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Dear people of the Village,
Words can not express my gratitude for all that you did to make the banquet in Phoenix such an amazing event. I weep even now for all your sacrifices, offerings, and generosity in putting it all together. The people who brought me to faith and trained me and loved me long before the Village came to be, raved and cheered and were deeply blessed by your gift.
I could not imagine it to be better than it was. The music was amazing. The speakers touched hearts. The decor and ambiance of the room was perfect. The food was absolutely delicious. The platers and servers excelled. The publications and gifts that were offered were wonderful. A special thanks to those who stayed and cleaned up and to those who did the little unseen things like childcare and to those who did so much, but who couldn't be there. Thanks to those who prayed and encouraged. Thanks to those who ran to stores at the last minute and to those who offered rides and to those who helped pack and unpack. Thanks for your courage to sit with strangers and to offer your words and your ears and your hearts. Thank you for smiling when you were exhausted. Thanks to those whose bodies were absent, but who were with us in spirit. Mostly I am thankful that the Spirit of God filled the room with love and that His love flowed through us.
I thank God for you all. At long last people I love in Phoenix got to meet people I love in Tucson. And the people I love in Tucson got to meet people I love in Phoenix. I pray you were blessed as you offered your blessing. I pray that you will receive tenfold, a hundredfold, what you gave away.
Thank you for giving me one of my deep longings. The longing that we could begin to taste here and now, in very tangible ways, the Great Banquet that Jesus is preparing for us. The longing that people I love would also come together to love each other.
I can't stop weeping for joy.
Rod | 
