When a Conference is arranged for many churches in the District and as far afield as Angola, it is an impossible task to estimate how many might attend! We catered for 1,000 but 1,190 arrived so ‘close fellowship’ in the grass shelters was necessary and no one complained. It was cold season, so in the middle of each shelter a carefully controlled fire was alight all night and folks would awake, warm selves and settle down to sleep again. The Conference speakers were very good indeed and as the Word was taught, hearts were touched by the Lord and many commented that they will never be the same again.

Trips in UK to conferences are usually by car, bus or train and there is always a degree of comfort afforded. Africa is quite different and we often pray for the elderly who still struggle to come on foot simply because they know that they will meet with the Lord and hear His Word. How many of us would accept the indignity of climbing up a ladder onto an open truck to stand in close proximity with dozens of others as dust swirls on the unpaved roads and folks arrive at their destination with faces, hair and clothing the very same colour as the red laterite roads? Yet, still they come with joy and singing driven by some unseen force to fellowship with other believers and to meet with their Lord!