Adventist Mission

I N S I D E Story
3rd Quarter 2010
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4th Quarter, 2010
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June 26-July 2

Getting to Know God

Ariuntuya laughed at her older sister. “You are going to a Christian meeting?” she asked accusingly. “You used to mock people who didn’t recite traditional prayers!” Ariuntuya’s sister, Moogli, ignored her younger sister’s taunts.

Ariuntuya’s family lives in Mongolia. A school friend had invited Moogli to attend an Adventist worship service held in a rented hall, and Moogli went. She liked the program and invited her sister to go with her. Ariuntuya went, and she had to admit that she liked it. But she preferred to sleep late than attend a religious program.

Moogli continued attending the meetings, when some evangelists came to the city several months later, Moogli again invited Ariuntuya to attend. Ariuntuya went, and this time she went. Ariuntuya enjoyed the music and felt the love of the church members.

Slowly Ariuntuya realized that church was more than a social club; it was about having a personal relationship with God. Ariuntuya began to consider how God would fit into her life.

When the family moved to the capital city, the sisters found an Adventist church to attend. Ariuntuya’s mother had never approved of the girls attending a Christian church. But when the young Adventist pastor hired Mother to care for his children, she began attending church with her daughters. Ariuntuya had never really thought about praying for her mother, so she was surprised at her mother’s change of attitude.

“I realize now that God has been working in my life,” Ariuntuya admits. “I realize that He works in other people’s lives, even when we see no outward sign of it. I am learning to give God first place in my life. Now I pray for my parents to become Christians, and I invite others to consider giving their lives to God too. I’m glad that my sister kept inviting me, even when I made fun of her and refused to go.”

The Adventist Church in Mongolia is young, and members rely on the world church to help them grow. Your mission offerings to this front-line mission field are making a huge difference in the lives of people like Ariuntuya and her family.

Ariuntuya (left) is a teenager living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

July 3-July 9

Adventists Join the MOB

Michael Surak, an Adventist from Pennsylvania, recently joined the MOB. So did Edgar and Joycie Lao of Texas. In fact, more than 320 Adventists across North America have joined the MOB and are experiencing a fulfilling ministry.

Missionaries Of the Blind (MOB) is an arm of Christian Record Services, the Adventist church’s ministry to the blind. MOB connects Adventists across North America with the 23,000 blind and visually-impaired people who receive Braille, large print, or audio publications from Christian Record Services. Volunteers spend one or two hours a month visiting blind or visually impaired people in their community, building friendships and praying with them.

Michael Surak visits Carl, a 31-year-old man who has been blind since birth. “Carl has such a cheerful spirit,” says Michael. “I thought I would uplift him, but he uplifted me.”

“So many blind people receive materials from Christian Record on a regular basis,” says Pastor David Klinedinst, personal ministries director for Christian Record. “Some of them even attend our camps for the blind program. We want to reach out to the people we serve and connect them with a local Seventh-day Adventist church where they can find fellowship, friendship, and worship.”

“Most blind people are eager for a visit,” Klinedinst says. “They receive Christian Record’s materials regularly, so when visitors identify themselves as volunteers with Christian Record, they are welcome. MOB is a wonderful way to be involved in an outreach ministry and make friends for Jesus.”

Edgar and Joycie Lao had tried to start a Bible study group in Texas, but they found most people too busy to attend. Then they joined MOB. The first blind person Edgar became friends with was Raul, a bird watcher who “watches” birds with his ears. Edgar went bird watching with Raul and was introduced to other blind birders. He prayed with the group and invited them to church. Among the group of blind birders was a young woman named Gladie. Edgar offered to sign her up to receive the free books and magazines Christian Record provides. She accepted the offer and enjoys receiving
the free materials. Soon Edgar invited Gladie to church, and she came, along with two of her sisters and her nephew. Gladie has since been baptized.

Your mission offerings help support the ministry of Christian Record Services.

Christian Record Services, the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s ministry to the blind and visually impaired, is located in Lincoln, Nebraska. If you would like to visit a blind person, visit mob.christianrecord.org, or call 402-488-0981.

