Participants: Dick Duerksen
Series Code: MMS
Program Code: MMS003081
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00:01 Hello, and welcome to "The Maranatha Minute."
00:02 My name is Julie Lee. 00:04 Last week in Bulawayo, 25 volunteers finished 00:06 the 1st session of a 3-part construction project 00:09 in Zimbabwe. 00:11 Three teams of volunteers are building a ten classroom 00:13 education and evangelism center that will serve as 00:16 a primary school in the area. 00:18 This is the first of two EECs that Maranatha is building 00:21 in Zimbabwe. 00:22 It may be a year away, but it's never too early to mark 00:25 your calendars for the next Maranatha convention. 00:28 On September 20 and 21, the convention returns to 00:31 Roseville, California. 00:33 The event will feature Grammy Award nominated 00:35 Christian recording artist Steve Green. 00:38 To view clips from this year's convention, 00:40 be sure to check out our convention page at 00:42 Maranatha.org/convention. 00:45 Next on "Maranatha Mission Stories," 00:47 we'll take you to Nicaragua's Moskito Coast, 00:49 where teenagers endured the most extreme conditions 00:52 to build One-Day Churches. 00:54 Stay tuned for this story and more. 00:56 See you next time on "The Maranatha Minute." 01:02 [music] 01:16 Hello, I'm Dick Duerksen, host 01:18 of "Maranatha Mission Stories," 01:20 inspiring stories of faith and hope, 01:23 straight from the mission field. 01:26 Most of Maranatha's mission trips are filled with adventure. 01:29 After all, volunteers are traveling to remote locations 01:33 where food, climate, even life are dramatically different. 01:37 One of our mission projects takes the idea of adventure 01:40 several levels higher. 01:42 It's so extreme that Maranatha reserves it for the most 01:46 intrepid group of volunteers on earth: teenagers. 01:52 It's called the Ultimate Workout, and this year, 01:55 we had nearly 200 teens take up the challenge in Nicaragua. 02:00 Watch this. 02:03 Ultimate Workout is a workout in every way: a spiritual 02:10 workout, a mental workout, definitely a physical workout, 02:15 but this is something that you've probably 02:19 never done before. 02:23 [music] 02:28 In July 2012, teenagers from all over the world made their 02:31 way to Central America. 02:36 [music] 03:17 Let's put this church up! 03:18 Their mission: to build One-Day Churches and to make 03:21 a positive impact on communities all over Nicaragua. 03:34 Ultimate Workout is exactly what it sounds like. 03:36 It's definitely ultimate. 03:38 You have to be ready for anything. 03:40 Ready for all the elements. 03:42 You have certain plans, plans are subject to change 03:44 at any time. 03:45 We have schedules set, plans get changed, everything, 03:47 and it's awesome. 03:50 Different weather, constantly changing, the buildings, 03:54 the people. 03:56 You never know what to expect. 03:57 It's always something new and something fun. 04:00 Nicaragua presented some challenges to 04:02 the Ultimate Workout volunteers with its constant rain. 04:06 Work on most of the sites had to pause several times a day 04:10 because of the downpours. 04:13 [rain pouring] 04:29 So, it started raining like crazy after working on 04:32 the church, and so now we are digging all this mud and junk up 04:37 so that the water flows down there... 04:40 so it doesn't flow to the church. 04:46 Oh man, this is not your comfort zone. 04:49 Cold showers, no toilet seats, I mean, 04:53 not being able to eat when you want to. 04:55 Yeah. 04:57 There's a limited amount of things to do in your free time. 05:01 My favorite moment on this trip was probably definitely 05:05 the river and the kids. 05:07 I love kids and it's a lot of fun getting to see their faces 05:09 and how they react to different people coming to their country, 05:13 and it's just fun just to hang out with all the kids. 05:17 Along with building One-Day Churches, 05:19 volunteers also coordinated outreach activities 05:22 at each of the sites. 05:24 Among the more popular programs were the Vacation Bible Schools, 05:28 which attracted large groups of neighborhood children. 05:31 You want to color, crayons? 05:34 Responsibility here is key. 05:36 You don't have anybody else to pick up after you. 05:40 You need to--you become an adult. 