The Volunteer Fall 2010

THE

FA L L 2 010

A Publication of Maranatha Volunteers International

INSIDE THIS ISSUE :

U LT I M AT E W O R K O U T 2 0

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FOR THE CHILDREN

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Cody and Maddie Matthews are getting an early start in missions.

The dozens of fresh eggs they sell to neighbors and friends help them support Maranatha’s work in Haiti. Parents Roger and Meriah look forward to the day when they can join a Maranatha project as a family.

THE DIFFERENCE A ROOF CAN MAKE

BY CARRIE PURKEYPILE

The road to a real church building for the Kaperepetu congregation in Malawi has been long, and muddy! In 2007 an Adventist pastor asked the reluctant village chief for permission to share the gospel message.

He finally relented with one stipulation, to not offend local people with strange doctrines against drinking or polygamy.

The pastor prayerfully moved ahead, and the first meetings resulted in 20 newly baptized members. Now officially a “company” they requested help from the church administration to put up a roof. There was no funding for a roof, so the grass thatch walls stood open and uncovered.

Photos on opposite page by Tom Lloyd

Villagers taunted the new members.

“Your church is very poor. They don’t give you clothes or food or a building. Nothing!” The people of Kaperepetu despised them for forsaking local tradition, and they didn’t hide their sentiment.

Two years later the congregation was still struggling along when Maranatha arrived to scope out the lot to build a One-Day Church there. The excitement and joy at this development was great. They would have a church! With a roof!

Really!

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But when the Maranatha trucks full of equipment and the One-Day Church materials tried to return many weeks later, the entire area was flooded, full of deep mud, and totally impassable. The crew sent words of apology, “We’re so sorry, but we just can’t get there.”

Some of the church members cried in dismay, while others sprang into action. A quick consultation found someone with knowledge of a back way into the village. The message was relayed and soon the big white trucks rolled into the village, carrying with them the hope of a bright future for the congregation.

The building went up fast, and the congregation invited the village chief to the celebration. He came.

And he kept coming. The chief and his family soon made a complete turnaround. They joined the Adventist Church in Kaperepetu, and now attend weekly!

“There is love here. There is unity,” explains the chief.

Should he have seen that love and unity without a building? Yes. Should people seek truth no matter what they have to go through to find it? Yes. Should we worship in the beating sun and pouring rain?

Yes. But, it doesn’t always work that way. If it takes buildings to help people believe that God is real and loves them, buildings we’ll provide.

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20 YEARS OF TEEN ENERGY

BY CARRIE PURKEYPILE

“It’s a jump out of the comfort zone. And no net to catch you!” says Gloria Sipikati, a 15-year-old volunteer. “You have to come. It is the best experience you will ever have.

There’s nothing like this.”

The Ultimate Workout (UW) for teenagers has just celebrated its 20-year anniversary of songfilled campgrounds, sore muscles, lasting connections, makeshift cook stoves, intimate prayer, delighted local children, and teens in the midst of a life changing adventure.

The inspiration for the Ultimate Workout was to create a spiritual “exercise” to stretch and strengthen spiritual muscles. The reality has hit the mark for many young people over the last two decades. Connor Vance joined Ultimate Workout for the second time this year, and things have been different. “It opened my eyes.

It really did. It might be cheesy to say, but it honestly changed me and ever since then it’s been very

“Extreme. That’s the word I would use. Extreme,” says Julio Juarez.

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clear you know. I’ve had my rough patches, but it’s just been there.”

Ivana Vukmorivic found that spiritual matters really came into focus when she took a break from technology and other modern distractions. “It’s a really great experience because we’re away from everything … When you’re here that’s what it’s all about. It’s all about God and it’s all about helping people, which is what’s

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Stay Connected!

If you’ve attended UW in any of the past 20 years, join our UW Alumni group on Facebook, then sign up to join another Maranatha project. There are plenty of adventures yet to be had! Browse the Project Calendar on page 10 and 11 for some ideas.

