Although OCI members are located in many different countries 00:00:17.39\00:00:21.84 and engage with a variety of cultures 00:00:21.87\00:00:24.83 they share the same purpose. 00:00:24.86\00:00:27.71 Today, will be visiting two dynamic ministries 00:00:27.74\00:00:31.99 both run by teams of enthusiastic young people 00:00:32.02\00:00:35.94 that are committed to training others 00:00:35.97\00:00:38.46 to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:00:38.49\00:00:41.18 Join us as we visit these vibrant ministries. 00:00:41.21\00:00:44.75 From its very beginning a missionary spirit 00:01:00.78\00:01:03.42 has been the driving force 00:01:03.45\00:01:05.01 in the Seventh-day Adventist church. 00:01:05.04\00:01:07.66 From its very inception 00:01:07.69\00:01:09.33 young people have been the heart 00:01:09.36\00:01:11.42 and soul of this worldwide movement. 00:01:11.45\00:01:15.00 In the late 1800s that spirit drove missionaries 00:01:15.03\00:01:19.20 from the United States around the world. 00:01:19.23\00:01:22.64 In 1878, John G Matteson pioneered 00:01:22.67\00:01:27.57 the work of Adventism in Scandinavia. 00:01:27.60\00:01:31.36 Today at Matteson Mission School 00:01:31.39\00:01:34.59 that original spirit that prompted 00:01:34.62\00:01:37.35 early Adventists pioneers to give themselves 00:01:37.38\00:01:40.29 for the sharing the gospel lives on. 00:01:40.32\00:01:43.45 Their aim is to infuse their students with the vision 00:01:43.48\00:01:48.03 of bringing the gospel to the world in this generation. 00:01:48.06\00:01:52.73 Matteson started in 1986 like formally you could say, 00:01:52.76\00:01:59.04 it was already in the, in the thought 00:01:59.07\00:02:00.48 of Gunner Gustoffson the founder for over 20 years before that 00:02:00.51\00:02:04.76 and he realized that the work is not gonna be done 00:02:04.79\00:02:08.77 if we just continue as we are. 00:02:08.80\00:02:11.35 And you see it over and over again 00:02:11.38\00:02:13.18 the young people use their talents 00:02:13.21\00:02:15.20 that God has given them He will give them more. 00:02:15.23\00:02:19.19 And as I look back on 25 years 00:02:19.22\00:02:22.41 actual experience with this project 00:02:22.44\00:02:25.83 I can clearly say that it was God 00:02:25.86\00:02:28.95 that establishes this school. 00:02:28.98\00:02:31.65 The purpose of Matteson Mission School is to train young people 00:02:31.68\00:02:36.49 and instill in them a wish to become missionaries, 00:02:36.52\00:02:41.58 to become full-time engaged for the Lord. 00:02:41.61\00:02:43.77 Matteson is a training school. 00:02:43.80\00:02:47.37 We train missionaries for life 00:02:47.40\00:02:49.61 and we want that our graduates 00:02:49.64\00:02:50.85 would become resources for existing ministries 00:02:50.88\00:02:53.00 or instrumental in starting new ones, 00:02:53.03\00:02:55.79 preparing for Christ's second coming. 00:02:55.82\00:02:58.97 We usually take 12 students 00:02:59.00\00:03:01.56 this year we have had so many applicants that we took in 13. 00:03:01.59\00:03:05.81 You get to know each other very well in this process 00:03:05.84\00:03:09.56 and in doing so you also get to know God very well. 00:03:09.59\00:03:13.55 It's a family like atmosphere, pretty soon they feel that, 00:03:13.58\00:03:18.69 that they're part of a family. 00:03:18.72\00:03:19.80 It's not just a school 00:03:19.83\00:03:21.69 and there's the closeness between teachers and students 00:03:21.72\00:03:25.20 and we eat together, have worship together, 00:03:25.23\00:03:29.46 do outreach and work together, 00:03:29.49\00:03:31.41 also they take turns cooking the meals 00:03:31.44\00:03:33.91 and preparing that. 00:03:33.94\00:03:35.30 So very much functions like a family 00:03:35.33\00:03:38.38 which makes the environment safe in a way, 00:03:38.41\00:03:41.92 to be honest with themselves and with each other. 00:03:41.95\00:03:46.06 Then of course the Word of God is the center of all 00:03:46.09\00:03:49.38 we do as the guide and as a help. 00:03:49.41\00:03:52.92 The greatest change in the students 00:03:52.95\00:03:54.49 throughout the year that I can see is 00:03:54.52\00:03:57.87 how they when they come they think they have a lot 00:03:57.90\00:04:01.75 to offer to God with their talent 00:04:01.78\00:04:03.27 and all that they have acquired throughout the years 00:04:03.30\00:04:06.05 and then getting to know God closer and closer 00:04:06.08\00:04:08.77 they realize who they actually are 00:04:08.80\00:04:10.93 and how they are more a hindrance in God's work 00:04:10.96\00:04:14.23 if they don't give up self 00:04:14.26\00:04:16.00 and to be able to observe that is so rewarding. 