Participants:
Series Code: AVMN
Program Code: AVMN000003
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00:28 Welcome to ASI Video Magazine,
00:31 I am Dan Houghton. I have been an ASI member 00:33 for a long time. And over the years 00:36 I have seen the organization change 00:38 and add new members, but one thing has 00:41 remained constant, our mission of sharing 00:44 Christ in the marketplace. 00:45 Today we are going to meet two ASI member 00:48 organizations, a clinic in Mississippi 00:50 and a school in Arkansas which are 00:53 devoted to fulfilling that mission. 00:56 Dr. Yoshinobu Namihira runs a 00:59 Better Living Clinic and endoscopy center 01:01 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. 01:03 Dr. Namihira uses his clinic as a center 01:06 for outreach to the community. 01:08 He likes to say that the life God gave him; 01:11 he wants to give to others. 01:13 And for each patient Dr. Namihira prays, 01:16 what can I do for him? What can I do for her? 01:20 Let's find out how those prayers 01:22 have been answered. 01:39 When I was a small boy in 1952 that's way back 01:43 before that saving vaccine was available. 01:45 I was struck by the polio, poliomyelitis. 01:50 My mother thought I was going to die because, 01:54 there is no doctors in the small island 01:57 in Okinawa, Japan way in 1950s before 02:01 the vaccine was even available 02:02 in the United States. So, my mother thought 02:05 that there is nothing she can do except 02:09 just rub my legs and then that's all she did. 02:13 And everybody thought this boy 02:15 is going to die, but miraculously I survived. 02:19 One day I was playing in the field with peers. 02:25 All of sudden rain came, and then the rest 02:29 of my peers just ran to the room, 02:35 to the, to the, to the class room from the, 02:38 from the field. And then I was running too, 02:42 and because I don't wanna get wet, 02:44 but because of my polio I couldn't get 02:47 to the room fast enough and then everybody 02:52 else was dry because they can ran fast 02:55 and then I was really depressed 02:58 and I was depressed. I looked up myself 03:00 and said, umm I thought I was the worst 03:03 in a case of the poliomyelitis, 03:06 because when you live in a small island 03:08 that was my concept. See, you are the worst 03:12 and you are the worst, but at the age of 13, 03:15 my mother took me from the small island 03:17 Yonaguni into the Ishigaki island, 03:20 and from Ishigaki island to the Mainland, 03:22 Okinawa. She took me to the hospital called 03:25 Hospital for Handicapped Children. 03:27 I have never seen children with a 03:30 cerebral palsy were not able to speak. 03:33 I have never seen this poliomyelitis bedridden 03:37 in wheel chair. And I was walking the way 03:40 they are even though it was not the perfect 03:42 shape, but I was at least moving. 03:46 That's the first time I saw and say, what? 03:50 And I was hush. My mother took me 03:54 to the hospital and through them for, 03:56 through them for the handicapped children. 03:58 And then I was admitted, the first night 04:01 I walked into a room and the first night 04:06 I did not sleep, I wept, I wept, because 04:10 while I was living in a small island I thought 04:14 I was worst, and I said, if I ever become 04:19 some, some, somebody, I want to do something 04:24 for somebody. The life I spent as a patient 04:34 it was a tremendous benefit for me 04:39 as a patient because I went to the surgeon 04:41 as a patient, I went through there 04:43 and so received the shot as a patient 04:45 as a small boy. And that experience 04:49 as a patient is the basis for me 04:53 to understand how the patients feel, 04:55 when they say, I get nausea there 04:57 and vomiting. And you know, what it means? 04:59 When they say, I have a pain, you know, 05:01 what it means because you are there. 05:03 I truly believe that I'm in the best of hands 05:07 you know, I have had a surgery, 05:10 he gave me surgery and it would really 05:12 impress me about that was you know, 05:15 I was little bit finding to go, you know, 05:18 to have surgery now, but just prior 05:21 to the time of my surgery, he held my hand 05:24 and he prayed over me. And I have never 05:27 ever had a physician to pray over me before 05:32 the surgery. And it just meant a lot to me 05:35 you know, it was just something special 05:37 you know, very spiritual. 05:39 That was also my experience went to him 05:42 when I first had colonoscopy, 05:44 they did the same thing and then 05:45 I would like to say first time doctor 05:47 ever pray and so I, I let you know 05:50 that he although he has skills that 05:53 he depended on a higher power. 