Participants:
Series Code: MMS
Program Code: MMS010143S
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00:01 Hi, I'm Dustin Comm with the Maranatha Minute.
00:03 Maranatha has been drilling water wells 00:05 in India since 2019, 00:07 where half the population doesn't have access 00:09 to clean water. 00:11 Recently, we started drilling in the Sunderban Islands, 00:13 a delta system on the Bay of Bengal. 00:16 Traditional large drilling rigs aren't available 00:19 to reach the islands, 00:20 so materials are transported by boat. 00:22 Although a small machine is used 00:24 in the drilling process, 00:25 much of the work is done by hand. 00:27 Each length of pipe must be inserted manually 00:30 with a worker at the top of a temporary tower 00:33 guiding it into the hole. 00:35 From here workers drill down slowly 00:37 to make sure the soft clay doesn't cave in. 00:40 This process can take five to six days. 00:42 Currently Maranatha has nine wells in process 00:45 in the Sunderban Islands, 00:47 bringing clean water to hundreds of Indians in need. 00:50 Learn more about the work Maranatha is doing in India 00:53 at our upcoming 00:54 virtual convention Mission Maranatha 00:56 on September 19. 00:57 For more info, visit our website. 01:28 Education is one of the most powerful ways 01:32 over the long term 01:33 to grow the church 01:35 and make it really solid and strong. 01:38 Kids are coming every day. 01:40 They're hearing about Jesus, they're singing songs, 01:43 they go home, they take it into their families, 01:45 into their communities. 01:48 That becomes blended 01:50 and the families become more involved 01:52 and the church grows and become strong in the area. 01:54 So I really like the education side 01:58 of what we do. 02:00 To me it touches my heart 02:01 maybe even more than building the churches. 02:06 Over the five decades of our history, 02:08 Maranatha has become synonymous 02:10 with providing urgently needed places of worship 02:13 around the world. 02:18 But in addition to constructing churches, 02:20 Maranatha helps to provide schools 02:22 for thousands of children. 02:26 Today, we'll take a look at several places 02:28 where Maranatha is making a difference 02:30 in the lives of children now and for eternity. 02:36 Quality education requires quality structures, 02:39 something that is lacking in many schools 02:41 around the world. 02:43 Dedicated school staff do their best 02:45 to create environments conducive for learning. 02:48 But their efforts are often hampered 02:50 by deplorable learning conditions. 02:52 It's hard to explain 02:55 how bad some of the buildings are 02:57 in some of the places that we work 03:00 or currently looking to work. 03:02 I can't even imagine 03:04 how the young people exist there. 03:08 On day school campus, it's maybe not as pronounced, 03:12 although the campuses can be dark and dingy 03:17 in the classrooms 03:18 and it's not good, 03:19 for lighting ventilation might be bad. 03:21 It's good to a boarding campus. 03:23 It's terrible. 03:24 Frankly, I don't know why the kids go there. 03:28 You get into issues of sanitation, 03:31 food preparation, 03:33 before you can learn, you have to live. 03:37 And they're not living very good 03:39 when you're crammed 107 kids into a very small dormitory 03:42 with maybe a blanket over a piece of plywood. 03:48 Are you going to sleep well? 03:50 Probably not. 03:51 The roof might leak. 03:52 So does infrastructure make a difference? 03:55 Oh, it's huge. 03:57 And these kids deserve better than what they've had 03:59 for so many years, 04:00 so it's exciting to be able to be a part of it. 04:06 For more than 20 years, 04:07 Maranatha has been actively working 04:09 in the vast country of India. 04:12 Our work started 04:14 in the northern part of the country 04:15 with a small project at a school campus 04:17 in the town Roorkee. 04:22 Over the next two decades, 04:23 the effort would spread 04:25 to result in large evangelism meetings 04:28 and the construction of more than 1,500 churches. 04:33 Despite obstacles 04:35 for the more traditional means of spreading the gospel, 04:38 Adventist members in India are finding other ways 04:40 to share God's love. 04:42 It has been tough in the past couple of years 04:45 that the Word of God cannot be spread the way 04:47 it used to be spread. 04:49 But, you know, when one door closes, 04:51 another door opens, 04:53 you know, and the Word of God cannot be stopped. 04:57 And one of the ways of spreading the Word of God 05:00 is education. 05:03 Adventist schools up and down the country of India 05:06 are respected by members of all faith communities. 05:12 Their high standards of education and dedication 05:14 to instilling values in students 05:16 draws families of many different backgrounds. 05:20 This creates opportunities to share Christ. 05:25 One key educational institution is the Khunti Adventist School 05:29 in the state of Jharkhand. 