Participants: Bev Thompson
Series Code: AIM
Program Code: AIM000482
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00:16 Welcome to "Adventures In Missions"
00:17 with Gospel Outreach. 00:18 I'm Julie Sanders Keymer and we have two invitations for you, 00:22 the first one is to come along on a trip to India 00:26 and we are going along 00:27 with Bev Thompson and Shirley Panasuk. 00:29 Welcome to "Adventures In Missions". 00:32 Thank you. It's good to be here. 00:33 So, Bev, you are the regional director 00:35 for Gospel Outreach for northeast India 00:38 and what does that mean? 00:40 This means it includes West Bengal, 00:43 both the north and south, 00:45 that means east and west Jharkhand, 00:47 Bihar and Chhattisgarh. 00:50 And that means you go and check in with 00:51 your Gospel Outreach workers in this area, is that right? 00:54 Yes, I usually meet with the administration, 00:57 first, to make sure that, 00:58 you know, my job is really to see 01:01 that all of the donations are being arriving 01:05 and being dispersed the way we're expecting them to be. 01:09 And then to see the Gospel Outreach workers 01:12 to make sure that I'm confident that 01:14 they are doing their work that we're expecting them to do. 01:16 Wonderful. 01:17 And, Shirley, you got to go along for the trip. 01:19 I did and it was exciting to meet 01:22 all these Gospel Outreach workers, 01:24 all these people, see the schools, the churches, 01:28 oh, it was just, I cannot explain it, 01:31 it was a real spiritual experience. 01:33 Well, and that's why we're here because you two 01:35 are going to try and help explain exactly 01:38 where this area is in the world 01:40 and that's where the invitation comes 01:41 to our viewers just like you. 01:43 So come along for the ride, 01:44 Bev and Shirley, where are we going? 01:46 Oh, let's see the videos too 01:48 because this is the ride of a lifetime 01:51 up into the Himalaya Mountains. Oh. 01:54 And you just can hardly imagine unless you're there, 01:59 I remember one person that came with me previously, 02:02 he was so car sick the whole time. 02:08 Not straight, narrow roads, Bev? 02:10 That's right. 02:13 Here, all traffic has come to a dead stop 02:17 but look at those rails. Oh, dear. 02:19 And somebody obviously couldn't make it 02:22 because of the rail there but-- 02:24 And you look at the width of the road. Yes. 02:27 And the width of the vehicles to match those. 02:29 The cows. The cows. 02:31 Oh, I love stuff like this. 02:33 And you see how the traffic maneuver in and out. 02:37 Yeah, and you kind of have to pull your shoulders in. 02:41 And let me tell you the picture of that vehicle that's in front 02:44 is surely an IR. Okay. 02:47 So the cameraman is behind. Yes. 02:51 And this is--we passed through several villages on the way up 02:55 and this was, we just want to give you a little flavor 02:58 of the village life on the road. 03:01 But the one thing though is with videos like this 03:04 and I say also with national geographic, 03:07 you can't taste it, smell it, feel it. Yes. 03:10 You can see it but until you experience this for yourself 03:14 and if the Lord's calling you to go on a mission trip, 03:16 I would encourage you to do that, 03:17 become involved with Gospel Outreach 03:19 because really it is one thing to, isn't it right, ladies? 03:23 Yes, yes. It's just even-- 03:25 I call it on sensory overload and it's just it's amazing. 03:30 And they pass as you notice. Yeah. 03:32 And do they honk though? Oh, yes. 03:35 They have a little system for... 03:36 Oh, yeah, they honk on coming through. 03:39 It just better way of a communication. 03:41 Oh, let's get out of my way, I'm coming. Yeah. 03:44 I have learned because I've been going back 03:48 every year for Gospel Outreach, 03:50 I have learned that I can look around and see other things now. 03:55 At first, I had my eyes glued on the road. 03:57 What's happening in front, what will I have to hang on to, 04:00 but now I can look around and see. 04:03 And you could see the manpower 04:04 that is putting this road into actuality. 04:09 The bible says be anxious for nothing above 04:11 and in situations like this 04:13 I have to make sure to pray that. 04:16 Well, at night time, I was not sleeping, 04:18 I was, is the driver awake? 