00:04:16.03\00:04:20.42 What has kept me here for a number of years is the fact 00:04:20.45\00:04:24.32 that I see the difference it makes in young people's life. 00:04:24.35\00:04:28.44 It made a difference in my own life 00:04:28.47\00:04:29.78 when I came here as student first many years ago 00:04:29.81\00:04:32.92 and I've see similar change happen 00:04:32.95\00:04:36.16 in young people throughout the years 00:04:36.19\00:04:39.25 and that's worth much more than money, 00:04:39.28\00:04:40.84 much more than any career to that God actually 00:04:40.87\00:04:46.21 can do something for young people 00:04:46.24\00:04:48.27 and become real to them. 00:04:48.30\00:04:52.26 I came to Matteson 00:04:52.29\00:04:53.71 because I realized in this last year, 00:04:53.74\00:04:58.21 when I was a student missionary in Africa 00:04:58.24\00:05:00.02 that I need more training to reach people 00:05:00.05\00:05:03.21 and to tell them about God. 00:05:03.24\00:05:09.01 It is like a little family in Matteson, 00:05:09.04\00:05:11.17 we only 12 students 00:05:11.20\00:05:13.31 plus the student leaders are around 20 people 00:05:13.34\00:05:16.99 and praying together and singing together 00:05:17.02\00:05:19.87 and studying the Bible together it's just so nice. 00:05:19.90\00:05:23.23 When I was in Africa, I didn't have this 00:05:23.26\00:05:26.43 because I was the only student missionary 00:05:26.46\00:05:29.03 and it was a good experience 00:05:29.06\00:05:30.40 but it is also very nice to exchange thoughts 00:05:30.43\00:05:34.23 and to talk about God with other people in your age 00:05:34.26\00:05:38.78 and not only being alone all the time 00:05:38.81\00:05:41.95 The aspect that makes Matteson so unique 00:05:41.98\00:05:44.96 is basically the holistic approach. 00:05:44.99\00:05:47.92 You know, it's called the Bible school 00:05:47.95\00:05:49.49 and when you're thinking about schools 00:05:49.52\00:05:51.00 you think about having lectures. 00:05:51.03\00:05:52.93 Sitting there the teachers in front of you 00:05:52.96\00:05:55.15 explaining that things may be writing something on the board 00:05:55.18\00:05:58.40 but this is a school where you use all of the talents 00:05:58.43\00:06:02.22 that God has given you. 00:06:02.25\00:06:04.76 Everything that we learn if it's in Bible, 00:06:04.79\00:06:06.59 evangelism, leadership or agriculture 00:06:06.62\00:06:09.10 there should be practical assignments 00:06:09.13\00:06:10.88 where the students can put in practice what they learn. 00:06:10.91\00:06:13.64 We also have a just practical part 00:06:13.67\00:06:16.55 where the students work for the foundation for 10 hours 00:06:16.58\00:06:19.03 where they use their hands 00:06:19.06\00:06:20.37 and through this experience do character building, 00:06:20.40\00:06:24.10 being together with students and staff. 00:06:24.13\00:06:27.67 This year we harvest a lot of onions, 00:06:27.70\00:06:30.62 normally we have also pumpkins, 00:06:30.65\00:06:32.38 we have potatoes, we have tomatoes. 00:06:32.41\00:06:35.05 So when you work with plants 00:06:35.08\00:06:36.52 you learn take care of things, 00:06:36.55\00:06:38.08 you learn patience, endurance 00:06:38.11\00:06:40.32 and all these wonderful character traits 00:06:40.35\00:06:43.73 and that's what we focus on also at the school 00:06:43.76\00:06:47.70 Yeah, this is a wonderful balance, 00:06:47.73\00:06:49.27 it gives you more energy for the theoretical hours 00:06:49.30\00:06:52.67 for the classes for the lectures 00:06:52.70\00:06:55.50 and at the same time practical work trains your mind. 00:06:55.53\00:06:59.64 We have a compost plant which is the tiny industry, 00:06:59.67\00:07:03.95 its part of the practical work for the student. 00:07:03.98\00:07:07.54 What we basically do we get some branches 00:07:07.57\00:07:10.18 and we chop them in small pieces 00:07:10.21\00:07:11.81 and they stay there for a while, 00:07:11.84\00:07:13.54 they start to ferment. 00:07:13.57\00:07:14.93 Yeah, in one or two years it's finished 00:07:14.96\00:07:18.36 and then we also we shift it ourselves 00:07:18.39\00:07:20.33 and then we pack it in bags. 00:07:20.36\00:07:22.13 And then the springtime we go 00:07:22.16\00:07:23.90 and deliver to people and sell it. 00:07:23.93\00:07:26.51 And that's it's a little bit a way 00:07:26.54\00:07:28.31 of how we get money to school 00:07:28.34\00:07:31.26 to help the institution. 00:07:31.29\00:07:32.43 It's also we reach out to the community. 00:07:32.46\00:07:35.76 That's also the concept of the school 00:07:35.79\00:07:37.55 here to try to reach out in every aspect. 00:07:37.58\00:07:40.69 For example we have now- 00:07:40.72\00:07:41.78 last week we had a Thanksgiving feast 00:07:41.81\00:07:43.51 so we are inviting a lot of people from the community 00:07:43.54\00:07:46.75 and then just sharing about how great God is actually to us 00:07:46.78\00:07:50.54 and how grateful we can be. 00:07:50.57\00:07:52.56 Being a student at Matteson is a blessing. 