Participants:
Series Code: AWR
Program Code: AWR360007A
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00:01 The radio is a platform that goes wherever air goes.
00:05 I'm traveling to hear the stories of lives 00:08 transformed through the airwaves 00:10 of Adventist World Radio. 00:13 We will journey from the country of Madagascar, 00:16 to the beautiful island of Palawan in the Philippines. 00:20 Then we will travel 00:21 to the charming country of Argentina. 00:25 Follow along on this exciting adventure 00:28 to see how God is changing hearts 00:30 and transforming lives around the globe. 00:35 In a country steeped with tradition, 00:37 storytelling and oral learning 00:39 remain an integral part of the culture. 00:42 This makes radio an ideal avenue 00:44 to reach the people. 00:45 And I'm excited to hear how God is touching lives 00:48 through the airwaves. 00:50 I'm in Madagascar and this is AWR360A°. 01:27 My name is Fidy and I am blind. 01:38 My mother was also blind and we live together. 01:42 She passed away recently. 01:51 Fidy lives in the hill country of Madagascar, 01:54 four hours from the capital city 01:56 of Antananarivo. 01:59 The landscape is bare 02:01 except for mud huts and green gardens 02:03 that dot the dry hills. 02:07 Despite being blind, 02:08 Fidy's mother did fine embroidery and crocheting 02:11 while Fidy worked in the fields growing vegetables to sell. 02:19 Fidy was not always blind, 02:21 and as a child he loved listening to the radio. 02:25 He came across an AWR broadcast those many years ago, 02:29 but it was not interesting to him at that time. 02:32 When he became blind at the age of 18, 02:35 this Christian radio program came back to his remembrance 02:40 and in the darkness, the words now comforted him. 02:47 I especially like the Bible programs, 02:50 and also the one with helpful farming tips. 02:53 I put into practice everything I heard. 02:58 Fidy's mother also listen to the AWR broadcast. 03:01 And together they were convicted 03:04 by the truths they heard. 03:06 We didn't want to keep 03:08 what we heard on the radio to ourselves, 03:10 and began sharing with friends and neighbors as well, 03:13 inviting them to join us 03:15 in listening to the AWR broadcasts. 03:20 Then one special day a team from the General Conference 03:23 came and picked up Fidy and his mother. 03:26 They were brought to a church 03:27 and during a gathering to celebrate the work 03:29 of AWR in Madagascar, 03:31 this precious mother son duo were baptized. 03:37 His mother has sadly passed away 03:40 and Fidy now lives alone, 03:42 but he continues to listen daily 03:44 to his favorite radio station. 03:50 His life is simple, yet complex 03:52 for someone that cannot see. 03:54 Fidy makes his own meals, washes his clothes, 03:58 and keeps his mud hut tidy. 04:01 He earns a meager living 04:02 by helping a neighbor pan for gold 04:04 in a nearby stream. 04:10 Recently, Fidy began the process 04:11 of building a new home, 04:13 and he made all the bricks himself 04:15 using a technique he learned on the radio program. 04:21 Fidy is the only known Adventist 04:22 within many miles of his home 04:24 and he worships alone every Sabbath, 04:27 but thanks to AWR, he has a church family. 04:36 I am blind, 04:38 but AWR is my light in the darkness. 04:42 Through it I can see. 05:01 This story reminds me of the verse 05:03 in Isaiah 42 that says, 05:05 "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know. 05:09 I will lead them in paths they have not known, 05:12 and I will make darkness light before them 05:15 and crooked places straight. 05:17 These things I will do for them and not forsake them." 05:21 Thank you for your support of Adventist World Radio. 05:25 The Lord is using it 05:26 to pierce the darkness of this world, 05:28 bringing light to all people. 05:30 Together we are making waves, 05:32 from broadcast to baptism, this is AWR 360°. 05:49 As Christians, our family is much larger 05:52 than our immediate biological family. 05:54 In fact, we have brothers and sisters 05:55 that live in more than 200 countries 05:57 all around the world. 06:01 We want to remember them in our estate plan. 06:04 We can help you with that process, 06:06 just call 800-337-4279 toll free 06:10 or log on to awr.org 06:21 Follow me from Madagascar, 06:23 halfway around the world 06:24 to hear how the Lord is using Adventist World Radio 06:27 in Palawan in the Philippines. 06:37 Home to some of the happiest people 06:39 on the planet, 06:40 the Philippines consist of 7,107 Islands, 06:44 making it the second largest archipelago in the world. 