05:43 You become someone mature. 05:45 You learn so much here, so it's a lot different from home. 05:50 It's very unique, and it's definitely something that grows 05:54 you in many different ways and just broadens your world view. 05:59 I learned that I can manage going without a shower 06:01 for a couple days. 06:03 Bathrooms are a lot different, 06:05 and when I get home I'm gonna hug my toilet. 06:09 No, not really. 06:12 You don't have the benefits that you do at home. 06:16 It's more different here. 06:18 You have--you live a simple, simple life, 06:22 and sometimes it's what you need. 06:24 You need to get out of having the luxuries of home. 06:29 The one thing I really don't like about the trip--it's not 06:32 how early we have to get up, it's what makes us 06:34 get up so early. 06:35 We have roosters here that are not so friendly. 06:38 We actually had 'em going off about 3 o'clock in the morning 06:41 and they do not stop until maybe about 7, and even then, 06:45 we get random ones. 06:46 [rooster crowing] 06:48 There you go. That is perfect. 06:50 That is wonderful. 06:52 I don't even know how else to put that. 06:53 That was perfect. 06:56 Well, I learned to be patient. 07:01 I learned to be flexible with the different kinds of people 07:04 that I'm around. 07:06 It's not easy because I'm the kind of girl that is very--like, 07:11 I want my thing done, you should do it. 07:14 But it's not like in here. 07:15 You have to friendly, you have to be really 07:19 flexible with everyone. 07:21 You can't just do whatever you want. 07:23 You come here with completely--you don't even have 07:28 expectations 'cause you don't even know what to expect. 07:31 So, when you get here and you realize that everybody else is 07:37 in that exact situation and it's kind of cool to have somebody of 07:44 the same faith come with you to this one thing for one purpose. 07:49 You know? 07:50 You have a purpose and there's a reason why you're here, 07:53 and God wanted you to be here for a reason. 07:55 On the count of three: one, two, three. 07:58 [kids yelling] 08:00 Nice. 08:02 The satisfaction of accomplishing what you 08:05 came here to do. 08:07 I mean, after every church we built, 08:09 you look at it and it's like, "I helped do that." 08:11 You know? 08:13 Where I'm from, I'm not taking any part in anything like that, 08:15 so to actually be a part of something like this, 08:18 it makes you feel kind of good. 08:31 Our drills--we had to charge our batteries for our drills, 08:35 and we really needed to get the church done in one day. 08:38 There was children in the church playing around, 08:40 and I told God, I was like, 08:41 "God, I want this church done today. 08:44 I don't want to go back. 08:46 I don't--I just want this church done. 08:47 You look at all these people waiting for us to 08:51 finish this church. 08:52 And our--we didn't have any power and we had, like, 08:56 half a drill left, and it wasn't going very well, 08:59 'cause we were almost done. 09:00 So we had to drive an hour to go back there just to put 09:03 two pieces of tin on and the ridge cap. 09:06 And so we prayed that the power would come back on, 09:09 and it immediately came back on. 09:11 [kids cheering] 09:27 Thanks to Ultimate Workout, I've learned that I can trust in 09:32 God and he really does hear me when I call. 09:37 And I know sometimes that sounds a little typical Christian, 09:44 but it's places like these that really make you think 09:48 and realize that God has time for just you. 09:59 Maranatha first visited Falakata, India in 2000. 10:02 Today, the seven churches that volunteers built are thriving 10:06 and the Adventist Secondary School is making a different 10:08 in the lives of hundreds of children. 10:11 As they interact with teachers, with the students, 10:15 with their fellow mates, they are going to learn a lot about 10:19 what Jesus Christ means to each one of us in our lives. 10:23 But the school is bursting at the seams. 10:26 They have asked Maranatha to build additional classrooms so 10:29 they don't have to turn students away. 10:30 There are two opportunities to serve in Falakata. 10:33 The first project, January 16th through 27th, 10:36 will be led by Claudio Hapas and Grace Kim. 10:39 Although the main focus will be construction One-Day classrooms, 10:42 volunteers will also conduct medical clinics in rural areas 10:46 that lack access to proper care. 10:48 Can't volunteer in January? 