Join Us! If you or someone you know are interested in attending The Ultimate Workout we would love to hear from you. All students in high school are eligible to attend. The 21st annual UW will be in July of 2011. The location will be determined soon, but wherever it is, we’ll have a great time! Send an email with your name and information to uw@maranatha. org and we will let you know as soon as the project information and application are ready.

really important in any Christian’s life.”

Ultimate Workout projects provide plenty of adventure. The young volunteers don’t know each other the first day, but in tight quarters and with a common goal, they are fast friends by the end of the week. Experienced staff encourage participants to ask questions, make decisions, discover strengths, and grow into new attitudes.

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Youth ministry expert Steve Case has been involved with leading UW for 17 of the 20 years. “Ultimate Workout has enlivened the spiritual life of young people by helping them experience service instead of consumer spirituality,” he says. “For 20 years this project has allowed young people to make a difference right now.”

“It is definitely different than anything else I have ever done

before and I’d have to say it’s probably the best thing I have ever done for myself in my entire life,” considers Tiffany Waggoner.

“Because it makes you a better person.”

Ultimate Workout’s 20 years of building better people will continue next July. Who is up for the challenge?

Photos by Dick Duerksen

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For the Children –

FOR THE COMMUNITY

BY WENDI ROGERS

A group of Maranatha volunteers from across the United States and Canada helped build a daycare center in Grand Junction, Colorado in May. The project was one of several North American projects held by Maranatha this summer.

Photos by Ron Carrick

Little Lambs Learning Center sits next to the Grand Junction Seventh‑day Adventist Church and the 10‑grade Intermountain Adventist Academy. When the daycare center board talked about the financial burden of building the facility, church members Carroll and Arlene Rushold suggested Maranatha.

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Arlene then got busy talking with the Maranatha office and calling volunteers to come and help build the daycare center. “We came up with a really good group. We’ve learned to get acquainted with a lot of new people, and it’s just been really fun.”

Church leaders say the daycare center will serve as an outreach

to the community. “The daycare center is a fantastic way that we can interact with our community and be a service to our community,” says Ed Harlan, principal of Intermountain Adventist Academy.

“I think that there’s an opportunity for Christian outreach right here.

We are also in hopes that it will benefit the 10-grade school we have

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Carroll and Arlene’s involvement with Maranatha goes back 17 years. They led the Little Lambs Learning Center project of nearly 40 volunteers, who put up the frame, roof, windows, doors and siding in just over a week. Arlene served as head cook, a job she’s done several times on previous Maranatha mission trips. This typically means getting up at 5 a.m. each day and working throughout the day until 8 or 9 o’clock at night. “I don’t get a whole lot of sleep doing this,” she says with a smile, adding that several ladies helped in the kitchen on this project. “It’s been fun.”

Photo by Ron Carrick

Little Lambs Learning Center will also help meet the need for daycare facilities in Grand Junction. “It’s really needed in this area,” says Carroll, Maranatha board member since 1996. “There’s a real lack of childcare, so this Little Lambs Learning Center is going to be an important part to build the enrollment in our school. Some of the larger daycares, at the college here, for instance, say they have a waiting list of 100 children. We believe the daycare will be full when it opens this fall.”

Photo by David Lopez

here,” says Gary Ross, construction coordinator for the project.

“It’s much easier to get things. It’s not near the adventure to find your way around when you’re going shopping and this sort of thing.

But the spirit of the volunteers is the same, and the friendship is the same. The logistics are different.

But a Maranatha project is a Maranatha project, whether it’s in the United States or it’s in Irian Jaya or Zambia.”

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Photo by Ron Carrick

“My role on this project is mainly one of running, making sure supplies are at hand, and if someone needs something, I run and get it,” Carroll says. He notes that a stateside project is much different than an overseas project.

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ONE-DAY SCHOOL

Children around the world will soon be flocking to the newest Maranatha/ASI venture – The One‑Day School.

The One-Day School project is a new initiative inspired by the overwhelming response to the One-Day Church building and it’s many other possible uses. The basic structure has been adjusted and redesigned to best suit use as a classroom.

includes a roof and four walls, each optimized for thermal efficiency. The Photos by Terry Schwartz many strategic vents allow rising hot air to escape, and the white tinted roof deflects sunlight.

