As time draws to a close, we can see the marked difference between those who serve the God of heaven, and those who have chosen another master. Bright lights, who once walked the straight and narrow, winning many souls to Christ, knowingly turn from the truth. Many who have been pillars of our faith, now walk in outer darkness. Does this surprise us? Does it cause us to become discouraged? God forbid!!! These signs of the times should cause us to rally to the forefront and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ with even more power and conviction.
Do not become discouraged dear friends; Your faithfulness and dedication to God will not go unrewarded. One day soon, we shall see the reward of our labors.
"The redeemed will meet and recognize those whose attention they have directed to the uplifted Saviour. What blessed converse they have with these souls! "I was a sinner," it will be said, "without God and without hope in the world, and you came to me, and drew my attention to the precious Saviour as my only hope. And I believed in him. I repented of my sins, and was made to sit together with his saints in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," Others will say, "I was a heathen in heathen lands. You left your friends and comfortable home, and came to teach me how to find Jesus, and believe in him as the only true God. I demolished my idols, and worshiped God, and now I see him face to face. I am saved, eternally saved, ever to behold him whom I love. I then saw him only with the eye of faith, but now I see him as He is. I can now express my gratitude for his redeeming mercy to him who loved me, and washed me from my sin in his own blood." {RH, January 5, 1905 par. 13} What rejoicing there will be as these redeemed ones meet and greet those who have had a burden in their behalf!
"Others will express their gratitude to those who fed the hungry and clothed the naked. "When despair bound my soul in unbelief, the Lord sent you to me," they say, "to speak words of hope and comfort. You brought me food for my physical necessities, and you opened to me the word of God, awakening me to my spiritual needs. You treated me as a brother. You sympathized with me in my sorrows, and restored my bruised and wounded soul, so that I could grasp the hand of Christ that was reached out to save me. In my ignorance you taught me patiently that I had a Father in heaven who cared for me. You read to me the precious promises of God's Word. You inspired in me the faith that he would save me. My heart was softened, subdued, broken, as I contemplated the sacrifice which Christ had made for me. I became hungry for the bread of life, and the truth was precious to my soul. I am here, saved, eternally saved, ever to live in his presence, and to praise him who gave his life for me." {RH, January 5, 1905 par. 14}
Asleep In Christ Jesus
By Joe
Dear family, many of you may remember Amparo. She was a faithful member of La Zona House of Prayer; one of the first baptized members. She would often share her testimony of the time; twelve years ago when she asked Elsa why she went to church on Saturday, and how Elsa had turned her Bible to Exodus 20 where she read to her the Ten Commandments. She could never forget that, because God had spoken to her heart, that she needed to obey those commandments in order to be His true follower.
Amparo was a servant in her community, always loving and helpful. We would often see her going up and down the road visiting her children and family members. About a year ago, Amparo was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She began taking the doctor recommended medications, which caused terrible side effects. She asked if we had something natural to give her that would heal her of the TB. I started her on a mineral solution, which she took for about two weeks before returning to get retested. Amazingly, her lab tests were negative, and she was told that she was free of tuberculosis. Feeling healthy again, Amparo stopped taking the natural mineral solution. Not long after, we all began to notice that she was loosing more and more weight. Being the cheerful person that she was, she never complained. We were all concerned for her, but she insisted that she felt good. Months went by, and Amparo became weaker and weaker, until she could no longer care for herself. Initially, family members took her in, and took care of her. Soon after, Amparo lost her appetite, and began loosing even more weight. She again, developed a productive cough, which sent off signals in my mind. I advised the family to have her tested again for TB, and the tests came back negative, but she did have a lung infection, for which the hospital gave a heavy dosage of antibiotics, something she hated.
Once out of the hospital, she stayed with one of her daughters for a while, but then requested that she be brought to the clinic. She said, " If I’m to be healed it will be at the clinic, and if not, may God’s will be done."
It was a joy having Amparo there with us. When she came to us, her skin was pale and grey, and she was too weak to walk by herself. After only a few days, Amparo was her happy cheerful self. She was taking daily walks, and her appetite was improving. I just knew she was on the road to recovery. She was doing so well, but suddenly, in just one day, she took an unexpected turn for the worst. She became very lethargic, and her speech was slow and slurred. She was asking to go to her home. This type of request is never a good sign, when coming from an elderly person who has a serious illness. It’s natural for one to want to be in his/her own familiar surroundings, but in circumstances like this, insisting on going home to rest, it usually means that the person has grown tired of fighting for life, and is ready to die; they simply want to be in their own comfortable home when they do. We granted her request, of course, and took her home.
I was away in a nearby city when I got a call from Elsa, telling me that Amparo was unresponsive. Her last audible words were, "I will wait for the doctor."
I immediately caught a bus and began the two hour bus ride back to Santa Barbara.
