Participants:
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY017071A
|
00:01 I want to spend my life
00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:19 Removing pain 00:24 Lord, let my words 00:30 Heal a heart that hurts 00:35 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:46 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people 01:07 Hello and welcome again to 3ABN Today. 01:10 My name is CA Murray. 01:11 And allow me once again to thank you for sharing 01:13 just a little of your day with us. 01:16 Again today, we open up the ASI portfolio. 01:20 At our recent ASI meetings, 01:22 we had a chance to go around to the various booths. 01:24 We did things a little differently this time 01:26 rather than bringing them to the 3ABN booth, 01:29 we took our cameras and microphones 01:31 to the various booths to interview these ministries 01:35 in their home booth setting. 01:37 And I think you'll find this a refreshing way 01:39 to take a look at some of these wonderful ministries 01:41 that are doing such a great work for the Lord. 01:44 We've got three up in this very first section. 01:47 Our interviewer is our president Danny Shelton. 01:51 He's gonna be looking at People of Peru Project. 01:54 This ministry started some 17 years ago 01:57 and you will hear more about the People of Peru Project. 02:01 Then we take our cameras to By Grace Charity. 02:06 This is a wonderful new ministry 02:09 from Wally and Christine Amundson, 02:12 great friends of ours for many years. 02:14 Wally Amundson was the ADRA director 02:18 for the inter-America division. 02:20 And this is a new ministry 02:21 that he started in his quote "retirement" 02:24 that you will find very, very exciting. 02:26 And then finally Child Impact International. 02:29 Danny had a chance to talk with Lia Edwin, 02:33 India sponsorship manager and Jim Rennie CEO. 02:38 Child Impact International is a new name for a ministry 02:43 that you've heard for years 02:46 and when you hear this interview, 02:47 you'll make the connection. 02:49 I won't tell you what it is. 02:50 You'll have a chance to hear it in this wonderful interview. 02:53 So Danny Shelton with these three very fine ministries, 02:57 you'll be blessed. 03:01 Well, we're having fun here at ASI 03:03 going to the different booths 03:04 and enjoying the ministries of so many people 03:08 to see what they're doing around the world. 03:09 I'm standing here with Paul. Paul, how are you doing? 03:12 I'm doing better than I deserve. 03:13 Good. 03:15 I look behind this and I see People of Peru Project. 03:17 Take a few minutes and tell our folks at home 03:20 about the People of Peru Project? 03:22 People of Peru project came about 17 years ago 03:26 when I made my first trip down to Peru with my daughter 03:28 who is going on a school sponsored trip 03:31 and when I was there, 03:32 I saw a tremendous need suffering of children, 03:35 old people, sick people, people that just needed help 03:39 and Lord put the burden on my heart 03:41 and I tell you, it's just been an amazing ride ever since. 03:44 Long story short, we started going back and forth 03:47 helping people the best we could by myself. 03:49 Finding people that had serious medical and dental needs 03:53 and so just take them to a private hospital, 03:55 paying for those services and just seeing something 03:57 accomplished in a very short time. 03:59 And it evolved into meeting 04:02 some local people that needed some help 04:04 and they started helping me help other people. 04:06 Ultimately I found two little girls on the streets 04:08 that had been abandoned by the death of their mom 04:12 and so we ultimately, long story short 04:16 there we adopted them and raised them 04:18 and now they are living 04:19 in the streets of the United States 04:21 with our grandkids. 04:23 Not really the streets but... 04:24 Yeah. So that happened. 04:26 We wanted to build a facility for kids 04:29 just like the daughters that we adopted. 04:31 So now we've got a crisis center 04:33 for abandoned and abused girls and their babies. 04:36 We developed a medical program 04:37 and over 60,000 people now have been given 04:39 free medical and dental services 04:42 because of that initial group that drove me along to Quito. 04:45 Since been a real blessing. 04:48 Tell me a little bit about the support. 04:50 We know all this is not free. 04:52 How do people like our viewers at home, 04:54 they are looking at projects, the Lord is impressing them. 04:58 What can we do to support your work? 05:00 Well, of course, we need donations like everybody else. 05:05 But we also need the passion 05:07 and the expertise of the volunteers 05:09 and we love volunteer groups, 05:11 and if somebody wants to come and do a children's ministry 05:13 or evangelistic meetings or medical or dental work 05:15 or construction, 05:17 there are so much work to do 05:19 and if we, if you have the heart for service, 05:21 and if you want to experience a part of the world 05:23 maybe you've never seen before, 05:24 then the Lord has plenty of divine appointments 05:27 waiting for us if somebody just wants to come. 05:29 Absolutely. 05:31 Do you have a website 05:32 or something people could go to? 05:34 We do. 05:35 It's peopleofperu.org and there is a place on there. 05:38 Well, no surprise if there is a donation button 05:40 right there on that page. 05:42 Okay, peopleofperu.org. 05:45 So if the Holy Spirit is impressing 05:46 and you would like to support, 05:48 you may do so at peopleofperu.org. 05:52 Right? 05:53 Well, thank you so much for what you're doing 05:55 to help the less fortunate around the world. 05:59 Well, it's been a blessing 06:00 and we've had over 5,000 volunteers 06:02 in the last 14 years 06:03 and I can tell you, 06:05 the volunteers are the lifeblood of what we do 06:07 because God utilizes their talents, their passion, 06:11 their resources and their energy 06:13 and it's all for the glory of God. 06:15 It's been a real blessing. 06:16 All right. Thank you so much. 06:18 Thank you. Okay. 06:19 We've stopped by another booth here 06:21 and I'm talking to Wally and Christine Amundson, 06:25 and how you all doing? 06:26 Fine, thank you, Danny. 06:28 Very good, thank you. 06:29 Well, we are here. 06:31 Your, name of your ministry By Grace Charity. 06:33 So that's your ministry that is we stopped by, 06:36 we saw a chicken, it says, ask us about the chicken. 06:40 Tell us a little bit about your ministry 06:42 and how does the chicken fit in? 06:44 Well, okay, thank you Danny. 06:45 It's a real pleasure to be here with everybody 06:49 that's so focused on helping carry on God's work. 06:52 This chicken actually took a Seventh-day Adventist 06:56 that was in poverty 06:58 and transformed him into a donor within two months. 07:01 Okay, well, I want to hear it. Okay. 07:03 So what we did was we contacted the people 07:08 in different fields around inter-America and other places 07:12 and we asked them if you had $1500 cash, 07:16 would you be able to help some of our members in poverty 07:19 and they said of course. 07:22 And we said, would you help the rest of the community 07:24 at the same time not be exclusive 07:27 and they said yes, 07:29 and then we added another question. 07:31 We said, would you involve the pastor 07:34 and they said yes. 07:35 And then we said one more thing, 07:37 would you ask the receiving 07:40 and the people that receive the gift, free gift, 07:43 if they'll turn around 07:45 and make a gift to someone else 07:46 as soon as they have extra? 