Participants:
Series Code: OTR
Program Code: OTR000742
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00:58 Good evening every one!
01:02 Welcome once again to ASI 01:05 the Adventist laymen's Services and Industries general 01:08 convention of 2006. 01:10 And welcome to Texas you all. 01:14 Glad you came. 01:16 You're gonna hear some more good music, 01:17 you're gonna hear some good preaching, 01:19 you're gonna hear some members in action, 01:21 but before we do that 01:22 we want to talk about some projects 01:24 that you made possible, 01:26 last year. 01:28 And first off we're gonna talk with Steve Dickman 01:30 Steve, you are an ASI officer, aren't you? 01:34 Yes, that's right Cal, 01:35 Ok, I'm president of the Southern Union Chapter 01:37 Ok. We've worked together a little bit 01:39 Amen. And you have with you, your brother 01:42 This is my brother, Randal 01:43 he is the administrator for a nursing home 01:46 there at Harbert Hills Academy. 01:47 Ok. And what do you do during the day? 01:49 I'm the president and general business manager 01:52 for Harbert Hills Academy 01:53 We have the school, the 49 bed nursing-home 01:56 we have fifty thousand watt radio station 02:00 a bakery and a farm and a few other things that we do. 02:03 Ok, tell me just a little bit about 02:05 what ASI was able to help you, accomplish this last year 02:10 ASI has been very generous with Harbert Hills Academy 02:13 over the years and its radio ministry. 02:15 And we appreciate that, I want to say a big thank you 02:18 to the family here at ASI. 02:20 And this most recent project was to raise our tower height 02:26 from 150 feet to 500 feet 02:29 So along the way, naturally 02:32 when you start doing something for the Lord, you know what? 02:35 The devil gets involved. Absolutely. 02:37 And we were in the process of building this tower 02:40 actually we have got a used tower out of Florida 02:44 and we didn't know it at the time 02:45 but that used tower had a structural flaw in it 02:48 and when we had it to the height of 300 feet 02:52 it ended up that we had to take it all back down 02:54 because of a structural failure 02:56 And of course that was a rather disheartening experience 02:59 as you might imagine. 03:01 And so ASI assisted us with some funds to 03:05 actually procure a new tower 03:07 which has been an extremely large blessing 03:10 and we are now broadcasting from a new, 500 ft tower 03:14 from our studios there. 03:15 ok, tell me what can you do with this tower 03:18 that you couldn't do previously? 03:20 Well, we're able to give a better signal 03:23 to many of the folks in our listening area 03:25 and we've actually been able to extend our listening area 03:29 in a few places 03:31 so it's covering a larger listening audience 03:34 than it did before. 03:35 You've got some fantastic stories to tell 03:37 about the radio station, I wanna hear a couple of them. 03:39 Well, you're right Cal, you know 03:41 radio is more than just steel and concrete 03:45 and towers and all of the equipment that it takes 03:48 to make it work. That's right. 03:49 Radio is really about ministering to people 03:52 and I've invited my brother Randal here this evening 03:55 to share, first of all a personal testimony 03:58 and some other stories about what radio means to people 04:04 I want to say this evening that this station 04:06 has been a blessing to my life. 04:08 I've been listening to this station since 1975 04:11 and I get hope and courage by listening to this station. 04:16 And I've recently had a tragedy in my life 04:19 my wife of 22 years passed away 04:21 this recent spring 04:23 in April. 04:24 And a blow like that can either turn us closer to God 04:27 or can turn us further away from God. 04:30 I chose to use this experience to draw closer to God 04:34 and it's been a tremendous blessing in my life 04:38 to give me the hope and courage that our Savior is coming soon 04:41 and we want to be ready for His coming each and every day. 04:44 Our programs are hope filled 04:47 they're filled with the message of Jesus Christ 04:49 And my wife loved this station, it was dear to her heart 04:54 she supported it, we supported it together 04:56 she listened to it every time we got in the car 04:59 when she was in the car by herself 05:01 she spoke of it often, she loved It is Written 05:04 Voice of Prophecy, 05:06 but the ministry of the music was something very special 05:10 to her heart. 05:11 So I'm very hopeful for the fact that she died 05:14 in the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus 05:17 and that I will see her on Resurrection day 05:20 This is what the station has meant to me personally 05:23 and I've had some other experiences 05:25 as administrator of our nursing home 05:28 I've had many contacts with people 05:30 that have come through there 05:31 just the other day a family was touring the nursing home 05:34 and after the tour was over we began to talk, personally 05:38 about some things that were important to her and to us 05:42 and she off-handedly mentioned: 05:45 You know, I listen to your program every single day 05:48 and I was very suprized by that 05:50 she hadn't mentioned anything of that nature before 05:52 and I asked her: What is your favorite program? 05:55 and she said: The Story Hour 05:57 and she was: I hate to admit that being as old as I am 06:01 that The Story Hour is my favorite program 06:03 and I said well, I'm right along with you 06:06 I have to say the same thing 06:07 The Story Hour is my favorite part of the program too 06:11 and it's great to listen to the stories of the Bible characters 06:15 of the past and how God has lead them 06:18 You know, if He can lead them He can lead you and I 06:20 to a closer walk with God. 06:23 Randy, there's something interesting about that 06:26 we're not just reaching out to individuals 06:28 we're also reaching out to pastors in our communities 06:31 We are in contact with over 200 non-Adventist pastors 06:35 trough a news letter and other means of communication 06:38 Share with us briefly about a certain pastor 06:41 that has been impacted by the ministry of WDNX. 06:44 We were broadcasting a complete series 06:47 of Evangelistic meetings that Jason Morgan was putting on 06:51 here at our local church 06:53 and as he was putting these meetings on 06:55 we were broadcasting them twice a day 06:57 one in the morning, one in the evening 06:59 make sure that everybody had a chance to listen 07:02 this pastor heard the message 07:04 he called after a few days, 07:05 our pastor went to his church 07:07 and visited him, the upshot of all the thing is that 07:11 his whole church now is worshipping on Sabbath. 07:14 and I tell you it just warms your heart to realize that 07:17 God is still working in our world today 07:20 He is still influencing people for the Kingdom 07:23 and our message and our idea here is: 07:26 impacting people for eternity. 07:29 well, you know Cal... 07:35 the radio world is changing today 07:37 there's a lot of things now that are available 07:40 that didn't use to be available 07:41 computers run almost everything, a lot of technology there 07:44 But WDNX is moving upward and onward 07:47 we've applied for a couple of other construction permits 07:50 we've procured one of those 07:52 and we're actually getting ready to build up 07:54 one more translator station in the local listening area. 07:59 Next guest, I don't need to introduce Dick 08:01 but I will, If you have watched 3ABN 08:04 you know that he's on there. 08:06 Your program is: 08:07 Body and Spirit. That's right. Where are you from Dick? 08:10 The Black Hills of South Dakota. 