"Why So Many Idlers?" - Maranatha - April 25th

Bibles: Dangerous, Illegal, Covert

April 20, 2019 By lovepackages

Voice of the Martyrs recently published a world map that highlights the most difficult places to own or bring a bible. VOM is working hard to get bibles into these countries, and we are honored to be working toward the same goal.

There are many other ministries printing, shipping, smuggling, and carrying God’s word into these places as well. There are almost as many different strategies as there are ministries, and it’s breathtaking to consider how the Lord orchestrates his plans: One ministry prints, another uses cutting edge digital technology, another collects and recycles discarded material.

And you’re invited into the work as well. Pray for the work, learn how to collect material for us to ship, and/or donate toward the shipping costs.

VOM’s map is a stunning visual of the great need for truth.

Is the Bible Illegal in 52 Countries?

You may have heard that the bible is illegal in 52 countries. It gets printed on t-shirts and stitched on bible covers.

“Illegal” may not be strictly true, but it might as well be in most of these places. The Voice of the Martyrs map categorizes countries where bibles are (1) difficult/dangerous to obtain, (2) illegal or highly restricted, and (3) strictly illegal and only available through covert smuggling.

The map was in their last newsletter, but you can also see it on their website.

Why I share Jesus at Christmas:

Alleged Haitian gang leader sentenced to life in prison in kidnapping of 16 American missionaries

December 3, 2025 / 5:29 PM EST / CBS/AP

A man alleged to be the founder and leader of a Haitian gang was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison for orchestrating the 2021 kidnapping of 17 people — 16 of them Americans — including five children, who were on a missionary trip to the Caribbean country.

Joly Germine declined to say anything before U.S. District Judge John Bates in Washington, D.C., sentenced him.

"No remorse has been shown by Mr. Germine. No acceptance of responsibility," the judge said.

Some of the kidnapping victims chose to speak in court, telling Germine they forgive him for his role in their ordeal.

Ray Noecker, whose wife, Cheryl, and five children were held hostage, said it was a "life-changing experience" for their family. He turned to Germine and told him that he hopes he finds "God's peace."

"True freedom is not found outside of prison walls. True freedom is found inside your own heart," Noecker said.

The victims — 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian citizen — were kidnapped by gang members near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Oct. 16, 2021. Two hostages were freed in November 2021 and three more were released in early December. The remaining 12 escaped later in December after being held at gunpoint for 62 days.

USAID & UN: Deep State Tools Fomenting Persecution of Christians Worldwi...

US missionaries fear for lives amid riots in Haiti

By Chris Perez


July 10, 2018 | 10:05pm

 

People walk past burning roadblocks set up by anti-government protesters in Haiti. AP

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The capital of Haiti has faced four days of riots and demonstrations — forcing US tourists and missionaries to stay inside following a government-ordered increase on gas prices.

Looters have been burning down buildings, pillaging shops and setting up fiery roadblocks in Port-au-Prince during clashes with local police over the price hikes. The US Embassy has urged citizens to remain inside.

An estimated 120 Americans are reportedly staying in a Port-au-Prince hotel — where demonstrators tried setting a fire Saturday.

Church groups and volunteers from several different states — including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia — are also said to be stranded in Haiti as the riots continue.

Many said they feared for their lives over the weekend as the demonstrations ramped up.

“I, 100 percent thought I was going to die, and so was my sister and my fiancé,” said Savannah Peek, a missionary from Richmond County, NC.

She told WSOC that protesters tried getting to her and her team at one point.

“We hear a loud knocking. We look over and there’s 10 men trying to break in,” she said. “We heard gunshots start and they were very close. At this point, we all dropped immediately to the ground. We’re all on our hands and knees. Everyone’s screaming, everyone’s crying.”

Peek said that things got so bad, she and several others were given guns to protect themselves.

“People started passing out guns to civilians because we thought the 10 were about to break in and rob us, kill us, start a fire,” she explained. “We had no idea.”

Peek claimed that some locals were doing their best to keep the US citizens safe.

“The people here where we’re staying have been nothing short of amazing,” she said. “I really love Haiti, but I’m scared for my life.”

While the riots have been violent, officials have yet to report a single injury or death.

The demonstrations appeared to die down briefly on Saturday after local officials announced a temporary stop to the price increase. But it’s still not likely enough to satisfy protesters.

“The gas prices went up to $5 a liter, which is like $20 a gallon,” explained Jonathan Thames, missionary with Peek’s Richmond County team. “They only make about $2 a day.”

Source

RUSSIA: "Anti-missionary" punishments full listing

9 August 2017


By Victoria Arnold, Forum 18

More than 180 individuals and communities have been brought to court in the year since "anti-missionary" punishments came into force on 20 July 2016. Forum 18's list of known cases documents the wide range of people and communities across Russia subjected to such punishments.


