Participants:
Series Code: JFAN
Program Code: JFAN000138S
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00:01 (somber music)
00:21 - Hello, and welcome to "Jesus for Asia Now." 00:24 I'm Natalie Wood, 00:25 and my husband, Jon, is here with me today. 00:27 Hello, love. 00:28 - Hi, darling. 00:29 - So we're going to the Philippines today. 00:31 - We are, yes. 00:32 - So where in the Philippines are we going? 00:34 - A very unique place. 00:36 So the Philippines has 7,500 islands, 00:38 okay? - Okay. 00:40 - [Jon] And the big island in the south is called Mindanao. 00:42 - [Natalie] Okay. 00:43 - [Jon] And the southwest corner of that island 00:45 is the Zamboanga Peninsula Mission. 00:48 - Okay. - ZPM. 00:50 And off the tail-end of that peninsula 00:53 is a bunch of islands, 00:55 and the farthest island 00:56 is like a 3 1/2 hour boat ride to Malaysia. 01:00 - Okay. 01:01 - The Malaysian part of the Island of Borneo. 01:02 - Okay. 01:03 - So it's way out on the tips. 01:05 - Okay. 01:06 - We've shared about those islands before, 01:08 specifically the Tawi-Tawi Island. 01:10 - Right. 01:11 - The Zamboanga Peninsula Mission 01:12 includes the land side and all the islands. 01:16 - So we're talking about Bible workers from there today. 01:18 - Yes, we have Bible workers down there. 01:20 - Okay. 01:22 - And these are special because I met Pastor Ronnie 01:23 many years ago. 01:25 He heads up the Adventist-Muslim relation work in that area, 01:29 and he's had great success 01:31 in how to connect with the Muslims. 01:32 They're our closest world religion 01:35 than any other world religion. 01:36 You've got Hindus 01:38 which do not recognize anything in the Bible, 01:41 you've got Buddhist that also do not recognize the Bible, 01:45 but Muslims recognize Abraham as our father, 01:48 and Allah is the God of Abraham. 01:51 And so, there's connections there. 01:53 Now, what's interesting is the Adventists 01:55 have a little more of an inroad with the Muslims 01:58 than other Christians, 02:00 because Muslims are very strong against eating pork. 02:04 - [Natalie] Right. 02:05 - And we don't eat pork. 02:06 - Right. (Jon chuckles) 02:07 - And we don't worship idols. 02:09 - Right. 02:10 - And so, the Sulads, 02:11 which is a group of volunteer missionaries, 02:13 have been going into this area for quite some time, 02:17 but it came to the point where they needed pastors. 02:21 - Right. 02:21 - And it's a very poor mission, 02:23 so they appeal to Jesus for Asia to sponsor some pastors. 02:26 - So we have a video? 02:28 - We have several videos. 02:30 I gotta say that this video is focused 02:32 on a unreached people group. 02:35 So it's not necessarily a specific religion. 02:39 It's just a different people group, 02:41 and this people group has very unique characteristics 02:46 about it. 02:48 And it's really hard to talk to them. 02:49 Even though they understand 02:50 the national language a little bit, 02:52 it's really hard to reach them unless... 02:54 And they have very unique customs to themselves. 02:58 And so, our pastor is actually from this people group. 03:01 And so, that's how he's able to go in and work with them, 03:04 and tell them about Jesus so easily and so well 03:07 is because he's the only pastor from that group. 03:09 And so, this is a little bit of his story. 03:12 - Okay. 03:13 (somber music) 03:15 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 03:16 - [Interpreter] The Chavacano-speaking people 03:18 have their own culture, 03:19 and if you don't know their culture, 03:21 the gospel can't penetrate. 03:24 - Formerly, the Chavacano group is a language group 03:28 which are basically Animists also. 03:31 Some of them have been converted to Christianity 03:34 by way of Catholicism, 03:36 but the majority of the Chavacano are basically Animists. 03:41 - And even the Chavacano, 03:42 it's also another challenge 03:44 because we have about a million of Chavacano 03:47 where we have only one Chavacano pastor 03:51 that is working in their community. 03:56 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 03:57 - [Interpreter] Seventh Day Adventist 03:58 have reached many Chavacano people. 04:00 Some of them, especially the first converts 04:03 understand the Cebuano language. 