Winter Focus 2020

WINTER | 2020

A quarterly journal of Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

New

Beginnings

It Only Takes a Spark

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How to Experience a New Beginning

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Becoming the Light

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Focus on New Beginnings “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:18-19 For some, this 2020 year has flown by in what seems like a flash. For others, the year has dragged on, often in agony, anxiety, and doubt. As we faced a worldwide pandemic, economic uncertainty, social unrest, racial injustice, and numerous tragedies, it is fair to say that we have all experienced what life is like outside of our comfort zones. As a people, we have faced unexpected challenges and experienced staggering losses. We have also grown and gained wisdom in ways many of us did not know we could.

As the year comes to an end, we approach 2021 with cautious optimism. We are wary from the experiences of this year, but the human spirit is resilient and hopeful. We cannot help but see 2021 as a new beginning.

Luckily for us, we serve a wonderful God who is often called the “God of new beginnings,” and with good reason. The Bible is full of promises from our Savior, especially promises for those who need a fresh start.

He is faithful in making all things new (Revelation 21:5), He gives His people a new song of praise (Psalm 40:3), He is the author of a brand new spirit and undivided heart (Ezekiel 11:19, 2 Corinthians 5:17), and He promises to always make a way for us, even in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:19).

The best news of all is that we don’t need to wait until the clock strikes midnight on a new year. “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23. Each day, even each minute, is a fresh slate from Him. When we look in the mirror, we may see the mistakes we have made this year or all the hurt we have endured, but the Lord sees us as a new creation, clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. He sees the potential we have to do our best for Him, not just every new year, but every new day. He sees the plans He has for us, the opportunities He will provide for us to serve Him and our brothers and sisters. And He sees the ultimate new beginning, when Jesus returns in the clouds to make all things new.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away….

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Revelation 21:1-5.

I pray this edition of Florida Focus prepares you for a new beginning, not just a new year. Inside these pages, you will read stories of fresh starts throughout Florida Conference. You’ll learn about the work of the Medical Cadet Corps, a new ministry to our conference, how a church served its community by going mobile, and learn the story of an inspiring baptism. If you are planning to set resolutions for 2021, you can also read about setting goals for the new year.

Though we may not know what 2021 has in store for us, our faith is in something much greater than a new calendar. We trust in the faithfulness of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the God of endless new beginnings.

May the Lord bless you always,

Allan Machado, D.Min Florida Conference President

Table of CONTENTS 4

It Only Takes a Spark

5

Vision and New Beginnings

6

How to Experience a New Beginning

7

You Will Seek Me

8

The Importance of Setting Goals

4

12

Becoming the Light

14

Medical Cadet Corps for a New Generation

16

Little Readers

18

Camp Kulaqua

19

Servir para Salvar

20

ABC Delivery Schedule

21

Devotionals 2021 Sale!

22

Crossword of the Bible

FLORIDA FOCUS is published quarterly by Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® and mailed free of charge to constituent members with nonprofit standard postage paid in Orlando, Florida.

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14 Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® 351 S. State Road 434, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-3824 (407) 644-5000 • www.floridaconference.com • floridafocus@floridaconference.com President: Allan Machado floridaconference Executive Secretary: Tim Goff floridaconf Treasurer: Elisa Rahming florida.conference Editor: Giovana Shellhammer Editorial Staff: Melissa Simmons/Public Relations Department

IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK

By Melissa Simmons

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13

Carlos Avendano grew up in Columbia attending Catholic schools for many years. He considered religion an outdated belief system with unreasonable rules and demands. Carlos believed he knew all there was to know about religion and God, but he regarded his beliefs as his parents rather than his own.

As he grew, his focus was on his pleasures and talents in the pursuit of happiness. Music was a large part of his life, and playing the violin was his comfort and joy. At 13 years old, Carlos began having pain while playing and was diagnosed with a disease that made it impossible to continue. Angry at God, mad at life, Carlos turned away from any belief that a God who would take away his greatest joy could care about him and his happiness.