More than 180 cases to punish individuals and communities for violating Russia's "anti-missionary" restrictions are known to have reached court in the year since they came into force on 20 July 2016. Prosecutions under Administrative Code Article 5.26, Parts 3, 4, and 5 have steadily increased throughout this 12 month period. Activities as diverse as holding prayer meetings in private homes, posting worship times on a religious community's website, and giving a lecture on yoga have all been interpreted by police and prosecutors as "missionary activity", due to the broad definition now enshrined in the Religion Law (see a full analysis at F18News 8 August 2017 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2305).

Article 5.26, Part 3 punishes "Implementation of activities by a religious organisation without indicating its official full name, including the issuing or distribution, within the framework of missionary activity, of literature and printed, audio, and video material without a label bearing this name, or with an incomplete or deliberately false label".

Article 5.26, Part 4 punishes "Russians conducting missionary activity". Part 5 punishes "Foreigners conducting missionary activity" (see Forum 18's general Russia religious freedom survey http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2246).

Forum 18 found 181 cases against 129 individuals and 52 religious communities which reached court between 20 July 2016 (when the amendments entered legal force) and 20 July 2017. Of these, 133 resulted in initial convictions, with 130 fines being imposed. Of the foreigners prosecuted, 5 were ordered deported (though one of these had the deportation order overturned on appeal). More than half the regions in Russia have seen at least one prosecution. Russian citizens comprise the majority of defendants (see a full analysis at F18News 8 August 2017 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2305).

Russia has also imposed this legislation in Crimea, which it occupied in March 2014. Forum 18 found 27 administrative cases in the year of the "anti-missionary" punishments there, resulting in fines in 16 of the cases so far (see F18News 24 July 2017 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2299).

All prosecutions under Administrative Code Article 5.26, Parts 3, 4 and 5 known to have reached court between 20 July 2016 and 20 July 2017 are listed below, ordered by date of court hearing. The list is based on court decisions and court records seen by Forum 18. For a full analysis, see F18News 8 August 2017 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2305.

==================================================

- Known Article 5.26, Part 3 cases ("Implementation of activities by a religious organisation without indicating its official full name, including the issuing or distribution, within the framework of missionary activity, of literature and printed, audio, and video material without a label bearing this name, or with an incomplete or deliberately false label")

A fine of 50,000 Roubles (about 6,600 Norwegian Kroner, 710 Euros or 835 US Dollars) represents about six weeks' average wages for those in work or 15 weeks' average state retirement pension.

1) 10 November 2016
Name: Administrative Centre of the New Apostolic Church in Russia
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles
Court: Donskoi District Magistrate's Court No. 245, Moscow
Circumstances: during Justice Ministry inspection of organisation's documents, it was found that the Centre was not using its full name in its activities, including in its contract with the Beeline phone and internet company, on its audio discs and magazine, and on its website
Appeal: none

2) 10 November 2016
Name: Sharypovo Jehovah's Witness community
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles
Court: Sharypovo Magistrate's Court No. 164, Krasnoyarsk Region
Circumstances: Jehovah's Witness community held a members meeting for Bible study "without specifying its official full name" – monitoring by the inter-district prosecutor's office found that the building's sign read "Jehovah's Witnesses' Kingdom Hall", rather than "Local religious organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses of the town of Sharypovo"
Appeal: unsuccessful – 19 December 2016, Sharypovo City Court

3) 10 November 2016
Name: Igor Osipenko
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles
Court: Sharypovo Magistrate's Court No. 164, Krasnoyarsk Region
Circumstances: Jehovah's Witness community chair "committed an administrative offence in the form of inaction, as expressed in the implementation by the local religious organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses of activity (a members meeting for Bible study) without specifying its official full name" - monitoring by the inter-district prosecutor's office found that the building's sign read "Jehovah's Witnesses' Kingdom Hall", rather than "Local religious organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses of the town of Sharypovo"
Appeal: unsuccessful – 22 December, Sharypovo City Court

4) 24 November 2016
Name: Jehovah's Witness community, Khabarovsk
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles
Court: Industrial District Magistrate's Court No. 13, Khabarovsk
Circumstances: prosecutor's office inspection of Jehovah's Witness premises on 29 October found lack of signage or other information indicating official name of the organisation; representatives M.Yu. Tridtsatko and S.S. Sergeyev explained that between 2015 and October 2016 the building's facade had been undergoing repairs and argued that organisation carried out no activities during inspection – this was disregarded by judge; prosecution insisted that the sign was absent before repairs
Appeal: unsuccessful – 26 December, Industrial District Court

5) 28 November 2016
Name: Jehovah's Witness community of Zelenogorsk
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles
Court: Zelenogorsk Magistrate's Court No. 30, Krasnoyarsk Region
Circumstances: FSB security service inspection of Jehovah's Witnesses' religious activities found that they were holding meetings for worship in rented premises without displaying their full official name
Appeal: unsuccessful – 18 January 2017, Zelenogorsk City Court

