Participants:
Series Code: AWR
Program Code: AWR360008A
|
00:02 AWR began in 1971 with a mission
00:05 to spread the gospel message 00:07 too hard to reach places. 00:11 Nearly 50 years later, this is still our mission. 00:17 Broadcasting from strategic locations 00:19 around the globe, 00:20 AWR can be heard in over 100 languages 00:23 via shortwave radio 00:24 with a special focus on the 10/40 Window. 00:28 Our network also includes 00:30 over 1,000 FM/AM/DAB and internet stations. 00:35 AWR is expanding to all media platforms 00:38 such as Facebook Audio, YouTube, 00:40 and AWR Cell Phone Evangelism. 00:44 Our motto, no walls, 00:46 no borders, no limits. 00:49 Follow along as we travel around the world 00:53 to catch a glimpse into the impact 00:55 that Adventist World Radio is making. 01:54 Rena grew up in a small rural village, 01:57 helping her mother cook for their family 01:59 and caring for her younger siblings. 02:02 It was a simple and often hard existence, 02:05 and Rena started to feel discontent. 02:13 There must be a better, 02:15 more exciting life for her elsewhere. 02:17 She had heard stories of people going to the big city 02:20 to find jobs and making lots of money. 02:24 They would come back with glowing stories 02:26 that only left Rena wanting 02:28 to experience the big city for herself. 02:31 Maybe she would find happiness there. 02:35 Maybe she could earn enough money 02:36 to help her family back home. 02:42 Rena knew what she had to do. 02:49 She packed a small bag with all her belongings 02:52 and set off for the big city. 03:05 I had never been to a city before 03:07 and rarely ventured outside my tiny village. 03:10 So the thrilling newness of this adventure 03:12 got me with excitement. 03:23 When I finally arrived and stepped down from the bus, 03:26 my heart froze as the reality 03:29 of what lay before me started to sink in. 03:44 She had no contacts here, 03:46 no place to stay, no job and no friends. 03:50 Part of her wanted to jump right back on that bus. 03:54 But she had spent her last coins for that ride. 04:00 I had to be brave 04:01 and with renewed confidence walked down the street. 04:07 If I could just find a job, 04:09 I would soon be able to help my family back home. 04:24 One afternoon a man approached Rena. 04:28 He had a kind demeanor and offered Rena a job. 04:33 He promised she would make lots of money, 04:35 and would have plenty to send back to her family. 04:38 This sounded like a dream come true. 04:40 And Rena was anxious to begin. 04:51 She followed the man down streets 04:53 that narrowed and got darker. 04:56 Unbeknownst to her, 04:58 she was selling her freedom and her body. 05:09 What followed would bring my worst fears 05:12 and nightmares to reality. 05:24 I was betrayed by a kind man, who is now my cruel boss. 05:28 I was trapped. 05:30 And as the dark days passed, hopelessness filled me. 05:41 My boss did not fulfill even one of his promises, 05:45 and I was paid so little, 05:47 that I often went hungry 05:49 and lacked the basic necessitie of life. 05:53 One day when her boss arrived with her meager weekly earning, 05:58 he coldly informed her 05:59 that he had no money to pay her 06:01 and tossed a small shortwave radio 06:03 onto her bed. 06:06 This is your payment today he said gruffly. 06:10 Rena wasn't happy with this arrangement. 06:12 She was hungry, 06:14 and the radio wasn't going to fill her empty stomach. 06:17 But she knew there was no point in arguing. 06:20 Rena had never used a radio before, 06:23 and out of curiosity started pushing buttons, 06:26 and turning the knobs. 06:28 Soon the sound of sweet music filled her dark room. 06:35 Then a man started talking about Jesus, 06:38 His great love for us. 06:40 How we can call on Him in our darkest times of life. 06:43 And has promised to be by our side. 06:49 She stopped to listen to these words 06:51 feeling like they were directed straight to her heart. 