Echoes Spring 2015

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S P R I N G 2 015

CUTTING EDGE MISSIONS

STORIES FROM THE FRONTLINES OF EVANGELISM

RT O E: R E P C T DO N J E I S SI RO N I MIS M P ORT T NA EP P Y ET R G E VI

F I N D I N S P IRAT ION & B L ESS WORLD M ISS IONS! Enjoy a double blessing! Your purchases of our books, CDs and DVDs directly support worldwide evangelism—and bring uplifting messages to your home as well!

The Time That Remains Steve Darmody

Jesus, Our Cornerstone!

The Melashenkos

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Don’t Eat the Soup as Hot as They Cook It!

Sing Spiritual

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Glimpses of God

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Every now and then a book is written that penetrates beyond the head and speaks to the heart. In the Light of God’s Love is one of those books. You won’t want to put it down. $7.99, plus shipping.

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by Dorothy Minchin-Comm

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Devotional

HANGING IN

by Randy Bates

THE BALANCE Where I grew up, the wind often blew tumbleweeds onto the roadway.

As a young driver, I loved to hit them head-on and see the exploded little pieces in the rearview mirror. It was fun blasting through tumbleweeds that were often three or more feet across.

After obliterating a couple monster tumbleweeds, my dad told me a story that is as powerful to me now as it was four decades ago.

He was driving down the road when he noticed a medium-sized cardboard box straight ahead. He thought it would be fun, like with a tumbleweed, to just hit the box head-on and see it crumpled in his rearview mirror.

At the last minute he decided to swerve around the box, thinking just maybe it could be full of something that might damage his car.

Swerving by and continuing on, he looked in his rearview mirror. To his horror and relief, he saw a small child crawl out from underneath it, unharmed.

What if he hadn’t swerved?

He had no idea what hung in the balance of that simple decision to turn the steering wheel just a little bit.

Have you ever looked back and asked yourself, “What if I hadn’t _____?” Then you ponder what hung in the balance unawares?

In the Bible, Joseph had no idea what hung in the balance as he told his cellmate, “I can interpret that dream for you.” Moses had no idea what hung in the balance when he stopped to check out a burning bush.

David, Esther, Mary, Peter— many stories from the Bible come readily to mind. At key moments, they had no idea what hung in the balance.

God did. And He had a plan, a purpose for them.

The same is true for each of us. We are told in the Bible that God has a plan for us, a purpose for our lives. We each have tremendous opportunities to be used by God. Opportunities to do something for others.

God knows the plans He has for you. Will you say, “Yes,” to his purpose for you? You’ll be amazed at what, or who, hangs in the balance.

Oh. And while I still enjoy blasting through tumbleweeds, I will never run over a cardboard box. 

Randy Bates is president/CEO of Quiet Hour Ministries.

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SPRING 2015 • VOL. 78, NO. 02

Editor Steve Hamstra

Layout Harding Design

Quiet Hour Ministries Board Chairman Ralph S. Watts, Jr. President/CEO Randal H. Bates Board of directors

vice chairman Darold Retzer

Daryl Gohl Dick Neuharth Bill Tucker Roy West David Wilkins Founder J. L. Tucker, 1895-1989 Echoes is the official publication of The Quiet Hour,

Inc., doing business as Quiet Hour Ministries, PO Box 3000, Redlands, California 92373-1500, USA. Subscriptions are $5 per year to United States addresses. International rates vary. For subscription service please call us at 800-900-9021, visit www. qhministries.org, or write to us at the above address.

Quiet Hour Ministries is a not-for-profit supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Donations to Quiet Hour Ministries are tax-deductible in the United States. Those in Canada may send their tax-deductible gifts to PO Box 22085, St. Thomas, ON, N5R 6A1, Canada.

UNIFORM DISCLOSURE STATEMENT The Quiet Hour is a 501(c) (3) organization, gifts to which are deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes.

Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALL ING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352.

REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. The Quiet Hour’s registration number is CH19265. Maryland: A copy of The Quiet Hour’s current financial statement is available on request to The Quiet Hour, Box 3000, Redlands CA 923731500 - Telephone # 909-793-2588. For the cost of copies and postage, registration documents, and other information are available from the Maryland Secretary of State. Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of The Quiet Hour may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement. Virginia: A financial statement is available from the State Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services upon request. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, West Virginia 24305. Registration does not imply endorsement.

The Quiet Hour Canada is a registered charity in Canada. Reg. # 89764 8002 RR0002 Where legally possible offerings will go to these projects; otherwise special arrangements will be made with Quiet Hour Ministries for distribution of funds based on the laws of Canada where these funds are collected.

SPRING 2015

ECHOES

TELEVISION THAT CHANGES LIVES

MAILBAG Amparo P., Yucaipa, CA

Thank you very much for praying for my grandchildren as I requested. I just received a phone call from my daughter saying her children want to travel out of the country. I said, “Yes!” The best place to go is to the mission field with Quiet Hour! So please keep praying. The Lord is good.

He does touch hearts!

Charmaine K.

When I was a child, my grandmother received your magazine. I love to read it!

R. W., Tahuya, WA

Yesterday we had a visit from one of your staff members and we appreciated her ministration. We were pleased to hear about the current work of Quiet Hour Ministries.

The visit confirmed our confidence in all of you. We will be pleased to continue our contributions as Heaven blesses.

Alejandra T.

Absolutely loving the Missions Today series.