00:07:52.59\00:07:56.25 You are in nature and you see how things grow 00:07:56.28\00:07:59.28 and you learn so many things from a small plant 00:07:59.31\00:08:03.35 and you see God's hand working in nature 00:08:03.38\00:08:06.37 and you have time to reflect on the classes, 00:08:06.40\00:08:09.66 you have time to pray, 00:08:09.69\00:08:10.88 you have time to think about yourself, 00:08:10.91\00:08:12.69 your character and what you can change with God's help. 00:08:12.72\00:08:16.37 Yeah, I really enjoy it. 00:08:16.40\00:08:19.78 What motivates the team at Matteson 00:08:19.81\00:08:22.22 is the vision of training young people 00:08:22.25\00:08:24.89 to share the gospel with the world in this generation. 00:08:24.92\00:08:29.66 The theoretical education is put to a practical use 00:08:29.69\00:08:33.76 in a variety of evangelistic opportunities. 00:08:33.79\00:08:37.56 Evangelism is an important part on the program 00:08:37.59\00:08:40.75 and the students are involved with outreach in various ways. 00:08:40.78\00:08:45.17 We try to have a holistic outreach program 00:08:45.20\00:08:48.16 where throughout the year 00:08:48.19\00:08:49.45 we have a whole evangelistic cycle 00:08:49.48\00:08:52.38 that we go through with the students, 00:08:52.41\00:08:54.16 we go and ask for money for ADRA 00:08:54.19\00:08:56.29 and then we started doing surveys 00:08:56.32\00:08:58.18 and inviting people for Health Expo, 00:08:58.21\00:09:00.03 actually a survey designed 00:09:00.06\00:09:01.70 to invite people to the Health Expo 00:09:01.73\00:09:03.08 and we've seen great results with that. 00:09:03.11\00:09:06.52 People are actually interested, in the Health Expo's 00:09:06.55\00:09:11.61 they get to their blood pressure measured them 00:09:11.64\00:09:14.33 and their cholesterol check 00:09:14.36\00:09:15.79 and they get the step test done 00:09:15.82\00:09:18.13 to check how their physical condition 00:09:18.16\00:09:20.22 and they get to learn about natural health keys. 00:09:20.25\00:09:24.43 At the Health Expo we invite them to cooking courses 00:09:24.46\00:09:28.51 or Christian fellowship groups 00:09:28.54\00:09:30.41 and then of course evangelistic campaigns 00:09:30.44\00:09:32.51 that we also do and towards the end of the year 00:09:32.54\00:09:35.21 we also have the massage classes 00:09:35.24\00:09:37.20 where the students to learn how to massage 00:09:37.23\00:09:39.45 and we've seen wonderful results in that 00:09:39.48\00:09:41.58 because that prejudice is broken down 00:09:41.61\00:09:44.71 when you actually getting contact to touch people 00:09:44.74\00:09:47.93 and that has been a great blessing 00:09:47.96\00:09:50.02 to the students as well. 00:09:50.05\00:09:52.39 The outreach activities at Matteson 00:09:52.42\00:09:54.36 they motivate me to get out of the comfort zone. 00:09:54.39\00:09:57.36 Very often these encounters 00:09:57.39\00:09:58.88 with people are very inconvenient. 00:09:58.91\00:10:01.00 You don't know what to say, 00:10:01.03\00:10:02.06 you're struggling with finding the right words 00:10:02.09\00:10:04.71 and we share that in the evening with the other students 00:10:04.74\00:10:08.75 and this strengthens my faith. 00:10:08.78\00:10:12.10 I had desire to use some more time with God, 00:10:12.13\00:10:16.80 get my training. 00:10:16.83\00:10:18.19 So I went in the Matteson Mission School last year. 00:10:18.22\00:10:21.64 Now I'm a Bible worker here in Arvika. 00:10:21.67\00:10:24.39 Arvika is a place in Sweden it's not far from the border. 00:10:24.42\00:10:28.49 We actually were in Norway 00:10:28.52\00:10:29.92 and we go over to border to Arvika 00:10:29.95\00:10:32.81 and do mission work there 00:10:32.84\00:10:34.42 and we've done that over six years now 00:10:34.45\00:10:37.97 to establish a little church group, 00:10:38.00\00:10:40.28 a church plant there 00:10:40.31\00:10:42.06 because there was no Adventists in that, in that city. 00:10:42.09\00:10:45.45 The work here in Arvika is closely connected 00:10:45.48\00:10:48.54 to Matteson Mission School. 00:10:48.57\00:10:50.86 They try to come here once a month 00:10:50.89\00:10:54.11 and they preach and have Sabbath school. 00:10:54.14\00:10:57.36 And this week we have a special week 00:10:57.39\00:10:59.28 where they here for five days doing Health Expo's 00:10:59.31\00:11:02.61 and I think its definitely very good for the students 00:11:02.64\00:11:05.96 to come to a real mission field 00:11:05.99\00:11:08.28 and meeting real people 00:11:08.31\00:11:09.96 so it's very practical training. 