04:20 Is he on the right route? 04:23 Is that a little shrine there on the right? 04:26 That was, yes. 04:28 When there is mountains, you know, 04:30 the bible talks about the high places. 04:33 where they have the groves. 04:35 We are looking at people who are worshipping 04:38 groves of trees in high places. 04:41 I was just reading about that in 2 Kings 04:43 and how the kings did not pull those down. Right. 04:48 And see again, driving around in our town, 04:51 our city, we don't see that. That's right. 04:55 And so to read it in the bible it's-- 04:58 you know, we're reading words on a page 05:00 but you're able to share here with us 05:02 what these people see and they live in part of that. 05:06 And I've been taken to groves 05:08 but I was also asked to stand back 05:11 and not to get too close to desecrate them. 05:13 Oh, you were? Oh, yeah. 05:15 Because as a foreigner or as a Christian? 05:17 As a Christian. Really? 05:18 Yes, yes. Oh. 05:20 Iinteresting because they felt that, what? 05:23 They were holy and we would be desecrating them. 05:26 I just want you to notice here, not only the traffic 05:30 but see how the buildings are on the edge and they're really out, 05:34 the back end is out in the middle of nowhere 05:37 but they are still holding it up. 05:39 They would make good use all of this property. Oh, sure. 05:44 And when there's a group of people 05:45 that gathered together to make their home, 05:48 then their families are going to increase likewise. 05:52 And you notice how the vehicle-- 05:53 I was just going to say enjoy. 05:55 Going up and down, up and down. 05:57 The shocks are getting a good workout there. 05:59 There were no shocks. Yeah. 06:00 They were probably gone long time ago. 06:03 Now when we get to the end of our climbing right here, 06:07 then we go down and you know 06:08 these Marutis that we were in, that's name of the car, 06:12 they don't have much space 06:14 between the lower level of the tire 06:16 and the bottom of the vehicle 06:18 and we went down very rough terrain. 06:21 That's where you kind of brace yourself in the backseat. 06:24 Yes, and you hear a scrape every so often. Yes. 06:28 Well, I need to pause here, tell you about Pau d'arco. 06:32 Many people who are into a homeopathic medicine 06:35 will recognized Pau d'arco, they were harvesting Pau d'arco. 06:39 Is it a root? It's the bark of a tree. 06:42 And they dehydrate it 06:44 and then they put it through different processes 06:47 and they sell it around the world. 06:49 But much of Pau d'arco for all of India 06:53 comes right from this area. 06:55 And do they make it into a powder or...? 06:57 I don't know what process they go to beyond this, 07:00 I know my mother used to take some Pau d'arco 07:04 and forget for what ailments. 07:06 But here's another village-- 07:07 Oh, watch the man on the left. 07:09 Yeah. Wow, that was very close. 07:12 Yes, it gets close and you just have to keep-- 07:16 Inches. Inches. 07:17 So this is in the Ronju valley of Sikkim in India 07:22 where we're praying that the Lord 07:25 do seek him with a capital H. Yes. 07:29 And the goats have found something very luscious. 07:34 And we were sitting, waiting for our vehicle to come up 07:36 because we lost, one of the vehicles they we were in 07:40 lost their springs hitting bottom. Oh, dear. 07:42 And we had to walk 5 kilometers through the top of the hill 07:46 and then go down the hill to the closest village 07:49 where we could get repair 07:51 and so now we're in the village where it got repaired. 07:55 And this is just all in attempts to get to church? 07:57 On the way home from church. 07:59 On the way home from church. 08:00 Well, we were going on the way home 08:01 from one church to another church. 08:04 But we didn't make it till after dark 08:07 because it just-- Because of the situation. 08:09 Yes, and they were tying the spring on the car with rope 08:14 and of course it snapped 08:15 and then every once and while we were-- 08:17 Straps, that's what I've learned, 08:18 you always travel with straps. 08:20 Now one thing that is interesting-- 08:22 oh, look, here's you know, Singer sewing machines 08:24 you can see around the world. That's right. 08:26 And if you have a sewing machine you have a trade. 08:29 That's right. 