Participants:
Series Code: OTG
Program Code: OTG000015
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00:01 My name is Charlene West I am from Colton California
00:05 I am the director of Project Development and Evangelism 00:09 for Adventist World Aviation. 00:11 Adventist World Aviation is a ministry that started out 00:15 as a way of providing mission aviation service to the missions 00:21 around the world. 00:23 God's commission to the entire world church is evangelism 00:28 to win souls, to bring people to Christ. 00:33 Even though we are about mission service through airplanes 00:38 we are still about evangelism and bringing people to Christ. 00:41 We are here in Palau in the Philippines, 00:45 where Adventist World Aviation does have an airbase. 00:50 This airbase has been here for number of years. 00:53 And as a result of it, many souls have been won. 00:57 A church has been planted as a result 01:00 of Adventist World Aviation. 01:02 And so we came here to continue expanding the church 01:08 here in Palawan through evangelism, 01:12 which is something that God has commissioned 01:14 each one of us to do. 02:24 A little over 21/2 years ago when I was here 02:27 on the island of Palau. Before arriving here 02:30 I had the opportunity to visit with the mission 02:32 in the division office here. 02:34 While I was talking to elder Manez, he suggested something 02:36 he suggested something to us at Adventist World Aviation. 02:39 Something that really Adventist World Aviation 02:41 had never really done on a frontline level. 02:45 Adventist World Aviation has been about logistics. 02:47 Of course as president and CEO for Adventist World Aviation 02:51 I come to this venue, not only as a pilot, but also 02:55 with 20 years of experience in evangelism. 02:57 Elder Manez said, let me suggest that you do something for us. 03:01 I said, what is that? And he suggested that maybe we could do 03:05 an evangelistic series on the island of Palawan here. 03:08 I said the only thing we can do one better than that, 03:10 I think we can do several. 03:11 I have a friend, who is going to joining our team here 03:14 very shortly. Her name is Charlene West. 03:16 About one year ago the Palawan Adventist Mission asked 03:22 Adventist World Aviation to come and bring a team of speakers 03:27 and come and share Jesus. 03:29 In order to get ready for that there is a lot of legwork, 03:33 and a lot of groundwork that needed to be done 03:35 to get ready for our meetings. 03:37 And so we have Bible workers, who has been working 03:41 in the communities. Inviting people to the meetings 03:44 that we are having. Doing Bible studies, small groups. 03:48 To help them get exited and be able to come to our meetings. 03:52 Charlene helped us put together a team of professionals 03:56 as well as lay workers. To come and storm the island of Palawan. 04:00 And so we were invited to do a harvesting here. 04:03 So the ground work was prepared. We are pleased as Adventist 04:07 World Aviation's aviators, ministers, evangelists, laymen 04:14 people of all types. Experienced and inexperienced have come down 04:17 here, to correlate our efforts and share the love of Jesus 04:21 to the unreached of this world. 04:23 So we are here in the city of Narra doing just that. 04:27 Narra is a city 2 hours south of Puerto Princesa 04:30 on the island of Palawan. 04:32 This region of the Philippines is largely populated by farmers 04:36 growing rice. In any direction, 04:39 as far as the eye can see, rice fields line the horizon. 04:44 Adventist World Aviation has traveled to this area 04:48 to bring the gospel message. 04:50 Over the next few weeks, 7 evangelists will be holding 04:53 nightly meetings in 7 different locations. 04:57 The idea is, our evangelists, both experienced and 05:00 inexperienced... some are preaching here, 05:01 that have never preached a sermon in their life. 05:03 But they are doing it, because they feel the call from God. 05:06 And they say, yes I choose to do this and we are going night 05:09 by night, working very hard. 05:12 The idea is that at the end of these meetings 05:14 we'll have a baptism. Closing Sabbath we're going to 05:17 have a grand crescendo of baptisms, 05:19 that we are looking forward to that. 05:21 We'll have a convocation, we'll congregate together 05:24 in a grand event and have our baptisms, 05:26 where all of Heaven will rejoice We are even inviting 05:30 the King of the universe to preside over these meetings. 05:34 For the past few months, Adventist World Aviation 05:37 has been working closely with local pastors in Palawan 05:42 to prepare for this large evangelistic crusade. 