Arriving at Amparo’s home, I noticed all of the family gathered there at her small house. Instinctively, I feared that she had passed away already, but then I remembered that it is customary for friends and family to gather at the home of the person who is expected to die. I do not particularly care for this custom, as it instills in the mind of the sick person all the more, that they truly are going to die. As I maneuvered my way through the congregation in the house, I saw Amparo, resting quietly in her bed. Her breaths were slow and labored. I knew her time was near. I knelt down beside her bed, took her hand in mine, and told her that I was there with her. I felt a slight squeeze of my hand, and Amparo took one last deep breath, and fell asleep in Christ Jesus.
It is always a sad and mournful time when one looses a loved one; but God says to rejoice; Rejoice, because the person no longer has to fight the battles against evil. They no longer have to experience pain and suffering. Those who are righteous will sleep peacefully, until they hear the melodious voice of Jesus saying, "Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep in the dust, arise." Until that glorious day, God tells us that, "every sleeping saint will be kept in safety and will be guarded as a precious jewel, who is known to God by name." God has promised never to leave us, or forsake us; And that includes after He allows us to fall asleep in Him.
The funeral service for Amparo was beautiful. Family members from all over Honduras came to pay tribute to the head of the family. This was the first time many had ever been inside of an Adventist church. All were amazed at the solemnity and reverence inside of God’s House of Prayer. They said they had never witnessed such a meaningful service as that. Afterwards, the entire family were invited up to the Outpost for Sabbath lunch. This too was something they all needed. It allowed them to have quiet fellowship with one another, in a quiet Christian environment.
Since this time, many of the family have continued to faithfully come to church every Sabbath. There is one family who are earnestly studying God’s word, and hope to take part in our next baptism…..Praise God!!!!
I believe this should be the goal at every funeral service; To minister and witness to the living; And to remind them that we will all come face to face with Jesus one day soon. The only question is, will we be ready to meet Him in the clouds. Oh how God loves you, and me.
"The plan of redemption will not be fully understood, even when the ransomed see as they are seen and know as they are known; but through the eternal ages new truth will continually unfold to the wondering and delighted mind. Though the grief’s and pains and temptations of earth are ended and the cause removed, the people of God will ever have a distinct, intelligent knowledge of what their salvation has cost." {GC 651.1}
Unto The Least Of These….
By Joe
Christ "constantly went about doing good—-feeding the hungry and healing the sick. No one who came to Him for sympathy was disappointed….He was kind to all, easily approached by the most lowly. He went from house to house, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the distressed….Christ stands before us as the pattern Man, the great Medical Missionary—-an example for all who should come after….What, then, is the example that we are to set to the world? We are to do the same work that the great Medical Missionary undertook in our behalf. We are to follow the path of self-sacrifice trodden by Christ."
What an honor it is to be doing the same work Christ did when He was on earth. If I could live my life over again, and choose a field in which to work, I would choose Medical Missionary work.
One thing we have learned over the years here in Honduras, is that no one comes to our Outpost for treatment by chance. It is God who directs people to us; not only for natural healing, but to learn of Him. Unfortunately, some people wait until it is too late for physical healing to be effective; nonetheless, God directs them here.
Meet Mr. Matt, a feisty young man of 92 years, who came to us early in May with deep ulcers on both of his feet. Like many, he is a poor hard working fellow, unable to eat those things needed to supply the body with proper nutrition. After a thorough examination, we found that Matt has severe vascular deficiency in both legs. He had gone to numerous doctors, but none were able to help him. Attempting to treat ulcers on the feet would be a challenge. You see, in order for wounds to heal, the body needs fresh oxygenated blood circulating throughout the troubled area. If blood supply is hindered in any way, it will retard, or even prevent healing.
Elsa explained to Matt all that would be involved in his treatments; reminding him that bringing life and healing back into his feet would be a painful process, because nerve endings would be restored. Matt was more than willing to do whatever was necessary to receive healing for his feet.
We immediately began treatments on Mr. Matt’s feet. Elsa is a professional when it comes to making up and applying poultices, and she really had Matt’s curiosity astir when she applied a cabbage & cucumber poultice to his feet. I could see that he was beginning to wonder if he had come to the right place,… so I decided to calm his nerves a little by telling him not to worry,...that we are going to apply the salad dressing next :)). He had a good laugh, and soon realized that Elsa knew what she was doing. It is consistent, diligent work treating leg/feet ulcers, and every day Elsa faithfully started Matt off with goldenseal leg soaks, followed by poultices to the feet. In the evenings, she would apply clay (green clay) to the lower legs and feet; This was used to draw out toxins through the skin. I don’t speak much Spanish, but Matt and I became fast friends and got along well. I must say that, except for his feet ulcers, he was in very good health for a man 92 years old. Of course, physical healing is of no benefit without spiritual healing. As with all of our patients, we gave Matt the book Ministry Of Healing to read. We have yet to notice any patients not interested in God’s inspired word. Often, Matt would be seen, sitting quietly in his room, reading and praying, and because of his desire to seek God, the great Medical Missionary, we knew that God would provide healing for him; physical and spiritual. After only a few days, Matt began complaining of intense pain, like "pins & needles" throughout his feet. This was good news. There’s an old saying, "No pain, no gain," and it certainly applies when it comes to restoration of health. I repeatedly assured Matt that pain was a good sign; an important part of the healing process. Into the second week, Matt’s ulcers were visi-bly closing, and new tissue was being formed.