00:11:09.99\00:11:12.26 You know, Scandinavia is not an easy place to work 00:11:12.29\00:11:14.78 but we've just seen the first baptism 00:11:14.81\00:11:16.77 now of our first Arvika church member you could say. 00:11:16.80\00:11:21.29 It's just wonderful to see how people also do take the decision 00:11:21.32\00:11:25.92 and become members of the church. 00:11:25.95\00:11:29.02 It's a privilege to see even though 00:11:29.05\00:11:30.39 it takes a lot of work and a lot of time. 00:11:30.42\00:11:33.40 It's a worth the effort. 00:11:33.43\00:11:36.38 Just to be in that kind of environment 00:11:36.41\00:11:38.70 at the Matteson Mission School for one year 00:11:38.73\00:11:40.66 was a big help to get ready to do something like this. 00:11:40.69\00:11:44.35 It's really a special kind of fellowship 00:11:44.38\00:11:46.31 you get being with other people 00:11:46.34\00:11:48.55 who really encourage you in your walk 00:11:48.58\00:11:51.92 and just doing all kinds outreach 00:11:51.95\00:11:54.65 you get more used to focusing your life into mission work. 00:11:54.68\00:11:59.56 Missionary spirit that motivated John G Matteson 00:11:59.59\00:12:03.18 and other early Adventist pioneers continues 00:12:03.21\00:12:06.97 to live in the hearts of young people today. 00:12:07.00\00:12:10.06 Matteson Mission School is a testimony 00:12:10.09\00:12:13.25 to the enduring power of the spirit of sacrifice. 00:12:13.28\00:12:17.12 In a moment we will visit another OCI Ministry 00:12:17.15\00:12:20.69 in which the missionary spirit continues to thrive. 00:12:20.72\00:12:24.07 When you think of missionary what do you picture? 00:12:32.32\00:12:35.48 For many people the image of a doctor teacher 00:12:35.51\00:12:38.63 or pastor in a remote country comes to mind. 00:12:38.66\00:12:41.62 But the truth is God needs people 00:12:41.65\00:12:43.81 with many different skills in His work 00:12:43.84\00:12:45.79 both around the world and close to home. 00:12:45.82\00:12:49.05 At OCI, we're passionate about helping 00:12:49.08\00:12:51.35 to connect mission minded people 00:12:51.38\00:12:53.39 with our network of more than 80 ministries. 00:12:53.42\00:12:56.14 Each project aims to share the Gospel in practical ways 00:12:56.17\00:12:59.64 and they need skilled workers of all types. 00:12:59.67\00:13:02.22 Mechanics, gardeners, cooks 00:13:02.25\00:13:04.36 and designers just to name a few 00:13:04.39\00:13:06.44 and of course they also need teachers and doctors. 00:13:06.47\00:13:10.23 If you're interested in serving in an OCI Ministry 00:13:10.26\00:13:13.30 visit our website for a list of current opportunities 00:13:13.33\00:13:16.53 or call our office we'd love to talk to you. 00:13:16.56\00:13:19.29 The energy and vitality of youth 00:13:26.29\00:13:29.46 is both inspiring and contagious. 00:13:29.49\00:13:33.26 There's a certain enthusiasm and dynamism 00:13:33.29\00:13:36.62 that helps young people to attempt the impossible 00:13:36.65\00:13:40.29 and then turn that into a reality. 00:13:40.32\00:13:43.23 That's very evident at the next OCI Ministry 00:13:43.26\00:13:46.21 we will be visiting. 00:13:46.24\00:13:47.63 VIDA International located 00:13:47.66\00:13:50.39 in the central mountainous region a Honduras is doing 00:13:50.42\00:13:54.18 what they can do to bring new life to the local community. 00:13:54.21\00:13:59.79 Not being a Seventh-day Adventist, 00:13:59.82\00:14:01.14 I ended up attending an Adventist academy 00:14:01.17\00:14:04.33 Laurelbrook Academy in Dayton, 00:14:04.36\00:14:05.75 Tennessee and there by taking part in the program 00:14:05.78\00:14:11.44 I was introduced to all of the Adventist doctrines 00:14:11.47\00:14:14.97 and eventually I accepted the Adventist faith 00:14:15.00\00:14:17.85 and decided to get baptized there at Laurelbrook Academy. 00:14:17.88\00:14:21.24 I ended up going to a Bible school 00:14:21.27\00:14:24.25 in Norway called the European Bible School 00:14:24.28\00:14:26.42 and there I felt that the Lord 00:14:26.45\00:14:29.12 was giving me all the tools that I needed to be able 00:14:29.15\00:14:31.70 to start something over here Honduras. 00:14:31.73\00:14:33.97 We started with Central American Bible School as our initial 00:14:34.00\00:14:37.02 program there wasn't any Adventist presence here before, 00:14:37.05\00:14:40.84 and like El Suyatal there's many other villages around 00:14:40.87\00:14:43.65 and so we have a permanent evangelism department 00:14:43.68\00:14:46.69 and they go out and they do Bible work 00:14:46.72\00:14:48.57 in the village of El Suyatal 00:14:48.60\00:14:50.30 and they also spread out into other communities 00:14:50.33\00:14:53.25 and to church training 00:14:53.28\00:14:54.67 so that these churches then have the tools to be able 00:14:54.70\00:14:57.41 to reach the communities that surround them. 00:14:57.44\00:15:00.44 The primary goal of the school 00:15:00.47\00:15:02.13 is to hasten the second coming up our Lord 00:15:02.16\00:15:05.75 by providing the world with well equipped 00:15:05.78\00:15:09.36 men and women of God, 00:15:09.39\00:15:10.96 who are able to lead 00:15:10.99\00:15:12.86 and then of course on top about 00:15:12.89\00:15:14.53 we are looking to send our missionaries 00:15:14.56\00:15:16.71 to Spanish speaking places. 