Fall/Winter 2010 Vol. 12, No. 3/4
OCI Ministries
News From Around the World
Translating
God’s Love
Meet David Cruz, a pioneer missionary to the marginalized Tarahumara Indians in Mexico, p. 6
Latest News From: Ukraine, Brazil, India, and More . . .
NEWSFLASH
News From OCI Ministries Around the World
United in Christ
Into the Amazon Jungle
Congo Frontline Missions is working with the East Congo Union Mission in the northeast region of Democratic Republic of Congo. They are holding evangelistic meetings, conducting lay training, and giving out literature and Bibles. The ministry is also prayerfully studying how to best reach the pygmies in Congo. The union has asked Congo Frontline Missions to work in the 27 pygmy camps in North Kivu that currently have some church presence.
Call It Anything But Love! In October The Hope of Survivors released a new documentary DVD, Call It Anything But Love! The DVD is a true story of a couple’s struggles and challenges, and deals with the issue of clerical sexual abuse. The documentary is for victims who are searching for hope and answers, as well as for church members who wish to gain a greater understanding of the issue or simply be inspired by a heartwarming testimony.
The Amazon Lifesavers Ministry is partnering with ADRA Amazon to help reach deeper into the large Amazon River Basin. ADRA Amazon, a local division of ADRA, is working in this area for the first time, seeking to provide social assistance to the jungle dwellers. With their combined efforts, the two organizations now have six boats bringing health and hope to the unreached on the Amazon. Last month, in the village of Giro, Amazon Lifesavers completed a new church in a neighborhood where childhood prostitution is a major problem. Collaborating with Amazon Lifesavers and the local conference, the new church just finished its first evangelistic series.
Hands-On at Eden Valley Join Maranatha Volunteers at Eden Valley Institute in Colorado next summer! A group will spend May 30 to June 20 building a duplex and updating the campus. For more information, visit www.maranatha.org. 2
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Zambia Church Building
Moving Forward in Ukraine
OCI Vice President Steven Grabiner led a mission trip to Zambia for two weeks in September. The team of 11 individuals cooperated with Riverside Farm Institute to construct six OneDay Churches and put roofing on a seventh. The group enjoyed the opportunity to experience firsthand the work of an OCI ministry. OCI plans to offer more mission trips in 2011.
Our Home Lifestyle Center & School currently has 13 student pastors enrolled in its medical missionary course. Trainees are appreciative of the knowledge and skills they are learning. The staff at Our Home are encouraged by the Lord’s leading and the opening of the door to cooperate closely with the local Seventh-day Adventist Church. They are also in the final stages of building a new chapel, providing a larger place to worship.
Spreading the LIGHT in Africa
Polish Lifestyle Center Springs of Life Foundation in Poland plans to build a health education and lifestyle center on the ministry’s 100acre campus. For the past 10 years, Springs of Life has held NEWSTART® programs in rented facilities. The new center will enable them to continue the same programs more consistently, thereby enhancing their work
By God’s grace, the ministry of LIGHT is expanding rapidly around the world. More than 55 one-month medical missionary schools have taken place this year, with more than 1,300 participants. In January 2011 the team plans to continue expanding, starting in Africa, where they will conduct 11 one-month schools and five six-month schools. Visit www.lightingtheworld.org for information on how to get involved.
throughout Poland.
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Practical Gospel by Adrian Dorman
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nce a common destination for British convicts, Australia became a rough and tough land with little time for monarchy or its religion. Today, Australia remains primarily a secular country. If ever there was a time for a practical demonstration of the gospel, it is now. Cedarvale Health and Lifestyle Retreat, only two hours away from Sydney, strives to meet that need. Accommodating up to nine guests at a time, Cedarvale’s programs provide healing through God’s natural methods. One recent guest, Scott Gavel, came out of desperation. His life was spiraling out of control. Every day he drank about nine cans of beer and smoked a pack of cigarettes plus several joints of marijuana. His eating habits were poor, and his free time was often spent watching television. “My social life had also become a disgrace,” Scott says. “After one party my friends said I had been smashing lights and carrying on like a fool.” 4
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Left: Scott came to Cedarvale to take control of his life. Top: Cedarvale is renovating its student center to increase student involvement.