6) 16 December 2016
Name: Word of Life Pentecostal Church, Samara
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles
Court: Soviet District Magistrate's Court No. 54, Samara
Circumstances: accused of not displaying full name on religious literature; church argued that literature sold by individual entrepreneur in same premises (local deaf society), who obtained it from separate Pentecostal organisation
Appeal: unsuccessful – 10 March 2017, Soviet District Court, Samara

7) 20 December 2016
Name: Salvation Army
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles plus confiscation and destruction of literature, incl. bibles
Court: Lenin District Magistrate's Court No. 4, Vladivostok
Circumstances: a prosecutor's office inspection of the community's premises found books and magazines without a stamp/logo showing the organisation's official full name
Appeal: by prosecution re. destruction order – 30 December, Lenin District Court; but destruction order lifted at request of prosecutor (also requested that literature not be confiscated, but this was denied)

8) 30 December 2016
Name: Vitaly Shmidt, pastor
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles plus confiscation of literature
Court: Lenin District Magistrate's Court No. 3, Ulyanovsk
Circumstances: Cornerstone Protestant church pastor accused of distributing religious literature without official stamp – the literature was left on a table for members to take as they wished, in the foyer of their rented premises; "anti-extremism" police officer claimed that non-members of the religious organisation were present at the meeting for worship and anyone could have picked up the literature
Appeal: unsuccessful – 8 February 2017, Lenin District Court, Ulyanovsk

9) 12 January 2017
Name: Salvation in Jesus Evangelical Church
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles
Court: Central District Magistrate's Court No. 2, Chita
Circumstances: community accused of distributing a brochure which did not display the full official name of the organisation
Appeal: sent for re-examination – 31 January 2017, Central District Court; acquitted on retrial – 10 February 2017, Central District Magistrate's Court No. 2, Chita

10) 19 January 2017
Name: Faith, Hope, Love Seventh-day Adventist Church
Punishment: 30,000 Roubles plus confiscation (but not destruction) of literature
Court: Central District Magistrate's Court No. 1, Chita
Circumstances: during a planned inspection of legal entities, the church submitted literature and newspapers to the regional Justice Ministry branch as part of information on its missionary activities – this allegedly did not bear the church's official full name or official stamp
Appeal: unsuccessful – 20 February 2017, Central District Court, Chita; supervisory appeal unsuccessful (returned without consideration) – 4 April 2017, Zabaikalsk Regional Court

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Words of Caution

Chapter 29—Words of Caution

Christ said to His disciples: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16. Satan’s attacks against the advocates of the truth will wax more bitter and determined to the very close of time. As in Christ’s day the chief priests and rulers stirred up the people against Him, so today the religious leaders will excite bitterness and prejudice against the truth for this time. The people will be led to acts of violence and opposition which they would never have thought of had they not been imbued with the animosity of professed Christians against the truth.

What course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have the unchangeable, eternal word of God, and they should reveal the fact that they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be rugged and sharp. In their presentation of truth they must manifest the love and meekness and gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the cutting; the word of God is as a sharp, two-edged sword and will cut its way to the heart. Those who know that they have the truth should not, by the use of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one chance to misinterpret their spirit.

As a people we must stand as did the world’s Redeemer. When in controversy with Satan in regard to the body of Moses, Christ durst not bring against him a railing accusation. He had every provocation to do this, and Satan was disappointed because he could not arouse in Christ a spirit of retaliation. Satan was ready to misinterpret everything that was done by Jesus; and the Saviour would give him no occasion, not the semblance of an excuse. He would not turn from His straightforward course of truth in order to follow the wanderings and twistings and turnings and prevarications of Satan.

We read in the prophecy of Zechariah that when Satan with all his synagogue stood up to resist the prayers of Joshua the high priest, and to resist Christ, who was about to show decided favor to Joshua: “The Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Zechariah 3:2.

The course of Christ in dealing even with the adversary of souls should be an example to us in all our intercourse with others never to bring a railing accusation against any; much less should we employ harshness or severity toward those who may be as anxious to know the right way as we are ourselves.

Those who have been educated in the truth by precept and example should make great allowance for others who have had no knowledge of the Scriptures except through the interpretations given by ministers and church members, and who have received traditions and fables as Bible truth. They are surprised by the presentation of truth, it is as a new revelation to them, and they cannot bear to have all the truth, in its most striking character, presented to them at the outset. All is new and strange, and wholly unlike that which they have heard from their ministers; and they are inclined to believe what the ministers have told them—that Seventh-day Adventists are infidels and do not believe the Bible. Let the truth be presented as it is in Jesus, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.