00:15:16.74\00:15:19.95 Emir is from a nearby village actually 00:15:19.98\00:15:23.91 and now he's here and loving it. 00:15:23.94\00:15:30.59 To be honest the decision to come to VIDA was difficult 00:15:30.62\00:15:34.36 because I didn't know 00:15:34.39\00:15:35.42 what I was supposed to do with my life. 00:15:35.45\00:15:39.37 But I saw something different 00:15:39.40\00:15:41.22 and unique in the staff, 00:15:41.25\00:15:43.08 something that I lacked. 00:15:43.11\00:15:47.01 It's the Central American Bible School in for the first time 00:15:47.04\00:15:50.37 we really are seeing a more broad range 00:15:50.40\00:15:53.00 of nationalities in our student body 00:15:53.03\00:15:54.87 we are very grateful for it. 00:15:54.90\00:15:58.22 Haleigh's family has been a supporter 00:15:58.25\00:16:00.61 of what we're doing here for a long time 00:16:00.64\00:16:03.26 and her coming to this school 00:16:03.29\00:16:05.44 seems to be just the right place 00:16:05.47\00:16:06.78 for her at this time in her life. 00:16:06.81\00:16:08.71 When I was first come here I didn't wanted to come. 00:16:08.74\00:16:10.88 I was like I already told God 00:16:10.91\00:16:12.26 that I would go if He provided the money 00:16:12.29\00:16:14.38 and He provided the money so I came. 00:16:14.41\00:16:16.54 And I didn't really have a relationship 00:16:16.57\00:16:19.28 with Christ now that I'm here 00:16:19.31\00:16:21.65 and I know its the best decision 00:16:21.68\00:16:24.09 because God really have something to show me this year 00:16:24.12\00:16:26.79 and he has allowed me to start a new relationship with Him. 00:16:26.82\00:16:31.18 I was 19 years old, when I started the ministry 00:16:31.21\00:16:33.47 and it was actually very challenging at the beginning 00:16:33.50\00:16:36.81 and so it's really beautiful to see that 00:16:36.84\00:16:40.08 that other young people also have the same vision. 00:16:40.11\00:16:42.53 Young people that are professionals 00:16:42.56\00:16:44.03 and that have many talents 00:16:44.06\00:16:46.17 and they decide to leave all their dreams and desires 00:16:46.20\00:16:48.60 and make this a part of their dream, 00:16:48.63\00:16:50.72 together we're people that have the experience 00:16:50.75\00:16:52.68 and are willing to counsel with us and guide us. 00:16:52.71\00:16:56.35 VIDA means life and so the main purpose 00:16:56.38\00:17:00.06 of what we're trying to do is exactly 00:17:00.09\00:17:01.95 that not just life on this earth 00:17:01.98\00:17:04.05 which is one of the things by satisfying needs 00:17:04.08\00:17:06.38 and at the same time life also refers to the eternal life. 00:17:06.70\00:17:11.54 In English VIDA stands 00:17:11.57\00:17:12.99 for "Integrated Vision for Help and Assistance" 00:17:13.02\00:17:16.64 and so our name tries to embody 00:17:16.67\00:17:19.03 that concept of reaching out in many different ways 00:17:19.06\00:17:22.02 to include many different people. 00:17:22.05\00:17:25.08 It was only five years ago 00:17:25.11\00:17:27.74 where the Adventist church started here in our community 00:17:27.77\00:17:30.37 then the European Bible School came 00:17:30.40\00:17:31.94 and did and evangelistic campaign. 00:17:31.97\00:17:34.05 Pastors where there from all the churches 00:17:34.08\00:17:36.22 Catholic and Evangelical 00:17:36.25\00:17:38.10 and everybody with anxious to get to know 00:17:38.13\00:17:40.07 who the Adventist church was? 00:17:40.10\00:17:41.70 So that was really an exciting moment for evangelism 00:17:41.73\00:17:45.03 for the beginning of evangelism in this community. 00:17:45.06\00:17:48.25 El Suyatal is a little town here 00:17:48.28\00:17:50.65 it's just about a kilometer outside of our project 00:17:50.68\00:17:53.83 and it's a farming town. 00:17:53.86\00:17:55.57 Mostly people you see getting up early 00:17:55.60\00:17:58.05 in the morning to head to their properties, 00:17:58.08\00:17:59.94 work on there beans or their corn or their coffee 00:17:59.97\00:18:02.76 and that's what they do 00:18:02.79\00:18:03.82 or they- that what they live of off. 00:18:03.85\00:18:05.96 Come back in the afternoon 00:18:05.99\00:18:07.05 and enjoy time with their families. 00:18:07.08\00:18:09.01 It's just very much a close-knit community. 