This unique classroom design is turn‑key, meaning it includes everything from start to finish. The kit includes a chalkboard and desk seating for 40 children. From the floor to the windows, everything is taken care of. All the materials are shipped to the destination country, then transported via land or sea to the construction site. As the name implies, this classroom is erected in a single day – although the concrete foundation is poured earlier. Imagine an empty field converted to a school in just one day!

Photo by Dick Duerksen

Each One-Day School starts with a firm cement floor and galvanized steel frame. The classroom also

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Education makes an enormous difference for a community and for each potential student. Many regions are extremely interested in receiving One-Day School classrooms or campuses. Maranatha has already received thousands of requests. The One-Day School classroom was specifically designed for utility, durability, and cost effectiveness, while maintaining an attractive look.

A complete One-Day School classroom costs only $7,500.

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ONE-DAY CHURCH Belize - 37

Ecuador - 91

Haiti - 54

Honduras - 52

India - 15

Kenya - 9

Malawi - 140

Mexico - 35

Mozambique - 570

Tanzania - 60

Vanuatu - 7

Zambia - 84

More Than 1150 Now Complete

How You Can Help!

Tanzania

India

Over 60 One-Day Churches have been built so far in Tanzania, by Jason Fournier of Kibidula Farms, an ASI partner. The blue roofing sheets are distinctive and already can be noticed in maps on Google Earth!

Fifteen One-Day Churches have been completed so far in India.

Volunteers will help build several more during a project in October.

• One-Day Church Share - $1,500

More to Come

To sponsor a One-Day Church or School, visit maranatha.org or send your donation to:

Malawi Maranatha has completed over 140 churches in Malawi. The leadership of the Adventist Church reports that congregations are already growing as a direct result of the new churches. “The buildings are preaching!,” says Saustin Mfune, past president of the Adventist Church in Malawi.

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Preparations to build One-Day Churches are being made in the following countries.

• Botswana • Brazil • Chad • Costa Rica • Fiji • Lesotho

• Namibia • Papua New Guinea • Swaziland • Zimbabwe

• One-Day School - $7,500 • One-Day School Share - $75

Maranatha Volunteers International 990 Reserve Dr. Ste. 100 Roseville, CA 95678 You may also request a brochure or DVD about the One-Day Church or School to share with others.

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PROJ ECT CALENDAR

Ongole Fall Open Team

Christmas Family Project 2010

Victoria Falls Open Team

Ongole, India

Choluteca, Honduras

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

LEADER: David Lopez

LEADER: Vickie Wiedmann

LEADER: Karen Godfrey

October 7 - 21, 2010

Dec. 22, 2010 - Jan. 2, 2011

January 13 - 30, 2011

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Are you ready to get out there and volunteer?

Jump Start

Fjarli Family and Friends

Honduras Open Team

Youth Mission Weekend

Ongole, India

Choluteca, Honduras

LEADER: Steve Case

LEADER: Bruce Fjarli

LEADERS: Merrill and Diane Zachary

January 14 - 16, 2011

February 1 - 14, 2011

February 2 - 15, 2011

Roseville, California

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Multiple Group Project

Summer Family Project

Ultimate Workout 21 Location to be determined

Mexico

Location to be determined

For high school age teens

LEADER: Steve Case

LEADER: Steve Case

LEADER: Steve Case

March 17 - 27, 2011

June 16 - 26, 2011

July 12 - 25, 2011

Photo by Tom Lloyd

Maranatha has opportunities for volunteers of all kinds to get involved in service around the world. What project looks most inviting to you? Whether you are heading off on your own to join up with a group of soon-to-be-friends, or taking your family along for the ride, we are happy to help you find just the right project to join. Visit our online Project Calendar at www.maranatha.org for the most up-to-date listing of projects. Then contact us by emailing volunteer@maranatha.org or call us at (916) 774-7700 to receive more information.