Let not those who write for our papers make unkind thrusts and allusions that will certainly do harm and that

will hedge up the way and hinder us from doing the work that we should do in order to reach all classes, the Catholics included. It is our work to speak the truth in love and not to mix in with the truth the unsanctified elements of the natural heart and speak things that savor of the same spirit possessed by our enemies. All sharp thrusts will come back upon us in double measure when the power is in the hands of those who can exercise it for injury. Over and over the message has been given to me that we are not to say one word, not to publish one sentence, especially by way of personalities, unless positively essential in vindicating the truth, that will stir up our enemies against us and arouse their passions to a white heat. Our work will soon be closed up, and soon the time of trouble, such as never was, will come upon us, of which we have but little idea.

The Lord wants His workers to represent Him, the great Missionary Worker. The manifestation of rashness always does harm. The proprieties essential for Christian life must be learned daily in the school of Christ. He who is careless and heedless in uttering words or in writing words for publication to be sent broadcast into the world, sending forth expressions that can never be taken back, is disqualifying himself to be entrusted with the sacred work that devolves upon Christ’s followers at this time. Those who practice giving harsh thrusts are forming habits that will strengthen by repetition and will have to be repented of.

We should carefully examine our ways and our spirit, and see in what manner we are doing the work given us of God, which involves the destiny of souls. The very highest obligation is resting upon us. Satan is standing ready, burning with zeal to inspire the whole confederacy of satanic agencies, that he may cause them to unite with evil men and bring upon the believers of truth speedy and severe suffering. Every unwise word that is uttered through our brethren will be treasured up by the prince of darkness.

I should like to ask: How dare finite human intelligences speak careless and venturesome words that will stir up the powers of hell against the saints of God, when Michael the Archangel durst not bring against Satan a railing accusation, but said: “The Lord rebuke thee”? Jude 1:9.

It will be impossible for us to avoid difficulties and suffering. Jesus said: “Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!” Matthew 18:7. But because offense will come, we should be careful not to stir up the natural temperament of those who love not the truth, by unwise words and by the manifestation of an unkind spirit.

Precious truth must be presented in its native force. The deceptive errors that are widespread, and that are leading the world captive, are to be unveiled. Every effort possible is being made to ensnare souls with subtle reasonings, to turn them from the truth to fables, and to prepare them to be deceived by strong delusions. But while these deceived souls turn from the truth to error, do not speak to them one word of censure. Seek to show these poor, deluded souls their danger and to reveal to them how grievous is their course of action toward Jesus Christ; but let it all be done in pitying tenderness. By a proper manner of labor some of the souls who are ensnared by Satan may be recovered from his power. But do not blame and condemn them. To ridicule the position held by those who are in error will not open their blind eyes nor attract them to the truth.

When men lose sight of Christ’s example and do not pattern after His manner of teaching, they become self-sufficient and go forth to meet Satan with his own manner of weapons. The enemy knows well how to turn his weapons upon those who use them. Jesus spoke only words of pure truth and righteousness.

If ever a people needed to walk in humility before God, it is His church, His chosen ones in this generation. We all need to bewail the dullness of our intellectual faculties, the lack of appreciation of our privileges and opportunities. We have nothing whereof to boast. We grieve the Lord Jesus Christ by our harshness, by our un-Christlike thrusts. We need to become complete in Him.

It is true that we are commanded to “cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1. This message must be given; but while it must be given, we should be careful not to thrust and crowd and condemn those who have not the light that we have. We should not go out of our way to make hard thrusts at the Catholics. Among the Catholics there are many who are most conscientious Christians and who walk in all the light that shines upon them, and God will work in their behalf. Those who have had great privileges and opportunities, and who have failed to improve their physical, mental, and moral powers, but who have lived to please themselves and have refused to bear their responsibility, are in greater danger and in greater condemnation before God than those who are in error upon doctrinal points, yet who seek to live to do good to others. Do not censure others; do not condemn them.

If we allow selfish considerations, false reasoning, and false excuses to bring us into a perverse state of mind and heart, so that we shall not know the ways and will of God, we shall be far more guilty than the open sinner. We need to be very cautious in order that we may not condemn those who, before God, are less guilty than ourselves.

*****

Let everyone bear in mind that we are in no case to invite persecution. We are not to use harsh and cutting words. Keep them out of every article written, drop them out of every address given. Let the word of God do the cutting, the rebuking; let finite men hide and abide in Jesus Christ. Let the spirit of Christ appear. Let all be guarded in their words, lest they place those not of our faith in deadly opposition against us and give Satan an opportunity to use the unadvised words to hedge up our way.

*****

There is to be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Our work is to study to weed out of all our discourses everything that savors of retaliation and defiance and making a drive against churches and individuals, because this is not Christ’s way and method.

*****

The fact that God’s people, who know the truth, have failed to do their duty according to the light given in the word of God makes it a necessity for us to be the more guarded, lest we offend unbelievers before they have heard the reasons for our faith in regard to the Sabbath and Sunday.