When Scott’s girlfriend left him due to his drinking problem, he realized it was time to take action and get his life back in order. He found Cedarvale on the Internet and decided to attend a one-week program. As could be expected, the first few days were tough, but he was determined to turn his life around. He became good friends with the staff and felt comfortable with the spiritual emphasis of the retreat. Although nervous about going home to old temptations, his attitude about life and facing the future was vastly changed. And as a local resident, he plans to stay in touch with the team at Cedarvale. Pray for Scott and the many other guests who come to Cedarvale in need of the healing ministry of Jesus; may the seeds sown in their hearts one day burst forth into eternal life! Adrian Dorman is the general manager at Cedarvale Health and Lifestyle Retreat in Australia. For more information, visit www. cedarvaleretreat.com.au.
President’s Perspective
Science
About the Cover: The Tarahumara Indians in Mexico live in primitive conditions.
Vs. Christianity F
or centuries leading thinkers have argued that science and the Bible are to be understood and respected exclusively from one side or the other: science, reason, and facts versus the Bible, faith, and beliefs. Christians caught in the middle of this trend find themselves in a dualistic, schizophrenic world, with their rational, professional life squared off against their Christian faith. Many conclude that combining the two doesn’t seem to work, so faith must go. Christians of all walks of life wrestle with this issue. It is not a new struggle. In fact, the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day marveled at His scientific understanding of Scripture because He had not spent time in one of their accredited schools.1 For Peter it took a night of unproductive fishing in order to trust God’s command—against his reasoning and experience—to cast his net on the other side of the boat.2 Christ—who incorporated a life of true faith and spiritual depths, as well as unquestioned professionalism—is to be our only model. May we seek Christ’s balance today.
Markus Jaudas President
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Vol. 12, No. 3/4 Fall/Winter 2010
Markus Jaudas Executive Editor Janell Hullquist Editor, Layout & Design Hannah Kuntz Supporting Editor Debbie Hicks Copy Editor Printed By College Press LLC OCI Reports magazine is published quarterly by Outpost Centers International. Please send all changes of address to: OCI Reports, 5340 Layton Lane, Apison, TN 37302. Please include the old address along with the new. Tel: 423-236-5600. Fax: 423236-5650. E-mail: ocireports@ outpostcenters.org Outpost Centers International is a nonprofit organization working in cooperation with the Seventhday Adventist Church to network and nurture supporting ministries worldwide. OCI operates through the generosity of people like you and issues tax-deductible receipts to U.S. donors. Please send all correspondence to: Outpost Centers International, 5340 Layton Lane, Apison, TN 37302. Tel: 423-236-5600. E-mail: info@ outpostcenters.org. For further information, please visit us on the web at www.outpostcenters.org.
John 7:15 John 21:6
Editor
janell@outpostcenters.org Copyright © 2010 Outpost Centers International
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Translating
God’s Love
Interview and translation by Hannah Kuntz In his labors to reach remote indigenous communities, David Cruz tackles flooded streams, terrible roads, and a tricky dialect. David and his wife, Virginia, are dedicated to reaching the marginalized Tarahumara Indians in Creel, Mexico. The Cruzes started the Creel Tarahumara Mission in 1993 and continue to press toward their goal—winning souls to Jesus. How do you reach out to the Tarahumara Indians?
Working with them isn’t easy. They are very reserved. We try to help the people by distributing clothes and food. We also work with doctors so we can give them completely free medical consultations. We try to meet their physical needs first. This helps us enter their communities with the gospel. What are their greatest needs?
Many of the Indians still live in caves and don’t have drinkable water or electricity. They also need medical
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services because the communities are so far away that people have to walk two, three, four, or more hours to Creel. How do the community members generally react to your visits?
The first time the Indians don’t trust just anyone. They are very quiet and always have a sad expression on their faces that reflects their suffering. You can talk to them, but there are times that even though they understand you, they don’t want to respond. The communication is difficult, but we try to let them know we want to help
Insights
them and ask if they have any needs. Then they start to trust us. Once while preaching in a community, a man handed me a letter asking me to leave, saying that if I didn’t, they would take other measures. But thanks to God, we continued to preach there and now we have a small church. It’s hard to work with the Indians because they have strong traditions. Apart from this, the Catholic Church controls them and doesn’t allow other churches to enter into the communities to give them the gospel. How long does it take to establish a relationship with a community?
