Since 1971, Adventist World Radio 00:00:02.36\00:00:05.30 has been spreading the loving message of Jesus' 00:00:05.33\00:00:07.80 soon return all over this world. 00:00:07.84\00:00:11.67 Come with me to Namibia, Tanzania and India 00:00:11.71\00:00:15.04 to explore what God is doing to reach the unreached. 00:00:15.08\00:00:19.68 With Adventist World Radio, 00:00:19.71\00:00:21.48 there are no walls, no borders 00:00:21.52\00:00:23.62 and no limits to God's power. 00:00:23.65\00:00:25.59 From just one cell phone, 00:00:29.26\00:00:31.16 an entire church has been planted in Namibia. 00:00:31.19\00:00:34.03 I'm Cami Oetman and this is AWR360°. 00:00:34.06\00:00:38.47 A year ago, we came to Namibia 00:00:54.68\00:00:56.79 to learn about how cell phone evangelism 00:00:56.82\00:00:59.12 is spreading fast around the world, 00:00:59.15\00:01:01.86 started by Neville Neveling 00:01:01.89\00:01:03.43 after seeing a need in his area. 00:01:03.46\00:01:05.96 Now people across the globe 00:01:05.99\00:01:08.46 are using their phones for evangelism. 00:01:08.50\00:01:12.43 From the blind to the quietest person 00:01:12.47\00:01:14.57 in the church, 00:01:14.60\00:01:15.94 the message of the Lord is being sent out. 00:01:15.97\00:01:19.81 We are back here because we have heard 00:01:19.84\00:01:21.74 remarkable stories coming as a result 00:01:21.78\00:01:24.31 of cell phone evangelism. 00:01:24.35\00:01:27.25 How remarkable things 00:01:27.28\00:01:28.62 have been happening this past year. 00:01:28.65\00:01:31.02 A year ago when we visited under the tree 00:01:31.05\00:01:33.66 at Barbie's Church, I did not mention to you that 00:01:33.69\00:01:37.49 this area actually had very minimal Adventist reach. 00:01:37.53\00:01:42.76 Though evangelism has been tried, 00:01:42.80\00:01:44.90 it was unsuccessful. 00:01:44.93\00:01:47.10 You see this, 00:01:47.14\00:01:48.47 this area is actually predominantly Roman Catholic. 00:01:48.50\00:01:52.81 I must say, I did not actually think that 00:01:52.84\00:01:56.44 AWR360° cell phone evangelism 00:01:56.48\00:01:59.38 would have this kind of impact. 00:01:59.41\00:02:01.85 Our AWR team is travelling far 00:02:01.88\00:02:04.25 into North Eastern Namibia, to the city of Kashira. 00:02:04.29\00:02:07.89 There has been no Adventist churches there. 00:02:07.92\00:02:10.26 That is until just a year ago, 00:02:10.29\00:02:12.59 when Barbie started one under her tree. 00:02:12.63\00:02:16.97 She has been listening to cell phone evangelism 00:02:17.00\00:02:20.04 and enjoy learning about the truth she heard. 00:02:20.07\00:02:23.20 But it was a message about the Sabbath 00:02:23.24\00:02:25.31 that really woke her up. 00:02:25.34\00:02:27.61 One week after hearing the message, 00:02:27.64\00:02:29.64 she started a church under her tree. 00:02:29.68\00:02:32.51 She then invited the community to join her and they came. 00:02:32.55\00:02:36.72 But now, some incredible things have happened. 00:02:36.75\00:02:42.02 After your visit our church has grown dramatically. 00:02:42.06\00:02:47.16 Their Pathfinder club has been doing great things 00:02:47.20\00:02:50.00 for the community, 00:02:50.03\00:02:51.37 from doing work for the neighbors to singing, 00:02:51.40\00:02:54.24 they are representing Adventism in a great way. 00:02:54.27\00:02:57.87 She also has a community garden in the back 00:02:57.91\00:03:00.48 and has been teaching the villagers 00:03:00.51\00:03:02.18 how to grow their own food. 00:03:02.21\00:03:04.05 And many people have come 00:03:04.08\00:03:05.61 to listen to her health seminars. 00:03:05.65\00:03:09.58 But then it wasn't long ago as I was working in my house 00:03:09.62\00:03:13.66 on Friday afternoon, prepping for the Sabbath 00:03:13.69\00:03:17.09 when I heard a lot of noises. 