Participants:
Series Code: OTG
Program Code: OTG000013
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00:18 We are out here today, we are insulating our hangar,
00:21 putting some sheet metal up to keep us warm. 00:26 It's very cold here in Wisconsin in the mid west, it is where 00:30 our maintenance operations is for the entire world 00:33 for Adventist World Aviation. 00:35 Currently we have two planes, that are in complete refurb. 00:41 And last winter, we would of probably have one done 00:43 last winter, had we been able to work in warmer climate. 00:48 But January, February, March it just was impossible to work 00:52 in the conditions, that we were working in as it was. 00:57 20 below zero, is pretty tough working conditions to work in. 01:01 So, even though we had a mild winter last year, 01:04 it still got pretty cold. You really need to have at least 01:08 40 degrees to be able to work in So we are hoping this winter 01:12 we'll be able to get some work done. 01:13 It's autumn here in Wisconsin, 01:15 it's beautiful weather out right now. 01:17 So we're working fast and furious to try to get 01:21 our hangar into a workable environment. 01:25 Adventist world aviation currently has two airplanes 01:28 that need refurbishing. They cannot be placed in the 01:32 mission field until each plane is taken apart 01:35 inspected and rebuilt. 01:38 All AWA aircraft are kept at optimal performance 01:42 and must meet the highest safety standards. 01:45 In order to do this, the planes have to be removed from the 01:49 mission field and brought back to the United States 01:52 to be refurbished. 01:54 The longer a plane is grounded, the longer our missionaries 01:58 are unable to provide people with lifesaving flights. 02:02 So it is absolutely imperative to get these planes back 02:06 in the mission field, just as soon as possible. 02:10 Before work can begin on insulating the hangar today, 02:14 everything must be moved outside. 02:16 This includes the airplane that is currently being refurbished. 02:21 Well, we have a bunch of shop equipment moved out here 02:24 of course, but we also have this airplane that needs to get 02:27 put back together. It's been all cleaned out inside 02:33 chromated, we need to get it painted and then 02:36 down to Guyana, South America, 02:40 where it is very much needed for mission work. 02:45 All the work on the planes is done at the Adventist World 02:48 Aviation's maintenance facility in Sullivan Wisconsin. 02:53 However, the winters this far north can be brutally cold, 02:57 making work in a non insulated metal hangar, almost impossible. 03:02 Last year, maintenance work had to be put on hold until spring 03:07 when better weather allowed for better working conditions. 03:11 This year as winter approached, there are two planes that are 03:16 greatly missed in the mission field. 03:18 The work cannot wait for the weather. 03:20 It's imperative to insulate this hangar so the maintenance work 03:24 can continue. 03:26 We must get these planes back into the mission field 03:29 as soon as possible! 03:31 Many organizations wonder 03:33 where does the administration's funding go? 03:37 It goes to get things done, to keep the airplanes flying. 03:42 Yes, it does help our office administration staff, but 03:45 it keeps the wheels greased, so we can get things done 03:49 so we can keep flying, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. 03:52 Adventist World Aviation is an international ministry 03:55 with outposts in Alaska, the Philippines and Guyana. 03:59 However, these mission Aviation programs could NOT function 04:04 without the ground work done with the administration team 04:07 back home in the USA. 04:10 Aircraft maintenance and upkeep is a large part 04:14 of what AWA administration does. 04:17 that's making sure, the planes are keep flying safely 04:20 that's the focus of the AWA home team. 04:24 Today's hangar upgrade will greatly expedite and improve 04:28 the operations here in the US, and extend the blessings 04:32 of AWA mission aviation projects around the world. 04:36 Construction on the hangar begins early in the morning. 04:39 Oh, we are cleaning out the hangar, we got some 04:42 volunteers coming in. Contractors, that are bringing 04:47 in some equipment so we can insulate the hangar. 04:49 So we can work out here in the cold Wisconsin winter. 04:53 Today, volunteers will transform this metal shell, 04:57 into a well-insulated workshop. 05:00 Winters in Wisconsin are often very severe with heavy snow 05:05 and frigid temperatures, that halt aircraft maintenance. 