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TEAM PROJECTS

Group Projects June - August 2010

Mexico Spartanburg Adventist Church (South Carolina) Dallas Mission Group (Oregon)

Zambia Sunnyvale Adventist Church (California) Paradise Adventist Church (California)

Photo by Tom Lloyd

There are two ways to participate in a Maranatha project. You’ve probably heard about our open team projects, listed on pages 10 and 11. To go on those projects, you just sign up, pay the participation fee and make your travel arrangements. An open team project is perfect for an individual or a family to join.

If you would like to take a larger group of volunteers from your town, church or school you may want to consider organizing a Maranatha Group Project. To take a group you will need at least 15-20 volunteers.

You’ll put together your own staff of Project Coordinator, Construction Superintendant, Head Cook, etc.

Maranatha usually provides an in‑country coordinator to assist you

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with your project. They will be with you during your site visit and often help out during your project as well.

1. First determine if you have enough interest to bring at least 15-20 volunteers.

When your group does a Maranatha project, you have more control over what kind of accommodations you want, and the project budget.

Maranatha will work with you to determine a date and location that works for your group, and provide guidance as you plan your Maranatha group project.

2. Call Maranatha at (916) 774-7700 and speak to our Coordinator for Group Projects about getting started.

As your church or group gets involved in missions, you may notice a change. People who spend time and money volunteering often become more involved in other church and social activities too. Your group may grow closer than ever before to each other, and to God.

4. Work with Maranatha to set a budget.

3. Begin recruiting participants and leadership.

For more information call us at (916) 774-7700 or email groups@maranatha.org.

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Photo on opposite page by Dick Duerksen

TAKING YOUR WHOLE GROUP ON A PROJECT

How do I Prepare to Take my Group on a Project?

Congregations and communities in Chiapas, Mexico were thrilled to greet the 167 volunteers on The Ultimate Workout project.

Teen workers put up seven church buildings on five different sites. The energy and activities of the young workers drew attention from curious onlookers of all ages. The churches will be full to overflowing within a few months.

NEWS NOTES

Work Continues in Haiti Many months after the January 12 earthquake that shook the fragile city of Port-au-Prince to the ground, the progress of recovery is still slow. But Maranatha has been able to make a difference for some in post-quake Haiti.

Fifty One-Day Church structures were erected and are currently being used as schools during the week.

Many of the buildings are also used as shelters at night, and churches on the weekend. Approximately 5,000 students attend classes at these schools during the day.

The ongoing construction of a retaining wall around the Adventist University of Haiti campus is setting new standards for quality in Haiti.

Maranatha’s insistence on following the exact formula for concrete blocks

and grout seemed unnecessary to local workers. But now the crews are known for quality materials and protocol. The University’s block-making plant now has high demand for its top quality cement blocks. The wellbuilt wall is a wonder among the shambles of other structures.

The Haitian Government has requested to use the One-Day structures on the university campus as the testing site for the annual student exams for the area. They have already made their mark as dependable shelter in a place of so much turmoil.

Despite acting quickly to get a few containers into Haiti before things got too backed up, more recent shipments of One-Day Church

containers and other materials have been sitting at the port for months.

Please pray for the release of these materials that will be of such help to the Haitian people.

Villages in India Welcome The One-Day Church When a container of 37 One-Day Churches arrives at port there are many anxious people awaiting the construction of their church.

Due to astronomical growth in the Adventist Church in India, hundreds of thousands of members have no house of worship. When the first container of churches arrived in India, crews quickly began the distribution and construction in Darsi, Andra Pradesh.

By the time you read this, two more containers of One-Day Churches will have arrived. The structures will serve as worship centers in the states of Jharkhand and Andra Pradesh. Maranatha built 18 churches in Jharkhand (1998-2000).

Each of those congregations has planted 3-4 new churches. The

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membership has increased from 1,700 to more than 5,000.

The huge need in India means that as many churches as we can send will immediately be claimed and put to use. Providing a church home allows the gospel to take a firm hold after local people have accepted the message from a Bible worker or evangelist.