04:05 But the recent converts speak only Chavacano 04:08 and they cannot understand Cebuano. 04:10 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 04:12 A Hymnal and Bible are in Cebuano. 04:14 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 04:15 And they can't understand that. 04:19 - We are gaining grounds 04:20 because they've seen the Adventist phase. 04:24 And so many of them are converted to Adventist, 04:26 and that's why we have seven congregations, 04:28 in various spaces, seven different areas. 04:31 And we only have one worker, 04:33 one JFA worker to shepherd those. 04:37 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 04:38 - [Interpreter] My purpose is to reach out 04:39 to the Chavacano people, this is why I studied theology. 04:44 Pastor Fernando told me to take the theology course 04:46 at Mountain View College 04:48 because we have many people to reach out to in Zamboanga. 04:52 - Unfortunately we have one graduate from theology 04:57 who is a pure Chavacano. 04:58 Somehow he was able to go to school 05:01 in spite of the poorness, he has become a working student. 05:06 And so we decided that we would hire him to take care 05:09 because he's a ministerial graduate, 05:12 so we asked that we hire him under JFA 05:16 to take care of the Chavacano group. 05:19 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 05:20 - [Interpreter] If there are sponsors, 05:21 if there are people who want to reach the Chavacano, 05:24 we have plenty of ministries we want to do 05:26 but we need financial help for these activities. 05:29 That is one area where we are lacking. 05:33 - Why only one? 05:35 We don't have the funds. 05:36 (somber music) 05:43 - This is a really beautiful opportunity 05:45 where we have a place where there's believers 05:48 that can do the work, 05:49 they just don't have the funds to go and do it. 05:52 Like gasoline to get there, vehicles, 05:57 materials to share, that kind of thing. 06:00 And then we-- - A way to pay to live. 06:02 - [Jon] Yeah, eat. - Food. 06:04 Yeah, for food and for housing or whatever. 06:06 - Right, and then we have the believers 06:09 in the western world that have funds 06:11 that for a very small monthly cost 06:13 can support somebody full-time over there. 06:16 - Right. 06:17 - $150 is what they make there. 06:19 This is what this pastor makes. 06:21 - Right. 06:22 - For the majority of us in the western world, 06:24 $150 is something that we could handle. 06:28 - And even if we can't pay the whole 150, 06:30 God adds our 10 or our 20 or whatever it is. 06:33 - [Jon] Sure. - To the other tens 06:34 and twenties, and he makes up the difference. 06:36 - Absolutely. 06:37 - God always provides for his workers. 06:39 But it's such a privilege that it isn't a huge amount. 06:42 And many people can be involved. 06:45 - [Jon] Right. - In sponsoring them. 06:46 - And this is what drives the growth of the gospel. 06:50 It's the local churches that are established 06:53 and they have the pastors, 06:55 if we just leave it there, 06:57 then it stays the same over the 10, 20 years, 07:00 it will grow locally. 07:02 But these new areas, 07:03 the new people groups, new regions, new islands, 07:10 those won't be reached by the local church. 07:13 It's as we send funds to workers that are willing to go. 07:19 And thankfully, and there's a lot of places in the world 07:20 that there is no workers. 07:21 - Right, there's nobody local that could go. 07:24 - Exactly. 07:26 - So thankfully he at least was able to go to college 07:29 and become a ministerial graduate. 07:32 - [Jon] Yeah. 07:33 - And so that we could sponsor him to be a pastor there. 07:35 - Yeah, so these places where there are already believers 07:37 that are willing to go and that's an opportunity. 07:42 - Right. 07:43 - So we're just so thankful 07:44 that we have several workers now that are being sponsored 07:47 and there's more available. 07:48 - Right. 07:50 - If we had more funds to send them. 07:53 - So what's our next video? 07:54 - This is a Bible worker in the Island of Basilan. 07:58 - Okay. - [Jon] Okay. 08:00 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 08:01 - [Interpreter] They rarely send missionaries here 08:03 because it is far and dangerous. 