08:31 Do you remember what he was making? 08:33 No, this was in the valley where the-- 08:35 in the village where the car was being repaired 08:38 and it just was such a typical scene that this was taken. 08:44 And I noticed the painting in the houses, 08:46 they're very bright and cherry and-- 08:48 Colorful. Oh, yeah. 08:50 Up in the north there, especially it seems that 08:52 they have more decorations in their homes and they made-- 08:56 More flowers around the house, 08:59 more, even some window boxes. 09:01 Yeah. Very interesting. 09:03 They kind of remind me to see 09:04 some of the flags like you see in Nepal 09:06 associated with Mount Everest, the prayer flags. Yes. 09:09 And they were in lot of different colors. 09:10 So take us on another little adventure here. 09:13 Even me riding on motorcycle, that's me. 09:18 There you are, I see. 09:19 With the Gospel Outreach worker. 09:20 And we are going up to this beautiful little church. 09:26 I have to tell you just a little bit about this place, 09:30 up in the Himalaya Mountains there, 09:34 you can just see the Himalayas in the background there 09:36 but it's rather dusky because this is the season 09:39 when they're doing a lot of burning 09:40 just at the end of their dry season, 09:42 before the rainy season comes. 09:44 They're cleaning up their forest, 09:45 they're cleaning up their gardens and it's smoky. 09:48 But look at that beautiful valley there 09:51 and we have gone up narrow, windy, bumpy roads 09:56 and then we come down a steep hill 10:01 into this area and this is a village. 10:03 You can hardly see anything there. 10:05 You see the flag in the middle, that's a Buddhist flag. 10:09 This is the activity of this village 10:12 way up there in the Himalaya Mountains. 10:15 Is it cold up there? 10:16 When we were there, I think I didn't have to wear a sweater. 10:21 We didn't wear a sweater. Okay. 10:22 It was perfect, actually, probably 75. 10:25 They have a satellite dish clear up there. Yes, yes. 10:28 But I want you to see our walk going up there. 10:31 You know, we're going single file 10:33 and that is not a paved walkway, 10:35 those are stones and a dirt pathway 10:39 and you have to watch when you're walking very carefully, 10:42 Shirley in the lead and-- 10:43 There's Wade Brooks from Gospel Outreach. Right. 10:46 And then the supervisor 10:48 of our Gospel Outreach workers that I'm following 10:51 and then the president of the region there, the section 10:56 and we're all going up this steep pathway 11:01 and we are going up to a church 11:05 that has been built since I was there last year. 11:08 Oh, really? 11:09 The people there at that time said, 11:12 can you help us to build a church? 11:15 And I said, if you have the property? 11:17 And they said, oh, we do. 11:18 This is donated property, come see it. 11:20 And they took me up to this place. 11:22 And then while they were there, 11:26 they said, we would want to build a church here 11:30 and they found a donor to start this church. 11:33 I got an email in July saying, our church is almost finished. 11:38 That is a church worth a view. 11:40 Isn't it something? 11:41 And it has a baptistery and a toilet 11:44 and look at that beautiful little church. 11:45 Isn't it darling? 11:46 When they didn't have enough money, 11:49 I've sent them $1,000 to finish it. 11:51 Praise the Lord. 11:52 And look at this man coming, he is blind. 11:54 Bless his heart. 11:55 He's been blind since he was about 7 or 8 years old, 11:58 did I remember right? Yes. 12:00 And it was a disease. Result of measles. 12:04 The measles, that's right. Oh, really? 12:05 But this was inside that bright and shining church. 12:08 And look how they take their outside. 12:10 Oh, cute little girls. 12:12 And these little girls in the front row, 12:14 they were singing their heart out, 12:16 beautiful little girls. 12:17 And they knew the song. 13:08 Paul reminds us in those scriptures that, 13:11 "The whole family in heaven and earth is named." 13:16 (Speaking in foreign language) 13:30 "There is no ocean big enough to separate the family of God." 13:36 (Speaking in foreign language) 13:44 When we take these good reports back to the US, 13:47 many hearts are encourage 13:49 to help support the work to grow in this area. 13:53 (Speaking in foreign language) 14:24 I said when I was planning my trip to India... 