05:09 Our metal shell building just doesn't hold heat very well. 05:14 Just a metal building and there has been no insulation 05:17 in the ceiling. 05:18 We did put some insulation on the walls, but no insulation 05:21 in the ceiling, the heat just goes out through the ceiling. 05:26 We are anxious to get it insulated up, 05:28 so we can keep our mechanics warm and keep them going 05:31 in the winter time. 05:32 Last winter we had a big old wood heater, we were able 05:35 to get it from 20 below 0 to I think a little above 0 one day. 05:40 That's still too cold to work, so we are anxious to get 05:43 insulated so we can keep the planes ready to go 05:48 and flying for God's work. 05:49 What we are trying to do is getting everything prepared for 05:54 some volunteers who are coming down, Jay Faikel, Travis, 05:57 Noel Clark, and others are coming down to help our hangar 06:04 get warm for the winter. 06:05 It's been absolutely freezing in here the last couple of winters. 06:09 Trying to do maintenances is nearly impossible. 06:11 We've had bullet torches in here and we've had furnaces in here 06:16 wood burning furnaces, and as Dick said earlier we were able 06:20 to get it from about 20 below zero to just a little above zero 06:24 We were, through donation Kelly Hafman was kind enough to donate 06:30 some pink Styrofoam, the Owens Corning pink Styrofoam, we were 06:36 able to get the walls done, but the ceiling, we weren't able 06:40 to get done, and that is where all the heat goes. 06:43 So as an emergency measure last year we put plastic up. 06:50 That really, that warmed us up even another 10 degrees 06:52 So we got it from just about 5 degrees above we almost 06:57 20 degrees in here one day 07:00 and we felt like we were having a heat wave. 07:02 So today what we hope to do, is get some of the metal 07:06 that we got donor Kelly again, he donated this metal here 07:12 so we're going to put this metal up with some volunteer labor. 07:19 This is the metal that was donated, we hope to get 07:22 some additional insulation. 07:24 Soon volunteers and supplies begin to arrive. 07:27 Today's task will require lifts and scaffolding 07:31 to reach the ceiling. 07:32 As the trucks roll in, the workers unload supplies 07:37 and begin the work. 07:38 Today's mission will consist of putting up insulation and metal 07:42 sheeting on the ceiling which will help keep 07:45 the heat from escaping. 07:47 The team works together like a well-oiled machine. 07:50 Each person finds a task and begins working. 07:54 Yes, the old saying is "many hands make light work" 07:58 proves to be true. 08:01 Piece by piece the new insolated ceiling is assembled. 08:04 Today's work in Wisconsin will greatly impact Adventist World 08:10 Aviation's mission outposts and the many needy people they serve 08:16 By winterizing this metal hangar maintenance time will 08:21 drastically shortened, getting the much needed aircraft 08:24 back in the air to continue serving and saving lives 08:27 of the needy people. 08:40 Adventist World Aviation is not just about aircraft 08:43 We're about soul winning at it's base level. 08:46 We have an international presence 08:49 all throughout the world and Alaska of course. 08:51 Right here in the lower 48 in the United States of America 08:54 there are times when Adventist World Aviation is called to do 08:58 bigger and better things. 08:59 Being an evangelist for over 20 years, I was called a few weeks 09:03 ago by the Texas Conference, we are here in Houston Texas now 09:08 holding a series of evangelistic meetings, 09:11 leading the lost to Christ 09:14 Pastor Ric Swaningson has been an evangelist for over 20 years. 09:18 As president of Adventist World Aviation, he welcomes 09:23 the opportunity to hold evangelistic meetings, 09:26 when he is invited. 09:27 President of Adventist World Aviation, just a couple of 09:29 weeks ago I was sitting at my desk, and I received 09:32 an unexpected phone call from the ministerial director 09:36 Alton from the Texas Conference here in the United States 09:40 And he had asked, he said, Ric what are you doing? And I said 09:45 Well, I am president for Adventist World Aviation 09:48 right now. But he said we need an evangelist. 09:50 We agreed on what we needed to get done. We loaded up 09:54 the aircraft and immediately flew down here. 09:57 In one of our Adventist World Aviation Wings For Humanity 10:00 aircraft that we used to do angel flights in. 10:03 So I flew that down here. 10:05 And we set up, we are working right here at this church here. 10:10 West Houston Seventh-day Adventist Church, one of Texas' 10:14 largest churches and we've been here for the last two weeks 10:18 holding meetings, very difficult series of meetings to hold 10:21 in just a short period of time, but the Lord blessed. 