For all of her adult life Pelima had been a healer. Even her name was the name of a goddess who supposedly healed people and protected them from sickness. Pelima had a whole room full of the gods she worshiped and from which she gained her power to heal. She became famous in her community. When people came to her, she would perform magic over them and tie strings or put bangles around their wrists to bring healing or to protect them from sickness. Pelima’s daughter grew up, married and … [Read more...]
Saved by an act of kindness
BALUT ISLAND, Philippines—One Sabbath, while I was teaching the lesson study at Balut Island, I noticed a woman who looked pale and weak. After the lesson study, I talked with her. She asked if I knew of any abortion medicine. She was trying to end her pregnancy. I asked her to reconsider, and she left. Later, during the church service, a man asked for help. His sister—the woman I had talked to—was bleeding. When I went to their home, the woman was bathed in blood. Her father said he … [Read more...]
Fighting horse keeps Sabbath
Rumors of hardships, sufferings, challenges and deprivation bombarded my ears during my month-long training to become a Sulads* missionary. But that did not dampen my spirits. What captured my attention were stories of miracles in the mountains. I had never seen a miracle, and I wanted to experience one. Finally, the training was over, and it was time to go. I started climbing to my assigned mission school. I hiked 10 hours, traversing cliffs and rugged mountains, before reaching Tulay … [Read more...]
Live a thousand lives
Life’s greatest blunder is to live just one life when you can live a thousand. We who have experienced the saving love of God are to enter the lives of those around us, to take upon ourselves the needs and the burdens of those who know not Christ. God’s church is a healing center, a saving center. All of the people in the world are God’s lost sheep. To help find the lost is our primary duty. Every time we identify ourselves with others in order to help them and lead them to Christ there … [Read more...]
Grow the family
In the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, a 12-month project already is underway to tell the story of Jesus' love in 500 villages. Andhra Pradesh, located in southeast India, is home to 75 million people. More than 800,000 currently are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. About 50 teams, including 20 led by well-known evangelist Mark Finley, will be involved, according to Wallace Mandigo, vice president of Gospel Outreach. At least 100,000 new church members are expected as a … [Read more...]