08:12 ok. Maybe there is somebody here that 08:16 maybe there is somebody here that doesn't know you 08:19 I know that we have done a little bit of banner before 08:22 up front, and I've asked you your age before 08:25 could you tell me that again? 08:27 I'm gonna be 51 real quick. 08:28 You can still lift a Volkswagen over your head, right? 08:30 I'm a little bit smaller, I don't know if you can tell 08:35 but from the last time that we were together here on the stage 08:38 But you're hairier. 08:41 You know what they said about Abraham Lincoln 08:43 that he looked weird without the beard 08:46 I've tried it but it hasn't helped 08:48 but I will say this, that I've lost about 40 pounds 08:52 and I've done it by doing what you tell people to do 08:56 Right? That's right. 08:57 And it's all been hard work too. I can tell you that. 09:01 About how many guests can you have at Black Hills? 09:04 Well we're having about 25 a month 09:06 so we've really been blessed. 09:07 And it's pretty full all the time. That's right. 09:09 That's a full house for us. 09:11 Tell me what ASI has been helping you with 09:14 in the last year. 09:15 One of the problems we had is that we didn't have enough room 09:17 to handle people who could not climb steps 09:20 And so ASI helped us to build an expansion 09:22 so now we can do treatments and house guests 09:25 on a lower level and it's worked out really well 09:28 We had a woman come out 09:29 who had been in a wheel-chair for 9 months 09:30 because of her rheumatoid arthritis 09:32 and she hadn't moved from that chair 09:34 three weeks later, at graduation, she got up and 09:37 walked to take her diploma. Amen 09:38 You've told me a few other stories 09:41 when we were talking before, 09:42 I wonder if you could tell us another one 09:44 Which ones? 09:45 You were talking about all the people that you've helped 09:48 and you did talk about the woman that hadn't walked for a while 09:51 but you also talked about someone 09:52 that had a problem with their ankle. 09:53 But I'll let you figure it out. 09:55 When a woman come out that had some ankle problems. 09:58 And she had gone through a very bad traffic accident 10:01 and she came to the center and was there for two months 10:04 and the second month of the program 10:06 her boyfriend came and stayed with her 10:07 in different rooms, ok? 10:09 and when they went back home 10:11 I understood right after they got back home 10:13 they were both baptized 10:14 in fact we've had five baptisms already this year 10:16 through this program because we're reaching out 10:18 to a group of people who may not go to an evangelistic crusade 10:22 but you have them one on one 10:24 and you can work with them through that measure 10:26 so many souls are coming to the Lord 10:28 That is something that I wanted to bring out 10:30 There are some people who question 10:32 the aspect of weather a life style centre 10:35 talking about health really isn't ministry 10:38 and it really is a ministry in a lot of ways 10:41 the way that we can minister to other people 10:43 is not just simply helping them get better health 10:47 but also in leading them closer to Christ 10:49 Absolutely. Right. 10:52 How did Jesus go through His ministry 10:53 the first thing He did was go out 10:55 take care of the physical needs of the people 10:57 and that opened the doors to minister to them 10:59 I know all of us who study the advent message know 11:02 know what the health message is 11:03 it's the right hand of our third angels message 11:06 so when we look at having a healthy body 11:09 your healthy body is a living, walking testimony 11:14 to how you're living. 11:16 Amen. You know 11:17 you mentioned to me that there are some people who look at you 11:21 and say: You know, Dick, you must do a lot of weight lifting 11:24 o whole lot of exercising and the must be the only way 11:27 that you can keep up your health 11:28 is that true? No, it's not. 11:30 Once upon a time I used to work out four hours a day 11:33 seven days a week and worked out with such people 11:35 as Arnold Schwarzenegger, as we know the governator 11:37 and now I lift weighs three times a week for 15 minutes 11:40 and we're lifting that weight for the last 15 years 11:43 and I actually got much stronger doing that 11:45 than I ever did by doing the 4 hours a day 7 days a week 11:49 that was before my advental days 11:50 so I wasn't working out on Sabbath 11:52 and your diet is... 11:53 Well, I'm a total vegetarian 11:54 I only eat twice a day 11:56 and I've been doing that for about 25 years 11:58 but once upon a time before that 12:00 I used to eat three pounds of meat, a gallon of milk 12:02 and have snacks every day. 12:03 Ok and would you say that you're a little healthier today? 12:07 I'm a little bit healthier but 12:08 honestly I got stronger eating the vegetarian way 12:12 than I ever did eating the animal products 12:13 so if you wonder how that works read Daniel 1 all over again 12:17 you'll figure it out. OK, very good. 12:20 Well, in parting is there something that you'd like to say 12:23 to the ASI members here that are gathered 12:26 they made possible your project? 12:28 I'd like to thank you very much 12:31 and pitch about get out there and exercise in the morning. 12:33 That's right. 12:35 He does have an exercise program in the morning. 12:37 But of course if you're already way too fit, 12:40 if you're already too strong, and you have no pains at all 12:42 than you don't need to came and see me 12:44 and exercise in the morning 12:45 but if you need to lose a few pounds 12:46 and need to get feeling good again 12:48 you should be out there. 12:49 But anyway, I'd like to thank ASI for your support 12:51 of the Black Hill Southern Education Centre 12:54 awesome things are happening, God has blessed us richly 12:59 and despite our own humancy, He just keeps blessing and blessing 13:02 Thank you ASI because without you 13:03 there would be some souls that would not be in the Kingdom. 13:06 Amen, thank you so much! 13:09 With me now is Mike Jones 13:12 Mike tell me a little bit about who you're working with and 13:14 and what your project is. 13:16 I work for Voice of Prophecy, the last three years 13:20 and we have a little entity called Operation Reconnect 13:23 we're trying to reach out to the many hundreds and thousands 13:26 of inactive former members who are no longer active in church 13:30 Interesting. You have some personal experience 13:34 in this area. Don't you? 13:35 Well I was out of the church for sixteen years, so 13:38 that gave me some credentials I guess 13:40 for reaching out to people like myself. 13:42 That's right. That's true. 13:44 What exactly do you do to do this reconnecting? 13:47 Well, thanks to the generous contributions of ASI 13:51 we have created a news letter called Getting in Touch 13:55 that goes off three times a year to inactive and former members 13:59 and any of the folks here that'd like to 14:01 get their loved ones name, who might be inactive in church 14:05 it's called reconnectnow. org 14:08 we also have created a DVD of former members who've come back 14:14 that's really inspiring to share with people 14:17 who are inactive themselves right now. 14:19 and we've created a lot of different things 14:21 in case that people want to come by 14:23 and visit the Voice Prophecy booth 14:25 we'd be glad to share those with them 14:27 we have another DVD that Lonnie and Jeannie Melashenko did for 14:31 us to help our churches become more user friendly 14:33 when the inactive and former members show up 14:36 it might be likely to want to come back again 14:38 because they'll feel so loved. 