06:48 Unlike their Southeast Asian neighbors 06:50 who practice Buddhism 06:51 90% of Filipinos consider themselves Christians, 06:55 making it the only Asian country 06:57 that is predominantly Christian, 06:59 but because of its Spanish colonial influence 07:02 80% of the population claim the Roman Catholic faith, 07:05 along with its manmade traditions and dogmas. 07:09 Come with me as I discover 07:11 how God is using radios and willing hands 07:14 to tear down the traditions of men 07:16 and transform lives. 07:34 The island of Palawan has been my home 07:37 for the past two weeks, 07:38 named one of the top islands in the world, 07:41 thanks to jaw dropping natural beauty. 07:43 It boasts incredible white sand beaches, 07:46 and one of the largest underground rivers 07:48 in the world. 07:50 The beauty of nature and the precious people here 07:54 make it an easy place to love. 07:56 But even more beautiful is the way God 07:58 is using Adventist World Radio on this island. 08:08 Nearly 20 years ago, 08:10 a pastor tried his hand at radio broadcasting. 08:12 The project didn't last long, 08:14 and it was cast aside as a failure. 08:16 What changed? 08:19 One year ago, 08:21 AWR came here bringing a vision 08:23 far greater than radio alone. 08:26 Bible based doctrinal messages would be preached 08:28 and the listeners connected with local churches. 08:31 Evangelistic meetings will be held and follow up 08:33 and discipleship take place. 08:36 The radio would be the platform, 08:37 the springboard for something much bigger. 08:42 The local leaders and lay members 08:44 were excited about the plan. 08:46 And soon seven humble stations were born 08:48 with 18 volunteers coming together to help. 08:53 Untrained yet with willing hands 08:55 to be used in service for the Lord, 08:58 these dedicated people gave up their time 09:00 and resources to spread the message. 09:03 As I traveled around to the different stations 09:05 and met these faithful volunteers, 09:07 my heart was touched with a self sacrifice I saw. 09:19 One family has a spindly makeshift radio tower 09:22 in their front yard. 09:23 Next to it a more permanent one stands half built aside, 09:27 waiting on funds for completion. 09:29 For them it's a family ministry 09:31 and the wife tears up as she tells us 09:33 how she and her husband 09:35 come out and pray for hours at the tower. 09:38 They had no previous training in radio broadcasting, 09:41 and at times the work is daunting. 09:43 But together with their three daughters 09:45 and neighborhood friend, 09:47 they devote countless hours a day 09:49 to creating and broadcasting messages of hope. 09:52 Even the littlest one uses her precious voice 09:55 to sing praises to Jesus. 10:06 From their humble tower and home studio, 10:09 this family has seen 50 precious souls baptized 10:13 and that is after only one year of operation. 10:18 Another volunteer broadcaster 10:20 is winning souls through ice cream. 10:22 Every day before heading to the radio station, 10:25 June completes a laborious three hour process 10:28 to make his delicious dessert by hand. 10:31 Not only does he sell it in front of the radio station, 10:34 but as a prize 10:35 for answering the question of the day correctly. 10:37 He gives away free ice cream to the first three callers. 10:41 He too is a self taught radio broadcaster 10:44 and is sacrificing much of his time 10:46 and means to the work of God. 10:48 But the reward is sweeter than ice cream 10:50 and June smiles big as he introduces us 10:53 to souls won for the kingdom 10:55 through the witness of his radio programs. 11:02 After one year of daily broadcasting 11:04 Bible based programs, 11:06 a reaping event called Palawan for Christ was planned. 11:09 This would start with a free health clinic 11:11 in Puerto Princesa 11:13 and nightly evangelistic meetings to follow. 11:16 In preparation, 11:17 AWR began promoting the health clinic 11:19 and inviting the listeners 11:21 to attend one of the many meetings 11:22 to be held over the island. 11:24 The response was phenomenal. 11:26 And the clinic, 11:28 a bigger success than anticipated. 11:30 At the mega clinic, 11:32 we served in three days 11:35 over 8,000 patients. 11:37 It was incredible. 11:39 There was only 300 volunteers. 11:42 We had doctors and medical people 11:44 from across the world really, that came to serve. 11:48 We were giving out literature to them 11:50 and inviting them to come 11:51 to the Palawan for Christ evangelistic meetings. 