at my knees (^_^). Mike stayed on stage for some time too. I felt a bit different with the healing this time, I really felt that the Holy Spirit was there. My chest was filled with joy with every miracle being testified on the stage. I couldn’t help myself to clap my hands & shout Halleluyah with the crowd!!

The final service ended around 8. Then we started rolling the cables and packed. Then 4 girls from the choir asked Jose to have a picture with them. They asked many things, especially about American guys. Jose just showed them the pics of his family and Angie. After that I helped Sergio out (his comment: “You just wanna make sure that we’re ready to leave the country, huh?” Ha3x well, at that time, at least leave the venue) I felt a bit sad actually, like: “It’s over now?” Especially when Sergio & Jose said that maybe we could meet somewhere if they visit Asia, could be in Singapore or even Australia in June. Who knows… With HIM, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. And around 11 everybody was ready to leave. I was waiting for the vans to get ready when Sergio came out with his bike. I thought he was going to return to the hotel first. He asked me: “Do you know how to ride a bike?” I said yes. “Then it’s yours.” I thought he was just asking me to ride back to the hotel because he’s tired. But then he told Dan again that the bike was mine and I was like: “You mean… I just ride it to the hotel right? I’ve been wanting to do it.” His answer: “It’s up to you! It’s yours now, I gave it to you.” *boom* They’re not leaving yet but I got an inheritance already! Ha3x He took some pics of me and the bike and with him also, then I tried it out in front of him and he taught me about the gears and everything.

The 1^st van left without me. And Sarah left with the 2^nd. There were only Mark, JK & Kim left. After almost 30 minutes I checked the 1^st which supposed to return and get us all. He said he was already on his way but some ladies wanted to go for a dinner using him. I told him to return and get us right away. I think these 3 guys left was very tired and got impatient they even called Woody to check about the van. I was the last one to left riding my new bike. I got to the hotel a minute behind Danny. See my bike's picture? It’s good isn’t it? (^__^) Sarah already ordered hot tea & fried rice for me at the lobby bar, I finished them in 15 minutes. On our way out we met Woody & George who just came back from the steam room. Bita asked Woody if he already gave out his bike to anybody. Woody said no and offered her his. When they went to get it Sarah & I had a chat with George. Everybody was having a good time at the steam room, relaxing & getting all the toxic out their pores. Jose had a tense shoulder, Sergio had knot on his back. He said that at their age they shouldn’t be carrying camera around anymore, their bodies weren’t as strong & as when they were young, it was hazardous to their body. But since Sergio & Jose had been with BHM since day 1, they probably would still be doing it for years to come. They were such dedicated men of God.

Bita’s dad drove us to Radin & he brought Bita’ bike home. Oooh, they’d start to leave tomorrow… and I’d missed them already! That night I had another long hot shower, and I just realized that I got bruises on my knees, from what I don't know. They started to look black & purple, but they didn't hurt much. So that's all about my experience in the crusade... I still have one more post before I really end it...