14:39 Good, good. Well now, you 14:41 you wanted to talk a little bit on the personal level 14:45 and you had mentioned that your son also 14:48 has recently come back to the church 14:51 perhaps you could introduce that a little bit 14:53 well, I have three sons, two of them left the church 14:57 and the two of them had come back 15:01 one of them came back in February and it's been a joy 15:03 we've seen thousands of people 15:05 starting to come back to the church 15:07 in recent years, it's just been wonderful 15:09 but it's really personal when it's your own kid 15:12 and I have a 43 year old son and he's here tonight 15:16 Lonnie Melashenko from Voice of Prophecy 15:18 to interview him and just tell the story 15:21 so that you can hear one story 15:23 of the hundreds and thousands that are out there 15:25 and they'll come and share that story with you right now. 15:33 You were out of the church for how many years? 15:35 Approximately 23 years 15:37 23 years. 15:39 You know that Gods' messenger to this church 15:42 says that in the very last days before the loud cry 15:45 many of those who want to walk with us will come back 15:48 it's one of the missionary projects of the ASI folks 15:52 going venturing with The Voice of Prophecy 15:54 What were the factors that brought you back to the church 15:58 because you not only came back, you've been recently baptized 16:01 What brought you back? 16:06 It was a slow process, but it was probably one day 16:09 when my 11 year old son asked me about Revelation 16:13 he had some questions about the church 16:15 and I didn't have any answers for him 16:17 and I knew I was doing both of my sons a great disservice 16:21 by not having them in the church 16:23 so they could make educated decisions down the road about 16:26 religion, their own lives and their own directions 16:30 in regards to the Lord. 16:32 And after 23years there was a deterioration of your own life 16:37 your own habits, your relationship in your marriage 16:40 and the kids saw nothing, they've never been to church 16:43 No, never. 16:44 What was happening in your own personal life, at you job 16:47 in your marriage in particular? 16:49 Well I was in a lot of working all the time, 16:52 I was trying to attain all the things that you think 16:55 are gonna make you happy in life 16:57 and was finding that difficult 17:00 my marriage had gone down the drain 17:04 it was in the pits. Yes. 17:06 My wife and I had been to counseling 17:08 a year prior, kind of worked things out 17:10 I said, I'll give it another shot, 17:12 but if it deteriorates again 17:14 I'm done, about a year later it deteriorated again 17:18 it got really bad 17:20 she was unhappy, I was unhappy 17:22 we were both resentful 17:24 we both didn't like each other 17:26 it was pretty bad. 17:27 So you were just about ready to divorce? 17:29 But something happened that was a major God moment for you 17:34 it had something to do with Roger Morneau 17:37 and the prayer ministry that your dad was engaging for you 17:40 you didn't know about it, but it had to do with an anointing 17:44 what happened there that was so amazing? 17:45 I was done with my marriage, I told my wife that, 17:48 she called my dad 17:49 my dad called me and said 17:52 we'd like to come anoint you, and I was like 17:55 Ok sure. You know, I didn't want my wife to be able to 17:57 say I didn't do everything to make the marriage work 18:00 I didn't really believed that 18:02 there was going to be a difference from it 18:04 but my dad came down with his wife 18:06 they anointed my wife and I and 18:08 I wondered for years if there really was a God 18:11 if it was true and I'm here to tell you today 18:14 that I had this sense of peace and calm come over me 18:18 like nothing I've ever experienced, all my anger 18:22 resentment, my hatred towards my wife 18:26 it was just gone, instantly. 18:28 That anointing was a miracle. 18:30 Yeah, and I knew than that there was a God 18:33 there's no way that happens and it's not a divine intervention 18:38 Many of these folks here, tonight 18:40 sat in the seminar in Sacramento, last year 18:43 when your dad brought you in the classroom and said 18:45 this is one of the examples we need to try to reach 18:49 What happened on February 18 of this year? 18:52 Myself and my two boys were baptized. 18:56 Amen. 18:58 And he's sharing his story. 19:01 And we'd like to have you, please 19:03 come by the booth tonight or tomorrow morning 19:06 Mike Jones, right here, from Texas 19:08 will be more than happy to share with you 19:09 his journey, but what would you say to people out there 19:12 there are a million or more Adventists today 19:15 who don't have their families, they don't have their children 19:18 what would you say to these folks out there 19:19 in terms of how to get them back? 19:21 I would say to keep praying, be supportive 19:25 but don't be pushy. 19:27 Because the harder you push the harder you drive them 19:31 and from my own, personal experience 19:34 the more we're gonna turn and go the other way 19:36 so just be supportive and just be there 19:38 and just trust in God, He'll do His work 19:41 like He did on me. 19:42 A big thank you to Mike Jones. Let's welcome him back. 19:45 God bless you Mike. 19:46 Thank you so much. 19:47 We have four great stories for you this evening 19:50 about how ASI members are being active 19:53 in sharing Christ in their market place. 19:56 I have with me this evening 19:58 Doctor Michael Hasel and Rusty McKee. 20:01 Our topic this evening is biblical archeology. 20:05 But don't get up and leave yet. 20:07 Rusty, I understand you had a recent opportunity 20:11 to participate in a biblical archeology tour 20:15 in Israel. Tell us a bit about your personal experience. 20:18 There we were about twenty or thirty of us 20:21 in the rural area of Israel 20:24 the beautiful hill, grassy valley and rolly hills 20:27 and than Dr. Holston starts reading the Scripture 20:31 he's reading about David and Goliath 20:33 and I'm just enjoying the view 20:35 and than he ends up saying: 20:37 and this is where David trusted God 20:41 and Goliath was killed. 20:45 And than this chill just went through my spine 20:47 and I was just thrilled 20:49 all this in the Bible 20:50 and this story you've heard since your childhood 20:52 come to life. 20:53 And you're trying to pick up what's over here and over here 20:56 and he describes it's either this valley here or there 20:59 you're looking at what they would have seen too 21:02 Well than the doubt had to hit 21:04 and I was like: no no no, how do you know that? 21:06 Than he continues to tell from an archeological standpoint 21:09 what has been found and why everything lines up 21:12 and points out to be: this is the valley 21:16 Wow, what a powerful experience Rusty 21:19 Dr. Hasel just tell us a little bit about 21:22 what's happening in the field of biblical archeology right now. 21:26 Biblical archeology is a field that is in crisis actually 21:30 is a field that right now is facing some difficulties 21:36 We have been in a transition time in the last twenty years 21:39 where the Bible has been divorced from archeology 21:42 in the secular world in which we live 21:44 and many more scholars today, biblical scholars 21:48 are turning to archeology to try to figure out 21:51 what parts of the Bible actually happened, 21:53 what parts didn't. 21:55 Even though we have this secularization of disciplines 21:58 so there's a real need and a real value 22:02 of reconnecting with the Bible 22:04 and bringing these two disciplines together again 22:07 in today's' world. 