July 10-July 16

Jean Claude Comes Around

When Jean Claude joined a charismatic church in Burundi, a tiny country in central Africa, church leaders saw his potential and urged him to become a pastor. Jean Claude studied and was sent to northern Burundi to pastor. Soon he became the district leader with some 250 churches and 79 pastors under his guidance.

One day he went to a shop owned by an Adventist man. The shop owner shared some Bible texts with Jean Claude. Jean Claude wasn’t interested in Adventist beliefs. He thought Adventists were legalists and poked fun at them. But the layman didn’t give up. He continued to share Bible truths with the pastor every chance he had.

One day when Jean Claude stopped by, the layman challenged him to explain Matthew 5:17, 18 and James 2:10, which say that Jesus never did away with the Ten Commandment law. Jean Claude couldn’t explain them, and the layman introduced him to the Adventist district pastor, who offered to study the Bible with him. Reluctantly, Jean Claude agreed.

Jean Claude became convinced that he had been wrong, that God’s laws had never been abolished. And if the law still stood, then he was teaching the people under his authority a lie.

Jean Claude resigned from his church position saying, “I can no longer teach lies. I’m going to join the Seventh-day Adventist Church.” He sent copies of the letter to the pastors who served under his leadership.

His church headquarters sent pastors to talk to him, but Jean Claude stood firm and read to the pastors the Bible texts that had convicted him. “We’ve not been observing all the Ten Commandments,” Jean Claude said. His wife supported his decision, and the couple began worshipping in the Adventist church with the shopkeeper who had introduced him to the Adventist faith. But the church was quite far from where he lived.

Near Jean Claude’s home was a small Adventist congregation with only 20 members. Jean Claude arranged to hold evangelistic meetings in the area. He bought a piece of land and invited the larger church’s choir to come and sing for the meetings. The members helped build a simple church.

Several members of Jean Claude’s former church came to the meetings, and some of them have joined the church. Jean Claude continues to share his faith in the same eager way that was so successful in his former church.

Our mission offerings help build up the church in Burundi and in other areas where few people know the truths we love.

July 17-Julky 23

Ryan’s Birthday Mission

Like most children, Ryan Wigglesworth from Australia looked forward to his seventh birthday and the party his parents had promised. He would have a birthday cake and play games with his friends. But Ryan wouldn’t receive birthday gifts. Instead it was his family’s tradition that he would ask his friends to bring a donation of money for a special mission project.

Ryan’s family was planning a mission trip to the island of Vanuatu [van-oo-AH-too] in the South Pacific, and Ryan wanted to use his birthday money to buy books and literature to give to the people there so they could learn more about Jesus.

After his birthday Ryan and his mom went to the Adventist Book Center to buy the books for their trip. The store was having a big sale, so Ryan’s money went even further than he dreamed! “We bought 245 books and Bible study guides and other literature,” he says.

Soon the family flew to Vanuatu. They visited a marketplace, where Ryan’s mother bought fruits and vegetables while Ryan gave the children some colorful pamphlets about Jesus. Then Ryan met Sope, a man who worked with prisoners. Ryan gave him some Bible study guides to share with the prisoners.

The family held a week of meetings on two different islands. The first day 49 children came after school. The next day they brought their friends, and the attendance grew to 100! Even though the meetings were for children, some adults came to hear the messages of God’s love. When Ryan and his brothers and parents gave out literature, they were surprised at how happy people were to receive it.

The family said goodbye to their new friends and took a boat to the second island. There they held another series of meetings with much the same results. People were amazed that Ryan and his brothers led out in the programs, even though they were children themselves.

Too soon it was time to say goodbye. Ryan’s family agreed that this was the best possible vacation—sharing God’s love with people who were eager to learn. “The people were so happy to receive even one piece of literature. That was gift enough for me! I know now that even though I’m just a boy, I can do lots of things for Jesus!”

Our mission offerings provide literature and training so that people in South Pacific and around the world can hear God’s message of love.

July 24-July 30

Loving the Truth

My name is Lysa, and I live in the Philippines. But while I still lived in Malaysia, a friend gave me a Bible and invited me to her church. I went and found a group of loving people who drew me to God. I read the Bible and joined a small group Bible study. I surrendered my life to Christ and joined that church. I felt fulfilled and blessed.

