Jaunuary 8, 1998

World Edition

5050 YearsYears inin IndiaIndia GordonGordon andand BettyBetty JensonJenson returnreturn toto thethe U.S.U.S. afterafter servingserving thethe peoplepeople ofof northnorth andand centralcentral India.India. AdventismAdventism 101101 LivesLives ofof QuietQuiet DesperationDesperation LeftLeft toto DieDie LETTERS

Thanks, Fly the sending of missionaries as a two-way for students to participate), a sampling of A pesky fly motivated me to pick up the street. If we could import some of the zeal 1,748 students is quite large—larger than in November 13 World witnessed in some developing countries, many national polls—and reliability is high. Edition of the Review. some of our sick and dying churches The percentage of a group surveyed— I missed the fly, but might be revived here. whether it be 10 percent or .000001 per- the Voice of Prophecy cent—really doesn’t matter. The sampling advertisement got my —Paul F. Bork size is what counts.—Editors. attention. I read the OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA whole issue from back to front, without stop- No Place for Grouches ping. Thank you. AIDS and the Adventist Academy Thank you to Roy Adams for “No Place Congratulations on the intellectually for Grouches” (November NAD —Shirley M. Heisey stimulating “AIDS Edition). He is right about our poor tele- VIA E-MAIL and the Adventist phone manners. It is not only how we Academy” (Nov. answer the phone, but how we intro- NAD Edition). This is duce ourselves when calling someone. Discussing Divorce the first time that I Instead of asking “Is Roy Adams there?” I take serious exception to Calvin Rock’s read the Adventist I should say, “My name is Curt LaBoy, response (see Faith Alive, Nov. 13) to Review, and I was very from North Carolina. I am calling the woman who did not wish to discuss pleased to see that regarding telephone manners. May I her divorce with her pastor because she your magazine, while providing a great speak with Roy Adams, please?” did not wish to be the subject of gossip. deal of spiritual information, is not Perhaps the reason that she knows she’s falling into the boring pattern of so —Curt LaBoy “right” is that she has discussed it with the many other religious publications. CANDLER, NORTH CAROLINA ultimate Pastor. It is possible that God has told her to keep it to herself. Rock doesn’t —Andreia Moore know how far in her particular church CARROLTON, TEXAS On the Internet (cont.) anything she divulges could travel and Thanks to James Arkusinski for “Net how it could be twisted. She may not be Notes” (November NAD Edition), but strong enough at this time, after possibly The sampling used in this study didn’t no one will be able to find our web going through the pain of rejection seem to be large enough to make any con- page under Our Little Friend. Your involved in a divorce, to face the pain of clusions. Out of 13,368 students 1,748 is search must be for Primary Treasure. rejection from an uncaring church. 13 percent, hardly enough to draw any Or you can enter conclusions for anyone more than those www.pacificpress.com/kids/ —Maurine Patrick who responded. Please show a little more to reach us directly. LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK diligence in publishing your conclusions. —Aileen Andres Sox, editor —Patrick Gillette, M.D. OUR LITTLE FRIEND/PRIMARY Missionaries: Two-way Street MEDFORD, OREGON TREASURE Gorden Doss’s “From Everywhere to Everywhere” (Nov. 13) was excellent. We’ve received several inquiries along this For too long we’ve viewed missions as a line. Though the survey was not truly ran- Arkunskinski’s article is greatly appre- one-way street. It is time we recognize dom (parental permission had to be obtained ciated, but the characterization of all

2 (34) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 the information sites as “Adventists, catastrophic. It is our best, most cre- their ministries, and their institutions” ative, and most spiritual members who may mislead. are leaving, those who have had lifelong The Pitcairn Island Web site, good as commitment to our church. We cannot it is, is not an Adventist ministry, but afford to lose their talent, energy, vision, rather the individual effort of Paul and financial resources. We need to COVER STORY Lareau, an expert on the genealogy of work with adolescent congregations Pitcairners. The information provided eager to try new ideas. We parents don’t 8 Fifty Years in India does not attempt—or purport to have all the answers. Remember For longer than many Adventists have been alive, this outstanding attempt—a balanced view of the Gamaliel’s entreaty? couple has been living God’s love. Adventist relationship to Pitcairn Island BY BOXTER KHARBTENG through the years. —Phyllis Hall The Pitcairn Islands Study SUNNYSIDE CHURCH ARTICLES Center, maintained since 1977 at PORTLAND, OREGON Pacific Union College and found 14 A Nail on the Wall on the college’s Web site For Glenn Coon, Sr., living for (www.puc.edu/Library/pitcairn.html), is Having been an Adventist for only Jesus was as simple as A, B, C. an Adventist entity that maintains the nine years, I am still amazed and BY ELLA RYDZEWSKI world’s largest collection of material grateful for God’s mercy in leading me 16 In Quiet Desperation about Pitcairn, Norfolk Island, William to the truth of His Word, found in the Even when they’re smiling on the Bligh, and the “mutiny on the Bounty.” Adventist message. I love the remnant outside, many people need help and have sincere concern for those with their daily burdens. —Herbert Ford, director still in “Babylon.” As I minister and BY MARY WONG PITCAIRN ISLANDS STUDY CENTER witness to coworkers and friends, how can I convince them of the relevance 22 Left to Die of our message—of being part of God’s The crowd gathered as they stood When the Family Splits (cont.) face-to-face—a murderer and his remnant—when our behavior is grow- ANK thought-to-be victim. B Thank you so much for William ing more and more similar to that of BY ERIC GUTTSCHUSS AS TOLD TO RLD O

Johnsson’s straightforward “When the the “Babylonians”? HEATHER GUTTSCHUSS W

Family Splits” (November NAD HE Edition). Like him, we are pained to —Robin Chambers 24 As Seeing the Invisible : T Bible heroes aren’t the only ones see and hear of the sad events happen- KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE PHOTO who have to walk by faith. ing in many of our Adventist congre- BY IVEY PETERSON gations, especially since our own home church is feeling the impact of separa- Have we learned nothing from the ACKGROUND DEPARTMENTS / B tion and disillusionment. We continue Valuegenesis studies? Our youth are our NDIA to pray for our denominational leaders future, and we have a huge mission field 2 Letters I and all of our pastors for the Lord’s will in the arena of nonattending and former IN 7 Give & Take AL to be uppermost on their priority list, Adventists. The pastors like the ones at

13 Faith Alive! ARRIV and that His Spirit will fill all of our Damascus are providing a way back for hearts with the love that the disciples many. Yet when we read this article, 18 World News & Perspectives THEIR experienced in the upper room. there is no mention of local needs, only 27 A Meditation OF

global needs. How long can we ignore the YEAR 28 Children’s Corner —Alvin and Betty Young “home front.” THE BENNETT, COLORADO I wonder if “the leadership” really 29 Adventism 101 1948, understands that most of our churches 30 Bulletin Board are experiencing a lack of vitality. The

31 Reflections EPTEMBER I commend the Review for addressing the pastors who attend Willow Creek are the S pain we are currently experiencing. It is ones trying to reverse the no-growth IN refreshing to have our church paper problems that plague our churches EDITORIALS ENSONS honestly discuss pressing difficulties fac- throughout North America. J 5 Fresh Voices HE ing our church. : T Let’s not minimize the problem. That —Denice Whitaker 6 A Thousand Things PHOTO even one congregation sees the need to PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA VER O separate from the main church family is C

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (35) 3 “Behold, I come quickly . . .”

Our mission is to uplift Jesus Christ through stories of His matchless love, news of His present workings, help for knowing Him better, and hope in His soon return. The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119), published since 1849, is the general paper of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is published by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and is printed 40 times a year each Thursday except the first Thursday of each month by the Review and Herald® Publishing Association. Periodicals postage paid at Hagerstown, MD 21740. Copyright © 1997, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Publishing Board: Robert S. Folkenberg, chair; Phil Follett, vice- chair; Lowell Cooper; William G. Johnsson; A. C. McClure; Dorothy Watts; Ted N. C. Wilson; Martin Ytreberg; Robert Nixon, legal advisor

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4 (36) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 EDITORIAL Fresh Voices ROY ADAMS

f you’re 35 years old or Adventists from every walk of younger, this editorial is espe- Specifications and guidelines: life reasserting the biblical cially for you. integrity of the church’s beliefs, Perhaps more than any 1. You may find it helpful to refresh your mind on and emphasizing their impor- other modern religious the 27 fundamental beliefs by consulting the Adventist tance for contemporary Idenomination, Seventh-day Church Manual.* Christians. Adventists—given their roots— 2. Your article should focus on just one doctrine. But most of these were older have every reason to place confi- Tell us what it’s all about, what is means to you per- Adventists—in their 40s, 50s, dence in their youth and young sonally, and how it’s made a difference in your own life 60s—and we had little time to go adults. After all, it was largely with or in the life of someone you know. intentionally after younger writers. this group that the Adventist 3. The maximum length is 1,700 words, or about In the new series, slated to begin church had its genesis. Ellen G. seven and a half pages. Articles should be typewritten later this year, we want to make White was just a 17-year old when and double-spaced. the needed correction. If you’re 35 God selected her for the heaviest 4. We will select the three best articles overall for years or younger, we invite you to task in the emerging Movement. prizes—a first prize of $700, and $500 each for the write for AnchorPoints. (See par- Uriah Smith was only 23 when he two runners-up. The other articles accepted will merit ticulars in box.) was made the editor of the church’s an honorarium according to our regular rates. We’re looking for writing that’s flagship paper, the Review and 5. To qualify, your article (on paper and on a three- honest, warm, personal; writing Herald. And one could list a host of inch disk, if possible) should reach us no later than that comes from the background of other young men and women who July 31, 1998. Please include your complete address your own experience with the Lord gave life to this budding entity, and telephone number (if any); your age; a photo of and with the doctrine you’ve cho- articulating its positions, defending yourself; a one sentence bio, giving your occupation sen; writing laced with vivid stories, its doctrines, and pressing its mes- (student, homemaker, electrician, whatever), and your strong anecdotes, compelling illus- sage into new frontiers. Social Security number (if you live in the U.S.). trations; writing that arrests atten- How is it today? Are our youth Because of time considerations and logistics, nothing tion, that grabs the reader’s interest. and young adults passionate about sent to us (including photos) can be returned. “If we are to capture the atten- the church’s message and mission? 6. Send your article to: AnchorPoints, Adventist tion of a distracted world,” I also I think so. And if the appeal con- Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, wrote back in 1992, “then we must tained in this editorial is answered, Maryland 20904-6600, U.S.A. first be captured by what we hope I will be able to prove it. to capture others by. We cannot I’m talking about Anchor- * If you do not own a copy, why not borrow your afford to subsist on the fading glow pastor’s, perhaps, and duplicate the particular pages 2 Points. Coined (in this peculiar for easy reference. You can also find the fundamental of an earlier time.” spelling) by our staff some seven beliefs in the front of the Seventh-day Adventist In the coming months I’ll be sit- years ago, the word means to signal Yearbook, or in your baptismal certificate. ting on the edge renewed affirmation of the funda- of my seat in mentals of our faith. In an editorial highlighting our first article anticipation of what will arrive in our mail- in this category, I made the point that “the greatest threat fac- bag in response to this appeal. We need the ing our church today is the possible emergence of a generation lift that comes from hearing it again for the of Adventists held together by culture rather than conviction; a first time, the excitement that springs generation that has not made its own the message that moved from new perspectives, young minds, the Founding Fathers and Mothers; a generation of young fresh voices.