22:09 As we were talking before our time here this evening 22:13 I was really impressed with some of the things 22:15 that God is doing in this filed to bring about change 22:18 tell us a little bit about the experience 22:20 at the Southern Adventist University that 22:22 you're having there with some of the things 22:25 that the Lord is doing. 22:26 God has been incredible. At Southern Adventist University 22:29 some years ago we've had a dream 22:30 of starting a program in archeology 22:32 but we didn't have any artifacts 22:34 and I remember telling Dr. Blenko, 22:36 our dean, at the time 22:37 we don't have anything 22:39 we don't have anything in that area 22:41 it was a matter of miraculous events 22:43 one that happened after the other. 22:45 that we ended up a few months after that period 22:49 with one of the largest teaching collections 22:52 of ancient near eastern history artifacts. 22:54 in the United States of America. 22:56 from the largest graduate program in archeology 22:59 at the University of Arizona. 23:00 It is now housed at Southern Adventist University 23:03 and we have a state of the art new museum 23:05 that we just opened a year and a half ago. 23:08 that's had over 5000 visitors already coming 23:11 to come to see how the Bible comes to life 23:14 through these ancient vessels and these ancient artifacts 23:19 So we're seeing God working in a powerful way 23:22 I would like you to share just briefly, the testimony of 23:25 of the individuals instrumentally getting this 23:28 to Southern, because I think that's powerful. 23:31 Professor William Deever is the former 23:35 near eastern archeologist in North America today 23:38 he's in his seventies, when Times Magazine or News Week 23:41 wants to have any kind of information about archeology 23:44 to the Middle East concerning Archeology 23:47 he's the person they interview. 23:49 He travels all over the world 23:51 he's just published a series of three trilogies that 23:54 he's published over 40 books, 400 pure reviewed articles 23:57 this is the professor in this field 24:01 in North America 24:03 and he's not a Christian, he's an agnostic 24:05 But when he came to Southern Adventist University 24:08 in 1999 and saw our campus and saw what we were doing 24:11 on the way to the airport after that visit, he said 24:14 You know Michael, you have something here 24:16 that we haven't seen at the public university in years 24:20 he says, I believe that you have a mission 24:23 you have students that believe in a mission 24:25 you have faculty, you have staff you have administration 24:29 there's something here, 24:31 a common purpose that I haven't seen for a long time 24:34 I believe that the future of this discipline 24:36 is in a place like this 24:37 where there's still love for the Bible. 24:39 Amen. 24:40 So we have this museum at Southern Adventist University 24:47 there are lots of Adventist universities 24:49 that have this kind of program? 24:51 We are actually one of three institutions 24:55 around the world that are teaching biblical archeology 24:58 from a Christian perspective. 25:02 There are only three. 25:03 And as the discipline has become more secularized 25:07 seminaries and other programs have closed down 25:10 because they no longer see a need for archeology 25:13 but the secular world at the same time 25:15 is looking for what is happening 25:18 and I think it provides some tremendous opportunity 25:20 in the time in which we live, the end time. 25:22 to be able to use this tool 25:24 for the furtherance of the Gospel. 25:26 I want to close out by asking Rusty a question 25:29 one more question. Rusty tell us briefly what 25:32 what could someone tonight here do 25:34 if they wanted to learn more about the field of archeology? 25:39 I think the first thing that I would do is go to the website 25:41 of Andrews or Southern Adventist University 25:44 and see what's available, not just for yourself 25:47 but when you come across other peoples' paths 25:49 where they're questioning the authenticity of the Bible 25:52 especially with the Da Vinci Code 25:54 the powerful effect that it is having 25:56 and yet it's just all fiction 25:58 people don't know. 26:00 and we must lead them to the truth 26:01 so the evidence that they support 26:04 that the Bible is a true document 26:06 not just a spiritual world of God 26:08 but it can also be supported historically 26:11 it is an effect 26:12 so we go to the websites and check on what universities have 26:15 and maybe if they have enough an interest 26:18 take the time to go visit 26:20 these universities personally. Amen 26:22 Dr. Hassel in closing share with us 26:24 how this has been used in your recent series with Mark Finnley 26:28 Mark Finnley just finished a fantastic series 26:31 at the Chattanooga Convention Centre 26:32 over he period of June to July 26:35 and he approached me some months ago and said Michael 26:39 I believe we need to do something in archeology 26:41 together as a preseries to those meetings 26:43 I've done it once before, 26:44 but I've not done it with an archeologist 26:46 Let's work together and put something together 26:49 for this. So we had a five night series. 26:51 in Chattanooga, not knowing what to expect 26:54 but 650 people came out from sending out 26:57 20000 handbills. 26:59 the second night 765 people were there 27:02 at the end of that particular series 27:05 as we transitioned into the main revelation of hope meetings 27:08 we had nearly 300 people transition 27:11 from the archeology meetings 27:13 into the Revelation of Hope meetings. Amen 27:15 That is phenomenal when you think about 27:17 the kind of success we've had in the past 27:19 and I believe in the secular world in which we live 27:21 people are looking for answers 27:23 they're asking the question 27:25 Is the Bible true? Can I trust the Bible today? 27:27 We can provide those kind of answers as 7th day Adventist 27:30 Thank you so much for sharing with us tonight, Rusty 27:34 Rusty and Don Cross. Thank you. 27:36 Good evening folks. 27:37 We have another fantastic story to share with you 27:41 Luther Keith is from the Wildwood Health Retreat 27:44 Tell us Lou, what's happening at the Wildwood Health Retreat 27:47 The Lord is changing men's' hearts 27:50 we are using natural methods 27:53 to deal with unnatural complex problems. 27:56 Most of the people the Lord is sending to us for help 27:59 they have chemical dependencies 28:03 depression, anxiety, stress eating disorders 28:05 and other things that come with those problems 28:09 So recently you've been in a recent project 28:14 you've been involved with at the Wildwood Health Retreat 28:16 I think our main projects are in 28:19 I almost want to say new building 28:22 unless the Lord builds the building 28:25 they do labor and labor in vain 28:27 So we've been building a health center 28:29 for the last two and a half three years 28:31 but during that process the Lord is building men. 28:36 Tell us about this Health Centre project 28:38 how that came about. 28:41 When Moses lead the children of Israel 28:45 through the Red Sea 28:47 when they completed their journey 28:49 there was no doubt that it was not Moses 28:52 it was the Lord that had opened the way. 28:56 And I'm glad the Lord has worked in such an astonishing manner 29:00 in building our health center 29:01 that we know that all the glory goes to God. 29:05 So I have a few pictures 29:07 that I'm going to show you, 29:08 I'll give you a very brief background 29:11 on these Amish people that were living 29:12 in the northern part of our country 29:14 they became interested in our 29:18 ministry. 