10:50 Plan on joining Karen Godfreid when she leads a second project, 10:53 March 12th through 24th. 10:56 Let the people of India steal your heart. 11:01 Most of the schools in Livingstone are government. 11:03 Our children are going to schools that do not teach us 11:06 the doctrines of the church. 11:09 Parents, they have no choice. 11:11 They have no chance to choose where to take their children. 11:13 Two years ago, Maranatha volunteers answered many prayers 11:16 by building two primary schools in Livingstone, Zambia. 11:20 Today, hundreds of children are receiving a Christian education, 11:24 but there is still no Adventist secondary school. 11:27 Beginning in January 2013, help Maranatha build an education and 11:32 evangelism center along with seven One-Day School classrooms. 11:37 Medical outreach and children's programs will also be conducted 11:41 in surrounding villages. 11:43 You'll also get to see the breathtaking waters of 11:45 Victoria Falls, take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, 11:49 and experience the thrill of a safari game drive. 11:54 The children of Livingstone are waiting for you. 11:56 Sign up today. 11:59 Spent most of my time-- 12:00 That was most of the time in Mexico. 12:02 You've just dropped in on a conversation that Bob McNaughton 12:04 and I have been having, and I need to tell you two things 12:07 about Bob. 12:08 Bob is a--well, how would you say it? 12:10 Professional volunteer? 12:12 Yes. 12:13 I think all his life he has been volunteering, 12:15 trying to figure out a way to serve Christ for 12:17 the people who need it. 12:18 The other thing is is that around Maranatha, 12:21 Bob's known as Boss Bob the Painter. 12:25 Where'd you get that? 12:27 Well, I was a painting contractor for many years, 12:29 and on the first mission trip I did for Maranatha, 12:32 they asked me, "Do you know anything about painting?" 12:35 I said, "Just a little bit." 12:36 And so I ended up in charge, and we ended up getting twice 12:41 the amount of work that they expected to get done, 12:43 and they were so happy with it from that point on, 12:47 I was Boss Bob the Painter. 12:48 That you're just kind of terminal now. 12:50 You are the painter dude. 12:51 Yeah, well, you get a reputation-- 12:52 You can't get away from it. You can't get away from it. 12:55 I want to know how you felt when you got off the bus in 12:58 Nicaragua in front of the Chinandega Church and School. 13:03 I thought that it was good to be back into the mission field, 13:07 but I was expecting and wondering what I was getting 13:11 myself into, because I had been on so many mission trips and 13:15 seen so much confusion, and seen so many things that can go 13:19 wrong, that I didn't know what to expect with Maranatha. 13:24 What did you find? 13:26 Well, a pleasant surprise. 13:28 I found organization, I found leadership, 13:31 I found people--the volunteers were unbelievable. 13:35 They had an attitude that I had never seen before, 13:39 and it started with the leadership when they 13:41 started--they talked to us and said, "We only have three rules, 13:45 and if you live by these three rules, 13:47 everything will go great on this mission trip. 13:49 We'll get a lot done and everybody'll go home really 13:51 happy that they came here." 13:53 And what are the three rules? 13:55 Well, the first rule was "No murmuring," 13:58 and the second rule was "No murmuring," 14:02 and the third rule was "No murmuring." 14:05 And there was no murmuring, and the people worked together, 14:09 they were organized. 14:11 The people that they had--Maranatha had in the 14:14 country, in Nicaragua, were already had everything laid out. 14:20 And what really surprised me is I knew--and this 14:22 is what worried me. 14:24 What surprised me is we were supposed to go to the opposite 14:27 side of the country, but it had rained so hard they could not 14:31 pour the concrete, so they switched us on the other side of 14:34 country to a project that they hadn't even started 14:38 and thought about. 14:41 And it went like it was planned all out to the last minute. 