Adventists that has lost the sense of our uniqueness as a 1 1 See Roy Adams, “AnchorPoints,” Adventist people.” Review, Mar. 5, 1992, p. 4. In the ensuing years, AnchorPoints featured dozens of 2 Ibid.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (37) 5 EDITORIAL A Thousand Things MYRNA TETZ

he things that unite are a thousand, and the things the process we are blessed. Because of the Sabbath, relation- that divide are only three or four,” responded ships with family and friends are strengthened (how much do Harrison McCain, of Canada’s McCain Food, Ltd., your Friday evening phone calls cost?), and we savor the peace as he was feted several years ago on McLean’s and rest this day provides. (Canada’s Newsweek) honor roll. There’s a unity, too, in healthful living. You’ve heard the TConcentrating on things that divide—the negatives of any statistics proclaiming that Seventh-day Adventists live longer given circumstance—is a rather com- than the general population. Besides mon occurrence, particularly in politi- the health benefits of our choices, cal settings, educational circles, and there is no better way to emulate yes, even religious discussions. Let’s accentuate Christ’s love than sharing fruits, veg- Within the Seventh-day etables, nuts, and grains (OK, let’s Adventist Church there are topics the positive. mention Chic-ketts) around the fel- that divide. No question. We must lowship dinner tables, remembering consider, though, that very few of that when He lived here He demon- us have the same parents; not many (in proportion to the strated this for us, hoping we’d follow His lead. Adventist Review readership) were taught by the same We’re also drawn together by the promise of life after teachers; we weren’t born in the same town; and we proba- death. Gathering with others around the graveside of a special bly did not attend the same church. Not only that, our person and sharing the sorrow that separation brings provides decisions to accept Christ were made for very different rea- opportunities to rehearse the resurrection promise. Standing by sons, and our levels of spiritual growth into the perfection the casket with our arms enfolding others who mourn with us, provided by Christ are sometimes miles apart. So it’s nat- we might thank God for the One who experienced separation ural that our thoughts, our likes and dislikes, and our judg- from His Father, death from a broken heart, and lived His life ments of right and wrong are different. so that we could one day live ours—eternally. But there are a lot of things on which we agree—maybe Family, friends, and colleague relationships are a great even a thousand. And the benefits given by members or uniting force joining us as the body of Christ. How often employees of organizations who look for the positive is diffi- thoughtful individuals have blessed me by their expressions cult to measure. Herbert Benson says, “What the mind thinks, of love and loyalty. There was the bouquet of flowers on my perceives and experiences is transmitted from our beings to desk the first day of my new job by friends who knew there the rest of our bodies.” 1 We knew that, of course (see Counsels would be some trepidation (and they were right). In another on Health, p. 33), so why do we not “accentuate the positive” setting, a husband and wife, sometimes as we met together more often than we do? but often separately, encouraged me, not by saying “We think We are united in our belief that Jesus Christ is our you’re doing a good job,” but by specifically mentioning ways Redeemer, our Saviour, our only hope. He traded heavenly they believed my employment performance was perfection for a sin-ridden planet, a painless existence for the making an impact in the sphere of my influence. crushing agony of a cross-hanging instigated by members of His People like these are a positive and inspiring force own family, and the adoption of the scars of sinful humanity in my life and help keep me focused on the bene- forever because He loved enough. Our gratitude expressed as fits of unity among us. sincerely and perfectly as our mortal abilities allow “binds our Yes, there are a thousand things that unite. hearts in Christian love.” 2 Only three or four divide. It’s within our Uniting us, also, is our conviction that the Sabbath, the power to choose. seventh day, was made to commemorate the completion of Creation week. What a joy it is to worship God with like- 1 Herbert Benson, The Wellness Book, p. 13. 2 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,” The Seventh-day believers, even though our attempts must seem, to the heavenly Adventist Hymnal (Review and Herald Pub. Assn., Triune, pretty feeble. We’re encouraged to do it, though, and in 1989), No. 350.

6 (38) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 ADVENTIST LIFE While I was working in Mollendo, Peru, a six-foot-four-inch missionary visited a youth camp along the beach. Two junior division boys began discussing among themselves how this pastor had grown so tall. REWS

After a while one boy came up with an C answer. “You see,” he explained, “when the Y ERR pastor was born he was very small, and his T mother, in desperation, dedicated him to BY the Investment fund. Now he has grown TION GIVE too much!” LLUSTRA

& I —Siegfried W. Neuendorff, Redondo Beach, California

While in St. Louis, Missouri, the late Dr. Leon Caviness was teaching a Sabbath school class about the centurion’s servant. At the conclusion he asked the class what they thought the centurion’s profession was. A new Adventist quickly said, “A musician.” “Why do you think that?” Dr. Caviness asked. “Because,” she replied, “the Bible says he was the leader of an Italian band.” TAKE —Ben Brewer, San Clemente, California SISTER WHITE SAID IT! INDOORS, OUTDOORS IN MALAWI Sister White said it— Well . . . I never really read it, HAPPY ALL THE TIME: But someone said she said it, Members of the new Salima, Malawi, So of course it must be so. Seventh-day Adventist Church pause for a cou- To prove my point, I’ll quote it, ple snapshots. Com- Though I can’t show where she wrote it. pleted in 1996, the But someone said she said it. church was funded by And that’s all I need to know. donations collected by Mr. and Mrs. Warren It saves a lot of time for me, Pierce of Yakima, If I just listen carefully, Washington. Warren When others speak of Sister White, first went to Malawi as And what they say she said— a missionary in 1945 and returned several times, most recently in Though I can’t repeat it word for word, 1996 at age 94. I’ll tell you what I think I heard, And quote you things from Sister White That no one’s ever read. —Thelma Burton, Littleton, Colorado

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ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (39) 7 COVER STORY

A story of dedication, determination, YEARS and commitment 50IN

BYINDIA BOXTER KHARBTENG ENERAL CONFERENCE president Robert India, I sat down with Pastor Jenson—not one to open up S. Folkenberg had just made his concluding easily—for a rare interview on some of the issues that matter remarks to a packed to him as a Christian. forum on the campus Kharbteng: Pastor Jenson, I of Spicer Memorial notice that for most people, your GCollege. “OK,” I muttered to myself, name and your office are both rolled “it’s time I get out of this hot and up into one—namely, “Pastor” with uncomfortable chapel.” But because a capital P. How did all this happen? I sat in the middle of the pew, I had Jenson: I can’t say for sure. But I to wait for those on the end to file clearly remember I was only a high out first. No one moved, however. school lad when I wanted to be a pas- “Aren’t we going?” I impatiently tor. Then when I went to college in asked those on my left. 1942 to prepare myself for the pas- Just then the door to the vestry toral ministry, I had a Bible teacher cracked open—wide enough for me who exerted quite a measure of influ- to catch a glimpse of what was going ence that confirmed my decision to be on inside. I saw a young woman car- a pastor. rying a long flowing garland that You probably never thought of seemed to caress the floor. being a missionary to a foreign land, Is this going to be a farewell for our much less of India as the field for guests from the General Conference? I your pastorate. wondered. As I was soon to discover, Never. But while I was at Pacific the focus of all the attention was Union College, officials and teachers the Jensons—Pastor and Mrs. made efforts to promote missionary Gordon Jenson, two of the longest commitments. And I distinctly serving foreign missionaries in remember the highlighting of China Adventist history. and some Spanish-speaking countries Whenever I think of the Jensons, of Central and South America as words such as dedication, service, HOME SWEET MUSIC: By voice and instrument, mission fields. That was also the time sharing, simplicity, love, and music the Jensons proclaimed the Word. Here they posed I met a roommate who was the son of come to mind. Before the couple left beside their piano in their home in India. missionaries to China. He had [such]

8(40) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 Yes, that’s right. I think it would be hard to find a wife with the same interests. God provides. Won’t you tell me about it? During my first year in college I took interest in a certain woman. Soon after, we became special friends. We graduat- ed together in 1946. Almost right away I proposed to her, and she accepted. And by June of the following year we were married. Finding a wife seems such a sim- ple job for you. TIME FOR REFLECTION: (Chuckle.) A missionary in her own So your wife right, Mrs. Jenson served never hesitated at faithfully with her hus- the idea of going band through good times out as missionaries and bad. to a foreign land? Not at all. She was ready to go with me as a mis- sionary—to China. Then how did the change from China to India come about? Sometime that year we were visited by a distant relative, Pastor Ham, who was then the president of the Southern STRIKING A POSE: Jenson dressed up for Punjabi Cultural Day. Asia Division. He asked us if we would consider India as a place for service. We a profound influence on my life that I Southern California Conference as a discussed several things, but in the end decided to be a missionary—more pre- pastor-evangelist. I was there from we said, “If the call comes, then we will cisely, a missionary pastor. Inci- September 1946 till about June 1948. consider it as God’s voice.” Several dentally, we both found out that we Then how did India come into the months later the call did come. were born the same day, the same picture? You must have had some mental ISC

month, the same year. From there on Actually, it was never on our mind. pictures of what your life would be D we became thick friends and were We applied to the General Conference like in India. HOTO

inseparable, like twins. to become missionaries to China. And I was sure we were going to do vil- © P So as soon as you completed col- for our second choice we indicated lage evangelism and live with primi- HOTO lege you headed for India as a that we were also willing to go to any tive conditions. I never knew that a P missionary? Spanish-speaking countries of Central cosmopolitan city like Bombay existed. No. In fact, after college I went or South America. At least not until we landed in ACKGROUND straight into internship at the “We” means you and your wife? Bombay itself. B

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (41) 9 So you were shocked when you come their way. However, if they saw Bombay? relate negatively to the truth, that By all means. truth will gradually diminish and ulti- Did that experience modify your mately leave them in darkness. More- idea of how missionaries should go over, a doer of truth will follow all the about doing their work? truth that they have perceived, not I cannot say that the Bombay expe- just 80 or 90 percent of it. rience had anything to do with our So what is our part as Christians? manner of life as missionaries. To reveal a better way. So what kind of life did you visu- And what is that better way? alize a missionary should adopt? Jesus Christ. He is the truth and From the start we both decided that the source of all truth and light. we should identify ourselves with the Because of the fact that there are people we serve; that we would do this doers of truth in every culture, my to the best of our ability, without sacri- approach in all evangelistic meetings ficing the principles of the gospel. is to find the lowest common factor That would reduce the difference between me and those whom I of lifestyle between the indigenous address. In other words, I assume that church worker and the missionary. the ones coming to my lectures are In fact, there should not even be already believers, in the broadest and any difference between the two. simplest sense of the word. They are So who is a missionary, then? doers of truth as they perceive it. A missionary is one who responds to Truth is universal, changeless, and the call of the church to go to different timeless. Therefore, truth does not regions and do the work of the church. THEY WERE THERE: The Jensons took time wear a name such as Hindu truth, In that case, anybody can be a from their station in India to attend the Muslim truth, or Christian truth. Such missionary without leaving their own 54th session of the General Conference, in terms divide and separate us. Insofar as country? New Orleans, Louisiana, 1985. Christ is God and God is truth, Christ Precisely. Anyone who witnesses for is therefore right when He says, “I am Christ and serves the needs of the soci- they have been done in God” [John the way, the truth, and the life. No ety is a missionary. 3:21]. There were no Christians when one comes to the Father except What needs do you particularly Jesus made this statement. Therefore, a through Me” [John 14:6]. have in mind? doer of truth might just as well be a So you said that your role as a Education, health, temperance, Jew, a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Christian, missionary is to lead others to Jesus social work, and such. or a Muslim. Christ, the source of truth? But aren’t we supposed to concen- So how would you define a “doer” And to the Bible also. trate on discipleship and evangelism? of truth? What then is the relationship While it is true that the main work A doer of truth is an individual who between Christ and the Bible? of a missionary is that of discipleship, has perceived truth to a degree and It was the Spirit of Christ that Christ Himself has shown that there does it. inspired the prophets and apostles to are different approaches and avenues And truth is? write the Bible. Moreover, our knowl- of reaching people with the gospel. Truth is what God says. This is tes- edge of Christ comes only through the Pastor Jenson, you are aware that tified to by Christ when He prayed to Bible. It is His word. Our duty is to most people in India believe that all the Father: “Sanctify them by Your lead people to understand why the religions are like the different roads truth, Your word is truth” [John 17:17]. Bible and Jesus Christ are truth. leading to the same mountaintop. And this word is revealed in Scripture, If truth is nameless, what would Christianity is therefore only one of namely, the Bible. you say when people ask your reli- ANK those roads to salvation. How does this perception of truth gious affiliation—whether you are a B RLD

