Herbert W Armstrong

The growth of the La PURA VERITA' list, as well as various means of advertising now being used, are having an effect in Italy. God is moving more and more people to become interested and we are receiving three to four visit requests every week. A visiting tour is planned for the latter half of February and another for April.

The small town of Fiuggi in the mountains near Rome will once again be a site for the Feast of Tabernacles. Most of the hotels used last year have agreed to give us accommodations again — at last year's prices! The town council and the hoteliers of Fiuggi are very much looking forward to having us back. Fiuggi will host approximately 700 Feastgoers in 1985.

Mr. Mike Caputo, a Canadian citizen who imigrated from Italy at age 14, has returned to Ambassador College, this time with his family, after having studied at the Pasadena campus for two years beginning in 1973. Mr. Caputo, along with his wife Leonilda and two children, Anthony and Julie, arrived in Pasadena in early January to resume his studies at Ambassador. If all goes well, they will relocate to Rome later this year, where he will be involved in service to the brethren and prospective members.

From Mr. Peter Nathan: 1985 began at a steady pace for the office serving New Zealand and the South Pacific, with just under 5,000 items of mail received during January. The major factor affecting incoming mail was response to the November semiannual letter. We've now received 5,000 responses to Mr. Armstrong's letter, a return of 13%. First account income recorded a good increase of 11.1%.

January 14th saw the conclusion of another highly successful SEP camp on Motutapu Island. Some 122 campers and 72 staff enjoyed fine, warm weather throughout the 19-day camp. Six Ambassador College students and an Imperial Schools faculty member contributed greatly to the camp. Afterwards they enjoyed a brief tour of New Zealand.

On January 17th tropical cyclone Eric struck a devastating blow to the island nations of Vanuatu and Fiji, leaving 25 dead and 30,000 homeless. One Church family in Fiji had their home totally demolished and blown away, and another family's home was partially destroyed. In both cases, the families were living in company-owned houses. In the partially destroyed home, the walls collapsed in such a way that they covered the personal possessions of the family, shielding them from the fury of the winds and rain.

Cyclone Eric struck on Thursday night, and was known to be followed by two others feared to be of even stronger force. The brethren in Pasadena, alerted by our Fijian minister, Mr. Epeli Kanairnawi (who was on the Refresher at the time), and also the brethren in New Zealand were asked to pray about the situation.

The Eternal heard those prayers. On Saturday evening, the next cyclone hit Fiji, but with much less force than the first. The third cyclone suddenly disappeared. Our brethren in Tonga were also protected by God. The cyclones were heading towards Tonga, but veered away without causing significant damage. Auckland pastor Mr. Jack Croucher was immediately dispatched to Fiji. Mr. Croucher was able to use third tithe funds to quickly replenish the supplies of the few Church families who had suffered loss.

The following letter is from our only members in the devastated northern part of Vanuatu. It shows the powerful protection God afforded them.

I'm happy to say we are safe again after a hurricane has passed through Santo, and all the northern part of Vanuatu. It lasted for about three hours.... Most of the old people here had never seen the likes of it during their lifetimes. On the island of Pentecost the villages lost something like 3,400 houses. Nearly all the island people are without houses and all their gardens were wiped out. The northern part of Vanuatu has been declared a disaster area. Help with clothing, food and housing has been arriving here from the Australian and New Zealand governments. Nearly all the houses in Santo Town lost their roofs or were completely blown down — all around us. Only our house and our property (which is surrounded by a fence) were safe — even our fruit trees were safe. People keep on asking us, "Why was your area safe from the wind?" It made us know that we are the only people under God's protection here in Santo.
W. & C.D., Santo, Vanuatu

During January, our Business Manager Bill Hutchison and I traveled to Pasadena for the Regional Directors Conference. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison stayed on afterwards for the 13th session of the Ministerial Refreshing Program.

The charts, diagrams and statistical reports prepared for the conference will be of use in February, too, as a visit to New Zealand is planned by Messrs. Don Mitchum and Bill Moreland, two BBDO executives from the USA, along with Director of Media Purchasing Mr. David Hulme. Meetings with our local advertising agency, Rialto Ltd., will shape our media plans for the rest of the year.

Mr. Gerald Waterhouse will also be arriving during February to take a tour of all the Churches in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. The brethren are very much looking forward to hearing his inspiring messages.

While Mr. Hulme and Mr. Waterhouse are here, I have arranged for a two-day Regional Ministerial Conference in late February. February is shaping up to be a very busy and exciting month!

Appreciation for Ministerial Refreshing Program III

Dear Mr. Armstrong:

I attended the eleventh session of the Refreshing Program in December. I returned to the churches in my charge feeling refreshed. Several of the members even commented to me that I looked refreshed.

Having the two weeks to put all duties aside and to concentrate on taking in spiritual knowledge is a boost to one's morale, but also of importance is the contact with other ministers. This renews the realization that we are not individuals working alone, but that we are a team. I am able to pray more meaningfully for my fellow ministers now. Thank you for giving us the opportunity of attending the program.
Carlton and Beverly Smith

Dear Mr. Tkach:

Dorothy and I have been reviewing our notes taken at the 10th session of the Ministerial Refreshing Program. We wish to convey to you our heartfelt appreciation for the tremendous amount of knowledge that was given to us. The classes were all outstanding. The material was presented in a very balanced way. Both of us feel that it was the most helpful and enjoyable Refreshing Program we have attended. Thanks to you and everyone who worked so hard to make our stay so pleasant and informative. We are anxiously awaiting the fourth MRP.

We also want to thank Mr. Armstrong and you for Dr. Hoeh's visit. It was a real boost for the churches and ourselves personally. The communication between Headquarters and the ministry has been improving steadily over the years. The unity we are enjoying now is certainly refreshing!

The congregations here in South Texas are solidly behind the Church of God and His Apostle, Mr. Armstrong. Our prayers are for the growth of God's work according to His will, and His blessing and protection for Mr. Armstrong and those of you at Headquarters who directly assist him. Thank you personally for all the work you do on our behalf.
Bob and Dorothy Flores

Comments From Monthly Church Reports

From the United States

WASHINGTON, PA — JOHN DOBRITCH: The Church has very enthusiastically received information from the Refreshing Program regarding health, exercise and nutrition. Some of the long-time members said that they hadn't heard a sermon on nutrition in many years. New members were astonished that God has so much to say on the subject. Most have taken it to heart and have begun to make changes in their eating habits.

TUPELO, MS — ROGER WEST: We had an interesting experience with our newsstand program. One of our men was putting PTs in a stand at a truck stop when a man behind him asked for a PT. He then asked how he could get a stand in his store. He also had a friend who owned a store who would like a stand. That's the first time we've been asked to put in stands!

VICTORIA, TX — DENNIS VAN DEVENTER: Everyone is still talking about how great the Feazells' visit was. The members enjoyed meeting them, talking to them and having a special lunch of "snacks" for them. Thank you very much for sending them!

YOUNGSTOWN, OH — LLOYD BRIGGIE: Some parents are allowing their children to set the standards at home. There is a weakness with parents not "drawing the line" in a kind but strong way. Some have let their children "run loose" and have let go of the reins. I am taking the liberty to hold meetings with the parents once a month to help them. A number of mothers whose husbands aren't converted and single parents who have to work are having a more difficult time countering the influence of the world. Your prayers for the young people and parents are greatly needed and appreciated.

— Joe Tkach, Ministerial Services