05:31 Established in 1937, eight decades later, 05:35 the school is thriving with an enrollment 05:37 of more than 1,300 students. 05:41 High academic standards, 05:43 an empathetic and caring staff 05:46 and a welcoming spiritual environment 05:48 draw families to the campus. 05:50 But the infrastructure left much to be desired. 05:54 Elementary students 05:56 studied in broken down buildings 05:57 that were hot during the summer 05:59 and leaked during the rainy season. 06:02 The learning conditions were less than ideal. 06:07 So they're not able to study 06:09 as much they're supposed to study 06:11 and concentrate. 06:12 At the same time morale of the teachers 06:14 also that, they don't have. 06:17 The school also lacked a proper space 06:19 for assemblies and worships. 06:22 Children used to meet in the cafeteria, 06:24 but there wasn't enough space for everyone to sit 06:27 and some were forced to stand in the back. 06:31 When they used to have church in the cafeteria, 06:36 they used to feel like, 06:37 "We have not come to the church or to worship." 06:40 But always they'll be thinking 06:42 when the food will be served for them. 06:44 In 2018, Maranatha committed 06:47 to building a large elementary education center 06:50 on the Khunti campus. 06:51 In mere months, 06:53 an empty plot on the campus 06:54 was transformed into a beautiful structure 06:57 and the building was ready to welcome hundreds of students 07:01 Students are very happy. 07:03 And when they come to class, 07:07 when they come to school now they are so excited 07:09 because they want to get inside the classroom and sit 07:13 because of the benches, 07:15 benches are new and nice and classroom is nice. 07:20 So they are also very excited to come to school nowadays. 07:23 And in their faces we can see that they are happy. 07:28 New classroom helps me study better, 07:30 because there is new whiteboards, 07:33 desk, switchboards, windows, 07:36 everything new, flooring. 07:39 That's why I want to study in the new building. 07:45 The beautiful new structure 07:46 provides more than bright classrooms 07:48 and a spacious place for the student body to meet. 07:52 It is a tool the school is using 07:54 to share God's love with as many as they can. 07:57 When this building came up, 08:00 it gave us a morale boost that yes, 08:04 now we can have more students, more field, 08:08 and we can tell the love of God to the people 08:11 through this building. 08:14 Educate them for eternity, 08:16 which is the main focus of our goal. 08:19 Indeed, it has done a great job. 08:24 After completion 08:25 of a large school building at Khunti, 08:27 it was time for Maranatha to move on and help 08:29 another school community in need. 08:32 Set in the rolling hills of Northeast India 08:35 the Jingshai Mihngi Adventist School 08:37 offers K to 10th grade education 08:39 for nearly 500 students. 08:41 Though the Jingshai Mihngi School 08:43 has a great reputation with the community 08:46 and is overflowing with students, 08:48 it is merely surviving 08:49 when it comes to the desperate condition 08:51 of the physical facilities. 08:54 Students study in leaky dark and congested classrooms. 09:00 The buildings are sinking and often flood. 09:04 The deficiencies make learning challenging. 09:07 These conditions are inadequate on their own. 09:10 But to make matters worse, 09:11 an open sewer lines 09:12 sits directly next to the classrooms 09:14 making teaching and learning nearly impossible. 09:19 In 2019, the school reached out to Maranatha. 09:23 We agreed to construct a new campus 09:24 for the Jingshai Mihngi Adventist School. 09:28 The property is five minutes away 09:29 and sits atop a hill covered in trees 09:32 with views into a green valley below. 09:36 When I heard that the news that Maranatha 09:40 and it was God's people 09:43 will come and helped to build a school. 09:46 I'm so thankful to God. 09:48 And then I feel that God works 09:53 in a very mysterious way 09:55 on the right time and the right moment. 10:00 In February of 2020, 10:02 a group of volunteers came and began construction 10:05 on the new school. 10:11 After the volunteers departed for home, 10:13 local crews continued construction on the campus 10:16 until work was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 10:20 Eager to continue building the school, 10:22 the workers chose to shelter in place 10:24 on the construction site 10:26 and ask the local town leadership 10:28 for permission to keep working. 10:30 Their sacrifice and diligence has resulted in major progress 10:34 and the campus is nearing completion. 10:37 This new campus will not only give relief 10:39 to the horrendous conditions, 10:41 but improve the school's ability 10:43 to radiate the gospel in its community. 10:46 Jingshai Mihngi in our language is mean that is a light. 