07:48 Okay. 07:49 And it's a unanimous yes. 07:51 All right. 07:52 So for $1500, these families, 07:56 about ten families are grouped together. 07:58 The pastor figures out 08:00 how they can start a little micro industry, 08:03 chickens or fish or goats or tomatoes 08:06 and when they can add to their income 08:09 and then they have a little extra, 08:11 they are willing to help their neighbor. 08:12 Oh, I got it. Okay, that's a good idea. 08:15 So the chicken could be a fish or something else. 08:17 Right. But it's industry. 08:18 So it's a way you don't just give somebody fish, 08:21 you teach them how to fish. 08:22 Correct. 08:23 It's kind of what you're doing, right? 08:25 Now, what we're really hoping 08:26 because we know that 08:27 when somebody is really destitute, 08:29 they have sympathy for others. 08:32 And so we're really hoping 08:33 that these people will really band together 08:38 and the pastor can use that 08:40 as a vehicle for spreading the gospel. 08:43 Okay. 08:44 We only have a minute or so left. 08:45 Tell us at folks at home who are impressed to support you 08:48 or they want to find out information about you, 08:50 Christine, how would they get a hold of you? 08:53 Well, we have a website 08:55 and so that will be very easy to get into it. 08:59 It's just the name By Grace Charity. 09:03 And then... Dot com, dot org? 09:05 Dot com, and then there will be a newsletter 09:08 and we'll keep them informed 09:10 about what is happening in the field 09:12 and how much resulted from all of these gift 09:16 and how many people have been blessed. 09:19 Okay, wonderful. Thank you so much. 09:22 Some of the people stopping by wanted us to explain 09:25 where the funds come from? 09:27 All right, we got 30 seconds. 09:28 Okay. 09:30 Christine and I decide to save 09:32 our first year of retirement checks 09:34 from the Inter-American division. 09:36 And we made it a firstfruits offering to the Lord 09:39 and that is what is funding this charity. 09:41 All right. Well, praise the Lord. 09:43 Thank you so much 09:44 for what you're doing for the cause of God. 09:46 Hi, I'm privileged to be talking to Jim Rennie. 09:49 Jim, how are you doing? 09:51 Danny, good to see you. 09:52 Good, good and Lia, Lia Edwin. 09:54 How are you Lia? I'm good. 09:55 Oh, wonderful. 09:56 Jim, tell us a little bit about Child Impact ministry, 10:00 and I know you've had a name change 10:03 and tell us about it? 10:04 Well, many of the viewers will know us as Asian Aid USA 10:08 and we took a big step this week 10:10 and we changed our name to Child Impact International. 10:15 We think it far better reflects what we do, 10:18 avoids a lot of confusion on Asia. 10:20 So we are Child Impact International. 10:23 Nothing has changed. 10:25 We do exactly the same thing with the same organization 10:29 but we've changed our name. 10:30 Okay, good. 10:32 Lia tell us what you do at Child Impact? 10:35 I work for the sponsorship department. 10:38 I head the department 10:39 and we have around seven field officers. 10:43 Seven, okay. Yeah. 10:44 Who go to our schools and do the checking. 10:47 Okay. And... 10:48 And you're checking, you're checking on the children? 10:50 Yes. 10:52 You have any idea how many children you check on? 10:54 We have around 3,500 children. 10:56 Oh, wow, that's wonderful. 10:58 What she didn't say, 10:59 she is in Bangalore, India office. 11:02 She's in the Bangalore, India office. 11:04 So you're the local representative there, 11:07 so that way you can keep an eye on everything. 11:10 And tell us how as this ministry 11:12 impacted your life? 11:14 What's it do for you 11:15 knowing that you're helping so many children? 11:17 I mean, it's a blessing to help so many children and... 11:22 Yeah, so, before you were in ministry, 11:26 what did you do? 11:28 I was working for the church actually. 11:31 So now you still work for the church in a different way? 11:34 In a different way. 11:35 Because you're still ministering to those 11:36 that Jesus says, you know, suffer not the little children 11:39 that come unto me. 11:41 So what a blessing to have you 11:42 and I'm sure you're a great asset to Child Impact. 11:46 So Jim, once again, Child Impact. 11:49 You're still doing the work you do. 11:51 For those that don't know, 11:52 tell us just a little bit what do you do? 11:54 What does Child Impact do for young people there? 11:57 We're a fully supportive ministry of the church 12:00 and our key activity is child sponsorship. 12:03 We take a child based on need 12:06 and put them on an Adventist mission school. 12:09 So all our children 12:10 are in Adventist mission schools. 12:12 So that's our key activity. 12:14 We also help fund for orphanages, 12:17 school for the blind and school for the deaf in India. 12:21 And in recent times, we've expanded into Myanmar 12:24 which puts us into six countries. 12:27 Now, I can tell by being in business myself 12:31 that doesn't come cheap. 12:33 It takes a lot of finances. 12:35 How do people support, where do your finances come from 12:38 and how can our viewers help? 12:40 Well, our finances come purely from donations, 12:44 and there is two ways you can be involved or three ways. 12:47 You can sponsor a child 12:49 and that ranges from $28 to $38 a month. 12:53 You can contribute 12:55 to the unsponsored children fund, 12:58 and we also have projects like orphanages 13:02 that you can contribute to. 13:05 Wonderful. 13:06 Do you have an address, 13:08 maybe a website people could go to? 13:09 Well, I think the simplest way at the moment 13:11 is childimpact.org. 13:14 So childimpact, one word, .org. 13:17 Okay. 13:18 Jim, thank you so much for what you've done 13:20 for the cause of God for so many years 13:22 around the world. 13:23 With Asian Aid now Child Impact 13:26 and, Lia, thank you so much for what you're doing 13:28 for the cause of God. 13:30 As a dear friend of mine used to say, 13:31 did you get it or did you miss it? 13:35 The ministry that is now called Child Impact International 13:40 used to be called Asian Aid USA. 13:43 Same ministry just some different people at the head. 13:46 Jim Rennie is still very much on board 13:49 and it's still a wonderful ministry 13:51 doing a great, great work in India and Bangladesh 13:57 and the Southern Asia part of our world field 14:01 and doing a great work 14:02 and they certainly deserve your support. 14:04 They've been working for many, many years 14:06 under the leadership of Helen Hager, 14:07 you will recall, 14:09 but still doing a great work for the Lord. 14:10 Now, in this section, 14:12 Danny Shelton interviews Kibidula Farms. 14:16 Kibidula Farms and Kibidula Farms is located in Tanzania. 14:22 So we're gonna hear about the great work 14:24 that they are doing 14:26 with 140 students in primary school 14:29 and 65 lay evangelism projects going on. 14:33 You hear about Kibidula Farms, Jason Fournier is director 14:37 and Antionette Fournier is a volunteer 14:40 and they will be talking about that great work. 14:42 That will be followed by Amazing Facts. 14:44 You know that name. 14:46 You know the speaker/director is Doug Batchelor, 14:48 Danny and Doug get a chance 14:49 to talk about some of the things 14:51 that Amazing Facts is and will be doing very, very shortly. 14:55 And finally in this section, Danny talks with Mark Finley, 15:00 international evangelist, someone we know very well. 15:03 Some time ago he began a Living Hope School of Evangelism 15:07 there in Virginia 15:09 doing a very, very fine job up and running, 15:12 and we want to hear about 15:13 what Mark is doing to carry on the legacy of the work 15:16 that he's done for so many, many years. 