You’ve opened up a big one. come about? Hindu, a Muslim, or a Christian? O W

Proverbs 4:18 says: “But the path of Of Christ John said: “That was the I would say I am a believer in HE

the just is like the shining sun, that true light which gives light to every Christ, the light and truth. © T shines ever brighter unto the perfect man coming into the world” [John In your own experience of truth, HOTO day.” * Now, who is the just? To 1:9]. This implies that every sane and do you experience it as propositional P Nicodemus Jesus said, “But he who intelligent individual has a perception or personal truth? does the truth comes to the light, that of some truth. If a person relates posi- I experience it both ways. ACKGROUND his deeds may be clearly seen, that tively to that truth, more of it will I understand you once faced an B

10 (42) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 A Life of Love and Service ally to crawl into small huts with mud floors and thatched roofs, to share the space with a family of six or seven and BY JOHN M. FOWLER a few chickens and a goat or two. He would sit on the mud floor, cross his legs, lead in a Hindi song, and study the The summer of 1948 was unusually hot in India—not Word for nearly an hour. He would share simple meals and just in climate, but in emotions. Barely a year after freedom praise the Lord for His blessings. He not only lived like an from Britain, the country had not yet settled down. The Indian, but spoke and dressed like one. wounds of communal carnage were yet raw. The future 2. Proclamation. Perfect identification opens the door to seemed uncertain. Could the nation hold together? Could authentic proclamation. Gordon is a man of the Word. Be it a the church, particularly the Adventist Church, press on? Sabbath school class, a preaching service, a home Bible study, At such uncertain times, Betty and Gordon Jenson landed an evangelistic service, or a graduate class, he had the gift of in Bombay, from California, and got their first shock as mis- letting the Bible leap across the gulf and touch the heart of the sionaries: that India is people, people, people. That picture listener. His ministry was an incarnational ministry. Through was never to leave them. The Jensons and the Indian people simple preaching, true-to-life illustrations, and need-fulfilling became inseparable. messages, He let the Word take on flesh and blood and trans- Whether it was pastoring in large cities, or Ingathering in mit the warm, transforming, and glowing gospel of Jesus Christ. villages and towns, or being the president of Spicer Hundreds of his former students, themselves ministers in College, Gordon Jenson was first and foremost the pastor. Southern Asia today, will testify that they learned to love Jesus He brought a pastoral touch to everything he did, and he and the Bible because of the Jenson model. Philosophy, theol- did not leave an individual or a home without a prayer. He ogy, and exegesis all had their place in this model, but they spoke and sang the Word, while Betty, in her own sweet, were only secondary. The first and foremost commitment of inimitable way, brought the best out of even the most dilapi- Gordon was to the whispers of the Holy Spirit and the authority dated piano or organ. Their contributions to India are many. of the written Word. Betty was no less a proclaimer. She was But three stand out in bold relief: Southern Asia’s nightingale: in getting students to sing, in 1. Identification. The Jensons practiced the Pauline teaching the gentle art of music to many, and in turning a loaf motif: “I have become all things to all people, that I might of bread into an instrument of God’s care. by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22, NRSV). The slums 3. Compassion. I have known the Jensons for 42 years, of Calcutta or the mansions of Delhi, the rickshaw puller on and one image continuously challenges my Christianity. They the street or the chair of the textile factory—status made believed without reservation that the cross broke every wall no difference to the Jensons. All were God’s children, and of partition, and they maintained an open heart and an open they identified with them equally. kitchen. The various ethnic groups in India made no differ- Pastor Jenson was a people person. He loved making ence to them. They had the cross-empowered dynamic to friends. He learned Hindi, Urdu, and Bengali, and with take all the hues in and make a rainbow of compassion. those languages he could communicate the meaning of life They educated scores of needy youngsters, created beauty and the love of Jesus to the entire northern Hindu-Muslim- out of ashes, and carved personhood out of shattered Sikh belt of India. His knowledge of Sanskrit came in handy pieces of clay. Their home was always a shelter of refuge. in understanding the profound insights of Hinduism and in There never was a shortage of that “cup of cold water.” erecting many of his own Mars hills from the city of The Jensons were missionaries in the truest sense of Chandigarh on the west to Calcutta on the east. the word. Gordon’s identification was not on the intellectual level John M. Fowler is an associate director of the alone. There he excelled and won many friends for the Education Department of the General gospel. But at the level of the soul he found an even Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland. greater way. A tall man—and big—he did not hesitate liter- experience in India that nearly com- from Chandigarh to some other place. 1970 International Conference on pelled you to return to America. The order came at the time when we the Prevention of Alcoholism. The What was that all about? thought the work in Chandigarh was conference was held in New Delhi as It was the influx of the refugees going on pretty well. We were terribly a commemoration of the birth cente- from Bangladesh during that country’s upset by that order. nary of Mahatma Gandhi. Among war of liberation. The magnitude of On the other hand, can you think those who came to the conference the problem of caring for their needs of any experience in particular that were the president of India, Shri V. V. was so overwhelming that I felt totally makes you feel extra-delighted for Giri; and Morarji Desai, who acted as hopeless and useless. Then there was having come to India? chairperson of the inaugural session. that time when we were asked to move My involvement in organizing the Our participation in musical con-

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (43) 11 certs, such as the one where Mrs. ready to complete the unfinished task She has been a tremendous producer Jenson accompanied an opera singer by itself? of the needed music for our ministry. from Germany, as well as our musical The Indian church has developed You came to India when you were performance over All India Radio, and matured in many ways. But it still only 23 years old, and you served were other events we cherish in our stands in need of a genuine spiritual the church in India for nearly 50 memories. revival. This, as I see it, is the greatest years. Forty-nine, to be precise. If On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as need of the church right now. we could fit you and your wife—par- the highest, where would you place What about its number? Aren’t we don me for being facetious—with your rate of success as a mission- hopelessly small to take on the 900 brand-new engines and rejuvenate ary? million in India? your entire bodies, what would you That’s a nebulous question. My like to do and where would you approach is to do my best and spend those next 50 years? leave the results to God. I would spend those 50 years In the history of the world- The in India, and part of those years wide Adventist Church you have would be used in learning more distinguished yourself as a long- of the Indian languages, such as standing Seventh-day Adventist magnitude Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. missionary. Other aspiring mis- Do you have any final words sionaries are therefore likely to of the problem for your spiritual brothers and turn to you for advice. What sisters of the Adventist Church would you say to them? was so overwhelming here in the Southern Asia My number one advice is that Division? they take time to learn the lan- The time has come for us to guage of the people they are serv- that I felt totally leave India, and we would like ing. Endeavor to identify with to take this opportunity to them in as many areas of their life hopeless and express our appreciation and as possible without compromising gratitude for the life and support your Christian principles. If you useless. and interest that the members are going to a place where there and leaders of the church in are already indigenous church Southern Asia have extended to workers, then your attitude is to Mrs. Jenson and me. We have work together with them rather than The Lord told us to “pray the Lord had great pleasure in associating with doing it all by yourself in your own of harvest to send out laborers into His you and working together with you, way. Then I would also urge that as a harvest” [Luke 10:2]. If we have the and we treasure the memories of all missionary you are to be extremely needed spiritual experience and others these years. We pray that God will careful in following the laws of health. see that in us, they will join us, and in bless each one of you, and we ask you Make sure you take your inoculations that way we will finish the work of the to remember us in your prayers. ■ and other precautionary measures. gospel in India. Even today my wife and I take anti- Your wife has always been a con- * Bible references in this article are from the New King James Version. malaria medications. stant source of help and support. You emphasize the learning of I do not know how to express my the language. Why? feelings of indebtedness toward my By learning the language you under- dear wife. Her willing spirit to join me stand the mind and heart of the people in whatever endeavor or undertaking is you are serving. Your ability to speak marvelous. Her very attitude and spirit to them in their own language opens of commitment is exemplary. Without up their hearts to you. They appreciate a shadow of doubt, I could not think of ANK B you better. doing the things I did without her RLD

O You haven’t mentioned anything blessing and support. Moreover, she’s a W about the missionary’s spiritual con- very spiritual woman, too, and keeps HE

© T nection with Christ. checking on me whenever I have the Boxter Kharbteng is a pro- It was assumed. I also assumed the tendency to go off the deep end.

HOTO fessor of religion at Spicer P missionary’s commitment to the teach- What about her widely recognized College in Pune, India. ings of the Bible as understood by the music talents—especially as a pianist? Adventist Church. I’m just fortunate to have her as a ACKGROUND

B Is the Adventist Church in India musician wife. She is God’s gift to me.