10:24 The greater Houston area conducted a city wide campaign 10:28 called "Restore Houston". All Seventh-day Adventist 10:32 churches in the Houston area participated in this campaign. 10:36 The West -Houston church leaders asked pastor Ric to hold 10:40 a revelation seminar in their church. 10:43 Restore Houston is a city wide initiative, 10:47 which has been planned by the Texas Conference. 10:50 And basically what it is, is for all of the Seventh-day Adventist 10:55 churches here in this wonderful city to hold evangelism meetings 11:00 all at the same time. For these past two weeks in October 11:03 every single Adventist Church here in Houston, both English 11:09 speaking and Spanish speaking has been holding evangelism 11:13 series and the idea of Restore Houston is for all the churches 11:21 to come together, focus on evangelism and reap a harvest 11:26 for the Lord, so it's been a real blessing to be part 11:29 of that initiative and that exciting event. 11:33 I was in contact with the Conference Ministerial Director 11:38 yesterday. And he informed me of the wonderful news that 11:42 we had over 300 baptisms at the end of this Restore Houston 11:47 event So Praise God for what He is doing here in the city of 11:52 Houston We've decided to have meetings here because there is 11:56 a big effort being put on by the Texas Conference. They go to 12:01 different cities and they put on huge evangelistic efforts. 12:05 Previously was in Dallas, in St Antonio. 12:07 This year it was here in Houston so West Church, and the churches 12:13 around the Houston area have been putting on evangelistic 12:17 series at the same time to gain the maximum number of souls 12:22 for the Kingdom. 12:23 This church has responded in such an amazing way 12:27 The membership, the elders, the deacons, 12:30 every one pulled together, to really as a team to bring people 12:36 and invite people. We had our young adults go out and just 12:39 hand out invitations. The youth were involved. So everyone 12:43 pulled together and its been the most amazing most encouraging 12:46 thing to see the church reaching out in one unit. 12:51 For 2 weeks, nightly meetings were held. 12:53 Church members, as well as newly interested people from the 12:57 community attended the meetings. 12:59 Pastor Ric shared with them the great gems of Bible prophecy. 13:04 Night after night, the pews were filled with interested listeners 13:09 as they learned the beautiful truths found in God's Holy Word 13:14 The soul winning efforts of AWA are not limited to overseas 13:18 territory, but very much alive here in the US as well. 13:25 As the two weeks draw to an end, Pastor Ric 13:28 gives an appeal to accept Christ prepare for baptism. 13:33 The Holy Spirit touches the listeners 13:35 and many hearts respond. 13:37 The church pews come alive as hands begin to raise 13:41 all over the sanctuary. 13:44 Eleven individuals accept the call and choose to give 13:50 their lives to Jesus Christ. We praise God! 13:54 The pastors of the church meet with those people who raised 13:58 their hands and prepare them for baptism. 14:05 It's a joyful day here in Houston. 14:08 The day of baptism arrives. The entire church is FILLED to 14:13 capacity as all come together in celebration. 14:17 Everyone is overjoyed to have a baptismal service today. 14:22 The senior pastor and his associate make their way 14:26 into the waters. One by one, each of the 14:29 candidates enter the water as Jesus invited all sinners to do. 14:33 Signaling a new birth, new life in Jesus Christ. 14:40 Pastor Ashwin and myself are just so overjoyed 14:43 to now baptize you in the name of the Father, in the name 14:47 of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit. 15:13 Over 11 souls gave their hearths to Christ today 15:16 Beyond that 11 more for a total of a little over 24 folks are 15:21 going to be baptized here in just the very near future. 15:24 So, I would say what happened here was an extreme exciting 15:27 success for the Lord. The Holy Spirit poured out of His Kingdom 15:32 of Heaven an amazing blessing for Adventist World Aviation. 15:36 The church in God's Kingdom most importantly. 15:39 So pastor Ric led me to the choice of becoming a member 15:44 of God's Kingdom. 