11:55 So many other religions 11:56 and so many other spiritual concepts in the world 11:59 and belief systems leave people with more confusion 12:03 than they do provide them answers 12:05 for their questions in life. 12:06 And I just feel like our gospel is so practical, 12:10 and so real and so understandable. 12:12 And I just, 12:14 I'm so much more attracted to it 12:16 after having preached this series 12:19 than I even was before. 12:21 I have been questioning 12:22 whether God actually wanted me to be here 12:24 up until about three days ago or two days ago. 12:27 I preached on the topic of baptism. 12:30 At the end of that sermon, 12:31 I made a call to baptism, 12:33 and three people put their hands up. 12:34 And it's awesome to know that God can use me, 12:38 somebody that's never spoken on the front before ever. 12:42 And I was able to, through God's help, 12:46 help people to make a decision to live for Him. 12:50 I guess, yeah, for me coming on this experience 12:52 in preaching these messages. 12:55 It's been two main things really exciting. 13:00 Just seeing God use me 13:01 and I feel very honored in a sense, 13:03 but at the same time, it's very humbling. 13:07 This trip will probably inspire me 13:09 to just recognize and not take for granted 13:13 all the blessings that I do have in my life 13:15 and certainly with personal visitation 13:18 and then listening to AWR, 13:20 there's a number of people 13:21 who've made a decision for baptism. 13:25 A poor family living on the outskirts of town 13:27 had heard about the upcoming events 13:28 on the radio. 13:32 Their home had been a place of fighting and unrest, 13:36 and a pastor was sent to visit. 13:38 Through prayer, 13:39 a sweet time of reconciliation was had 13:41 and peace returned to their humble home 13:44 after many years of discord. 13:46 This pastor again invited them to the health clinic 13:49 and upcoming evangelistic meetings. 13:51 And a few days later, 13:52 the crippled father was one of the thousands 13:55 seen at the clinic. 13:56 With tears in her eyes, 13:58 one of the daughters expressed her heartfelt gratitude 14:01 for the help her father received at the clinic 14:03 and also for AWR and the messages of hope 14:06 that have changed their home. 14:08 This dear family has been attending 14:09 one of the nightly evangelistic meetings 14:11 and has decided to be baptized. 14:14 And that is the circle we long to see 14:16 from broadcast to baptism. 14:25 For two weeks all across this beautiful island, 14:27 evangelistic meetings have been taking place, 14:30 conducted primarily by the lay people 14:32 from the US and Australia. 14:34 These brave evangelists are testaments 14:36 to the powerful concept that God can use anyone. 14:40 It's been really exciting to work 14:42 with each of our speakers. 14:43 And I found out that over half of our speakers 14:47 actually had never done any evangelism before. 14:50 And so this was something 14:52 that was very terrifying for them. 14:55 But I'm so proud of them 14:57 because they've worked really hard. 14:59 They've studied every day, 15:01 they've been out there preaching every night, 15:03 and I have seen their lives transformed. 15:07 So when we preach on baptism, 15:09 it actually was six people that came up. 15:12 And I was thinking, "Wow, Lord, six people," 15:14 and I was thinking 15:15 it would be perfect if it was seven. 15:16 And, you know, as the program ended, 15:18 God was really convicting my heart, 15:20 that maybe I should think about rebaptism. 15:23 And as it started to rain after the program, 15:25 I realized that I'm probably that seventh person 15:28 that God is calling for baptism. 15:30 And now I'm really just revived 15:32 and really want to go back and study the Word even more, 15:35 and really go into more detail 15:37 of the things that I've shared here 15:39 and see where God can open up opportunities 15:41 to share with people back home now. 15:44 One of the things that excites me most 15:45 about this event 15:46 has been in the lives of the speakers. 15:48 While we're here to preach 15:50 and outreach to the people in this area, 15:53 God works through us 15:54 and He's changing our hearts as well. 15:59 I believe Adventist World Radio programming here in Palawan 16:04 is going to be really vital 16:06 at nurturing these new members 16:08 and continuing to reaffirm these doctrinal truths 16:11 that they have learned, 16:13 nurturing them in their relationships 16:15 and this new way of life that they are now experiencing. 