To form a good relationship, it could take up to a year. We are now visiting two communities about once a week. Some communities are very far away, about five hours from here, and the roads that we must pass through have holes or small rivers. Normally we visit closer communities, because we don’t have sufficient funds to go more often or as far. What is the most rewarding aspect of your ministry?
The most rewarding is when we see that people have accepted the message and have turned their lives over to God. We are repaid for the effort and sacrifices we make. Give an example of how God is working in your ministry.
While camping with my family a couple of years ago, we met some boys. One told me that to get to the thermal waters, we would have to leave the road and walk another hour. We decided to wait until the next day to continue and invited the boys to eat supper with us. I asked one of
them, Javier, if he had heard about Jesus. He told me he hadn’t. Javier was really impressed when I told him what Jesus had done for us. He wanted to introduce me to his father. When Javier told his father that we wanted to come back to talk about Jesus, he said it was OK and that he would invite more people from the community to listen, too. God led us to that community. Now we were visiting them and giving them Bible studies. What are your plans for the future?
One day we hope God will help us start a training school for missionaries. We would also like to translate the doctrines of Top: Villagers receive free medical consultations. the Seventh-day Bottom: Children gather to Adventist Church into the Tarahumara hear Bible stories. Previous Page: David dialect. and Virginia Cruz (left) are The work is great, dedicated to their mission. but the soldiers are few. When we came to Creel, there were no other Adventists here. We feel that God sent us here to be able to give the message to people who still don’t know the love of God. David Cruz runs Creel Tarahumara Mission in Mexico. Visit www.outpostcenters.org for more information.
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One Gift, One Life OCI ministries around the world need your support. Every gift, big or small, directly impacts someone’s life. It may even be your life!
Reaching Hearts for Kids, USA Feed a child at the Goma Refugee Camp in Democratic Republic of Congo. Often Reaching Hearts is their only guarantee of food for the day.
30 cents/day or $9/month
Oklahoma Academy, USA Assist in the construction of an airplane hanger for the school’s mission aviation program.
$10/sq. foot
Mission Launc
h
Amazon Lifesavers Ministry, Brazil The Hope of Survivors, USA Sponsor the costs of design and distribution for the ministry’s newsletter.
$90/month 8
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Sponsor a Bible worker to spread the message of Christ’s love to rural Amazon villages.
$175/month
Vida Internacional, Honduras
To contribute
$30/Bible
Outpost Centers International
Provide Spanish study Bibles for mission school students and the school library.
to one of these or any other OCI project, visit www.outpostcenters.org or send a check to:
5340 Layton Lane Apison, TN 37302
Springs of Life Foundation, Poland
phone: 423-236-5600 fax: 423-236-5650
Help with the construction of a health education and lifestyle center.
$3/building block
For Your Heart, Latvia
Purchase a larger water heater to provide the project with hot water.
$250
Kibidula Farm Institute, Tanzania
Help provide students with livestock, which help pay for their school expenses.
$100/sheep OC I
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Through Highs and Lows by Frank Fournier & Leasa Hodges
God’s hand continues to support Eden Valley Institute, in times of plenty and of scarcity, blessings and challenges.
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wo young couples attended a self-supporting convention 50 years ago at Oak Haven in Michigan. They were deeply impressed to establish a new self-supporting institution. Harold and Effie Grosboll, along with Pete and Ann Borris, returned to their homes in Colorado and began searching for a suitable site. They found a location 12 miles west of Loveland, Colorado. Situated on 600 acres in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the secluded area already known as Eden Valley was the ideal property. The couples sold their business and reinvested the entire proceeds in the project. With hard work, a retirement center was soon finished, and Eden Valley Institute opened for ministry. Placing God at the heart of their philosophy, the founders laid out the three pillars of their education 10
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program: medical missionary training, health ministry, and an agriculture course. Income from the retirement center supported the project. Over the years, the ministry faced cycles of growth, changes in leadership, times of plenty, and times of great challenge.Yet God’s leading and blessings were always evident. Eventually, new churches were planted in nearby towns. Eden Valley’s influence also progressed far beyond the local community as staff and students answered God’s call to sacrificial service around the world. Through Eden Valley, self-supporting ministries sprang up in Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. While Eden Valley is currently flourishing, in recent years God has led the team over rough ground.
