CHANGES TO OUR WEBCAST SERVICE

To all our LFT FRIENDS, ... please be advised that we will be implementing some changes to our Webcast service.

For the past two years, we have been using Yahoo Messenger to provide this service, however the demand for us to provide better quality service has prompted us to pursue other avenues which has resulted in us changing the air wave carrier of our worship services.

In the next few weeks we will be switching to livestream.com.

You will be able to join us by clicking onto the following URL link; http://livestream.com/lautokafullgospel

Our service will be provided live every Sunday from 10am - 12pm and 3.30pm - 5pm (Fiji Time).

We would greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we adapt ourselves to this change.

For more information or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on lftmedia@kaiviti.com or lautokafullgospelaog@gmail.com and we will only be too happy to respond.

Vinaka vakalevu, GOD Bless and may you all have a blessed and prosperous new year.

FAMILY DAY CONCLUDES

The mud patched Saru church ground lay idol tonight with footprints clearly visible on paths leading to the temporary shed which was used as the main program dice. The footprints depict the paths taken by the members when marching up to give their gift offering to the Lord.

What touched me the most was the manner in which the members gave. They gave from the bottom of their heart. I was fortunate to be up on the dice to receive the offerings and I saw it in their eyes. Its not a question of how much, it was a matter of how big their heart was for the Lord.

With a fair knowledge of the country's economic situation lingering in hindsight, the people's devout faith and commitment to the Lord has to be marveled at. No wonder they are so blessed with inner peace even in their state of financial hardship. HE is always there to meet their needs when they need it. They did not give from their abundance of possessions, they gave everything they had.

One of the ladies dancing happily away in the grounds just got her home burnt to the ground afew months ago, but she didn't show any of that today. Some may wonder, 'How can people do that?' Well, it's simply their relationship with the Lord.

To add spice to the day's activities, volleyball competition was held for the youth, sack and egg on spoon racing for the children and tug-o-war for everyone. It surely was a day filled with fun and activities.

And when the day's event came to a close, $32,000.00 was left at the church chest for the building up of God's kingdom. $15,000.00 came from our friends from the USA and $17,000.00 from our local members. To god be the glory.

AMBULANCE TO RECEIVE VITAL PARTS

Thanks to our former assistant Music Director, Mr Sunia Gutuvakaca, the ministries department will in a few days receive a much needed engine part that will see the church ambulance back on the mission front line in weeks.

Bro Sunia who now resides in the US, this week responded to an SOS call from Saru and purchased the engine component that will be shipped across in the coming days.

The ambulance that was donated by a group from the US a couple of years ago, has been utilized in many mission areas by our church medical team.

Eagles view would like to acknowledge this contribution by thanking Mr Gutuvakaca for his assistance.

2ND DAY BEGINS WITH HEAVY DOWN POUR

The day began with people flocking into the Saru grounds from the early hours of the morning in high expectations for a fine full day of activities.

This was unfortunately hindered by the heavy down pour mid morning that resulted in some members moving shelter to the main church complex basement area and unfortunately also left the grounds soggy.

BUT to think for one moment that the weather would dampen the spirit of the meet is totally wrong. People are still going on with their business and are truly optimistic that today's event will turn out fruitful and rewarding.

Talatala Qase looked a happy man yesterday and I'm sure he will be much happier today.

YOUNG MEN'S HOLDS FIRST CONCERT

The LFT Young Men's, a branch of our Dance Ministry Team held their first ever concert to a near full house audience at the Anupam theater last night.

The concert which was free to the public was sponsored by Mr Ciri Motokana, a resident of the Bay Area in the US and by their team leader, Jope Ratu Koro's family.

In delivering his thank you speech, Jope acknowledged our Senior Pastor, Rev Saimoni Waqa for his support and Pastor Sanaila of the CMF church in Lautoka for allowing them to use their facility.

Other dance groups from churches within Lautoka and the surrounding areas made special appearances. The appearance of our church choir and a local group led by a gentleman only introduced as Bro Tubuna added variety and contributed greatly to the success of the concert.

Bro Saiasi played a splendid role as master of ceremony and his stage skills kept the mostly young audience screaming and on their feet for most portions of the concert.