05:55 Things change so much in eighteen 05:57 and a half years. And now, but I have to say 06:02 this, I have thoroughly enjoyed working for him 06:06 every minute. He is a fine Christian man. 06:10 I would not be here working today, 06:14 if it were someone else. If the doctor retires 06:18 probably just the same time too we'll 06:20 retire you know. Sometimes you don't 06:22 want to go to work, I mean some places, 06:25 but I just can't wait to get here other than this 06:28 is my second home, away from home. 06:30 So, and it makes you feel a whole lot better 06:33 when you are able to be in a place 06:35 that you love, oppose to a place that 06:37 you don't want to come to. So, I just 06:40 can't wait to get here every morning, 06:43 I wouldn't stay as long as I do, if I did not. 06:46 He tells us thank you. I know like the first 06:52 two days I was here three and a half years 06:54 ago. He come in and thanked me 06:57 then for the work I was doing 06:59 and that he was glad that I was on board 07:01 with the staff. And but he shows 07:05 his appreciation and he tells his appreciation. 07:09 Go, go, go, go, go, go back cook, 07:11 thank you very much Annie. You're welcome. 07:14 I have never seen him mad at employee 07:17 and I have never seen him raise his voice. 07:20 And when the first day I was here 07:25 when I started working for him that first day 07:28 I will never forget what he told me. 07:30 He said, Barbara I turned nobody away, 07:34 whether they have any money or not. 07:37 There are not many doctors that would tell 07:40 you drink more water you know, 07:42 you don't need the drugs you know, 07:44 you can do these natural things. 07:47 They like him, to comeback even though 07:49 they, they does what often say, 07:51 yes we will come back to the, 07:52 the procedure because of the prayer. 07:54 That's the only, they said that's the only 07:56 doctor that pray with them you know, 07:58 and they more feel relax you know, 08:01 and then they stay more confident you know, 08:03 after the prayer you know. 08:05 You got to have patience when you come here 08:07 and then I am here. But you know, 08:10 he is there for us and you know, 08:12 I, I personally feel I wish there are more 08:14 doctors like him because when we come here 08:17 and we know, we're getting best. 08:19 You know and hey, I have had a case 08:21 when I was kind of you know, 08:22 kind of depress you know, with stressed 08:26 or stressed out. And, and he would tell me 08:29 that you know, you have to really think about 08:31 what you are doing to yourself because he is, 08:33 you know, he is, he kind of compassion. 08:36 He has his wisdom that he shares with you 08:38 as his patients. And he talks about the 08:42 spiritual side as well as you know, 08:45 doing what God we want you to do. 08:47 Look at the things that are really truly 08:49 important to you, and those are the things 08:51 that you work at and you know, you work with. 08:53 So, to me that my main theme of life 08:56 is very simple. If you do it, you do it 09:01 with good heart. Not because I want you do 09:05 something for me, but because, 09:07 I' am called to do. I really pray for people 09:12 not only that I give these things, but. 09:15 I really start praying for people 09:18 who have been waiting. Main reason 09:21 I put the 3ABN is because that has 09:26 interesting message to get ready for that, 09:29 so some people are maybe offended you know, 09:35 someone told me, I stood but we decided 09:39 we're gonna stick to it. And if you diminish 09:44 then it be so hard you know 09:46 God will take care of it, so. 09:48 Well it basically what the really made 09:51 the big difference for me? And as a member 09:53 of ASI is the connection, the way 09:56 I share Christ in the medical practice, 09:59 may not be exactly same as when you have a 10:02 business or manufacturing, but the 10:04 principle is exactly the same. 10:07 We are not doing anything, we are just, 10:08 whether you make the bicycle, 10:10 or you do the surgery is still the same. 10:13 Concept is what do you have in your hand, 10:17 you just share with whom you will come 10:21 contact today. When I go the ASI Convention 10:24 and where I meet, I meet you know, 10:27 all kinds of people, but there is a 10:30 something common. And it's very easy to relate 10:34 that number one, number two, number one, 10:37 number two. ASI gave a avenue for me 10:40 to be connected. He is all about having better 10:43 health. And we appreciate that aspect 10:46 very well because as when out, 10:49 when we do our health meeting, 10:51 all our evangelistic meetings. 10:53 We always include health because we know 10:56 people who are sick and they are suffering, 10:59 and many times don't even know 11:00 why that they are suffering. 11:02 One of the things that impressed me so much 11:05 was, when it came time to pray for individuals 11:10 and you know, he has a walker 11:13 and he is not, cannot walk as well. 11:16 I saw him get down on his knees 11:19 and pray for a gentleman who had a 11:22 smoking problem. And I will tell you 11:25 that was just really a decisive moment. 11:28 It was a, it was a heart telling moment. 11:31 And so that is really impact me. 11:35 And so, to see individuals who really 11:39 care for others and, and willing to put 11:42 forth this message. If you notice 11:45 there is a amazing grace on the hallway. 