00:03:17.13\00:03:18.83 She then noticed that a crowd of people 00:03:18.86\00:03:20.90 had gathered outside her house. 00:03:20.93\00:03:23.26 She couldn't believe it. 00:03:23.30\00:03:24.93 It was then that a man entered the house. 00:03:24.97\00:03:27.47 He said his name was Ouppa. 00:03:27.50\00:03:29.60 He was from the town of Divundu, 00:03:29.64\00:03:32.37 and that he and his group wants to join our church! 00:03:32.41\00:03:36.41 This was quite amazing, 00:03:36.44\00:03:37.98 because this region in Northern Namibia 00:03:38.01\00:03:40.48 really has had no Adventist, 00:03:40.52\00:03:43.18 maybe 10 total in the entire area. 00:03:43.22\00:03:47.56 Just looking at this area 00:03:47.59\00:03:49.29 where Barbie's Church has been established, 00:03:49.32\00:03:53.40 it's part of a minority people group 00:03:53.43\00:03:57.40 in Namibia, languishing. 00:03:57.43\00:04:00.14 So, there's not a lot of these people around, 00:04:00.17\00:04:03.77 it's a minority group. 00:04:03.81\00:04:05.54 And the group as such, are actually Catholic. 00:04:05.57\00:04:10.78 So it's very, very difficult to get into such a group 00:04:10.81\00:04:14.15 because it's like changing group dynamics. 00:04:14.18\00:04:17.85 So when Barbie started the church, 00:04:17.89\00:04:19.69 the word spread quickly. 00:04:19.72\00:04:21.62 But how did the new group hear about Barbie 00:04:21.66\00:04:24.03 and make a decision to join? 00:04:24.06\00:04:26.03 For that we must meet them as they walk to church. 00:04:26.06\00:04:31.30 This is no ordinary trek. 00:04:31.33\00:04:33.80 You see, for them to get to Barbie's, 00:04:33.84\00:04:36.10 they must walk all day on Friday. 00:04:36.14\00:04:39.57 We head out in search of this group. 00:04:39.61\00:04:42.94 Northern Namibia has a population of 220,000. 00:04:42.98\00:04:47.45 Because of the poor roads, this area gets few visitors. 00:04:47.48\00:04:53.15 It has the highest level of poverty in Namibia, 00:04:53.19\00:04:55.86 was about half the population considered poor. 00:04:55.89\00:04:59.66 But it is in this area that lives are being changed. 00:04:59.69\00:05:02.96 This group is currently on a 40-mile hike to Divundu. 00:05:06.47\00:05:10.54 It will take them all day to get there. 00:05:10.57\00:05:13.17 Over sand, rocks and hills they march on. 00:05:13.21\00:05:16.88 It's an amazing sight to see 00:05:16.91\00:05:19.11 this many people making this long walk. 00:05:19.15\00:05:22.55 Ouppa Stephen is the leader of the group. 00:05:22.58\00:05:25.29 He's the one who made the decision 00:05:25.32\00:05:27.22 to find this new church. 00:05:27.26\00:05:31.79 I go because we must learn about God. 00:05:31.83\00:05:35.83 I have been waiting years for an Adventist Church. 00:05:35.86\00:05:39.77 Even if it were 80 miles away, we would still walk to it. 00:05:39.80\00:05:43.84 Ouppa was one of the few Adventists 00:05:47.54\00:05:49.58 in this region of Namibia. 00:05:49.61\00:05:51.61 He lives a simple life of managing his animals 00:05:51.65\00:05:54.25 and sitting outside his house. 00:05:54.28\00:05:57.72 For many years, I was alone in my faith. 00:05:57.75\00:06:01.62 And with no church nearby, 00:06:01.66\00:06:03.39 I cannot invite anyone to learn with me. 00:06:03.43\00:06:08.33 But then when Barbie's Church started, 00:06:08.36\00:06:10.83 word started spreading around the area 00:06:10.87\00:06:13.23 about this new belief. 00:06:13.27\00:06:17.41 A rumor came to me that an Adventist Church 00:06:17.44\00:06:20.38 had started in the town of Divundu. 