05:45 Each location site was assigned an evangelist, as well 05:50 as a translator to help assist the international team. 05:54 The AWA team that traveled to the Philippines has within it 05:59 a wide range of evangelism experience. 06:02 Some of the evangelists have been preaching for over 06:05 20 years, but for others this is their very first time 06:10 to conduct public meetings. 06:13 Regardless of their experience level, all the team members 06:16 are excited to begin their meetings. 06:20 Before they begin preaching however, the entire group 06:24 comes together for a meeting with the local church leaders, 06:27 the mission president 06:28 and Adventist World Aviation leadership. 06:31 They are briefed on some vital cultural information 06:36 and given helpful advice when interacting with new interests. 06:40 They are given a last few words of encouragement 06:44 Keeping together as one we can see progress 06:47 Working together by God's grace, there is always success. 06:52 God bless you! 06:53 Each of the evangelists is assigned a translator to assist 06:56 them over the next few weeks. Introductions are made 07:00 it seems friendship bonds are created almost instantly. 07:16 Charlene West has been a key instrumental coordinator 07:19 for this Palawan Evangelism outreach. 07:22 She has worked tirelessly, and now she is finally able 07:27 to arrive in the Philippines and begin preaching the message 07:31 of Jesus' love. 07:33 Finally opening night arrives for the meetings here in Urduja. 07:39 The West's arrive early to get set up. 07:42 They are pleasantly surprised to find that people are already 07:46 waiting for them as they pull into the church. 07:49 Everyone seems very excited and anxious for the meetings 07:54 that are about to begin. 07:55 The West's get to their site and begin setting up for their 07:59 first evening meeting. 08:01 The church itself, is a very simple structure; 08:03 an unfinished church of concrete blocks. 08:08 However, the church members that have been working earnestly 08:11 to prepare the local community and their efforts 08:14 are proving to be very fruitful. 08:16 Tonight is the first night of evangelistic meetings 08:19 that are starting here in 7 different locations in Palawan. 08:26 One of them here in Urduja we got 6 other locations here 08:31 and we've got one in Porto Princesa 08:36 We are excited about being able to be here and 08:39 sharing Jesus Christ with the people coming to our meetings. 08:43 We are really excited about being here and sharing Jesus 08:47 with others on the Palawan island. 08:51 Charlene West has not traveled alone. Charlene will be sharing 08:55 her church site with her children, Aaron and Melissa. 09:02 This trip is especially has been fun for me, because I have 09:05 family members with me. And watching them grow in Christ 09:10 through the message that they are also preaching. Through 09:14 working with the children. 09:15 It's amazing to see them fall in love with God all over again. 09:19 Both Charlene and Aaron will be splitting the preaching schedule 09:24 while Melissa will focus on giving a health lecture 09:27 each night. 09:28 Charlene has held evangelistic meetings many times before, 09:33 but for Aaron, this is his first time. 09:37 The audience listens attentively night after night. 09:40 Following each meeting, they go home 09:42 and invite their neighbors to join them. 09:44 The simple church structure is packed full of people each night 09:49 The West's are graciously accepted into the community. 09:55 My son Aaron and Melissa and I have been at the Urduja church 10:02 It's actually in the village of Princess Urduja 10:07 We have an amazing group of church members, that are coming 10:10 very active they've been each day going into the village 10:14 to talk to people to invite people to come to the church. 10:17 A church structure is basically 4 walls that are concrete blocks 10:23 And the roof and the floor is basically a dirt rock floor. 10:29 Has no windows or doors in it. 10:32 It is a very simple church, but it is a very happy 10:34 and lively church. People are so welcoming there 10:37 They just make you feel at home. And it doesn't matter if 10:41 the sight has concrete or drywall or if it is 10:46 paved or if it is unpaved. They make you feel welcome 10:50 They make you feel happy there. 10:53 Although their church structure is very primitive, 10:56 that doesn't hold the people back from coming. 10:59 The first night, community members flock to the meetings. 11:03 Both young and old come and listen to Charlene and Aaron 11:07 West present the gospel. The people are curious 11:12 and hungry for more Bible knowledge. 11:14 It appears that the local Bible workers have done a great job 11:18 working with the local people and preparing the ground 11:22 for a great harvest. 