15:20 These three, very exciting, very diverse ministries, 15:23 all doing a great work for the Lord. 15:26 Let's take a look. 15:29 I'm standing here and talking 15:30 to Jason and Antionette Fournier 15:33 and you all are doing mission work, 15:36 great mission work 15:37 in another part of the world rather than here in America. 15:40 Tell us where you're working, and what it is that you do? 15:44 Okay. I live in a place called Kibidula in Tanzania. 15:48 It's East Africa 15:49 and we run a mission station 15:52 where we have a school of agriculture. 15:54 We educate young people, mostly high school dropouts 15:57 and even primary school dropouts. 16:00 Give them life skills, how to live 16:02 and be successful not just in life but as Christians, 16:07 and we run a printing press 16:09 where we print literature, mostly texts and Bible studies. 16:14 We publish books for sale into the colporteur system 16:18 and we have a primary school. 16:21 We have 140 kids 16:23 that are, yeah, just at our place learning. 16:26 And we have a lay missionary training center 16:28 where we train about 65 lay evangelists every year. 16:32 These are people who come from churches in Tanzania 16:34 for five months at a time 16:36 to learn how to be more effective in soul winning. 16:38 And then what we do is every year, 16:40 we choose some of the best of these lay missionaries 16:42 to go out to unreached parts in Tanzania 16:46 to work as Bible workers, raising up new companies. 16:48 And as a result of this program, 16:50 the need for churches has been huge 16:52 because the very poor people in the community, 16:54 they can't afford a roof. 16:56 So they're not gonna have a church. 16:58 So the one day church program 16:59 has been a huge blessing to this program. 17:01 So by God's grace we have been able to build 17:03 over 500 of these churches. 17:04 Five hundred? Yeah. 17:05 In Tanzania. 17:07 Now, I know this takes a tremendous amount of money. 17:11 Where do you come up with this money? 17:12 Is there something that our folk at home 17:14 that our viewers because 3ABN viewers, 17:16 they are the greatest, greatest viewers in the world 17:19 because they are not just viewers, 17:20 they are supporters too. 17:22 So tell us a little bit what you would like for us to do 17:25 to help continue this great ministry? 17:28 Well, first of all, I would like to say, 17:30 we covet your prayers. 17:31 I mean, if everyone 17:33 who is hearing this, pray for us. 17:34 I believe the Lord would bless even more. 17:36 But the one day church program 17:38 has been a tremendous blessing in Tanzania, 17:42 housing tens of thousands, 17:44 I mean, many, many people in a church home. 17:49 There is an aspect of the one day church program 17:51 that viewers don't realize 17:52 and that is that every church comes with a budget, 17:56 and every penny that we save in building the churches 17:59 goes to support the mission. 18:00 So my husband and his team would go out and build churches 18:03 and he would sleep on the ground with the guys, 18:05 you know, trying to save money 18:06 because every penny that remains over 18:08 goes to support the mission. 18:10 So it's more than just building churches. 18:12 It's really supporting missions in a broader way. 18:14 Absolutely. Yeah. 18:15 How can we? Do you have a website we can go to? 18:18 www.kibidula.org. 18:21 K-I-B-I-D-U-L-A. 18:24 Okay. 18:25 We want to thank you so much for what you do. 18:26 We know, it's not easy, 18:28 especially when you're doing things in different countries, 18:31 foreign countries around the world. 18:33 But your commitment is wonderful. 18:35 I know that God will continue to lead, 18:37 guide and direct and bless you abundantly 18:40 more than you all could ever ask or think. 18:41 I can say one more thing is just, 18:43 if people can support ASI 18:44 because it's here at ASI where people come together 18:48 and literally just brainstorm 18:50 and so many new mission projects are born here 18:53 just half an hour ago, 18:55 we were thinking this, this is amazing. 18:57 We can add this to our program 18:59 just someone sharing what they're doing 19:00 in the business world 19:02 and so ASI has just been super, super good in helping missions 19:06 to grow their infrastructure and their programs 19:08 and if the people can support ASI, 19:09 they are supporting the missions. 19:11 All right, great plug for ASI. 19:13 Those of you at home, you heard it. 19:14 ASI is a great organization. 19:16 This is my 32nd ASI to come to 19:19 and it's been wonderful to work with people like you all 19:22 and the folks here 19:23 that are committed to sharing Jesus in the marketplace. 19:26 Thank you. Thank you. 19:27 Thank you, Danny. 19:29 I'm standing here with Pastor Doug Batchelor. 19:30 Hey, Doug. Hello, Danny. 19:32 How are you doing? 19:33 Well, I'm always doing good 19:35 but today I'm doing a little better. 19:36 I want to share with you about a little miracle 19:39 that happened last night 19:40 and the Lord used you as part of it. 19:43 Now this is totally unrehearsed. 19:44 He doesn't know, right? You have no idea what I'm... 19:46 I don't know what you're gonna say. 19:47 You don't know what I'm gonna say. 19:48 I really don't know what you gonna say. 19:50 All right. 19:51 Well, last evening, I got a phone call 19:53 about probably quarter to nine in the evening, 19:55 meetings were just about over 19:57 and my sister all of a sudden, 19:59 your brother Kenny had to go to the emergency room. 20:02 He'd had open heart surgery some months ago 20:04 and still really has a lot of issues 20:06 that he's been fighting. 20:08 So he was in AFib and his pulse is racing. 20:11 It goes up to as high as 175 beats a minute 20:15 and so here we are at ASI 20:17 and so we start to leave and Yvonne's going with me 20:19 but we are meeting people 20:22 and they want to talk and I said, I'm sorry. 20:24 So she says, let's just go up the escalator 20:26 and to the second foyer we can get across 20:29 and get to the hospital. 20:31 As we go up to the second floor, 20:33 right behind us on an escalator was Doug Batchelor by himself 20:37 which, you don't catch Doug at these meetings 20:39 by himself very often. 20:41 I told you what was happening and you said, let's do what? 20:44 Let's pray. Let's pray. 20:45 And we said our prayer, by that time 20:47 it's probably five to nine something like this. 20:50 We said a prayer for Kenny, right? 20:51 Right. 20:52 So Yvonne and I went to the hospital. 20:54 It took us a while to get there, 20:56 probably 20 minutes to get a taxi, 20:58 we were anxious to get there 21:00 and then another 20 minute drive. 21:01 So I get to the hospital, I go in. 21:04 I go in Kenny's room, 21:05 they say, oh, he's in bed 11 21:08 and he's setting up, he's smiling. 21:10 He looks fine. 21:11 His pulse is normal. 21:13 I look at his blood pressure. 21:14 I look at all of his vitals and they look good, 21:17 and I said, "How are you doing?" 21:19 He said, "I'm fine." 21:21 I said, "What happened?" 21:22 And the doctor came in and said, 21:24 "We just did all your tests, 21:26 everything is back to normal, is totally normal." 21:29 They don't know why but they are normal. 21:31 Kenny said, "I can tell you what happened 21:34 and he looked over to me 21:35 and he said, you guys were praying." 21:37 He said it a little bit before nine, 21:39 right before 9 o'clock everything stopped. 