Then my father died, and my mother felt all alone. She called me back to the Philippines to live with her and help care for my disabled sister. I returned to Philippines and began attending a church of the same denomination as the one I had left in Malaysia. But it wasn’t the same. I missed the close fellowship of loving friends who had been closer than family to me.

Then one day a man came to our home selling books. I wasn’t interested in what he had to say, but my mother invited him in and talked for a long time. Finally I began listening to them. I asked what church he belonged to, and he told me he was a Seventh-day Adventist. I hadn’t heard of Adventists before, and I asked him many questions.

He couldn’t answer all my questions that day, but he promised to return. The next day the man came back with his Bible. Again I began asking questions, and he answered each one from the Bible.

He invited me to evangelistic meetings that were being held in a church not far from our home. I went because I was thirsty for God’s Word. I attended the meetings, but the Sabbath was too strange for me to accept. I wondered why these Adventists worship on Saturday when other Christians worship on Sunday. But I was determined to study the issue for myself. If the Sabbath was true, I needed to know so I could tell my spiritual brothers and sisters in Malaysia.

I asked God to show me the truth in this Sabbath issue. I visited the library of a religious university in town searching for a book on the history of Christianity. I prayed again and opened my eyes. There was the book I was looking for. I checked it out and started reading it. Sure enough, it said that the Bible Sabbath was Saturday; men had changed the day of worship to Sunday.

I began attending the Adventist church, and in time my daughter and I were baptized. I pray for my family and for my Christian friends in Malaysia who don’t yet know this wonderful truth.

Thank you for sharing your mission offerings so that people such as I can learn to love God’s truth.

Lysa Salinas shares her faith in central Philippines.

July 31-August 6

Conquered by Love

I grew up in Siberia, Russia, during a time when talk of God and religion was forbidden. Although I hadn’t thought much about whether God existed, in the depths of my soul I sensed that He must exist. Then one day I heard His voice and I knew.

One evening as I walked from my work to my home, suddenly I felt an overwhelming sense of love fill my body. It was so clear that it almost stopped me in my tracks. I wasn’t married at the time and had no special girlfriend. Who are you? I wondered. This wonderful feeling had to be from a girl, I reasoned. But I couldn’t think of any girl who could give me the kind of love I was feeling. It was more like a yearning.

The love was so strong that I wanted to be with this person forever. Whoever you are, I thought, I will find you and I will love you forever. But who are you? I asked myself.

And then I heard the answer, not as a voice, but as a clear understanding in my mind. It is I, God.

No! I thought. I thought of God as a judge, an enforcer of laws. Then fearful that I might insult this God, I said in my heart, I don’t deserve Your love.
And God answered, I know you; I know everything about you. And I love you.

Don’t love me so much, I argued in my mind. Love me just one day a week—or less.

But God’s voice answered, I love you every moment; I will always love you because I am God.

I couldn’t help myself. I was conquered by God's love. That night on the street in Siberia, with tears rolling down my cheeks, I gave myself to God. Here I am, God, I prayed. I am Yours. Once more that wonderful warmth swept through my body. I am in love—with God! I thought.

The next day a friend invited me to attend some evangelistic meetings. I went, and there I learned about the God who swept me away by His love. Later I learned that on the evening God spoke to me, the evangelist and other Christians in that city were praying that the Holy Spirit would touch the hearts of the people in my town. I was an answer to their prayers, one of almost 200 who found God at those meetings.

Our mission offerings help send word of God’s incredible love to those who still don’t know Him. Thank you for sharing.

Basil Byvalts shares God’s love with others in Siberia, Russia.

August 7-August 13

The Pot Sellers’ Discovery

Some Adventist pot sellers traveled to from village to village across northern Madagascar selling kitchenware. One Friday afternoon they arrived at a village and asked someone whether there was an Adventist church in the village. “No,” the person replied.

“Does anyone in this village worship on Saturday?” they asked.

“Yes,” the villager answered. “They meet in a house just up this road.” The pot sellers followed the villager's directions and found a house with a sign that read, “The Seventh-day Keeping Church.”