14:45 It went perfectly and I was just shocked that they could do that. 14:49 Bob, you've been on lots of mission trips with Youth with 14:52 a Mission and a variety of other organizations. 14:54 What got you to go on your first Maranatha trip? 14:58 Well, actually my church did. 14:59 Your church? 15:01 They--I showed--they asked me to show--they knew who I was. 15:04 They knew the amount of mission trips I'd been on, 15:07 and so they asked me one Sabbath, they said, 15:09 "Would you show a video of mission trips that you've been 15:13 on and do the service on missions?" 15:17 I said, "Okay." 15:19 And your church is where? 15:20 It's in Clarkston, Washington. 15:22 It's called Good News Fellowship. 15:24 Which is clear on the other side of Washington, 15:26 over by Idaho. 15:27 Yes it is. 15:29 Right across the Snake River. 15:30 Okay. 15:31 And so it's a small church, very small church. 15:33 There's only about 50-60 members through that church. 15:40 I felt safe going to that church, and being there, 15:44 I had stop going to the mission field because of all the things 15:48 that I had seen go wrong in the mission fields. 15:51 And they wanted me to go back 15:54 and they told me about Maranatha. 15:56 And I said, "Well, it's just another organization. 15:58 It's gonna be the same thing all over again 16:00 and I'm really not interested." 16:02 I'm living now on Social Security. 16:04 I had some financial misfortunes during the big bust, and I said, 16:09 "I can't afford it." 16:11 That was my excuse. 16:13 They said, "That's alright. 16:14 We'll pay for it. 16:16 I said--well, I kind of felt obligated to go, and so I said, 16:21 "Okay, I'll go." 16:23 And so they sent me to--that's when I went to Nicaragua. 16:25 That was your first one. 16:26 First one, and that was in February. 16:27 Okay. 16:29 Of 2012. 16:31 Yes. 16:33 So, have you been on any others since then? 16:35 A few. 16:36 A few? 16:38 Yes. 16:39 You came back from Nicaragua and you went to? 16:41 Well, first thing, I came back, 16:42 reported to the church and told them how fantastic it was 16:45 and how it made a believer out of me. 16:48 But, you know, so I lucked into some good leadership and the way 16:51 it came down and so, you know. 16:54 But, you know, I had to see more of that to commit my-- 16:57 To believe it was really true. 16:59 Yes, to believe that this organization could do this 17:01 in a consistent manner. 17:03 And so the next one was? 17:04 They said, "We'll send you on another one." 17:07 I said, "Okay." 17:09 This one was in Mississippi, to build 17:10 a 6,700 square foot church. 17:14 I went to Mississippi, that was fantastic. 17:17 Just fantastic. 17:19 Organization same way. 17:21 Roger was unbelievable as a leader. 17:24 All the leaders--there's more than one leader on these 17:27 projects, and that's good because if something happens to 17:29 one of 'em, another one can step in. 17:31 There's not a miss of a beat, and I hadn't seen that before in 17:34 any other--if one went down, you were in trouble. 17:37 Now, you're a guy who's spent your life as a leader. 17:42 You've got to make sure things are organized or your business 17:44 is gonna fall through the floor, so that's the key thing 17:48 you're looking for. 17:49 If I go on a mission trip, I want to see something organized, 17:52 but I also want to see it accomplish a goal of changing 17:56 life in that community. 17:59 And then, the extra little goodies that people don't see is 18:03 Maranatha watches their money. 18:05 They don't waste it. 18:07 They do these little things that they build in the community with 18:10 whoever you're working with. 18:12 They reach out into that community to the leadership of 18:14 that community and help them. 18:17 And they do a lot of extra things that you 18:20 just don't see done. 18:22 And just an overall--I mean, they made a believer out of me. 18:24 After working in Mississippi, I stay in Washington 18:30 in the winter time. 18:32 In the summer time, I live with my daughter in 18:34 San Diego, California. 18:36 Oh, that sounds nice. 18:37 Old town of Fallbrook. 18:39 Well, she's a daddy's girl. 18:40 But I would do those exactly opposite. 18:41 I would spend winter in San Diego and-- 18:43 I did. I'm sorry. 18:44 You got 'em backwards. Okay. 18:46 Now I feel better about you. 18:47 The last thing I'd want is for you loving the snow up there. 