Testimonies for the Church Volume 9, pp. 239-244

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The City Slums

In the great cities are multitudes who receive less care and consideration than are given to dumb animals. Think of the families herded together in miserable tenements, many of them dark basements, reeking with dampness and filth. In these wretched places children are born and grow up and die. They see nothing of the beauty of natural things that God has created to delight the senses and uplift the soul. Ragged and half-starved, they live amid vice and depravity, molded in character by the wretchedness and sin that surround them. Children hear the name of God only in profanity. Foul speech, imprecations, and revilings fill their ears. The fumes of liquor and tobacco, sickening stenches, moral degradation, pervert their senses. Thus multitudes are trained to become criminals, foes to society that has abandoned them to misery and degradation.

Not all the poor in the city slums are of this class. God-fearing men and women have been brought to the depths of poverty by illness or misfortune, often through the dishonest scheming of those who live by preying upon their fellows. Many who are upright and well-meaning become poor through lack of industrial training. Through ignorance they are unfitted to wrestle with the difficulties of life. Drifting into the cities, they are often unable to find employment. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of vice, they are subjected to terrible temptation. Herded and often classed with the vicious and degraded, it is only by a superhuman struggle, a more than finite power, that they can be preserved from sinking to the same depths. Many hold fast their integrity, choosing to suffer rather than to sin. This class especially demand help, sympathy, and encouragement.

If the poor now crowded into the cities could find homes upon the land, they might not only earn a livelihood, but find health and happiness now unknown to them. Hard work, simple fare, close economy, often hardship and privation, would be their lot. But what a blessing would be theirs in leaving the city, with its enticements to evil, its turmoil and crime, misery and foulness, for the country's quiet and peace and purity.

To many of those living in the cities who have not a spot of green grass to set their feet upon, who year after year have looked out upon filthy courts and narrow alleys, brick walls and pavements, and skies clouded with dust and smoke--if these could be taken to some farming district, surrounded with the green fields, the woods and hills and brooks, the clear skies and the fresh, pure air of the country, it would seem almost like heaven.

Cut off to a great degree from contact with and dependence upon men, and separated from the world's corrupting maxims and customs and excitements, they would come nearer to the heart of nature. God's presence would be more real to them. Many would learn the lesson of dependence upon Him. Through nature they would hear His voice speaking to their hearts of His peace and love, and mind and soul and body would respond to the healing, life-giving power.

If they ever become industrious and self-supporting, very many must have assistance, encouragement, and instruction. There are multitudes of poor families for whom no better missionary work could be done than to assist them in settling on the land and in learning how to make it yield them a livelihood.

The need for such help and instruction is not confined to the cities. Even in the country, with all its possibilities for a better life, multitudes of the poor are in great need. Whole communities are devoid of education in industrial and sanitary lines. Families live in hovels, with scant furniture and clothing, without tools, without books, destitute both of comforts and conveniences and of means of culture. Imbruted souls, bodies weak and ill-formed, reveal the results of evil heredity and of wrong habits. These people must be educated from the very foundation. They have led shiftless, idle, corrupt lives, and they need to be trained to correct habits.

How can they be awakened to the necessity of improvement? How can they be directed to a higher ideal of life? How can they be helped to rise? What can be done where poverty prevails and is to be contended with at every step? Certainly the work is difficult. The necessary reformation will never be made unless men and women are assisted by a power outside of themselves. It is God's purpose that the rich and the poor shall be closely bound together by the ties of sympathy and helpfulness. Those who have means, talents, and capabilities are to use these gifts in blessing their fellow men.

Christian farmers can do real missionary work in helping the poor to find homes on the land and in teaching them how to till the soil and make it productive. Teach them how to use the implements of agriculture, how to cultivate various crops, how to plant and care for orchards.

Many who till the soil fail to secure adequate returns because of their neglect. Their orchards are not properly cared for, the crops are not put in at the right time, and a mere surface work is done in cultivating the soil. Their ill success they charge to the unproductiveness of the land. False witness is often borne in condemning land that, if properly worked, would yield rich returns. The narrow plans, the little strength put forth, the little study as to the best methods, call loudly for reform.

Let proper methods be taught to all who are willing to learn. If any do not wish you to speak to them of advanced ideas, let the lessons be given silently. Keep up the culture of your own land. Drop a word to your neighbors when you can, and let the harvest be eloquent in favor of right methods. Demonstrate what can be done with the land when properly worked.

Attention should be given to the establishment of various industries so that poor families can find employment. Carpenters, blacksmiths, and indeed everyone who understands some line of useful labor, should feel a responsibility to teach and help the ignorant and the unemployed.

In ministry to the poor there is a wide field of service for women as well as for men. The efficient cook, the housekeeper, the seamstress, the nurse--the help of all is needed. Let the members of poor households be taught how to cook, how to make and mend their own clothing, how to nurse the sick, how to care properly for the home. Let boys and girls be thoroughly taught some useful trade or occupation.
  