29:19 We've been working in an old farm house 29:21 we could take two or three guests at a time 29:24 But these Amish people, they contacted us 29:26 and they offered to come down and build us a new facility 29:30 they would bring all the materials 29:32 Amish business men out there would give them the costs 29:38 and they would help us. 29:40 Amen. 29:41 and the day came and they said all we have to do 29:43 is prepare the foundation. 29:45 So the day came 29:46 when we had the foundation ready 29:48 we had almost no finances 29:50 we had very little staff 29:52 we had no time, we were covered up in work 29:55 but we were able to get the foundation prepared 29:58 and the day came. 30:00 I was told, I never met an Amish person in my life 30:03 I knew that they rode boogies 30:04 and they had beards, but that's all I knew 30:06 so that morning we were expecting him to arrive 30:09 I was looking for two vanloads of Amish people 30:12 I was told there'd be an old group 30:14 and there'd be a young group. 30:17 So the first vanload pulled up 30:18 these young men got out 30:21 I thought it was the children 30:23 in the first group coming. 30:25 But these children ages 11, 13, I think 14, 16 and 17 30:29 these Amish children built our Wildwood Health Retreat 30:33 7th day Adventists were in the church 30:36 lifestyle center. 30:37 So I'm gonna show you a few pictures of that 30:40 these were some of the young men that got off the van 30:44 pulled out their pencils 30:46 and they began to build. 30:48 they were twelve all together. 30:50 this was the young group. 30:51 The old men were 19, 22, 23, 24 and 25 30:56 I was the oldest one there. 30:58 In two and a half days 31:01 they framed up our 4000 foot, six patient lifestyle center 31:05 These are the older men 31:07 If they could stop the pictures just every now and then 31:10 is looking back two years now. 31:13 So the walls were being framed up, 31:15 we were putting everything up next one 31:19 and by the way it's been 300 Amish people 31:23 over almost three years. 31:24 It wasn't just framing up the building 31:26 it was the wiring and the plumbing 31:28 the Lord kept sending them back 31:30 over and over and over again 31:32 they brought wife and children with them 31:35 as you can see they bring their children with them. 31:37 My wife is working in the house 31:40 with the ladies, teaching them how to make bread 31:43 talking to them about health 31:44 They don't know a lot of health. 31:46 We've got a message that they need very badly 31:48 and they're opened to hear it. 31:50 So this is getting toward the end of the first day 31:55 they're starting with the walls at the second floor 31:57 These young men have become very good friends 32:00 I really appreciate these 32:01 the man there in the middle I think was the youngest one 32:04 I think he was twelve or thirteen years old 32:05 I'm not sure 32:07 but they're doing a lot of the work 32:09 the other men are handing up the materials 32:11 and I'm helping them too. 32:14 Will you stop there for a second? 32:16 This young mans' name is Lester 32:18 as we were building that morning 32:20 I'm not even sure if Amish people are Christians 32:24 I'm terribly ignorant regarding Amish folks 32:27 maybe you are too 32:29 but I asked this man, we are working together 32:31 you can see the band aid on his little finger 32:33 a piece of ply-wood fell on his finger and almost cut it in two 32:36 I offered to take him to the doctor, he said no 32:39 just tape it up, so I've put two popsicle sticks, 32:41 taped his finger up, I was his right hand 32:43 the rest of the day and I worked closer to this young man. 32:46 And as we were working, 32:48 he said: what must I do to be saved 32:51 question out of Acts 16 32:52 I said believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 32:55 Than I asked him: do you believe the Bible? 32:58 he said yes, I said do you believe every word? 33:00 authoritative, infallible word of God? 33:03 He said yes and from that point forward 33:05 we had a vibrant conversation 33:08 and we spent the evenings having a Bible study 33:11 with all those Amish people 33:13 we were sharing with them some facts 33:15 they were sharing with us some fellowship 33:17 the nicest evenings I've ever spent in my life. 33:19 Next picture 33:20 Amen. 33:21 So this was the end of the first day. 33:23 And it was amazing to watch these twelve men work together 33:27 By fifteen years of age most Amish people 33:29 can frame up a house from bottom to top. 33:32 I think there they passed us up a little bit in industrial lines 33:35 This is midway through the second day 33:39 and they're getting the rafters on 33:40 and this was 33:43 toward the end of the second day 33:48 and this is... next 33:51 I was inside helping Lester when the roof went on 33:54 and all I could hear were just 33:57 these nail guns going 33:59 And than when I came out to look and turn and see 34:01 what the Lord had done 34:04 I could just say: praise the Lord. 34:06 Amen. 34:09 This is one of the last projects 34:12 these dear Amish missionaries did for us 34:14 Lord sent them down 34:16 and this young man that's kneeling on the styrofoam 34:19 he had a concrete company 34:20 It's Christ in the Market Place, 34:22 but they're not 7th day Adventist 34:24 they're working for 7th day Adventist ministering to 34:26 7th day Adventist 34:27 he's coming down from up north 34:30 brought all his equipment with him 34:32 and made a nice picture, I think you can see it 34:34 made us a nice double wide driveway for our health center 34:37 and still say praise the Lord. 34:41 it's finished now 34:42 we've been taking guests now for probably a year 34:45 and this is the last picture. 34:47 And this is my wife, on your right 34:50 and some of these 34:53 kind folks that the Lord sent down. 34:59 We have a beautiful health retreat now 35:01 at the Wildwood health retreat centre 35:04 True. 35:05 and you have touched the lives of not only 35:08 those people who came to help you build it 35:11 but I hear in your own life that you have been 35:14 touched by this. 35:17 My own life. 35:18 It's interesting that the Lord has called me to work 35:21 in this kind of ministry. 35:22 Because 14 years ago, 15 years ago 35:26 I've never heard of the 7th day Adventist 35:28 I was in a pit of alcoholism and crime 35:31 and without God, without hope 35:34 and He did a miracle in my life 35:37 great miracle of grace, my wife was pregnant 35:40 I brought her at Wildwood hospital 35:42 for help 35:43 didn't know they were 7th day Adventist institution 35:45 and I met 7th day Adventists 35:48 I found the Gospel 35:49 and now I'm doing to others as the Lord did on to me. 35:52 Amen. 35:58 Thank you. That's true. 36:04 That's certainly something to praise the Lord about, isn't it? 36:08 tell us about a life that has been changed 36:10 by the work you're doing there at the health center 36:13 I told Steve backstage I could think of 36:17 many, many, many lives that have been changed 36:20 and the one that I think is changed the most 36:22 it's been my own. 36:25 Because one or two things that I've noticed 36:28 first of all, the facility doesn't matter 36:31 we were in an old farm house now in a new building 36:34 it doesn't matter how ordinary the facility is 36:37 or how nice it is 36:38 it matters the people inside the facility 36:41 and who's living in their heart. 