21:42 My heart was out of rhythm, 21:44 all of a sudden this peace came over. 21:46 I totally feel normal 21:48 and God touched me and healed me, 21:50 right then I feel, feel, 21:53 he said, "I just felt so normal" 21:54 and his color was back, 21:56 everything looked so great nice and well. 21:58 Kenny, exactly that time 22:00 Yvonne and Pastor Doug and I were praying for you. 22:03 So he said, "Tell Pastor Doug, thank you that God used you 22:07 to give him back to normal, for healing. 22:11 Praise the Lord. 22:12 We just need to thank the Lord, that's wonderful news. 22:14 I praise the Lord, 22:15 tell Kenny, that we are just so excited for him. 22:17 Well, here is the other thing that happened. 22:19 As I was leaving his room, 22:20 someone down in the emergency room 22:23 started saying, hey come here, come here. 22:26 I don't know who is there. 22:27 I'm not the doctor so I just kept walking. 22:31 My sister and all came and got me. 22:32 She said, 'There is a man that has to see you. 22:35 He's been watching 3ABN for 20 years. 22:38 He started in Las Vegas 22:39 but he wants to you to come and pray with him." 22:43 So I went, his name is Warren, Warren, if you're watching. 22:46 So we prayed for Warren and it gave Warren assurance. 22:48 He was having the defibrillator put in 22:51 and I said, God had Kenny's back, 22:54 He's got your back and so we are able to pray, 22:55 so you're praying 22:57 and all of that was a great blessing. 22:58 You know, praise the Lord. Thank you so much for that. 23:00 Well, that's God's providence. We just praise God. 23:02 And we thank Him right now. Absolutely. 23:04 What I want to do is 23:06 take another couple of minutes or so. 23:07 Tell us about Amazing Facts and what's your new projects, 23:10 what you're working on? 23:11 Well, we are very excited about something coming up. 23:13 We're doing again in partnership with 3ABN 23:16 where we're gonna be broadcasting a program 23:18 from the general conference headquarters 23:20 called "Foundation of Faith" 23:22 and it will be on 3ABN, Hope channel, AFTV. 23:25 Gonna be a special revival 23:27 immediately after the anniversary 23:30 of the 500 year anniversary of the signing of... 23:34 I shouldn't say signing, 23:35 the posting of the 95 thesis by Luther 23:39 and a lot of things are happening 23:40 in the church, in the world. 23:42 And when I say, church, I mean Christian church at large 23:44 and so, I think it's gonna be a really important time 23:46 for us to resonate 23:48 what the continuation 23:50 of the reaffirmation will look like. 23:51 All right. So we're doing that. 23:53 Doing the New Prophecy series 23:55 on 40 prophecies that prove the Bible is true. 23:58 We're involved in building an evangelism training center. 24:00 There is a lot going on with Amazing Facts right now. 24:03 So you're not in a shut down mode, 24:05 or rest, or relax mode at all? 24:06 You're going forward. 24:08 No, the world's ending 24:09 so we need to get the message out. 24:10 We're doing everything we can. 24:12 The blessing of God is on the go. 24:13 We don't have a chance to do this too often 24:14 but for the folks at home, our 3ABN viewers 24:17 are some of the greatest supporters in the world. 24:19 They don't just pray a lot of them, 24:20 they're able to pray and financially support. 24:23 Do you have a website or something that folks at home 24:26 and they're praying and say, what should I do, 24:28 the Lord's blessed me with extra finances 24:31 or maybe they're just saying, 24:32 I want to give somewhere 24:34 and not sure what to do 24:35 and the Holy Spirit says Amazing Facts. 24:37 How can we support 24:38 Doug Batchelor and Amazing Facts? 24:41 Bless your heart. 24:42 Simply go to the Amazing Facts website. 24:44 It's just amazingfacts.org 24:47 and there will be a place there, 24:48 it says contribute, or donate, or support the ministry 24:51 and you can see all the different projects 24:53 and we really appreciate that. 24:55 I've said this before publicly 24:56 and nearly 30 years you've been on 3ABN 25:00 that we've had and still have 25:02 tremendous amounts of ministries, 25:05 but I don't know of any that we've got more responses 25:07 from over a period of decades of saying, 25:11 thank you 3ABN for what you do and for having Doug Batchelor. 25:15 Of course, we get a lot of others too 25:17 but your name comes up constantly probably everyday. 25:20 Thank you for having Doug Batchelor 25:22 and Amazing Facts 25:23 because of that we came to Jesus, 25:25 and many times 25:27 and are now joined the Seventh-day Adventist church. 25:29 So, Doug, your impact around the world, 25:32 you'll never know until you get to heaven 25:34 and so you're gonna have many, many stars. 25:36 Likewise. 25:37 You're gonna have, you're gonna have to somebody 25:38 carry your crown around 25:40 'cause you won't be able to carry it all 25:41 with so many stars. 25:42 I just want to be there. 25:44 I don't care how big the crown is. 25:45 I just want to be there. 25:47 That's the important part of just being there. 25:48 So once again, thank you so much. 25:49 Thank you, Danny. 25:51 Praise Lord for Kenny 25:52 and for the miracle in his life. 25:53 Yeah. It's good news. 25:55 I knew you'd be interested in hearing that. 25:56 I am, right. 25:58 I'm standing here with pastor, evangelist 25:59 and author Mark Finley. 26:00 Brother Mark, how are you doing today? 26:02 I'm doing really well. 26:03 Oh, wow, it's great to see you here 26:04 and of course ASI has been a big part of your life 26:07 for so many years as well as mine. 26:08 How many years you've been coming to ASI? 26:10 I think I've been coming for almost 30 years. 26:12 Missed a few years 26:14 but I've been here mostly all the time. 26:15 Yeah, yeah. 26:16 We always enjoy running into Pastor Mark 26:18 because he has, always has incredible stories 26:21 about what God is doing around the world. 26:24 And the reason I say that is I always say, 26:26 Mark, the blessing of God is on the go. 26:28 So if there is anybody that goes around the world, 26:32 it's this man. 26:33 I travel a lot but he travels a whole lot more than I do. 26:36 In fact, while we are on that note, 26:38 tell us a little bit about some of your international travels 26:40 and how God is blessing? 26:42 Not long ago, we were in Bulgaria 26:44 and I am so thrilled with what God's doing around the world. 26:47 You know, when you see the moving of the Holy Spirit, 26:49 it is remarkable. 26:51 A little funny story about television, you'll enjoy. 26:53 We were streaming our programs live 26:56 and I got a little note from two young men, 26:58 maybe 11 or 12 years old. 27:00 They said, Pastor Mark, 27:02 we are sitting on the couch 27:04 eating popcorn watching your programs, 27:07 but we made a decision for Christ 27:09 and put the popcorn aside 27:11 and knelled down and made a decision for baptism. 27:13 Amen. 27:14 So, you see, you never know what's gonna happen. 27:16 One night, I came into our meetings at about 5:30 27:20 in the auditorium that we were in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. 27:23 And as I came in, I noticed on the left hand side 27:27 a group of people sitting 27:29 and it was before the meeting 27:30 maybe an hour or hour and a half before the meeting 27:32 and there were hundred people sitting on the left hand side. 27:34 I said, this is strange. 27:36 Usually, at hour and a half before the meeting, 27:38 the auditorium is fairly empty, maybe a few scattered people 27:41 but a hundred people standing there 27:43 and sitting there. 