14:26 (Speaking in foreign language) 14:29 And they went to the court... 14:31 (Speaking in foreign language) 14:33 I couldn't stop. 14:34 (Speaking in foreign language) 14:36 They just was running late. 14:38 (Speaking in foreign language) 14:42 And the water coming lower. 14:44 (Speaking in foreign language) 14:46 Praise the Lord. 14:48 (Speaking in foreign language) 15:32 Just to meet us and shake our hands, 15:35 it was just, it was precious. 15:37 So just think of how far that little trailer was 15:41 that you showed us just walking-- 15:43 watching all of you go up with your handbags and your bibles. 15:46 But to think about bringing all the material 15:48 to build this church by that pathway-- 15:51 Wow. Yes. 15:53 Now this church has brick and mortar up to the window ledge 15:57 and then they have tin up to the roof. 16:01 But it is also insulated on the inside with some-- 16:06 it might even be asbestos. 16:07 But there's kind of blocking there on the inside 16:11 which makes it very nice. 16:13 And then they actually have really, real windows in that. 16:17 So does this area get super cold in the winter time? 16:20 Well, where they are and the altitude that they are, 16:24 it's very possible that they get some snow there. 16:27 It is cold and they don't have central heating like we have. 16:32 We really feel it. Yeah, sure. 16:35 So this area of India, are these people-- 16:38 oh, there's the whole group. 16:41 This area, are these people Buddhist? 16:43 Are they Hindus? 16:45 Buddhist is the primary religion in this area. 16:48 And you have to realize that 16:50 Buddhism is an offshoot of Hinduism. 16:54 And so there is some mixing. Overlap? 16:57 Yes, and they do have a lot of Hindus in the area also 17:02 but Buddhism is the primary. 17:04 I wish you could have seen the sight 17:06 that this church was on it was just, 17:09 it reminded me of a beacon 17:12 overlooking the village down below 17:15 here, I stood there for a while just looking over the valley, 17:19 over the gardens that were going down the hill 17:22 and it was just, it was a place that you'd feel like, 17:26 oh, if we could just stay here a while. 17:28 And you probably need more Gospel Outreach workers 17:31 in your area, right, Bev? Do we? 17:35 The thing is the director in this area 17:39 has located groups of ten, I say quite a vast area 17:45 but, so there is a pocket here and then it'll spread out 17:50 and then they have another pocket in another place 17:52 and they will spread out. 17:53 And the leader has a dream of spreading out 17:56 into two more pockets soon. 17:59 And they would like to have ten more here and ten more there 18:02 and then when that gets going, 18:04 then they'll like another ten more. 18:05 Sure, a ripple effect. Yes. 18:08 When you throw the pebble in the water and it just ripples 18:11 and I think the Lord is calling us to do. 18:13 So how long ago was there 18:17 Adventist Christian work here in this particular...? 18:20 In this particular, only 2 years. 18:23 Only 2 years? Yes. 18:24 And these people have decided to accept the Lord. Yes. 18:26 Now I want to tell you, this was on the Sabbath 18:29 and it was dedicating a church, 18:33 but that's what the service was for, 18:34 and so they invited us to celebration meal. 18:38 And we got to dine with them in the outdoors 18:42 with all of those church members. 18:44 Praise the Lord. 18:45 What a beautiful blessing it was. 18:46 And it was a perfect day. 18:48 It was just beautiful, warm, 18:52 after the service, after the meal 18:54 we had to leave and we were able to walk 18:57 for part of the way up the hill. 18:58 And you didn't want to leave, right, Shirley? 18:59 Yeah, I didn't, it was just-- 19:01 I know that feeling when you have new friends in the Lord 19:04 you certainly don't want to leave. 19:06 Well, you've heard about the need 19:09 for more Gospel Outreach workers, 19:11 you have seen this area where just 2 years ago, 19:13 there wasn't any Adventist Christian work there 19:15 and this is where the second invitation comes to you. 19:18 We ask you to get involved so that we can sponsor 19:22 more Gospel Outreach workers in the 10/40 window 19:26 that goes all the way from West Africa over to Japan, 19:29 heavily, heavily populated area of our world. 