36:43 Amen. 36:44 And the medical missionary work that we're doing 36:47 I kind of see an insight that I didn't see years ago 36:52 We're not just helping them 36:55 we're helping ourselves. Can you say amen? 36:57 Amen. 36:58 As we reach out to minister 37:00 I have the slogan you have Christ in the marketplace 37:02 Our marketplace is a sanatorium 37:04 as we reach out to minister in the market place 37:07 we're not just helping them, we're helping ourselves 37:09 when Gods sends His people to get help from us 37:14 I'm not using John the Baptist' words 37:17 but I'm doing the same thing 37:19 I try to take our patients and say 37:20 Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world 37:24 And that's the message that John the Baptist was giving 37:27 and we're giving it, but maybe not so much with words 37:30 but with these natural methods that demonstrate 37:33 that we care for and we love these people. 37:35 Amen. 37:36 Thank you, we appreciate that testimony. 37:40 Welcome Sharon. It's good to have you here. 37:42 Most of you know Sharon Ericson 37:44 She comes to us from the great state of Minnesota. 37:47 Sharon, tonight we're here to talk about 37:51 something that God has 37:54 kind of dumped on you in a way almost 37:57 you never thought you were going to be in the radio ministry, 38:01 did you? 38:02 Absolutely not. 38:04 My husband and I knew nothing about radio at all 38:08 So God came along and He tapped you on the shoulder 38:11 lets talk a little bit about what's happened 38:15 to the ministry of your radio station. 38:17 I know that radio stations don't happen accidentally 38:23 No, 38:24 but you never know what's gonna happen when you come at ASI 38:28 So tell us how you got involved in the radio work. 38:31 Well, it happened about ten years ago 38:33 we came to ASI 38:35 and ASI really gave birth to KLPJ 38:39 We came to ASI and we walked in the exhibit booths 38:44 which houses many ministries 38:46 and as we were walking along we saw Livetalk radio 38:50 and we stopped to talk with the people at Livestalk Radio 38:54 and they said: 38:55 maybe it would be possible for you to have a radio station 38:58 in your town. 39:00 and as we talked the desire grew stronger and stronger 39:04 within our heart 39:05 and I suppose that was the most enthusiastic 39:09 we've ever been when we left an ASI convention. 39:14 So along the way, from that day until now 39:17 there have been a couple of hurdles. 39:20 Share with us some miracles that God has done 39:25 Ok. I'll be glad to. 39:26 When we left ten years ago from the ASI convention 39:30 almost as quickly as we got home 39:33 we were excited to make an application with the FCC 39:38 for a frequency. 39:41 It's interesting. 39:42 God knew that we did not know what we were doing 39:44 And I would like to bring this fact down 39:46 if God ever taps you on the shoulder 39:49 and asks you to do something 39:51 it's so easy to say, 39:52 But God, it's not something I can do. 39:56 And it's tempting to do that 39:58 but remember, if you venture out 40:01 God is happy to put the right people on your path 40:05 and the right circumstances in our path 40:07 to make it happen. 40:09 And that's what He did. 40:10 He brought someone from Duluth Minnesota to our home 40:14 who probably knows more about radio 40:16 than anyone else in the State of Minnesota. 40:19 Amen. 40:20 And he advised us 40:21 and than, Livetalk Radio, 40:23 advised us 40:24 and my husband got so excited 40:27 when we got home from that convention 40:28 ten years ago 40:30 he asked different people that would be in the listening area 40:32 we had to come to our church 40:34 and he inspired them about the radio 40:38 the only thing is, when they left 40:39 many of them were inspired 40:41 but they were thinking at what happened right away 40:44 and so did we. 40:47 So what we have now 40:49 God performing miracles 40:50 along the way, 40:52 and today we have a 40:55 tell us about the power of your radio station 40:58 Today, as of October 4, 2005 41:04 we turned on the knob 41:07 and we heard KLPJ. 41:09 89.3 Sebeka 41:12 broadcasting from Park Rapids, Minnesota 41:16 a hundred thousand watt Christian radio station 41:20 serving central Minnesota. Amen. 41:31 let me assure you that that is something to praise God about 41:34 because one hundred thousand watt radio stations 41:37 they're almost impossible to get 41:39 in our nation today. 41:41 So that is certainly something to praise God about. 41:43 so tell us about the impact 41:46 this radio station has had on your community. 41:50 Well, I will tell you about that 41:52 it's been a wonderful 41:56 influence 41:57 we use as our provider 41:59 who does the programming Livetalk Radio 42:02 and Livetalk Radio 42:04 has many programs that you're familiar with 42:08 like Breath of Life 42:10 and it is written in the Voice of Prophecy and Your Story Hour 42:15 it has Joni Erickson Tada 42:18 it has many, very very good 42:22 programs. 42:23 It has a mix of 60% music and 40% talk radio 42:29 so people listen to it 42:31 we've had people tell us: 42:32 I was driving along and I came to my destination 42:36 and I just couldn't get out of the car 42:38 because they haven't finished the program yet 42:40 Amen. 42:42 We've had other people say: 42:43 I just keep it tuned to 89.3 in my car all the time and listen 42:48 we've had people that are taking Bible studies 42:52 because Livetalk Radio offers discovery Bible course 42:57 probably 15 to 18 times a day 43:00 and people have an opportunity to know the Bible better 43:04 we have one young man that we know of 43:07 that is preparing for baptism Amen, 43:09 because he listened to KLPJ. 43:14 we have a hundred thousand watt radio station 43:16 in the State of Minnesota 43:17 What is your current vision for the rest of the State? 43:23 You know, we have a big vision 43:25 And I think the reason that we do 43:27 is because we've already seen God do big things 43:31 Amen. 43:32 And it strengthens you. 43:35 And I'll tell you that our vision is 43:37 our great hope is that we can extend the listening area 43:41 there are some large cities in Minnesota 43:43 that do not have a Christian radio station 43:46 and we're hoping that we can 43:49 increase the frequency 43:52 in hopes that some day 43:54 we will cover the whole state of Minnesota 43:56 Amen. All right. That's one state down 43:59 and a few more to go 44:01 If God is tapping you on the shoulder tonight 44:04 don't say no. Isn't that what you'd say? 44:07 I would say that God does talk to our hearts 44:10 and lots of times we still hear a still, small voice of service 44:15 and it's so easy sometimes because 44:17 we don't have self-confidence just to blow that away 44:23 But God is the great giver of help 44:26 and He does help us 44:28 and I would encourage you if God is asking you to do 44:32 any kind of special project 44:34 or anything that seems impossible to do 44:37 but that little voice keeps 44:39 calling you and calling you within your heart 44:42 just surrender and step out 44:45 and watch how God works 44:47 it's most interesting. 44:49 Amen. Thank you Sharon for sharing with us this evening 44:52 You're welcome. 44:55 I'd like you to say welcome to Frazier Mathis 44:57 who is here from Global Vessels. 45:00 Yes. Thank you, Steve. 45:04 All right. Frazier, tell us a little bit 45:06 about your involvement in Global Vessels 45:08 and what is Global Vessels about anyway? 45:10 Global Vessels is a nonprofit organization that 45:12 my wife and myself started about eight years ago 45:15 we are a non-profit organization 45:17 and we take individuals to third world countries 45:20 to build. 45:21 and recently we've been traveling to Africa to build 45:25 You're building things around the world with 45:28 who helps you build these things? 