06:59 Up until this point in my life, 07:01 I had never heard the name of Jesus. 07:04 But a longing was born in my soul to know more. 07:07 I felt like a dirty, worthless human. 07:11 But in that moment, a glimmer of hope appeared. 07:14 I wanted to experience this unconditional love 07:17 the man talked about. 07:20 Rena didn't realize it then. 07:22 But what she was listening to 07:24 was broadcast from Adventist World Radio. 07:29 She eagerly turned the little radio on every day, 07:32 as the words of truth began 07:34 to set her imprisoned soul free. 07:40 With every broadcast there was an offer 07:43 given for free Bible studies 07:45 and Rena finally mustered up the courage to call in. 07:56 The kind lady at the AWR office, 07:58 not only signed her up for the studies, 08:00 but gave her the address 08:02 of the nearest Seventh-day Adventist church. 08:08 I desperately wanted 08:09 to leave this lifestyle I had been forced into. 08:13 But when my boss caught wind of my religious activities, 08:16 he was very angry 08:18 and threatened to kill me if I left. 08:20 I now had Jesus by my side though, 08:23 and I wasn't afraid. 08:26 One day Rena escaped her dark little room, 08:30 never to return again. 08:42 She timidly made her way 08:43 to the only safe place she knew, 08:46 the local Seventh-day Adventist church. 08:55 The members welcomed her so warmly. 08:58 They didn't shun her but offered to help 09:00 and open their arms to her in protection. 09:19 Just a few short months later, 09:21 Rena was baptized 09:23 into the Seventh-day Adventist church. 09:46 I now live a life of freedom and joy in Jesus. 09:50 Thanks to the unlikely gift in Adventist World Radio. 09:55 This is AWR's mission to set the captives free. 10:00 Will you join us 10:01 in spreading the message of salvation 10:03 and the unconditional love of Jesus 10:05 to others like Rena. 10:07 Your prayers and donations are changing lives. 10:15 Without your generous support of Adventist World Radio, 10:19 stories like this would never have been possible. 10:35 As Christians, our family is much larger 10:37 than our immediate biological family. 10:39 In fact, we have brothers and sisters 10:41 that live in more than 200 countries 10:43 all around the world. 10:47 We want to remember them in our estate plan. 10:50 We can help you with that process. 10:51 Just call 800-337-4279 toll free 10:56 or log on to awr.org 11:05 Our video crew is in Lusaka, Zambia. 11:08 Adventist World Radio is holding 11:10 over 1,000 evangelistic meetings 11:12 across this country 11:14 titled The Zambia for Christ event. 11:16 Many volunteer speakers have come 11:18 from various parts of Europe 11:20 to preach the message of hope 11:21 to the precious Zambian people. 11:24 Many times when men and women stand up as missionaries 11:27 to be mouthpieces for God, 11:29 the devil will actively attempt 11:31 to discourage and intimidate them. 11:33 But Jesus says in the Bible, "Fear not" 365 times, 11:39 one for every day of the year, 11:41 because God is always with those who do His will. 11:45 Mira's motive to travel to Zambia 11:47 was to be there for her husband, 11:49 who is preaching one of the evangelistic series. 11:53 I came to Zambia only to support my husband. 11:58 Admittedly being a shy person, 12:01 she had no desire or intention 12:03 to ever be up front proclaiming Bible messages. 12:06 But as Jeremiah 29:11 promises, 12:09 God has His own plans for her. 12:12 Interestingly, 12:13 one of the location sites needed a preacher. 12:16 So AWR leader, Pastor Kent Sharp 12:18 asked Mira to fill in this open spot 12:21 and preach the series of sermons. 12:24 Immediately, I felt so nervous, 12:28 but Kent asked me to pray about it. 12:31 So that's what I did. 12:33 And on the next day, I couldn't believe it. 12:38 When I saw him, I just said, "Yes, I will do it." 12:43 Mira preached her very first sermon. 