The official mission magazine of the Seventh-day Adventist® Church VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 3

Best Job in 8 the World Zero Church 12

First-Grade 14 Love Adopted by 26 Orphans The Strange 31 Dentist

Download the Free App at Mission360Mag.org EDITORIAL

few months ago, a new Urban Center of Influence opened in the Aheart of downtown Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown. This Life and Hope Center offers activities such as English language studies, health programs, Bible studies, and computer classes. Located on one of Nazareth’s busiest streets, the center aims to help young Arabs build and live better lives, stay off the streets, find employment, and, most important, find true meaning in life. It provides a wonderful platform from which to put Christ’s method of ministry into practice. We often talk about Christ’s method of ministry in Mission 360°, because it’s the blueprint for all of Global Mission’s activity. Ellen White captures Christ’s wholistic approach so beautifully—He mingled, showed sympathy, ministered to needs, won confidence, and then bid people to follow Him. She says this is the only method that “will give true success in reaching the people.” She adds: “The world needs today what it needed nineteen hundred years ago—a revelation of Christ. A great work of reform is demanded, and it is only through the grace of Christ that the work of restoration, physical, mental, and spiritual, can be accomplished.”* This is a wholistic method. It’s Jesus’ method. And it’s the method you will see in the pages of Mission 360°. Thank you for your continuing prayers and financial support for mission. Thank you for being partners in putting Christ’s method of ministry into practice around the world.

* Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press®, 1905), p. 143.

Gary Krause Director, Office of Adventist Mission, caring for Global Mission and Mission Awareness

2 CONTENTS The official mission magazine of the Seventh-day Adventist® Church 4 New Eyes Chairman: G. T. Ng 6 The Wrong Right Message Editor in Chief: Gary Krause Editor: Laurie Falvo 8 Best Job in the World Contributing Editors: Benjamin Baker, Cheryl Doss, Kayla Ewert, Karen Glassford, Myron Iseminger, Rick Kajiura, Nancy Kyte, 10 More Than Medicine Andrew McChesney, Rick McEdward, Hensley Moorooven, Teen Nielsen, Ricky Oliveras, Delbert Pearman, Karen J. Porter, 12 Zero Church Claude Richli, Jeff Scoggins, Gerson Santos, Earley Simon, Karen Suvankham, John Thomas, Homer Trecartin, David Trim, Doug 14 First-Grade Love Venn, Gina Wahlen Editorial Advisors: Petras Bahadur, My Roller Coaster Year Paolo Benini, Edison Choque, Jose Cortes 16 Jr., Daniel Duda, Richard Elofer, Kleber Gonçalves, Graeme Humble, Zakari 18 A Reason to Live Kassoule, Si Young Kim, Wayne Krause, Samuel Lumwe, Julio Mendez, Silas Muabsa, Paul Muasya, Umesh Nag, Alex Ott, Shekar 20 Li’l Willie Phillips, Clifmond Shameerudeen, Wesley Szamko, Samuel Telemaque, Amy Whitsett, Gregory Whitsett, Dmitry Zubkov Showers of Blessing? 22 Design: 316 Creative

Production and Digital Media: Donna Rodill 24 The Mediterranean—A Taste of Sunshine Mission 360° is a quarterly magazine produced and copyrighted ©2017 by the General 26 Adopted by Orphans Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®. All rights reserved. The contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written 28 Fixed on Mission permission from the publisher.

12501 Old Columbia Pike 31 The Strange Dentist Silver Spring, MD 20904-6601, USA Telephone: (301) 680-6005 Email: [email protected]

VOLUME 5, NUMBER 3

Adventist® and Seventh-day Adventist® are the registered trademarks of the General ABOUT OUR COVER PHOTO . . . Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®. Photo by Ricky Oliveras Unless otherwise noted, Bible verses are The Good Samaritan Inn, located in Kingston, Jamaica, is an outreach quoted from the King James Version. project that received a portion of your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering in fourth quarter 2014. I was impressed by how the Adventist churches in the area worked together to reach out to the underprivileged through this ministry. They put smiles on people’s faces by meeting their needs and bringing them hope. If you’d like to watch a video story about the Good Samaritan Inn, please visit m360.tv/s1443.

3 MICRONESIA

If you’re interested in being a volunteer, please visit AdventistVolunteers.org.

NEW EYES

blazed down the court toward I met our principal, Mr. Me- the basket, imagining myself harry, on the way to my room and Itaking flight like Michael Jordan shared my dilemma. He suggested and slamming the ball through the that we continue the search now, hoop with ferocity. But as my feet but before we began, he did some- left the ground, I felt something thing that had completely slipped leave my face. I instantly knew— my mind. He invited me and his my glasses! With my vision lost, young son, Joshua, to pray. Ten my concentration vanished, and I minutes later, Joshua ran to show dove out of bounds into the grass. me his discovered treasure—my My students and I searched in glasses! the waning light, but my glasses That evening on the court were nowhere to be found. I finally wasn’t my only experience with sent the kids home and walked the power of prayer when it came toward my apartment with a to my glasses. During my year 1 heavy heart. abroad, God used my temporary Suddenly, an agonizing loss of vision as a lesson in humil- thought froze me in my tracks. ity and trust several times. College in Nebraska. My glasses had to be somewhere near that court, and tomorrow the 1 A selfie with some kindergarteners while I was their children would be playing there. The weather was warm and substitute teacher. Love their smiles! What if someone stepped on my sunny—a perfect day to explore 2 One of the best birthdays I’ve had, surrounded by my glasses before I had a chance to find the island on our day off. When students. them? How would I replace them my turn to swing came, I was ex- on an island in the middle of the cited to show off my Tarzan-like 3 I had the opportunity to climb some of the lovely Pacific? This was not how I wanted abilities. I grabbed the vine and mountains in Kosrae. my student missionary year to go! began the launch from the runway 4 I enjoyed getting involved in school activities, especially when I was a main attraction. 4 trash piles to take to the dump,” he explained. “We raked through each pile carefully just in case your glasses had fallen in the trash, and here they are!” This was the final miracle in the trilogy of my lost glasses and by far the greatest. I gained new sight when I found my glasses that day. I saw clearly that God cares about even the little things in our lives. I saw that when we pray, He’s always there, listening and willing to give us new eyes to trust Him.

2 Originally from the United States, of water and rocks. Soon I was tempted to doubt. But then I re- J-Fiah Reeves airborne. I realized my mistake the membered my past experiences served on the instant my face hit the water. My of God’s power and providence. island of Kosrae as a volunteer glasses were gone. We searched He had come through before; I missionary, teaching the murky depths of the river but needed to trust Him now. grades three through five at the found nothing. Two days later, one of my stu- Kosrae Seventh-day Adventist School. When Mr. Meharry heard about dents came up to me wearing my He lives in Houston, Texas, and is my mishap, he said we would re- glasses. “We were collecting the a senior theology major at Union turn the next morning to continue the search. Why bother? I thought. This time, they’re gone for good. Mr. Meharry woke us up ear- ly the next morning to lead the search party. When we arrived at the site of the incident, he suggested something I had for- gotten the previous day—prayer. He asked for God’s help, and in just a few minutes he was waving my glasses triumphantly over his head.

