Men's Katoomba Convention 2006
MEC-MEN: Intrepid O’nite Travellers
Seek the Lord Amid Serious Domestic Deprivations.
'Sneaky Pete'
Seek the Lord Amid Serious Domestic Deprivations.
(MEC: Maitland Evangelical Church ~ Men Empowered in Christ).
As this report demonstrates, nothing is hidden from view. It is alleged by an unnamed, undercover operative, ‘Sneaky-Pete’, that the following statements were made recently in a car full of MEChurch blokes (aka MEC-MEN), en route to Mens’ Katoomba Convention Names have been omitted to protect the guilty and to save the innocent from embarrassment-by-association. One PASSENGER said: “Those Barbie movies aren’t as bad as you think,” which makes you think, but not about the Barbie pictures! At another time, DRIVER: “I am trying to be as controlled as possible.” STW is pleased to report that all six souls on board arrived home safe – that’s home here at Maitland, not Heaven (which was a distinct possibility).
Toward the end of that homeward journey, no doubt anticipating reunion with their beloved wives, there was a discussion about the “ten-second kiss.” Some marriages may have already benefited by that lively and entertaining banter. But, as details are sloppy and cannot be reported with any authority ‘Sneaky-Pete’ has some research to do -- and do until he gets it right. The 3-hour trips to and from Katoomba were notable for the good spirit of like-minded men in fellowship in Jesus.
Fellowship continued at the Convention with the 30+ guys from MEC sharing accommodation in tents. This caused one 50 y.o. MEC-MAN to comment, “I can’t believe I agreed to this! What was I thinking?” In true Biblical fashion tents were wisely pitched upon rock-hard ground, as opposed to setting-up on sand. This symbolic act by the tent crew reflected a theme of the Convention: to build lives and marriages founded on the Lord. One brave and adventurous MEC-MAN slept in his swag for the first time, under the stars just like the Biblical John, the Baptist one. However, in the middle hours of the morning he ‘schipped’ such foolhardiness and retired injured to a vehicle. “The swag will be on eBay tomorrow,” he announced. Elsewhere, after tripping on something lying about on the alleged floor of his tent, one guy piped up, “Whose shoe is this?” [pause: waits for an answer, and looks at shoe closely] “Oh! It’s mine. Sorry,” he confesses on realising it is his own. At home he would have kicked his toe on the nails poking out of the floor, no doubt the same ones upon which he hangs his clothes.
Breakfast was catered by MEC-MEN’s roving, untrained but highly motivated kitchen crew. While the Spartan ‘facilities’ lacked the finesse of domesticity (a total understatement), breakfast was appreciated and devoured with thankfulness. No expense was spared in bringing along an internationally-renowned, pancake specialist to augment MEC-Cook’s sausages and bacon. Ian’s Canadian-style pancakes were consumed with relish – actually, not with real relish relish, but with maple syrup relish, sort of, stuff. Above all, the guys were greatly benefited in having their souls fed through excellent Bible teaching, and the encouragement to be the Men-of-God that our Lord desires, and to be so in a mutually supportive environment.
Over such times, whether travelling, enjoying a meal, talking in twos or threes, or listening to the Lord speak through his servants, friendships are made and others enriched, faith is developed and obedience to God’s wise and loving counsel encouraged. ‘Sneaky-Pete’ confesses there is much to be done in all our lives. As we face up to our inadequacies and trust the Lord for his empowering ability we will live as men expressing the character of our Lord Jesus. On behalf of all ‘Sneaky-Pete’ thanks everyone involved, especially those who organised and facilitated this important 24 hours away for our own MEC-MEN. Definitely, a “Must-do again.”
As this report demonstrates, nothing is hidden from view. It is alleged by an unnamed, undercover operative, ‘Sneaky-Pete’, that the following statements were made recently in a car full of MEChurch blokes (aka MEC-MEN), en route to Mens’ Katoomba Convention Names have been omitted to protect the guilty and to save the innocent from embarrassment-by-association. One PASSENGER said: “Those Barbie movies aren’t as bad as you think,” which makes you think, but not about the Barbie pictures! At another time, DRIVER: “I am trying to be as controlled as possible.” STW is pleased to report that all six souls on board arrived home safe – that’s home here at Maitland, not Heaven (which was a distinct possibility).
Toward the end of that homeward journey, no doubt anticipating reunion with their beloved wives, there was a discussion about the “ten-second kiss.” Some marriages may have already benefited by that lively and entertaining banter. But, as details are sloppy and cannot be reported with any authority ‘Sneaky-Pete’ has some research to do -- and do until he gets it right. The 3-hour trips to and from Katoomba were notable for the good spirit of like-minded men in fellowship in Jesus.
Fellowship continued at the Convention with the 30+ guys from MEC sharing accommodation in tents. This caused one 50 y.o. MEC-MAN to comment, “I can’t believe I agreed to this! What was I thinking?” In true Biblical fashion tents were wisely pitched upon rock-hard ground, as opposed to setting-up on sand. This symbolic act by the tent crew reflected a theme of the Convention: to build lives and marriages founded on the Lord. One brave and adventurous MEC-MAN slept in his swag for the first time, under the stars just like the Biblical John, the Baptist one. However, in the middle hours of the morning he ‘schipped’ such foolhardiness and retired injured to a vehicle. “The swag will be on eBay tomorrow,” he announced. Elsewhere, after tripping on something lying about on the alleged floor of his tent, one guy piped up, “Whose shoe is this?” [pause: waits for an answer, and looks at shoe closely] “Oh! It’s mine. Sorry,” he confesses on realising it is his own. At home he would have kicked his toe on the nails poking out of the floor, no doubt the same ones upon which he hangs his clothes.
Breakfast was catered by MEC-MEN’s roving, untrained but highly motivated kitchen crew. While the Spartan ‘facilities’ lacked the finesse of domesticity (a total understatement), breakfast was appreciated and devoured with thankfulness. No expense was spared in bringing along an internationally-renowned, pancake specialist to augment MEC-Cook’s sausages and bacon. Ian’s Canadian-style pancakes were consumed with relish – actually, not with real relish relish, but with maple syrup relish, sort of, stuff. Above all, the guys were greatly benefited in having their souls fed through excellent Bible teaching, and the encouragement to be the Men-of-God that our Lord desires, and to be so in a mutually supportive environment.
Over such times, whether travelling, enjoying a meal, talking in twos or threes, or listening to the Lord speak through his servants, friendships are made and others enriched, faith is developed and obedience to God’s wise and loving counsel encouraged. ‘Sneaky-Pete’ confesses there is much to be done in all our lives. As we face up to our inadequacies and trust the Lord for his empowering ability we will live as men expressing the character of our Lord Jesus. On behalf of all ‘Sneaky-Pete’ thanks everyone involved, especially those who organised and facilitated this important 24 hours away for our own MEC-MEN. Definitely, a “Must-do again.”
'Sneaky Pete'
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