10:50 And then I can say that our school 10:52 it is really live up to that, 10:55 to the name, Jingshai Mihngi. 10:58 When we come back, 11:00 travel to the continent of Africa 11:01 and see how schools are making a huge impact 11:05 for Christ. 11:17 Mark your calendar, 11:18 September 19 is Mission Maranatha, 11:21 a television broadcast event. 11:23 Beginning at 2 pm Pacific, 11:24 you will discover firsthand 11:26 how Maranatha Volunteers international 11:28 has advanced the mission in 2020. 11:31 At 4:30 pm Pacific, 11:32 the doors will open to a virtual meet and greet, 11:35 a time for you to see your Maranatha friends, 11:38 a time to find out how you can get involved. 11:40 Mission Maranatha will bring you fresh reports 11:43 from India, Kenya, 11:45 Zambia, Cote d'Ivoire, Brazil, and North America. 11:50 You'll witness 11:51 the remarkable stories of volunteers 11:54 and answered prayer as the world courses 11:56 through rapid change. 11:59 Mission Maranatha, September 19 at 2 pm Pacific 12:03 on the Maranatha channel, 3ABN and Hope channel. 12:06 And be sure to register for our 4:30 pm virtual lobby. 12:10 The mission is calling. 12:12 The mission is Maranatha. 12:21 The city of Kabwe 12:22 sits in the central province of Zambia. 12:26 It was founded as a mining town, 12:29 but the real jewel of the city is the Kabwe Adventist School. 12:35 Over the last decade, 12:36 the Kabwe Adventist School has set itself apart 12:39 in the sea of education choices in town. 12:44 Local Adventist families aren't the only one 12:47 sending their children to study here. 12:49 Currently 65% of the student population 12:53 is non-Adventist. 12:54 The local community at large 12:56 has discovered the high-quality education 12:58 offered on campus. 13:02 Because now we also have a challenge of enrollment. 13:04 Because many people are coming. 13:06 They have realized 13:07 that Adventist education is sweet. 13:12 They want to taste that sweetness. 13:16 And every time we just say, 13:17 "No. there's no space." 13:19 There were more than 500 students 13:21 meeting in a space designed for far less capacity. 13:25 And there was a long waiting list 13:26 for admission. 13:29 The campus needed to grow, 13:30 but they had no resources to do so. 13:35 Plus, the current school is landlocked 13:37 with no physical space to expand. 13:42 Local church leaders identified a large plot of land 13:45 and Maranatha quickly began construction 13:48 on a 12-classroom elementary campus. 13:51 On March 3rd 2020, 13:53 students flooded on to the new campus 13:56 eager to learn in their bright new school. 13:59 But the school administration 14:00 sees the buildings as more than classrooms. 14:03 They've been given more opportunities 14:05 to share Christ. 14:07 Most of them will never have an opportunity 14:08 to get to a church building 14:10 to actually listen to the Gospel. 14:11 But when they come to Christian school, 14:13 that's the one opportunity they have. 14:14 So you actually have more of an opportunity 14:16 to minister to them, and to share Christ with them. 14:19 So it's beautiful when we see the campus growing that much. 14:22 We have more spaces open 14:24 to actually preach the Gospel to them. 14:28 Now that the Kabwe campus is complete, 14:30 Maranatha has begun work at another school in Zambia. 14:35 The Emmanuel Adventist secondary school 14:37 opened in 2011. 14:39 And over the years 14:40 enrollment has grown to 300 students. 14:44 The original buildings on campus were built 14:46 through the sacrifice of many people 14:48 who desired children in this area 14:50 to have a quality Christian education. 14:53 But as the school has grown, the space is now inadequate. 14:57 Maranatha responded to their need 14:59 by building a block of three classrooms 15:01 and a girls' dormitory, 15:03 and not even a global pandemic could stop the work. 15:06 Maranatha crews sheltered in place on the campus 15:09 to work on the buildings. 15:11 When complete, 15:12 these structures will help the school 15:14 expand their reach. 15:16 Zambia isn't the only place on the African continent 15:19 where new school structures are making an immense impact. 15:23 The Adventist Church in Kenya sees schools 15:25 as a major component to spreading the gospel 15:28 all across their country. 15:30 School campuses not only teach 15:32 the usual subjects of reading and math, 15:34 but help students to develop relationships with God. 15:38 The Kiutine Adventist School is one such place. 15:42 The campus is home 15:43 to more than 200 high school students 15:45 all hungry for the opportunity to receive a quality education 15:49 despite the deplorable condition 15:51 of the campus. 15:54 The school is very humble indeed, 15:56 but it is humble with Jesus. 15:58 Yeah. 16:00 We have the teachers who are very helpful to us, 16:02 who are ready to listen to us at any point. 