The sun beat down unmerci- 3 fully as my students and I cleaned up trash around campus. Every time I bent down to pick some- thing up, drops of sweat splashed on my lenses, making it impossible to see. I tucked them in my shirt pocket and got back to work. When we’d finished the job, a queasy realization settled over me—my glasses were gone, again. My students and I searched and searched, but the elusive specta- cles were not found. That night I did what I hadn’t done before. I prayed. I didn’t find my glasses the next day, or the next, and I was 4

5 THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA UNION MISSION

THE Wrong Right MESSAGE

y heart soared as I support his family. He has little and seemed to shake the room. read the message that free time, but when he does, he This was no dream. I was wide- Mpopped up on our enjoys watching TV. One day awake and scared! For the first Facebook page at Hope Chan- while channel surfing, he stum- time in my life, I felt the tangible nel Middle East. The author, bled upon Hope Channel. presence of God. I saw a light so a 19-year-old man named Ali, “As I listened to the speaker, I bright, I couldn’t look at it. Again, said he’d just given his life to became indignant,” Ali said. “He the voice called my name and Jesus because he watched our was talking about Jesus being our said, ‘I’m coming back soon. Go programs. “I love Jesus Christ!” Lord and Savior. I thought, This and tell others.’ he enthused. “I want to serve man is preaching the wrong mes- “I was completely changed Him and share His good news sage and leading people astray! because of that meeting with the with others.” “The man’s words made me real, living God. I felt genuine joy God has been doing amazing angry, but they also made me and peace and an extraordinary things in this region to woo the think. There was no relationship love for people.” between God and me, and some- Currently, Ali is eagerly study- thing about that felt wrong. The ing God’s Word to learn more speaker said God wants to be my about Christ and His teachings, “For the first time in my friend and that He’s interested in but he faces a difficult challenge the details of my daily life—just at home. life, I felt the tangible like how a caring father feels to- “My family won’t accept ward his son. That’s exactly the my decision to follow Jesus,” kind of relationship I longed for, he confided. “I love them, and presence of God.” but I found it difficult to believe I need wisdom to know how to God wanted that too.” relate to them and show them Ali prayed earnestly that God Christ’s love.” hearts of people, and I never tire would show him the truth, and I’m so grateful that I have the of hearing their stories. I prom- soon something very unusual privilege of serving in a ministry ised Ali that I’d pray for him and happened. “One morning around that helps people like Ali connect asked about his conversion. one o’clock, I awoke to a voice with Jesus. Please pray for Ali to “I always did my best to calling my name,” he recounted. remain courageous in his com- please God,” Ali shared. “But I “It said, ‘Ali, Ali, I’m coming back mitment, for our staff at Hope never experienced peace or joy. soon. Go tell others.’ I looked Channel Middle East as we uplift I felt lonely, disappointed, and around the room, but there was Christ, and for the millions of lost with no real purpose in life. no one there. I thought maybe I’d people here who are searching These feelings broke me to my been dreaming and went back to for a loving relationship with God. core, and I became depressed.” sleep, but the same thing hap- Ali attends college classes pened two more times. This story was shared with Mission 360° during the day and works the “The last time I heard the by the Middle East and North Africa night shift at a restaurant to help voice, it was loud and majestic Union Mission.

6 THE Wrong Right MESSAGE

Your weekly mission offerings help support the ministry of the Adventist Church in the Middle East and North Africa. Thank you!

7 MONGOLIA

Best Job in the World 1 Editor’s note: The Seventh-day Adventist Church is young in post-communist Mongolia, with a married couple from Adventist Frontier Missions only entering the country of three million people in 1991. The church’s current membership of 2,000 people also is young, and most members are the first in their families to be baptized. This has led to several challenges, including member retention, as illustrated by the story of a 28-year-old Global Mission pioneer in Mongolia’s capital city. Enkhmandakh Bold was baptized as a teen but left the church seven years later. This is his story.

was a very hard man and judged I thought that God had blessed television channel’s owner, who is people. If someone made a mis- me for seven years and now was getting richer. What’s the best job Itake, I always let him know what going to punish me for turning my that I could have? he had done wrong. I wanted him back on Him. After much thought, I conclud- to be punished. I thought that God A year passed, and nothing ed that the best job would be a likes to punish us. happened. Instead of punishing missionary. I rededicated my heart I grew unhappy and eventu- me, God loved me and blessed to Jesus, returned to church, and ally decided that believing in God me more than before. I got a prayed, “If You want me to be a was pointless. Something was well-paying job as an editor with missionary, I’m ready to go.” broken in my life. I stopped going a Mongolian television channel. After several months, the to church. I stopped keeping the This shocked me. My thoughts leaders of the Adventist Church Sabbath. My wife was sad, and she returned to God, and I wondered, in Mongolia offered me the prayed for me. What is the point of life if all I do position of a Global Mission In the back of my mind, I lived is earn money and spend it? The pioneer. I would take over a in dread of punishment from God. only person who’s benefiting is the dying house-church on the first

8 floor of an apartment building “What should I do?” he asked. Global Mission in Mongolia’s capital and teach “What do you want to do?” I The Global Mission program was established by English at a nearby public high replied. the 1990 General Conference Session to reach school. My wife would oversee He didn’t know. the unreached people groups of the world. the children’s Sabbath School and I advised him to ask for God’s If you would like to support Global Mission, teach Chinese. I prayed for a week forgiveness and to stop cheating be assured that every dollar will go directly to before quitting my television job on his wife. I said, “Tell your wife the front lines of mission, reaching people who to become a full-time missionary. the truth and then promise her, are still waiting to hear about Jesus. I’ve only been a pioneer for six ‘From now on, I’ll be a man of God. months so far, and I love it! There’s I’ll be faithful to you.’” nothing more thrilling than seeing We prayed together, and I left. a life change through God’s power. A week later, the man told me Global Mission Pioneers that he had ended the affair by plant churches in areas or among people A Cheating Husband announcing to the other woman groups where there’s no Adventist On the first Sabbath, a former that he had recommitted his life presence; member who hadn’t attended in to Christ. He also told the truth to are usually local people who already speak three years showed up for Sabbath his wife and, fortunately, she had the language and understand the culture, School. I didn’t know him, and he forgiven him. enabling them to contextualize the gospel didn’t know me. I tried to connect Today, the man comes to message for a lasting effect; with him, and I encouraged him to church every Sabbath and is an return the next Sabbath. He didn’t active church member. receive a basic stipend, making them more seem happy about the invitation. I’m not an emotional person, affordable than traditional missionaries; and I found out why when he but I become so happy when I see share the good news of Jesus through called me during the week and God’s love transforming lives. I can’t wholistic ministry, such as providing medical said he wanted to talk. I went to express this feeling with words. care, teaching agricultural skills, offering his workplace and learned from I want everyone to know about literacy programs, holding evangelistic him that he was cheating on his God’s love, and that’s why I’m a meetings, and giving Bible studies. wife. He said his wife had found Global Mission pioneer. Being a out and wanted a divorce. pioneer is the best job in the world! In the past five years, pioneers have sup- ported 5,281 church planting projects in 104 1 Enkhmandakh Bold leaving countries. Their ministry wouldn’t be possible Story by Enkhmandakh Bold as told the apartment building where to Andrew McChesney, Office of without your donations and prayers. Thank you he leads a house-church in Adentist Mission. for your support! Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

2 Enkhmandakh Bold and his wife, Lhagvasuren Enkhtaivan, Ways to Give standing in their house-church. Online Visit Giving.AdventistMission.org to make 2 a secure online donation quickly. Over the phone Call 800-648-5824 Mail In the United States: Global Mission, General Conference 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904-6601 In Canada: Global Mission SDA Church in Canada 1148 King Street East Oshawa, ON L1H1H8

To learn more about Global Mission, please visit Global-Mission.org.