12:46 This is the most unbelievable thing 12:50 I have ever done. 12:52 And even though I was shaking, 12:54 even crying, God helped me do it. 12:59 By God's grace she preached the full gospel message, 13:03 and the people listened intently. 13:05 However, an intense battle was about to take place. 13:10 As she fell asleep one night, 13:11 Mira began to dream of a most troubling image. 13:14 The enemy was seeking to frighten 13:16 and thereby discourage her. 13:18 I do not wish to reveal the scary details 13:22 from the dream. 13:25 But it was definitely an attack from the devil. 13:29 Next, with unseen hands, 13:31 the TV turned itself on and off. 13:35 The great controversy was happening right there 13:37 in her hotel room. 13:39 A voice repeatedly instructed her 13:41 to stop preaching, to go home. 13:45 All that I was capable of doing at that moment 13:49 was just to cry out, 13:52 Jesus, please come. 13:59 Her husband Michael woke up and without any words, 14:02 sensed a spiritual battle is being fought. 14:04 He immediately began reading the Bible out loud. 14:08 You see, Michael had his own experience 14:11 and God had prepared him for this challenge. 14:15 While preaching a sermon, 14:17 a man whose eyes proved that his mind was not his own 14:20 approached the stage. 14:23 During my first meeting, 14:25 as I was making the call, 14:27 a man came from nowhere 14:28 and headed straight to the pulpit 14:30 and he looked straight at me, 14:33 and he stood in front of me and he was staring at me. 14:36 As Michael looked down, he knew something was wrong. 14:40 Later on, I realized that he was demon possessed. 14:44 After the sermon, the man revealed 14:45 that his dead relatives conversed with him. 14:49 And I did pray for him. 14:51 And I didn't know how to do it. 14:52 So I just prayed my normal conventional prayer. 14:55 After the meetings, Michael wanted to know 14:57 how to properly deal with such a situation. 15:00 He talked to Pastor Kent about it. 15:02 He told me I have to keep on reading 15:04 from the Bible and call all, 15:07 the head deacon and all the deacons 15:09 and never stop praying. 15:11 Don't stop praying until the demon goes out. 15:15 The very next night, 15:16 another possessed man came to Michael. 15:19 And he told me he had a terrible headache 15:21 for about six years. 15:23 I asked Mali to tell me everything 15:26 about his problem, 15:28 because if I know only part of it, 15:29 I would pray the wrong prayer. 15:31 Expressing that his father is a shaman, 15:34 and repeatedly becomes demon possessed. 15:36 In fact, his whole family 15:38 has daily battles with demons fighting to control them. 15:42 Being more prepared, 15:43 Michael immediately opened his Bible 15:44 and studied with him. 15:47 Then I got the full picture and I said, 15:49 "Okay, this is a very serious thing." 15:51 And, Mali, firstly, you need to decide, 15:55 do you want to... 15:56 You have to confess all your sins. 15:58 Before Jesus kills you, 15:59 you have to confess all your sins. 16:01 I cannot pray for you 16:02 unless you personally don't pray to Jesus first 16:04 and confess your sins. 16:05 And secondly, you need to believe 16:07 that Jesus can do it. 16:08 Because I can pray for you but if you don't believe, 16:10 you just can't do it if he comes. 16:12 Then he invited the deacons to surround the man 16:15 as they prayed fervently together. 16:17 And we prayed. 16:22 And we prayed in the name of Jesus, 16:27 in the name of Jesus. 16:28 And I said, "Father, if you brought this man to me, 16:31 this means that You want me to be able to..." 16:34 Before that I was doubting that and that was my mistake. 16:38 That doesn't mean pride. 16:39 You need to believe that God is using you 16:41 as a tool right now, don't doubt that. 16:44 And I really, during the prayer, 16:46 my faith grew, 16:48 and I let the Lord flow through me. 16:52 And at the end, the man was healed. 16:54 We never stopped praying and he was healed. 16:56 And he accepted Jesus. 