27:44 And I looked at them, they were not ethnic Bulgarians, 27:47 they were gypsies. 27:48 And I went over and began to talk to them. 27:50 They said, Pastor Mark, we have watched you in our church 27:53 on streaming video. 27:55 Wow. 27:56 Your messages came into our village 28:00 and we decided that we had to start keeping the Sabbath. 28:03 That whole group began keeping the Sabbath 28:06 and now they were coming to our evangelistic meeting 28:09 looking forward 28:10 to an evangelistic meeting in their own village. 28:13 So God has amazing ways of reaching people. 28:15 Isn't that amazing? 28:16 Absolutely incredible. 28:17 Tell us, I know we only have a short time, 28:19 or you have a short time 28:21 and tell us a little bit about your school. 28:23 We are now running what we call 28:26 the Living Hope School of Evangelism. 28:28 It's for pastors and lay people. 28:30 This year, we've had over 200 pastors 28:33 and lay people come. 28:35 There are three types of courses. 28:37 One, you can come for a Sunday 28:40 and like on a Sunday, we might do 28:43 how to give Bible studies. 28:44 Another Sunday, how to do health programs. 28:46 Another Sunday, how to reach former Adventists. 28:48 Another Sunday, maybe lay preaching. 28:50 Have a complete schedule on our website, 28:52 and then in addition to that 28:53 we have five to seven day courses. 28:56 These are not to help you 28:58 be a paid Bible instructor or a paid pastor 29:00 but for pastors already practicing, 29:02 Bible instructors or lay people 29:04 that want to learn how to do Bible studies. 29:07 So we have a courses in growing a church. 29:09 We have courses in public evangelism, 29:12 and then lastly we do run in the summertime 29:15 in harmony with Southern Adventist University, 29:18 we run a course on how to do better evangelism, 29:24 and it's a course for graduate or undergraduate students, 29:27 so people actually get academic credit for it. 29:29 So we are really excited about our school. 29:31 Our church is reaching out into the community. 29:34 We've had 42 different programs this year. 29:37 Every Monday night, I have a Bible study at my house. 29:40 Wow. 29:41 Last Monday night, 47 people came. 29:43 I didn't know where to put them. 29:45 Praise the Lord. 29:47 It's been a while since I've been out there 29:48 to see the building and what you're doing 29:51 and so I'd like to come out again 29:52 to see the finished product. 29:53 So I'm sure, it's a wonderful facility. 29:56 We should do a update for folks. 29:58 We would love to have you there and welcome any of our viewers 30:01 to come out to the Living Hope Center of Evangelism 30:05 and Church. 30:07 It is in Haymarket, Virginia 5235, Merchants View Square. 30:13 That's about an hour from Washington DC. 30:16 If on the Sabbath you're in the area, 30:18 come out to our church. 30:19 I'm there about 35% of my time. 30:22 But you can come out to any of our classes. 30:26 You can come out to any of our programs. 30:28 You're certainly welcome. 30:29 All right. Thank you so much. 30:31 You heard that Haymarket. 30:32 That sounds like a little town 30:34 in Southern Illinois or somewhere 30:35 but that's in Virginia, right? 30:36 It sure is. All right. 30:38 Anything else before we close, 30:39 you want to share with our folk? 30:41 Well, we are looking forward to a new series 30:42 that we are going to produce for Three Angels Broadcasting. 30:46 About 20 programs, production will be this coming November. 30:51 The programs will be released in February or March, 30:55 a new series on prophecy. 30:58 Where this world is heading? 31:00 People are concerned. 31:01 They look at the world. 31:02 They see the environmental problems, 31:04 the political problems. 31:06 They see the problems with war, conflict, 31:09 the economic problems in the world 31:11 and they are wondering where can we find the answers. 31:14 Jesus says through the prophet Isaiah chapter... 31:17 Rather the Prophet Amos 3, he says, 31:20 "Surely the Lord God will do nothing but He reveal His 31:22 secrets unto His servants the prophets." 31:26 If there is ever a time 31:27 that we need to understand prophecy, 31:28 the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, it's today. 31:32 And we're gonna do a new series, Danny, 31:33 and I'm so excited about it on 3ABN. 31:35 Absolutely. 31:37 Thank you so much, Pastor Mark, 31:38 for what you do for the cause of God. 31:40 What you continue to do and we too look forward, 31:42 and I know our viewers 31:44 will look forward to this new series. 31:45 Thank you so much and God bless. 31:47 Thanks. 31:48 When I was a child, 31:49 we were always very, very excited 31:51 to have the missionaries come home 31:52 and give us some of the wonderful stories 31:54 of the things that were happening 31:56 in different parts of the world 31:57 and hopefully you're getting that same excitement 31:59 as you hear what these various ministries are doing 32:02 for the cause of Christ. 32:04 In our last section, we go back to Pastor John Lomacang 32:08 as our interviewer 32:10 and the ministries that he's going to be interviewing 32:13 are Adventist Child India. 32:16 William Mack is the director 32:18 and we hear about so much work being done in India 32:20 but it's such a large country, 32:22 such a great country with such a great work to do. 32:26 This ministry began in 2005, 32:28 40 boarding schools in India helping to educate children. 32:32 Followed by a personal testimony 32:34 from someone we've come to know and love 32:36 Dr. Verlyn Benson. 32:39 A wonderful man of God 32:40 who was healed from a very, very rare form of cancer, 32:46 only give him six months to live 32:48 but now he's doing a great missionary work for the Lord. 32:51 Number three is Christalis, 32:56 Shalini David is the president and founder, 33:00 wonderful work doing things for children. 33:03 And last but not least, 33:04 the Adventist University of Central Africa. 33:07 We bring back Dr. Verlyn Benson. 33:09 He is the president of that university 33:12 and has been given a very specific task 33:14 that he knows the Lord as part of 33:16 because God saved him from a rare cancer 33:20 and now he's giving back to the cause of God 33:22 and to the people of Africa. 33:24 You'll love this. This is good stuff. 33:28 As we continue here at ASI in Houston, Texas, 33:30 I'm here with William Mack of Adventist Child India. 33:34 So good to be with you today. 33:35 Thank you, I appreciate the opportunity. 33:37 Tell us what is Adventist Child India? 33:39 Okay, Adventist Child India is a sponsorship program 33:41 that helps close to 2000 children 33:44 of the poorest Adventist children in India 33:46 that come from the villages 33:47 that run around maybe barefooted 33:49 as they're growing up. 33:50 And those are the ones we are able to help 33:51 through kindergarten through 12 33:53 and even in the college level now. 33:55 And how did this vision get started, 33:57 I mean, what's the longevity behind it? 33:58 Okay. 34:00 Dorothy Watts who was a missionary in India, 34:01 who had a real interest in children, 34:02 who saw the need. 34:04 It started in 2005 34:05 and it was for the newly 34:07 baptized Adventist families in India. 34:09 There were a lot of them at that time. 34:10 And these poorest families would never be able to get, 34:14 you know, educate their children in India 34:15 without help 34:17 because it does cost money just like here in the US, 34:19 you know, to go to a private Adventist school there. 