00:06:20.41\00:06:23.04 I almost cried when I heard that. 00:06:23.08\00:06:25.85 I pray to God that it was true. 00:06:25.88\00:06:30.25 He wasted no time 00:06:30.29\00:06:31.82 inviting the people of this area 00:06:31.85\00:06:33.19 to trek with him to Divundu. 00:06:33.22\00:06:35.12 He said, "They are teaching the truth 00:06:35.16\00:06:37.13 and we must go." 00:06:37.16\00:06:38.93 Nearly 50 people came with him, 00:06:38.96\00:06:41.03 eager to hear this new truth about Jesus. 00:06:41.06\00:06:43.87 The trek is long and anyone could have been 00:06:46.90\00:06:49.34 easily discouraged about walking all day, 00:06:49.37\00:06:52.07 but they wanted to hear more about this church. 00:06:52.11\00:06:57.55 When we arrived, 00:06:57.58\00:06:58.91 I was very excited to meet Barbie 00:06:58.95\00:07:01.45 for the first time. 00:07:01.48\00:07:05.22 His first words were that he wanted to join the church. 00:07:05.25\00:07:09.82 That night we pitch tents and prepared for the Sabbath, 00:07:09.86\00:07:14.13 waiting in anticipation for the morning. 00:07:14.16\00:07:19.10 And the next morning 00:07:19.13\00:07:20.47 they had their first church service together. 00:07:20.50\00:07:23.20 Everyone in the group 00:07:23.24\00:07:24.57 was impressed with the Sabbath message 00:07:24.61\00:07:26.74 and were determined to return the very next week. 00:07:26.78\00:07:30.28 When AWR heard about how the church had grown, 00:07:30.31\00:07:33.55 we knew the tree that 00:07:33.58\00:07:34.95 they were worshiping under would not be enough. 00:07:34.98\00:07:37.89 And this is when we sought our AWR supporters like you. 00:07:37.92\00:07:42.22 AWR's webpage lists 00:07:42.26\00:07:43.86 many needs all around the globe. 00:07:43.89\00:07:46.43 From terrorists in the Philippines 00:07:46.46\00:07:48.33 to the high mountain area of Nepal, 00:07:48.36\00:07:50.67 lives are being changed. 00:07:50.70\00:07:53.67 But it cannot be done alone. 00:07:53.70\00:07:55.60 It is only through our faithful supporters 00:07:55.64\00:07:57.97 that AWR can keep this broadcast going. 00:07:58.01\00:08:01.61 And now this group of people have a church to worship in. 00:08:01.64\00:08:05.75 Hands across the globe join to support this project. 00:08:05.78\00:08:09.55 And I know God has blessed. 00:08:09.58\00:08:11.99 The most amazing thing is 00:08:12.02\00:08:14.09 this is the first cell phone evangelism church. 00:08:14.12\00:08:18.89 After that first visit, everyone wanted to return. 00:08:18.93\00:08:22.20 Ouppa has since made many treks to worship on the Sabbath. 00:08:25.63\00:08:29.90 I really am amazed to think that one year ago, 00:08:29.94\00:08:33.78 there was less than 10 Adventists 00:08:33.81\00:08:36.21 in this entire area 00:08:36.24\00:08:38.11 and because someone sent 00:08:38.15\00:08:39.81 one message through their cell phone, 00:08:39.85\00:08:42.18 now, there is a community of believers. 00:08:42.22\00:08:45.42 I can't help but think that if all of us 00:08:45.45\00:08:48.22 would just do the Lord's will and evangelize, 00:08:48.26\00:08:51.53 how many more lives would be saved 00:08:51.56\00:08:53.46 for Christ's kingdom. 00:08:53.50\00:08:55.10 On this Sabbath morning, we attend the church service. 00:08:55.13\00:08:58.00 It was just one year ago we were here under a tree, 00:08:58.03\00:09:01.64 and now we are dedicating a new church, 00:09:01.67\00:09:04.51 and there is a communion and foot washing service. 00:09:04.54\00:09:08.08 Many phones were dedicated 00:09:08.11\00:09:09.54 to sharing cell phone evangelism. 00:09:09.58\00:09:13.18 And after this, it is time for many to be baptized. 