18:50 No, I like to visit it. 18:51 I don't want to live in it. 18:53 So, anyway, I go down there in the wintertime and I go to the 18:57 Fallbrook Seventh-Day Adventist Church. 19:00 It's a very wealthy church, but they hadn't done any mission 19:03 work and they had a brand new associate pastor, 19:06 and of course I was new. 19:08 And so we were getting to know each other, 19:09 and I told him about I'd just come back from Nicaragua. 19:12 And he said, "Oh, you gotta--" I told him about the video, 19:14 and he said, "Well, let me see it." 19:16 So I showed it to him and they he wanted me to take it to the 19:19 young, married Sabbath school class and show it to them. 19:21 Next thing I know, I'm going to all the classes in the church 19:24 showing this video. 19:25 Then they came to me and said, "We want to go on 19:27 a mission trip." 19:29 I said, "Well, you need to call Maranatha." 19:30 "No, we want to do it." 19:32 I said, "No, you need an organization that knows 19:35 what they're doing. 19:36 You're getting into something that's a lot more 19:38 than you realize. 19:40 You've got to know what you're doing." 19:42 At that time, I was getting ready to live for that mission 19:44 trip in Mississippi, and I said, "When I get back, 19:47 I'm going up to Washington and then we can--I'll get together 19:51 with you, we can plan this mission trip out." 19:54 Well, on the way there, he calls me and tells me, 19:59 "I've seen on the Internet somebody that wanted--needs some 20:01 help on the Indian reservation." 20:04 And so he said, "Would you lead that for us?" 20:07 In the Navajo reservation. 20:09 Yes, in Arizona. 20:11 I said, "Well, look. 20:12 I'll stop there on my way and I'll look at that and see what 20:15 they need, and see what's going on, 20:17 see if I can put together an organization to know what 20:19 materials and what we have to do." 20:21 Well, every time I tried to go to that Indian reservation, 20:27 something would happen to my truck and I couldn't go. 20:29 It'd break down. 20:31 It did it three different times. 20:32 One time-- 20:33 Now, are you suggesting that God is in charge of breaking 20:36 your truck down. 20:37 It was his truck. I gave it-- 20:39 It was his truck? 20:40 Yes, I dedicated that truck to him for mission work. 20:42 Okay. I've got a problem. We have run out of time. 20:44 Do you know how long we could talk? 20:46 Forever. 20:48 Are you kidding me? 20:50 But you've got to hear this story. 20:51 Okay, but if it's okay, can we--I've got to shift onto 20:53 another piece right now, but would you stay by 20:55 and we'll talk some more? 20:57 You bet ya'. I would love that. 20:58 So, that's your opportunity. 21:00 Please stay by, follow the link that's on your screen right now. 21:04 We're gonna keep talking and you're gonna want to be there. 21:07 We'll be right back. 21:10 During the next year, Maranatha will be focused on 21:13 constructing churches and schools in 16 countries. 21:17 The projects will provide a place to worship for almost 21:22 26,000 students a place wto attend school.n 21:25 Your help is needed to make these projects a reality. 21:29 To make a gift, please go to Maranatha.org and click on 21:32 the donate button. 21:34 Your donation makes a difference. 21:40 Don't leave adventure to the teenagers. 21:42 Anyone can participate on a Maranatha mission trip, 21:44 and there's no time like now. 21:46 There are opportunities all over the world. 21:48 This week, we're highlighting projects in Africa. 21:52 First up, we need volunteers for the Livingstone, 21:54 Zambia Open Team Project. 21:56 From January 22 to February 3, we need your help building 22:00 a secondary school. 22:02 While on the project, you'll have a chance to see the 22:04 world-famous Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders 22:07 of the world. 22:09 You'll also take a trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana to go 22:12 on a real game drive. 22:14 Then, in March, we need help building a large campus 22:17 in Ghana. 22:18 This school will serve primary and secondary students in 22:20 the greater Accra region, right near the coast. 22:23 And if construction isn't your thing, 22:25 you can help with the children's ministry or 22:26 the medical outreach team. 22:29 This is Maranatha's first time in the Republic of Ghana. 