34:21 So that's the reason for it. 34:23 And so the best thing about it 34:27 is that now starting about two years ago, 34:28 we are even in the college level. 34:30 So those children 34:31 who want to work for the church afterwards, 34:33 there is a huge need for teachers 34:34 in the Adventist system. 34:36 There is a lack of Adventist teachers. 34:37 They could be even theology majors, do counseling, 34:40 nursing and also some in the business department. 34:43 Those children will be able to help right now also. 34:46 So we are really happy about that. 34:47 Do you have your own facilities or do you just sponsor children 34:50 to go to facilities already in existence? 34:51 Okay. 34:53 We work with the Southern Asia division. 34:54 So our offices are at Hosur in Tamil Nadu, 34:57 in the state of Tamil Nadu and there're offices there. 34:59 So we get some help from them 35:01 and we have four people 35:03 besides Nancy, my wife and I that run the whole program 35:06 and so we literally cover all of India. 35:09 We have 40 boarding schools that we are associated with. 35:12 All together there is about 280 schools in India. 35:15 Most of them are day schools. 35:16 But we only work with the boarding schools 35:18 because the newly Adventist kids getting in could have, 35:22 you know, participation in the worships, 35:24 morning and evening and Sabbath school and church. 35:26 If they went to a day school, 35:28 they wouldn't be able to do that. 35:29 So but only six of us, 35:31 you know, do this 35:32 and the best thing is that when someone were to donate, 35:35 94% of the money that comes in through the donations 35:39 goes to children. 35:40 Only 6% is kept by the organization. 35:42 We just don't have a big overhead. 35:44 Now what are the ages that are covered 35:45 by the ministry of Adventist Child? 35:47 Okay, some children 35:49 are as little as five or six years old 35:51 that start in LKG, lower kindergarten 35:53 and so not a lot 35:55 but some of them are that young 35:56 going to a boarding school then, 35:58 up to 12th grade. 35:59 So that's usually around 18, 19 36:01 and then again those children that are giving you commitment 36:04 to work for the church afterwards, 36:06 we are helping them to college. 36:07 And after this program is done, 36:09 you mentioned briefly 36:10 that some of them go on to work for the church. 36:12 What about the impact to their families 36:14 like the moms and dads, 36:15 is there something also that reaches out to them? 36:16 Okay. 36:18 Yes, I know that education is really the only way 36:21 to get out of the poverty level 36:23 that a lot of families are in. 36:25 So, yes, they can give back to their families, 36:27 their community and their church afterwards. 36:30 Yeah, they can at least get the education, 36:32 at least till the 12th grade level 36:34 and it really makes that big of a difference to them. 36:36 Let's talk about sponsorship. 36:38 How is this afforded and what are some of the crisis 36:40 and how a person can get involved? 36:41 Okay. Good question then. 36:44 We have sponsors a program 36:45 that only is $35 a month, $420 a year. 36:49 You don't have to pay at all in one time 36:51 but if you want to pay monthly, that's fine. 36:52 It actually extends with the general conference 36:54 and the money is then routed to us in India then. 36:57 So that's all it costs to really make a big impact, 37:00 the difference on the child's life 37:02 and what was the other question? 37:04 And how is the money funded? 37:06 In other words, do you have a website? 37:07 Okay, we do have a website, 37:08 www, of course, adventistchildindia.org, ORG. 37:13 So it definitely explains things there, 37:15 and you know, you can see 37:17 definitely how the program works then. 37:19 Well, Bill, thank you so much 37:21 for giving us the information we need 37:22 and you know, we know that lives are gonna be changed 37:25 not only for time but also for eternity. 37:27 May the Lord bless you. 37:28 We'll continue here at ASI with other amazing stories. 37:31 This is John Lomacang for 3ABN. 37:34 I have the continued privilege of talking to Dr. Verlyn Benson 37:37 who is the president 37:39 of the Adventist University in Central Africa. 37:41 But this is not about education 37:43 but a different kind of education. 37:45 What we learnt in the difficult places of life 37:48 where we sometimes find ourselves. 37:50 Dr. Benson, you've had experiences 37:52 we become familiar with the young man 37:54 by the name of Micah Batchelor, 37:56 Pastor Batchelor's who passed away years ago. 37:58 You spoke to him about 30 minutes 38:00 before his tragic accident 38:01 and we know the end of the story. 38:03 But the Lord has allowed you 38:04 to go through some similar valleys 38:06 where many people don't survive. 38:08 Walk us through your story today? 38:11 In 2013, I went to for my annual medical exam. 38:16 My doctor said of all patients in your age bracket, 38:20 you're the most healthy. 38:23 That made me feel pretty good that I'm healthy. 38:26 Yet one week later, 38:27 I had a very severe pain in my abdomen 38:31 and it prompted me to go back to the doctor 38:34 and he said, wow, I don't understand this. 38:37 So he did a test, CT test and biopsy 38:43 and I was diagnosed with incurable liver cancer. 38:47 I went to the Mayo Clinic 38:49 and I was given one chance out of a hundred to survive. 38:54 In other words, the chances of survival 38:56 were just not there. 38:58 Three to six months to live, the maximum. 39:01 So this is not really a story about me 39:05 so much is a story of God. 39:08 I had a Russian secretary for a number of years. 39:13 She was learning to speak English better. 39:16 We shared 1 Corinthians 13 39:18 and she said, you know, the final verse 39:20 is not the way you Americans read it. 39:23 In Russia, we add a little bit more to it. 39:26 I said, you can't add to the Bible. 39:29 Well, it says, and the greatest of these is love. 39:33 That's right. 39:34 However, I said, no the Bible is however, hope dies last. 39:40 You know, God put someone in my life 39:42 years before I needed it 39:44 and that ray of hope changed my approach 39:47 to the possibility of facing death. 39:51 So the first thing I did is called my family together 39:54 and asked for a dedication and anointing at the church. 39:58 I dedicated everyone to the Lord 40:00 and said, if I have just a few months to live, 40:03 then my family is yours God. 40:04 You take care of them. I won't be here. 40:07 But now with that said and done, 40:09 I'm gonna claim you as the God of creation, 40:11 the God of healing in the 21st century 40:14 and I'm gonna do everything I can to live 40:16 until you close the door 40:17 because there is still hope, there is hope. 40:21 And so the journey was a very difficult one. 40:25 Months of chemotherapy, 40:27 the prospects of looking at surgery, 40:29 post surgery chemo. 40:31 My wife is a surgical nurse 40:33 and there is another miracle of God 40:36 because we need to know 40:39 that God draws us together for a purpose. 40:41 That's right. 40:42 The wife, I have, I'm not sure there is many other wives 40:45 that would have helped me survive. 40:47 She put her whole effort into studying 40:50 and figuring out as a surgical nurse 40:52 what could she do to help my chances of survival. 40:56 And one of the first things she said is okay, 40:58 the eight natural remedies. 40:59 We have a health message. 41:01 Let's make it real in your life. 41:02 She did additional studying and she said, wow, 41:05 there is a connection with sugar. 