9 SOUTH KOREA

Grace—and immediately set to restocking the depleted hospital. These tireless efforts caught the eye of then-President Rhee, who recruited Dr. Rue as his personal physician. The respite from war was brief, and in 1950 the hospital’s work was disrupted again, this time by the Korean War. Dr. Rue was sent south to care for refugees and start two new hospitals. Heart- broken from the growing number of orphans, he and his wife felt called to start an orphanage. In 1954, President Rhee awarded Dr. Rue the Republic of Korea Medal, the highest honor a civilian could receive for service to the nation. Miraculously, the Seoul Hospi- tal was still standing at the end of the war, even though many other buildings became rubble. How could this be? Dr. Rue was later 1 told that a ranking North Korean officer had once been his patient and still respected Dr. Rue. While were eager to make a difference invading Seoul, the officer had in their new home, but already ordered the hospital untouched. More Than they faced a huge challenge—they No longer battered by war, Dr. didn’t speak Korean. Pressing on, Rue tried to get the Seoul Hospital they learned as much as they back in shape. The division sold could over the next two years. land, and donations poured in Medicine Then, Dr. Rue was called to from church members and work- open a new clinic in Seoul. The ers. The call for offering funds to f you hear the term medical Seoul Sanitarium (later the Seoul repair and expand the hospital missionary, you may think Hospital) started as an eight-bed was well received, and many Ad- Iof a doctor traveling on foot, facility, but he envisioned some- ventists sacrificed to support the by boat, or by plane to remote thing bigger. Providential funds initiative financially. In 1967, part villages—risking life and limb to from the 1935 Week of Sacrifice of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering bring medical care to unreached Offering and a Thirteenth Sabbath Overflow in first quarter was set people groups. Indeed, some of Offering Overflow paved the way aside for the hospital. the most exciting tales of God’s for the construction of a providence come from this type small, 138-bed hospital 2 of mission work. not long after. However, it’s not just the jun- Sadly, Dr. Rue’s wife, gles that need missionaries—so do Mae, passed away in the cities! And medical ministry in 1936. More tragedy the city may come with its own followed when World risks, such as war or political up- War II began; this heaval. That’s what Dr. George H. forced the Americans, Rue discovered when he dedicated including the Rues, out most of his life to being a medical of the country in 1941. missionary in Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Rue was allowed to Dr. Rue and his family set foot return in 1946—joined in the city of Sunan in 1929. They by his new bride,

10 Your weekly mission offerings, collected during Sabbath School or given online at Giving.AdventistMission.org, help support the work of Adventist hospitals around the world. Thank you!

But the gospel still needed allergic reaction. When the prob- 1 Dr. Rue greets orphans awaiting to be told, and Dr. Rue couldn’t lem didn’t subside, he decided to attention at Seoul Adventist let the need for repairs hinder visit the Adventist hospital for Hospital. this medical mission work! One help. Dr. Rue exclaimed, “Oh, my! 2 Dr. Rue surveys the location of the terminal patient was so impressed Chicken pox at your age!” as soon new hospital wing. by what she learned about the as he saw the man. This quick Advent message that she pleaded and accurate diagnosis impressed 3 George and Mae Rue with their to be baptized before she died. the businessman. After hearing 15-month-old daughter, Betty Jane, What could they do but say that the hospital was struggling in 1924. yes? Thinking quickly, someone to expand, he was inspired to 4 From left: Cleo Johnson, business suggested the hospital’s physi- support the cause by donating manager; Dr. George Rue, founder; cal therapy tank as a makeshift 100 tons of cement. and Dr. Clarence Lee, medical baptistry. Dr. Rue’s dream came true director. With the new building Field clinics were routinely when this tremendous project behind them, they study plans for sponsored across the country. In was finished in 1976. The ex- the completion of the hospital. small villages, these clinics not panded hospital’s key features only provided care but also broke included central air conditioning down prejudice against Christians. and a speaker system. There to Young people wanted to attend celebrate were the Rues as well as 3 church, and the clinics helped win former First Lady of South Korea over their parents. More than 100 Mrs. Rhee. people were baptized because of The Seoul Adventist Hospital these efforts. has grown even more, adding At one clinic, 150 dental services and increasing its patient patients and more than 450 capacity. It remains a beacon of medical patients were seen! health and healing in South Korea Even so, hopeful crowds had to to this day, caring for thousands be turned away when the supplies of patients each year. ran out. Sixty patients signed up Dr. Rue’s exemplary, steadfast for Bible studies because of this mission service has had rippling clinic alone, and most had never effects around the world as met an Adventist before. the hospital continues to train After surviving two wars, Dr. nurses who are also called to be Rue officially retired in 1967 but missionaries. went back to Korea to serve for This pioneer several months each year. Even shows what can later in life, he couldn’t deny his happen when calling to serve God’s children in you follow God Korea. wherever He The hospital expansion broke leads—even if ground in 1969, but the finances He leads you to hadn’t come together yet. Con- a city. struction progressed off and on for several years. During this time, Dr. Kayla Ewert, Of- and Mrs. Rue never gave up. They fice of Adventist were instrumental in fundraising Mission. about $70,000. To watch a video God also inspired some sur- about George prise blessings. In one instance, a Rue, called British businessman experienced “Building the Future,” visit what doctors told him was an m360.tv/s1713. 4

11 SPAIN

Zero Church

n innovative church plant Adventists,” he said. “At Zero, we an overwhelmingly secular spirit, project geared to reach the facilitate moments of fellowship, Europe exhibits great challenges Asecular mind is adding to of real brotherhood, when by for sharing God’s Word. “The the mission of the Seventh-day knowing each other better, we mission Jesus Christ gave us of Adventist Church in Madrid, the may foster a better relationship preaching the gospel ‘to every capital city of Spain. The Zero with our Lord.” nation, tribe, tongue, and people’ Church initiative—or simply Zero, demands a creative and imagina- as its members and supporters Countdown to Zero tive effort,” he said, “as we try to know it—looks to connect people Contero explained that with its reach all those who have opted who may have never been in a current rejection of religiosity and out of God in their lives.” church with their inner need for a Bible-based spiritual experience. “People may think that they don’t need to develop their spir- ituality, but I think human beings have always been the same,” said church member Ana Lugo. “They need a spiritual life, but we need to connect with them by using their language, and I think Zero is fulfilling that role.” Church plant pastor Jonathán Contero concurred. “The goal of Zero Church is to be attractive for almost everyone while not giving up our principles and fundamentals as Seventh-day

12 So, in the context of Mission “In Zero we believe in outward to the Cities—a Seventh-day Ad- service, in working to benefit oth- ventist Church initiative to reach ers,” said Guillermo Carbonell, a billions of people living in urban church member. “It’s the reason we settings, which is overseen by Glob- partner with associations working al Mission leaders at the General with children and refugees.” Conference—an initial group of “The goal of the Zero Church volunteers launched a new church is to be out sharing hope and the plant in 2015. In October 2016, good news,” said Stefan Ladovic, a the initiative was relaunched in a young member. “At the same time, remodeled, larger location. At that we want to find a way for people time leaders and members chose to feel part of our community.” to give the initiative an intriguing, It’s an approach, Ladovic distinct name, and so Zero Church continued, that benefits not only was born. The project has garnered community residents but volun- the all-out buy-in of leaders and teer members too. “From the very member volunteers. beginning, I found out that I could “I think Zero is needed so those take on an active role,” he said. “It who are considering for the first was the crucial motivating factor time whether God can become that prompted me to stay.” part of their lives may understand Ladovic shared how in the right away that it’s possible,” said past, he felt he had some talents Marta Tejel, a church member he could use to benefit others, volunteer. “We’d like them to start though he didn’t know how to use including a spiritual dimension in them. “At Zero, I found out that their lives in an easy, comfortable, it was possible to use my talents and contemporary way.” for service,” he said, “and I would Leaders agreed. “Zero tries to like others who may be feeling the share the gospel message in a same to give it a try.” clear, contemporary language, in It is this nonthreatening ap- a way that people not acquainted proach that is drawing secular with God’s Word may find attrac- and religious people from various tive and friendly,” they said. “The traditions to the Madrid church church plant strives to tear down plant. walls, prejudice, and preconceived Take Esther Suárez, for in- ideas and to rediscover the Jesus stance, a nonmember volunteer. of the Bible.” “I discovered Zero at a chil- dren’s camp,” she said, explaining An Action-Oriented that at the beginning, she was Church wary and even scared of Adven- Contero explained that Zero tists. is a call to service, fellowship, and However, Suárez says she met preaching. “Our primary goal is “wonderful people” who were will- growing up by making disciples ing to give all they had in exchange who may choose to commit for nothing. “And I saw children themselves to God,” he said. “Thus, leave that place so happy that I felt every activity is geared toward compelled to become part of it.” a practical, action-based type of Christianity.” Reprinted with permission from the The Madrid church plant has Adventist Review. Special thanks to developed several projects of Hope Media Spain and Spanish Union social support, which include as- News. Photos: Zero Church, Facebook. sisting at-risk children and children who have chronic diseases, giving Your donations to Global Mission and the a hand to refugees, visiting the Marcos Paseggi is Annual Sacrifice Offering support church sick, helping the homeless, and the senior news planting projects around the world. To learn correspondent for organizing camps for children who more about Global Mission, please visit Adventist Review. have disabilities. Global-Mission.org.