11:23 They planted the seeds in the hearts of the community 11:27 in faith that their efforts would be blessed 11:30 and the seed would grow. 11:32 The children's bible school grows like wild fire. 11:37 We have about 50 children that are coming every night 11:40 Watching the children come to the meetings each night, 11:43 seeing their excitement as they hear the stories about Jesus. 11:47 And they are actually able to do crafts, that help illustrate 11:50 their stories. And they get excited and they go and tell 11:53 their moms and dads and show them the pictures that they've 11:56 made. And to see the look and excitement on their faces 12:01 and on the parent's faces. And it helps bring the parents 12:04 into the meetings. And each night we see our meetings grow 12:07 more and more. Because of our excitement for Jesus. 12:12 Because of seeing the excitement from the children. 12:15 Just sharing and loving on the people. 12:17 The children were just in ah, wanting to hear more about Jesus 12:21 These children are the future of this church. 12:24 So by feeding them stories about Jesus, feeding them songs, 12:29 feeding them love. They are just going to turn around 12:33 and perpetuate that and become young little disciples 12:37 for their families. Who may not be coming to our meetings. 12:43 Attendance grows each night. The audience literally sits on 12:46 the edge of their seats and listens eagerly to the words 12:50 of life coming from the speaker. Like a sponge, 12:53 they soak in the messages, always thirsty for more. 12:57 I am getting a lot of people that are sitting in their pews 13:00 and they are leaning against their pews. Trying to get 13:03 as close as they can. Lot of people nodding, 13:07 lot of smiling faces. When you are talking about 13:12 the love of Jesus Christ. The look on their face 13:16 it just goes from hopeless to full of hope. 13:21 That right there is life changing. 13:31 The West's use every spare moment they have, 13:33 to interact with the native Filipino people. 13:36 They visit people in the hospital. 13:38 They visit people in their homes 13:41 They play with the children. 13:43 They develop friendships. 13:45 Their ministry here is not limited to evening meetings 13:48 but instead it infiltrates their entire day. 13:53 And the people are very responsive and accept the 13:57 the West's as part of their family. 13:59 The West's don't just keep their ministry limited to the meetings 14:04 While they are here in Palawan they take every opportunity 14:07 to interact with the community. This includes home visits, 14:12 playing sports, as well as working along side 14:15 their new church family in the local rice fields. 14:19 Working in the rice fields is by no means an easy endeavor. 14:24 The West's have never done this type of work before, so they 14:28 rely on the locals to tell them how it's done. 14:32 Couple of mornings ago there was a group of us, that went out 14:36 to the rice fields to see how they harvested rice. 14:40 This was my first experience ever being out into a rice field 14:44 I've driven through some of the rice fields on roads 14:48 in other countries, but to actually have an opportunity 14:51 to actually go out and touch and feel and see the whole process, 14:56 was an amazing experience. First of all just walking 15:00 from the road through the fields to get out into the field was an 15:03 was an experience. We were kind of walking out in our sandals 15:08 there is kind of little ledges that are built up 15:12 around the area, so you can either walk up on them, 15:14 or you can just walk down into the... where the grains are 15:17 and with the mud, it was kind of an unsteady walking the path 15:25 that we were on. It was like walking on a balancing beam. 15:29 Charlene is impressed to draw a spiritual application 15:33 from this experience. 15:35 As I was walking out here, the ground is a little unsure 15:40 and it's wet in some places. As I was walking down here, 15:44 I was thinking that in our spiritual life we need to be 15:48 walking on solid ground. Because when I was walking here, 15:52 I thought I was going to fall and get muddy and that is when 15:56 I was thinking as I was walking out was that 15:58 with Jesus in our life we are always on solid ground 16:03 We are not going to fall, we are not going to get muddy 16:05 from the sins of the world. 16:07 Another thing about the rice field that brings into my mind 16:12 is we are out here harvesting and these people are here 16:16 harvesting, and it is hard work you can tell I am out of breath 16:21 You know what, we were in the world harvesting souls for Jesus 16:24 It can be hard work, it can be lonely, it can be full 16:30 of discouragement. But they keep harvesting rice, because 16:34 they want a great harvest. And we need to continue harvesting 16:38 souls for Jesus. Because we are doing the work for Jesus. 