At 16 years old, Carlos dove deep into agnostic beliefs. Even though he had experienced healing and resumed playing the violin, Carlos refused to acknowledge the existence of a God who would have allowed him to go through such a significant loss, even if it were only temporary.

When the time came for Carlos to pursue a college career, his dream was to continue to play the violin. He was accepted to Lynn University Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, and was chosen to receive a special scholarship limited to only one recipient. During this time he met another young man attending the university names Sebastian, who happened to be a Seventh-day Adventist. They began having many conversations together, and God began to work in ways that neither of the young men could imagine. Carlos took pity on Sebastian because he felt sorry that his life was controlled by rules and regulations. Still, Carlos also noticed a peace and 4

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calm about Sebastian that he had not seen in many people, let alone people their age.

There were times that Carlos would hear other so-called Christians at school arguing with people debating their faith and beliefs, but he also noticed that Sebastian never discussed or stood up for his beliefs. Carlos asked Sebastian why he did not stand up for his beliefs, Sebastian simply said, “I don’t need to defend my faith; God will fight for me.” That response changed something inside of Carlos, and the desire to know more about Sebastian’s beliefs became a genuine need.

As Sebastian shared his faith, God continued to work on Carlos’ heart. Even though the pandemic closed the door of many churches, Carlos wanted desperately to learn even more than Sebastian was able to share. As Sebastian and Carlos searched online for virtual church services, they came across the Forest City Spanish SDA Church service, and Carlos felt the presence of God in a way he had never felt before. One sermon, in particular, ignited a spark within Carlos and he realized the God he was denying and running from his whole life had never left his side. All the answers he had been looking for were right in front of him, and the realization that he could have an unbreakable relationship with Jesus Christ led him to give his life to God in baptism on December 5, 2020.

Carlos once believed that God was angry and did not care about this life. What began as a small spark went on to ignite a fire within; a desire to walk closely with the patient and loving God who had undoubetly been by his side all along. All of the mistakes Carlos had made in his life didn’t matter anymore; he had given his life to Christ, and he was a new creation.

Praise to our God who makes all things new.

Vision and New Beginnings

By Alexander E. Schlussler Have you ever thought about which direction you are facing?

Are you facing backwards or forwards? Are you looking at your past, thinking about the problems and challenges you may have encountered this year? Or, are you looking forward to exciting unknown possibilities and opportunities you never imagined? There are only a handful of things in this life that we can control; one of them is what we think. We can choose to dwell on the past or move ahead into the future.

Do you have dreams of a new beginning? Can you see it, whatever it is for you? I am not talking about dreaming of the things we wish would happen. I’m talking about something very different, something compelling. A picture of what may not be there now, but you see it as clearly as the clouds against a blue summer sky. I am speaking of vision, or you could say direction that comes from God. A future which God has prepared just for you.

While the Hebrews struggled to survive during the Babylonian exile, the Lord proclaimed through the prophet Jeremiah; that he would come for them when the appointed time was complete and carry them home. ‘” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). God gave those words of comfort in the form of a vision, a picture of what would be. An image that they could hold on to until he came. It would have been easy for the people to give up on life, but God gave them a new way of

seeing a future they may have never seen. That’s the power of vision. It will keep you moving when everything inside of you says to stop.

An essential aspect of life coaching is to explore a person’s God-given vision for the future. Giving them space and time to talk about what it will look like and the goals they set to get there. We do not spend time on what was in the past; instead, we talk about what will be. We speak of a compelling vision filled with possibilities and hope and acting on God’s vision for their life, and what He has planned. There is a passage found in the book of Philippians. Paul says that his goal, his vision for his life, is to live and act like Jesus.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12-14 Don’t focus on what is behind you. Instead, press forward into a new beginning, seeing your future through the eyes of the Lord. Remembering what God said, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

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The year 2020 will pass down in history as one of the most challenging years of our lifetime. We give thanks to God that we’ve endured this year, and now we have a new year, a new beginning, a new page to write a new story.

You may wonder, how can a person who has lost someone close to them to COVID-19 experience a new beginning?

