Witnessing

One day, a man rode a jeepney going to the city. On that jeepney, Andrea was singing hymns about God’s love and grace to humanity. The man took out his cell phone, typed a message to the number he got from the back of the magazine called Adventist World which was distributed by another young lady when he rode the bus bound for manila. The text message said, “Brother, I am currently riding on the jeepney named Three Angel’s Message listening to the heavenly music”.

God works in mysterious ways! Through literature, through music, God works. Testimonies Volume 6 says, “We have no time to lose. The end is near. The passage from place to place to spread the truth will soon be hedged with danger on the right hand and on the left… There is danger in delay. That soul whom you might have found, that soul to whom you might have opened the Scriptures, passes beyond your reach. Satan has prepared some net for his feet, and tomorrow he may be working out the plans of the archenemy of God. Why delay one day? Why not go to work at once?

Medical Missionaries: WANTED in the Bus!

Whenever there is someone or a group who will go down the hill for Manila or any opportunity to ride the bus, there is always a challenge: to speak the truth---either gospel or health. Nervous, but challenge, someone will prepare a short outline.

the first (1st) week of the month of March, 4 Medical Missionaries were set to go to Manila on different dates. Dianne* was prepared to stand on the bus isle for the first (1st) trip and Karla* for the trip that followed. When asked about the experience, one similar phase took place, they were aware of the urging of the Holy Ghost. But not both are granted with same result. Dianne was able to share about the frontal lobe as the medium of our communication with the Lord, what damages it and how to improve it. Her companion kept still on her seat praying. After an appeal and a prayer, she gave away religious tracks with a contact number. Karla, on the next trip, together with Babylyn* were burdened to share. But due to unfavorable circumstances, they weren’t able to stand on the isle instead gave away tracks.

God has a thousand ways to work in people’s heart in different instance. We can relate Karla’s experience with the account of Paul and Silas found in Acts 16: 6 and 7, “…and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. (7)…but the spirit suffered them not”. At the same time always ready to speak when God might order them to do so. Karla on the bus terminal, before traveling back to Ilocos Norte, was impressed by the Holy Ghost to do personal ministry instead of standing in the audience of many. Conversing with an old man, reading to him the Living Word, giving him the book Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White and opening the gates of Heaven through prayer to bless that old man were the tasks the Lord wanted her to do.

Great Controversy page 343 says, “Each has his part to act”, some to speak in audience, some personal ministry. Even the simple act of handling to others the Adventist World magazine has a part in leading souls to Christ. What important is to keep in mind the counsel found in Christ’s Object Lesson page 338,39, “Wherever we are, we should watch for opportunities of speaking to others of the Savior. This is the very highest work in which we can empty the talent of speech”.


*Dianne Kay P. Guevara, medical missionary, volunteer teacher: Basic Nursing, Hydrotherapy and Herbs.

*Kristina Karla dela Cruz and Babylyn Seco, medical missionary trainees, nursing graduates.

One of the Best Kinds of Employment

“Working the soil is one of the best kinds of employment, calling the muscles into action and resting the mind. Study in agricultural lines should be the A, B, and C of the education given in our schools. This is the very first work that should be entered upon. Our schools should not depend upon imported produce, for grain and vegetables, and the fruits so essential to health.” 6T 179.1

“It is God's plan that agriculture shall be connected with the work of our sanitariums and schools. Our youth need the education to be gained from this line of work. It is well, and more than well,--it is essential,--that efforts be made to carry out the Lord's plan in this respect.” {8T 227.3}

It is indeed the Lord’s plan that the agriculture be a part of our schools. For the past years since the school started, the agriculture has also been developing. The Foundation started with just simple backyard gardens along with the fruit trees all around the area. Students who were enrolled in the trainings were given a practical education in agriculture as well as in other manual labors as based on Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students page 311

"Students should be given a practical education in agriculture. This will be of inestimable value to many in their future work. The training to be obtained in felling trees and in tilling the soil, as well as in literary lines, is the education that our youth should seek to obtain.”

Every day in the morning, the staff together with the students would be seen in the field pulling out weeds, clearing the plots, tilling the soil, watering the plants, and planting vegetables. It is such a joy to take part in the Lord has blessed. Many lessons were learned each day as the students and staffs work in the field. Every moment is a privilege to talk about God’s written lessons in plants and in the soil.

About this time the Foundation has over __hectares of land filled with vegetables and some fruit trees. “Agriculture will open resources for self-support, and various other trades also could be learned” (FE 322). Indeed the Foundation has been blessed by the agriculture; it has been sustaining the missionaries in the self-supporting ministry as well as in the daily meals. Most of the vegetables that the students and staff are consuming were from our very own organic plants. The plants not only benefit the school but also our friends from the nearby baranggays. Through this ministry, more people were encouraged to eat vegetables than meat. It has reached the Baranggay Captain as well as some people working in the local municipal office. This has been another entering wedge for us who are looking for souls to be lead to the Savior.

One special thing about our agriculture is that it is 100% organic, without any harmful chemicals from other sources. About a few months ago, the vermiculture was introduced to our agriculture by a former trainee of the one month school. The vermi (a kind of worm) and its cast were used as the organic fertilizer. It is placed on the vermi beds with all our compost. While the worm eats up all the garbage, it also takes with them the foul odor. This has been a blessing to us and also to others who are buying our organic vegetables. We want to be as close to the original as possible with the guidance of the Almighty. We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to impress us as to what we still need to improve. Instead of spraying, we do the praying.

The weather has been dry for over 3 months, but still, we praise the Lord because He never fails. Our vegetables are still sustained by the Creator of all. What we have now is only because of the power of the One who makes the sun to rise and the rains to pour. Thankfully, we have a very good supply of bitter gourd, lettuce, string beans and other vegetables together with the pineapples which now bears fruit after a year of waiting.

Better Way Foundation Team