I watch it on the Hope Channel and I look forward to Sunday nights to catch the new episode.

Hopefully, this show will continue. I love the stories and the profiles on the mission trip participants.

They’re so rich, deep and honest. It’s beautiful to see young people speak about service and God in such powerful ways. And I love how young and old come together to do amazing work on behalf of God’s kingdom. Keep it up! We want to see more of this!

Jonathan J., Antioch, CA

I just got my diploma from the Way of Life Bible course. I’m going to church and will do very well in the future.

Middle East and North Africa Union of Seventh-day Adventists

Thanks so much for your service.

Letters may be edited for clarity and space considerations.

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A CHURCH

FOR KEN

Having seen and experienced so much suffering in his life, Ken describes himself as someone with a “destroyed soul and spirit.”

Ken is a disabled veteran whose life is compromised by age, health, emotional limitations, and poverty. He lives in a remote part of the Ozark mountains and is confined to his home most of the time. Traveling for groceries or to church becomes long and difficult. “I can’t attend church. But that’s okay. Hope Channel is my church,” says Ken with such a positive spirit. “Even though I worship by myself, I feel a huge connection with my spiritual family at Hope Channel.”

THIS QUARTER’S FREE OFFER DOWNLOAD a free song from Hope

Channel Ambassador, Naomi Striemer

To download your song, visit hopetv.org/naomi

hopetv.org

Through My Eyes

TO SERVE OTHERS

by Keri Mau

ALMOST SIX YEARS AGO I STEPPED ONTO A PLANE going to Fiji—my first Quiet Hour Ministries mission trip.

 Keri, left, working in the eye clinic during a QHM mission trip to Panama in November 2014.

I didn’t know what to expect.

But I was definitely excited.

That trip proved to be a turning point in my life. I gave eyeglasses to people who couldn’t see to read their Bible, sang with children during their nightly programs and played my violin to the glory of God for people who had never seen a violin in real life.

Through the daily activities, the mentorship of Joedy Melashenko and God’s leading, I felt the call to serve in the mission field in any way I could. I decided then and there to dedicate my life to this service.

Since then, I have seen God work in my life—opening the doors (800) 900-9021 |

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for me to go on three more QHM mission trips, pointing me towards a career in global health and more recently, training to become a QHM mission team leader.

Why do I want to be a team leader?

I could sit here and tell you warm, feel-good stories about how everything is perfect.

That I go on mission trips and see people’s lives changed and everyone living happily ever after (which does happen!).

But there’s also leaving the comforts of your own home to go to a foreign land to sweat like a pig, get bitten by bugs, wash in cold showers and suffer from exhaustion.

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Now, before you dismiss going on mission trips altogether, hear me out. Being able to serve other people is something all of us could be better at.

During my journey in life so far, I have come to realize the importance of service. Because that’s what it all boils down to— serving others. Whether it is in the mission field, in a classroom, at your job or in your church.

Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NKJV. And Jesus is our example, is He not? He came here to serve others and in so many different ways.

I want to challenge you to try something new, to get out of your comfort zone.

I’m not going to lie, mission trips are tough and not for the faint of heart. But I guarantee it will challenge you, help shape your character for the better and change you in ways you could never imagine.

That is what I experienced and I know you will too.

I learned a quote during my leadership training at QHM that has helped me so many times. It goes, “God equips the unequipped.”

With that in mind, are you ready to serve Him? Keri Mau, originally from Maryland, is a second year Public Health graduate student at Loma Linda University who loves to scuba dive, travel, teach violin, perform with her music group, pulseAux, and go on mission trips with Quiet Hour Ministries.

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GRATEFUL

A TEAM MEMBER TESTIMONY FROM EGYPT

by DP Harris

DRIVING DOWN A LONELY ROAD late at night, the green station wagon began to putter and slow. It finally came to a silent stall by the side of the road. We were out of gas.

word had spread that we were coming and many had come to be seen that day. We quickly arranged for them to be seen when the clinic would open on Sunday.

As the crowd dissipated, food began to emerge from the pastor’s apartment above the church.

Members of the Adventist church in Masra and in Cairo had volunteered to provide us with food for the week.

Our first meal in Masra consisted of vegetables, couscous and a salad arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree. The Christmas tree was particularly welcome when we realized that Egyptian Christians don’t celebrate Christmas on December 25. Rather their Christmas wasn’t until January 7.

Then, out of the darkness, six masked men with automatic rifles surrounded our car. And we were grateful to God. You see, these men were our security detail during the Quiet Hour Ministries mission trip to Egypt.

After getting over the initial shock of being accompanied everywhere by armed police, our mission team felt safe the entire time. At no time did we feel our lives were threatened. And the police guards actually became our good friends!

Our team served in Masra, a small village near Asyut in Upper Egypt. Though we didn’t really know what to expect, 23 volunteers from the United States and Canada had chosen to spend our Christmas holiday serving in this community.

As with most QHM mission trips, we planned to provide an evening evangelistic series coupled with children’s programs. We’d also work on a construction project and provide medical, dental and eye clinics.

When we arrived in Masra, we were greeted by a combination of Egyptian hospitality, local curiosity and medical needs. Close to 100 people were waiting at the gates to the church as we arrived.

Though the clinics wouldn’t begin until Sunday, ECHOES

SPRING 2015

 DP Harris, left, preached the evangelistic series during our Egypt mission trip.