41:07 Are you willing to eliminate? 41:09 Absolutely, I want to live. That's right. 41:10 I'll throw out all the refined sugar 41:13 and I had lots of fruit, that's the natural sugar, 41:17 the antioxidants kill the cancer 41:19 but the refined sugar doesn't. 41:21 So I went through months of chemo. 41:24 One day the... 41:26 My oncologist came to me and said, 41:28 I don't know why I do what I do. 41:30 All day, I've given patients bad news, 41:33 the cancer is growing. 41:34 I was in a special study with 14. 41:36 All had the same kind. 41:38 One by one they were dying. 41:40 And the doctor said everyone, today, I had to give bad news. 41:44 You're my last patient. 41:45 But I don't know what's happening with you. 41:48 Your tumor is actually shrinking. 41:50 It is smaller. 41:52 And so all of the extra juicing that my wife was doing, 41:56 the belief in God, the confidence 41:59 that I have entrusted my life to God. 42:01 Amen. I am trusting Him for healing. 42:04 This was the power that God, so finally, 42:07 after Christmas I went back to my appointment, 42:10 the doctor just stared at me in disbelief. 42:12 We don't believe you're alive. 42:14 Wow. 42:15 And so it went to surgery. 42:17 The surgery was supposed to be an hour to two hours in length. 42:21 It ended up being seven and a half hours. 42:23 Very, very complex surgery as they got in 42:26 and realized the cancer was, 42:29 they removed two-thirds of my liver, 42:30 my gallbladder, 14 lymph nodes etc. 42:34 And afterwards, very difficult recovery. 42:38 I can remember one night I was in such agony. 42:42 I have been in pain for so long 42:46 but God has preserved me thus far. 42:48 But after so much pain there comes to a point 42:50 where you can't take it. 42:52 It's about 2 o'clock in the morning 42:54 and I called the nurse and I said, 42:57 I can't tolerate the pain any longer. 42:59 She said, "But you're already maxed up. 43:01 I can't give you any more pain medication." 43:04 And she left. 43:05 I knew without a doubt, 43:07 all I need to do is close my eyes 43:09 and relax and I'd never see another dawn. 43:12 I would never see another day. 43:14 Wow, you thought that was it... 43:15 I knew. 43:17 I knew without a question 43:19 but you know right then I also knew there are people 43:23 around the world praying for you. 43:25 And right there, I said, I will not give in. 43:28 I will not allow myself to just die like that. 43:32 Within 20 minutes, I passed into the most peaceful sleep. 43:36 This testimony that I want to encourage others 43:40 is that there is a God that is real. 43:44 He may have a short path for you 43:46 but He may have a long path. 43:47 That's right. 43:49 You can't go to just the doctor and say heal me. 43:51 There is a part you have to do. 43:53 There is a part your family can help you do. 43:55 It's not just a great physician 43:56 but it's a great responsibility. 43:57 There is a great responsibility, 43:59 but then there is a great physician. 44:00 That's right. 44:01 There is the physician and this is so wonderful. 44:04 I'm here for the medical school. 44:06 That's right. 44:07 Because I have a testimony to give every doctor 44:10 and nurse 44:11 we are teaching that there is a God of healing 44:14 that is alive in the 21st century 44:16 and God called me to this world. 44:18 Well, Dr. Benson, I mean, I'll tell you, 44:20 we'd love to give more of the details. 44:21 I think that somebody hearing this testimony 44:23 might want to invite Dr. Benson to come 44:25 and share the extended version 44:27 but God does not open doors 44:29 that He cannot carry you through. 44:30 And we've discovered as the other unfortunately, 44:33 the others didn't survive 44:34 but God have a larger plan for you, 44:35 and here you are now in the capacity of president 44:39 sharing the testimony, 44:40 making difference in other people's lives. 44:42 God bless you. Thank you very much. 44:43 I'll tell you, miracles still do happen 44:45 and as we have found out with God, 44:47 there is nothing that's impossible. 44:49 This is John coming to you from ASI 44:51 and also on behalf of 3ABN. 44:53 This is John Lomacang and we continue here 44:55 at ASI 2017 in Houston, Texas 44:58 and I'm with Shalini David of Christalis ministries. 45:01 Shalini, it's so good to have you here today. 45:03 Thank you for having me. 45:04 Tell us what Christalis is by the way. 45:07 Christalis is an organization 45:10 that I started with my mom and aunt, 45:12 and our mission is to give children 45:15 that Christian family atmosphere 45:17 that I had growing up. 45:18 When I used to go home on family vacations to India, 45:20 I would see children in slums, 45:22 and I was small and all I wanted to do was 45:24 take them home and put them in my little apartment. 45:27 And as I grew I realized 45:28 it wasn't just my toys or my food 45:30 I wanted to give them 45:31 but I wanted to give them the love, 45:32 the affection, the security and just that Christian home. 45:37 So that's what we aimed to do. 45:39 We take children from the streets or orphaned, 45:41 abandoned and we give them that Adventist Christian home. 45:44 We have morning and evening worship. 45:46 We put them in school, put them in pathfinders 45:49 and teach them things about Jesus 45:51 and get them healthcare and try to motivate them 45:55 to accomplish their God given dream. 45:57 We have them do vision boards 45:58 and we pray over those vision boards for them. 46:00 Teach them about positivity, 46:02 and we also try to help the children in the community 46:05 because many times people feel they have to lie about 46:07 their children's situations to get help. 46:09 So to keep them in their homes, 46:11 we started an assistance program. 46:13 So we help them with education and healthcare 46:16 if we have the funds. 46:18 And some basic needs, usually, 46:20 they don't have mattresses or clothing 46:22 and we have about 275 children in the community 46:25 and in our home we have about 32. 46:28 And... 46:29 So when you say in your home, 46:30 do you have a physical facility where the children are aided? 46:32 Yes. 46:34 We have a home that actually Walla Walla University 46:36 helped us build a few years ago. 46:38 It's a miracle of God. 46:40 We had been trying to raise money for ever 46:42 and then they came in and helped us. 46:44 There we have a girl side and a boy side 46:46 and then our common area 46:47 where family can do stuff together. 46:50 Now, where are the locations that the ministry has impacted? 46:54 Is it in one part of the world 46:56 or just talk about the different locations? 46:57 Sure, right now, we're just in Uganda 46:59 and 'cause I say Uganda and that's, 47:01 I'm really on because of funds, 47:02 we're trying to also have started some projects in India 47:06 and then wherever the Lord leads. 47:07 Our prayer is always that God takes us to the children 47:10 who are crying out for help 47:12 and there is no other organization helping them. 47:15 Just whoever, you know, 47:16 there are so many children suffering, 47:17 there is child brothels, trafficking, 47:21 child pornography wherever they are, 47:23 we just want to be able to go help them. 47:25 What are some of the ways 47:26 that people can get involved financially, 47:28 sponsorship and what is the general cost of that? 47:30 Sure. 47:32 We have different levels of sponsorship. 