The Ministry of Healing, E.G. White, p.189-194.
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But all cannot be teachers of the word in the pulpit

The preaching of the word is ordained of God to arouse and convict sinners. And when the living preacher exemplifies in his own life the self-denial and sacrifices of Christ, when his conversation and acts are in harmony with the divine Pattern, then his influence will be a powerful one upon those who listen to his voice. But all cannot be teachers of the word in the pulpit. The duties of different persons vary, and there is work for all to do. All can aid the cause by giving unselfishly of their means to help the various branches of the work, by furnishing means for the publication of tracts and periodicals to scatter among the people and disseminate the truth. Those who give money to promote the cause are bearing a part of the burden of the work; they are colaborers with Christ; for God has furnished men with means on trust, to be used for holy and wise purposes. They are the instrumentalities which Heaven has ordained for doing good, and men are to put these talents out to the exchangers.


Testimonies for the Church Volume Four : p.118

Missing Canadian Adventist missionary confirmed dead, media reports say

Brian Townsend, a Canadian Seventh-day Adventist missionary living in central Belize who disappeared on December 24, 2013, has been confirmed dead, news reports indicate. 

Brian Townsend went missing in Belize late on December 24, 2013

January 06, 2014 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | Author: Adventist Review staff

A Seventh-day Adventist missionary missing in Belize for a week was confirmed deceased on January 2, media reports indicate. Brian Townsend, a missionary living in the Valley of Peace area of Belize, went missing on December 24, 2013. A body found in neighboring Guatemala has been identified as Townsend, who was 64, according to a report by CBC Edmonton.

"We have made formal identification," Belize Commanding Officer Dinsdale Thompson told the CBC in a story posted on their website. "We do know that, for sure, that it is a homicide and we are looking [in] that direction as well of the motive, of why they have killed him." The Canadian news report says police in Belize have identified two suspects and are working with Guatemalan authorities in a search.

Writing on Facebook the morning of January 3, Mark Johnson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian's family and the many lives he touched both in Belize and here throughout Canada. He threw all his considerable energy into the project in Belize. He will be sorely missed."

On Christmas Eve, Townsend's cook and neighbor saw his truck drive by with a mattress and rolled-up rug, heading out of town. The following morning when she arrived at the house for work, she discovered Townsend's truck was missing. Upon entering his single room house she discovered the place had been ransacked. Outside, approximately fifty feet from the house, "there was blood, there were two machetes in the place where they struggled" says Juan Arias, Vice Chairman of Valley of Peace who was on the scene soon after Townsend was noticed missing. Arias also stated, "It's like they hailed him to open the door and he did it. Because there was no forcing."

Police had also worked with the Canadian consulate and Kory Townsend, Townsend’s adult son, who traveled from his home in Western Canada to help search for his father.

Townsend moved to Belize from Canada to build the Valley of Peace Seventh-day Adventist High School and ended up staying after it was finished. "He was doing a lot of things, he had a couple projects. He built a school, towards his later years he was doing a vocational school, things like gardening and a wood shop," said Kory Townsend. "There are few people who can live a dream or live a goal, and embrace it with the passion he had." Kory also acknowledged his father's commitment to his Seventh-day Adventist faith and community. "This was a lifestyle for him, it was not just a project or a mission, he lived here."

According to Dennis Slusher, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Belize, “Townsend came to work in the Valley of Peace Community, helping build a school and church which now has about 50 members. He stayed on after the construction was finished, continuing to work for the betterment of the local community."

On December 30, Kory Townsend, accompanied by Patricia St. Jean and the Belize Disaster and Rescue Response Team visited Townsend's house in Belize and joined the search efforts. While at the house, neighbors and local Seventh-day Adventist church members kept dropping by and sharing what Townsend meant to them.

"Brian has been a role model for me, he has shown me a lot about mission work" said Miguel Ico, a local elder. "Through his efforts the Valley of Peace Seventh-day Adventist high school has been built."

Enrique Depaz was also a beneficiary of Townsend's kindness. He lived in Townsend's single-room house, but was out of town when Brian went missing. Enrique describes him as a "very positive man, very intelligent, he was always telling people how to live that Christian lifestyle." He recalls Townsend as a strong man who trusted in his faith completely: "He never showed that had fear of anything, because he always believed in God." Others told similar stories. Kory Townsend shared the story of a neighbor who told him that they had just named their newborn child in Townsend's honor.

On the evening of January 2, Ian Townsend, Brian's son-in-law who organized the family's efforts on Facebook, wrote, "With grieving hearts we inform you that the body found in Guatemala is Brian Townsend. We want you to know how much it meant to us, the support and prayers we received from all of you."

—with additional reporting by Tim Wolfer

Source:  Adventist News Network Copyright © 2014

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Changing Paradigms

3/14/12

BUCARAMANGA, COLOMBIA — I have always been afraid of getting too comfortable in life. Ellen White wrote that the descendants of Cain were distinguished by their material progress and looked for comfortable lives, but the descendants of Seth lived as strangers in the land seeking for a heavenly country (Patriarchs and Prophets, 81.1). Since I am a God-fearing Christian, I’d like to consider myself a spiritual descendant of Seth, an ambassador for God in a foreign land. But my experience this past summer showed that I was far too comfortable to be an effective ambassador.