45:30 We solicit individuals from our churches 45:32 around the churches 45:34 ask them to come and go with us 45:36 it's strictly volunteer basis 45:37 and they come and help us to do the projects 45:39 that we try to do. 45:41 Originally, when you get involved in this outreach 45:44 to building things around the world 45:46 you are involved with Maranatha, is that right? 45:49 We initially started out in Ghana, West Africa 45:52 and I'd call Maranatha 45:54 I've done several projects for Maranatha 45:56 and I called Maranatha and said: 45:58 You know what I'll like to do in Africa? 45:59 And they said: Well, we're not going right now because 46:01 communism has fallen and we are in Russia 46:03 working as fast as we can 46:05 I said, Could you possibly send me the blueprints? 46:08 So Maranatha's sent me the blueprints 46:10 so I had the blueprints in my hand 46:12 and said: Blueprints, time to go 46:15 so we go to Ghana, we do the pre 46:16 trip we get there, we walk on the land 46:18 that we plan to build this church on 46:20 they agreed that we can build it 46:21 so I come back to the States 46:22 I go to my church family and say: 46:24 Guys, lets go build this church in Ghana. 46:27 And people looked at us kind of strange because 46:29 we didn't have any money 46:30 we only had the desire to go 46:33 We got the group together and before long 46:36 36 individuals were willing to take their vacation 46:38 to go with us to this place we've never gone before 46:40 or to build this church. 46:42 The interesting thing about building a church 46:44 they were worshipping at a school at the particular time 46:46 and they were putting them out of the school. 46:49 So we were there encouraging them to build this church 46:52 we get there 46:53 we had to run the people out of the work site 46:55 in order to work 46:56 because they have never witnessed so many people 46:58 working on one building 46:59 because in a lot of third world countries 47:01 you see buildings that are partially done 47:03 and you think they are abandoned 47:04 they're not abandoned, they pay cash 47:06 so they didn't have the money to complete the building 47:08 we had the money to do it 47:10 we were working 47:11 and everybody was standing around the work site watching us 47:13 we had to shoe them out of the work site 47:14 so that we can actually build. 47:16 All right. Praise the lord. 47:18 So you've been involved in a variety of projects 47:20 over the years, 47:21 what is the current focus of the 47:24 of Global Vessels Organization? 47:27 To show how awesome God is 47:29 each year, this is our eighth year, 47:31 each year we start out with no money 47:34 Everybody say that: No money 47:36 Not a dime. 47:39 We decided we want to go and build this orphanage 47:42 in Tanzania. 47:43 in the process of building a clinic, 47:45 we passed this orphanage every day. 47:48 One day we said: lets go in and see what it's like 47:50 We'd go into this orphanage, Steve 47:52 we go in there and this one man, by himself 47:55 single-handedly, going into the city 47:58 rescuing these children, 47:59 his parents are deceased because of AIDS 48:01 and bringing back to this house 48:03 two bedroom house, with 23 children in the house 48:07 They're sleeping on the floor, on dirt floors. I go back to the 48:10 group working on the clinic 48:13 I said: Guys we gotta do something 48:14 what are we going to do? 48:15 Some of them said: Lets raise some money 48:17 pass the hat, we passed the hat 48:19 we gave money, they said: what are we gonna do? 48:21 I said ok, we're gonna go buy them some clothing 48:23 we've got a big, huge, fifty five gallon drum 48:25 we filled it with water, brought it back 48:27 heated the water, bathed the children 48:29 put clothes on their backs, Amen 48:31 the woman were bathing the children and crying 48:33 the children didn't understand why they were crying 48:35 everybody's crying, they're bathing the children 48:37 because the children needed a touch. 48:40 They touched the children 48:41 so we complete that project of bathing the children 48:43 and we're on our way back home 48:45 but everybody kind of looks at me and says: 48:46 Ok now, what are you going to do about those children? 48:49 what do you mean? 48:51 What are you gonna do? I said I tell you what we're gonna do 48:53 we're gonna go back next year, 48:54 we're going to build an orphanage village. 48:57 No money. 48:58 All right. 48:59 No money. How are you gonna build an orphanage village 49:01 when you don't have any money. 49:03 Because God has all the money. 49:04 And all of his biting are enabling. 49:07 And I believe that. 49:08 So we go back, we gather our forces 49:10 the union there donates the land to us 49:12 and we begin to raise money 49:15 trying to build this orphanage village with ten houses. 49:18 And I guess they can show a picture now 49:19 we have a few photos, lets do those photos here 49:24 and let you see a little bit about the beginnings 49:26 of this orphanage that's being built 49:28 over there by Global Vessels. 49:30 You can see right now, 49:32 this is the very first portion of 49:33 everything that's hand made 49:35 huge blocks we do on on the foundation 49:37 everybody there volunteers 49:40 you have to have the blocks dry, at least one day 49:42 so we let them out in the sun and they dry 49:45 and we're anxiously waiting to start erecting the building 49:47 This is the finished product, by the way 49:50 Amen. 49:51 Beautiful. 49:57 Five bedrooms 50:00 two baths, a kitchen, living room, dining room 50:02 These three gentlemen you see right there 50:05 they called me, they saw us on 3ABN 50:06 they called me on the phone and said 50:08 we wanna go with you. 50:09 I said: great, come and go. 50:10 They said: well there's a problem, 50:11 I said what's the problem? 50:12 I'm 78, my brother's 74 and his cousin is 72. 50:15 can we go? 50:17 Amen. I said, sure you can go 50:18 get a medical clearance and you can go. 50:20 They called me back, we've got a medical clearance 50:23 and I said, come on. 50:25 These three gentlemen worked so fast 50:26 they were just phenomenal. 50:29 in the work that they were able to do. 50:30 these are some of the children 50:31 who are displaced in the orphanage 50:33 there, in Tanzania 50:35 that's where we're working 50:36 we also had clothing that we were able to bring 50:38 we brought clothing 50:39 we were distributing clothing to the ones that were there 50:41 there's so much to do 50:43 and very few people were there to do it. 50:45 Interesting story, right here 50:47 one of the ladies who was there 50:50 working with us every year for the last two years in Tanzania 50:53 hard worker 50:55 we were helping one of the children go to school 50:57 the principal called me inside and said: 50:58 do you realize where she lives? 51:00 I said, I don't have an idea. 51:02 he said, let me take you to her house 51:03 You're sending her daughter to school, that's great but 51:06 let me show you where she lives. 51:07 We go there and she's living in a twelve by twelve 51:09 this is her house 51:11 with four children 51:12 sleeping on the floor 51:14 this is Friday, we come back to the States, Tuesday 51:17 and I said, Priska, we're gonna come 51:19 and we're gonna build your house 51:22 She said: You only have two days left 51:23 I said, don't worry, we're gonna build it 51:24 I said: we come Sunday 51:26 we're gonna tear the house down 51:27 and we're gonna start building it. 51:29 we got there Sunday, Steve 51:30 her and her girlfriend had tore the house down 51:34 she had swept the floor 51:35 so we had to build our house. 