12 (44) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 F AITH ALIVE! Present Rewards and CALVIN B. ROCK Future Glory

bought a piece of land 15 years ago for $5,000. clean and white in the blood of the lamb, if He clothes Today the appraised and assessed value of the land is them with the garments of His righteousness, they will be $40,000. Instead of selling it and giving the money honored in the heavenly kingdom as verily as the white, . . . to the conference, I gave the they will shine forth in the very land to the conference. They same complexion that Christ has” Isold it the next day for $40,000. (letter 304, 1903). My typical annual income is We can no more Quickly viewed, either of these $40,000. Assuming that my quotes might easily be interpreted as income remains the same, is my tithe preliminarily you have expressed it. However, tithe paid up for the next 10 years? when studied in their context, a If not, should the conference tithe more palatable explanation is pos- the profit it made from the sale? than we can keep sible—especially with regard to the There are several reasons one is latter quote. That is that these state- not justified in declaring the confer- the Sabbath before ments reference heart sanctification, ence’s income from such a sale as his not skin tone. or her personal tithe. it arrives. This position is very feasible when First, the tithing principle relates one understands that (a) Webster’s to income already earned, not New World Dictionary defines “com- income anticipated. Tithing, like plexion” not only as skin color but as the Sabbath, is a test of obedience. We can no more tithe general appearance and as nature and character as well; and preliminarily than we can keep the Sabbath before it arrives. (b) it is at least as questionable a hermeneutic to interpret Second, tithing relates to income personally earned, these descriptions of the glorified as absolute, or literal, as it is not to that which others have earned from gifts we give to regard as literal distinctly non-White portrayals of Christ to them. Had you sold the land yourself, you would, of found in Scripture, such as Revelation 1:14, 15. course, have tithed the $35,000 profit, or whatever the But then, what does it matter? As one’s acceptance of sal- income after expenses. However, when you deeded the vation should not be discouraged by the ethnicity of the land to the conference, it became the conference’s prop- earthly Messiah, neither should one’s zeal for heaven be erty, and the property amounts to an unrestricted gift to dampened by the prospect of having a color there that differs the cause, not the return to God of the firstfruits, or 10 from the one now possessed. What matters in the first percent, of your income. instance is not which of the varieties of humanity Jesus Should the conference tithe the gift by placing $4,000 chose as His entry point, but that He came and was of the proceeds into its tithe fund? While such a response “Emmanuel—God with us” (Matt. 1:23). is not mandated of organizations, the conference would, To have tensions about Christ’s color during either His without doubt, be no less blessed, and it would be an earthly sojourn or His present ministry is to judge His sav- encouraging example to its members were it to do so. ing services by the sickly rules of our tribal concerns. In the light of Paul’s “Now we see through a glass, darkly” (1 Cor. ’ve heard that Mrs. White wrote that Black people will 13:12) and John’s “It doth not yet appear what we shall be” be made White in heaven. I find that hard to believe (1 John 3:2), that is a futile and unnecessary enterprise. Ior accept. Are you familiar with such a statement? I am aware of two statements that read rather closely to Calvin B. Rock is a general vice president of the what you have heard. The first is: “In heaven there will be General Conference. He holds doctoral degrees in no color line; for all will be as white as Christ Himself” ministry and Christian ethics. (Gospel Herald 3, No. 3 [March 1901]: 22). The second reads: “If Christ makes the colored race

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (45) 13 FEATURE A Nail on the Wall The story of Glenn Coon, Sr., and the ABCs of prayer ministry

ELLA RYDZEWSKI

ONDERFUL, gave the books to the spiritually wonderful, needy. One day I read a copy. wonderful Jesus,’” The message? Prayer works. Ask he sang along Christ to fulfill a need, believe with an enthusi- that He will, and claim a Bible Wastic audience on one of thousands promise. Sounds like a formula, I of such nights. His singing sounded thought. I did hear that criticism slightly off-key, but no one cared. His was a strong voice, full of the method by those who preferred a more sophisticated of passion—the voice of one who believes with his entire God. Later I read of formulas from other Christians, using being. such terms as adore, believe, commit and similar variations. I The smiling, slightly balding man standing on the plat- concluded humans need ritual to remind them of God’s care form appeared to be a typical middle-aged evangelist. But his and presence. Why else is prayer referred to as a discipline? blue-checkered suit jacket hinted at a love for liveliness, and The apostles once asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray.” his age was close to 80. His name had a kind of mischievous- Humility accompanies such a request—an acknowledgment ness to it—Glenn Coon. He had joined four of his brothers of what little we know. As modern prayer movements spread in the ministry—Lester, Arthur, Clinton, and Miles Roy. with new terminology, it’s good to remember that some The Coon brothers evoked images of playful Disney-like Adventists taught prayer methods before prayer became pop- characters, as I read about them. Lester, a longtime evange- ular. One of the most prominent was Glenn Coon. list, still drives to speaking appointments at age 96. He is the last survivor. Learning the ABCs His friends say Glenn Coon liked life simple. He and his It’s unusual when someone produces more spiritual fruit wife, Ethel, traveled around the country in a motor home, a after they retire than before, but people often say this of ISC lifestyle that he referred to as “two Coons in a hollow log.” Glenn Coon. In 1956 he left denominational work after a D

His ministry required no complex theological doctrines. bout with cancer, and he and Ethel began the ABCs of HOTO

The secret of winning people to Christ, he said, was to love Prayer crusades. Coon brought to his work the experience of © P them. To those confused about the meaning of justification an evangelist, pastor, and missionary. Within a few years the HOTO and sanctification, he simply said, “Focus on Jesus, and you ABCs of Prayer began marching all over North America and P will be saved.” then the world. I recall the small red ABC books in our church library in The seminar’s theme was “Jesus Only.” Coon determined ACKGROUND San Diego years ago. At the pastor’s suggestion, I occasionally he would not argue over doctrine. “That is not the spirit of B

14 (46) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 Jesus. We must denomination and awakened it to Glenn’s sense of humor, to entertain, l-o-v-e them the importance of simple prayer. educate, and draw me to the Bible. into Jesus,” he He led thousands to Christ, and From that time, nearly 30 years ago, my said. “Soul win- even led church leaders back to life has been changed. Inner peace ning,” he said,” their first love. came after meeting with the Holy Spirit is a love affair.” Army chaplain Don Troyer lived and being led to my Saviour on the People came to in Thailand at the time he and his cross. That peace has been renewed his crusades with wife first heard of the “amazing new daily ever since. Prayer communion problems and kind of prayer.” “It was the begin- with God is real. On the human level, sorrows. And he ning of a wonderful odyssey that Glenn Coon was my mentor.” taught them how would change our family. Coon and to pray with company visited the school, and Later faith. God might, but not always, Nancy and I became a part of a won- The man, once so lively, sat in a change their circumstances. But God derful church legacy—the ABCs of wheelchair pushed by his daughter, would always change them. He held Prayer crusades. Juanita, when Chaplain Chet Damron healing services, telling people that as “I am only one of thousands that last saw him. Had his enthusiasms children of God they would be have been waned now that the dynamic energy healed—“either now, later, or at the blessed had been quashed by a stroke in his last resurrection.” In these healing services and pre- years? The chaplain tells us, “His smile people learned how to live and think served for and bright beaming eyes said ‘I remem- healthfully, with Jesus as their focus. God’s ber you.’ He could now speak only one And immediate healings did occur for kingdom word, and he repeated it over and over many during the quiet healing prayers. because of as the chaplain talked with him— Wherever they went, the ABCs this min- ‘wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.’” spread peace and joy, promoting posi- istry. . . . tive possibility thinking through Jesus. Nancy Epilogue Glenn Coon, Jr., once declared that and I Glenn Coon died in the fall of 1996 his father was a mixture of Robert returned at age 93. His son, Glenn Coon, Jr., has Schuller, Dale Carnegie, and Norman to the States for me to enter the semi- been carrying on the legacy of teaching Vincent Peale. Glenn Coon became a nary, pastor, and serve as a chaplain in the ABCs of Prayer seminars since his one-man Sunshine Band. But he the U.S. Army. All that time ‘the father’s stroke in 1987. Ethel Coon would have shunned such a descrip- country preacher’ inspired me to lives with her tion, for he saw himself as only “a nail preach the loving grace of a compas- daughter, on the wall.” sionate heavenly Father.” Juanita, and Each ABC meeting began with this Juanita Kretschmar, who became son-in-law, special prayer: “Lord, make me a nail known for her work with the New Charles, as upon the wall, fastened secure in its York City van ministry, was hospital- did her hus- place. Then from this thing so com- ized when Coon’s prayer message band before mon and so small, hang a bright found her. “I was weak and bored as I his death. picture of Thy face. Amen.” lay recuperating in a hospital bed in ABC assis- The meetings became known as Brazil. A fellow missionary brought tants Ruben places to be happy and full of joy— tapes of Glenn Coon sermons. and Nancy places for celebration long before the Listening to this man, chuckling at his Neuharth word carried any other connotations. answer-to-prayer stories, I was drawn show Coon’s videos in churches. His “‘Everything’s all right in my Father’s to the simplicity of his message. In books are available in Adventist Book house—there is joy, joy, joy,’” sang brief he said that anyone could take Centers and from his daughter, Juanita the people. God’s promises and, as one of His chil- Steffens, in Ooltewah, Tennessee, or Coon practiced the presence of dren, present it to the Father, choose you might find them in your church God. He tells in his book Path to the to believe, and already thank Him library left over from an ABCs of Heart that he would open the door of because it was as good as done. Prayer Crusade. ■ his car before driving off, and invite “Excitement grew in my heart. To Jesus to ride with him. open a Bible other than to prove some- Ella Rydzewski is editorial thing or teach a Sabbath school lesson assistant at the Adventist Blessings was new to me. I devoured books by Review. Coon’s ministry spanned more than Coon. They made sense. God used 60 years, during which he influenced a those Spirit-filled messages with

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (47) 15 LIFESTYLE In Quiet Desperation Are you ignoring the distress signals?

BY MARY WONG

T HAD BEEN AN EXHAUSTING DAY FILLED having responded to the distress signals of their child. People who ignore distress signals do not always get by with classes, assignments, and household chores. with such slight consequences. Many times it results in tragic consequences, causing them to wish they could The weary couple, graduate students in a univer- turn the clock back to redeem the situation. Take the case of Dick. He was devastated. sity, breathed a sigh of relief when their baby was His girlfriend had dropped him for another man. Life no longer held finally changed and tucked into bed. Just as they any meaning for him as he staggered Isettled down to a good night’s sleep, a small whimper broke about in a daze. He wondered how he could continue to live without her. Moreover, the silence of the night. It was the baby. What could ever since he was a child he had always felt himself a born loser. Although his brothers were tall and handsome, he was be the matter? He had been fed and short and plain-looking. The day Dick reached a decision as to what to do with changed. his life, he went to work as usual. In a desperate attempt to stop himself from carrying out his intent, however, he “Don’t worry stopped by the chaplain’s office. Unfortunately, the chap- about him. He just wants attention,” his lain was away, and Dick turned his steps to a relative’s father said as they rolled over and tried to sleep. The home. She was busy with her household chores, so he sat whimper increased in volume and intensity. Determined not quietly in her living room, the pain gnawing at him and to spoil the baby, the parents did not respond to his cries. giving him no relief. After what seemed an eternity, the whimpering finally He decided to leave. Soon after, his relative heard a com- stopped and the parents had a good night’s sleep. motion below her high-rise apartment and looked down to see The next morning, however, the parents took one look a crowd surrounding a lifeless figure stretched out on the pave- at the baby in his crib and were instantly smitten with ment below. The young man had taken that fatal leap–a leap remorse. Ants were crawling all over him, and red bumps that put an end to his pain. As friends and loved ones grieved covered his tiny body. What had been interpreted as the over his untimely and tragic death, they were filled with whimperings of a spoiled baby were actually distress signals remorse to think that had they paid attention to the distress he was sending to his parents. Their baby survived the ant signals he’d been sending, his life could have been saved. bites, but the parents could not forgive themselves for not Fortunately, however, the bleak picture of people’s insensi-

16 (48) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 and took time to find out how she could help. The supreme example is found in Jesus’ dealings with the social out- casts of His day. His awareness of the needs of such indi- viduals as Mary Magdalene and the woman of