A month before the 2010-2011 school year ended, I was offered a spot on a mission trip to preach an evangelistic series in Colombia. After accepting, things miraculously fell into place, and soon I was on an airplane to Bucaramanga, Colombia.

I found that I loved preaching because it was wonderful to see people accept Jesus into their lives. And then I noticed other remarkable occurrences. For example, a vast majority of the church members were attending every night. What made this so amazing was that most members worked from 7am to 7pm and then literally ran from their jobs to the meeting.

I quickly realized that my congregation had a much better understanding of what it meant to be a spiritual ambassador than I did. A 10-year old boy named Michael would push his invalid father in his wheelchair up and down steep hills until they got to church. Jessica, a girl with a disease that caused her skin to peel off and required her to be fully bandaged, attended the meetings whenever she could, despite how painful it was for her to get into her wheelchair. Youth from the church would get Jessica from her house and push her up the hills to take her to the meeting. My congregation’s passion for service made me acutely aware of my lack of passion.

Although I am an active Christian, my congregation’s faith bore evident fruits, and I could not say the same for myself. Why was there such a difference between my congregation’s spiritual flame and mine? Joel 2:23 tells us of a latter rain, and when Ellen White describes those who will receive this rain she says, “Daily they are improving the opportunities for service that lie within their reach” (AA 55.3). She then contrasts these individuals with those who neglect such opportunities and merely, “look forward to a time when, without effort on their part, they will be made the recipients of special blessings…” (AA 54.1).

Why was there a difference in our flames? Because my congregation was grasping for every opportunity for service, and I was sifting through them. God was saying to me, “Carpe Diem! Seize the day! Give it your all!” God is calling each one of us to make use of all the opportunities He gives us, not just some of them. He is calling us to allow the Comforter to lead us out of our comfort zone and into the field that we may be descendants of Seth. He is calling us to let it rain.

Daniela Alé-Salvo {story} :: Photos contributed


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Rwanda speaker inspires Bellarmine students

By Olivia Welsh

Published: Thursday, October 6, 2011

Updated: Thursday, October 6, 2011 16:10

Photo Courtesy: Samantha Ortiz

Photo Courtesy: Samantha Ortiz

Carl Wilkins, director of World Outside My Shoes and an Adventist missionary, gave a speech in Bellarmine's Amy Cralle Theater on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Wilkens spoke of his decision to be the only American remaining in Rwanda when the genocide began in April of 1994.

Wilkins' wife, Teresa, described their visit to Rwanda as "initially our easiest assignment," since they had already spent much time in Africa previously. Six months after the couple and their children arrived in Rwanda, however, the war had begun. His family chose to leave Rwanda while Wilkins decided to stay to fight the genocide, a decision that he and his wife both made together.

In Wilkins' speech, he spoke deeply of those he met on his journey in Rwanda. He opened with a story of two women who inspired him to keep fighting. Wilkins emphasized the importance of women's roles in these types of situations, saying there is "potential destruction of a family, community, and country when the women aredestroyed." He described his neighbors who protected him as "courageous, resilient, and compassionate" women. "If you want lasting stability, security, and development, then make sure young woman get an education." Wilkins described this as "the Girl Effect."

Wilkins' audience, made up of mostly college students, was impressed and inspired with his story and his decision to stay in Rwanda. "The speech tonight was especially meaningful to me because of my experience in South Africa," said Bellarmine junior Karen Thomas. "I believe people need to hear stories of despair, but also stories of hope."

Junior Samantha Ortiz was very moved by Wilkins' story. "It's amazing to see the capacity for compassion that people have in their hearts," she said, "We don't see many people like Wilkins, or the inspiring women in Rwanda, in our own society very often."

Wilkins encouraged his audience to take something away from his speech. "I believe that when we engage our mind and our muscles," he said, "it has a huge potential to change the way we think, which changes the way we feel and act."

Wilkins encouraged his audience to read and explore what is happening in Rwanda today. He explained that Rwanda is on the road to recovery now, but help is still needed in the country. He said we can help in many ways, whether it is by reading his book, "I'm Not Leaving" or just posting a link on Facebook with information about Rwanda's situation.

Wilkins stressed the significance of knowing what has happened in Rwanda. "I hope you go out of here with a deeper commitment...with a shift from ‘me' thinking to ‘we' thinking."

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*A small note about Bellarmine, after whom the university is named:

Robert Bellarmine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Bellarmine (full name in Italian: Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino) (4 October 1542 – 17 September 1621) was an Italian Jesuit and a Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was one of the most important figures in the Counter-Reformation. He was canonized in 1930 and is a Doctor of the Church.