The pot sellers knocked on the door and were welcomed into a room crowded with 50 people who had gathered for a worship service. The members squeezed together to make room for their visitors, and the service resumed. Soon the pot sellers realized that the worship service looked and sounded like an Adventist meeting. But who were these people?

When the meeting ended, the visitors asked the worshippers where they had learned to worship as they did. “We are Christians,” the leader explained. We listen to a radio program that teaches the Bible clearly, and we now keep the Bible Sabbath and prepare for Jesus’ soon coming.”

"What is the name of the radio station you listen to?” the pot sellers asked. The answer came back, Adventist World Radio. The leader explained that the believers knew that the radio station was owned by Seventh-day Adventists, but they hesitated to use that name until they learned what they must do to become Seventh-day Adventist members.

The pot sellers told the congregation that they were Seventh-day Adventists and promised to notify the district pastor of this new congregation.
When the district pastor learned of the group meeting on the mountainside, he arranged to hold meetings and organize a new company of believers. A woman donated land for a church, and today the believers in Andravinambo worship as Seventh-day Adventists. A lay pastor continues teaching them and encouraging them to share their faith with others in their region.

Your mission offerings support Adventist World Radio's ministry around the world.

Benjamin Schoun is president of Adventist World Radio. Ramanantsalama Berjoséclin is the district pastor who now cares for this group.

August 14-August 20

New Life, New Hope

I was in and out of prison so many times, most often for drug-related crimes. I even gave my life to Jesus and was baptized there. When I was released, I was full of hope for a new life, but I couldn’t find work and became discouraged. I ended up back in prison again.

I was released again, and early on Sabbath morning a man shook me awake saying, “Brother Barker [the prison ministries leader] sent me to fetch you to church—now!” I got up and went to church with him.

This man took me to an Adventist church founded by the prison ministries team. It was the grand opening day, and what a joyful day it was! I returned home filled with joy, only to face reality. I was an addict, and I had no strength of my own to quit. I had bought drugs with money that church members gave me for food! I couldn’t face these people.

I was lost in drugs. But one day God said to me, “Do you want this? Or do you want a better life?” I asked God to do whatever it took to clean me up. So when I was arrested and sent to prison again, I actually thanked the judge.

The day after I arrived in prison I told cellmates that I didn’t want to see any drugs or know of any drugs. Not even cigarettes.

I went to the church in prison, where Brother Barker led out. We studied and prayed together, and I recommitted myself to Christ. I asked forgiveness for all the wrong things I had done and prayed for my family and friends I had wronged. Although I was in prison, I was free!

God strengthened me with His Word, and I began working with others who were bound by chains of sin and addiction. Every day I committed myself to God, for I knew I couldn’t do it alone.

When I was discharged I went to the New Hope Prison Ministries Adventist Church and found a welcome from others who knew the struggles I faced. The church members helped me find a job and get settled into a new life. The devil still pressures me with temptations and distractions, but God sustains me.

I asked for deliverance from drugs, and God gave me so much more. He’s given me a new life, new work, and new joy.

Your mission offerings help fund the prison ministries program in Trinidad. And that program helped me find victory in Jesus. Thank you.

Richard LaCroix is an elder and singing evangelist in the New Hope Prison Ministry Church in Bataria, Trinidad.

August 21-August 27

The Search, part 1

I live in the country of Benin in West Africa. My father died when I was little, so my uncle raised me. He practiced voodoo and animism and wanted nothing to do with Christianity.

When I was old enough, my uncle apprenticed me to a builder so I could learn a trade. But as I neared the end of my training, my uncle became insanely jealous of me. He threatened me and cursed me. My aunt took me to a voodoo priest to perform a ceremony to protect me, but my uncle continued to persecute me.

I told my aunt that I doubted that the voodoo had worked and pointed to my friend who had studied with me. He was a Christian, and he already had his own shop and was married. I didn’t even have a job. I wondered whether attending a Christian church could help me find work. My aunt warned me that if I went to a Christian church I would lose the protection that the voodoo priest had bestowed on me.