00:09:13.21\00:09:18.25 You see many in Ouppa's group have made the decision 00:09:18.29\00:09:21.19 to dedicate themselves to the Lord. 00:09:21.22\00:09:23.79 This is what AWR360° is all about, 00:09:23.83\00:09:27.03 from broadcast to baptism. 00:09:27.06\00:09:28.86 I'm so amazed that through my cell phone, 00:09:35.57\00:09:38.54 I was reached and now just one year later, 00:09:38.57\00:09:41.48 there's a new church 00:09:41.51\00:09:42.84 and many people have been baptized. 00:09:42.88\00:09:45.08 God is working mightily all around the world. 00:09:45.11\00:09:48.88 Friends, the lives saved here today 00:09:48.92\00:09:51.19 are because someone shared 00:09:51.22\00:09:53.32 the love of Christ through their cell phone. 00:09:53.36\00:09:56.22 They looked at their hand 00:09:56.26\00:09:57.59 and they saw the tool to reach another. 00:09:57.63\00:10:00.30 AWR360° calls upon you 00:10:00.33\00:10:02.80 to share these important Bible truths. 00:10:02.83\00:10:05.70 It is only working together 00:10:05.73\00:10:07.60 that we can spread the message 00:10:07.64\00:10:09.00 of the Lord to the entire world. 00:10:09.04\00:10:10.77 As Christians, our family is much larger 00:10:27.96\00:10:30.69 than our immediate biological family. 00:10:30.73\00:10:32.89 In fact, we have brothers and sisters 00:10:32.93\00:10:34.36 that live in more than 200 countries 00:10:34.40\00:10:36.26 all around the world. 00:10:36.30\00:10:40.14 We want to remember them in our estate plan. 00:10:40.17\00:10:43.10 We can help you with that process. 00:10:43.14\00:10:44.74 Just log on to awr.org. 00:10:44.77\00:10:47.21 Welcome to a country shared by thousands of animals. 00:10:57.39\00:11:02.96 Over 120 different tribal groups 00:11:02.99\00:11:07.13 and home to some of Africa's most famous national parks. 00:11:07.16\00:11:11.23 I'm in Tanzania and this is AWR360°. 00:11:11.27\00:11:15.20 My name is Michael 00:11:20.14\00:11:21.88 and I live in the northern part of Tanzania. 00:11:21.91\00:11:26.88 I have a beautiful wife and family, 00:11:26.92\00:11:29.65 and grow vegetables to sell. 00:11:29.68\00:11:33.66 As a teenager, Michael had embraced 00:11:33.69\00:11:35.82 the Seventh-day Adventist message. 00:11:35.86\00:11:37.76 But as the years passed by, 00:11:37.79\00:11:39.89 he laid aside his faith and slowly forgot about God. 00:11:39.93\00:11:45.67 Michael settled down, 00:11:45.70\00:11:47.04 married and began to put all his time and energy 00:11:47.07\00:11:49.87 into growing vegetables for sale. 00:11:49.90\00:11:53.38 He took pride in his beautiful garden 00:11:53.41\00:11:55.71 and always kept it neat. 00:11:55.74\00:11:58.48 Then one day something happened 00:11:58.51\00:12:01.35 that would disrupt their peaceful quiet lives 00:12:01.38\00:12:04.42 and ruin Michael's garden. 00:12:04.45\00:12:06.29 I started having terrible problem. 00:12:19.97\00:12:22.90 Wild pigs would come into my garden at night, 00:12:22.94\00:12:26.14 destroying my plants and eating my vegetables. 00:12:26.17\00:12:28.88 In order to protect the crops, 00:12:32.41\00:12:34.18 I began staying up all night to keep watch. 00:12:34.22\00:12:37.09 One evening as he kindled a fire 00:12:48.66\00:12:51.03 and prepared for another long night, 00:12:51.07\00:12:53.57 Michael switched on his radio. 00:12:53.60\00:12:55.87 The station playing was new to him, 00:12:55.90\00:12:57.91 but the word sounded strangely familiar. 00:12:57.94\00:13:00.58 It had been so many years since he had heard anything 00:13:00.61\00:13:03.58 about Jesus. 00:13:03.61\00:13:05.15 It was all such a distant memory. 00:13:05.18\00:13:08.38 The night passed more quickly this time. 00:13:08.42\00:13:10.79 And when morning broke, 00:13:10.82\00:13:12.15 Michael's little radio was still playing the station. 