How can someone who lost their financial security due to the pandemic have a new beginning? How can someone who has experienced trauma and still has painful memories rise above and walk into a new beginning? Is it possible to have a fresh start in this new year, or is this idea of a new beginning an illusion?

The solution to these difficult questions can be complicated.

Maybe this is why people feel stuck and cannot wrap their minds around a new beginning, even though they are “celebrating” a new year. They seek closure to have a fresh start but don’t know how to find it after their losses.

Pop psychology talks about closure as an answer to recovering from loss and starting a new beginning. Closure is any interaction, information, or practice that allows someone to feel that a traumatic, upsetting, or confusing life event has been resolved. What constitutes closure varies from one person to another and depends on the context surrounding the stressful event they experienced. This term has its origin in Gestalt Psychology. This type of psychotherapy talks about closure as a way of healing. Its theory argues that the mind seeks closure to cope with emotional pain.

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• Do not seek closure, but healing (Psalm 34:18). You can heal without closure, even though you may have to carry some pain as you enter a new year. One day, God will bring closure to the pain of this world. For now, allow God to heal your heart and mind.

• Accept the loss you have experienced in the past and give yourself time to grieve (John 16:22). Don’t try to ignore the pain by “celebrating” as you try to seek the illusion of closure.

• Seek forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness is the beginning of healing. Forgiveness does not mean you forget, but it allows you to begin healing. Only the Holy Spirit can produce this in your heart.

• Find a friend, a pastor, or a counselor who will listen and validate your emotions and walk with you through the valley of pain and sorrow.

• Learn to live in the “here and now” even though your questions may not have answers. You do not have to understand everything that God allows you to experience in this world to experience emotional healing.

• Place your hope in a new beginning without trying to erase your past (Jeremiah 29:11). God can help you heal your wounds and allow you to hope for a better tomorrow.

• Free yourself from negative thoughts (Philippians 4:8-9).

Do not become a victim of your past.

Today, this concept of closure has turned into a panacea for dealing with emotional pain. Some mental health professionals argue that closure could be a myth and is not achievable unless we experienced amnesia. The mind keeps a registry of all our experiences, especially the emotional ones, and those experiences will never be erased. In this case, how could you experience closure when the memory is still alive in your mind? Maybe closure is not the best word to describe what happens in our brains when we try to have a new beginning.

We have to accept that the pain we may experience today will not end until Christ’s return (Revelation 21:4). We cannot control the pain; however, we can control the suffering. The pain can change through healing, in addition to closure. The healing process is different from closure, even though both terms are used to express the same process. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

The Bible talks about healing from our emotional wounds. It promises that one day we will experience the final closure to our pain and suffering and experience a new creation, a new beginning. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Here is some advice that you can consider as you learn to start fresh this year.

Berns, Nancy (2011). Closure: The Rush to End Grief and What it Costs us. Philadelphia, Pa. Temple University.

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You Will Seek Me

By Ali Fulbright Acosta

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 I’ve read this verse so many times, but this morning it meant something different.

I love that this verse starts with the phrase, “you will seek Me” and not “you might seek Me”… because just that one-word conveys an entirely different message.

“You will seek me” means that He knows every one of us, from the first breath we take, will fill the missing piece in our hearts that He placed in us and will be seeking to fill that void until we find Him. I believe through the times when I’ve felt farthest from God or when I’ve been running from His arms instead of to them; I was still seeking him.

I was seeking His unconditional love, the only love that could make my heart whole and fill it, unlike anything else in this world.

I was seeking His mercy. The only mercy that is sufficient and always overflowing with second chances, regardless of how many times or how often I mess up. I was seeking His healing. The only healing that reaches deeper than just physical healing and brings restoration as it touches the heart’s brokenness.

Even when, in my stubbornness, I thought I was doing life on my own, I now see how I was only searching to find everything I needed from where I came.

He says that we will seek Him and find Him. And when we find Him, we will find

eternal love, mercy, and healing: making everything that happens in the world and everything that’s hurting in us ok again.