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Egypt Mission Repor t

 Hundreds of local people, Christian and Muslim alike, were treated in the medical clinic.

 Mission team members cleaning in the burned-out Adventist church in Masra.

Afterward, some of us accepted an invitation from the “umdah,” or mayor, of Masra, to accompany him to the mayoral residence.

Walking down the streets of Masra, we could easily believe that we had slipped back into Bible times. The roads were barely wide enough for a single car to pass through. Indeed the primary form of transportation was a saddled donkey or donkeydrawn cart.

Most men wore a “galabeya,” robes which most westerners only see in Christmas programs.

Ubiquitous cell phones were the only hint we were in modern times.

The umdah was quite pleased to show us around.

He even invited us to visit his home anytime during the week if we ever needed a place to rest. The umdah would turn out to be a significant supporter of ours during the week and an able advocate when dealing with the security force.

The first evening children’s program brought a major surprise. Though there are only 30 or so members of the church, the children’s program was blessed with more than 100 local children every evening we were there.

We learned that most of the local neighborhood children attended this program. Fortunately, members of the church community were on hand to help out.

Our QHM team members led the children in a raucous yet joyous round of singing. While they didn’t understand the words, the children learned to love songs like “In Right, Out Right, Upright, Downright,” “Deep and Wide” and “Praise Ye the Lord.”

Each night the children eagerly returned for songs, a Bible story and crafts. They enjoyed the program so much that they kept arriving earlier and earlier.

It was heartwarming to watch the children hug and play with the team members. They even taught some of us some hand-clapping games.

Each weekday morning our clinic team would head into Masra to meet an ever-growing crowd of people from the local region. Managing the

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SPRING 2015

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 Team member Ruthie Gohl greeting local people outside our medical clinic.

 More than 100 local children, many of them Muslim, attending our kid’s programs each night!

expectations of the people turned out to be a challenge in itself.

Our team, together with church leaders and the local police became adept at organizing the barriers and managing the crowd. This ensured that each person could be served in a respectful and personalized manner.

In the clinics we were blessed to see many instances of people made pain free by having abscessed teeth pulled. I heard of people’s bright smiles after having their first ever teeth cleaning.

Then there were the ladies crying at being able to see clearly for the first time in years, thanks to the donated eyeglasses.

And there were many stories of patients who were comforted by the listening ear and advice of the doctors and nurses in the clinic.

One of the most poignant moments of this trip came when we visited the Adventist church in Asyut.

This church was set on fire in August 2013 by an organized mob.

The mob burned several Christian churches on the same street. But Christian and Muslim neighbors joined together to protect individuals and property.

Staring at the charred rubble of the church, two things struck me. First, I was saddened by the hatred that humans can have for people who are different from them.

Second, while most Christian churches in the area had been repaired within months of the attack, the Adventist church remained essentially in the same state for the past year-plus. This small congregation

simply didn’t have the means to rebuild.

It took our little construction team several days to clear the rubble out from the church and load a junk cart to haul it away.

But a real blessing came when others saw what we were doing. Our driver and our security detail joined us in our cleaning and demolition work.

Then local workers came to help haul the junk away.

Neighbors across the street cheered our activity.

One lady even brought tea and cookies to provide refreshment for us while we worked.

We were cheered by how much Muslims and Christians wanted to work together and live in harmony. It made me long for the day when Jesus will return and unite us all to Him. Our evangelistic meetings ended with no baptisms. But we remain grateful to be able to preach the gospel in this unique setting.

Also the evangelism project was to continue for several more weeks after we left. At the end, the local pastor is expecting to add a few more members to his small congregation.

On our final evening in Egypt, the umdah gave a heartfelt thank you for the service we’d provided.

In all, we felt deeply grateful to have ministered to Muslims and Christians alike in Masra.

I pray they will continue to live in harmony and that many souls will be won as a result of what God did through our team. 

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DP Harris was part of our evangelism mission team to Egypt in December 2014. In fact, he did the preaching for our evangelistic meetings!

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THE MISSION FIELD

IS CALLING YOU!

There are so many ways you can serve with us in the mission field. Answer the call. Join us on an evangelism mission trip!

Upcoming mission trips: COLOMBIA May 20-31 HAITI June 10-21 GUATEMALA July 8-20 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC July 9-19 GUATEMALA July 22-August 2 MALAWI August 17-31

CHURCH GROUP? SCHOOL GROUP? WE CAN HELP!

If your church or school group is looking for a mission trip, we can put a custom trip together for you!

Call us today at (800) 900-9021 for custom group mission trip information.

To learn more or sign up, visit www.qhministries.org or call our evangelism department (800) 900-9021.

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SPRING 2015

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A DREAM COME TRUE

ONE TEAM MEMBER’S MISSION REPORT FROM PANAMA

by Hazel Marroquin

“MY MOM LOVES MUSIC TOO,” I HEARD A CHILD SAY, “BUT SHE’S NOT HERE.” Carlos told me he loved God and wanted to read the Bible. But he didn’t have one.

My mind immediately went back home to all the Bibles I had there. I was certain there was a black one. “I should have brought it with me,” I thought.

Who would’ve known? Why would I think to bring an extra Bible on a mission trip when other essential items might not have fit in the luggage?

I thought about giving Carlos my Bible. But it didn’t match his shoes. Besides, I would need it to preach that week!

Going on a mission trip was a dream of mine. As a child, I read about those trips. I enjoyed watching “Mission Spotlight” at church. I would imagine myself serving overseas.