13 PALAU

icture this. You’re 20 years old back tears because, let’s face it, I through the door. They’d greet in an unfamiliar country with wasn’t fit to teach these six-year- me as if they hadn’t seen me in Pabsolutely no background olds. I would think to myself, Am I months. I would open my arms in teaching, standing in front of teaching these kids anything at all? wide, and, one by one, receive the a classroom of 28 first-graders. Are they receiving the education warmest hugs I’d ever felt. “Ms. That was me on day one of being they deserve? Lysa, I missed you!” “Ms. Lysa, I a student missionary. Looking back now, I realize that made something for you!” “Ms. The biggest challenge I faced when I volunteered to become a Lysa, he hit me!” “Ms. Lysa, she’s during the next 10 months on missionary, I thought I’d be the one lying!” “Ms. Lysa, can I play games the island of Palau was feeling doing all the teaching. In reality, today?” “Ms. Lysa, can I tell you completely and utterly unqualified the children ended up teaching a joke?” “Ms. Lysa! Ms. Lysa! Ms. for the privilege of teaching these me. Lysa…” precious kids. But God often calls My first-graders taught me One day, I was losing my pa- the unqualified, right? beautiful lessons on love. Every tience because it seemed like I’d There were days when, after Tuesday and Thursday morning, repeated myself a hundred times, the children left the classroom, I’d stand in front of my class- asking the children to sit down, I would sink to the floor, holding room, waiting for them to stream be quiet, and behave. I wondered how many times I’d have to ask before they learned their lesson. When would they understand that I was simply trying to help First-Grade Love them? When would they realize 1

14 2

3 4 that I had nothing but their best the classroom floor was covered 1 There was never a dull moment when I was hanging interest in mind? in mud. They taught me how to out with my seventh-grade boys. In that moment, I realized that love God like a child and trust in 2 My girls’ basketball team took first place in their league. I was exactly like my first-grad- Him, always. ers in my relationship with God. There I stood, 20 years old 3 My sixth-grade girls showing off their islander flare. How many times does He have in an unfamiliar country with an 4 Shari was one of the biggest blessings in my first-grade to repeat Himself before I learn unfamiliar task, feeling completely class. that He’s trying to help me? How unqualified but eternally grateful often does He put His head down, that God called me anyway. thinking, When will you understand that I have nothing but your best interest in mind? Originally from the My students taught me so United States, Elyssa much more than I ever imagined Hinojosa served as a they would. They taught me what volunteer computer teacher on the true laughter is and how to see island of Palau. She If you’re interested in being a volunteer, the bright side of everything. is currently earning a please visit AdventistVolunteers.org. They taught me to enjoy the skies degree in communication at La Sierra even when rain was falling and University in La Sierra, California.

15 In the beginning . . . The compound is surrounded as I try to be a blessing to others Here’s what I knew about by people of different faiths. At in this beautiful country. the African continent before I precise times during the day, I arrived in Uganda with my family. hear the beautiful Muslim call to And then . . . I pictured a harsh, barren land (as worship echo across the valley. When my parents received depicted in some documentaries) Lively prayer and praise come from the official call to become mis- and having to fetch water from the Christian church, while catchy sionaries, my mind rapidly flew some far away riverbed. Ugandan dance tunes erupt from through images of me living in But when I looked out the the market below. Africa—pumping water, owning plane window as we approached We have jackfruit trees, av- animals, getting a nice tan, and Entebbe Airport, I saw fertile land, ocado trees, guava trees (with helping people as much as I could lush trees, and rivers snaking out two colorful parrots feeding off through ADRA. of Lake Victoria. It was gorgeous! the juicy fruit), banana trees, and However, the transition from Now, imagine this with me. mango trees. Every day we check Canada to Uganda wasn’t easy, You step out of the plane and the trees for ripe fruit and enjoy especially for this 15-year-old. Had feel the gust of humid air. As freshly squeezed juice, smoothies, we made the transition without you step down the runway, you and fruit salad. any help, I can tell you honestly hear loud calls of birds you’ve The rainy season has arrived that I would have persuaded my never heard before. You see in Kampala, and I love it! The rain parents to send me back to British grey-crowned cranes, hadada ibis, goes sideways and comes with Columbia. marabou storks, horses, bunnies, bright flashes of lightning and loud I missed my friends and school and, to your surprise, a camel. thunder, and most of the time, terribly. I love Vancouver because It’s as if you’ve just entered a the roads in Kampala are flooded. it’s such a multicultural city. In country-sized zoo! And that’s When we first experienced an Ugandan markets, sometimes just your first step; you’re still at intense Ugandan rainstorm, my children point at us or call us the airport! brother, Onyx, sister, Jaden, and Mzungus (which means “foreigner” While we drove toward dad were out playing in the rain or “white skinned”). I felt different Kampala, the capital and largest and dancing to the beat of the and out of place. city in Uganda, we passed thunder booms. They danced until I thought my homesickness hundreds of roadside vendors the rain stopped. would fade with time, but I was My Roller Coaster Year Thoughts from a 15-year-old missionary

with colorful stone-and-dirt There is never a dull moment mistaken. I wanted to share my storefronts and homes painted in our home. Whether the exciting struggles with my friends back with advertisements. The moment is finding cute, cuddly kit- home, but I was afraid of seeming merchandise sold at these stores tens nearby, a new brightly colored depressed or needy. is quite varied—from fruits to dry bird, a huge cockroach sneaking I started hiding my feelings goods to fresh meat. up your leg, or a millipede hiding and having troubling mood Finally, we drove up the in your shoes, it’s always lively swings. It was at this low point long hill to our new home at here. This place is a riot to the that my family attended the the Adventist Development and senses—always something new General Conference Institute of Relief Agency (ADRA) compound. to see, taste, smell, or hear. World Mission (IWM) in Chiang The compound sits on a hillside I still can’t believe I’m here in Mai, Thailand. overlooking the city and beautiful Uganda with my family. At times, At IWM I learned how to ef- Lake Victoria. The view is incred- I think it’s just a dream. But the fectively deal with the challenges ible, and every day, I get to see reality is, Uganda is my mission of adapting to new situations the sunrise from my bedroom field for the next couple of years, and living and working in a new window! and I pray that God will bless me culture.

