Mission Report Special
Papua New Guinea
“Australasia is a divinely appointed center, from which the light of present truth is to radiate to many lands.” — AU Gleaner, June 17, 1903 par. 8
The forgotten truth about the Father and Son is being restored in many lands. This light has been shining in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the first country visited on a recent missionary trip sponsored by Restitution Ministry from September to November 2013.
A camp meeting was held in Port Moresby, PNG, and was organized by Pastor Zacharia. Guest speakers from Australia were: Tony Donnel, Stefan Skucy, Bill Pinto and Chris Sparks. The zeal of the brethren in PNG was highlighted by the determination of many of them to attend the camp meeting, some having to travel 60 miles on foot across the jungle mountain trail called the ‘Kokoda track’. Some bought one way plane tickets from their highland homes, being unable to afford the return journey. After 3 sermons in the evening the people were unwilling to go to bed because they hoped to hear another sermon. Likewise the next morning 3 sermons were given, the brethren requesting to hear more chose to skip breakfast. Their hunger for the word of God could not be satisfied.
PNG has the highest number of Godhead believing SDA’s in the world, reportedly 7,000 among a population of only 7 million. The success of the message is largely due to the relentless street preaching campaigns conducted by the younger men. The street preachers are constantly seeking to establish churches, and penetrate into new areas with the gospel invitation. They have been attacked with all kinds of weapons, and have lost teeth and blood, but their courage and boldness has revealed to the crowds a love for souls which often wins even their attackers. A certain preacher was told by an angry mob once that if he returned they would kill him, his response to them was that he would be back tomorrow, for God had not given him the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). The next day 1 or 2 thousand gathered to hear him from all around the country, and it resulted in a church being raised up.
“And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not” (John 1:5 RV).
After the camp meeting we went up to the highlands to encourage the believers who were unable to attend the camp meeting, and to participate in some street preaching.
One day, as we were visiting a small church which had gathered together to meet with us, following a short message to them we asked the question, “Does anybody here have any words which we can pass on to the churches we will visit throughout the world?” One dear sister encouraged us with words to this effect: “Even though we in our circumstances cannot travel as foreign missionaries as you do, we can as Simon, the Cyrene did in his circumstances, bear the cross of Jesus by praying for the work that is being carried forward by other workers.” This woman’s words have been relayed to many churches throughout the world.
“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment” (John 12:3).
Philippines
Raymond Mendiola, the ministry coordinator of Restitution Ministries Philippines, along with other leading brethren are putting wholehearted efforts into searching for souls, and visiting contacts throughout the SDA church in the Philippines who believe the truth about God, or who desire to study into the subject. Their efforts have been very successful, even with whole churches being won to the truth. Raymond organized for Stefan and Chris to travel around the Philippines with him, spending a month presenting the Godhead message to many SDA churches.
The first of four locations visited during the month long visit was Santa Cruz in the northern part of the Philippines. The believers worship at the Kagutungan health restoration site, which is led out by a brother Carlos and his family, who have been sharing the truth about God with the churches in their surrounding area. We were again happy to see, as in PNG, that there are many spiritually minded young men and women involved with the small country church, namely two young sisters, Valor and Vergie, who are both working towards becoming medical missionaries. When we first arrived Sister Vergie believed in the trinity, but one day as she attended the Conference SDA church she was invited by her friend Valor to come and visit Kagutungan. By the end of our stay of only a few days this young lady was persuaded for the truth, and began sharing it with her Pastor and church, taking her stand for the truth, placing her education and lodging in jeopardy, for both were sponsored by the SDA church.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).
A Brother Ramon, pictured right, lives in Puerto Priscesa, on the Island of Palawan with his family of 12 children. Prior to our visit Ramon had letter-boxed his neighbourhood to bring people from the highways and byways to a 5 night seminar held in the village hall on the 3 angels messages. We also spent some time preaching in the streets with brother Ramon, who was encouraged by brother Stefan Skucy to continue street preaching after we left. Ramon has donated a section of his own land and resources to construct a church for the believers to worship at, even though he lacks the funds to concrete his own bare earth floor which flooded after heavy rain.
Brother Raymond Mendiola (pictured on the left) organized visits to several SDA churches that we might share the Godhead message. One church we visited several months before was won for the truth, and their conference pastor gave them up and departed. Knowledge in the truth about God grows daily in the Philippines thanks to the Lord’s abundant blessing upon His servants such as brethren Ray and Ramon who have dedicated themselves to preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“. . . The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).
The last event of our stay in the Philippines was a camp meeting held in Cebu city. This meeting drew attendees from all over the Philippines who held diverse opinions on the Godhead, and therefore gave to many an opportunity to hear the truth. While some afterwards argued against the messages, others publically thanked the Lord for the new understanding they had received. Praise the Lord!
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa 55:11).
Chris Sparks
Finding true happiness in Jesus's sermon on the Mount of Blessings.
Mission Report from Brazil
Brother Morgan Polsky shares a short report on the work that is going on down there.
The Lunar Sabbath - Part 5 - Circular Reasoning
There is only one honest example of circular reasoning: What God says is true, because God says it is true...
Gardening - Plant & Soil Nutrition
There is only one honest example of circular reasoning: What God says is true, because God says it is true...
Health Corner - Drug Resistant Pathogens
There has been an alarming increase of infections due to antibiotic resistant bacteria in recent years. Two million Americans get these infections a year, and at least 23,000 die as a result. The future looks gloomy for the medical establishment but there is hope in God's simple remedies.
Think on These Things - Ecumenism
Seperations can be painful ... Is it necessary or even biblical?
Special Mission Report
Brother Chris Sparks shares an encouraging missionry report from Papau New Guinea and the Philippines.
Recipe
Raquel's Vegan Spinach Pesto
Seventh Day Home Church Fellowships is an association of Sabbath-keeping groups, which through web & tele-conferencing provides means for study, fellowship, and jointly organized missionary projects.
Website: www.seventhdayhomechurchfellowships.org
Email: admin@seventhdayhomechurchfellowships.org
Seventh Day Home Church Fellowships:
P.O. Box 262, Laconia, NH 03246, U.S.A.