00:18:09.04\00:18:12.56 So you just walk into the village 00:18:12.59\00:18:14.47 and you knock on somebody's door, 00:18:14.50\00:18:16.00 you don't even have to knock on somebody's door 00:18:16.03\00:18:17.56 people just greet you 00:18:17.59\00:18:18.90 and welcome you into their home 00:18:18.93\00:18:20.28 and in 10 minutes of knowing you 00:18:20.31\00:18:22.77 they can tell you their whole life story 00:18:22.80\00:18:25.11 and so it is a perfect setting to be able 00:18:25.14\00:18:27.13 to help him them to reach out. 00:18:27.16\00:18:29.43 Our town has Major needs mostly 00:18:29.46\00:18:32.95 in the area of health and education 00:18:32.98\00:18:35.26 and just learning the basic health and hygiene care 00:18:35.29\00:18:38.26 that we all need as human beings. 00:18:38.29\00:18:41.37 We have a dentist that comes every year 00:18:41.40\00:18:44.01 and we have some local Honduran dentist that come, 00:18:44.04\00:18:47.55 the community response very nicely to that. 00:18:47.58\00:18:50.77 So one of our first Bible contacts 00:18:50.80\00:18:53.05 that we had in the community 00:18:53.08\00:18:54.15 where Reina and Alexander Vanegas, 00:18:54.18\00:18:57.14 recently they got married 00:18:57.17\00:18:58.96 and they're making study plans to be baptized 00:18:58.99\00:19:02.04 after being involved here since the beginning. 00:19:02.07\00:19:09.10 Attending church was difficult at first. 00:19:09.13\00:19:13.78 I felt like an orphan 00:19:13.81\00:19:15.25 because I was the only one going 00:19:15.28\00:19:20.27 but when my wife joined the church, I rejoiced 00:19:20.30\00:19:23.84 because we could finally praise God as a family. 00:19:23.87\00:19:26.85 Their son Oscar is now at Laurelbrook Academy 00:19:30.46\00:19:34.72 and so for the whole village 00:19:34.75\00:19:35.78 it was a powerful testimony 00:19:35.81\00:19:36.84 that a young person here with no economic resources 00:19:36.87\00:19:41.27 somehow by a connection 00:19:41.30\00:19:43.44 to God has all of a sudden completely new horizons. 00:19:43.47\00:19:48.33 Through my experience here 00:19:48.36\00:19:49.39 I've learnt that really there's nothing in me 00:19:49.42\00:19:51.93 or in anybody that is ultimate leader. 00:19:51.96\00:19:54.13 The reason why they can be success, 00:19:54.16\00:19:56.23 it has made me trust everyday morning in God. 00:19:56.26\00:20:00.36 You know, He expects the first touch the water 00:20:00.39\00:20:02.29 before He actually parts the sea 00:20:02.32\00:20:03.53 and its a beautiful experience 00:20:03.56\00:20:04.85 to see how in a month to month basis 00:20:04.88\00:20:07.13 He sustains this ministry not just 00:20:07.16\00:20:09.31 with the resources necessary 00:20:09.34\00:20:10.88 but also with the people 00:20:10.91\00:20:12.57 and the energy and the vision 00:20:12.60\00:20:14.28 the constant vision to continue moving forward 00:20:14.31\00:20:16.53 there's nothing else out 00:20:16.56\00:20:18.01 there that interest me more than that having 00:20:18.04\00:20:20.63 that type of relationship with God. 00:20:20.66\00:20:23.64 Honduras is one of the poorest nations 00:20:23.67\00:20:25.70 in the western hemisphere 00:20:25.73\00:20:27.69 almost 60% of the population lives in poverty. 00:20:27.72\00:20:31.51 In such a setting education is very important 00:20:31.54\00:20:34.93 and even though primary school education is free 00:20:34.96\00:20:39.07 an obligatory according to the constitution 00:20:39.10\00:20:42.20 the reality is very different. 00:20:42.23\00:20:44.88 Of those children that enter primary school 00:20:44.91\00:20:48.38 only about 40% complete the grades 00:20:48.41\00:20:52.45 of that only another 30% 00:20:52.48\00:20:54.82 or so move on to secondary school. 00:20:54.85\00:20:57.43 Ultimately only 8% go to the university level. 00:20:57.46\00:21:03.50 Education is increasingly more important 00:21:03.53\00:21:05.88 for the nation of Honduras. 00:21:05.91\00:21:08.23 The opportunities for tourism, 00:21:08.26\00:21:10.70 trade with the United States increases this demand 00:21:10.73\00:21:14.68 not only is there an increasing demand for education 00:21:14.71\00:21:18.04 but a bilingual education 00:21:18.07\00:21:20.48 is becoming more valuable day by day. 00:21:20.51\00:21:24.06 To try to meet that need even in this rural area 00:21:24.09\00:21:27.37 VIDA International has started a bilingual primary school. 00:21:27.40\00:21:32.31 One thing we realized in this community 00:21:36.19\00:21:38.27 is that education is crucial 00:21:38.30\00:21:40.51 and evangelism is extremely effective 00:21:40.54\00:21:44.36 when we're able to work with children. 