08:05 (somber music) 08:10 - 70% are Muslim within here 08:14 and then 30% are a variety of Christian. 08:17 But Muslims have different tribes. 08:20 Here, one of the native indigenous tribe is Yakan. 08:24 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 08:30 It's not a typical place, where you have to deal 08:32 with Christians who believe God or Jesus. 08:36 Here you have to break the barriers. 08:39 It's not really your religion you are carrying, 08:42 but it's the love of God. 08:43 When they will see that, 08:45 that's the time that they will be friends with you. 08:48 So the most important kind of missionary 08:52 that we are doing here really is friendship ministry. 08:54 That's really how we reach the Muslim people. 08:57 (somber music) 09:00 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 09:01 - [Interpreter] We go to islands, we feed people 09:04 and give school supplies to the children. 09:06 Especially to the Samal tribe. 09:08 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 09:10 There was only about 500 to $600 09:13 provided for evangelism. 09:16 - We have to go through like medical mission, 09:18 medical outreach, feeding, 09:20 and stuff like that before we can win their confidence. 09:23 But like Jesus said in the Bible, 09:26 that we have to feed their needs and analyze 09:30 and then we have to win their confidence 09:34 and then then you can minister to them. 09:38 - We make-- 09:40 - [Interpreter] We make bridges not walls. 09:42 - Walls. 09:43 - It's 1993, I think, or 1994. 09:46 That was the last time they sent us missionaries. 09:48 But we would really feel grateful, 09:52 personally, I would really feel grateful 09:54 if they will send more missionaries. 09:58 I think there's nothing wrong 10:01 with the young people who are very supportive 10:03 or very zealous or very passionate 10:06 but if we receive (speaks in foreign language) missionaries 10:12 they can also educate the young people here. 10:15 Like (speaks in foreign language) train 10:16 with the young people to be missionaries. 10:18 I've been praying this for like 10 years already. 10:20 But when you pray, God has His own timeline. 10:24 (somber music) 10:28 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 10:31 So that Jesus will come (speaks in foreign language). 10:35 Jesus can come quickly if we will really help each other 10:38 in the finishing of His work. 10:42 (somber music) 10:48 - So here we have a couple that are working there all alone 10:53 on that entire island. 10:54 And the burden of the work is heavy on their hearts. 10:57 - Yeah, it sounds like there's, 10:59 you have to pray your way through 11:01 how to reach the people there. 11:03 There's a lot of opportunity, 11:04 but there's also a lot of thoughtfulness in the work. 11:08 - Yeah. 11:10 - So this next video is more about the same couple 11:12 that we just saw. 11:13 - [Jon] Okay. 11:14 - I am a registered nurse, a nurse by profession, 11:18 I graduated in Mountain View College 2008 11:21 and I made a promise to God 11:22 that if I (speaks in foreign language) board exam, 11:25 I will be a missionary for life. 11:27 But I forgot about my promise. 11:30 (somber music) 11:32 But God called me again. 11:34 2011, I joined 1,000 Missionary Movement, 11:37 was sent to South Korea 11:42 after how many years I went back here my hometown. 11:45 And then I suddenly realized (speaks in foreign language), 11:48 I've been going to other countries, to other provinces, 11:54 but I never really served here in the Basilan, 11:56 so that really, I think it was, 11:59 I believe it was God telling me and impressing my heart. 12:03 Now serve your own island, (speaks in foreign language). 12:07 So after I married, my husband also is a missionary, 12:11 we decided (speaks in foreign language). 12:14 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 12:20 - [Interpreter] This is challenging for ministry 12:21 and for our work. 12:23 - Problem is-- 12:24 - [Interpreter] The problem is because this place 12:26 is so far from the mainland, it is a very critical place. 12:31 The culture here is very strict 12:32 when it comes to Christianity and the Muslim culture. 