00:13:12.19\00:13:14.96 He would later learn was Adventist World Radio. 00:13:14.99\00:13:19.76 The second night, 00:13:19.79\00:13:21.13 Michael again turned his radio to AWR, 00:13:21.16\00:13:24.30 and this time invited five 00:13:24.33\00:13:26.37 of his neighbors to come listen as well. 00:13:26.40\00:13:29.50 On the third night, a message about faith 00:13:29.54\00:13:31.67 was presented on the radio. 00:13:31.71\00:13:34.31 My heart was touched. 00:13:34.34\00:13:36.01 And I say to my friends, 00:13:36.04\00:13:38.01 "If there is a God big enough to protect our crops, 00:13:38.05\00:13:41.52 why are we staying up the whole night?" 00:13:41.55\00:13:45.95 Michael decided he would give God a second chance. 00:13:45.99\00:13:51.79 In an effort to test and see if God was real, 00:13:51.83\00:13:55.00 Michael remained home the next night, 00:13:55.03\00:13:57.30 instead of going out and watching over his crops. 00:13:57.33\00:14:01.90 Before bed, he gathered his family together 00:14:01.94\00:14:04.37 to listen to AWR and pray for God's protection. 00:14:04.41\00:14:08.34 The next morning Michael 00:14:14.38\00:14:15.72 went outside to survey his crops. 00:14:15.75\00:14:20.26 Amazingly, there was no damage. 00:14:20.29\00:14:25.63 I was so excited and went running back 00:14:25.66\00:14:27.76 to share the good news with my family. 00:14:27.80\00:14:31.23 For the first time in my life, I realized that God was real 00:14:31.27\00:14:36.34 and cared for me. 00:14:36.37\00:14:40.01 Night after night, Michael returned home, 00:14:40.04\00:14:42.58 listen to his radio and once again prayed 00:14:42.61\00:14:45.38 for God's protection before peacefully sleeping. 00:14:45.41\00:14:50.85 Michael's neighbors begin to ask questions. 00:14:50.89\00:14:53.46 They have watched 00:14:53.49\00:14:54.82 as the pigs pass by Michael's fields, 00:14:54.86\00:14:57.06 only to eat their surrounding crops. 00:14:57.09\00:14:59.89 The neighbors felt sure it was witchcraft, 00:14:59.93\00:15:03.10 but Michael gladly explained about the radio and a God 00:15:03.13\00:15:07.10 who would even protect vegetables from pigs. 00:15:07.14\00:15:11.61 Several of my neighbors decided to test God too 00:15:11.64\00:15:14.94 and listen to AWR at home instead 00:15:14.98\00:15:18.11 or guarding their crops at night. 00:15:18.15\00:15:20.35 And the pigs no longer bothered their vegetables either. 00:15:20.38\00:15:26.19 Before long, Michael, his family and 30 other people 00:15:26.22\00:15:30.63 from his village decided to give their lives 00:15:30.66\00:15:33.86 to Jesus through baptism. 00:15:33.90\00:15:35.83 We are so thankful for Adventist World Radio. 00:15:42.77\00:15:46.07 If we had not heard it, 00:15:46.11\00:15:48.44 we would still be out in the dark, 00:15:48.48\00:15:51.11 guarding our crops from pigs, 00:15:51.15\00:15:53.25 and would have missed hearing about Jesus. 00:15:53.28\00:15:57.19 Three years later, 00:15:57.22\00:15:58.72 Michael's garden continues to grow well, 00:15:58.75\00:16:01.52 and the wild pigs have never returned. 00:16:01.56\00:16:04.53 Michael loves to tell everyone about Jesus, 00:16:04.56\00:16:07.76 and with a big smile he shared with us that 00:16:07.80\00:16:10.47 he is a missionary now. 00:16:10.50\00:16:13.54 His love for Jesus 00:16:13.57\00:16:14.90 and the Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:16:14.94\00:16:17.01 has been rekindled 00:16:17.04\00:16:18.57 and he has a passion born 00:16:18.61\00:16:20.28 from a personal experience of faith and trust. 00:16:20.31\00:16:24.38 And all of this is the simple result 00:16:24.41\00:16:27.08 of a radio broadcast 00:16:27.12\00:16:28.95 and a God big enough to answer prayer. 