00:21:44.39\00:21:46.14 So when one of the things that we are really paying about 00:21:46.17\00:21:48.19 was the possibility of starting 00:21:48.22\00:21:50.02 a bilingual elementary school here in our town 00:21:50.05\00:21:52.48 for the kids from our community 00:21:52.51\00:21:55.51 and now the school is growing 00:21:55.54\00:21:57.31 and it really is having a major impact in the community. 00:21:57.34\00:22:00.40 We see, family members coming to church 00:22:00.43\00:22:03.09 because they see what's going on in their children's lives. 00:22:03.12\00:22:06.59 Manuela came to us from Switzerland 00:22:06.62\00:22:09.27 as a short term volunteers 00:22:09.30\00:22:11.56 and in meeting her we realized 00:22:11.59\00:22:13.71 that she was a wonderful person 00:22:13.74\00:22:15.44 to start in elementary school 00:22:15.47\00:22:17.40 so she committed to staying long-term 00:22:17.43\00:22:19.59 to get this project started 00:22:19.62\00:22:20.80 to really work with the children. 00:22:20.83\00:22:23.02 And now we have 29 students 00:22:23.05\00:22:25.09 we have two grades 15 children in kindergarten 00:22:25.12\00:22:29.65 and 14 children first-grade. 00:22:29.68\00:22:33.29 Last year we started 00:22:33.32\00:22:34.83 with three children in kindergarten. 00:22:34.86\00:22:37.33 Eventually reach also into high school 00:22:37.36\00:22:39.54 so that then we would have 00:22:39.57\00:22:40.60 the complete layers of education, 00:22:40.63\00:22:42.18 you know from elementary all the way to the Bible school 00:22:42.21\00:22:45.47 and that we have a new generation 00:22:45.50\00:22:47.04 of young people that would be- 00:22:47.07\00:22:50.13 that would have the vision to do the same thing 00:22:50.16\00:22:52.04 you know to start other institutions 00:22:52.07\00:22:54.18 and to bring people to Christ. 00:22:54.21\00:22:56.24 And other thing that is very important for us is, 00:22:56.27\00:22:59.15 is the more practical aspect of life. 00:22:59.18\00:23:02.14 We do cooking classes with the children every week 00:23:02.17\00:23:05.41 and they just love it, they really love it. 00:23:05.44\00:23:08.61 We have a gardens part 00:23:08.64\00:23:10.28 where we plant lettuce and radish and beans. 00:23:10.31\00:23:15.04 Another aspect is health. 00:23:15.07\00:23:17.20 We believe children should learn early how their body works 00:23:17.23\00:23:20.44 and what they can do to keep their bodies healthy. 00:23:20.47\00:23:26.15 The land that was donated 00:23:26.18\00:23:27.28 we set on about 300 guava trees 00:23:27.31\00:23:30.91 and we also have a tamarind plantation with 1,600 trees. 00:23:30.94\00:23:35.05 We're trying to create a strong industry base 00:23:35.08\00:23:38.61 in agriculture to use some of the things 00:23:38.64\00:23:40.27 that the Lord has already given through these plantations, 00:23:40.30\00:23:43.01 to be able to support 00:23:43.04\00:23:44.48 and sustain all that programs in the ministry 00:23:44.51\00:23:47.01 and at the same time help the community by giving jobs, 00:23:47.04\00:23:49.66 you know, providing employment 00:23:49.69\00:23:51.48 and also training people that they could also do the same. 00:23:51.51\00:23:54.84 Recently we got donated some bakery equipment 00:23:54.87\00:23:58.57 and since we have these fruit trees, 00:23:58.60\00:24:00.97 we process these fruits and we make concentrate 00:24:01.00\00:24:04.52 and that is actually the main thing that we do. 00:24:04.55\00:24:07.19 And now that we have the bakery equipment 00:24:07.22\00:24:09.08 we're trying to unite both of them 00:24:09.11\00:24:10.70 and start baking bread 00:24:10.73\00:24:12.60 and selling out to the community 00:24:12.63\00:24:13.88 and into El Suyatal. 00:24:13.91\00:24:15.42 And there are many people even within the Adventist churches 00:24:15.45\00:24:17.89 that are really interested in receiving wholesome bread. 00:24:17.92\00:24:22.94 There are three aims to mission work, right, 00:24:22.97\00:24:25.11 there's the mission the objective, 00:24:25.14\00:24:27.66 there is manpower and there is money 00:24:27.69\00:24:30.53 and I think that manpower is the thing 00:24:30.56\00:24:32.50 that is actually the greatest need. 00:24:32.53\00:24:34.81 There's just a wide array of needs 00:24:34.84\00:24:36.65 that could be met by just about anybody. 00:24:36.68\00:24:39.93 VIDA would not be what it is today 00:24:39.96\00:24:41.85 if we were not for mission trips 00:24:41.88\00:24:43.17 that come every year. 00:24:43.20\00:24:44.84 All the buildings that you see have 00:24:44.87\00:24:46.56 somehow been touched by a group of people 00:24:46.59\00:24:48.71 that have made a sacrifice to contribute 00:24:48.74\00:24:51.00 to what God is doing here. 00:24:51.03\00:24:53.36 Right now we have with us Laurelbrook Academy 00:24:53.39\00:24:55.94 and they're here to build the elementary school 00:24:55.97\00:24:58.16 that started just two years ago. 00:24:58.19\00:25:00.11 And together with Laurelbrook also the European Bible School 00:25:00.14\00:25:02.97 and institutions like ESA not only do they do construction 00:25:03.00\00:25:07.37 but sometimes also they do outreach 00:25:07.40\00:25:09.35 and the cycle just keeps 00:25:09.38\00:25:10.73 on repeating itself again and again. 