In November 2014, my dream came true through the Quiet Hour Ministries Panama mission trip.

I learned so many things about God on this trip.

I could not believe how much He surpassed all of my expectations.

I saw how God’s grace attracted people, including children. I’d always heard the Bible verse,

 Children’s outreach was a huge part of our Panama mission trip, reaching dozens of kids.

At that moment, the local women’s ministry director and I were reviewing a set of Bible studies at the Meteti Seventh-day Adventist Church in Panama.

It was our first Sabbath after arriving there.

Included with the Bible studies were some music CDs. Carlos had seen the CDs in my hand and rushed over to claim one for his mom.

Carlos had traveled with his dad almost two hours by bus to come to our meetings. Mom had not come because the family couldn’t afford the fare.

They only had $2 at the time.

Eight-year-old Carlos immediately captured my heart. His smile was special and he was such a joyful and bright child. Carlos had also recently been baptized.

The music CD was not the first thing Carlos asked me for. Earlier he asked me for a Bible. But not just any Bible. At his young age, he had stipulations.

The Bible must be black he said, in order to match his shoes. And he was serious.

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 Two of our children’s program leaders connecting with the local children.

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Panama Mission Repor t “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:14 NKJV. But now it had come alive in me through Carlos.

Oh and Joel 2:28 that talks about everyone prophesying; including the children, that one came alive too. Oh man, I was getting really excited. And the trip had just begun!

The week progressed and our team got deeply involved in community service. Everywhere I looked, I saw God and His grace.

There were many things that came alive to me. It was amazing.

God blessed us with the privilege of witnessing at 19 baptisms. Many others also gave their hearts to Jesus. And still others enrolled in Bible studies.

Our team’s community service expanded when we traveled to La Playona, an indigenous tribe village. They’d never had running water or electricity in this village.

It was an honor and privilege to hand Samuel, a church leader in this village, books on the gospels that had been donated.

We took shoes for the women and children, rubber boots for the men as well as raincoats and cooking accessories for the community. And we were able to help provide a floor for their church.

Our team also held an eye clinic in La Playona.

Many were happy and blessed to receive new glasses.

Back in Meteti, more eye clinics were held.

Hundreds of people of all ages received a free exam and eyeglasses. It was so much fun to see how



restoring clear vision could bring such joy!

In the evenings we traveled to four different sites where evangelistic meetings were held along with children’s programs. People would already be waiting when we arrived daily.

Parents would tell us that the children wanted to arrive hours in advance. They were thirsting. And God quenched.

More than 100 Bibles were distributed by our team. And I knew that I needed one of them for Carlos. I even made sure it matched his shoes.

Our final Sabbath arrived and Carlos was at church with his mom. This time dad was absent. I didn’t ask, but I wondered if they were down to $2.00 again.

I wish I could have captured on film the moment I handed Carlos his brand new Bible. His mom was so grateful too. She promised to pray for Carlos and encourage him in daily reading.

“I don’t know what plans God has for Carlos,” I told her, “but I know that they are big.”

Maybe I’ll never know what God does through Carlos. But one thing I know for sure: I am so thankful that God could use someone like me to bless him.

Jesus is coming soon. I can’t wait to see Him face to face. But many still need to hear about Him! Are you willing to let God fulfill His purpose in you today? Maybe it won’t be Panama. But wherever it is, I know that there is someone waiting just for you. Go tell them about Jesus! 

 Hundreds of people received a free eye exam and eye glasses at our clinic in Panama.

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Our entire Panama mission team.

Hazel Marroquin writes from Louisiana. She was part of our mission team to Meteti, Panama in November 2014.

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PROJECT UPDATES EVERY DAY THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD that’s part of Quiet Hour Ministries’ outreach. Whether it’s church construction, gospel workers giving Bible studies or evangelism teams proclaiming Jesus, there are always projects happening that are furthering the Lord’s work. And these projects only happen through your generous support.

In an effort to keep you up to date on what’s going on in our worldwide outreach, here’s what’s happened in the various areas of our ministry over the last few months: WORLDWIDE EVANGELISM – Evangelistic meetings were held in Kalibo and General Santos, Philippines, and Port Limon, Costa Rica. Lay volunteers preached and gave health talks to community members, resulting in many decisions for Jesus.

BIBLES – Because of your support, each new believer at our evangelistic meetings in Kalibo and General Santos, Philippines and Port Limon, Costa Rica were given a Bible in their own language to deepen their relationship with Jesus.

CHAPELS AND CONSTRUCTION – Mission teams helped build churches in Kalibo and General Santos, Philippines and Port Limon, Costa Rica. Your generous donations made these chapels possible, which have changed the way locals worship. Many used to meet in shacks or small homes, but now they have a building where membership can expand and flourish.

GOSPEL WORKERS – Local gospel workers are crucial in the success of evangelism. They prepare the community through home visitations and Bible studies. Gospel workers were ECHOES

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active during our evangelistic meetings in Kalibo and General Santos, Philippines and Port Limon, Costa Rica. Gospel workers are also preparing the way for our upcoming meetings in Guatemala, Malawi and the Philippines.

CHILDREN’S OUTREACH – Along with each evangelistic meeting in Kalibo and General Santos, Philippines and Port Limon, Costa Rica, were outreach programs that ministered to the children. Hundreds of kids flocked to the programs, gathering to sing, hear Bible stories, play games and make crafts.