Today, I know that seeking God with my whole heart is the only thing that will fill the voids I may still feel. Every day I pray that God will open my eyes and make His presence known as he fills that missing piece.

As you seek God in the days ahead, remember that this new year may not mean that the pandemic will end or that your struggles will go away, but it is a chance to seek God with all your heart and honestly believe that He will make all things new.

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WRITE THEM DOWN

By Giovana Shellhammer

A new year can be the perfect time to think about changes in our daily routines. Setting goals can help us improve our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. Goals encourage you to develop, give you focus, and help you stay motivated. One of the most important steps to successfully achieving your goals is to write them down. Whether it’s a daily goal, or perhaps something you want to accomplish throughout the year, visually seeing your goals will make them more tangible and help you to better commit. When you write them down, give yourself a deadline as to when you’d like to accomplish your goal. Put them somewhere you can see them regularly; perhaps on your desk or nightstand. Revisit your goals frequently, and revise them when necessary.

To help execute your goals efficiently and increase the chances of achieving them, it’s beneficial to set SMART goals (see chart below). This will help create an organized plan for success and will help to keep you focused.

The Bible tells us the importance of setting goals and planning for the future. We can see this with Noah, who accomplished the goal of building the ark. And Joseph, who made plans for the coming famine. Our goals should always align with God’s will, and we can trust God in everything, even when His plans for our lives change.

As we set goals and make plans for the new year, let us seek God’s will first, and ask Him for daily guidance.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3

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Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

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Becoming the

Light

By Gabriel Cardona

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It can be heartbreaking when a door closes on a chapter in one’s life, but with one door closing, the hope of a new chapter fills you with anticipation, excitement, and maybe even a little fear.

In 2008 our church, Lighthouse Community in Altamonte Springs, felt the call of God on our hearts to begin ministering on the streets of Orange Blossom Trail (OBT) in the heart of Orlando. Even though ministering in such a dangerous area led us to feel that we were going against the current of God’s plan, time and time again. we felt the Holy Spirit guiding our path.

As we passed out flyers, started Bible studies, and prayed with drug dealers, drug users, prostitutes, and those who had been abandoned, we felt God telling us, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” Matthew 25:40. This verse was what kept us going during those scary moments when we were surrounded by gangs, having guns drawn on us, and entered neighborhoods right after the SWAT teams had raided them. But we would continue to go, praying for guidance as we felt the Holy Spirit telling us that this was where we needed to be.

After 15 years of ministry, meeting at homes, renting out hotel rooms for church gatherings, then finally being able to rent a storefront of our own to use full time, we were faced with

the same predicament as any other church when COVID hit. What would be our next step in continuing to share Jesus with others without sharing COVID too? After much prayer, we decided to take the leap of faith and close our doors. You see, our building was too small to accommodate our members safely during the pandemic, yet what God called us to do hadn’t changed. We still had to speak light into the darkness even if that darkness seemed consuming at times. Taking that leap of faith to close the doors on the physical church was tough.

We experienced highs and lows from this decision. It was hard to believe that closing the physical doors to our church was what God desired, but it also allowed us to remember that we are the church, and it is our job to spread his light for the world to see. As Christ-followers, we began to ask the hard questions. COVID allowed us to go home and study the word for ourselves without anyone interpreting it for us except the Holy Spirit. Light House Community became very excited about this new venture because it caused our members to search the scriptures and study with family independently.

After taking the time to study and pray, we felt impressed. We created a “Home Church” initiative where people interested in becoming a part of Lighthouse Community could text the letters LHC to a number one time and then receive a video and a Home Church study every Friday evening.

We were amazed to watch small Light House’s popping up all over the central Florida area in member’s homes. It was evident that God was at work.

During this time, we were shocked to learn that we had received a grant for evangelism that we had applied for in 2019.

Continuing to pray and seek God’s direction led us to build a mobile stage by which we could meet anywhere and truly become the light. Being mobile has not only allowed us the ability to go anywhere, but it has also allowed us to minister at any time. It has been incredible to have services by the beach, parking lots, fields, and different churches. It has also opened doors to have random people show up and worship with us and watch those same people choosing baptism.