Spotlight on Mission The Refining Fire
Eight years ago Frank Fournier became president of Eden Valley. The Lord was blessing the project tremendously, yet Frank discovered a great desire among the team to return more actively to the ministry’s original goals of education and evangelism. Frank began praying that the Lord would glorify Himself at Eden Valley, at whatever cost. Almost immediately things began to unravel. The retirement center began to fail, and the number of lifestyle guests dwindled. At about the same time, the farm began underperforming. By mid-2008 Eden Valley was forced to borrow $150,000, with no plan in place to repay the loan. Frank spent hours on his knees in despair as he continued to petition God with his original request—that God be glorified no matter what. The circumstances were desperate, the obstacles insurmountable, and the resources nonexistent. Left: Many find healing at the lifestyle center. Below: Health programs help spread the gospel. Previous Page: Eden Valley is a sanctuary from the world.
Just when things couldn’t get worse financially for Eden Valley, the economic recession hit. However, as the world’s economy faltered, God was relieving Eden Valley’s troubles. Eden Valley sent a letter to its newsletter mailing list asking for help. The response was overwhelming! Within three months of borrowing $150,000, the ministry was able to repay the entire loan, as well as put away a buffer for the future. A few months later, 3ABN featured Eden Valley, prompting many phone calls from interested viewers. The lifestyle sessions have been full ever since. Encouraged and humbled by these blessings, the ministry’s plans for the next two years reflect the core missions of Eden Valley: provide men and women with valuable training, fulfill the gospel commission locally and around the world, and meet the evergrowing need for health ministry. To this end, the World Missions Course has been restored. Both the agriculture and the medical missionary training feature a strong emphasis on evangelism, empowering students to lead people to Jesus. Also, plans for a new lifestyle center are under way to increase capacity and consolidate the program from three buildings to one. Through this journey, hearts have been humbled and faith increased. The team is united in purpose, with a sense of expectancy. Having witnessed these miracles, they are full of courage and ready to follow wherever God leads. Frank Fournier is the president of Eden Valley Institute, and Leasa Hodges is the administrative director. To find out more, visit www.edenvalley.org.
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Relying on God by Biser Yordanov
Sacrificing personal comfort, the small team at Center for Health and Prevention build up the work in Bulgaria.
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here are no locks or guard dogs at the Center for Health and Prevention in Bulgaria.The team relies on God’s promises, not just for their basic protection, but for their every need. For two years the team prepared to start a sanitarium and medical missionary school while searching for a suitable property. This summer God provided for the purchase of a property in Banya, Bulgaria. He also sent willing volunteers to help prepare the site’s existing buildings for His work. Renovations began in August. When the first eight volunteers arrived, the property was overrun with bushes and trees. The building lacked windows, doors, electricity, and running water, but the group was undaunted. Despite
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the rough conditions, they gathered twice a day to praise God and pray for His leading. Right away the group began cleaning the property, digging a channel to run water lines, and repairing the building. Despite the hard work, they found much to be thankful for, including healthy and tasty food, rest, and God’s providence and protection. Among the group was Nicolai, a construction specialist, and his wife, Nina. Nicolai and Nina were not Seventh-day Adventists but attended morning and evening worship
Spotlight on Mission each day, listening to the praise songs and praying with the staff. Nina was especially interested in the group’s healthy lifestyle, and the staff prayed that Jesus’ love would touch the couple’s hearts through the work. Everyone spent the first Sabbath at the nearest Adventist church in Nova Zagora. When the group shared their plans for the work in Banya, the church members had tears in their eyes. At the end of the sermon, everyone gathered around and shared what they could give to the project, including pillows, items for the kitchen, and even an old washing machine. A week later an elder from the church came to the sanitarium for a visit. A few days later he returned with potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, and honey. The local church also took a special offering for the project. One of the most difficult problems the project has faced is the lack of electricity. Because of the distance from the village, the team needs an electrical generator, which costs $25,000. The team is trusting in the Lord to provide, but in the meantime, the lack of electricity has forced them to cook on an open fire, as well as to wash their clothes by hand in the nearby Tunja
River. However, the rough conditions have served to unite and strengthen the team rather than hinder them. Even with the rustic conditions, the team has found ways to share God’s love with others. There are many opportunities for witnessing in Banya, including a local retirement home where the majority of the residents were raised under Communism and know little about God. But they enjoy
Above Right: Hardships only strengthen the small team. Above Left & Left: Much hard work is needed to complete the new lifestyle center.