00:25:10.76\00:25:13.52 Being an OCI member has been a landmark for us 00:25:13.55\00:25:17.82 because we've realized that we're not alone, 00:25:17.85\00:25:20.14 you know, that there's this whole network of other people 00:25:20.17\00:25:22.73 that have very similar struggles, 00:25:22.76\00:25:25.53 have very similar challenges 00:25:25.56\00:25:27.05 and not have to reinvent the wheel 00:25:27.08\00:25:29.44 and get advice from people 00:25:29.47\00:25:31.01 who have done things that work. 00:25:31.04\00:25:32.67 It has been a great blessing 00:25:32.70\00:25:34.71 and great opportunities and how to, 00:25:34.74\00:25:37.25 to also share with these other organizations, 00:25:37.28\00:25:39.46 share ideas and even join up together 00:25:39.49\00:25:41.74 to accomplish other objectives is really a beautiful thing 00:25:41.77\00:25:46.71 and has definitely been a landmark for VIDA. 00:25:46.74\00:25:50.48 There are numerous ways to be involved with VIDA. 00:25:50.51\00:25:53.00 There are many people in this community 00:25:53.03\00:25:54.38 who still have yet to get to know who Jesus is 00:25:54.41\00:25:57.24 and prayers go a long way. 00:25:57.27\00:25:59.48 A couple weeks ago 00:25:59.51\00:26:01.16 I was in the mountain just right here, 00:26:01.19\00:26:04.51 I was praying to the Lord to really telling me 00:26:04.54\00:26:07.96 why He brought me here. 00:26:07.99\00:26:09.92 And as I was in the mountain, 00:26:09.95\00:26:12.22 I was looking at the town 00:26:12.25\00:26:13.74 and the town was bright because all of the lights, 00:26:13.77\00:26:16.96 it was early in the morning 00:26:16.99\00:26:19.31 and God really impressed in my mind 00:26:19.34\00:26:22.87 that this town here it needs to be a light 00:26:22.90\00:26:26.20 for the other towns around here. 00:26:26.23\00:26:28.12 So we are concentrating a lot in helping the people 00:26:28.15\00:26:31.11 that are already in church, the members, 00:26:31.14\00:26:33.48 plus the work that we do through the students, 00:26:33.51\00:26:36.36 we're gonna enlighten this whole village. 00:26:36.39\00:26:40.95 I think that in the Christian experience, 00:26:40.98\00:26:42.77 God gives the opportunity to serve as a blessing 00:26:42.80\00:26:47.50 and to serve in this capacity 00:26:47.53\00:26:50.30 which I believe is the same way that Christ served, 00:26:50.33\00:26:53.63 to be able to walk in the footsteps 00:26:53.66\00:26:55.24 of the Master like that is one of the most fulfilling steps 00:26:55.27\00:26:58.93 I've ever taken in my Christian experience. 00:26:58.96\00:27:01.43 There many people out there that don't know Christ, 00:27:01.46\00:27:05.18 you know, and they have so many needs 00:27:05.21\00:27:07.34 and so the main objective of the ministry 00:27:07.37\00:27:09.45 is to somehow satisfy some of these needs 00:27:09.48\00:27:12.89 that these people might have 00:27:12.92\00:27:14.21 that they might see that there's a God out there 00:27:14.24\00:27:15.75 that cares for them 00:27:15.78\00:27:17.07 and that they might eventually come to Christ, 00:27:17.10\00:27:19.20 and also be themselves motivated to bring 00:27:19.23\00:27:22.80 that which they have received through others. 00:27:22.83\00:27:27.37 Jesus said that He came to bring life 00:27:27.40\00:27:31.17 and to bring it more abundantly 00:27:31.20\00:27:33.77 from the youngest children to those in adult years. 00:27:33.80\00:27:37.29 The team at VIDA is dedicated to communicating Christ's life 00:27:37.32\00:27:41.98 and love to those with whom we come in contact. 00:27:42.01\00:27:46.05 Their vision is to spread the message of Christ grace, 00:27:46.08\00:27:50.65 through Honduras and the surrounding countries, 00:27:50.68\00:27:54.01 you can be a part of this Bible ministry through your prayers, 00:27:54.04\00:27:59.19 your financial support 00:27:59.22\00:28:00.96 or through coming on a mission trip, 00:28:00.99\00:28:03.06 you can contribute to the impact that VIDA is making. 00:28:03.09\00:28:07.07 To find out more about this ministry 00:28:07.10\00:28:09.93 and the other OCI projects around the world, 00:28:09.96\00:28:12.93 visit us at outpostcenters.org, 00:28:12.96\00:28:17.29 or send an email to info@outpostcenters.org. 00:28:17.32\00:28:23.29 For OCI, this is Steven Grabiner. 00:28:23.32\00:28:25.90