19:32 And the Lord has called us to share his love with these people 19:36 and want you to join us, 19:38 we would like to share some information 19:39 on how you can be part of Gospel Outreach 19:42 in helping as we share the love of Jesus. 19:47 Gospel Outreach began a mission 20 years ago 19:50 by asking one simple question. 19:52 In a world filled with famine, hunger and starvation, 19:56 what is Jesus waiting for? 19:59 In a world filled with earthquakes, 20:00 hurricanes and natural calamities, 20:03 what is Jesus waiting for? 20:05 The gospel tells us in Matthew 24:14, 20:09 "And this gospel of the kingdom 20:10 shall be preached in all the world 20:12 for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." 20:19 Inspired by those words, Gospel Outreach began 20:21 with one worker and over the past 20 years, 20:24 it's grown into an organization 20:26 with 2,200 workers in 40 plus countries. 20:30 Gospel Outreach is an independent 20:32 Seventh-day Adventist lay ministry 20:34 run entirely by volunteers. 20:37 Gospel Outreach works with the organized church 20:39 to sponsor Bible workers in the 10/40 Window. 20:42 Now what exactly is the 10/40 Window? 20:47 The 10/40 Window is a region of the eastern hemisphere 20:50 located between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator. 20:54 What makes this region special? 20:56 97% of all the people in the world 20:59 who'd never heard the name of Jesus live here. 21:02 Now how exactly does Gospel Outreach work 21:05 to reach these people? 21:08 We do this by working with the church 21:09 as it places trained indigenous workers in new territories, 21:13 sending out disciples just as Jesus did. 21:16 When a Bible worker sponsored 21:18 by Gospel Outreach enters a new village, 21:19 it's estimated that in the first year, 21:22 an additional 300 individuals will be baptized 21:25 and commit their lives to Christ. 21:28 Individuals who have never heard 21:30 the amazing story of God's love 21:32 are getting to meet Jesus for the first time. 21:35 Now how can you help? 21:37 Bible workers rely on sponsorships 21:39 to support them and their families 21:41 as they share the unconditional love of God. 21:45 This is why Gospel Outreach is introducing 21:47 our Adopt-A-Worker program, 21:49 together with the church we identify 21:52 new workers in areas that need to be reached. 21:54 That is why it's our goal to introduce 21:56 a million new people to Jesus in the next three years. 22:00 All that is remaining for this work to begin 22:02 is your financial help. 22:05 In return, we will keep you updated 22:07 on the exciting progress of your worker 22:10 sending you stories and pictures 22:11 of the lives changed by your donations. 22:15 There are three ways you can get involved. 22:17 You can be a prayer partner for Gospel Outreach 22:19 by praying for our Bible workers. 22:22 Second, become an ambassador for our Adopt-A-Worker program 22:25 by telling your family and friends 22:26 about how they can make a difference too. 22:29 And finally, sponsor a Bible worker. 22:32 Call or visit the website today. 22:35 So now that you know a bit about Gospel Outreach 22:37 and now that you know what Jesus is waiting for, 22:41 the final question is what are you waiting for? 22:47 So the invitation is out there, 22:49 what are you waiting for? 22:50 And we hope and pray that you give to Gospel Outreach 22:56 so that more workers can go into the field and share Jesus. 22:59 You can go to our website to donate securely and safely. 23:02 It's www.goaim.org. So, goaim.org. 23:08 And we have Bev Thompson and Shirley Panasuk here 23:11 who are talking about the Ronju valley 23:13 where you recently visited 23:15 in an area called Sikkim, is that correct? Yes. 23:18 And let's just pray that more people there seek Him, 23:21 the Lord Jesus Christ in that area. 23:24 Isn't that the truth? 23:25 And you know there is a movement in that area 23:27 because we've started it 23:28 with ten Gospel Outreach workers in Sikkim. 