16:20 An ingenious thing being done here in Palawan 16:23 is modifying radios to only receive one channel, 16:27 AWR. 16:28 We witnessed this procedure take place at a little shop 16:31 by the side of the road. 16:33 Once equipped with just one channel, 16:35 these radios are given to families in need. 16:39 The radio here in Palawan, 16:41 we have found out has been so successful. 16:45 Just since January of this year, 16:47 there has been over 1,000 baptisms, 16:51 just from the radio. 16:54 As I prepare to head home, 16:55 I can't help but think 16:57 of the eternal impact the radio is having 16:59 and of all the precious souls 17:01 who committed their lives to Christ 17:03 through baptism this weekend. 17:04 There are many more 17:06 who still need to hear our Bible based programs. 17:08 And AWR has plans 17:10 to open seven more radio stations, 17:13 enabling our message to cover more 17:15 of this beautiful island. 17:17 Please pray for the many volunteers 17:19 who are working tirelessly 17:21 to make these radio broadcasts a success. 17:27 Thank you for your generous support 17:29 of Adventist World Radio. 17:31 Through your heartfelt prayers and donations, 17:33 our brothers and sisters 17:35 can keep that fire of evangelism going 17:37 here in Palawan. 17:57 I grew up in Indiana, 17:58 and I've been a farmer all my life. 18:01 My father, every time we'd plant a field, 18:04 when we got through, 18:06 we'd always kneel down and have prayer. 18:08 We'd done our part, now the Lord would do His, 18:11 and He always come through. 18:17 After praying about it, 18:18 my wife and I decided to do a gift annuity 18:21 through Adventist World Radio. 18:23 It goes to people that normally is not going to hear. 18:27 And that's what our three angels' message 18:30 is all about, to every nation, 18:32 kindred, tongue and people. 18:35 When you're a farmer, 18:37 you don't have a retirement plan. 18:39 It was a good way to supplement our retirement. 18:43 It's been a blessing to us. 18:44 And I know it's gonna be a blessing 18:46 to those others around the world. 18:57 Join us on Mount Carmel in Israel 19:00 for a powerful reminder of who we serve. 19:17 Hi, I'm Cami with AWR 360°. 19:20 I'm on the top of Mount Carmel, 19:22 where God showed His power through Elijah's faithfulness, 19:27 as an example to all of us, 19:29 outnumber, hunted and blamed for the drought. 19:33 This is where Elijah stood firm for God. 19:36 Who do you serve he asked? 19:38 As the priests danced 19:39 and tried to start the fire themselves, 19:41 they were left in shame, 19:43 for their gods were made of sticks and stones. 19:46 All eyes were on Elijah 19:48 as he poured water onto the stones, wet stones. 19:52 Only God could set fire to that. 19:55 As Elijah prayed his humble prayer, 19:57 it was answered with such a sight 19:59 that all were impressed. 20:01 Who do you serve? 20:02 We serve a risen Savior. 20:04 But what are we doing for our Lord? 20:06 If we stay silent, 20:08 many will never hear the wonderful news of our God. 20:11 We here at AWR invite you to stand with us for the Lord. 20:16 Adventist World Radio is reaching the unreached. 20:18 And with your support 20:20 there's no limit to where it can go. 20:22 Because truly there are no walls, no borders, 20:26 and no limits with AWR 360°. 20:39 Join me as I'm leaving Israel 20:41 to head halfway around the world 20:43 to hear how God is working in Argentina. 20:52 More time is spent listening to the radio in this country 20:55 than any other country in the world. 21:01 Come with me to Argentina 21:03 as I discover how Adventist World Radio 21:06 is touching lives with the everlasting gospel. 21:13 The city of Cordoba, Argentina 21:15 is full of rich colonial heritage, 21:18 towering Gothic cathedrals, 21:20 and quaint streets line with shops and cafes. 21:23 1.3 million Argentineans call this city home, 21:27 making it the second largest urban center in the country. 21:31 Today I have come to meet Andres Cory, 21:34 who lives just outside the heart of town. 21:39 Andres lives in a modest home 21:40 and even owns a small shop next door, 21:43 where he sells basic goods 21:45 and food items to the neighborhood. 21:48 He may live a seemingly happy and peaceful life today. 21:52 But as he begins to tell me his story, 21:54 I realize that this was not always the case. 22:01 My life was falling apart, 22:04 cigarettes and alcohol consumed my days and my wallet. 22:10 I would awake every morning craving alcohol. 22:14 My hands would be shaking until I get a drink. 