16 1 2 3

4 5

I discovered that all the trying to catch some grasshoppers 1 Me with Mrs. Andrews, one of our five chameleons. emotions I experienced were to feed our five chameleons. 2 My brother, Onyx, with mangoes he harvested from a completely normal! My troubling I can’t wait to see what God tree in the ADRA compound. mood swings were the “transition has prepared for me to accom- phase” in the life of a missionary. plish in Uganda. Mukama Mulungi 3 Working on a makeshift swing from the mango tree. IWM was such a God-given (God is Good)! 4 The sunrise view from my window. blessing. I felt understood. I felt empowered to do more for Jesus. 5 My family at the equator. From left: Elizabeth, Onyx, I felt affirmed; I am part of God’s Jewel is the eldest child Jaden, me, and Pastor Charles Ed II. work in Africa. of Elizabeth and Pastor Charles Ed II Aguilar. Now . . . The Aguilars are I’m back in Uganda with my currently serving in family. My dad just went up north Uganda with ADRA and the Uganda Union Health Department. to the refugee settlements where Jewel loves to play her ukulele, enjoys Thank you for supporting ADRA ADRA is working, my mom is in a speaking Luganda with her siblings, through your mission offerings and planning session with the Uganda and is looking forward to the next Union Health Department, and International Pathfinder Camporee in World Mission Budget Offerings! I’m with my two younger siblings, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

17 MYANMAR

A Reason to Live 1 ung Ko might seem an un- him in Shwe Pyi Thar, where they . . . and again. Each time, he was likely worship leader. He’s still live today. unsuccessful. Abeen blind since childhood Soon Aung Ko began suffering One day, when Aung Ko was and, by his own admission, has from a disease in one of his eyes. nearing his 30s, a Christian evan- tried to commit suicide multiple Despite their heartbreak, his par- gelist arrived in the village and times. But he’s also a living tes- ents couldn’t afford to take him to began talking to people about tament to the power of Jesus: a clinic, and the disease spread to Jesus. the power to find people at their the other eye. Aung Ko’s condition “Because the man was from weakest moment and lift them worsened until he went totally the Karen tribe, I assumed that up from despair, the power to blind in his teens. He had finished Jesus was a Karen ethnic god,” turn emptiness into purpose and grade seven in school but was Aung Ko said. “But the evangelist joy, the power to use absolutely unable to continue his studies. explained that Jesus was God of anyone to be a beacon of light to Adrift and depressed, Aung all people and nationalities.” As a those around them. Ko saw only emptiness ahead. result of the evangelist’s messag- Aung Ko was born to a Bhar- Every day felt dreadfully long. es, Aung Ko and his family were mar father and Shan mother and Years passed, excruciatingly slowly. baptized into the Christian church. grew up with a younger sister and Without hope for a future, Aung Since Aung Ko couldn’t learn three younger brothers. They were Ko vaguely thought about taking more about Jesus through read- a very devoted Buddhist family. his life. Over time, these thoughts ing books, he searched for audio When Aung Ko was seven years solidified, and the day came when sources of information. This search old, his carpenter father moved to he acted on his desire to be free was how he discovered Adventist a new town closer to the major of the pain. But his attempt failed. World Radio (AWR). city of Yangon. The rest of the Nothing changed in his life, “I soon grew to love these pro- family followed and settled with however, so Aung Ko tried again grams,” Aung Ko shared. “Only the

18 radio could comfort me. I noted group—the Golden Eagle Hand- the broadcast time and would icap Foundation—which assists listen every day, which I still do. needy people in the community Before, I didn’t know who God was, and surrounding area. but I came to know everything “I’m so happy that I’ve come through the radio.” to know God and learned about Every topic captured Aung Ko’s the true Sabbath,” Aung Ko said Adventist World Radio is the international attention, from children’s stories firmly. “One day, before long, I broadcast ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist to Bible-based sermons and from know my family members and I Church. Programs are currently available in more health advice to nature talks. As will become Adventists. Without than 100 languages, via shortwave, AM/FM, on his knowledge grew, he decided the radio message, my life would demand, podcasts, Call-to-Listen service, and that he should share what he was be meaningless, and I could not solar audio players. AWR’s mission is to bring hearing, so he called his neighbors continue living.” the gospel to the hardest-to-reach people of the and formed a small group, which world in their own languages. The “AWR360°” faithfully began meeting every approach to outreach encompasses the entire Sunday. Aung Ko focused on the Shelley Nolan journey of listeners from broadcast to baptism. radio programs even more intently, Freesland is the Thank you for supporting AWR through doing his best to capture every communication your mission offerings and World Mission detail. director for Adventist Budget Offerings! World Radio. “I could manage to remem- ber some of the programs,” he said. “But I thought that there was perhaps a better way. So, I called the AWR office and asked whether they could send me the recordings.” The AWR producers and staff in Yangon are highly engaged with their listeners, so they went a step farther and visited Aung Ko in person. The technician, Saw Kapaw Moo, filled a USB thumb drive with MP3 files, which Aung Ko could listen to again and again. In his quiet way, Aung Ko has become a popular speaker and respected leader. Every month, he is invited to preach at one of the churches nearby. He has also founded a community services 2

1 AWR Myanmar technician Saw Kapaw Moo (left) makes a personal visit to Aung Ko to deliver a USB thumb drive filled with programs.

2 Once a week, Aung Ko’s neighbors and family members gather to hear what he has learned on the radio.

3 Messages of Jesus’ love, heard through a radio program or from a friend, have the power to brighten the lives of people in any culture. 3

19 UNITED STATES

1

irresponsible. But Li’l Willie was inner-city Columbus to see Li’l persistent, the diminutive black Willie. man even staggering forward at Li’l Willie lived in a house the close of each meeting to shake in which the front door was Li’l Willie Brooks’ hand. always open. All kinds of peo- After eight weeks of preaching, ple wandered in and out in a . D. Brooks (1930 – 2016) was “decision time” finally arrived. Wil- never-ending stream. Brooks among the most successful lie was still coming, with probably and Sister Bond attempted to Cevangelists in Seventh-day the best attendance record even knock, but when no answer was Adventist history. He ministered among the church members. One forthcoming, they just walked in. for seven decades and accumu- day Sister Bond, a diligent Bible A motley assortment of people lated countless stories, but one of instructor, asked to have a word milled about in the foyer and liv- his most beloved tales occurred with Brooks. ing room. When Brooks asked for during the late 1950s. “Pastor, Willie Webster wants Li’l Willie, someone disappeared He was a pastor for the to be baptized.” to fetch him. Moments later, he Ephesus church in Columbus, “Li’l Willie?” Brooks replied descended the stairs, and Brooks Ohio, and was hosting his first incredulously. “He’s drunk most of motioned him over to the far evangelistic series just months the time. He doesn’t know, doesn’t corner of the living room where after moving into the city. Every understand, what I’m preaching.” they could have a little privacy. night an alcoholic named William “He says he’s understood and “Willie,” Brooks began rather Webster, known by all as Little wants to be baptized.” sternly, “I understand from Sister Willie or Li’l Willie, wandered into “No. I will not burden the Bond that you wish to be baptized.” the tent, disheveled and smelling church records with Willie’s name. “Yes, sir.” of stale alcohol. Brooks had a He’s not ready and not sincere.” “Do you understand the things general impatience with drunks, “At least go visit him, Pastor,” I’ve been preaching all these believing them to be insincere and she pleaded. So, Brooks drove to weeks?”