47:33 If it's in the orphanage, it's about $120 per month 47:35 but you can split it with other sponsors 47:37 to $80, 60, 40 whatever you can do. 47:40 And in the community for elementary, 47:42 it's $20 per month and then high school is $40 per month 47:45 and then it goes a little higher 47:46 as the education level goes higher. 47:49 And then we also have opportunities for volunteers. 47:51 Yeah. 47:52 So in our home especially we're looking right now 47:54 for a nurse and maybe a baby caretaker. 47:57 We have three babies. We got one at eight hours old. 48:00 Right now, there are six months and a year 48:03 and we are looking for someone to help us 48:04 with babies and also teachers. 48:07 Because tutoring our kids like 48:08 when we get the children off the street 48:10 they are 12, 13 and they are just learning their ABCs. 48:13 So tutoring our kids, 48:15 and just having educational activities for them. 48:18 We're also looking for a minister 48:19 who might want to come volunteer 48:21 because our small local church there doesn't have a pastor 48:24 and our kids don't get the best experience. 48:25 Wow. 48:27 And for those who might want to volunteer 48:29 or be a part of the ministry financially, 48:31 what's the website they can go to, 48:33 to connect with you? 48:34 Christalis.org. 48:35 CHRISTALIS.org. 48:39 Well, Shalini, thank you so much, appreciate it, 48:41 and may the Lord bless you with Christalis ministries, 48:43 12 years now and continue to grow. 48:46 Right now just in Uganda 48:47 but we know that God has many, many doors open for you. 48:49 Thank you so much. 48:51 Thank you, thank you for having me. 48:52 I'll tell you, our stories continue here at ASI 48:54 and we'd like to inform you just stay with us. 48:56 There are more incredible stories to come. 48:58 This is John Lomacang with 3ABN. 49:01 Hello, we are continuing here at ASI in Houston, Texas 2017, 49:05 and I'm with the president of the Adventist University 49:07 of Central Africa, Verlyn Benson. 49:09 So good to have you here today. 49:11 Thank you very much. 49:12 You know, the ministries of the Adventist church 49:14 are broad and wide and so many places 49:16 are contributing in different ways. 49:17 Tell us about the university and its history 49:20 and how its touching lives in Central Africa? 49:24 The Adventist University of Central Africa 49:27 was the first non-government university 49:30 to be established. 49:31 It was established many years ago 49:33 in a place called Mudende, 49:34 but after the genocide, it moved to the city of Kigali, 49:38 and that's where we are located today. 49:40 We have a wonderful opportunity to be a very special testimony 49:44 to the world. 49:46 We currently have 3,000 students 49:48 in business, in IT, in education, theology. 49:54 But we are adding a medical school. 49:57 The reason for the medical school 49:58 is the president of Rwanda came to the Adventist 50:02 and said so many are failing, 50:04 we are not having enough doctors to serve Rwanda. 50:08 Would you consider making a medical school here? 50:11 So we have a special request 50:13 from the president of the country. 50:15 And this is sponsored by ECAD, East Central Africa Division. 50:19 Yes. 50:20 And it will serve all of the surrounding countries 50:24 and be a medical school for Central Africa. 50:27 Okay. 50:28 And university, you talked about, 50:31 is this a new building? 50:33 Has this been recently established 50:35 or is this coming out of the fact 50:36 that the genocide caused people to move? 50:39 Give me some clarification on that? 50:41 Yeah, the original campus 50:43 was located in northwest Rwanda. 50:46 Okay. It was isolated. 50:48 So there was a desire to have a university 50:51 more accessible to the students, 50:53 the population in the city. 50:55 There is a huge population in Kigali. 50:59 So we are very close. We have two campuses. 51:02 One close to the downtown which is a brand-new campus, 51:06 science and technology building. 51:07 If you go to our website, you see a beautiful building. 51:11 And then we have about three and a half miles 51:14 farther from the city 51:16 and that's actually very close to the international airport, 51:18 we have a main campus. 51:20 That's where the medical school is being built. 51:21 Okay. 51:22 And what are some of the curriculum 51:24 that's a part of this? 51:25 I mean, do you have a theology curriculum included there? 51:26 We do, we do. 51:28 We have theology, we have the IT. 51:31 We have business, we have education 51:33 and we have 3,000 students currently. 51:37 We are now build, in the process of building 51:39 new dormitory for women, new dormitory for men 51:42 that will give us 500 students more. 51:46 And a new cafeteria 51:47 for feeding up to a thousand people 51:49 at a time and a guesthouse, 21 unit guest home 51:53 to serve visiting faculty to come. 51:56 We think the medical school, 51:58 we are collaborating with Loma Linda. 52:01 It will be state of the art and a model for Africa. 52:04 So it's maintaining accreditation across the board 52:07 whether you go to school there in Rwanda or in America. 52:10 How does that fit into the qualification of education? 52:14 The education is based on the European model. 52:16 So students out of high school 52:18 will go directly into the medical school. 52:20 So it means there is a big demand on sciences. 52:23 So we are trying to increase the level of the sciences. 52:27 But it will serve the surrounding countries 52:30 and allow students to come. 52:34 One interesting facet as we start up, 52:37 we are not gonna be able to fill 52:38 the medical school immediately. 52:40 There is a golden opportunity for US students 52:44 to come and experience international education. 52:47 I was gonna ask that. 52:48 Because right now we are serving in North America 52:52 less than 25% of Adventist young people. 52:55 The cost of education is just simply too high. 52:58 But going to Africa, you can study the entire year, 53:01 the tuition is less than a thousand dollars. 53:03 Okay. 53:05 Now, that's amazing because we talk about 53:06 cost of tuition and that's cost prohibitive 53:08 in America is getting more and difficult. 53:10 So students going there 53:12 can also benefit from the education 53:14 that will give them qualification around the world. 53:16 How can somebody find out more about it? 53:18 Is there a website? Yes, there is. 53:20 There is a website. 53:21 If you... 53:22 It's actually quite simple. 53:24 If you go to Google maps. Okay. 53:25 You can actually just type in, 53:27 Adventist University of Central Africa on Google Maps 53:32 and that will take you right to our campus, 53:35 our main campus, very close to the airport. 53:37 And if you look at the website, you just Google 53:40 for Adventist University of Central Africa, 53:42 there is a website, there is lots of photos. 53:45 There is lots of information. Wow. 53:47 Well, thank you so much president Benson. 53:49 We appreciate it so much 53:50 and we know that whatever the Lord does, 53:51 He does best 53:53 and your presence there will be a blessing to others. 53:55 Thank you so much. Thank you very much. 53:56 One of the great pleasures that we at 3ABN have 53:58 is going to ASI 54:00 and highlighting these wonderful ministries 54:02 that are doing such a great work 54:04 for the Lord around the world. 54:07 They deserve your prayers and your financial support 54:10 and your love. 54:11 Well, our time is fast slipped into eternity. 54:13 Allow me now in closing to wish you both grace and peace 54:16 through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 54:18 We'll see you again soon. Bye-bye and God bless. |
Revised 2017-12-18