11:48 So, those are the thing that sort of remind 11:53 the patients that I'm doing what I'm trying 11:55 to do because in addition to my skills 11:59 and training that I have, I want to give 12:01 something extra, if you want too. 12:03 Now, you have to be careful because 12:05 you cannot force what you believe, 12:08 but at least I can share, well at least 12:11 I can, I can review how I feel, 12:15 but yet you cannot force it. 12:18 When I see Dr. Namihira I see someone 12:20 being innovative. He uses the top of his 12:23 office to do presentations how to 12:26 assist his patients and not only understand 12:28 about how to live better, but also to know 12:31 about Jesus. I have never been in a 12:34 doctor's office that has been setup 12:36 in such a way that has been designed 12:39 for ministry. And so I think more-and-more 12:43 in these last days as God begins to pour out 12:45 its spirit and people began to take the call 12:47 of Jesus seriously. We're gonna seen 12:49 more and more people, and I'm convinced 12:52 Ellen White says, it's gonna be the laity 12:54 that are gonna finish the work that assist 12:56 in the second coming of Jesus. 12:58 And this is a good example of someone 13:00 who is not an ordained minister, 13:02 but as a lay person that takes 13:04 the calling of Jesus seriously. 13:07 ASI is filled with wonderful stories 13:10 of members in action just like 13:12 Dr. Namihira. In fact, one of the things 13:14 that drew Dr. Namihira to ASI was hearing 13:17 the testimonies of members at an 13:20 ASI Southern Union Chapter Meeting. 13:22 Dr. Namihira wrote to ASI that he was 13:24 impressed by our members, people. 13:28 He said had a common purpose in mind 13:30 to share Christ in the marketplace. 13:33 Held each year during the first weekend 13:35 in August, the ASI Convention is one of the 13:38 largest Adventists gatherings in 13:40 North America with thousands in attendance. 13:43 It's a time of camaraderie 13:44 and inspiration. We share exciting 13:47 testimonies and enjoy outstanding music 13:49 and speakers and encourage each other 13:51 to be bold in sharing Christ. 13:53 There are also full programs for children 13:56 and young adults and some families' even make 13:59 the ASI Convention, their summer vacation. 14:02 ASI is a great opportunity for anyone 14:04 to meet people. Giving opportunity 14:06 to network the individuals. 14:08 It's great opportunity for them 14:09 to learn from each other. Rubbing shoulders 14:11 and hanging out with people that are 14:13 committed to the Lord soon coming. 14:15 I have developed a wonderful network. 14:17 It's been absolutely invaluable the 14:19 contacts we have made through ASI. 14:32 ASI places great importance on 14:35 young people, and many of our members 14:37 are actively involved youth in ministry. 14:39 Ouachita Hills Academy and College, 14:42 are ASI member schools in Amity, Arkansas. 14:46 They are committed to providing their students 14:48 with the premier education along 14:51 with a practical work experience. 14:53 However, their supreme goal is to equip 14:56 students for a lifetime of soul winning. 15:04 Two, three, one. You are such a baby, 15:12 You are such a baby filled by the world 15:14 with love, you are such a baby like our tiny 15:23 child. When the world is yawning for the 15:29 brightest one, You are such a brightest star. 15:41 We get a lot of feedback, lot of 15:42 positive feedback about our students 15:44 from a variety of sources, employers, 15:45 and other schools. In fact we, 15:47 we hear often from other Adventist College 15:50 and Universities saying, we just love 15:51 the students that come from your school 15:53 because they do know, how to work 15:55 they are serious and focused. 15:56 They know where they are going. 15:57 Obviously they are still kids, but 16:01 we do, we do, we do believe that 16:03 as they work here they are not only 16:05 gaining skills you know, learning how to do 16:08 plumbing or wiring or baking or whatever 16:11 the skills sets are. They are also learning 16:15 those habits that no matter where 16:16 they go to work, no matter what 16:18 they are gonna do? They are going to be 16:19 performing. They are going to be 16:20 good workers. Our students come from all 16:22 different kinds of backgrounds. 16:24 Some people think, well they must all be 16:27 musical because we do focus a lot in on music. 16:29 And by the time they finish a year, 16:34 most of them are, and actively involved 16:36 in some kind of a musical program. 16:39 But actually our students are coming 16:41 from all different aspects. We do have a 16:43 lot of home-schooled children because 16:47 we find the home-schooled parents 16:48 are very concerned about the environment 16:50 their child comes into. And so, we do find 16:55 we have a lot of home school, but 16:56 we, we have students from usually about 16:59 20 to 24 different states in the academy. 