When you think we would be losing members, we have watched in awe as God has led more to join the church.

Light House Community is now composed of small groups and gatherings, with a jubilee service at the end of each month. Our goal is to build a healthy member family, and eventually, a healthy church equipped to disciple others and lead them to Christ. With our mobile truck and home church, we pray that in 2021 we succeed through the Holy Spirit to complete our goal and spread the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Medical Cadet Corps for a New Generation

By Casey Ramey My day began before sunrise at the Sanford International Airport. The airfield was lined with chairs, pop-up tents, and various booths, but void of people. I started unloading water bottles, and shuffling plastic totes of first aid supplies in preparation for the emergencies that I prayed wouldn’t occur.

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My commanding officer’s voice broke through my thoughts, “Casey, this is the picture you want.”

I joined him in looking at the western horizon. One of the most massive military planes in the world, a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, lay sleeping with the moon just behind. A small green T-38 Talon faithfully stood guard. I snapped my picture.

Within an hour, the airfield came alive with firefighters, EMTs, nurses, vendors, and Medical Cadets all in masks. By 10:00 am, a crowd of 12,000 spectators streamed through the gates.

Shawn Treloar, the Sanford Fire Department Battalion Chief, tossed me the key to an ATV, and then I was carting EMS personnel, Basic Life Support (BLS) bags, AEDs, oxygen kits, and other essentials between the first aid stations. I sanitized stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, wiped down cots, and provided water and snacks for the patients amidst the roar of F-16 Vipers, A-10 Warthogs, and a slew of other military aircraft.

As deafening Thunderbirds zoomed overhead, my team leader, Sergeant Sherida Santana, explained, “I like Medical Cadet Corps (MCC) because

it’s different. I like to work for my church. With MCC, you can show love to other people who may not know Jesus.”

The General Conference created the Medical Cadet Corps just before World War II. World War I veteran Everett Dick headed the first branch of the program at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, to pre-train Adventist young men for the U.S. Army in drill, military customs, and first aid. Other Adventist colleges soon adopted the program. By 1939, the General Conference officially adopted the Seventh-day Adventist Medical Cadet Corps (SDAMCC).

In 2018, the MCC program was revitalized by the World Service Organization-General Conference in Puerto Rico. The Florida Conference Brigade of the Medical Cadet Corps began operations in June 2020.

Cadets started training with online FEMA classes and a brigade-wide orientation to understand better how to assist local and federal relief agencies, which is the MCC’s current focus.

Florida Conference Brigadier General Pedro Perez told me, “God has helped us every step of the way as we develop MCC. One of our goals is to continue to train cadets to be ready to give spiritual comfort when the opportunity presents itself. And we are in constant communion with God praying for open eyes and an open heart to testify when the chance presents itself.” As we march into a New Year of new beginnings, we are excited to experience all that God has in store for Medical Cadet Corps and the glory to Him that we can bring as he makes all things new.

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Servir para

Salvar Por Pr. Cesar Silva, Gainesville SDA Spanish Respondiendo el Rey, les dirá: «En verdad os digo que en cuanto lo hicisteis a uno de estos hermanos míos, aun a los más pequeños, a mí lo hicisteis». (Mateo 25:40) Durante los últimos once años la Iglesia Adventista hispana de Gainesville ha venido realizando una importante actividad, la feria de la salud. Cada año, durante el mes de octubre, esta se ha convertido en un vehículo que nos ha permitido promover el cuidado de la salud y proporcionar atención médica de forma gratuita a la comunidad.

Con todos los desafios que este 2020 ha presentado debido a la pandemia, quedamos con una tremenda sensación de que algo nos faltaría al ver la imposibilidad de llevar a cabo este año nuestra habitual actividad y no poder servir a nuestra comunidad como acostumbramos. Pero hay una pasión de servicio al prójimo en la gran mayoría de los miembros de nuestra iglesia que la misión no se detendría.