Samaria checked ASH their downward N NDY

course toward A total degradation. BY

In the case of the HOTO P woman of tivity to one another’s pain Beth, a vivacious Samaria, the compassion of Jesus saved is brightened sometimes by and talented student, was not only her but many from her village examples of persons who have been the envy of her fellow stu- and the surrounding areas. kept from taking a wrong step or been dents. No one would have Henry David Thoreau wrote, “The saved from an untimely death through guessed the despair behind her mass of men lead lives of quiet desper- the intervention of caring persons who laughter except for a perceptive ation. What is called resignation is saw and responded to signals of distress. teacher who caught the distress sig- confirmed desperation” (Walden, p. Such was the case of Jenny, a col- nals–dark rings around her eyes, 1). Are we aware of or sensitive to the lege student with a sunny disposition, periodic absences from class, and a pain and suffering of those who hide the spark of the college campus. distracted look during unguarded their sorrow behind a smile? Do we Students and teachers loved to hear moments. have to wait until a tragic turn of her infectious laughter, totally unaware The teacher took her aside and events drives home the needs of that she was in the grip of emotional asked, “Is there anything wrong, friends and loved ones? If we are turmoil that threatened to take her Beth?” Tears welled up in Beth’s eyes, given a sensitivity born of the love of away from college and to turn her and a haunted look replaced the God, that will not happen. We may against the Christian values of the forced smile. She confessed that she have relished the dream of going as school and her minister father. was terrified. She believed that she missionaries to distant lands without On the day she decided to give up was devil-possessed. At night she was realizing that God has given us a mis- all pretense of being a Christian and a harassed by a figure lying next to her, sion field right here—our place of good “preacher’s kid” and leave college and in the day a sinister voice echoing work and our home. for good, she happened to walk past in the deep recesses of her mind “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one the president’s office. Discerning a repeated the words “Go kill yourself! of the least of these my brethren, ye have droop to her shoulders and a forlorn Go kill yourself!” done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40). ■ look on her usually happy face, the Just in time this perceptive teacher president invited her into his office. stopped her at the brink of suicide. Deeply touched by the fact that the Immediately summoning the help of president of the college noticed her, the pastor and other professionals, the Jenny shared with him her terrible teacher convened a special prayer ses- Mary Wong is director of struggle and was able to receive the sion for Beth. The pall settling over women’s and child and timely counsel that helped her to reaf- Beth’s brain lifted. She was delivered family life ministries for the firm her faith. Today she is a worker in from the clutches of the devil because Northern Asia-Pacific our denomination. a teacher perceived the distress signals Division.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (49) 17 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES Through War and Peace, Ivan and Lorraine Crowder Sing a Song of Service

BY GORDEN R. DOSS, WHO WAS PRINCIPAL OF LAKE VIEW SEMINARY, MALAWI, AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS ARTI- CLE, AND WHO CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE FACULTY OF THE ADVENTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ANDREWS UNIVERSITY, BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN.

van and Lorraine Crowder first past retirement, and past retired volun- responsive readings, and other worship glimpsed the green hills of teer service on Okinawa and Cayman aids. After reviewing the selections and Malawi, Africa, through the win- Brac. From the General Conference making some suggestions, church leaders dow of a train. The year was came another call for retired volunteer approved the new hymnal’s contents. 1945, and World War II was service, this time at Lake View Seminary When the Malawi Union gave the Iabout to end. Their train ride from in Mlangeni, Malawi. final go-ahead, Lorraine had her work cut Cape Town, South Africa, to Blantyre, The Crowders’ second journey to out for her. She drew on years of experi- Malawi, was only the last stage of a Malawi took just two days instead of 200. ence as a music teacher, choir director, 200-day saga of wartime travel. From At Lake View Ivan taught ministerial and hymnologist. Computer hardware New Orleans they sailed to Argentina, students while Lorraine organized and and software were purchased at her per- hoping to find passage from there to cataloged the small library. Responding sonal expense. Publisher and copyright Cape Town. After waiting in Buenos permissions were obtained. The music Aires for several months, they finally was set to the “tonic sol-fa” system (used sailed for the Cape via the Caribbean in The Sound of Music), which is used and Portugal. On the way they saw throughout Malawi. several prowling German U-boats, New translations into Malawi’s main which thankfully did not attack their language, Chichewa, and the review of neutral ship. In Luanda, Angola, local old translations had to be made back in missionary Max Webster boarded the Malawi. The responsive readings were Crowders’ ship with the sad news that entered by computer from the Lorraine’s father had passed away. Chichewa Bible. Materials passed back Between New Orleans and Cape Town and forth between the Crowders’ home they spent 109 days at sea. in Florida and Malawi made the process Adventist missionaries at Malamulo A NEW SONG: The Crowders (center) extremely slow. Mission welcomed the Crowders arrive in Malawi with the newly completed Finally, after four years of hard work, warmly. For the duration of the war, manuscript. enough of the project was completed to missionaries in Malawi were unable to to an appeal to teach another semester, return to Malawi to finish the final take their scheduled furloughs. The they celebrated their fiftieth wedding details. April 1997 found the Crowders Crowders were the first end-of-the-war anniversary in Malawi instead of at back in Malawi for six weeks. At Lake appointees to offer overdue relief to home with their family. View Seminary more hours were spent those caught by the fighting. Their time was about up when bringing the project to completion. Lorraine’s observant eyes fastened on a Malawian workers, led by E. S. Khonje, Varied Ministry worthy project. The Malawi Union was Lake View Seminary registrar, rallied The six years the Crowders spent in using a small songbook put together in around the project. W. L. Masoka per- Malawi were packed full of preaching, the 1940s that did not meet the needs sonally did the final proofreading. teaching, accounting, and traveling. of a rapidly growing church community. When the Crowders left in May, the Ivan Crowder and Warren Pierce With encouragement from W. L. hymnal was ready for publication at became among the first departmental Masoka, Malawi Union president, and Malamulo Publishing House. directors of what is now the Malawi others, she started the project. On January 1, 1998, the 200,000 Union, but in 1951 another appoint- Lorraine conducted an extensive Seventh-day Adventists of the Malawi ment led the Crowders back home. usage and preference survey of songs in Union officially started using their new Scroll forward 38 years to 1989— the old book. Then, using The Seventh- church hymnal, the Nyimbo Ya Seventh- past fruitful pastoral and teaching day Adventist Hymnal as a pattern, she day Adventist. It was launched with a careers, past mission service in Trinidad, proposed a collection of 450 hymns, 89 well-planned promotional campaign.

18 (50) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES

related deaths, which has reached 500 a Australian Youth March week in Australia, is one of the main rea- sons behind the rally,” said Barry Gane, Promotes Drug-free Lifestyle South Pacific Division youth director. John O’Hara, from Wesley Mission’s BY RAY COOMBE, SOUTH PACIFIC DIVISION COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR Drug Arm, a community-based anti-drug agency, explained the effects of prohibit- ore than 600 Pathfinders and The youth march coincided with the ed drugs. “Politicians voting on decrimi- Adventurers took the drug-free government’s announcement of a multi- nalizing drugs have given young people M message to the streets of Sydney, million-dollar anti-drug program to mixed messages,” he said. “The message Australia, on November 1. Carrying bal- address Australia’s growing drug problem. that’s coming across from a lot of high- loons and banners, young people aged Bob Saunders, Greater Sydney Path- profile people is that it’s OK. Young peo- 6-18 pledged to remain drug-free and finder director, said, “Young people today ple are being told that marijuana isn’t a demonstrated their commitment to are continually being challenged about problem. But it’s a big problem! It’s four helping others live a drug-free lifestyle by their lifestyle and their choice for or times more carcinogenic than a cigarette. releasing helium-filled balloons from the against drugs.” We want to encourage kids to make a Sydney Opera House steps. “I think drugs are a waste of time,” said decision to say no to drugs.” During the anti-drug rally, a message Danielle Piot, 13, of Campbelltown. At the end of the march, at the com- from the Australian prime minister, John “They ruin your life and yourself.” Debbie mand of Sydney’s police superintendent, Howard, was read to the youth. “I con- King said she had brought her 6-year-old Allan Herman, the balloons bearing the gratulate you on your commitment to a daughter, Ashley, to the rally in the hope message “Say NO to Drugs” were drug-free life and wish you continued that she would look back on it when she released in a symbolic statement of com- success in your good work,” said Howard was older and realize drugs were not OK. mitment to drug-free living.—Adventist in a letter. “Our concern about the rate of drug- News Network.

NEWSBREAK

Five PNG Drifters Survive the sea, far from sight of land. Two-Month Ordeal at Sea Every day they talked to God as they kept a record of their voyage and watched the horizon for land or boat. ive Adventist men from Papua New Guinea have Six weeks went by, and they became weak and exhausted. F been rescued and flown back to their home from On October 18, two months after they had left shore, Tarawa, Kiribati, after drifting in their canoe without Cleveland Kolivos died. At 3:00 a.m. the remaining voy- food and water for more than two months in the South agers, Joses Karike, Vincent Benny, Titus Lauvos, Grosby Pacific. A sixth man died from starvation and exposure Ume, and Donald James, were too weak to move, so they and was buried at Tarawa by the Adventist minister, closed their eyes and slept. Three hours later a fishing Biribo Kabaneiti. vessel from American Samoa came toward them. The incredible voyage began when the six young men A crew member, searching for fish, saw someone from Emirau Island (in the St. Matthias group), PNG, set waving from the boat. The fishing vessel pulled along- out from Kavieng (New Ireland province) on August 17, side, and the men woke up. “Did you wave to us?” 1997, in their small boat to return home. They thought asked the captain. they had sufficient fuel for the journey, but they encoun- “No; we didn’t see you. We were asleep,” the men tered strong winds and rough seas. When their outboard replied. The drifters believe the lookout had seen an motor stopped, they paddled but could not make any angel. The Samoan seamen took care of the men on the headway, and drifted helplessly on the open sea. 200-mile trip to Tarawa, Kiribati, where they received The men used a piece of canvas for shelter and caught medical help. rainwater for drinking. After the fourth day they ran out The Kiribati Department of Foreign Affairs took the of food. They prayed as they drifted. Raw fish made them five survivors into care in a Tarawa hotel until they were sick, so they flattened a tin, cut their rubber thongs into well enough to return to PNG. Adventists in Tarawa wel- strips, and made a fire to cook the fish. comed their brothers, providing food and clothing and Four weeks went by. Every day they prayed—for grieving with them as they buried Cleveland. The drifters rescue, fish (they caught more than 300), and flew home to PNG on November 7, almost three months coconuts. After 19 days they fished a coconut out of after their voyage began.—Adventist News Network.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (51) 19 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES Sight for Sore Eyes

BY ROGER HUNTER, TEACHER, STANBOROUGH SECONDARY SCHOOL, STANBOROUGH, ENGLAND

ews today can be truly gloomy. Whether it’s who looked like their son. The boy was emaciated, was cov- Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction or the threat ered in filth, and had an unkempt beard—but his eyes were Nof global economical collapse, there isn’t much to unmistakably Alex’s. Following their son through the city, gladden our spirits. However, a truly delightful tale recently they finally caught up with him. “Mom!” was all Alex could brought festive cheer to Britain. say as he burst into tears. Alexander Davies, 17, believed he had failed some “When Gordon [the father] caught up,” Mrs. Davies important exams and decided to run reflected later, “all three of us were cry- away from home. He fled to the bright NEWS COMMENTARY ing and jumping up and down and hug- lights of London, more than 150 miles ging each other. People must have away. The note he left behind simply stated: “I’ve let you thought we were mad.” down; please forgive me.” * Asked why he hadn’t made an effort to call home, Alex Thinking their son had killed himself, Alex’s parents replied that he felt too ashamed. “I wanted them to find were filled with despair. But two weeks later they noticed me,” he said. that some money had been withdrawn in London from their As we flip through the morning paper, let us not become bank—and they knew he was still alive. They spared no too focused on the thorns when there are still roses in the expense in trying to locate him: posters, television appeals, garden of life. newspaper ads, you name it. On their fifth visit to London, Mrs. Davies saw someone * Daily Telegraph, Dec. 10, 1997.