20 “Yes, sir.” Brooks began to drill him on He was fully suited, liquor free, the doctrines he had presented, and as he suspected, Willie’s an- swers were woefully inadequate. dignified, diligent, faithful, and But when Brooks corrected him, the man nodded his head humbly matured in the faith. God had in agreement. “Do you believe this truth?” Brooks finally asked. turned his life completely around! “Yes, sir.” At that, Brooks bore down hard. “Willie, I know you drink. In an evangelist. God had blessed two found Li’l Willie vigorously our church, we do not drink. Do his efforts immensely, he mused, sweeping the hall, oblivious to you understand that?” and now . . . But his musings were everything but finishing the task. “Yes, sir.” interrupted when he spotted Li’l Brooks dashed to him and “Now, if I catch you drinking, I Willie in a white baptismal robe grasped him excitedly. will counsel you and pray with you. with the 124 other candidates. “Willie, I’m sorry for not be- 1 Brooks, far But if you continue, I will drop you Brooks beckoned to him, and the lieving in you! I just . . .” Brooks left, with from the church’s membership. Do little man stepped into the pool. broke into tears. “Forgive me, the recently you understand?” “This candidate really needs brother!” baptized at “Yes, sir.” your prayers,” Brooks announced “Pastor Brooks,” Willie began, Ephesus Church, On that baptismal Sabbath, to the congregation. When he tears streaming down his face, 1958. the Ephesus sanctuary was baptized Willie, he thought, Here too. “I can’t begin to tell you what 2 C. D. Brooks packed. Brooks was at his hap- goes a waste of time. Jesus has done for me. I don’t about 1960. piest, this being prime time for Brooks held a series of meet- drink anymore. I’ve got the first ings after the baptisms, and Willie job I’ve had in 20 years. I’m going 2 was always found sitting dutifully to save up, get me a car, and bring on the front row. Despite himself others to church!” Brooks had to admit that he was a Twenty years later when pleasant fellow with a ready smile. Brooks’ daughter, Diedre, graduat- Yet he was sure Willie would drop ed with her master’s degree from out soon. Ohio State University, Brooks and But Li’l Willie didn’t. A week af- his wife, Walterene, attended ter his baptism, he wore a tie—the the festivities. They attended knot was loose, Brooks noted, but Ephesus church on Sabbath, and it was a tie nevertheless. As the guess who the first elder was? Li’l days went by, he observed that the Willie! He was fully suited, liquor tie tightened, moving into place. free, dignified, diligent, faithful, Then one night, Li’l Willie entered and matured in the faith. God had the tent in a suit—a used suit— turned his life completely around! but a suit nevertheless. Brooks Brooks shared his Li’l Willie began to feel a little ashamed of story across the globe, inspiring himself. thousands by God’s power to Calvin Peterson, one of Brooks’ transform a life. William Webster parishioners, was head of plant now sleeps in Jesus, but those services for Channel 6 TV. One who have been blessed by Brooks’ Sunday, Brooks went to visit him testimony expect to see Li’l Willie at his job to see how he was far- “in the morning.” ing. As soon as he saw his pastor, Peterson said excitedly, “Pastor, guess who’s working for me?” Benjamin Baker is the managing editor “Who?” of the Encyclopedia “Li’l Willie!” of Seventh-day Nonplussed, Brooks asked, Adventists project “Where is he?” for the Office of Peterson hurriedly led him up Archives, Statistics, and a flight of stairs. At the top the Research.

21 SIERRA LEONE

Showers of BLESSING? “‘There shall be showers of blessing;’ This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.

“Showers of blessing. Showers of blessing we need; Mercy drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.” 1

22 tried to sing, but the words was seeing the boy’s five-year-old stuck in my throat. We’d just cousin screaming “Cousin, come Ibeen told in staff worship that back! Cousin, come back!” when Pawpaw, the three-year-old son he first saw the casket. of one of our nurses, had died A few months ago, the wife Saturday evening. The disconnect of our cashier was brought in I felt between the song’s lyrics unconscious after delivering her and the loss of this precious child baby at home. We don’t have an rendered me silent. obstetrics unit yet at the hospital, I’d examined Pawpaw the so the family chose traditional previous Thursday afternoon care instead of taking the woman when his mom brought him to to the government maternity cen- my office. “He hasn’t urinated ter. She died shortly after arriving since Monday,” she said anxiously. at Waterloo, leaving our cashier Our diagnostic and treatment a widower with three children, options are limited at Waterloo including a newborn. Scott and Bekki Gardner Adventist Hospital in Sierra Leone, We have a hospital staff of 45 so I conducted the tests I could, employees, and two of them have hoping there’d be something lost young family members in the and is coming soon to raise our I could do to help. I suspected past two months. I don’t know dead loved ones and take us renal failure, but I had no way to anybody who would equate these home to live with Him forever. prove it, and, in any case, no way losses with showers of blessing. These are the showers of to cure it. Recently, I’ve been studying blessing that fall around us Pawpaw lay listlessly on the book of Job and the question constantly while our hearts are the table while I performed an of human suffering. The conclu- breaking from the evil and death ultrasound. That was bad sign sion I’ve come to is that there is no we see in this world. “Even so, Showers of number one. Normal three-year- good answer for it. There’s noth- come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation olds don’t lay still on an exam ing you can say to a mother who’s 22:20). table; they kick and scream. Bad lost her only child or a husband signs numbers two, three, and who finds himself alone with a 1. Daniel W. Whittle, “Showers of Blessing.” four were the lack of urine in his newborn. There is no explanation, 2. Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy bladder, his huge kidneys, and the no “greater good,” no “cosmic (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press®, fluid in his abdomen. All together, purpose.” As one author put it, 1911), p. 493. they told me this child was in big “Sin is an intruder, for whose BLESSING? trouble. presence no reason can be given. When we received the results . . . Could excuse for it be found, or Originally from the United States, of our studies, we realized there cause be shown for its existence, Scott Gardner is the medical director was nothing we could do to help. it would cease to be sin.” 2 at Waterloo Hospital in Sierra Leone, We decided to have Pawpaw During Pawpaw’s funeral, where his wife, Bekki, serves as the clinical supervisor. transferred to a pediatrician in someone mentioned that the nearby Freetown, afraid he’d be apostle Paul admonishes us to as helpless as we were. “In everything give thanks.” Really? Things looked up Friday when I’d never heard that text used at a Pawpaw urinated. He was taken funeral before. How do you give Your weekly mission to Freetown Saturday morning. thanks for the death of a three- offerings and World Mission He died Saturday evening. year-old? This afternoon, my wife, I don’t think you do. I think Budget Offerings help Bekki, and I attended Pawpaw’s we give thanks that this isn’t all support the ministry of funeral, our first funeral in Africa. there is—that Jesus loves us and There were heartfelt prayers, in- died for us and is coming back to more than 400 missionary spiring songs, encouraging words restore everything in this world. families around the world. about God’s love and care, and I think we give thanks that He a lot of crying. The hardest part conquered death and sickness

23 GLOBAL NEIGHBORHOOD The Mediterranean— A Taste of Sunshine With the utmost respect, Mediterranean cuisine is sometimes described as peasant food. The sunny climate provides a long growing season, making it possible to enjoy a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Even the simplest meal is likely to be full of vibrant color.

ITALY

Roasted Bell Pepper Antipasto (Serves 6-8)

The Italian word antipasto simply means “before the meal.” It could be hot or cold, an appetizer, or cheese—anything that might be served before the actual meal begins. This roasted bell pepper salad, with its riot of color and flavor, is bold enough to take center stage on any table.

INGREDIENTS • 3 red bell peppers • 2 yellow bell peppers • 1 orange bell pepper • 1 green bell pepper • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced into strips • 8–10 artichoke quarters, canned and drained • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 5 tablespoons olive oil • 1 garlic clove, minced • ½ teaspoon sea salt

PREPARATION 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly oil a large baking pan, and place the whole peppers in the pan. Bake for 45 minutes until the peppers begin to char. Remove from the oven, cover with a clean dish towel, and let cool for 5 minutes. 2. Remove the core and seeds from the peppers. Peel away the skin that comes off easily; don’t worry about skin that sticks to the peppers. Slice each pepper into thick strips. Place in a large bowl. 3. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, and garlic. 4. Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Drizzle over the vegetables and gently combine. 5. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

24 MOROCCO

Date, Orange, FRANCE and Carrot Salad (Serves 4-6) Ratatouille This surprising combination of simple in- Stew gredients results in a truly elegant salad. (Serves 6–8)