22:19 My wife couldn't stand my drinking and smoking. 22:23 She wouldn't have anything to do with me. 22:26 I would tell myself, 22:28 when my son is born, I will not smoke anymore. 22:32 I will change my life. 22:35 But no matter how much I try, 22:37 I simply could not change 22:39 even after our son was born. 22:44 Sometimes when Andres was responsible 22:46 for buying groceries, he would come home 22:49 with only packs of cigarettes for himself. 22:56 My life continued to get worse. 22:59 I was now smoking up to 60 cigarettes a day. 23:03 Things got so bad that I began to contemplate ending my life. 23:13 One day, Andres confided in a friend 23:15 about his need for change. 23:17 The friend gave him a radio 23:19 as suggested he listened to a certain Christian station. 23:22 Andres gratefully accepted the radio 23:24 and excitedly began to listen to the broadcast. 23:28 But it wasn't long before he became bored 23:32 and began looking for a more interesting channel. 23:35 He tried many different ones, 23:37 but when he came to 92.9, 23:39 something caused him to stop. 23:41 It was the Adventist World Radio station 23:44 called Nuevo Tiempo. 23:49 I was immediately captivated 23:51 by the voice I would later learn 23:52 was Pastor Ponce. 23:54 He spoke words that filled my soul. 23:58 My heart was touched by the Bible messages. 24:00 A few days later, 24:02 as I was again listening to the radio station, 24:05 they announced that Nuevo Tiempo 24:07 was providing free Bible studies 24:08 for their listeners. 24:10 I decided I wanted to do that. 24:13 Little did he know that this decision 24:15 would forever change his life. 24:20 Once Andres received the lessons 24:22 and began to study the Bible, 24:24 the sense of peace he had never experienced 24:26 before came over him. 24:28 God was slowly working a transformation in his life. 24:32 But this was only the beginning. 24:36 One day, Andres heard announcement 24:38 for a free five day stop smoking course. 24:41 Even though he had tried on several occasions to quit, 24:45 he had not yet been able to give up his smoking habit. 24:48 Perhaps this was his chance. 24:51 He followed the program perfectly. 24:54 Drinking lots of water 24:55 and eating only fruits and vegetables 24:57 to help his body detox from the nicotine. 25:01 By God's grace, 25:02 not only did I stopped smoking the first day, 25:05 but I never took a drink of alcohol ever again. 25:09 But God wasn't through with Andres yet. 25:12 He was convicted 25:13 that God wanted him to make changes 25:15 in his business as well. 25:17 His friends thought he was crazy 25:19 when he shared his plan 25:20 to stop selling cigarettes and alcohol in his shop. 25:23 But Andres believes God has blessed his business 25:27 in a special way since making this change. 25:30 He has even begun to share Adventist literature 25:33 with his customers. 25:37 To say it simply, 25:39 Nuevo Tiempo Radio saved my life. 25:43 Through its messages, I found peace and happiness. 25:46 I found a family of believers. 25:52 Everything about me has changed. 25:54 My way of thinking, 25:56 my way of dressing, my way of living. 25:59 Thanks to Adventist World Radio, 26:01 I am a new man in Christ. 26:04 As I listened to Andres story, 26:06 I cannot help but think 26:07 of how heaven is rejoicing over this home. 26:10 We say our goodbyes and part ways, 26:13 realizing we may never meet again on this earth. 26:16 But yet I rejoice in the hope 26:17 that one day soon we will again meet Andres 26:21 and the thousands of other listeners 26:22 around the world whose hearts have been touched 26:25 by the work of Adventist World Radio. 26:31 Across the globe, there are millions living 26:33 in difficult to reach places where missionaries cannot go. 26:38 North Africa, the Middle East, 26:40 China, North Korea and many more. 26:43 It is into these very countries 26:45 that AWR's broadcasts 26:47 are penetrating every single day 26:50 from our strategic network of shortwave, 26:52 AM, FM and internet stations. 26:57 So how can you help spread the gospel 26:59 in these difficult to reach places? 27:01 Here are two practical ways. 27:03 First, pray. 27:05 Prayer is the key and the hand of faith 27:07 that can unlock heaven storehouse. 27:09 And second, visit awr.org 27:12 where you can help to expand the reach 27:14 of AWR's broadcast by your generous donations. 27:18 Thank you for joining us 27:20 and hastening Jesus' soon coming 27:22 by your needed prayers and support. 27:24 Until next time, this is AWR 360°. |
Revised 2020-02-21