17:00 In fact, he brought his sister to be freed 17:02 from the demons as well. 17:07 Amazingly, a few nights later, 17:09 another demon possessed man came forward 17:12 seeking the healing power of Christ. 17:15 I'm like, "Lord, are you joking with me? 17:18 Are you serious?" 17:20 Surrounded by the deacons, 17:21 they prayed for the man in like manner as before. 17:24 He prayed, he gave all his sins, 17:26 and I said, "Are you ready to give your life to Jesus. 17:28 No more sin, no more sin." 17:30 And he prayed, 17:31 he gave his life to Jesus, he was crying. 17:33 And now I can tell anyone, 17:36 anyone can do it as long as you believe. 17:38 As long as you believe that Jesus wants to use you, 17:40 and as long as you have given your life 17:43 completely to Jesus. 17:45 Because of these events, 17:47 he saw the spiritual warfare taking place 17:49 and connected what was happening 17:51 with his wife 17:52 was actually a battle. 17:54 The only answer to this 17:55 could be read the Bible and pray. 17:57 And that's what we did. 17:59 Mira felt God's Spirit through the words. 18:02 It was the first time she felt the power of Jesus. 18:05 I was shaking so badly that I couldn't even speak. 18:10 But he says, "We must pray." 18:15 Together they sought the Lord in earnest prayer. 18:18 Minutes slip by, then hours. 18:21 The peaceful Spirit of God casts out the enemy's presence. 18:26 Mira fell asleep 18:28 as her husband continued to pray by her side. 18:33 When I woke up, we prayed together again, 18:37 thanking God 18:38 for everything He has done for us. 18:42 And now I know God has something very special 18:47 for me, for my life. 18:49 And I will never, never forget 18:53 experiencing the power of prayer. 18:57 Thanks to the devotion of Mira, Michael 19:00 and all those who stood to preach, 19:03 18,000 made the decision to be baptized. 19:06 Yes, that's 18,000 new lives 19:10 that have the hope of salvation. 19:12 Because laymen chose to step forward 19:15 and put their faith in Jesus, the devil was defeated. 19:19 Many claimed the promise, 19:21 with Jesus I can do this. 19:27 As we commit and are faithful to God's will, 19:31 yes, we may draw the devil's attention. 19:33 But let us not forget, 19:35 we worship the King of the universe. 19:37 Jesus will sustain us 19:39 no matter what battle we find ourselves in. 19:41 He is our Protector and our Redeemer, 19:43 just like Mira call on Him. 19:55 I grew up in Indiana, 19:57 and I've been a farmer all my life. 20:00 My father, every time we'd plant a field, 20:03 when we got through, 20:05 we'd always kneel down and have prayer. 20:06 We'd done our part, now the Lord would do His, 20:09 and He always come through. 20:15 After praying about it, 20:16 my wife and I decided to do a gift annuity 20:19 through Adventist World Radio. 20:21 It goes to people that normally is not going to hear. 20:26 And that's what our three angels' message 20:28 is all about, 20:30 to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. 20:34 When you're a farmer, 20:35 you don't have a retirement plan. 20:38 It was a good way to supplement our retirement. 20:41 It's been a blessing to us. 20:43 And I know it's gonna be a blessing 20:44 to those others around the world. 20:54 Come with us from Zambia 20:55 as we travel to see how God's work is progressing 20:59 in the country of Madagascar. 21:15 Sometimes called the eighth continent 21:17 of the world, 21:18 Madagascar is a diverse land 21:20 ranging from coastal plains, 21:22 plateaus and mountains. 21:28 We are in Madagascar and this is AWR 360°. 21:41 I am traveling with Ray Allen, one of AWR's vice presidents. 21:45 And together we are hearing stories 21:47 and meeting people 21:49 whose lives have been transformed by the radio. 21:53 Today we are in the city of Toamasina 21:55 to meet a dear couple and hear their story. 22:02 My name is Bobby Sowa. 22:04 But some people just call me Mama Cisit. 22:09 I live in Analanjirofo, Madagascar 22:12 with my husband who is a retired seaman. 