15:46 The clencher for me, the thing that got me the most 15:49 that actually almost literally stopped me from breathing 15:52 was when pastor was talking about you know how we were 15:56 supposed to keep the seventh day which is the Sabbath day holy. 16:00 And he pointed out something that we all should know anyway, 16:03 that it was a commandment. And I always knew, that it was 16:07 a commandment, but to hear it manifest in front of me 16:10 and to hear someone say, oh well if you been going to church 16:13 on Sunday and not going on Saturday, you are not keeping 16:15 the Sabbath day holy. That is what got to me, 16:19 because I've been going to church on Sundays 16:21 for 29 years now. So I mean to hear someone actually 16:26 call me out on it. And I know he wasn't calling me out personally 16:29 but to hear someone call me out on it and challenge me 16:32 was actually the biggest clencher for me. 16:35 That when I heard that, I was like 16:36 no, I can't disrespect God any more. I have to keep 16:38 His Sabbath day holy, which is why I decided to get baptized 16:42 again and to make my recommitment. 16:45 I really had a lot of problems in my life, I drifted away 16:48 from the Lord. I had lot of issues going on several times 16:54 in my life, but I've really turned my life around 16:57 and I just wanted to really let the Lord know 17:00 that I was serious about making my commitment to Him 17:03 coming back and you know, 17:05 I know it is a process, I know baptism is only the beginning. 17:09 The spiritual walk not really the end, of what you repented 17:13 from, but the new walk begins now. 17:16 It has always been about me, me, me. 17:19 I just want to serve the Lord and be the best witness for Him. 17:24 Show through my old ways, that I am new. 17:28 I just want people to see that. I changed for His will for Him 17:34 for what He wants me to do and not just being blessed by Him 17:37 thus far in my life. 17:39 My love for God is definitely undeniable, so I had to make 17:43 this commitment, or recommitment to Him, to let Him know 17:47 that I am serious about His Kingdom. 17:50 All Heaven rejoices with the West-Houston church 17:54 as 11 new souls are welcomed into fellowship. 17:57 We note the expressions of joy on each face 18:01 as they emerge from the water. 18:03 New people in our Savior Jesus Christ. 18:09 It's always a joy especially to see the faces as they come up 18:14 out of the water. 18:15 And for people it's different, today I saw different 18:18 expressions. The most impactful impression was of William. 18:23 The gentlemen, who's had a long interesting spiritual journey 18:30 and as he came out of the pool, we pulled him up, he paused and 18:35 he just spontaneously, just burst into tears and that really 18:41 moved me and I think it moved the congregation. 18:44 They were not tears of sadness. But they were tears of joy. 18:48 That for me is the abiding memory that I will have of this 18:54 particular baptism. It was just those tears of joy, 18:56 tears of release and tears to say Jesus I am coming home. 19:01 And I am happy and I am rejoicing. 19:04 It was just an awesome experience 19:06 I am new, I am a new pastor, 19:08 I am young and every chance I get to get into the baptismal 19:11 pool with a senior pastor, pastor Ashwin Somasundram. 19:15 It's such a marvelous experience just witnessing the new birth. 19:19 before my very eyes. Their expressions range from gasping 19:24 for air to just faces of joy. Some holding back tears 19:28 And it's just amazing to see the impact in the very split moment 19:33 when they come out of the water in newness of life 19:37 and just to share that moment with them. 19:39 To share the expression with them is a joy, 19:41 that I can not even describe. It's amazing. 19:45 Well, my thoughts in the water were, here I am Lord 19:49 You know the past is supposed to be washed away, you come 19:55 up fresh and new and just help me to continue this walk 19:59 Just a rebirth, the thoughts of rebirth 20:02 is the most important thing. 20:04 I felt very happy that I was brought to Jesus and my sins 20:09 are going to be washed away and I can be closer to God. 20:14 It was the most exhilarating feeling in the world. 20:17 As soon as I emerged form the water I felt this new found love 20:22 and passion to go out and evangelize to other people. 20:27 Not only by being baptized am I renewed but by the encouragement 20:31 and the loving words that I have gotten from everyone. 20:34 I am renewed as well. 20:36 Following this beautiful baptism the pastor feels moved 20:40 by the Holy Spirit to make another call for surrender. 20:43 This baptismal service was so powerful and so moving, 20:49 that everyone in the church could feel the presence of God 20:52 and again the congregation responds. 