18:13 The acres and acres of rice patties surrounding the 18:18 evangelists are a constant reminder of the importance 18:21 of their work here. 18:23 Often in the Bible Jesus talks about a great Harvest. 18:27 As they hold their meetings each night, they all realize 18:32 they are working in God's fields working toward a harvest 18:36 for the kingdom of heaven. 18:51 It appears that the meetings at the Urduja church 18:54 are a huge success. 18:56 Many souls chose to dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ 18:59 as a result of these meetings. 19:02 But it wasn't just the native people of Palawan that were 19:06 moved to make a commitment for Christ, 19:08 My name is Aaron West, I am from Colton California 19:11 and I am in Palawan. 19:16 Hi my name is Melissa Natividad West. 19:18 I am a registered nurse from southern California. 19:21 Before I decided to come here my life was every other day 19:26 waking up in a crack house. 19:29 I started being friends with some high gang members 19:33 They were trying to recruit me. It started to get to the point 19:39 where it was hard to say no. I kind of even wanted to say yes 19:44 And than one of my friends, she OD-d on heroin. 19:50 Which really struck me. Because that is where my life was going. 19:58 I found myself in jail. Luckily I had people who would 20:06 bail me out, but that was God's will. 20:10 And this is where my life was going until I felt 20:15 something in me, the Holy Spirit say "no, you need to change!" 20:19 You need to stop what you are doing 20:23 and go on this mission trip and change your life! 20:25 I really feel if I hadn't done that, I would be 20:29 either be in the gutter dead, or in prison. 20:36 I got a strong feeling when my mom called me, she was going 20:39 to the Philippines for a mission trip. 20:42 And I felt a draw, drawing me here, to change my life. 20:49 When I came on this mission trip I had the privilege of bringing 20:54 my son Aaron and Melissa along on this mission trip. 20:58 I was surprised when they said they wanted to come, because 21:01 Aaron has basically gone away from the church and Melissa 21:05 was raised in a catholic family. And Aaron said he wanted to come 21:12 and he wanted to be one of the preachers. So couple of months 21:16 before we actually came here he and I worked together 21:19 on sermons. I had confidence that he would do an OK job on it 21:24 Aaron was one of the preachers He preached, we shared 21:28 team preach together. 21:29 The first time I got up and spoke, I was a little nervous 21:32 at first, but at the end it's almost addicting. 21:37 You want to keep doing it, you want to keep doing it 21:40 and than you stop being nervous, you start being excited. 21:46 and you wish you could do it all day, instead of just every night 21:52 When you talk about the love of Jesus Christ, 21:54 the look on their faces just goes from hopeless 21:59 to full of hope. And that right there is life changing. 22:05 That changed his life. He got involved with the children 22:09 at our church site. 22:11 Melissa did the health talks and she did an amazing job 22:14 with those. 22:15 They loved on the people and the people loved on them. 22:20 And let me tell you, those people loved Aaron and Melissa 22:24 into this church. 22:25 This trip has made a big impact on both of them. 22:29 So coming here and doing sermons and learning about what actually 22:36 meant to be a Seventh-day Adventist, and a Christian. 22:39 Lot of the sermons I was talking about, I did know that stuff, 22:47 so it was during one sermon where I decided 22:50 I want to be baptized 22:51 In these sermons I've been listening to and Aaron and 22:56 Charlene have been preaching you learn more about the church 23:00 and what it stands for. 23:01 It actually put that hunger inside me, 23:05 to be a better Christian, a better person. 23:12 Just put that hunger in me. I want to know more. 23:18 Both, Aaron and Melissa are impressed 23:20 they want to be re-baptized. 23:23 Their lives are forever changed as a result 23:26 of their participation in this evangelistic crusade 23:30 here in Palawan. 23:32 Such a privilege now to baptize the two of you. 23:35 In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and 23:37 in the name of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name we say, Amen. 23:42 I felt reborn. Especially when I had my wife right next to me. 23:47 My wife Melissa. Best feeling ever. Indescribable obviously. 23:53 Right when you come up out of that water you feel like you are 23:58 totally made new and you are totally a new person and it is 24:01 something that again can't really be replicated. It's just 24:04 something so special and so joyful. 