12:36 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 12:37 - It's not a very conducive place to do missionary. 12:41 But I always believe in the saying 12:43 that there's no bad mission field for good missionaries. 12:49 (somber music) 12:51 And I'm just thankful, 12:53 because the moment we arrived here last year to serve, 12:59 God has been blessing us so much 13:01 and we realize there's really a big work to do here 13:06 and I was born here for that very divine I know reason 13:13 and that is to share his love. 13:15 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 13:20 It's one of our vision is to have a center for influence. 13:24 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 13:25 It's very difficult you to reach out to them 13:28 and do bible studies. 13:29 So the only way it's either we can have a school 13:32 because it is really our dream 13:34 to have an Adventist school here 13:36 or a center for influence good. 13:41 So that we can do like maybe healthy products. 13:44 That's what we are promoting here. 13:46 Healthy products and healthy living or healthy restaurant. 13:51 Because that's the only way we can link our beliefs 13:54 to the Muslim brethren. 13:56 (somber music) 13:59 - So here's a lady that graduated as a nurse 14:02 and she's working as a bible worker for $150 a month. 14:06 - Yeah. 14:07 - [Jon] Amazing. 14:08 - Yeah, she really cares though. 14:09 You can see, you can hear it in her voice 14:11 that she really cares about her people. 14:13 - [Jon] Yes. 14:15 - And that's such a beautiful thing. 14:16 - And she's being creative. 14:17 She's thinking of ways to really reach them. 14:19 - Yeah. - A school 14:20 or a center of influence or a restaurant. 14:22 - Yeah. 14:23 - Can you imagine what she could accomplish 14:25 in Christ with a tool like that? 14:27 - Yeah. 14:28 - That would be amazing. 14:29 (Natalie chuckles) 14:30 It'd be worth it. 14:31 - Right. - Even for one soul. 14:32 So we've gotta find a way to help her. 14:36 - Yeah, and we need to pray for the right open doors 14:38 for the right timing and the right place 14:40 because location is everything with restaurants 14:43 and different things like that center of influence 14:45 whatever it ends up being. 14:47 - Yeah, and the relationships around that. 14:49 - [Natalie] Right. 14:50 - Need to be be right. 14:51 - Right. - Yeah. 14:52 But God knows-- - So God has to lead-- 14:53 - [Jon] Yes. - For sure. 14:54 - Sometimes I think we think 14:56 that we just send the money 14:57 and then Bible work automatically happens. 15:00 And I think we'll forget the human cost. 15:03 - Right. 15:05 - Of taking the gospel to people that don't know him. 15:07 This next video is about a young man 15:10 who in 2006 was given a life sentence saying, 15:13 I don't know what kind of disease he had. 15:16 He doesn't say, 15:17 but he said that he was given 10 years to live. 15:19 And so he decided that he might as well live for the Lord. 15:23 - Right. 15:24 - And that 10 years ran out in 2016. 15:26 - Right. 15:28 - And he's still serving the Lord. 15:28 And so you can see the burden 15:29 that he carries when he talks about it. 15:32 - So let's play that video now. 15:34 - [Jon] Okay. 15:36 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 15:38 - [Interpreter] I was sick and I was told 15:39 that I would die just the same if I went home. 15:41 (somber music) 15:44 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 15:46 There were big changes in my body due to disease. 15:50 Because of life's challenges, 15:51 there seemed to be no more hope. 15:53 If I had gone back to my home, I would've died anyway. 15:57 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 15:58 I was told that I would die within 10 years. 16:01 In 2006 I should have been dead, but I was still alive. 16:05 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 16:06 So I said to myself that I could use my life to serve God. 16:11 I wondered why 2016 came and nothing had happened to me. 16:14 2021 came, but still nothing had happened. 16:17 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 16:18 That is why in my experience of being sickly 16:21 I have no other ambition but to serve God and him only 16:24 before I leave this earthly life. 16:26 (somber music) 16:28 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 16:32 I decided to settle down 16:34 and my wife joined me as a missionary. 