16:05 Whenever we have, we need them, 16:07 they are ready to listen to us. 16:09 We have our neighbors who takes care of us, yeah, 16:14 and the school runs very nice and that impressed me so much 16:17 and I feel I'm comfortable 16:19 although the condition is not favorable. 16:21 I thank God for everything. 16:24 Humble is an understatement. 16:27 This is where the girls slept. 16:33 And this is their shower area. 16:37 Meals were both prepared and consumed in the open. 16:44 And I walked through there and my thought was, 16:48 man, this place is going to close. 16:50 It's terrible. 16:52 No parent would even allow their kid to come here, 16:56 let alone child staying there. 16:58 They'd say, hey, I'm out of here. 17:00 But they're so committed to getting an education 17:03 and a Christian education specifically, 17:05 that they've put up with those conditions. 17:08 But you know, it's surprising how well they've done. 17:12 But I don't say that's good enough. 17:14 In my mind, I say, "What could it be? 17:18 What should it be? 17:19 And what can we do?" 17:21 And Kiutine specifically has touched a lot of our hearts 17:25 as we go there 17:26 because you can absolutely see the potential. 17:29 The kids are great. 17:30 They're wonderful, 17:32 but you know that they can be more. 17:34 Maranatha immediately began putting together 17:37 an extensive master plan for the Kiutine campus. 17:42 Groups of Maranatha Volunteers 17:43 began constructing new dormitories, 17:45 classrooms, bathrooms, 17:47 a kitchen and a cafeteria. 17:52 A water well was drilled on campus 17:54 solving the school's major water supply issue. 17:59 And beautiful landscaping has transformed the campus 18:02 into an educational oasis. 18:07 The inauguration of the new buildings 18:09 was an exuberant experience 18:11 as students expressed their joy and gratitude 18:13 for completely transforming their home. 18:17 May God bless you for the wonderful work 18:20 that you have done into our school. 18:21 If it was not for you, 18:22 we don't know where we could be. 18:24 You have really transformed this school. 18:27 We can't express the gratitude we have 18:29 because you've been really good to us. 18:31 You've really helped us come from the situation 18:34 that we were in until now. 18:36 It's great. 18:38 May God bless you. 18:40 The Kiutine School is not the only campus in Kenya 18:43 that has received a Maranatha overhaul. 18:46 For nearly 20 years, 18:47 the Kajiado Adventist School and Rescue Center 18:50 has served as a haven for Maasai girls 18:52 who were running away from child marriages 18:55 and a traditional female circumcision 18:57 known as FGM. 18:59 The school is helping set these girls 19:01 on a bright path 19:02 towards a future of opportunity. 19:05 They're providing a home to those who have none, 19:08 yet the facilities are inadequate. 19:11 Now here we are crowded, 19:13 because they're sleeping two-two, 19:15 and see the beds are small. 19:17 But still we thank God 19:18 because there are so many 19:19 who don't have a place to sleep. 19:24 But I think it is also good to build a bigger one 19:28 so that many other girls can come and join us. 19:32 I have cases of 46 girls who wanted to come in, 19:36 but I don't have the space, honestly. 19:39 I just gave promises that 19:41 "Just give me some more time. 19:43 But in case of any danger please consult us, let us know. 19:48 But we don't have the space." 19:52 In 2018, Maranatha agreed to provide 19:55 the Kajiado School 19:56 with a number of new structures 19:58 including two girls' dorms with showers and toilets. 20:03 A boys' dorm for the 45 boys who also attend 20:06 and an administrative office. 20:09 Maranatha also drilled a new well on campus 20:12 to replace an old one 20:13 that was not providing enough water. 20:16 And new secondary school dormitories 20:18 and classrooms 20:20 mean students can further their education 20:22 and stay on the campus that has become their home. 20:25 Though they are mere buildings, 20:27 this new infrastructure is changing life 20:30 for hundreds of children, 20:32 giving them an opportunity for a future and space 20:35 to learn about Jesus. 20:41 When we come back, 20:42 transformation continues as we visit more schools 20:45 Maranatha is helping. 21:01 Normally September means a gathering 21:03 of up to 2,000 Maranatha Volunteers 21:05 at our annual convention. 21:07 Due to COVID-19, 21:08 this year's event will be held virtually 21:10 and there are a number of ways you can participate. 21:13 One is to connect with fellow volunteers 21:15 and talk directly with Maranatha staff 21:17 from around the world 21:18 during an online meet and greet on Zoom. 21:21 This virtual lobby will take place on September 19 21:23 at 4:30 pm Pacific 21:25 after our two-hour television broadcast event 21:27 Mission Maranatha. 21:29 Similar to the lobby at our physical convention, 21:31 this virtual lobby will allow you to talk 21:34 to mission trip friends 21:35 and Maranatha staff out in the field. 