MUSLIM OUTREACH – Our Muslim outreach workers continued to study with hundreds of people, both here in the United States and abroad, who are excited to know more about Jesus.

MEDICAL CLINICS AND EYE CLINICS– Medical, dental and eye clinics were held in Kalibo and General Santos, Philippines and Port Limon, Costa Rica, with patients receiving general care as well as eye glasses and dental exams. In Kalibo, our team saw 400-500 patients a day. Many were given glasses that allowed them to see, as well as medications and treatments that alleviated illnesses.  www.qhministries.org |

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2015 PROJECTS #

PROJECT

2015 GOAL

06019

Worldwide Evangelism

06003

Worldwide chapels

06009

Gospel Workers

06002

Bibles

06052

Children’s Outreach

59,500

06012

Muslim Outreach

60,000

06061

Medical Clinics

59,800

$130,000 202,700 78,000 132,000

STILL NEEDED

RAISED 75% $97,115

$32,885 127,086

37% 75,614

40,621

48% 37,379

102,099

23% 29,901 64% 32,579

26,921 57,906

3% 2,094

35,601

40% 24,199

YOUR GIFTS CAN BE MADE VIA THE ENCLOSED RESPONSE CARD, BY CALLING (800) 900-9021 OR ONLINE AT WWW.QHMINISTRIES.ORG/GIVENOW (800) 900-9021 |

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“LET’S GO!”

A MISSION TEAM MEMBER’S EXPERIENCE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

by Mitchell Powers

 Working in the children’s outreach was a special blessing for Mitchell. Hundreds of kids came to our children’s programs in the Dominican Republic.

I ALWAYS KNEW THERE WERE KIDS, adults and families in this world who struggle. And I knew I wanted to help them. But I had no idea how.

to go, He would make it happen. And He sure made it happen!

That was March. The trip was in November. Month after month went by. I couldn’t wait. But finally the day came when we left for the Dominican Republic.

Arriving at the airport, we presented our tickets.

But my teacher’s ticket was coming up as invalid.

After calling several people and waiting an hour at the desk, we got through!

It felt to me like God had planned that and it was all in His hands. And that we were to remember that, day by day.

Ten hours later we landed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. My first feeling of getting out of the plane was the humidity. It was really hot over there. But very beautiful.

After everyone and our bags were on the bus, we sat down and tried to sleep. Finally arriving in Cotui, where our team would serve, we got to our rooms and slept.

The next morning we got acquainted with other team members and received our specific

Then a man from Quiet Hour Ministries (QHM) came to talk at our school chapel. He answered all my questions and helped me on my road to a mission trip!

Because I’m not yet 18, I needed an adult to join me on the trip.

At that time I knew I wanted to go and I also knew God wanted me to go. But I didn’t know if I was going to be able to. My parents couldn’t go. My pastors were too busy.

But my teacher, after hearing I was having difficulties finding someone, said, “Let’s go!”

At first I thought he was joking but he was serious.

We opened QHM’s web page and he asked me which trip should we go on. We settled on the Dominican Republic Mission trip.

It all was so fast. But I knew if God wanted me ECHOES

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Dominican Republic Mission Repor t When the last day came I was sad. I had to say good-bye to the kids and that was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

As my teacher and I were about to leave they told us they had a gift for us. They had us close our eyes and open our hands. To me they gave a homemade drum and my teacher got some local souvenirs. I was so touched by how nice they were to us.

The next morning, our final Sabbath in Cotui, we had a big church service to close our team’s evangelistic series.

During the service, my teacher and I went and gathered some kids and sang a few songs up front.

After church was over we headed to the baptism site where 44 new believers were baptized!

Eight of the kids from our children’s outreach got baptized. I was so happy to see them up there! It made me think that through me God touched their hearts. That is something I’ll never forget.

To close that final Sabbath, we went to the construction site. And even though the church wasn’t quite finished, we had an evening meeting where we said our very last goodbyes before leaving.

The whole experience made me look at what I have and to not take anything for granted. I saw how God worked through me, how each day He guarded us and kept us safe.

I now know what it means to be a missionary.

And I want to serve God every chance I get. 

 With the help of local volunteers, our mission team made massive progress on the church construction project, leaving just the roof to be placed before the building can be opened.

assignments. My teacher and I had both signed up for children’s outreach and the construction site.

So that day we prepared the crafts and felts to teach Bible stories to the kids.

The next few days we would be at the construction site during the day and at a local church leading children’s outreach in the evening.

I enjoyed the worksite so much, even though there were times when it got hard. Sometimes it’d be really hot out with no shade and limited water. But seeing the progress we would make each day as a team was well worth it.

For about three days a lot of us were shoveling clay non-stop. Then people in the community and some team members pitched in money to rent a bulldozer for a few hours. And in those few hours we finished three or four days of shoveling!

The local people worked so hard on the church.

It was amazing to see someone strive for God so much that they would work day and night to finish that church.

At the children’s outreach we started with about 30 kids. Each night we’d get a little more and a little more, until the last night we had 65 kids!

During the children’s outreach, we’d do three main things: sing songs, tell a Bible story and do crafts. I took along my ukulele and I would play the songs each night. Then my teacher would tell the story and we’d cooperate on the craft.

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Mitchell Powers is a student from Kalama, Washington.

 Diann and Don Randleman working in the medical clinic.