51:39 She had no place to live, we had to build her the house 51:43 That's faith, isn't it? 51:46 Oh, yes. Amen. 51:47 So we start building on the house 51:49 we left there with them doing some of the finishing touches 51:53 on the house. 51:54 So what are the needs of the Global Vessels ministry? 51:56 We need a couple right now. 51:58 Husband and wife team 51:59 maybe one child to be and direct there 52:01 of this project in Tanzania 52:03 We need individuals who would like to go 52:06 and volunteer six months, three months, a year 52:08 who'd like to go and work there 52:10 with the ten children, each house 52:12 has ten children, a house parent 52:14 and a nanny to help you. 52:16 So we need volunteers to come and help us do that 52:19 Folks, you've heard it, go to globalvessels. or 52:21 globalvessels. org, our booth is 228 52:25 228, come by, see us, come and go with us. 52:28 Come on. Amen. 52:29 Come and go with us. 52:30 God bless you. 52:31 Thank you, Frazier. Appreciate it. 52:33 Good evening. 52:35 And this evening we have next 52:38 Elisabeth Gonzales. 52:40 Welcome to ASI and I know you're involved in ASI 52:44 tell me what you're doing with ASI. 52:46 Actually, I'm the president of the Atlantic Union Chapter 52:50 ok, that's one job 52:51 what other job do you do? 52:53 Well, I have a personal ministry 52:56 because I think if you are going to lead 52:58 one of the best ways of leading is 53:00 is leading by example. 53:02 So you have a ministry, and what else do you do? 53:05 Actually, what pays the bills 53:08 is my home health care agency 53:10 that I operate in New York City 53:13 All right. Tonight we're going to focus 53:14 on the ministry that you have though 53:16 Tell us about how you got involved in the country of 53:20 Guyana and what the ministry is about. 53:23 Ok. 53:26 I happen to have been born in Guyana 53:28 and I've always been supporting several projects around Guyana 53:33 But they wanted a school, and I was going to help them 53:37 get the furniture and do all that it took 53:40 to get the school on foot. 53:42 Turned out that it was not working out that way 53:44 and so we plunged right in 53:47 got a building 53:49 and got school started 53:51 So you have a school in Guyana, 53:52 how many students did you start with? 53:53 We started with 23 students 53:56 so the Lord blessed you with 23 students 53:58 you started school in Guyana 54:00 how has God been leading in this ministry? 54:04 Ok. This is a marvelous, miracle story 54:08 the school is now two years old 54:12 we've got two buildings now 54:14 and 300 students. Amen. 54:21 Along the way God has done a few miracles 54:25 Yes. He has. 54:26 Is there any specific miracle you'd like to share 54:28 something the God has done, that comes to mind 54:33 Everything about Christian education 54:36 is the way it shapes the ways of young people 54:39 Amen. 54:40 and you see a real fulfillment and you get your real joy 54:43 when you see young peoples' lives changed. 54:47 I have gotten several emails from parents 54:50 who said that their kids were in public school 54:53 they were losing grades, they were behaving badly 54:56 they were developing habits that were unsatisfactory 55:00 they took them to our school 55:02 and our school became the hospital 55:05 one of those students, now in baptismal class 55:09 Amen. 55:10 One is getting ready to graduate 55:12 and there's several more stories of that sort 55:15 coming out of the school. 55:17 So God is using this ministry 55:19 not only growing the ministry 55:21 but is using this ministry to change lives. 55:24 Yes He is. And I think this is what brings a real joy 55:28 When you see lives changed. 55:30 And when you hear stories of people who 55:33 might have been totally lost 55:36 finding their way and finding their future 55:38 that we hope will be a Christian future 55:42 and one that is preparing them not just to go out 55:45 with a certificate 55:46 but to learn that their first allegiance is to God 55:50 to their family and to their country. 55:54 So what I hear coming through, Elisabeth 55:56 is that you have a passion for this work 55:59 Yes I do. 56:01 Why is this? 56:03 Why do you think that God has laid this burden on your heart 56:07 I sometimes wonder because 56:09 I started out just thinking that I was going to help in some way 56:14 and when you find that it's not going the way you wanted 56:17 and you really wanna see it happen 56:19 I think the Lord just enables you 56:22 and just continues to urge you 56:25 and we go ahead and believe me 56:27 it's not until you put your feet in the water 56:30 that He really parts the sea. 56:33 This has really been my experience 56:35 in working for the Lord. 56:36 As these young people attend school 56:40 and as they learn and grow in this Christian environment 56:43 their lives have been changed 56:46 you've mentioned one young person or two 56:50 that you're thinking of specifically 56:53 is there some story you'd like to share with us about 56:55 a certain young person or anything you can think of 56:58 that speaks about a specific testimony of one young person 57:01 that comes to mind? 57:02 One that I think of all the time 57:06 is a young man who is now in baptismal class 57:09 because one day, a lady was walking on the street 57:13 she met another lady and they just started talking casually 57:18 and than she said to her: 57:19 you know, I was having real problems with my son 57:24 and I sent him to a school that's a couple of blocks away 57:27 and his life has changed so dramatically 57:31 it turned out, the lady who she was speaking with 57:34 was one of our workers from Adventist World Areas 57:38 who are also in Guyana 57:40 and she immediately emailed me, she said 57:42 Elizabeth, my heart was just so thrilled today 57:45 when I heard this wonderful story. 57:47 Because you could see the emotion in the lady 57:50 she really found she was losing her son 57:53 he had been involved in many, many ill things 57:57 and I let her speak to the head-mistress of the school 58:00 and she told me about the prayers, the encouragement 58:03 the difficult moments 58:05 but the final victory, when the young man decided 58:08 he wanted to be baptized. 58:10 So I think that was such a marvelous story 58:13 not only for the young man, 58:14 but I'm sure the impression, 58:16 that has been made on that mother 58:18 will in time do something to lead her to the Lord, also 58:22 Amen. 58:25 What would you recommend to someone here, 58:27 who's listening tonight or who's sitting in our audience 58:32 As God has lead you in this process, 58:34 what could you say to someone here 58:37 that would help them make that decision 58:39 to follow God's leading? 58:42 There is work out there for all of us 58:44 Amen. 58:45 When you think of need, you don't have to look very far 58:50 and what we have to start with is a willing heart 58:53 of wanting to help them 58:54 and as long as we are willing 58:56 and we ask God to show us the way 58:59 He, in the most marvelous ways 59:03 opens ways for us. 59:04 keeps us going 59:06 and crowns all of our efforts with success. 59:09 So, I would want to say 59:11 try it, 59:12 and you wouldn't be sorry. 59:14 The satisfaction I get from the stories I hear 59:17 makes me so happy 59:19 that money couldn't possible buy those emotions. 59:23 And what I do now is not only work on this earth 59:27 but it's preparing souls for Gods' eternal kingdom 59:30 Amen. Thank you, Elizabeth 59:31 thank you folks for your attention tonight 59:34 and as we have shared these wonderful stories 59:37 about how God is working through ASI members around the world. |
Revised 2014-12-17