20:57 Every baptism is such a joy. For me as a pastor, there is 21:02 no greater joy, than baptizing someone into God's Kingdom. 21:06 It is the reason why I am in ministry. 21:10 Not only to be experienced the wonderful baptism of 11 new 21:15 souls today, but when for the power of the Holy Spirit 21:19 I was moved to make a call, an appeal for those who where 21:24 impressed by the baptisms today and who felt the moving 21:28 of the Holy Spirit on their hearts. I was moved to make 21:32 an appeal for those to come forward who felt the Holy Spirit 21:38 knocking on their heart's door. Who wanted to respond to Jesus 21:42 calling them into His love and into His faith. 21:46 We were just so blessed to have so many people come up for the 21:50 appeal at the end of the service and we are looking forward to 21:53 working with them and baptizing them soon into God's Kingdom. 21:57 It was the most amazing thing after I stepped out of the 22:01 baptistery, the pastor asked when he made an appeal 22:05 and I know that the Holy Spirit was there mightily. 22:08 He was moving, He was touching people's hearts, because there 22:11 was just a mass of people that made a decision to give their 22:15 life to Christ right then and there. So praise be to God 22:19 for the number that responded, seeking to have baptism as well. 22:25 So I know, that the time is short. I know that God is 22:27 calling people to give their life to Him in these 22:31 last few moments of earth's history. 22:32 So witnessing that happen, it's I wish I had the words to say... 22:37 It was awesome to witness! 22:39 Just the number, throng around the baptistery. 22:43 We have had a real day of celebration and joy. 22:46 As we have experienced this wonderful baptism 22:49 of 11 new souls that has been won for God's Kingdom today. 22:54 And we are just so happy that pastor Ric has come down and 22:58 blessed us with his ministry. 23:01 This evangelistic series has made a profound impact 23:05 on the West-Houston Texas area. 23:08 Many souls have been won for the kingdom and many lives changed 23:13 for the glory of God. 23:17 We all have sinned and most people don't want to do things 23:20 because they feel like they are not worthy, or because they feel 23:22 like you know their past transgression may hold them from 23:26 being excepted. Well, I am a living witness that, if you love 23:32 God, even if you sinned, even in your iniquities, even in any 23:37 bad things you've done, you have a Redeemer. 23:40 And that Redeemer is Jesus and He died for us. 23:44 And He died for all of our sins. So when you just sit there and 23:47 beet yourself up about your sins which I have done before. 23:50 You have to realize that Jesus is your Redeemer 23:54 and He still loves you. And He accepts you just at that moment 23:58 as you are, so even with all the filth even with all the sin 24:02 He'll accept you at that moment 24:04 and make you white as snow and clean again. 24:13 Adventist World Aviation is not just about international 24:17 aviation projects and soul winning work out in the field 24:24 at various different parts of the world, but it's also here 24:27 in the United States. At home our administrative staff 24:30 is always on call. Willing to answer the call of reaching the 24:35 unreached of the world. In the world there are some 800 million 24:39 people who have never heard the message of Jesus Christ. 24:42 Here in the United States, I don't know what the 24:45 proportion is, but United States is part of the world as well. 24:49 The administrative staff at Adventist World Aviation 24:52 is willing to work here, not only here in the United States, 24:56 but abroad as well. When a call arises to do evangelistic work 25:00 to do medical evacuations, or non medical emergencies, 25:04 such as angels flights. 25:05 we're willing to take up the call and do just that. 25:08 There is a lot that is goes on behind the scenes 25:10 at Adventist World Aviation that administratively, that most 25:15 people don't see. Lot of that is in maintenance, lot of that is 25:18 in church work, but most importantly it is what we are 25:21 doing right here in Houston Texas It's evangelism. 25:24 As a result of evangelism, souls are won for the Kingdom. 25:28 And Adventist World Aviation's part of it's fundamental basis 25:31 is building the Kingdom. And if we are not about building 25:34 the Kingdom, than what's the point? Why don't we all go home 25:37 and watch the television. 25:39 But that's what we do, we build Jesus' Kingdom, for ever more! |
Revised 2014-12-17