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Greg Batla, center, with Nonoy’s four children who were baptized in Kalibo, Philippines.

TO SEE THE LORD WORK A REPORT FROM OUR JANUARY PHILIPPINES MISSION TRIP

by Greg Batla

ONE OF MY FAVORITE COUNTRIES for mission trips is the Philippines.

the locals by providing these clinics.

It also gives us an opportunity to invite them to our evening meetings. And I saw many people from the clinics come to our meetings in Kalibo.

Our evening evangelistic meetings took place at three different sites, scattered across the region. All three of our speakers were volunteers, meaning that they aren’t professional pastors.

Beautiful, lush scenery with an abundance of mouthwatering fruits and vegetables. Exotic modes of transportation like the jeepney and tricycle. Some of the most warm and hospitable people I’ve ever met.

But more importantly, they have a deep desire to grow in Christ and learn more about His immeasurable love and grace.

This past January, one of our mission teams headed to Kalibo, Philippines, in the province of Aklan. My film crew and I also headed there to film another episode of Missions Today. And what an amazing experience we had!

Our team, a group mostly from a church in northern California, hosted medical clinics, children’s programs, evangelistic meetings and assisted in a major church construction project.

These are the core components of almost every Quiet Hour Ministries mission trip. And we’ve found that by including each of the above elements, we’re able to reach many more people than would only come to evangelistic meetings.

At the medical clinics, we helped hundreds of locals get dental work, health assessments and advice, eyeglasses and medications. Following Jesus’ method of ministry, we meet the tangible needs of ECHOES

SPRING 2015

 Our medical clinics in Kalibo, Philippines treated hundreds of people every day!

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Philippines Mission Repor t

 The local Adventist pastor, left, leading a worship with the workers at the church construction site.

 Our Kalibo, Philippines mission team. Most of our team came from the Sunnyvale Adventist Church in California.

But guided by the Holy Spirit, they preached with power and conviction!

Each speaker carefully crafted every presentation to fit their own stories and experiences, which allowed them to connect on a personal level with the crowds of would-be new believers in attendance.

The church construction site was an incredible place.

This flourishing church group is currently meeting in a small space with only a tin roof. So they were incredibly grateful that you provided the funds to build a beautiful new church!

By the time we arrived, local workers hired to help build the church had already made considerable progress. And our team jumped right in alongside them to help wherever possible.

The church was being constructed into the side of a hill. So a lot of our time was spent hauling loads of dirt, mud and clay. By the end of our trip, tremendous progress was made on the structure and a special dedication service was held.

One of my favorite stories from the trip took place at the construction site.

Most of the hired workers at the site were nonbelievers. The local pastor saw this as an opportunity.

So each morning he would come to the site and take time to pray with the workers before they started.

If he wasn’t available, the pastor would arrange for one of the church members to come out and do the same.

This made an impression on Nonoy, one of the carpenters. That the pastor would take time each day to just come and pray with them caused Nonoy to become more open to spiritual things.

When our team arrived, the pastor invited all the construction workers to our evangelistic meetings.

Nonoy attended every night and brought his entire family with him.

Convicted by the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ, four of his children were baptized on our final Sabbath! And Nonoy said he wants to be baptized soon as well!

From the combined efforts of our mission team, local pastors, conference leaders and church members, 101 new believers were baptized on the final Sabbath of our trip!

All of this was possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit. It was amazing to see the Lord work in the new believers and through our team of volunteers.

And I want to thank you for your gifts that empowered this special outreach.

I can’t wait for you to see the wonderful stories from Kalibo in our Missions Today TV series. Season two, including Kalibo, will premiere this fall!

Lastly, as I often say on Missions Today, don’t just read or watch the stories of God at work. Join us on a mission trip, or help someone else go, so that YOU can be part of the story! 

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Greg Batla is the marketing specialist at Quiet Hour Ministries and the executive producer and host of our TV series, Missions Today.

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ANSWERED PRAYER THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFTS TO MISSIONS IN VIETNAM

by Steve Hamstra

HAVE YOU EVER ATTENDED A church dedication? If you have, you know what a time of celebration and praise to God it is.

Thanks to you, December 20, 2014, saw a very special church dedication in DaHoa, Vietnam.

For many years, the only Seventh-day Adventist presence in DaHoa was small house churches. Until recently, these brave believers faced enormous difficulties from the local communist government.

As those difficulties have eased over the last few years, a new challenge has arisen.

Vietnam includes people of 54 different tribes.

In DaHoa the tribal people are very poor. And the Adventist believers there are no exception. They scrape together a living by farming what little land they have.

 Vietnam includes people of 54 different tribes. And in DaHoa the tribal people are very poor.

This simple, sturdy church can hold up to 380 people and will bring four house church groups together into one congregation.

Plus there’ll be plenty of room for new believers!

With the newly-available facility, the Vietnam Adventist Mission is beginning a full program of missionary training and evangelism at the DaHoa church.

In addition there are community benefit projects in the works that will be based in the church, making the building a very tangible blessing to the local people.

“On behalf of the Vietnam Adventist Mission, we would like to say thank you so much for your support,” says Pastor Khoi Tran. He also shares that this church is the answer to “many years of praying.”

DaHoa is just one place where your gifts for missions in Vietnam are making an impact. In fact there are several more churches to come!

“Other projects are getting the permits from the government,” Pastor Tran says. “Once they start, I will let you know right away!”