00:16:28.98\00:16:31.72 Thank you for your generous support 00:16:35.82\00:16:37.43 of Adventist World Radio. 00:16:37.46\00:16:39.26 Through it lives are being touched 00:16:39.29\00:16:41.16 and transformed for eternity. 00:16:41.20\00:16:42.56 I grew up in Indiana, 00:16:59.58\00:17:00.92 and I've been a farmer all my life. 00:17:00.95\00:17:04.05 My father, every time we plant a field, 00:17:04.09\00:17:06.82 when we got through we'd always kneel down 00:17:06.86\00:17:09.56 and have prayers. 00:17:09.59\00:17:10.93 We've done our part, 00:17:10.96\00:17:12.29 now the Lord will do His, and He always come through. 00:17:12.33\00:17:15.40 After praying about it, 00:17:19.37\00:17:20.77 my wife and I decided to do a gift annuity 00:17:20.80\00:17:23.51 through Adventist World Radio. 00:17:23.54\00:17:25.81 It goes to people that normally you're not going to hear. 00:17:25.84\00:17:29.94 And that's what our seventh-day message is all about, 00:17:29.98\00:17:33.75 every nation, kindred, tongue and people. 00:17:33.78\00:17:38.35 When you're a farmer, 00:17:38.39\00:17:39.72 you don't have a retirement plan. 00:17:39.75\00:17:42.12 It was a good way to supplement our retirement. 00:17:42.16\00:17:45.63 It's been a blessing to us, 00:17:45.66\00:17:47.26 and I know it's going to be a blessing 00:17:47.30\00:17:48.73 to those others around the world. 00:17:48.76\00:17:50.50 Join me as I leave the beautiful Country 00:17:57.61\00:18:00.28 of Tanzania to hear the amazing testimony 00:18:00.31\00:18:03.45 of one pastor living in India. 00:18:03.48\00:18:05.81 Eight out of every 10 Indians say that 00:18:11.42\00:18:13.36 religion is very important in their lives. 00:18:13.39\00:18:16.99 For Pastor El, that is definitely true. 00:18:17.03\00:18:19.73 He is a speaker and evangelist 00:18:19.76\00:18:21.23 at over 400 charismatic revival churches 00:18:21.26\00:18:24.63 across India. 00:18:24.67\00:18:26.33 His goal in life is to share Christ 00:18:26.37\00:18:28.14 with everyone around him. 00:18:28.17\00:18:30.81 But where did he get such fervor? 00:18:30.84\00:18:34.08 Pastor El was a miracle baby. 00:18:34.11\00:18:36.41 His parents dedicated him to God 00:18:36.44\00:18:38.35 as a tithe as he was their 10th child. 00:18:38.38\00:18:42.18 After the tragic death of his parents 00:18:42.22\00:18:43.99 at a very early age, 00:18:44.02\00:18:45.75 it was this memory that gave Pastor El hope 00:18:45.79\00:18:48.16 to continue in life. 00:18:48.19\00:18:51.66 He hopes to see his parents one day soon 00:18:51.69\00:18:54.00 when Jesus comes again. 00:18:54.03\00:18:56.83 In the year 2000, 00:18:56.87\00:18:58.33 Pastor El entered full time ministry 00:18:58.37\00:19:00.94 as a Christian revival pastor. 00:19:00.97\00:19:03.10 He thought he was sharing the right message. 00:19:03.14\00:19:05.54 But one day he came across a sermon on the Sabbath 00:19:05.57\00:19:08.71 by an AWR speaker on YouTube that troubled him. 00:19:08.74\00:19:12.98 He could not deny the conviction 00:19:13.01\00:19:15.18 that this was plain truth. 00:19:15.22\00:19:17.29 But to stand for the truth meant sacrifice, 00:19:20.36\00:19:24.23 leaving the friends and connections 00:19:24.26\00:19:25.93 you've had all your life isn't easy. 00:19:25.96\00:19:29.66 He was disowned by his own family members 00:19:29.70\00:19:31.83 as they believe he had accepted heretical teaching. 00:19:31.87\00:19:37.31 One prominent pastor told him, 00:19:37.34\00:19:39.41 you may join any other denomination, 00:19:39.44\00:19:41.84 even Catholicism, 00:19:41.88\00:19:43.24 but do not follow Seventh-day Adventist. 