22:32 Ghana is nicknamed "The Land of Sunshine," 22:34 not only for its pleasant coastal weather, 22:36 but also because of its reputation as the friendliest 22:39 country in Africa. 22:42 No skills are necessary on any of these projects. 22:45 All you need is a willingness to serve and that spirit 22:47 of adventure. 22:49 Don't miss these incredible opportunities to not only 22:51 explore the world, but to also change a life. 22:54 Sign up for a project or learn more about what's available at 22:57 Maranatha.org. 23:00 [music] 23:16 [music] 23:32 [music] 23:48 [music] 24:00 Since 1953, Thunderbird Adventist Academy has provided 24:05 a Christ-centered education to students in the southwestern 24:07 United States. 24:10 In addition to academic and spiritual instruction, 24:13 its dormitories have served as a home away from home for 24:16 students, but the facilities were starting to show their age. 24:21 The dorms were built in the early '70s and they haven't 24:25 really been touched since, so the bathrooms were very 24:27 outdated, so it is really needed. 24:29 Last February, a group of volunteers renovated parts of 24:33 the girls' and boys' dorms. 24:35 Their work transformed the facility, 24:37 and now the rest of the dorms are ready for a facelift. 24:41 Projects include plumbing, painting, installing windows, 24:45 electrical, tile, and carpet. 24:48 Even if you are unable to stay for the duration of the project, 24:51 you're still encouraged to come and help. 24:54 Escape the cold in sunny Arizona and make a difference, 24:57 January 7th through February 14th. 25:01 Ultimate Workout is exhausting, 25:04 especially for the adults that come along to guide 25:07 the adventure. 25:08 It's much like one of David's older brothers going with him 25:10 to the field to teach him how to herd sheep. 25:13 Imagine: "David, pay attention now! 25:16 This is your staff and this is your rod. 25:18 They serve very different purposes. 25:20 It's important for you to remember to use each one only as 25:24 it has been designed. 25:25 David, put away your slingshot! 25:27 Pay attention! 25:29 Now, what are you gonna use the rod for?" 25:30 It's not an easy job. 25:33 It's like Jacob trying to make a man out of Joseph, 25:37 or Abraham teaching Isaac to ride a camel, 25:40 or Rebecca's mother teaching her how to cook porridge so it 25:44 tastes like venison. 25:46 The Bible is packed with examples of older folks trying 25:49 to teach younger folks how to do stuff. 25:53 It's different at Ultimate Workout. 25:56 It's more like Mordecai giving Hadassah the right words to say 26:01 in the palace and then helping her into Xerxes' chariot. 26:07 Now, I've met a lot of grandparents and parents who are 26:10 not quite sure how to teach the kids how to be like Jesus. 26:14 They've tried all the right things and yet there seems to be 26:17 something missing. 26:19 The kids just haven't fully bought into the plan. 26:23 So, I have an idea. 26:25 Send them on Ultimate Workout. 26:27 The Maranatha team has learned how to guide without being in 26:31 the way, how to challenge without making the task 26:34 impossible, and how to lead toward Jesus without 26:39 being an obstacle. 26:41 Will it work with every kid? 26:44 Probably not, but it might work with your grandson. 26:52 If you'd like to learn more about Maranatha's 26:54 Ultimate Workout Experience, call 800-467-6384 27:01 or visit Maranatha.org. 27:03 You can also provide funding for the Ultimate Workout. 27:06 Send your gift in the mail to Maranatha Volunteers 27:09 International, 990 Reserve Drive, Suite 100, 27:14 Roseville, California, 95678. 27:17 The Ultimate Workout is an adventure 27:19 you don't want to miss. 27:21 Call our office today at 800-467-6384 27:26 or visit Maranatha.org. 27:34 You can see photographs of the Ultimate Workout and our 27:37 other projects by visiting the Maranatha Volunteers 27:39 International Facebook page at Maranatha.org/Facebook. 27:46 Be sure to like our page, that way we'll keep connected. 27:51 Thanks for watching today, and I'm looking forward to seeing 27:53 you next time on Maranatha Mission Stories. 28:02 [music] 28:18 CC by Aberdeen Captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.abercap.com |
Revised 2013-06-29