16:36 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 16:38 This work is not easy at all. 16:41 Bringing the gospel to other people is not my talent 16:44 because I am not qualified. 16:45 But I was called to the work of God. 16:47 (somber music) 16:48 Even if you are not qualified, He will qualify you. 16:53 I am waiting for 2026, 16:55 the 20th year of the announced end of my life 16:57 because of my sickness. 16:59 - [Speaker] 2026. 17:00 - [Interpreter] I am observing if my body weakens or not. 17:03 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 17:05 I am wondering when I will be leaving this life. 17:09 I am only hopeful that God will sustain me in this work. 17:12 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 17:15 I have pledged that as long as God gives me breath 17:18 I will continue to do this work. 17:20 I am not after the stipend I receive. 17:22 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 17:23 I do this for the love of the work 17:25 for many people still needs to know the truth. 17:28 I have dedicated my all to God 17:30 and I am staying a missionary. 17:32 (somber music) 17:35 - Oh, isn't that powerful? 17:37 - It is, and to think that he was expecting to die anytime. 17:41 And he's just like, you know what? 17:42 I might as well serve God with the time I have left. 17:45 - Yeah. 17:46 - And he's just serving God 17:47 and yeah, he doesn't share what's wrong 17:51 but he just shares that he's got a burden that God gave him 17:55 and he's got life 17:56 and as long as he has life, he's gonna be serving God. 17:59 - [Jon] Right. 18:00 - Which is so beautiful. 18:01 - It is a very beautiful way to spend your life. 18:03 Even if it's short in God's service. 18:06 That's probably why he's still alive. 18:08 - Yeah, we've seen that recently 18:09 with some of our Bible workers in India. 18:12 They have cancer and God extends their life. 18:14 - Right. 18:15 - Or completely cures them 18:16 or whatever God chooses at the time, 18:18 but gives them time to keep working with people. 18:22 - Absolutely. 18:23 - So, that's beautiful. 18:24 - Yeah, so this next video that we have 18:26 is the same young man talking about his work. 18:30 (somber music) 18:47 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 18:49 - [Interpreter] I have been close-minded in reaching 18:51 or getting acquainted with Muslim people. 18:54 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 18:55 That is why it's been tough for me in the past. 18:58 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 18:58 Like climbing a mountain. 19:00 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:01 It isn't easy. 19:02 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:04 It's a real challenge-- 19:05 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:06 Especially in this area. 19:08 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:09 I felt scared and angry 19:10 because of my previous experiences with them. 19:13 (somber music) 19:15 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:17 This area is scary. 19:18 Many people from different religions 19:20 were killed in this area. 19:22 But we learned that there is a way to reach them 19:24 through friendship and we can befriend them 19:27 through health outreach. 19:29 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:30 We can enter their homes. 19:32 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:33 It's not easy to be accepted in their homes 19:35 if you don't get close to them. 19:37 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:38 But if they find out that you are kind, 19:40 they will welcome you. 19:42 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:48 - [Speaker] I could not walk, urinate or defecate. 19:51 It is tough. 19:53 My niece brought me this guy who gave me herbal medicine. 19:56 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 19:58 - [Interpreter] How many months have you been lying down? 20:00 - [Speaker] It has been eight months 20:01 but now I'm able to walk. 20:05 - [Interpreter] They know that we are Adventists. 