23:30 And this movement is a joint effort 23:33 to spread the gospel in that area. 23:36 Well, and this Adopt-a-Gospel Outreach worker 23:38 is really neat because people can do that 23:40 and then they can find out 23:42 and here from their Gospel Outreach worker, 23:45 receiving email pictures, things like that 23:47 about what's going on and to me, 23:49 that also makes the connection even stronger 23:51 to be able to encourage the Gospel Outreach worker 23:54 and back and forth between that friendship that... 23:58 Can I tell you just a little bit about my part in Adopt-A-Worker? 24:01 Yeah. 24:02 When I went out there this time, 24:05 I made a point of taking a picture 24:08 of every Gospel Outreach worker. 24:10 They actually stood for a mug shot with their name 24:13 written on a piece of paper in front of them. 24:15 And when I came home, then it was my job 24:19 to put them on the internet and say, 24:21 these are the statistics about this person 24:25 and then I required them to send me a story 24:30 and if possible a picture of something 24:33 that has happened to them in the last 3 months. 24:35 But they are also required by the mission 24:39 to have a story every month. I like it. 24:42 So then I'm able to pass these stories 24:45 on to the person who adopts them. 24:48 That's a fabulous way to get acquainted 24:50 with the worker that you're adopting. 24:52 Absolutely and you know Paul talks so much 24:55 in his writings about encouraging each other. 24:58 And we have to encourage each other, we have to do that 25:01 and what a great opportunity to do that 25:03 by an email to your Gospel Outreach worker. 25:05 But you know what, it also stimulates 25:07 the Gospel Outreach worker. 25:09 Oh, sure, that's my point. Yes. 25:11 We can encourage them, yes. 25:12 The Gospel Outreach worker is encouraged 25:15 and then the person who is supporting them 25:17 is encouraged, it's all positive. 25:20 And I just pray that the Lord is smiling down. 25:23 I'm sure He is. Yes. 25:25 So as you have come home now and after being over there, 25:31 what is the biggest need? 25:33 What is on your heart, Shirley, 25:35 for what you've saw the Gospel Outreach workers? 25:40 Pray, pray, pray and then give your offerings. 25:44 There's little time left, Jesus is coming so soon, 25:49 we just don't have time to waste. 25:51 I just want to give everything I've got to help 25:56 these Gospel Outreach workers do what they have to do. 25:59 And build the churches because 26:01 if people don't have a place to come to worship... 26:04 Yes. They just disintegrate. 26:09 How about you, Bev? 26:10 And the churches are not that expensive, you know. 26:12 We can get a church built for $4,000. 26:16 We call them lamb shelters 26:18 if they're little bit less than a room than our church. 26:22 But I see the need for Gospel Outreach workers 26:25 in every location I go. Yes. 26:27 And Pauline Bernard who was lamb shelter lady 26:31 for years in far eastern division, 26:32 that was the dream of her so the kids had a place to meet. 26:35 Yes. 26:36 Well, Bev and Shirley, thank you so much 26:38 for being with us here in Adventures in Missions. 26:40 I want to thank you and your invitations, 26:42 you had two on this program, one, to come with us 26:44 on the way to Ronju in Sikkim area of India 26:48 and the second invitation is to please give to Gospel Outreach. 26:51 And you can go to our website goaim.org. 26:55 For Adventures in Missions and Gospel Outreach, 26:57 I'm Julie Sanders Keymer and may Jesus bless you today. 27:00 Bye-bye. 27:18 I need to spread the gospel here at home. 27:21 Where is the 10/40 Window anyway? 27:24 Those people live too far away. 27:27 Someone else can tell them about Jesus. 27:30 Maybe they could just watch TV. 27:33 Nearly three billion people to reach, my head hurt. 27:39 There's nothing I can do. 27:41 I give up. 27:42 What's the point of trying? 27:44 I can't make a difference. 27:46 Actually, you can make a difference. 27:49 And Jesus asked you to go to all the world. 27:52 Where? 27:53 All the world. 27:55 How can I go, I have commitments? 27:58 You can pray. 28:00 You can volunteer your talents. 28:05 You can tell others. 28:09 You can give money to sponsor Bible workers. 28:11 Millions of people are searching for hope and meaning. 28:14 But they won't find it without you. 28:17 Be the spark. 28:18 Light the fire. 28:19 Finish the work. 28:21 Finish the work. 28:23 Be the spark! |
Revised 2014-12-17