I discovered that my uncle’s son had a little New Testament that he read. And he sneaked away to attend a church on Sunday. Somehow my uncle never knew. Then my cousin became seriously ill. My aunt told me, “See what happens when you sneak away and go to church?” My cousin wasn’t expected to survive, but he did. Even the doctor said it was a miracle.

About that time a man came to my uncle looking for a room to rent. My uncle rented him a room in a house far from where he lived. He told me to go live in that house as well.

I noticed that this new renter was somehow different. He was well dressed and kept his room very clean. I often heard him talking alone in his room, but I couldn’t hear what he said. I also noticed that he read a lot from a certain book. I discovered that he was a Christian.

(Continued next week)

Crepin Agbodedji (left) is a builder living near Cotonou, Benin.

August 28-September 3

The Search, part 2

I was happy to learn that Alexander, the man living in my uncle’s house, was a Christian. I asked him many questions about God, and we began praying together. I was careful not to let my uncle know of my interest in God, fearing he might kill me.

One night I dreamed that a man with an animal’s face was trying to choke me. I tried to call on Jesus, but I couldn’t speak. But when I said “Jesus” in my heart, the wind blew this man away. I woke up. When I told Alexander my dream, he said that God is calling me. “You must give your life to God,” he said. But I was afraid—afraid of my uncle and afraid of the devil.

Then I broke out with hives all over my body. I thought I got the hives because I was praying, so I stopped praying. But the hives got worse. My aunt took me to a voodoo priest to be cured, but he wanted money, and I had none. I returned home unhealed.

“Why do you go to the voodoo priest?” Alexander asked. “Let’s pray to God. He will heal you for free.” We prayed, and the next day the hives were gone.

The evangelist invited me to go to church with him, and I agreed, though I was still afraid. The church was different from any I had visited, and I told my cousins about it. They wanted to attend the next Sabbath, so we all went together.

My uncle was furious when he found out that we had gone to church. He warned me that the voodoo gods would punish me. But suddenly I was no longer afraid. I told my uncle, “Let me try the Christian religion,” I suggested. “If I fail, I will come back to voodoo.”

“OK,” he said, “But when you suffer, don’t come to me.” I continued worshipping with Alexander and attending church with him. Within six months I was baptized.

My uncle had warned me that I wouldn’t be able to find work unless I worked on Saturday too. But after my baptism I found more work than I could handle.

My uncle doesn’t bother me about my faith anymore. He sees that God is blessing me. He won’t let me speak to his sons though, or let them visit the Adventist church with me. So I show them through my life that I am a happy Christian.

Your mission offerings are helping free the people of Benin from the devil’s control. Thank you for all that you do.

Crepin Agbodedji shares his faith in Cotonou, Benin.

September 4-September 10

Hearing God’s Voice

I’ve often heard people testify that God had spoken to them, led them, and guided them. I thought that I’d never heard the Holy Spirit’s voice and wished I could have this experience.

I preferred to help with the younger children’s Sabbath School rather than attend my own. When I was in primary, I helped in cradle roll. When I was a teenager, we moved to another church, and I didn’t want to go. My father insisted, so I asked the cradle roll teacher to let me help. But she didn’t need help. However, the primary class needed someone, and I volunteered. I became a primary class leader and eventually took the job of director of children’s ministries.

When I heard the pastor appeal for children to have their own small groups, I couldn’t get his call out of my mind. When I told my mom this, she said, “The Holy Spirit is talking to you.” Her comment shocked me. Was I really hearing the Holy Spirit and didn’t even know it?

I asked the conference children’s ministries leader how to start a children’s small group. She told me what I needed, and I bought the material. I asked two people to help me. One was a man who was not yet baptized. I chose to work with children ages 4 to 11, and we decided to meet on Wednesday evening while the adults were in prayer meeting.

The small group was so successful that attendance at prayer meeting increased when children begged their parents to go! The man who was helping me was a teacher, so he helped teach the Bible story. Then the children did the related activities in their workbooks. We had great fun, and even some older children wanted to join the group.