20:07 I didn't hide anything from them regarding my identity. 20:10 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 20:13 - [Speaker] I am thankful. 20:14 I thank God and the people here. 20:17 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 20:19 Praise be to Allah because you are here to visit me. 20:22 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 20:28 - [Interpreter] This work is not just a job 20:30 but a profession motivated by love. 20:32 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 20:33 Love for the people in need. 20:35 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 20:36 Many people are in remote areas 20:38 that we haven't visited yet. 20:39 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 20:42 They are waiting. 20:43 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 20:45 Waiting for the people who will give them the message. 20:46 (speaker speaks in foreign language) 20:54 Our mission is to reach them. 20:56 (somber music) 21:02 - Wow. 21:03 - It's just really neat to see 21:05 that kind of dedication. 21:06 - Yeah, and the vision 21:07 for the people that have not yet been reached. 21:10 - Yeah. 21:10 - And so this next video 21:12 is about the director of overall this work. 21:14 Pastor Ronnie De Vera. 21:15 Several years ago he had requested 21:17 for a four-by-four vehicle that he could travel around 21:21 and visit the different places that he has Bible workers 21:24 and pastors and in schools and things like that, 21:27 student missionaries. 21:29 And so we spent some time telling people here in America 21:32 about the need and praise God people gave 21:36 and provided him an old used four-wheel drive pickup truck. 21:43 And so this video is about him driving that truck 21:45 and telling about it and thanking us for it. 21:49 - Okay. 21:50 (somber music) 21:56 - This territory of ours, 21:58 under the Zamboanga Peninsula Mission covers five provinces. 22:02 Most of them are mountainous areas. 22:04 And the roads are terrible, 22:08 many times possible only by motorcycle 22:11 and so muddy and steep. 22:14 Therefore, it is a necessity 22:16 for a four-by-four vehicle to visit these places. 22:20 Our missionaries and volunteers 22:23 are scattered all over these mountainous areas. 22:27 And the only way to visit them is to go there. 22:30 There is not even signal for cell phone 22:33 because of remoteness of areas. 22:36 So the only way is to visit them periodically 22:39 to see how we are and to obtain their reports. 22:43 And so a four-by-four vehicle 22:46 is of great necessity and I am very thankful 22:50 that Jesus for Asia has extended their help to provide one. 22:56 So thank you very much Jesus for Asia team, 23:00 for providing a vehicle which will be used for the ministry 23:04 and for the glory of God. 23:06 God bless you all. 23:08 (somber music) 23:11 - Usually that thing's packed out with people, 23:14 young people, older people going to mission posts 23:16 or carry books or evangelistic equipment 23:18 to do an evangelistic series. 23:20 And the recent report I get from there 23:22 is that it's being borrowed by a lot of pastors 23:26 in the mission 'cause most of them 23:28 don't have the four wheel drive capability. 23:30 But most of the roads, especially, out in the mountains 23:33 and stuff, you can only get there by four wheel drive. 23:36 You saw how crazy those roads are. 23:38 - Yeah. 23:39 - And they're actually saying another one 23:41 would be a very nice addition. 23:44 - Okay, so they're requesting another one. 23:46 - Yeah, now that one cost about $12,000. 23:49 - Okay. - To buy. 23:50 It was used and they've had to do some repairs on it 23:53 and everything, but it's being used 23:56 and it will be used to the max. 23:59 - Right. 24:00 - In fact, they've had to replace their tires already on it. 24:02 It was down to the metal ply. 24:04 (both chuckles) 24:06 After only about a year and a half of use. 24:09 So it's being very well used. 24:11 And you can see how mountainous those roads are. 24:14 - Yeah, and there's mountains inside the roads too. 24:17 It'd like all the dips (Jon laughs) 24:19 and everything they were going over was very, very bumpy. 24:22 - Yeah, and that was shot in the dry season. 