Report from Angus, All is Well

AMI 2004, was our smallest, yet in many ways our best, and without-a-doubt our most powerful conference yet.

I have always wished that I could in someway be present at some of the past biblical events where it was evident that the Almighty was not only present, but moving in a powerful way. Events such as the Red Sea Crossing, the battle at Jericho, or with Gideon and his three hundred chosen men as they circled the camp of the Midianites.

Well this past weekend I got my wish. The enemy was not the 120,000 Midianites that Gideon face, but a foe that packed even more power—a hurricane the size of Texas was advancing on Florida, and initially its predicted target—the eye of the storm— was Orlando.

Wednesday night, the night before the conference was to start, I was amazed that over sixty people from around the country were already on hand. They had felt led of the Lord to come to Orlando in the face of the dire predictions of pending doom. And over the next two days that number swelled to some three hundred (the same number Gideon had). The vast majority were from out of the Orlando area as local curfews, a hotel filled with refugees from the coast, and the potential lack of gasoline kept the locals away.

Over the next four days we watched as Frances curled around us. The eye going some 150 miles south, and the feeder bands passing to the north. In the immediate area of the Rosen Hotel we never lost electrical power, or for that matter Spiritual power. We did have a lot of wind and rain. The winds at their worst were thirty five miles per hour sustained, with maximum gusts of sixty miles per hour. The worse damage I could see from the hotel were leaves and one broken six foot palm branch laying on the patio by the pool.

Truly the Father had held us in the hollow of His hand. And those whom the Father had called, and allowed to come to this special event will never be the same.

Wednesday and Thursday evening were spent in prayer, but after that we pretty well followed the Conference Schedule. Unfortunately, tapes of the many fine workshops are not available; because the people who do our taping had to evacuate.. But we hope to have DVD’s of the main sessions.

In the weeks and months ahead, as we all digest what took place this weekend, we will realize that the wedding rehearsal of Ami 2004 was a time of New Beginnings for all of Messianic Israel who long for the return of he Bridegroom.

Many people will have many wonderful things to share about this weekend, but for now, know all is well.

Angus

A Conference Report from Batya

We had just gone through a hurricane two weeks earlier—one that did a left turn over our roof doing about 110 miles per hour. Our pool screen, which needed repair, was left in shreds and pieces. A mangled mess hovered over our pool giving testimony to the power of our God and to the puniness of man.

While we could see that this could prove to be a blessing in disguise, we nonetheless felt a bit of trepidation about continuing with a conference while the State was in the midst of the greatest evacuation in its history.

Knowing how hurricanes can turn in a matter of hours, we decided to go to the hotel early, and soon, about 60 of us were gathered for a precious time of prayer.

Most of the people present were from out of town and had wanted to get settled before the storm came. We asked everyone to pray about being there, and warned of the possible dangers, but the responses were all filled with faith. No one wanted to leave. Everyone felt there was a reason why they were there. And the people just kept coming, everyone feeling there was a special reason for them to be there.

Our numbers soon matched Gideon’s army. We laughed and called ourselves a remnant of a remnant. We gathered together and blew shofars, asking the Almighty to spare us if it be His will. Then we simply embraced the will of the Holy One.

While it rained really hard and the wind blew, and hotel doors were taped closed, we suffered no consequences. The darkness of the brooding storm made the ballroom, which was decorated in white and gold, seem more like a heavenly refuge.

We must say that we had more harmony at this conference than ever before, and that the fellowship could not have been sweeter.

The Ruach moved in a wonderful way and changed lots of lives. Everyone who knew our history said it was the best conference we have ever had. This year, our only hurricanes were outdoors.

Wonderful things happened. Lives were changed during prayer times. We experienced healing, salvation, and being filled with the Ruach. Our worship was wonderful. The teachings followed the theme of the Bride of Messiah. Relationships were restored, and some important new ones were forged. (You will hear more about that from Scott.)

Because the hotel was filled to capacity with evacuees, we encouraged our people to be aware of divine appoints, and many gave testimony of their encounters. We also opened our doors to all. One couple who came in was overcome with tears. They could not believe that they were having so many truths confirmed in their spirits.

For Angus and me, it was a blessing to see something we started working well on its own. It is like watching your son grow up and start off on his own. A good son always makes you proud, and we must say that the MIA feels to us like a son who is doing quite well as he starts out on his own.

Besides this, if you have to go through a hurricane, it is best to do so surrounded with other Believers!

Once we returned home, calls and emails began to come in from disappointed people who had their flights cancelled and therefore could not make it. Others were warned at the State line not to come into the State.

For those who missed this blessing, we pray that you will join us in Nashville at the end of the year. We know that this meeting too will prove to be a divine appointment.

Finally, we sincerely want to thank all of you who were kind enough to pray for us during this time. Surely you too played a part in our being so blessed.

See you in Nashville!

Shalom b’Yeshua,
Batya