the songs and encouragement from the Bible and have invited the team to continue visiting. Despite being few in number, the small team of eight is persevering. The staff is praying that more people will consider the opportunities for service. The project needs individuals who are able to make a long-term commitment. Biser Yordanov is the leader of Center for Health and Prevention in Bulgaria. To learn more, visit www.outpostcenters.org.
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Food for Thought
A Life of Service by Hein Myburgh
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ne of the first songs I learned end. Was his work and sacrifice in vain? as a boy in Sabbath School Who would continue this ministry in was about Zacchaeus climbing a the middle of nowhere? sycamore tree. He Comfort and wanted to see the the craving for man everyone was self-made security talking about, but excluded me from he ended up having being a candidate. a full encounter But praise God for with a God of that unyielding, still, love, compassion, small voice. He can and forgiveness change uncertainty in Jesus Christ. and doubt into faith Five years ago, based on solid Rock. while working in Five months after Rochester, England, Johann’s death, I I got a call from moved into his my sister: “Johann cottage beside the was attacked by giant mukuyu tree an elephant!” I on the banks of frantically contacted the Zambezi River. friends in southern This old tree, a Zambia, where my ficus sycomorus, older brother Johann “This old tree...has with monkeys and operated Mukuyu indeed become my hornbills feasting on Outreach. Before own sycamore tree.” its figs, has indeed long the message become my own came through with sycamore tree. It has severe finality: “Johann died.” given me a better glimpse of Jesus and A few days later, family and friends an encounter with Him as He guided gathered in Zambia to bury Johann me from a life of self to a life of service. under his favorite wild fig (mukuyu) Hein Myburgh runs Mukuyu Outreach, tree. Everything he had planned to one of OCI’s newest member do at this small mission outpost was ministries. For more information, visit www.mukuyu.org. tragically and abruptly brought to an
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Service Opportunities If you have a desire to serve God hands-on, prayerfully consider one of the following long-term openings at an OCI member ministry. Advent Home Learning Center, USA Resident Care Staff Black Hills Health & Edu. Center, USA Videographer Cedarvale Health & Lifestyle Retreat, Australia General Manager Maintenance Supervisor Marketing/Sales Specialist Massage/Hydro Therapist Eden Valley Institute, USA Education Director Lifestyle Center Housekeeper Organic Farmer/Greenhouse Manager Living Springs Retreat, USA Lifestyle Counselor Lifestyle Director Organic Gardener Raw Food Chef Miracle Meadows School, USA Cafeteria Director Development Director Executive Director Girls’ & Boys’ Dorm Staff Mission Projects Inc., Belize Internist Physician Surgeon
Oak Haven, USA Store Clerk Warehouse Worker Oklahoma Academy, USA Communication Director Girls’ Dean Riverside Farm Institute, Zambia Retired Doctor The Heartgood Foundation, Norway Cook Nurse The Hope of Survivors, USA Development Director Website Developer/Programmer The Turning Point Foundation, Sweden Assistant to the Leader Vida Internacional, Honduras Agriculturalist Construction Manager Head Cook Mechanic Primary School & ESL Teachers Wildwood Lifestyle Center & Hospital, USA Farm Manager Math Teacher Science Teacher
COMPLETE LIST @ www.outpostcenters.org OC I
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www.outpostcenters.org/retreat
More Information:
Come away from your daily challenges and join other leaders, students, and friends of OCI to study God’s Word, grow as leaders, and fellowship together.
Outpost Centers International 5340 Layton Lane Apison, TN 37302
May 16-21, 2011
at Herghelia Institute
OCI Leadership Retreat
A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12, NKJV
Unbroken
Together
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