17:02 And some of them are, are very academically 17:07 gifted and some of them are not. 17:10 I can honestly say it was probably one of the 17:14 defining moments of my life. 17:15 It's hard to describe, but I had never been 17:19 in the environment where they were conservative, 17:21 Christian dedicated young people 17:25 I just never had those kinds of friends 17:27 when I was young. And so, coming to the school 17:29 like this where I made very good friends 17:31 that were Christians, they were dedicated 17:33 Adventist. It was just an 17:35 amazing experience for me. 17:37 Ha, five thousand, six thousand, 17:39 seven thousand, eight thousand, 17:41 nine thousand, ten thousand. 17:43 I can go to anywhere just like this. 17:44 I can go to anywhere just like this. 17:47 Come on, all the way to Texas just like this. 17:51 Come on, all the way to Texas just like this. 17:54 Stop, front, bouncing ball. 18:01 Ouachita Hills Academy strives to anchor 18:06 students in the word of God. 18:07 That's sort of our number one focus. 18:09 We want them to get an education 18:11 that's practical that will put them for life 18:14 that will help them to the successful 18:16 in this world. But even more important 18:19 we want them to be successful for eternity. 18:20 We want them to gain a personal relationship 18:23 with Jesus Christ. So, our program focus 18:27 is on both in the academy and the college, 18:29 focus is on not just the classroom learning, 18:33 but actual practical Christianity living 18:36 for Christ, sharing Christ and we have a 18:38 lot of emphasis on evangelism, and missions 18:40 and soul winning. Because we believe 18:43 that every young person should be a minister. 18:46 Just like ASI has the motto of sharing Christ 18:49 in the marketplace. We realize the work 18:51 is not gonna be finished by just pastors 18:53 or teachers or evangelists. 18:54 We want our young people whether they become 18:57 plumbers or pediatricians. 18:58 We want them to be active in each, 19:01 in their faith and, and in their church and, 19:03 and sharing Christ with those they meet. 19:05 I get letters on a regular basis 19:08 from students who, who tell me 19:12 what a difference been in at academy 19:14 or the college has made in their life. 19:16 And some of them are, are solid, solid 19:20 students that always were, or kind of a the 19:24 cream of the crop type students you think of, 19:26 who you thought maybe you didn't impacted all. 19:31 I remember a letter I got from a student 19:33 who told me, how she would never had her 19:35 devotions before she came here 19:37 and we taught her how to have devotions. 19:38 And what a major difference that made 19:41 in her life. And she was a student that coming 19:44 from the home, she came from looking 19:46 at her behavior and everything 19:47 you would think it had just saw her walk, walk 19:49 with the Lord all along, but she didn't and, 19:52 and it was just really encouraging letter. 19:54 We believe it's very important that the 19:56 students have not just class room learning, 19:58 but work training as well. You know, 20:01 as much as we can we want to follow the model 20:05 for education that the Adventist Church 20:07 have been given specifically in the 20:09 writings of Ellen White. And one of the things 20:11 she says is that, "An education derived 20:13 chiefly from books leads the shallow thought 20:15 and superficial thinking." 20:16 And only now, the scientists 20:19 and the educational world is starting 20:22 to realize that actually when young people 20:24 learn to work with their hands it does increase 20:27 their cognitive problem solving skills. 20:30 And it helps them to be able to take a project 20:32 from beginning to completion to be able to 20:34 map the path you know, from start to end. 20:36 And so, we believe that this is an important 20:39 part of their work experience. 20:41 They are not paid directly for the work 20:44 that they do during the vocational time, 20:47 the most vocational training time, 20:48 but this does allow us to keep our tuition cost 20:51 very low. And we're little less than half 20:54 actually of the cost of 20:56 other Adventist institutions. 21:17 Oh, very much a campof under construction 21:21 and development right now our big projects 21:25 are completing this classroom, 21:26 administration building and the new academy 21:29 boys dorm. Our Board of Directors 21:32 just has met and approved the purchase 21:35 of adjoining 40 acres that we will use to 21:39 build up a college housing and more 21:43 college buildings. Right now we do a lot of 21:45 sharing and we will continue to do some 21:47 sharing our facilities because it's just 21:48 advantages to both programs. 21:51 But we have 381 acres, and we're looking 21:57 to develop it into programs for both 22:03 the college and the academy. 22:04 And we also have an active missions program. 22:06 Since 1998, we began taking our students 22:09 overseas and doing evangelism programs 22:12 with them. You know, many times we might be 22:14 building a church, or orphanage 22:15 or something else along the same time. 22:17 We also have each year a special trip 22:21 that's just for our academy seniors. 