Eagle's view would like to thank and congratulate the boys for a well organized concert.

Family Day Opens

The LFT Family Day 2 of 2009 was declared open a short while ago by our special guests, Pastor Akuila Biu and Radini Ema who came in all the way from the United States of America. In doing so, he also handed in a staggering donation of $15, 000.00 which was received with astonishment by the church members who erupted in applause as the amount was revealed over the PA System by the Senior Pastor, Rev Saimoni Waqa.

Talatala Biu is here on behalf of our partners and friends from the United States who accepted our 11th hour invitation and responded so overwhelmingly. To Bro Luke Qauqau and all the twelve of our loving friends in the USA who contributed, we say, “ vinaka vakalevu na veitokoni, ka sa neimami masu, me na drodrovi kemuni tikoga na veivakalougatataki ni noda Turaga ka i vakabula, na luve ni Kalou bula, ko Jisu Karisito.”

The Family Day fun and activities is now well underway and will be officially closed tomorrow evening. The church anniversary celebration service will be held on Sunday which will bring to a close our overall church activities for 2009.

FAMILY DAY (2) PREPARATIONS WELL UNDERWAY

Merely three weeks to go and pocket meetings are well underway in preparation for the much awaited event.

The Family Day event will run from December the 11th to the 12th and will be held at our Saru Complex grounds.

This will be the final church activity before the Christmas break.

The programs committee led by our Deputy Senior Pastor, Rev Kitione Sanoko are working around the clock to piece together the final loose ends in time for the grand finale.

We are optimistic that this event will be a step up from the one we had earlier this year.

More details will be provided as and when it comes to hand.

LFT INVESTS IN NEW SOUND SYSTEM

On Saturday November 7, a delegation from LFT, led by the Senior Pastor, Rev Saimoni Waqa, visited the SPR office in Nadi to purchase some new equipment to upgrade our church public address system which will inturn aid in the enhancement of our worship.

The new system, which cost FJD$25,000.00 was installed later in the day and is surely serving its purpose.

The Boy and The Tree

A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree. A little boy

loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the

tree top, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow...

He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.

Time went by...

The little boy grew up, and he no longer played around the tree

everyday. One day, the boy came back to the tree with a sad

look on his face. "Come and play with me," the tree asked the

boy. "I am no longer a kid, I don't play around trees anymore."

The boy replied, "I want toys. I need money to buy them."

"Sorry, I don't have money...but you can pick all my apples and

sell them so you will have money."

The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree

and left happily. The boy didn't come back after he picked the

apples. The tree was sad.

One day, the boy returned and the tree was so excited.

"Come and play with me," the tree said.

"I don't have time to play. I have to work for my family.

We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?"

"Sorry, I don't have a house, but you can chop off my branches

to build your house."

So the boy cut all the branches off the tree and left happily.

The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy didn't come back

afterward. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day, the boy returned and the tree was delighted.

"Come and play with me!" the tree said.

"I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax

myself. Can you give me a boat?" "Use my trunk to build your

boat. You can sail far away and be happy." So the boy cut the

tree truck to make a boat. He went sailing and didn't come

back for a long time.

Finally, the boy returned after he had been gone for so many

years. "Sorry, my boy. But I don't have anything for you

anymore. No more apples for you..." the tree said.

"I don't have teeth to bite," the boy replied.

"No more trunk for you to climb on."

"I am too old for that now" the boy said. "I really can't give

you anything... the only thing left is my dying roots," the

tree said with sadness.

"I don't need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after

all these years," the boy replied.

"Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest.

Come sit down with me and rest." The boy sat down and the tree

was glad and smiled with tears.

******************

This is the story of everyone.

The tree is our parents. When we were young, we loved to play

with Mom and Dad... When we grew up, we left them...

We only came to them when we needed something or when we were in

trouble.

No matter what, parents will always be there and give you

everything they can to make you happy.

It may seem as if the way the boy treats the "tree" in the story

is cruel, but many of us take our parents for granted in the

same way.

Never forget how important your parents are and try not to take

them for granted... They may not be around forever.