24:25 - [Natalie] Yeah. 24:26 - In the rainy season, it's a whole nother story. 24:28 - Yeah, wow. 24:29 - So we're praying 24:30 that we can get them another vehicle up there. 24:33 'Cause that just enables so much more ministry. 24:35 - Yeah, to give them the tools 24:37 to enable them to enable the workers. 24:40 They are support for so many missionaries, 24:42 pastors, local people. 24:45 - In our future shows, we'll be talking about the same area 24:49 but talking about the need for church buildings. 24:52 - Okay. 24:53 - Because it wasn't mentioned in these videos. 24:55 You hear the Bible workers in these videos 24:57 talking about the burden that they have for the people 24:59 but they haven't mentioned the successes that they've had. 25:02 - Oh, okay. 25:03 - This is an exploding field. 25:05 It's a vibrant growing, 25:06 I was called on a video call one night, 25:10 for me it was early morning, 25:11 for them, like four o'clock in the morning 25:14 they were eating breakfast 25:15 and this was like 60 college-aged kids 25:17 volunteering to go as missionaries for the year. 25:20 It was their launching, it was four o'clock in the morning 25:22 they were eating breakfast to go be launched 25:24 into volunteer work among the islands, the dangerous place. 25:28 These are dangerous places. 25:29 There's some, I say, I haven't been down there 25:32 because they said, if I come I'll need a bodyguard, 25:35 I'll need armed escort. 25:38 And so this is not like, hey, come have a vacation. 25:41 - Yeah, vacation on the island. 25:43 (Jon laughs) Yeah, no. 25:44 - Right, it's let's go and let's bring the gospel 25:47 to people that are dying without it. 25:50 - Well, and that's an interesting point 25:52 because they're going and they know that it's dangerous, 25:57 but they're going. - Yes. 25:58 - Because God has given them a burden for the lost. 26:01 - Yes. 26:02 - Because they know that He's called them. 26:04 - Yes. 26:05 - And therefore they're in His hands. 26:06 - Right. 26:07 - And that's where our safety is. 26:08 - Yeah, and we think about safety in this life. 26:11 - [Natalie] True. 26:12 - But this life is pretty inconsequential 26:15 compared to the next life. 26:17 No matter how long we live in this life, 26:20 it'll never compare to the life that's coming. 26:22 - True. 26:23 - So using this life that we've been given 26:26 to invest in the future life is really smart thinking. 26:30 - And even more importantly, in the future lives of others. 26:33 - [Jon] Yes. 26:34 - Like how many people can we drag 26:35 into the kingdom with us. 26:37 (both chuckles) 26:38 Not kicking and screaming, but-- 26:39 - Happily. 26:40 - Bringing them, yeah. - Right, yeah. 26:42 And that's our investment. 26:43 See, because when we get to heaven, 26:45 the relationships that we've formed here 26:47 that end up with them being in heaven, 26:50 that's gonna be our reward. 26:52 That's gonna be our great, obviously next to seeing Jesus. 26:55 - [Natalie] Right. 26:56 - Obviously. 26:57 But it's those relationships, they're, 26:59 can you imagine when they come to you and say, 27:01 "Hey, I did, I was in the library 27:04 "and I saw that it was your donation 27:06 "that enabled that Bible worker to come to my door 27:10 "and offer prayer and that's why I'm here." 27:13 - [Natalie] Yeah. 27:15 - It's like what kind of friendship are you gonna have? 27:17 (both laughs) 27:18 - For eternity. 27:20 - Absolutely, and that's the exactly the teaching 27:22 that Jesus had in Luke's 16:9 27:25 where he says, "Make to yourselves friends 27:27 "of the unrighteous mammon." 27:29 This is our true investment. 27:31 - Right, this is awesome. 27:33 - Yes, and we can do it now. 27:35 - Yeah, I would like to invite you 27:37 to be a part of this amazing ministry 27:39 by praying for these Bible workers 27:41 and for the young people 27:43 that will be going as student missionaries to these areas. 27:46 If you would like to be involved, please contact us 27:49 at Jesus for Asia PO Box 1221, 27:53 Collegedale, Tennessee, 37315. 27:56 Call us at (423) 413-7321 28:00 or visit our website at jesus4asia.org. 28:04 May God richly bless you 28:05 until we see you next time on "Jesus for Asia Now." 28:09 (somber music) |
Revised 2022-12-14