NEWSBREAK

Malawi Ambassador Calls on Adventist African countries,” said Rock. “In 1998, this will increase Church to “Intensify Activities” to 15 countries and at least 25 teams.” Adventists in Malawi number nearly 200,000 Visiting the Seventh-day Adventist world headquarters baptized believers in a population of 9.5 million. on November 24, Malawi ambassador Willie Chokani —Adventist News Network. called for increased church involvement in his country. “I invite the Adventist Church to intensify its activities China Pioneer Killed in California Accident in Malawi even if it means bringing back retirees,” said Chokani. “Malawi cannot hope to develop without solid Milton Lee, who pioneered the Adventist work in foundations, and Adventists are providing this. You teach southwestern China, died in a one-car accident near St. honesty, hard work, and self-reliance. You brought good Helena, California, on December 4. He was 82. news and good practice to our country, and your work Lee’s wife, Helen, suffered multiple injuries in the under difficult circumstances is very much appreciated.” accident and was in critical condition “The visit, hosted by the General Conference Public at the University of California at Affairs and Religious Liberty [PARL] Department, provided Davis Medical Center in Sacramento an opportunity for dialogue and for church representatives at presstime. to respond to enquiries,” said John Graz, PARL director. The accident occurred when Helen Ambassador Chokani asked for direct action from the fell asleep at the wheel and the car church to increase its activities and promised to facilitate struck a tree. arrangements for those wishing to visit. Milton Lee Lee, born in Shanghai, China, in Responding, Calvin Rock, a General Conference vice 1915, was the son of longtime Adventist president, promised to add Malawi to the current Operation Review associate editor Frederick Lee. During World War Reachback program. This church-sponsored program invites II the Lees pioneered the work among the Miao people in African-Americans in particular to donate their time and China. Immediately after the war Lee conducted evange- skills in assisting communities in Africa. listic meetings in T’ien-an-men Square in Beijing. A flu- “In 1997, 14 teams comprising 62 people served in 10 ent speaker in Mandarin, the Chinese national language,

20 (52) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES

Test Your Global which country of southeastern Europe is Vojvodina situated? A. Croatia C. Bosnia Mission IQ B. Yugoslavia D. Montenegro 1. When Pastor Ung Chan Tha entered Kampot in 1994, he asked his 3. Northern Lights is the name of a Global Mission proj- barber if he knew any Christians in ect to evangelize the Nenets people in Naryan-Mar, a city the city. The barber told him about above the Arctic Circle, where many people herd reindeer. “Grandpa Jesus,” a man who walked through town with his Pastor Vasily Zhukov distributed 100 sets of Bible studies Bible and songbook, talking to people about Jesus. When the and found a place for evangelistic meetings. In which coun- pastor found the man, Grandpa Jesus asked about the Sabbath try is Naryan-Mar? and was delighted to hear a thorough explanation from the A. Russia C. Finland Scriptures. Today Grandpa Jesus (Khun San By) still witnesses B. Norway D. Sweden and brings new members to the Kampot City church and con- ducts a branch Sabbath school. Kampot lies on the Gulf of Answers Thailand between Vietnam and Thailand. Which Asian 1. C. Cambodia, where 88 percent of the population is country is this? Buddhist. A. Bangladesh C. Cambodia 2. B. Yugoslavia. Recent meetings in Vojvodina resulted in B. Malaysia D. Laos a group of 20 meeting in a small room. 3. A. Russia. The 29 churches and 3,154 members of the 2. “The interest is great,” reports Peter Roennfeldt, Northwestern Conference of the West Russian Union feel Global Mission coordinator of the Trans-European Division, the burden to carry the last-day message to the far reaches of concerning Vojvodina, a Danube River province tucked in their field. against the border where Hungary and Romania meet. “If we Compiled by F. Donald Yost, Office of Global Mission, General Conference of had the resources, we could have another 100 churches.” In Seventh-day Adventists.

NEWSBREAK

Lee started a radio and television ministry in China and teenth annual conference held in South Lancaster, Taiwan. He recorded 1,200 radio broadcasts, many of Massachusetts. which are still heard today. Helen translated The Bible in The honorees were (from left to right) Elsie Chan, Living Sound recordings into Chinese. for youth leadership; Laura Sundin, for community In all, Lee worked for more than 50 years in China, life; Margaret Hempe, for spiritual leadership; Helen Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Sprengel, for lifetime achievement; Gertrude Green, for lifetime achievement; Shirley Ann Munroe, for AAW Honors Outstanding Adventist Women professional achievement; Adly Compos, for church life; and Mable Dunbar, for family life. The Association of Adventist Women recently hon- ored eight women as Women of the Year at their fif- News Notes

✔ P. Daniel Kunjachan, South India Union treasurer, was elected Southern Asia Division treasurer. Kunjachan replaces I. Nagabhushana Rao, who was appointed as a general field secretary for the division.

What’s Upcoming?

Jan. 17 Bible Emphasis Day

OBINSON Jan. 17-24 Religious Liberty Week R Jan. 24 Health Ministries Day

HRISTY Feb. 7 Bible Evangelism C

BY Feb. 14-21 Christian Home and Marriage Week Feb. 21 Youth Temperance HOTO P

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (53) 21 STORY

Left to Die As we came face-to-face, he almost fainted.

BY ERIC GUTTSCHUSS AS TOLD TO HEATHER GUTTSCHUSS

HE GOT INTO OUR VAN AS WE her, she said. The man killed her pastor-husband and left her for dead, with machete slashes across her face and headed for an orphanage in a nearby head. But when all was safe, her son came from his hid- ing place and rescued her, saving her life. town. The bus would take forever, and But the story she told only began there. She spoke with emotion as she continued. “During the terrible slayings I Carl Wilkens* and I were going her direc- saw the man who killed my husband and wounded me. I had known him well. He had once been a member of my tion, so it was no problem to take another husband’s congregation. Of course, the man did not know that I was not dead when he walked away.” Spassenger. As we bumped over the potholed road, I noticed a Then months later, while shopping in a busy, crowded outdoor marketplace, she came face-to-face with him. They deep scar across her forehead and another on the back of her each stood still, staring at each other for a moment, unable to move. The man was shocked to head. Carl noticed too, and being see her alive—this pastor’s wife whom he was sure he’d killed in the curious, he asked her about them. She They each stood fury of the massacre. He never expected to see her face again. spoke in her native language, with a still, staring at Would her husband also appear before him now? local pastor interpreting her story into He began to sweat profusely, each other for thinking he was seeing a ghost. English, as we drove past the decep- But she did not disappear—she just stood there in the market, tively green hills of Rwanda. a moment, looking back at him, her scars deep from his own machete. During the recent political unable to move. The horror of it all rushed over upheaval in which thousands of him. He trembled at what her people were killed, a man attacked response would be to him now.

22 (54) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 Would she turn him over to the police to be tried for his crime? He had seen that happen so often since the terrible killings had ended, and many were now in prison for their part in the slayings. His eyes seemed glued to her expres- sion of recognition. He was unable to run. There was no escape. Other people in the market became aware of the con- frontation and watched to see what would happen as perspiration continued to roll down the criminal’s face and chest. He knew he’d been caught. The crowd began to ask, “Why is he acting like this? What is wrong with this man?” Turning to them, the pastor’s wife said calmly: “This man saw me in the hospital when I was very sick, and he did not think I was going to live. That is why he is so surprised to see me today.” Then she walked up to the man and spoke his name, saying, “Come with me.” She took him to her home and exchanged his sweat-drenched shirt for a clean one from her own son’s closet. Then she said words that must have been the hardest words she’d ever spoken: “I don’t know what else you have done or who else might accuse you, but as for me, I forgive you.” And the man went his way. She doesn’t know where he went. But she now goes from house to house selling books as a literature evangelist, telling others of God’s love and forgiveness. As Carl and I took the woman to her small house in the nearby town, I knew something inside me had changed. Her story of the ultimate forgiveness would remain with me forever. I still see her scars when I close my eyes really tight. ■

* Carl Wilkens was then Rwanda Union Mission secretary.

Eric Guttschuss, who now UTLER attends Andrews University, B

was a student volunteer in ALPH R

Kigali, Rwanda, from July BY 1995 to July 1996. Heather Guttchuss is the mother of Eric and lives TION in California. LLUSTRA I

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (55) 23 DEVOTIONAL AsAs SeeingSeeing thethe InvisibleInvisible I was guarded and even skeptical at first. Then something struck me.

BY IVEY PETERSEN

N MY FIRST VISIT TO THE MIDDLE East of the sophisticates of the Egyptian court. At the end of that I considered myself well fortified against tourist- divinely appointed preparation, God came to him, and the bashing superstition. I held my own on water following conversation2 (slightly adapted here) ensues: (Red Sea, Dead Sea, Jordan, Sea of Galilee). “Do not come any closer. Take off your shoes. I am the And as for the mountains, they stood steady: God of your fathers.” Moses hides his face in fear. (What OSinai?—perhaps one of three peaks; Nebo?—looked likely; would you have done?) Mount of Olives?—probably; Golgotha?—no! “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people out of But one area caught my attention. On the hot, dry Sinai Egypt.” Peninsula we visited the Byzantine church of Saint Catherine, “Who am I, that I should go?” After 40 endless years built 1,600 years ago on the spot where, according to tradition, in the empty, endless desert, he’s lost that grand self- Moses’ career began. There we drank water pumped by a soldier confidence. from the well where the fugitive watered Jethro’s flocks. “I will be with you and bring you with them to worship Conveniently close by was a big green bush growing from a Me right here.” hole in a rock wall. The monks are supposed to have found this “The Israelites will ask me Who sent you? What is His dried-out bramble bush and, with angelic help, watered it back name?” to life more than 1,500 years after Moses watched it burn! “Tell them I AM has sent me to you. This is My name But there was something about that place, in spite of all forever.” its bluff, that sent me back to reread the story of Moses. “I AM” is sending you. This has to be one of the most After spending the first 12 years of his life at the feet of his powerful phrases in all of Scripture, conveying cosmic mother, Moses moves to the court of Pharaoh. From his mother credentials. he’s caught the vision of deliverance for Israel. Perhaps he’s And now God tells Moses exactly what he is to say to really the man who’s going to do the job! Eventually God Israel: “I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in makes contact with him and confirms his suspicions. “Angels Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey.” instructed . . . [him] that Jehovah had chosen him to break the “But what if they do not believe me and say The Lord did bondage of his people.” Soldier, scholar, and priest—learned in not appear to you”? In response, God gives him three physi- all the wisdom of the Egyptians—he uses his skills to reason cal signs. But they’re not convincing enough for Moses. “with priests and worshipers, showing the folly of their supersti- tious veneration of senseless objects. None could refute his Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past arguments or change his purpose.” 1 nor since You have spoken to Your servant. I am But his 40 years in Egypt are balanced by an equal period O slow of speech and tongue.” What has happened to in the wilderness. He lives with shepherds and sheep in place the successful theological debater? After 40 years in the com-