00:19:43.28\00:19:48.78 But Pastor El could not find peace 00:19:48.82\00:19:51.19 until he made a stand. 00:19:51.22\00:19:53.46 His heart desire to obey all the commandments. 00:19:53.49\00:19:58.26 When he accepted the Sabbath, at last, 00:19:58.29\00:20:01.03 peace and joy filled his heart. 00:20:01.06\00:20:02.90 His only desire in life 00:20:06.40\00:20:07.77 is to share the Seventh-day Adventist message 00:20:07.80\00:20:10.17 with those around him. 00:20:10.21\00:20:11.54 But in 2012, 00:20:16.04\00:20:18.05 a stroke changed his life forever. 00:20:18.08\00:20:20.82 Pastor El was sick and paralyzed for 13 long days. 00:20:24.45\00:20:30.43 Through all of this, 00:20:30.46\00:20:32.09 his faith grew stronger in Christ. 00:20:32.13\00:20:34.73 He did not fear death as he knew that 00:20:34.76\00:20:37.20 God's still had to work for him to do. 00:20:37.23\00:20:39.90 He remembered his miraculous birth 00:20:39.93\00:20:42.07 and held on to God's promises. 00:20:42.10\00:20:45.51 In the end, God had the victory. 00:20:45.54\00:20:49.01 Pastor El now works 00:20:49.04\00:20:50.41 to bring the truth to native places, 00:20:50.45\00:20:52.88 and is working to build churches 00:20:52.91\00:20:54.68 and Bible study centers 00:20:54.72\00:20:56.08 in his home province where there is none. 00:20:56.12\00:20:58.15 Come with me to the continent of Africa, 00:21:09.46\00:21:12.00 where one of our faithful radio producers 00:21:12.03\00:21:14.24 has sacrificed so much 00:21:14.27\00:21:15.90 to reach his fellow countrymen for Jesus. 00:21:15.94\00:21:18.34 Hi, I'm Cami and this is AWR360°. 00:21:18.37\00:21:22.38 It was late one afternoon 00:21:27.95\00:21:29.65 as I closed the door to my office 00:21:29.68\00:21:31.25 at the AWR Station. 00:21:31.29\00:21:33.49 I would be gone for several days. 00:21:33.52\00:21:35.06 As Assad boarded the bus, nothing seemed unusual. 00:21:46.43\00:21:50.47 It was like any other day. 00:21:50.51\00:21:52.44 Only today he was traveling farther, 00:21:52.47\00:21:55.38 this time returning home for a short visit. 00:21:55.41\00:21:59.41 Despite religious persecution in his country of birth, 00:21:59.45\00:22:02.62 Assad longed for his people to know Jesus 00:22:02.65\00:22:05.59 and this spurred him on. 00:22:05.62\00:22:08.62 All of a sudden, 00:22:08.66\00:22:09.99 Assad's thoughts were interrupted. 00:22:10.03\00:22:12.09 I cringed as they reach for me too. 00:22:29.58\00:22:31.81 And then to my horror yelled, 00:22:31.85\00:22:33.88 this is the man we are looking for. 00:22:33.92\00:22:35.45 They said they knew of my work with the radio 00:22:40.29\00:22:42.62 and wanted my confess. 00:22:42.66\00:22:45.49 Unsatisfied with the answers I gave, 00:22:45.53\00:22:47.80 they threw me into a large empty container. 00:22:47.83\00:22:49.90 Shut out from fresh air and sunshine, 00:22:58.67\00:23:01.58 he sat in darkness. 00:23:01.61\00:23:03.65 His socks, shoes and jacket were taken, 00:23:03.68\00:23:06.61 and Assad suffered from the extreme conditions. 00:23:06.65\00:23:10.42 As the sun beat down in the day, 00:23:10.45\00:23:12.49 the metal container intensified the heat. 00:23:12.52\00:23:16.32 While at night, a sharp chill set in. 00:23:16.36\00:23:19.59 Without food or water, 00:23:23.06\00:23:25.03 Assad soon felt very sick. 00:23:25.07\00:23:29.47 As I sat in the dark isolation of the container, 00:23:29.50\00:23:32.41 my mind went back to my childhood. 00:23:32.44\00:23:36.88 Scenes in my village being raided 00:23:36.91\00:23:38.68 by night flashed before me. 00:23:38.71\00:23:40.08 Those men had been asked to. 00:23:47.72\00:23:49.26 Somehow I escaped and I ran with all my might. 