22:23 And this trip they are more involved 22:25 in planning. The first semester of the senior 22:28 year they take a Bible doctrines class, 22:30 which is actually equipping them 22:32 to be more effective in speaking 22:35 and in giving Bible studies and helping 22:38 people understand from the Bible especially 22:41 our distinctive doctrines. 22:43 And this last year for example, 22:45 the senior class helped four evangelistic 22:48 campaigns in Bulgaria. They are focusing 22:51 largely on a gypsy population in Varna, 22:55 which is a part of the country which, 22:58 in which the gypsies specifically 23:01 haven't have a lot of evangelism 23:04 from the Adventist Church. And so, 23:06 we spent, we spent four weeks in the 23:09 Varna area with our senior class. 23:10 And each, each of those four sites had 23:13 four seniors that were speaking nightly. 23:17 They were doing health talks. 23:19 They were doing a children's program 23:21 and they were you know, running setting up 23:25 their own equipment, running their own 23:26 equipment and then they were also doing 23:28 some visitations during the day. 23:30 And this last year we were actually 23:32 able to take a couple of the college students 23:33 with us, I went to these missions trips 23:35 to Bulgaria. And so we used the opportunity 23:38 to give them experience in shooting 23:42 and producing a video and so we actually 23:44 produced a report video on 23:46 our Bulgaria Mission trip. 23:47 And so this gave them an opportunity 23:50 for some who haven't yet had the chance 23:52 to speak for an evangelistic series 23:54 here in United States. They gave them 23:55 opportunity to preach their series; 23:58 some of them for the first time. 23:59 And hopefully the experience they gain 24:02 there will be something that will help them. 24:04 Some of them will, will now comeback 24:07 to the states and do more 24:09 active evangelism here. 24:11 This school exists in part for closing 24:15 the back door of the church. 24:16 We have seen so many young people, 24:18 even people that are not young 24:20 and or my age, who went well all the way 24:22 through academy and college 24:24 and maybe great school and church. 24:26 And yet somehow they never got the vision. 24:29 They never came to love the Lord 24:31 or maybe they did, but they made choices 24:35 and then let them away. And we believe 24:37 there is just far too many young people 24:38 who are in that category, and if we can 24:41 give them while they are receiving 24:42 their education. A greater understanding 24:46 of why we as a church exist. 24:49 Why the Lord is counting for us is so beautiful. 24:52 And get them involved in soul winning exercises 24:58 or activities. We believe we will succeed 25:02 in helping to close that door. 25:04 From the beginning I think we can say 25:07 that ASI did two things for Ouachita Hills. 25:12 Number one, ASI has provided encouragement 25:17 and support for this school as a ministry. 25:22 A number of times we have been recipients 25:24 of project offerings, but more than that 25:26 we have been, we have received encouragement 25:29 in what we're doing. And ASI has a strong 25:32 history in supporting ministries. 25:34 And so ASI leaders and ASI members have given 25:39 a lot of, a lot of encouragement, 25:40 a lot of prayers, a lot of guidance, 25:43 a lot of good ideas that have helped 25:45 Ouachita Hills from its very beginning. 25:48 But the second impact that ASI has had 25:52 on Ouachita Hills, I would, I would say 25:54 is on its students. In our philosophy of 25:59 wanting to have students who are workers 26:03 for God soul winners, no matter what 26:05 their career profession. We face a challenge 26:08 because you can say that, but it's much more 26:12 powerful, if you can see that. 26:14 And we love to take our students to ASI 26:17 because there they see real men and women, 26:21 who are living what we're trying to train 26:24 them for. There they, they maybe 26:26 professionals, they maybe business people, 26:28 they maybe you know, entrepreneurs, 26:30 but their passion is still to save souls. 26:35 They are, they are calling that 26:36 they feel God has placed on their heart 26:38 is to be marketplace ministries 26:40 as lay people. And we treasure, 26:44 the impact and influence that ASI members 26:47 have on our young people, because 26:49 as far as I can tell there is no better place 26:54 where they can safely to mentor 26:56 than in an ASI Convention or with 26:58 ASI members and ASI ministers. 27:01 It's amazing to imagine the plans God 27:04 has in store for the students at 27:06 Ouachita Hills Academy and College. 27:08 For information about the schools visit 27:11 ouachitahillsacademy.org and ohc.org. 27:17 To learn more about ASI including 27:19 how to become a member, call 301-680-6450 27:25 or visit www.asiministries.org. 27:29 I am Dan Houghton; you have been watching 27:32 ASI Video Magazine. See you next time 27:35 for more stories of ASI members sharing Christ 27:39 in the marketplace. God be with you. |
Revised 2014-12-17