The program lasted a year, and then we started over again. The man who helped me was baptized and now teaches an adult Sabbath School class.
I now realize that the Holy Spirit was guiding me all along. He asked me to use the gifts He had given me—working with children. I now understand that God asks us to do things that we are naturally inclined to do, and usually it’s something we enjoy. I’m so glad God has called me and can use me to lead others to His feet.

Your mission offerings help provide programs such as the small group ministries of the South American Division.

Ericka Saunier shares her faith in Manaus, Brazil.

September 11-September 17

The Enthusiastic Converts

When a group of believers wanted to start a new church plant in a suburb of Chennai (formerly Madras), India, several church members paired up into twos and went visiting from house to house in that neighborhood. During our visiting, we met Elkana and Jeba-Kumari.

Elkana and his wife were devoted Christians and active members of a charismatic church. They operated a hostel (home) for poor children, supported by donations from other believers. But they were willing to listen as we read from the Bible and explained the fundamental beliefs of Adventists.

We visited with Elkana and Jeba-Kumari every week, and they began attending the Adventist church. In time they were baptized into the Adventist family of believers.

This dedicated couple told their family members of their decision to become Seventh-day Adventists. They shared what they were learning from the Bible that they hadn’t known before, and some of their relatives began attending church with them.

The pastor invited Elkana and his wife to share their faith in their own part of town, and they agreed. For six months the pastor trained them how to share God’s word and urged them to invite people to the church. Then they went out on their own.

Elkana and Jeba-Kumari took up their new commission with energy, and within 10 months 28 more people from the neighborhood were attending the Adventist church. This group of new believers formed the core of a new congregation that now numbers more than 30 people. They have no church in which to worship and must meet in a rented room.

Jeba-Kumari is an especially gifted soul winner, and the couple continues to share their faith with those they meet. They hope to find land and build a church for their little congregation soon, knowing that when they do, their membership will grow.

Meanwhile, the members of the original church who first visited Elkana’s neighborhood have moved on to a new community to claim more souls for Christ. In this way the work in the great city of Chennai is flourishing.

G. Devadass (center, with Elkana and Jeba-Kumari) is a pastor in Chennai (Madras), India.

September 18-September 24

Reunited in Christ

Kristina Muelhauser

Juma was just a boy when war separated Juma his family. His mother and siblings had traveled to their grandparents’ home while their father remained in Juba, Sudan. During the war Juba was captured by the military, and Juma’s family couldn’t return home. Juma grew up not knowing his father.
But finally peace has come to southern Sudan, and families are reuniting. Meanwhile the city is struggling to rebuild.

It’s a time of spiritual rebuilding as well. Recently Adventist pastors, evangelists, and Bible workers from Sudan, the Middle East Union, and the Trans-European Division held city-wide evangelistic meetings to share God’s love with the people of Juba.

The truck carrying the evangelists, pastors, and lay evangelists bounced along the dirt road toward Juba. Its wheels stirred up huge clouds of gray-brown dust that settled on everything and everyone nearby. The truck lumbered to a stop in a rubbish-filled open area near the city that would be the site of one of the evangelistic efforts. The evangelists would have to clear the rubbish before they could set up the tent to hold the meetings. Then they would visit the people and invite them to the meetings.

And the people would come. They are thirsty—not just for physical water, but for the Water of Life the team had come to bring them.
The teams braved heat, dust, and flies as they shared God’s love with the people of Juba. When the meetings began and singing filled the air, the people came. They listened to health talks, heard children’s stories, and learned of God’s love.

The devil tried to destroy the meetings. When high winds blew up just as the pastors began to speak, church members grabbed the tent poles to prevent the tent from blowing away. The wind died down, and rain poured from the sky, although it was the dry season. In another location the tent was almost empty when the meeting was scheduled to start. But the sudden rain sent people the tent for shelter, and a full house heard the message that night.

So far 45 have been baptized in Juba, including Juma’s father. Many more are preparing to join the family of God in this region that has been cut off from the gospel and from the outside world. Please pray for the people of southern Sudan as they seek to reconnect with their families and learn to love their Savior. And praise God for the mission offerings that helped make the Juba evangelism possible.

Kristina Muelhauser and her husband, Darrel work as missionaries in the South Sudan Field.