Read The Volunteer Online visit maranatha.org

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NEWS NOTES

Beira College Opens its Doors Beira College, the fifth Seventh‑day Adventist school built by Maranatha in Mozambique, opened August 1. The school will offer advanced education for Adventist students in Mozambique.

Mozambique experienced a prolonged civil war that lasted until the mid 1990s, which limited educational opportunities and created a dim outlook for decades.

“Finally the country is reorganized and democratized [and is] moving forward, and it was time to fulfill a dream and a need that was already overdue. But how to do it?

Maranatha captured the vision and came to help us to fulfill this dream,” says Gilberto Araujo, vice president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region.

He says, “Church leaders are recovering their self-esteem that they have lost, and they now believe that

they can look to the future with hope.”

This is good news for a country where children rarely stay in school beyond second grade and four out of five women and one out of three men cannot read or write, Araujo says.

Maranatha built their first Education and Evangelism Center (EEC) in Mozambique in Liberdade, a suburb of Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, in 2008. The Mahotas EEC is also located in the suburbs of Maputo, while the Beira and Chimoio EECs are hundreds of miles to the north.

Maranatha rebuilt 11 buildings on the college campus which will serve as dorms, cafeteria, classroms, library, offices and housing.

“The schools are blessing so many in Mozambique—both students in

Maranatha Will Come to You!

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Maranatha’s work in Mozambique also includes hundreds of churches and fresh water wells since the organization became involved in the country in 2007.

About Maranatha Maranatha spreads the Gospel throughout the world as it builds people through the construction of urgently needed buildings.

All notices of change of address should be sent to the Maranatha Volunteers International United States address.

Kyle Fiess, Editor kfiess@maranatha.org

Many weekends find representatives from Maranatha on the road, spreading the news about the latest projects and successes.

Since January we have presented 17 weekend programs across the country from Washington to New York.

If your church or organization has a passion for mission work, consider inviting Maranatha to speak at your event or weekly service. We love to share how God is working around the world, and how your town can get involved!

schools and church members and their guests in seminars, special weekend programs, and weekly church services,” says Susan Woods, Maranatha employee in Africa.

Carrie Purkeypile, Managing Editor cpurkeypile@maranatha.org Heather Bergren, Designer hbergren@maranatha.org United States Headquarters: Maranatha Volunteers International 990 Reserve Drive, Suite 100 Roseville, CA 95678 Photo by Tom Lloyd

Contact us at (916) 774-7700 or email info@maranatha.org to arrange a visit from Maranatha.

Phone: 916-774-7700 Fax: 916-774-7701 Website: www.maranatha.org In Canada: Maranatha Volunteers International Association 45175 Wells Road, Unit 20 Chilliwack, B.C. V2R 3K7 CANADA

Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAID

Roseville, CA Permit No. 111 990 Reserve Drive, Suite 100 Roseville, CA 95678

Professor Wilson

BY DICK DUERKSEN

Prof Wilson is nearly blind today, but he can still see well enough to walk from his home to the brand new church and school complex near his Zambian home in the rural community of Sinde. This new church replaces the stone building that Prof Wilson himself built many years ago beside his home.

Photo by Dick Duerksen

“I love Jesus and have always encouraged my students to accept Christ as Lord and come to church with me,” Wilson says. “This is the second Seventh-day Adventist church congregation my students have started, and this one looks like it will last till Jesus returns!”

Photo by Tom Lloyd

I asked if I could ring the old church bell that hangs in a tree beside the church. He eagerly agreed and I swung the hammer against the steel. Twice. But Prof Wilson wasn’t happy.

“Swing it again,” he called, “but this time swing it harder and hit the bell many times. We want everyone to come!”

They did come, and the new church is full!

Maranatha Mission Stories is a weekly half hour show featuring mission stories from around the world. The program highlights inspiring stories from communities that have been changed, and personal testimonies from volunteers who have been touched by Maranatha.

W AY S T O W AT C H : • Hope Channel • 3ABN • Maranatha.org • i Tu n e s

The cover photo was taken by Tom Lloyd in Zambia.