Saint Robert Bellarmine
Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
Born	4 October 1542 Montepulciano, Italy
Died	17 September 1621 (aged 78) Rome, Italy

Missionary tabloid

Like the leaves of Autumn…..truth filled literature is being spread throughout the world proclaiming the soon coming of our Saviour. We have a work to do and we must do our part in sharing this message with every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people. One way in doing this is by scattering the everlasting gospel like the leaves of Autumn in printed form.

Steps to Life is working closely with Cornerstone Publishing to see that Earth's Final Warning is given by sending container loads of materials throughout the world. With our new capacity of up to 1 million tabloids and other materials in each container the word is getting out, being distributed by eager and faithful workers. Let us know if you would like to take part in this effort to reach the world with the Three Angels Message of Revelation 14:6-12.

Ongoing Projects Needs

Rapidly closing events demand that we ship around the world on a regular basis in order to reach the 7 billion people before Christ comes. To date we have shipped 148 containers to 58 countries in 18 languages with each container up to one million tabloids on board with the full gospel message having a phenomenal success rate. Our plan is to print 7 containers each printing event (up to 7 million copies) at a total cost of $125,000 and continue this on an ongoing basis until Jesus comes. We are looking for sponsors to cover the cost of 1 container at $18,000 but in view of the urgency of the times you may want to sponsor a full block of 7 containers at $125,000 in order to keep ahead of closing doors. You can select the countries of your choice and we will ship prepaid and even see that it is distributed. We especially welcome your prayers and if God places it on your heart - your small to large donations given commensurate to how He has blessed you. Christ has chosen you and I to take the final warning message to the world to prepare a people just before He comes.

Some of the countries shipped to in recent months have been: Argentina, Spain, Uruguay, Brazil, Hawaii, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen, Togo, Cameroon, Mauritius Island, Central California, Nigeria, Colombia, Netherlands and Mexico. At an average cost under 2.5 cents per 4 to16 page periodical we can flood each country like the leaves of autumn like an invasion of well trained soldiers. Why not be part of this thrilling spiritual adventure which will fill the whole earth with the God's Glory. It will happen! Be part of it!

Your financial support and prayers would be most appreciated. If you would like to help with this project you may mark your donation for Missionary Tabloid Fund, payable either to Cornerstone Publications or to Steps to Life at the addresses listed below:

Cornerstone Publications

3249 A Old Baldy Mt. Rd.
Rice, WA 99167
(509) 722-3357

Steps to Life
PO Box 782828
Wichita, KS 67278
1-800-843-8788

DONATE ONLINE

Below you will find a map of the world showing where containers have been shipped and the number of containers sent to that country if more than one has been shipped to a country. Countries not listed or not colored in on the map are still needing to be reached.

Approximately 64,100,000 tabloids have been shipped worldwide.


Click Here to Read Earth's Final Warning (PDF)


Click Here to Read Behold He Cometh (PDF)


Click Here to Read Health of the Nations (PDF)



To read all PDF files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader

Source: http://www.stepstolife.org/html/missionary_tab.htm

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Friends React To Southern Adventist Student's Murder

November 20, 2009 4:44 PM
Will Carr

Friends and Faculty are mourning the loss of a Southern Adventist University student killed halfway across the world.

Kirsten Wolcott was on a student mission project in the Sate of Yap in Micronesia when she was murdered earlier this week. Her friends at Southern Adventist University say Wolcott loved to teach and that's exactly what she was doing in Yap when she was killed.

On Wednesday Kirsten Wolcott went for a run on the remote island of Yap in Micronesia, but she never returned. Initial reports state her body was found in the woods after she'd been stabbed to death.

"I couldn't believe it because she was my friend first of all and i've never had a friend be murdered and it could have been me so easily," Hanna Freire, Wolcott's friend, says.

That's because Freire served as a missionary in Yap last year.

"It was like I was taken out of my life there and she was placed in it," Freire says. "I can see my students faces as they found her and it's really hard I still have not comprehended how I feel about this."

Freire tells us Wolcott was always sweet, caring, loved God, and loved to help others.

"We are bleeding as a church, as a school family we've lost one of our own," Chaplain Brennon Kirstein says.

Kirstein says Southern Adventist University is offering counseling for students right now. He tells us the University currently has eighty-six other missionaries across the globe who are serving just like Wolcott.

"And she laid her life down for a much higher cause and we salute her and we're incredibly proud of her and may others follow her example," Kirstein says.

It's an example her friends say stood out nearly half way across the world.

"She loved being a student missionary and so many people will get scared away because of the whole student missions because of this story but Kirsten would want them to go," Wolcott says.

We have learned that an arrest has been made in connection with Wolcott's death but right now details are very limited.

The University has set up a web page in Wolcott's memory. To visit the page please click on the "Southern Adventist University - Kirsten Wolcott" under the links portion of this story.

Related Stories/Links
Southern Adventist University - Kirsten Wolcott

Source: http://www.newschannel9.com/news/wolcott-986574-university-says.html

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