24:08 My life was going down on a bad road. After I am done here 24:14 and take what I've learned here and experienced here. 24:18 I'm planning on taking it home helping change other peoples 24:21 lives. Bring them to Christ and help them with their situations 24:26 that I was in. 24:29 And also to prevent young youth from going down 24:35 that path with the stories and experiences that I've seen. 24:40 And help them go down the right path, which is Jesus Christ. 24:53 Over 150 souls are baptized here as a result of 24:57 this evangelistic endeavor. 24:59 God has blessed the efforts of the evangelists and touched 25:03 many hearts in the city of Narra 25:07 It took many people to make these meetings a success. 25:10 There were those who prepared the ground, those who planted 25:14 the seeds, and those who worked tirelessly in the fields; 25:19 all of which led to a bountiful harvest for God's Kingdom 25:24 in Palawan. 25:25 When we go home, our goal is for the people here in Palawan 25:31 Those who've come to our meetings, those who have made 25:34 decisions, to be baptized and even current church members 25:38 We want to have them a new love and understanding of the Bible. 25:43 We want then to fall in love with Jesus all over again. 25:47 or even for the first time. 25:49 But not only that, we're hoping that they have learned to become 25:53 disciples. And to be able to go out and duplicate 25:57 what we have done. As we are preaching to them at night 26:00 We are giving them tools, we are giving the scripture materials 26:04 for them to go out and share that information 26:07 with their family and friends. Who may have not wanted 26:11 to participate during the time that we were there. 26:14 When Jesus gave us the great commission to go into 26:17 all the world and preach the Gospel. That's what we are 26:20 wanting to teach them to do during our meetings. 26:23 We are here doing that. Now when we leave, we want them 26:28 to continue to doing that among their own people. 26:34 You know as we look at the field that's behind me here, 26:36 it's interesting to see the preparation work 26:38 that goes into it. It's fun to look around here, because 26:42 we see beasts of burden. The ox. The Bible talks about 26:47 the laborers and especially the beasts of the field. 26:51 If it wasn't for those laborers, there would be no such thing, 26:54 as a harvest. Jesus recognizes each one of our ministry. 26:58 Weather it be something as what He described as a lowly ox. 27:02 If you take a look at that lowly ox. The strength the ox has 27:05 to be able to pull the plow through the field 27:08 turning the furrows over. 27:10 Making it ready to plant the soil and they come by later 27:14 and cultivate that soil with the smooth fashion 27:18 where they can prepare that soil for planting 27:20 It is fascinating to watch the beast of burden. 27:22 they labor with seemingly effortless work. 27:27 They don't complain, they just know that this is a good day 27:32 to be alive. They are just working the field. 27:34 The laborers that are driving the ox, they do the same thing. 27:37 They don't seem to complain, they don't look like 27:39 they are unhappy about the labor that they do. 27:41 And even though it seems like it's a simple job. 27:45 It's so important. You can't have a harvest. You know, 27:50 you can't have the glory of the harvest without the laborers. 27:53 of an ox. Without the laborers of the man or the woman, 27:56 who are driving the ox. Without the seeds being sewn 27:59 following that. So it's incredible to see the analogies 28:02 It's no wonder Jesus pulled so many parables from the farmer. 28:07 The sower of seeds and the harvest. 28:10 Standing before a rice field here it reminds me 28:14 of the parable of the sower that went forth to sow. 28:17 It takes sowers, but than Jesus said "Pray the Lord of Harvest 28:22 that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." 28:25 Many are called, but few are chosen. 28:27 Jesus calls every one of us. Sadly not every one of us 28:31 answers that call. There is an assumption that you have to be 28:36 a trained minister, or a trained Bible worker to go out in the 28:40 field and sow seeds. What ever experience level that we have 28:45 The Holy Spirit is the one Who does the work. 28:47 And so that just tells me, I should encourage more. 28:51 I want to encourage you. If you would like to get involved 28:53 with ministry at what ever level Whether it be through 28:55 Adventist World Aviation or something else. 28:57 Please let us know, we'd love to nurture your desires along. 29:01 Please give us a call, or better yet, call 3 Angels Broadcasting 29:05 Network. 29:06 Ask them, how can I get involved with Adventist World Aviation? |
Revised 2014-12-17