[Note in passing: I was for four years pastor of Narwee Baptist Church - 1963-1967. Rowland.]

~~~

NIGHTCLUB BOMBING

BOMBING

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA E-mail: , Web Site: http://www.assistnews.net

Tuesday, October 15, 2002

AUSTRALIAN MISSIONARIES WITNESS DEADLY INDONESIAN NIGHTCLUB BOMBING Two Team Members Stay Behind To Minister To The Injured While Others Fly Home To Sydney

By Michael Ireland Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- A team of Australian missionaries are now home in Sydney after witnessing the horrific bombing of the Sari nightclub in Bali, Indonesia, in which 182 were killed and more than 300 injured.

The team, which included a resident missionary, "ministered in the hospitals after the terrorist bombing, and have seen some pretty gruesome images," according to an e-mail report received by ASSIST News Service (ANS).

The e-mail requested prayer for those who are now at home in Sydney, and for two team-members who remained in Bali -- "as they deal with the traumatic images they have seen. Most have returned to their homes in Sydney, as originally intended in the missions project. Adrian and Brad (last names withheld) remain in Bali, continuing the mission of the Gospel to every possible creature while there's time."

The team was led by Pastor Rev. Angelo, from Narwee Baptist Church, and went to Bali for a month of mission in September. Pastor Angelo returned to Sydney Oct. 11th.

What follows are their e-mail observations after the bomb went off.

"Thanks for your concerns and prayers about the devastating situation here. (Both of us) are both safe and well. It has been a traumatic scene here and the events of yesterday (October 13) will never be forgotten," the report said.

The two missionaries "rushed into Kuta after hearing the news to find some Australian guys" one of them knew, "who had survived the blast inside the Sari Club. The group of six young guys were deeply traumatized after witnessing the horror of many people killed inside the building as they made their escape over a back fence. The stories of their escape were both heroic and depressing and they were all claiming a divine miracle for their safety.

"Praise God for his intervention in their lives. From Kuta, we rushed to Sanglah hospital in Denpasar after receiving a call from the Australian consulate that they needed volunteer helpers. The sight that greeted me was indescribable. Rooms packed with severely injured victims, corpses being identified and distressed people running around looking for their loved ones.

"Thankfully, the Australian Air Force turned up and took control of the situation, stabilizing patients, and creating an atmosphere of calmness and control. (We) helped out where possible, fanning patients (there are no fans or AC), translating for doctors, moving patients or just offering counsel for those who wanted to share their experience," the report stated.

One of the missionaries spent most of the day looking after a young sportsman from Maroubra (Sydney) who had badly lacerated legs, the report said.

"His mother was also with him during the blast, but has not been identified in any of the other hospitals. I accompanied him all the way to the airport to where the Air Force had set up a temporary hospital on the tarmac. It looked like a war zone with people lying around on stretchers with bloodstained sheets, drips hanging above, Indonesian military on guard and a Hercules waiting to depart. One RAF worker even commented to me that despite all her training, she was never prepared to encounter such a scene."

This team-member was then asked to operate an oxygen support system on a very unstable patient, who was struggling to stay alive. "The realization of life's fragility was so evident as I sat there pumping oxygen into this stranger's lungs. By 1 a.m., all the patients waiting at the airport had been evacuated to Darwin and I made my way home.

"It has been an emotionally and physically straining time for us, but through it all, I have seen the grace of God manifest in so many ways. Truly God is in control and Above all. Lets keep praying for God's divine intervention, miraculous power, sustaining strength for the workers and that through it all, His love will penetrate the darkness that fills this place. Thanks again for all your prayers, encouragement, warm wishes and love."

For further information on this story contact: Les and Martha Nixon and Australia's Outback Patrol Phone: 61 2 9727-2759; Fax: 61 2 9726-2972 Email: Les: Office: WEB Site: http://www.outbackpatrol.com.au

** You may republish this story with proper attribution. Send this story to a friend.

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ORIGINALLY: AUSTRALIAN MISSIONARIES WITNESS DEADLY INDONESIAN NIGHTCLUB BOMBING

STOP PRESS: REVISED AND CORRECTED AS REQUESTED BY THE PASTOR (Because of sensitive material in the original)

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ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA E-mail: , Web Site: www.assistnews.net

Tuesday, October 15, 2002

AUSTRALIAN BAPTIST TEAM WITNESSES RESULTS OF BALI BOMBING Two Team Members Stay Behind To Minister To The Injured While Others Fly Home To Sydney

By Michael Ireland Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- A team of Australian Baptists is now home in Sydney after witnessing the results of the horrific bombing of the Sari nightclub in Bali, Indonesia, in which 182 were killed and more than 300 injured.

The team "ministered in the hospitals after the terrorist bombing, and have seen some pretty gruesome images," according to an e-mail report received by ASSIST News Service (ANS).

The e-mail requested prayer for those who are now at home in Sydney, and for two team-members who remained in Bali -- "as they deal with the traumatic images they have seen.

What follows are their e-mail observations after the bomb went off.

"Thanks for your concerns and prayers about the devastating situation here. It has been a traumatic scene here and the events of yesterday (October 13) will never be forgotten," the report said.

The two Christians "rushed into Kuta after hearing the news to find some Australian guys" one of them knew, "who had survived the blast inside the Sari Club. The group of six young guys were deeply traumatized after witnessing the horror of many people killed inside the building as they made their escape over a back fence. The stories of their escape were both heroic and depressing and they were all claiming a divine miracle for their safety.

"Praise God for his intervention in their lives. From Kuta, we rushed to Sanglah hospital in Denpasar after receiving a call from the Australian consulate that they needed volunteer helpers. The sight that greeted me was indescribable. Rooms packed with severely injured victims, corpses being identified and distressed people running around looking for their loved ones.

"Thankfully, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) turned up and took control of the situation, stabilizing patients, and creating an atmosphere of calmness and control. (We) helped out where possible, fanning patients (there are no fans or AC), translating for doctors, moving patients or just offering counsel for those who wanted to share their experience," the report stated.

One of the workers spent most of the day looking after a young sportsman from Maroubra (Sydney) who had badly lacerated legs, the report said.

"His mother was also with him during the blast, but has not been identified in any of the other hospitals. I accompanied him all the way to the airport to where the RAAF had set up a temporary hospital on the tarmac. It looked like a war zone with people lying around on stretchers with bloodstained sheets, drips hanging above, Indonesian military on guard and a Hercules waiting to depart. One RAAF worker even commented to me that despite all her training, she was never prepared to encounter such a scene."

This team-member was then asked to operate an oxygen support system on a very unstable patient, who was struggling to stay alive. "The realization of life's fragility was so evident as I sat there pumping oxygen into this stranger's lungs. By 1 a.m., all the patients waiting at the airport had been evacuated to Darwin and I made my way home.

"It has been an emotionally and physically straining time for us, but through it all, I have seen the grace of God manifest in so many ways. Truly God is in control and Above all. Lets keep praying for God's divine intervention, miraculous power, sustaining strength for the workers and that through it all, His love will penetrate the darkness that fills this place. Thanks again for all your prayers, encouragement, warm wishes and love."

For further information on this story contact: Les and Martha Nixon and Australia's Outback Patrol

WEB Site: www.outbackpatrol.com.au

** You may republish this story with proper attribution. Send this story to a friend.