24 (56) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 pany of sheep, he can’t speak anymore? But wait a minute. Moses isn’t done yet. repeatedly interspersed with “and

“Who gave man his mouth? Who “O Lord, please choose someone Moses said to the Lord.” Here was a OURCE S makes him deaf or dumb? Who gives else to do it.” working partnership that could handle him sight or makes him blind? Is it not “Then the Lord’s anger was kindled all eventualities, that could cope with TION I, the Lord?” against Moses.” Now it’s not only the both failure and success. A deep love LLUSTRA I need to take my time over God’s bush that’s on fire. This is where I relationship developed between Moses I CK answer to this objection, because I would have been very frightened in- and God, far transcending the master- TO have to know and understand God’s deed. But this wonderful God, who can servant overtones of that first meeting. / S UGH will in relation to His call. Have we as manage to be at once both angry and R

end-time children of God sensed the understanding, is willing to compro- nd now Israel is safely out of OUG D

urging of the Holy Spirit to do things mise with His doubting, reluctant son. Egypt, with the Egyptian horses BY we haven’t done before? “I will send Aaron with you,” He says, and their riders buried beneath A TION “Why tell Me what your short- “not to take over, but to help with the the sea. But amid the tension and

comings are? I know all about them. I speaking part.” What a pity! For now trauma of threatened judgment in the LLUSTRA I put them there. And in spite of those Moses has to rely on the sometimes wake of national disobedience and weak spots—even because of them— weak and vacillating Aaron. insubordination, Moses makes a simple I’m asking you to do the very thing for “Once having accepted the work,” yet stupendous request: Me that you think you are incapable of however, Moses “entered upon it with “Now show me your glory” doing.” That’s probably the only way his whole heart, putting all his trust in (Ex. 33:18, NIV). God can ensure that you and I won’t the Lord. God blessed his ready obedi- The rest of the human race would become swollen headed when we suc- ence, and he became eloquent, hope- have to wait 1,500 years to look upon ceed in the tasks He sets us. ful, self-possessed. . . . This is an exam- Christ, and then only in His human And now this patient and loving ple of what God does to strengthen form. Was it presumption, was it God, who planned Moses’ genetic the character of those who trust Him nerve, was it arrogance, for Moses to composition in his mother’s womb for fully and give themselves unreservedly ask for a preview way back then? this time and this task, tells him, “Now to His commands.” 3 I would like to think that Christ was go; I will help you speak and teach you From here on the conversation thrilled by the request. “Here’s one of what to say.” between Moses and his God never My lost creation who loves Me for Well, surely Moses and God at last stops, and from Exodus through Myself, not for what I can do for him.” can get down to business and plan the Deuteronomy one finds the evidence: Psalm 103:7 echoes Exodus 33:13, and details of the exodus. “And the Lord said to Moses” is I like it. God showed Israel His deeds

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (57) 25 or acts, but He made Moses know His to Canaan, as Ellen White describes it And then, through this end-time ways. I wonder if I can illustrate it, in Patriarchs and Prophets. What a story, form He has seen fit to provide me inadequately, this way. You have a little stretching from Moses’ own people to (the weakest of the weak), through money in the bank, and you choose to the faithful end-time band who finally this slow mouth that He has made, I make your withdrawals at the auto- inherit the goodly land and look upon pray that His power and glory may matic teller machine (ATM). You push the unveiled face of their Redeemer. speak and act on behalf of a dying in your card, press some keys, then hold world. I pray that every now and then, out your hand for the notes being fed ’ve come home from that journey when problems mount up, when to you while looking nervously over through the lands of Moses’ birth, weariness and discouragement take your shoulder for muggers. You spend Itravels, death, and resurrection with their toll and the vision seems to fade, the money, then get some more next one overriding desire. I want to see I may be allowed to revisit the bush, time the same way. Jesus. I want to go beyond doctrinal and Mount Sinai, and Mount Nebo, While most of us seem satisfied exposition and theological debate. I and view anew the Promised Land, with the ATM option, Moses, so to want worship that transcends form and behold again my lovely Lord, and then speak, asked to see the Bank Director. ceremony. I desire above all things to return once more to labor and endure And how he was rewarded! Exodus graduate from dealing at the ATM to as one who has seen the invisible. ■ 34 uses six verses (29 to 35) to meeting the Bank Director, or to get- describe the radiance of his face after ting as close to His office as He sees fit 1 Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 245. 2 See Ex. 3:5-4:16. he had seen the Lord. The people to have me come. I want to walk and 3 Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 255. could not look on him because of the talk with Him every day. dazzling brightness. Occasionally can He not hide me too In the Old Testament we read the in just a little cleft of the rock while He Ivey Petersen is director of histories of great men and women, but shows me just a small ray of His glory? women’s ministries for the Hebrews 11 tells us what motivated Will He permit a smidgen of His charac- Southern Africa Union. and empowered them. This sentence ter of love and mercy and faithfulness to in verse 27 jumps out at me whenever fall on and enfold even me? I read the segment on Moses: “He saw him who is invisible” (NIV). How do you see someone who is invisible? Ehab, our guide, conversed on the nature of Egyptian history. It’s well doc- umented, he said, with statues, monu- ments, and inscriptions everywhere. The pyramids continue to stymie the imagination, and the huge statues at Memphis give you a crick in the neck just looking up at them. The Egyptians thought and built and worshiped big. And Moses grew up surrounded by a highly visible religion. The Israelites, on the other hand, do not feature in Egyptian history because they left no visible tracks, no records in stone, of their passage through the sands of time. But Moses pleaded for and was given a view of the Invisible, of Him who cannot be confined in human-made structures. He walked and talked and planned and wept with God. And because of this divine favor he was able to endure and achieve, and yet remain the humblest man who ever lived. I wish there were space here for us to view with Moses on Mount Nebo the passage of human history from Canaan

26 (58) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 A MEDITATION Where Is Hope? MIKE RYAN Come with me, feel with me.

stood, as it were, bolted to the intersection. My young Singaporean in the September heat, hooks and nee- senses reeled as I tried to take it all in, but somehow dles piercing his back, tongue, and arms, walking ankle- it was impossible. The traffic light had turned green deep in burning coals. And I have watched the chiffon- and I watched as motorcy- robed child lying prostrate before cles, trucks, cars, vans, wag- the idol of Buddha, with face Ions and horses, hand carts, and down, breathing the dust from the thousands of people surged forward, courtyard. forming what seemed like an end- I watched him, Hope, Lord—where is hope? less stream of humanity. The ground vibrated, and the Calcutta o many times the Lord has heat pressed around me. People, hooks and needles reminded me of Ellen White’s thousands of people. I could hear Sstatement that we need have them breathing as they passed, piercing his no fear of the future except as we pressed tightly together. The faces forget how the Lord has led us in were expressionless. back, tongue, the past. In the very areas men- The sight of the masses, the feel tioned above, thousands of people of the heat, the smell of the city, have joined the church, and hun- the sounds of machines, animals, and arms, dreds of new congregations have and people crowded together, cre- been established. How has this hap- ated in my mind a screaming cry, walking pened? Through the power of the Where is hope? Holy Spirit. ankle-deep in God has asked us to work with rayer is a wonderful thing. In Him in bringing hope to the the quiet of my study I have burning coals. world—the hope found in Christ. Poften sought counsel from the He would have died for any one of Lord. Where is hope for the crippled those described above. Sacrificial man who sits day by day one block giving brings hope to one person at from the union office in Sri Lanka a time. selling Buddhas? Why does that little 8-year-old orphan girl We do not sacrifice so that the annual statistical report who lives with her two younger brothers in a cardboard box will look good, or so we can say that all countries in the in the slums of Dacca have no hope? world have an Adventist church, or so that the pastor and As we stop on a hilltop in Burkina Faso and look with our fellow church members will know that we give. sadness at a small city without a single Seventh-day No. We sacrifice because the Lord has asked that we love Adventist, I ask myself, Who ministers hope? one another and that we be partners with Him in proclaim- From the top of a dune, with the sands from the Sahara ing hope to a lost world. drifting around my feet, I gaze at Nouakchott, Mauritania, where there is not one Adventist in the city or the country, and ask, Where is hope? I have often watched the world—the wealthy woman studded with diamonds, emerging from a Rolls-Royce on a Michael L. Ryan is the director of Global Mission at March day in Hong Kong. I have watched an old wrinkled the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists grandfather slowly pushing a heavy laden cart to some in Silver Spring, Maryland. unknown destination in the slums of Karachi. Trying to hide my shock but not hiding it, I have watched the

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (59) 27 Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would “be like streams of water in a Desert dry land” (Isaiah 32:2, ICB). And when Jesus came to earth, He said that He had living water: “Whoever ROSY TETZ drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give will become a spring of water flowing inside him” (John 4:14, ICB). hat’s the first word Finding Jesus is you think about like finding water when you hear the in the desert. word “desert”? Hot? When you find Sand? Camels? Jesus, you don’t W(Not ice cream—that’s “dessert,” a need to search totally different word.) anymore. You have Actually, if you were going to found what you choose only one word to describe need. Jesus is like a “desert,” it would have to be “dry.” life-giving oasis in More than anything else, dry is what a dry and burning ISC deserts are. There are deserts that are D desert.

not hot—way up in the bare, rocky, HOTO Come to Jesus. P

windy mountains. There are deserts BY He has what you that don’t have sand—just stones and need. HOTO a few scrubby plants. There are deserts P that don’t have any camels—maybe they have a few rattlesnakes or scorpi- ons or Gila monsters instead. Deserts are dry because it doesn’t rain. Hardly ever. But even though a desert is very dry, with very little rain, there is some water there. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any life at all in the desert. Even rattlesnakes need water to live. Where is the water? Deep in the ground. There are underground rivers and streams and ponds all over the world (or rather all under the world). It doesn’t rain much in the desert, but it rains in other places. That rainwater seeps into the ground and joins the underground streams, which can flow deep under the desert. Sometimes these underground streams come near the surface of the desert and a pool will form. That’s called an oasis. Plants will grow there. Animals come there to get a drink. People who live in the desert often live near an oasis. People have to have water. The people in the Bible knew about deserts. There are a lot of deserts in that part of the world. The Bible sometimes uses the idea of deserts to teach about other ideas. For instance,