Again, thank you for providing the DaHoa church in Vietnam. You continue to be an answer to prayer! 

 The new church you provided in DaHoa, Vietnam, just days before its December 20, 2014, dedication. This church is now home to more than 300 new believers!

Consequently, a larger church building, which would enable greater church growth and outreach, was simply beyond their means.

But God blessed your gifts for Vietnam chapels to provide your brothers and sisters in DaHoa with a church building!

On December 20, they celebrated with a special Christmas program none of them will soon forget. It was their first Sabbath in the new church you gave!

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Steve Hamstra is executive director for marketing at Quiet Hour Ministries.

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AMBASSADORS

OF HOPE

2015

HERE AM I! S E N D M E.

Will you join us in sustaining worldwide evangelism over the coming year? For your continued gifts of $1,500 or more, you’re invited to our Ambassadors of Hope weekend! Come and enjoy inspiring messages and music, the latest mission reports, comfortable accommodations and delicious vegetarian meals.

April 24-25

Temecula Creek Inn Temecula, California

September 18-19 Park Vista Hotel Gatlinburg, Tennessee

October 30-31

Skamania Lodge Stevenson, Washington

I HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LORD, SAYING: “WHOM SHALL I SEND, AND WHO WILL GO FOR US?” THEN I SAID, “HERE AM I! SEND ME.” ISAIAH 6:8 NKJV. Fo r m o re i nfo rm at i on or to re giste r, call (800) 900-9021 @qhministries SPRING 2015 or v i s i t w w w. qh min19 ist r ie s. org /aoh

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ECHOES

IN MEMORY OF...

Quiet Hour Ministries gratefully acknowledges the many gifts given in memory of loved ones to help share God’s saving grace with the world. If you wish to honor a loved one through a memorial gift, please indicate so with your donation and provide the individual’s name. We will be happy to include your gift in a future Echoes magazine. Should you wish to make an anonymous memorial gift, simply note that as well and we will respect your request.

Bailey, Raymond by his wife, Viola

Fisher, Adria

by Olive A. (Holm) White

Hoyt, Dick by his mother, Gwen Hoyt

Bartlett, Alvin M. by his wife, Ruby

Flemmer, Fred & Eva by their daughter, Olga Rodin

Hoyt, Irma by her mother-in-law, Gwen Hoyt

Barton, Brad

by Jim & Judy Culpepper

by Betty A. Orr

Foutch, Jewell & Ruth by their daughter & son-in-law, Gayle & Frank Tyroff

Hoyt, Warren by his wife, Gwen

Baybarz, Myron by his wife, Delphia Bechthold, Raymond & Elizabeth L. by her sister, Ferne V. Davick Boskind, Sidney M. & Wynn

by Andrew & Helen Boskind Bowen, Edwin by his wife, Joan Brand, James E. by his wife, Cecelia Ann

Capule, Ruben E.

by Ruby C. Karamihan Chambers, Roy & Edith by their daughter, Gwen Hoyt Charles, Alice E.

by Kenneth & Dolores Dennis Crook, Sylvia Rosalie

by Kelly & Sheri DeGrave Frieda L. Blanchard Crowder, Henderson

by Jim & Judy Culpepper

Dicken, Cleve C. by his wife, Flossie

Fischer, Edward W. & Ina B. by their daughter, Vivian E. Lee

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SPRING 2015

Gal, Troyan C. & Anna

by Rebecca & James Beardsley Garrett, Cecil

by Al Wiggins Gerald, Neva B. by her husband, Donald Gladden, Frank

by Wally & Geri Dunks Gowen, Gary

by Wally & Geri Dunks

Hamby, Martha by her granddaughter, Sandra J. Monette Haney, Jim by his wife, Lupina Harmon, David Ralph

by Mary Powell Hartman, Aaron by his wife, Darlene

Ingersoll, Lora

by Jean Phillips

Jarnes, Haakon & Dorothy Elizabeth by their son & daughter-in-law, Rolf & Judy Jarnes Jenicke, Eldon by his wife, Irene Jones, Owen P. by his wife Alyce

King, Peggy Jean (Bell)

by Wally & Geri Dunks Kurtz, Arnold & Carol by her brother & sister-in-law, Gerald & Margaret Wallace Kuster, Cloyd & Beulah by their daughter, Jean Ott their daughter, Mary K. Peters

Heitzmann, Alvina

by Betty Liebelt

Lauda, Mary E. (Paulson)

by Wally & Geri Dunks

Hinson, Arthur A. by his wife, Gloria

Liebelt, Mr. & Mrs. Ardy by his sister, Ferne V. Davick

Hoffer, Robert C. by his wife, Jane

Liebelt, Arthur & Marcella by his sister, Ferne V. Davick

Holland, Donald

by Jim & Judy Culpepper

Liebelt, M. J. & Lydia by their daughter, Ferne V. Davick

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Memorial Gifts Lutman, Ron

by Farrel & Bobbi Brizendine

Radford, Dollie by her sister, Wanda Radford

Thoresen, Laurel Dulcie

by J. Rita Vital

Marah, Robert Edwin by his wife, Beryle

Radford, Pearl by her sister, Wanda Radford

Tilstra, John Louis

by J. Rita Vital

Martin, Tommy

by Jim & Judy Culpepper

Ruppert, Bertha by her son, Harold H. Ruppert

Trim, Ken by his wife, Alice

Mattson, George E. by his wife, Zoe

Rushold, Harry & Irma by their daughter & son-in-law, Udene & Marlin Allen

McBride, Mary Jane by her husband, Robert Morgan, Margaret E.