21:38 Make sure to register for a breakout room 21:39 focused on a specific country where you have served. 21:42 From here you'll be able to talk 21:44 to volunteers who have also served there, 21:46 and Maranatha's director for that country. 21:48 To learn more about the convention weekend 21:50 and register for the virtual lobby, 21:52 visit maranatha.org/missionmaranatha. 22:03 Adventism came 22:05 to the West African nation of Cote d'Ivoire 100 years ago. 22:09 But despite the long history, 22:11 membership is small at less than 10,000. 22:17 Church leaders see Adventist education 22:19 as an important part of their plan 22:20 to reach more of Cote d'Ivoire for Christ. 22:59 In 2020, Maranatha began work in Cote d'Ivoire 23:02 to construct schools and churches. 23:06 For years, the Abbebroukoi congregation 23:09 met on a patio. 23:11 Maranatha crews have been putting 23:12 the final touches on a new church 23:14 and school classrooms for the group. 23:17 The new church and school 23:18 will provide a quality place of worship 23:21 and the only Christian school in the area. 23:25 Maranatha is also building a secondary school 23:27 grade 6-12 on the property 23:29 of the Niangon Seventh-day Adventist Church. 23:33 This area has plenty of primary schools, 23:36 but there are a few options for secondary students. 23:39 A new Adventist high school will provide for an urgent need 23:42 while introducing people to the gospel. 23:46 For the Adventist Church in Cote d'Ivoire, 23:48 schools have opened the door to new communities and hearts 23:52 providing a welcoming space 23:54 where children and young people can be educated 23:56 and learn about the love of Jesus. 24:04 The power of proper places to worship and learn 24:07 is something familiar 24:08 to the Adventist Church in Peru. 24:11 Between 2004 and 2006, 24:14 Maranatha completed 24:15 nearly 100 church and school projects 24:18 throughout the country. 24:20 And in 2019, 24:22 Maranatha agreed to return and begin the work 24:24 of a major effort in Peru. 24:28 The town of Los Aquijes 24:30 sits on the outskirts of the city of Ica. 24:34 Tourists visit the region to see the oasis in Huacachina 24:40 or the mysterious Nazca Lines. 24:45 This community has had 24:47 an Adventist presence since 1970. 24:49 And in 1975, 24:51 the group was given a piece of land 24:52 on which to build a church. 24:56 But for the last 40 years, 24:57 the congregation and community have dreamed 24:59 of starting a school. 25:03 In October of 2019, 25:05 the congregation demolished their church 25:07 and Maranatha began construction 25:09 of a large education and evangelism center. 25:12 Construction has been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 25:16 but when complete, 25:17 it will join the seven other similar structures 25:19 that have been making an immense impact 25:22 all over Peru. 25:29 From India, to Africa, to South America, 25:35 Maranatha is making a difference 25:37 in the lives of thousands of families 25:39 through the construction of schools. 25:44 Building simple bush classrooms 25:48 or large campuses 25:50 is more than erecting formations 25:52 of block and steel. 25:56 It's about instilling change in the lives of others. 26:00 God has led Maranatha to build 26:02 more than 3,000 classrooms all over the world, 26:06 serving more than 100,000 students. 26:12 But our work cannot continue without your generous support. 26:17 Will you give to this important mission? 26:21 Give so that children no longer have to live 26:24 and learn in shameful circumstances. 26:28 Give to help a new generation become a force for good 26:31 in their world. 26:34 Give because without your support, 26:37 we risk children losing the opportunity 26:40 to meet Jesus. 26:41 You know, the easy thing is to sit back and say 26:45 this isn't really my responsibility. 26:48 What's this got to do with me? 26:50 Yeah, these people have it tough. 26:52 But yeah, I've got my challenges in my life. 26:55 And we all do. 26:57 One of the things that happens 26:58 is when you start helping somebody else, 27:01 your own life starts to change. 27:03 And, you know, happiness comes by the joy 27:06 of impacting helping someone else's life 27:10 with meaningful involvement. 27:13 And if you do nothing, you lose all that personally. 27:19 The church doesn't grow, 27:21 people there are in whatever country it is, 27:24 they don't hear about the God of the universe 27:27 who loves them, 27:29 and wants them in His Kingdom. 27:31 So the loss is huge, 27:33 especially when you consider the fact 27:35 that each individual soul is so valuable to God. 27:39 So the loss is it's beyond words. 27:42 You can't put a number on it 27:47 but as you get involved, the positive side of that, 27:51 there's the people being in the kingdom. |
Revised 2020-11-09