En marzo del presente año cuando el desafío del COVID-19 comenzaba, una de nuestras hermanas nos trajo la idea, junto con toda la información, de cómo podríamos convertirnos en una agencia de distribución de alimentos gratis (Food Bank). La directiva apoyó el proyecto con algunas reservas, por experiencias pasadas, pero el éxito y frutos de dicha obra hablaron por si misma.

Empezamos distribuyendo 60 cajas que se han convertido hoy en casi 300. Algunas de estas personas que servimos no sabían que nuestra iglesia estaba en la ciudad y esta ha sido una gran oportunidad que Dios nos ha brindado para hablar de Él y darlo a conocer; hoy, podemos decir con certeza que el Señor tenía un plan para nuestra iglesia y comunidad, algunas de esas personas

ahora asisten a nuestros servicios.

Pero Su plan iba más allá. Al inicio del mes de octubre del presente año, un grupo de estudiantes de medicina de la “University of Florida” (UF, que está entre las 6 mejores universidades públicas del país) visitaron el templo con el fin de presentarnos un programa de atención médica gratuita para la comunidad. El proyecto es conocido como “Equal Access Clinics” (EAC); una iniciativa de la UF dirigida por médicos profesionales, estudiantes de medicina y farmacia. Ellos nos ofrecieron la oportunidad de ser anfitriones de la clínica, sólo necesitarían usar una vez a la semana algunos salones de la iglesia para las consultas. Presenté tan pronto como pude el contenido de esta conversación a la junta de iglesia y la directiva recibió con brazos abiertos la propuesta debido al suceso del Banco de Alimentos. Vimos el potencial de alcance y promoción del proyecto por el hecho de tener un gran número de personas de

Acabo de recibir una llamada mientras escribo este artículo. Una ex adventista que escuchó sobre la clínica, además de solicitar más información sobre la atención médica, expresó su interés en regresar a la familia de Cristo. Amén, por eso hacemos lo que hacemos con la guía de nuestro Padre, servir para salvar.

Para mas informaciones sobre EAC, entre a https://equalaccess.med.ufl.edu/ “Jesús recorría toda Galilea, enseñando en las sinagogas, anunciando las buenas nuevas del reino, y sanando toda enfermedad y dolencia entre la gente. Su fama se extendió por toda Siria, y le llevaban todos los que padecían de diversas enfermedades, los que sufrían de dolores graves, los endemoniados, los epilépticos y los paraliticos, y Él los sanaba”. (Mateo 4:23-24)

la comunidad que servimos todos los meses a través de la distribución de alimentos.

Todo se encaja como un rompecabezas montado por la mano Salvadora. Iniciamos esta actividad el pasado 12 de octubre y continuará cada lunes de 5 a 9 de la noche, ofreciendo atención medica sin costo alguno.

Pero ¿Cómo ocurre esto? En los 11 años de feria de salud los estudiantes fueron invitados a participar con nosotros y siempre fueron un punto fuerte de este evento. En alguna ocasión ellos llegaban en una clínica móvil, pero es la primera vez que la iglesia les presta sus facilidades. Gracias a la guía divina y a la buena relación de la iglesia con la UF se nos abrió tan linda puerta para servir a los que más necesitan.

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Bible

Crossword Puzzle

Across Down 2. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to _____ at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 3. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. _______ 29:11 8. Do not be conformed to this world, but be ______ by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 9. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my _____ upon you. Psalm 32:8 11. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be _____ , for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 14. There is therefore now no _____ for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 15. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ______ 4:13 16. To those who by _____ in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. Romans 2:7 17. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. _____40:31 19. He put a new song in my mouth, a _____ of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:3

Down 1. Do not be _____ about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 4. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the _____ except through me.” John 14:6 5. I have been _____ with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20 6. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have _____ . In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 7. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new ______; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 10. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his _____ never fail.

Lamentations 3:22 12. Forget the former things; do not ____ on the past. Isaiah 43:18 13. Not by_____ , so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:9 16. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and _____ us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 18. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of _____ and give them a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 11:19

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