by Sean Morgan-Bell

Schmechel, Chester by his wife, Kathryn

Morikone, Arnold

by David Morikone

Schnell, Galen Lee

by Leonard & Mavis Shockey

Morikone, Jimmy

by David Morikone

Schwartz, Elsie

by Al Wiggins

Morikone, Roy & Eileen

by David Morikone

Scott, Floyd E. by his wife, Vonsella

Mulske, William (Bill)

by Betty Liebelt

Seath, Robert J.

by Leona Coutts

Nichols, Gus & Julia by their daughter & son-in-law, Janice & Merlin Wittenberg Nicholson, Charles B.

by William & Carol Onuska

Ott, Roger by his wife, Jean his sister-in-law, Mary K. Peters

Partridge, Jack & Alma by their daughter, Alma D. Partridge Pelkley, Linda

by Wally & Geri Dunks Poole, Chalmers by his wife, Alice

Radford, Albert & Mary by their daughter, Wanda Radford

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Wallace, Clarence S. & Fern by his brother & sister-in-law, Gerald & Margaret Wallace Wallace, Leta

by Marilyn Wallace Wallace, Virginia

by Gerald & Margaret Wallace Wickwire, Bruce M. by his wife, Adele

Seymour, David E. by his daughter & son-in-law, Norma & Paul Niemi Shields, Ruby by her sister, Wanda Radford Smart, Iva by her sister, Wanda Radford Smith, Donald A.

by Donley Rogers

Wiggins, Del by his brother, Al Wright, Harold & Crystal by their daughter, Penny C. Ancel

Zeigler, Lawrence

by Al Wiggins

IN HONOR OF . . .

Smith, June Arlene

by Don L. Rogers

Thankfulness

Sutton, James H.

by Fred Smith

Beaman, Willard & Delores for our 68 years of marriage

Szasz, John & Alta

by Deborah Szasz

Dougherty, Phyllis J. for my 94th birthday Lacey, Larene & Robin for their music ministry, by Fred Smith

Taylor, Theodore L. by his wife, Rita

Poole, Merlin by his mother, Alice Poole

Tyroff, Anne P. by her son & daughter-in-law, Frank & Gayle Tyroff

Testman, Robert & Evelyn by their children, Farrel & Bobbi Brizendine Thompson, Lois

by J. Rita Vital

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Miscellaneous Rebarchek, Mandy Christmas gift by John & Melody Rockufeler

SPRING 2015

ECHOES

THE LATEST AT QHM THESE ARE EXCITING TIMES AT Quiet Hour Ministries. And we wanted to share some of the latest happenings with you.

the partnership between QHM and the worldwide Adventist Church.

After a brief tour of our headquarters, Elder Wilson then spoke to our staff as a whole.

Holding a ten-year synopsis of the mission impact of QHM—impact you made possible—Elder Wilson paused with a deep smile. “Let me thank you on behalf of the world church!” he said.

QHM CANADA INTRODUCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR On January 1, 2015, Pam Lister was introduced as the new executive director for Quiet Hour Ministries Canada. Pam takes over primary leadership from Roy West, who had been at the helm since 1997.

Pam’s connection with QHM dates back to 2002, when she was part of our evangelism mission team to Zambia.

“I know the Lord led me there, because my life was completely changed by the experience,” Pam remembers. “I felt a powerful call to be in fulltime ministry.”

Roy West has transitioned into a volunteer mentoring role. His wife Linda will continue on as secretary of QHM Canada.

“Roy and Linda West have poured their hearts and souls into [QHM Canada],” says Pam. “And I am thankful that I will be able to continue working with them.”

Pam is excited to meet many QHM supporters and friends in her new role. “God has amazing plans for you, for me and for this ministry,” she says. “I look forward to serving our Savior together with you.”

Last year, Elder Wilson held evangelistic meetings in the Philippines. That was part of a wider regional outreach in which QHM was involved.

Reflecting on meeting the QHM team at one of the baptismal services, Elder Wilson affirmed the investment obviously made by our ministry to the worldwide mission of the Adventist Church.

Outlining the urgency of the time we live in, he encouraged QHM to further our work in the mission field. “The Lord uses people who are committed and consecrated to Him for one purpose alone,” he said.

“That is to bring God glory and to point people to Christ’s soon coming. And that’s what Quiet Hour Ministries is all about!”

The visit was closed by a special time of prayer, seeking God’s blessing on the mission work that lies ahead. 

ADVENTIST CHURCH PRESIDENT VISITS We were excited to welcome Seventh-day Adventist Church president Ted Wilson on a special visit to our headquarters.

Elder Wilson met with our leadership, affirming ECHOES

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PRESENTS

A new television series from Quiet Hour Ministries!

Watch Missions Today on:

Every season 1 episode on-demand!

www.missionstoday.tv @qhministries (800) 900-9021 |

@qhministries

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HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT

Your Future?

A

re your loved ones well cared for? Will your property pass to your intended beneficiaries?

Thinking about the future now is important to ensure your intentions are followed. And to make an eternal impact in the mission field.

Contact us about creating an estate plan Just call Tonya or Viveca at (800) 900-9021.

PO Box 3000 Redlands, CA 92373

plannedgiving@qhministries.org | www.qhministries.org/legacy