INGREDIENTS A rustic and traditional dish, ra- • 1 head of Boston or romaine tatouille is highly versatile because lettuce the quantity and types of vegetables • 3 medium carrots, finely grated can vary greatly. To a large extent, rata- • 4 oranges, skin cut off with a knife touille depends on the produce in the cook’s (not peeled) to remove membrane refrigerator. It works as a one-dish meal, but it is often and sliced served with eggs or pasta. • 4–6 fresh dates, pitted and cut into eighths lengthwise INGREDIENTS • ¼ cup sliced almonds • 4 tablespoons olive oil • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 2 medium onions, cut in half, thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons orange juice • 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced • 1 tablespoon sugar • 1 medium eggplant, cut into chunks • ¼ teaspoon salt • 1 medium yellow squash, cut into ½-inch slices • 1 medium zucchini, cut into ½-inch slices PREPARATION • 1 cup sweet peas, frozen and thawed 1. Separate the lettuce leaves and ar- • 6 cups diced tomatoes, canned or fresh (do not drain) range them in a wide, shallow bowl. • 3 garlic cloves, minced Place the grated carrots in a mound • 2 bay leaves on top of the lettuce. • 1 teaspoon dried thyme 2. Cut the orange slices into halves • ½ teaspoon salt or quarters and arrange the pieces around the carrots. 3. Scatter the date pieces and almonds PREPARATION 1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pan. Add the onions on top. Chill until ready to serve. and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and eggplant 4. Combine the lemon juice, orange and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the juice, sugar, and salt. Sprinkle yellow squash and zucchini and sauté for 3 or 4 minutes. over the salad just (If needed, add a little more oil or some water to prevent before serving. sticking to the pan.) 2. Add the peas, tomatoes, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and salt. Cook gently for 15–20 minutes or until the stew is fairly pulpy. 3. Remove bay leaves and discard. Serve warm.

Recently retired, Nancy Kyte served for 10 years as the marketing director of the Office of Adventist Mission.

25 INDIA

I made my way through the crowd and found the only thing Adopted by that looked familiar, my Anna (Tam- il for elder brother), also known as Israel. He put flowers around my neck and gave me a hug that made me feel, if only for two seconds, like I was back with my family in ORPHANS America. “Welcome back,” he said. I put my things in the trunk of a taxi and crammed my knees ight months ago, I was forever meetings, I wondered if I’d made into the passenger seat. We pulled away from returning home. a bad choice. The thought I don’t into Israel’s driveway around three ELufthansa flight 758 had belong here ran through my head A.M., and for the next few hours I just made its midnight landing repeatedly. attempted to sleep. Later that day, in Chennai, Tamil-Nadu, India. I After getting my passport we took the all-night train to go hopped off the plane, feeling com- stamped, I headed down the escala- to my pseudo home for the next pletely alone. For the first time in tor and waited for my bags. Starting eight months—an orphanage. A my life, I felt orphaned. All that my immersion experience off right, I fitting place for my brand-new life I’d ever known was a world away. thought when they showed up an without a family. Standing in crowded customs hour later. I hauled my stuff outside The next morning came a few queues, where the only people the air-conditioned terminal and hundred kilometers down the who looked like me were off stepped out into the suffocating train tracks, and I’ve never been to five-star hotels or business heat. Here we go. the same since. I reunited with

1

26 2 3 the kids I’d met a half year before, life, or did you come to change the and we quickly became family. For lives of others?” Ouch. months before leaving for India, I immediately recognized that I’d stressed about leaving home, I’d been looking at this whole but when I found those kids, that experience from a me-centered anxiety faded away. For the first perspective and determined to time, I felt like I belonged where end such selfishness. I threw away God had put me. I was home. my list of goals for myself and The following months were started focusing on the kids. What nothing short of completely nuts. followed was a far more fulfilling I got to try my luck at being a mission experience because it no traveling journalist, a preacher, an longer had to be about me. architect, a tour guide, and a host In just three weeks, I’ll be of other things I wasn’t qualified back on that plane headed in 4 for. Those days away from the or- the opposite direction. I’m sure phanage were full of adventure, but there’ll be a few tears. Unlike the they in no way compared to what trip from America to India, this time 1 Our entire family. it’s like to be with my new family. I won’t know my return date, which These 13 kids are the greatest won’t make for an easy goodbye. 2 Rosie, a nine-year-old daughter of God. thing that’s ever happened to Nevertheless, I’m grateful to have 3 Home to incredible wealth, such as the Taj me. Even though it’s 90 degrees had such an opportunity. I started Mahal, India is also home to extreme poverty Fahrenheit at night and no one my journey as a temporary orphan and millions of orphans. understands what I mean by Olive trying to help permanent ones, and Garden breadsticks, I count myself now the word orphan never crosses 4 Sack races at the orphanage on Christmas day. among the luckiest people in the my mind. None of us are orphans world. If God calls me to be a stay- because I’ve adopted them, they’ve at-home dad in India for the rest adopted me, and God has adopted of my life, I’ll happily accept (and all of us. maybe throw in a request for an What began as a project has air conditioner). given me so much purpose and People have asked me a lot fulfillment. I’ve tasted the joy that how this year has changed me. I’d only sacrifice can bring, and I’m been sort of disappointed that it content to never taste anything hasn’t been the life-altering quest else. Even though the looming that I’d dreamed it might be. I’d goodbye is going to be awful, I hoped to have one of those “rad- wouldn’t trade this year or this Adventist Volunteer Service facilitates volunteer ically changed” life stories to tell family for the world. I’m not an missionary service of church members around when I got home. orphan anymore, and I have only the world. Volunteers ages 18 to 80 may serve I asked God why I didn’t feel my heavenly Father to thank. as pastors, teachers, medical professionals, extraordinarily different, and His computer technicians, orphanage workers, response was daunting. “Did you We have withheld the identity of this farmers, and more. To learn more, please visit come here to change your own author to protect his ministry. AdventistVolunteers.org.

27 n 1803 United States President We were yielding to the tendency Thomas Jefferson asked Captain IMeriwether Lewis and his friend to concentrate our best efforts on Second Lieutenant William Clark to travel across the western part of the country to explore and map maintaining the institution rather the newly acquired Louisiana territory. They were also to seek than on furthering the mission. out the best route for traveling to that side of the continent in order to establish the United States’ River, since they needed to cross Even if Lewis and Clark were claim to the area. Lewis and Clark anyway. Still others asked whether tempted to take up other mis- accepted the assignment. they could do a special study of sions, they refused them in order Unfortunately, they began re- the life cycle of mosquitos. to accomplish the mission that ceiving e-mails from people and Because they wanted to help Jefferson gave them. Sticking to organizations asking whether they everyone, Lewis and Clark did all their mission is why more than could carry some mail to people they could to assist everyone else’s two hundred years later Lewis and along the way. Others asked them mission. The result was that they Clark remain household names in to bring back video footage of the never managed to complete their the United States. pretty landscapes. Others asked exploring, which is why you have It can be difficult to stick to whether they could help build never heard of these gentlemen. your mission when you’re contin- a bridge across the Mississippi Wait, that’s wrong. ually distracted by requests from FIXED ON MISSION

28 others who want you to fulfill toward the organized mission. This Whereas this mission used theirs. This is a problem that Global is a temptation to which every to fill every waking thought, now Mission struggles with continually. organization will gravitate unless it mission might get mentioned at Not too long after Lewis and is actively recognized and resisted. church. Or it might not. Whereas Clark completed their expedition, Even then we drift. mission used to be a major theme the Adventist movement began, in our Sabbath Schools, now it and even the children supported Enter Global Mission is relegated to passing around the extreme efforts of the Adven- In 1990 Adventist leaders an offering envelope, into which tist pioneers to press into the un- recognized and decided to do a couple of dollar bills might be reached places and people groups something about the fact that slipped. Or maybe not. so that everyone could hear the we were not pressing into the This is why the office of Global great news of Jesus’ soon return. frontiers of mission the way that Mission was established. Global As a result, we rocked the world. we used to. We were yielding to Mission is the Seventh-day Ad- Seventh-day Adventism spread the tendency to concentrate our ventist response to the realization at an incredible rate, considering best efforts on maintaining the that we were maintaining more the times. institution rather than on further- than we were going. Global Mis- As it grew, the Adventist ing the mission. We have been sion is the Seventh-day Adventist movement eventually had to orga- given the mandate to go to every version of Lewis and Clark. Its nize. Organization is necessary and nation, tribe, language, and people mission is to launch us out of an good, but it brings with it a real bearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. institutional mindset so that we temptation to look more toward But this mandate does not drive can continue to press into new the organized institution than us the way it once did. territories, new languages, and FIXED ON MISSION