00:23:54.16\00:23:57.27 Alone in the darkness, 00:24:00.44\00:24:01.77 I've wondered for the first time 00:24:01.80\00:24:03.71 what would become of me? 00:24:03.74\00:24:05.07 Assad's mind lingers on the memories. 00:24:09.64\00:24:12.58 There was the orphanage he was taken to, 00:24:12.61\00:24:15.02 and the boys that introduced him 00:24:15.05\00:24:16.89 to Adventist World Radio. 00:24:16.92\00:24:20.06 They huddled together listening, 00:24:20.09\00:24:21.96 knowing that if caught, punishment would ensue. 00:24:21.99\00:24:27.13 Christianity was not allowed here, 00:24:27.16\00:24:29.60 but this only made them long all the more for the truth. 00:24:29.63\00:24:32.77 Then there was that day 00:24:36.17\00:24:37.54 when the orphanage director had called him into her office. 00:24:37.57\00:24:41.58 Assad was old enough now 00:24:41.61\00:24:43.18 and he must leave the orphanage. 00:24:43.21\00:24:45.25 His heart ached as he walked away, 00:24:54.42\00:24:56.59 never to return. 00:24:56.62\00:24:58.39 Again, he wondered, "What will become of me?" 00:24:58.43\00:25:03.73 Now he sat alone in a metal shipping container, 00:25:03.77\00:25:07.14 pondering the same question he had 00:25:07.17\00:25:09.37 as a lonely child and dejected orphan. 00:25:09.40\00:25:12.67 Assad closed his eyes 00:25:12.71\00:25:14.38 and thought about his work with Adventist World Radio. 00:25:14.41\00:25:17.95 Since escaping his home country, 00:25:17.98\00:25:20.02 Assad have been producing Adventist Radio programs 00:25:20.05\00:25:23.18 in his native tongue for his people back home. 00:25:23.22\00:25:26.02 Christianity was forbidden in his country, 00:25:26.05\00:25:29.16 but the radio could carry the message 00:25:29.19\00:25:31.69 that missionaries could not. 00:25:31.73\00:25:34.40 I wondered what would become of my radio program now. 00:25:43.07\00:25:47.51 Who would carry on the work if I didn't return? 00:25:47.54\00:25:52.15 The days and weeks passed, 00:25:52.18\00:25:54.38 Assad was released from the container, 00:25:54.42\00:25:56.99 but the inhumane conditions remained starved, 00:25:57.02\00:26:00.79 beaten and even electrocuted. 00:26:00.82\00:26:03.49 He had endured more than any human should. 00:26:03.53\00:26:08.70 One day without notice, my hands were unbound, 00:26:08.73\00:26:12.97 and I was told, I could return home. 00:26:13.00\00:26:16.27 I could hardly believe it. 00:26:16.30\00:26:18.57 I was free. 00:26:18.61\00:26:20.34 I was praising the Lord as I boarded a bus again. 00:26:20.38\00:26:23.85 This time headed home to my family 00:26:23.88\00:26:26.15 and my work at the radio station. 00:26:26.18\00:26:31.05 Despite the harrowing experience 00:26:31.09\00:26:32.59 Assad has been through, 00:26:32.62\00:26:34.16 he faithfully continues his work with AWR, 00:26:34.19\00:26:37.66 producing messages of hope and truth for his home country. 00:26:37.69\00:26:41.96 Assad trusts the Lord to keep him safe, 00:26:42.00\00:26:44.97 and knows that as long as God wants him 00:26:45.00\00:26:47.17 to be producing these programs, 00:26:47.20\00:26:49.37 nothing can stop him. 00:26:49.40\00:26:51.57 There are many others like Assad, 00:26:56.18\00:26:57.78 who have suffered great persecution 00:26:57.81\00:27:00.02 to share their faith, 00:27:00.05\00:27:01.45 and yet there are many more 00:27:01.48\00:27:02.82 who still need to hear about Jesus. 00:27:02.85\00:27:05.12 Please pray for these precious souls 00:27:05.15\00:27:07.36 and consider helping to further 00:27:07.39\00:27:08.89 the work of Adventist World Radio 00:27:08.92\00:27:10.49 around the world by donating today. 00:27:10.53\00:27:13.36 Together from broadcast to baptism, 00:27:13.40\00:27:15.93 this is AWR360°. 00:27:15.96\00:27:18.83