28 (60) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 ADVENTISM 101 Religion for the Head and Heart

often I hear people talking about “our recently joined the Adventist Church. Having come church school.” What exactly is a church from a charismatic background, I’m a bit disappointed in school? And how does it differ from a public the lack of “spirit” in the congregation I attend. I know school or a community Christian school? that Adventists believe in the gift of prophecy, but what The Seventh-day Adventist Church has the about the other gifts of the Spirit? Olargest number of one- and two-teacher schools of any educa- IWith your background, you have a specific understanding of tional system in the world. Why? Our church’s prophet, Ellen what it means to have “spirit.” You’re probably used to a church White, urged that whenever a church was built, a school in which people verbalize their joy in the Lord with enthusias- should be constructed at the same time. She felt that the tic expressions. church’s young people should have the benefits of a wholistic The Adventist Church grew out of deep study of Scripture, education that includes the academic, physical, social, and and sometimes we tend to be more focused on the head than spiritual dimensions, and is centered on the idea of service— the heart; more concerned with the law than the Lord. now and for eternity. Public schools could provide only part of Certainly many Adventist churches would do well to manifest such an education. Other Christian schools could never bring more joy in the Lord. Ellen White observed, “As a people, we the unique Adventist perspective that pervades the entire have preached the law until we are as dry as the hills of Gilboa Adventist curriculum as well as the lives of its teachers. that had neither dew nor rain.” For more than 100 years now, most churches with several We need appropriate emotion, but we must be careful to children have taken on the responsibility of establishing a avoid emotionalism, a contrived expression of feelings that school operated in cooperation with the local conference. don’t grow out of an understanding of truth. Local church members contribute to their church budget in Around the world Adventists demonstrate many varieties of order to keep tuition costs low. A school board appointed by worship. Some express a great deal of enthusiastic emotion, and the local church operates the school. Pastors and teachers others tend to be more formal. I encourage you to bring some of work together as coministers in reaching out to the young your charismatic enthusiasm into the church you attend. But people in a “church school.” remember that even as you aren’t comfortable with apparently The church school is one of the local church’s major “spiritless” churches, some may not be comfortable with your evangelistic tools in increasing the faith maturity and level of enthusiasm. We need to be considerate of the ways denominational loyalty of its students. It’s centered upon a others express their worship to God. relationship by teachers and students with Jesus Christ. A deeper question is What does it mean to have the Spirit? Is The local conference hires the teacher, carries out supervi- it measured by excitement and enthusiasm, or is it measured by sion and evaluation, oversees a Christ-centered curriculum, and whether the gifts of the Spirit are manifest? Paul told the provides extra subsidies to help pay the teacher’s salary. Corinthians that he came “with a demonstration of the Spirit’s Sometimes several churches cooperate to operate a single larger power” (1 Cor. 2:4, NIV). What was that demonstration? elementary school (K-8), junior academy (K-10), regional day He refers to it when he writes to the Galatians. “But the fruit academy (9-12), or K-12 school. Conferences sponsor senior of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, boarding academies, and unions generally sponsor colleges or faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22, NIV). When universities. The level of commitment by our church to its edu- our churches demonstrate this fruit, we will know that the Holy cational program is unsurpassed by any denomination. Spirit is present—no matter what form of worship is used.

By Richard C. Osborn, North American Division vice president By Gordon Bietz, president of Southern Adventist University in for education. Collegedale, Tennessee.

This column is intended to answer questions asked by new Adventists and by those unfamiliar with some Adventist terminology. Send your questions to: Adventism 101, Adventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (61) 29 Ocean Division, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Union, Prague, Czech Republic, left and one child. Toronto, Canada. Benjamin Arthur LeDuc, returning as Timothy Craig Scott, returning as medical director/physician, Bella Vista South Sudan Section leader, Nairobi, Hospital, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and Kenya, and Fay Merica Scott. Mona Rhae LeDuc. Thearon Emery and Sharon Alyce Listone Collett and Alice Jean Lemon- Staddon, returning as nutritionist and Mabuto, returning as ITSH coordinator and finance director, respectively, ADRA/ assistant financial director, respectively, Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan. ADRA/Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan, and two Ann Marie Stickle, returning as audi- children. tor, Euro-Asia Division, Moscow, Russian John Mutungi and Vivian Ann Mativo, Federation. returning as technology lecturer and chem- John Wesley Taylor V, returning as istry lecturer, respectively, University of professor of education, Adventist They Still Go Eastern Africa Baraton, Eldoret, Kenya, International Institute of Advanced and one child. Studies, Metro Manila, Philippines, Regular Mission Service Siegwart Edsel Mayr, to serve as profes- Miriam Louise Taylor, and two children. sor, Computer Department, Venezuelan Mildred Taylor, returning as deputy The following persons and families Adventist Ecclesiastical University, Nirgua, director, ADRA/Ghana, Accra, Ghana. Yaracuy, Venezuela, of Port of Spain, Tobias Turon, to serve as dentist, recently left their home countries to reside Trinidad. Adventist Health Center, Moscow, Russian in and work for God in other parts of the Michelle LeAnn Michalenko, to serve Federation, of Loma Linda, California. world. Please remember our regular mis- as administrative secretary, Euro-Asia Donald Lee Weidemann, to serve as sionaries in your prayers. Division, Moscow, Russian Federation, of administrator, Guam SDA Clinic, Columbus, Ohio. Tamuning, Guam, Marion Ellen James Caleb Bru, to serve as president, Harvey Nary Miller, returning as vice Weidemann, and three children, of Albanian Mission of SDAs, Tirana, president for academic affairs, Dominican Jellico, Tennessee. Albania, and Joel Nora Michel Bru, of Adventist University, Santo Domingo, John Frederick Werner, returning as Hampton, New Brunswick, Canada. Dominican Republic. ophthalmologist, Bethlehem Ophthalmic Alfred de la Torre, returning as associ- Thomas Patrick Miller, returning as Services, Bethlehem, Free State, South ate professor and physician, Department of director, General Conference Auditing Africa, Cecilia Grobler Werner, and one Preventive Medicine, School of Health, Services, Africa-Indian Ocean Division, child. Montemorelos University, Montemorelos, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Vera Miller. Leonard Alden Westermeyer, returning Mexico, and Juvenilda de la Torre. Perry Willard Munger, returning as as ADRA director, ADRA/Chile, Santiago, James Conrad Dick, returning as director, Adventist University of Central Chile, Linda Jeannette Westermeyer, and ADRA and education director, Indian Africa, Kigali, Rwanda, and Sharon Elaine one child. Ocean Union Mission, Madagascar, Ellen Munger. Walton Stanford Whaley, returning as Liesbeth Dick, and one child. Cynthia Diane Alexander Nkana, to ministerial secretary, Africa-Indian Ocean Luis Antonio and Kelly Elizabeth serve as physician/anesthesiologist, Bella Division, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Dulac, to serve as professor of public health Vista Hospital, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Leola Johnson Whaley. and director of the Department of Anie Sam Nkana, and three children, of Bruce David Wolpin, to serve as con- Orientation, respectively, Montemorelos Hanna City, Illinois. troller, Bangkok Adventist Hospital, University, Mexico, and two children, of Gerhard Pfandl, returning as field sec- Bangkok, Thailand, Myrna Yodico Wolpin, McAllen, Texas. retary, South Pacific Division, Wahroonga, and three children. Ronald A. and Lynda Raye du Preez, New South Wales, Australia, and Maureen David Siew-Fee and Hui-Tze Mary to serve as theology and English lecturers, A. Pfandl. Wong, to serve as director of the Youth respectively, Solusi University, Bulawayo, William Lamar Phillips III, to serve Department and director of children’s/ Zimbabwe, of Collegedale, Tennessee. as field director, ADRA/Azerbaijan, family/women’s ministries, respectively, John Maxwell Howard III, returning Azerbaijan, and Gabriela Phillips, of Northern Asia-Pacific Division, Seoul, as director of Emballage Adventiste, Baku, Azerbaijan. Korea, of Burtonsville, Maryland. Haitian Adventist College, Port-au- Max Jose Pierre, returning as union Yew-Chong and Lily (Hok Neo) Prince, Haiti, Theresa Wanda Howard, evangelist, Central Africa Union Mission, Wong, returning as academic dean and and two children. Yaounde, Cameroon, and Eliane (Joseph) chair of the Education Department, respec- Laren Ruel Gaston Kurtz, to serve as Pierre. tively, Southeast Asia Union College, theology teacher, Montemorelos George Everett Quittmeyer, returning Singapore. University, Montemorelos, Mexico, and as dentist, Blantyre Adventist Hospital, Norma Averil Kurtz, of Hamilton, Blantyre, Malawi, Terri Lynn Quittmeyer, Ontario, Canada. and two children. Jill Allison LaFever, to serve as dental Hector Enrique Ramal, returning as hygienist, Djibouti Adventist Health theology professor, Montemorelos Centre, Djibouti, Ethiopia, of Donna, University, Mexico, Edelweiss Rocco Texas. Ramal, and one child. Martha Sherry LaPierre, returning as Karel Frantisek Samek, returning as administrative secretary, Africa-Indian publishing director, Czecho-Slovakian

30 (62) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 REFLECTIONS Water for Life BY THURMAN C. PETTY, JR.

itcairn Island has no functional surface or under- The scant rainfall that came in early April did us little ground water, so the islanders depend on rainfall good, for I had failed to pump March’s water up to the well. for all their water needs. They have developed We lost all of April’s rain out of the storage tank overflow. elaborate systems to collect and store rainwater for This lapse didn’t matter at the time, because May turned out their homes—including to be a wet month. But a slip like that Pcorrugated iron roofs, gutters, storage before a drought could have left our tanks, and common cisterns, known family thirsty before the next rain. locally as “wells.” During our final months on During the winter rainy season Pitcairn one of the storage tanks water seems almost unlimited, but developed a leak and drained out arid summer months can bring before we noticed it. Since the well extended droughts. The radio station was fed from the damaged tank, we staff measures this island resource were nearly out of water before we daily—or whenever it rains—and tab- discovered the problem. For several ulates it for the island’s newspaper, weeks we had to ration our water

the Pitcairn Miscellany. carefully to make it go as far as we ISC The mission house waterworks is could. Only after a good rainfall and D a good example of the island’s inge- several pumping sessions could we HOTO nius collection system. Under the relax with a full well again. © P HOTO

eaves behind the house are two large Unfortunately, we had no repair kit P storage tanks that receive water from for the fiberglass tank, and had to the corrugated roof and gutter system and then hold it leave the problem for the next pastor to fix. until someone pumps it up to the “well” cistern. The total Our water problems on Pitcairn paralleled those of first- capacity of the entire system when I lived there was about century Judah and helped me to understand better what 6,000 gallons. This may seem like a lot of water, but a long Jesus meant when He said, “Whosoever will, let him take dry spell can drain even this large supply. the water of life freely,” and “He that believeth on me shall An inch of rainfall produces .62 gallons per square foot. never thirst” (Rev. 22:17; John 6:35). Since the mission roof has an area of about 1,800 square What is this water of life? Jesus explained: “The words feet, it should accumulate about 1,100 gallons of water from that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” a one-inch shower. The Pitcairn Miscellany reported a total (John 6:63). So in order to drink the water of life, we must rainfall of 8.53 inches (216.6 millimeter) during March read the words of Jesus in the Bible. 1982, which should have caused 9,300 gallons to be collect- Can we partake of this water once for all time? No. On ed in our tanks—50 percent more than our capacity. So a lot Pitcairn we had to collect, preserve, and drink our water on of liquid went out the storage tank overflow. a daily basis; and the water of life that Jesus offers must also The two reservoirs under the eaves cannot supply be collected through daily Bible reading and preserved by enough pressure to the household plumbing for daily use, practicing its principles in our personal lives. Only then can however, so the water must be pumped up to the well we be sure that our “well of water” will spring up “into ever- located on the hill some yards above the house. If I had lasting life” (John 4:14). ■ forgotten to turn on the electric pump at regular intervals, the storage tanks would have filled and overflowed, and Thurman C. Petty, Jr., writes from Burleson, the well would have gone dry, reducing our supply to less Texas. than half its capacity. I also had to remove debris from the gutters and tank screens weekly to keep the channels open and the water clean.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1998 (63) 31