29 groups, church leaders estab- Church would still be neglecting lished the Global Mission Centers the frontiers of mission, over- with the sole purpose of explor- looking the people who are not ing methods for working effec- hearing from us at all. So Global tively among Muslims, Hindus, Mission consciously chooses to Buddhists, and Jews as well as focus on just one thing, and that secular and urban groups. To- is the people who have never day these centers are actively heard of Jesus. Global Mission involved in research, training, and responds specifically to their cry creating models for evangelism to to the Adventist Church to “come, non-Christians. tell us the story of Jesus!” The fact that Global Mission Avoiding distractions strongly maintains this specific Soon after Global Mission focus means that often we must was established, requests began turn down fantastic project pro- pouring in, but not necessarily for posals. But if we are going to find church planting among unentered ways to reach those whom we as groups: While you’re at it, can a church are currently unable or Global Mission help us build a unwilling to reach, Global Mission new people groups with the gospel church building? Can Global Mis- has no choice but to stay true to message. sion help us build a school? Can the task of sending pioneers to The way Global Mission was Global Mission help us renovate unreached peoples, nations, and to accomplish this work was, and our conference office? Can Global languages to do the difficult and still is, through church planting Mission help with our evangelistic often dangerous work of raising using local volunteer missionaries series? up new Adventist churches where called Global Mission pioneers. In All of these requests are for there currently are none. addition, recognizing that Global worthy projects. But if Global Mission pioneers have extreme Mission involved itself in all of Jeff Scoggins, Office of Adventist challenges reaching certain people them, the Seventh-day Adventist Mission.

You Are Global Mission have a plan for planting a church, your conference can apply for Global Mission funding to help pay for that project. f you are someone who recognizes the necessity of The second way you can be involved is by supporting what Global Mission is trying to accomplish, you are other pioneers. Since hundreds of church planting fund Iinvited to become part of the family. Together we are requests come to Global Mission every year, Global Mission funding thousands of Global Mission pioneers in nearly lives and dies by the freewill offerings of God’s mission-minded every country of the world who have one task and one people. Freewill donations, even small ones, are the lifeblood task only: to plant a new group of Seventh-day Adventist of what we do. And the little gifts count in major ways. Ellen believers where there isn't one right now. Why do these White wrote, “The small sums saved by deeds of sacrifice pioneers do it? Why do they go through the hardship, will do more for the upbuilding of the cause of God than the inconvenience, the self-sacrifice required to press larger gifts will accomplish that have not called for denial of into the difficult places? Just one reason: we want Jesus self,” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9 [Mountain View, CA: to come back. Pacific Press®, 1909] pp. 157, 158). So even your small gifts, Do you want that too? Great! Join us! given with a heart for mission, God will use in astonishing There are two primary ways that you can be involved in ways, the stories of which you will hear one day in heaven. Global Mission. First, you can be a pioneer who is involved in planting a church in your area. You do this by working For more information about Global Mission, please with your local conference. Once you and your conference visit Global-Mission.org.

30 SOMEWHERE IN THE 10/40 WINDOW The Strange Dentist

from the one thing that was burn- Bible, and he began reading it. Soon ing in her heart. he started coming to church and Finally, the pastor told her what attending Bible studies. His life Jesus said about divorce. She was began to change too. And when furious. “That just isn’t possible in she was baptized, you could see today’s world,” she shouted. the joy on his face as he watched. The pastor nodded under- Today this woman says that standingly but encouraged her to Jesus is in her life because of a keep reading her Bible and to start dentist who shared the gospel praying for her husband and her quietly through his work. he couple was arguing so marriage. At first, she was upset, There are many parts of the much that they decided to but she didn’t stop the studies. world where traditional church Tget a divorce. Day after day, they studied workers have a hard (or impos- After setting a date for the other things Jesus said and did. And sible) time getting visas and work pretrial, the wife got a toothache. each time the woman came back to permits. But dentists, engineers, She went to a dentist and heard arguing about why you couldn’t fol- teachers, accountants, nurses, Christian music in the background. low what Jesus said about divorce. marketing specialists, and other She asked the dentist to explain But on her own she quietly began professionals can often take a job the lyrics, so he told her about sin to pray, and something began to in those countries and begin to and salvation. happen inside her. quietly live their lives as followers Intrigued, she asked the dentist The night before the pretrial, she of Jesus. We call them tentmakers for a Bible, and he said, “I will give told her husband she had changed since their ministry is patterned you one when you come back next her mind and didn’t want a divorce. after the apostle Paul's. week to finish the procedure.” She He was stunned and suspicious. If you would like more informa- eagerly returned a week later—for When he asked her why, she said tion on being a tentmaker, please the Bible and to get the tooth fin- simply, “I have accepted Jesus as visit te.adventistmission.org. And ished. The dentist gave her a Bible my Savior, and divorce is against please enter your professional and told her a pastor would come His will.” He didn’t say anything, and information into the Adventist to visit her. she couldn’t tell how he was feeling. Professionals’ Network (apn.ad- The woman agreed, and a few The next day she told the judge ventist.org), a secure database set days later the pastor came. They that she no longer wanted a divorce. up by the General Conference and had barely gotten started in the She waited, expecting her husband regularly searched by the General Bible study that first day when she to say he still did. But he looked Conference and its institutions blurted out, “What does the Bible long at her and then turned to the when we are looking for a worker say about divorce?” judge and said, “Neither do I.” or a tentmaker. The pastor swallowed, whis- The husband was curious about May God help us find and place pered a prayer for guidance, and the change he had seen coming dedicated Adventists in every city, tried to steer the discussion back over his wife. He wanted to know community, and business who can to a more general topic. But the more about the Bible and the Jesus do as this dentist did—quietly live woman wouldn’t be turned aside she spoke of. So, she gave him her their life as a follower of Jesus.

Chanmin Chung is The 10/40 Window the communication The 10/40 Window, stretching from northern coordinator for the Africa into the Middle East and Asia, is home to Middle East and North Africa Union Mission. two-thirds of the world’s population, most of the world’s least-reached countries and people Homer Trecartin groups, and the fewest Christians. Please support is the director of the Global Global Mission pioneers in the 10/40 Window, by Mission Centers and visiting Giving.AdventistMission.org. Tentmakers for the Office of Adventist Mission.

31 Non Profit General Conference of Organization U.S. Postage Seventh-day Adventists PAID 12501 Old Columbia Pike Nampa, ID Silver Spring, MD 20904 Permit No. 66

MARK THE DATE UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITIES OFFERING

NINA, AGE 78, IS EXCITED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF HER CHURCH’S NEW OUTREACH CENTER IS COMPLETE. NOW SHE CAN START TEACHING HER LOCAL COMMUNITY HOW TO COOK HEALTHY FOOD!

Did you know that from time to time God creates In 2017, funds from last year's offering helped mission opportunities to which we can respond support a comprehensive health outreach program in quickly if funds are available? These opportunities Sweden, aimed specifically at secular communities. might disappear if we have to wait for months or The Swedish Adventist membership was small and years to raise funds. couldn't fund the outreach alone, so the Unusual Opportunities Offering contributed to its success. The Unusual Opportunities Offering is reserved for these unique situations to meet people’s needs Unusual opportunities require a rapid response and introduce them to our loving Savior. In recent from God’s people. Will you do your part to speed up years, your support has helped fund projects such as the work of Adventist Mission by giving generously? Nina's outreach center in Russia, television stations Mark your tithe envelope “Unusual Opportunities in Norway, and Ebola education in Africa. Offering” on Sabbath, September 9.

Giving.AdventistMission.org