22:18 I enjoy gardening and tending to my flowers. 22:21 But most of all, I love spending time 22:23 with my children and grandchildren. 22:31 Mama Cisit is full of life 22:33 and I can't help but smile as we sit down 22:36 and she shares her story in a most animated way. 22:43 She tells me they were once active members 22:45 in a Sunday keeping church, 22:47 but after some problems arose, their family stopped attending. 22:51 One morning Mama Cisit's husband 22:53 turned on the radio. 23:01 He heard a voice talking about the Sabbath, 23:04 confused and intrigued he continued listening. 23:07 At the end of the broadcast, the speaker announced 23:10 that he will be presenting the same message that night. 23:15 My husband excitedly found me 23:17 and asked me to listen to the radio 23:19 with him that night. 23:21 We sat together and he took careful notes. 23:24 Convicted by the words they heard, 23:26 Mama Cisit and her husband 23:28 began searching for a church that kept the Bible Sabbath. 23:31 They walked to different villages 23:33 asking those they met if they knew 23:35 of a Seventh-day Adventist church. 23:38 But always the answer was no. 23:41 Finally someone suggested they go to Toamasina 23:44 saying there might be one in the big city. 23:47 This was 45 miles from their home. 23:50 But in desperation they set out on foot. 24:13 After days of walking, 24:15 they found a Seventh-day Adventist church 24:17 and attended on Saturday for the first time. 24:22 Mama Cisit and her husband met the pastor, 24:24 and he told them about a church closer to their village. 24:28 Though it was closer 24:30 this church lay over a mountain range, 24:33 the journey was very difficult, 24:36 and it often took them two days of walking 24:39 just to get to church. 24:44 After making this trip several times, 24:47 Mama Cisit and her family decided 24:49 to have church at home instead. 24:52 Our neighbors made fun of us having church at home. 24:56 We didn't know any SDA songs 24:59 or the proper order of service, 25:01 but we did our best. 25:08 After some time, a Seventh-day Adventist 25:10 passed through their village. 25:12 He studied the Bible with them 25:13 and explained more of our beliefs. 25:16 This strengthened their faith further 25:18 and a longing was placed 25:20 in Mama Cisit's heart to share 25:21 what they were learning with others. 25:25 I don't have much education and can't read the Bible well, 25:29 but I was impressed that my talent is prayer. 25:33 This I can do for others and teach them how to pray. 25:37 Mama Cisit has seen God work through her prayers 25:40 and miracles have taken place. 25:45 Several sick people have been healed 25:48 and a dying boy restored to health, 25:50 thanks to her fervent prayers. 25:54 Neighbors and family witnessed these answers to prayers 25:56 and soon others joined in their home church services. 26:03 Their numbers have grown over the years 26:05 and three churches were built to hold all the new members. 26:13 Mama Cisit and her husband 26:14 continue to lead down in the work 26:16 and are excited to see how God is blessing. 26:22 We love Adventist World Radio, 26:25 it has changed our lives. 26:45 Can you imagine walking two days 26:47 over a mountain just to go to church? 26:50 And what would happen if your life and testimony 26:52 brought so many souls to Jesus 26:54 that you had to build three churches 26:56 to hold them all? 26:58 And what if miracles happened because of your prayers. 27:01 God is working mightily 27:03 through this couple and others 27:04 who have dedicated their lives to His service, 27:07 and He wants to do the same for us. 27:12 Thank you so much for your support 27:14 of Adventist World Radio. 27:16 Truly great things are happening 27:18 even in the remotest parts of the earth. 27:20 And together, we are making waves, 27:22 from broadcast to baptism, 27:25 this is AWR 360°. |
Revised 2020-02-21