It was Mango season, and Matt informed us that he would have to leave, in order to pick and sell his Mango’s. Although his treatments were going very well, he needed more time with us at the Clinic; but he also needed to provide for his family, and needed to harvest the Mango’s. With only one week to go, we continued the natural treatments, and prayed earnestly that God would bless our efforts. God is so faithful to His children. By weeks end, Matt’s ulcers had healed remarkably well. We knew it was time for Matt to leave us, and we were all sad when that time came.
I knew Matt was going to miss the peace and quiet of the Outpost, but mostly, he was going to miss our volunteers coming by everyday to sing to him. He enjoyed that so much, that we decided to give him a special mini concert. There’s nothing like witnessing consecrated young people who are joyful in the Lord, and who gladly give of themselves to help others. Matt’s family was very impressed with our youth. They came and sang right along with them. What a joyful time it was,...though sad to see Matt leave. We assured Matt that he is welcome to come and visit us any time. A few days after leaving, Matt’s sister called, in-forming us that he insists that they do the same treatments, the same way they were done at the mountain clinic.
Please remember Matt in your prayers.
[caption id="attachment_579" align="aligncenter" width="695" caption="Elsa applies a clay paste to Matt’s feet and a little added TLC never hurt anyone"]
[/caption]We as Christ’s followers, have been redeemed for service, and He tells us that "the true object of life is ministry." We are to be guided by Christ’s law of service-Service to God, and service to our fellow men. "By living to minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ. The law of service becomes the connecting link which binds us to God and to our fellow men."
All that we have, is to be used for the service of Christ. "He gives "to every man his work." Each has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work in cooperation with Christ for the salvation of souls. Not more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly mansions than is the special place designed on earth where we are to work for God." COL, pp. 326, 327.
Dear friends, it’s never too late to dedicate your life to the service of God. There is no greater work, and there is no greater joy than this.
Industry AND MINISTRY
by Elsa
There is need of proper education. Schools should be established for the purpose of obtaining not only knowledge from books, but knowledge of practical industry. Men are needed in different communities to show the people how riches are to be obtained from the soil. The cultivation of land will bring its return. {FE 316.2}
Dear friends, I just want to share with you, how God has abundantly blessed our project, "Organics of Santa Barbara". It has been amazing to me. We wanted to continue to inspire our young people in the Lord’s work, and to let them know that they can make a living, make a difference, and be an example to others in the community. It didn’t take much to get them going. In their education they learned to work, to garden and to use all their talents and faculties to the glory of God.
As Joe shared with you in the last newsletter, God opened doors for us in one of the largest supermarkets in San Pedro Sula. So now there is an official industry for the boys to work with. Weekly they are planting, harvesting and getting all the produce ready for marketing, as you can see in these pictures.
This project has taught them perseverance, and how to work together, because it has required the help of everyone at the outpost,... and we do have a lot of people at the outpost, but that’s another story:). Another blessing that has come out of this project is that we’ve had to hire some extra help, so it has given jobs to people who need them. One of those workers is a young man from the La Zona village by the name of Selvin. He was one of those quiet young men sitting by the side of the road. He was happy to start working with Roger and Rene, and the first time they invited him to come to church, he came and has not stopped coming since. I remember after his first visit, I asked him if he liked the service, and with a big smile he answered "yes," then I asked if he would like to study the Bible, with another big smile he nodded his head yes! So he has been having Bible studies with Douglas twice a week.
"Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee." Ps. 128: 1 & 2.
Since organic produce is something new in the Honduran market, we usually set up a small display so the people can sample the lettuces, and cucumbers or whatever we bring to market that day. Well, that has been another blessing. I didn’t even know Rene had all that talent to decorate and make fancy demonstrations with the vegetables. The people are very impressed, and even ask him, if he has attended a special school to learn to do the special carvings, but he just smiles and says, " It is The Lord that helps me."
I can see that the boys are a real witness to the people in these markets. They see something different in them. And they are able to share Jesus with them.
On one occasion when I was telling a lady about the organic lettuce, she looked at me and asked if I was a Seventh-Day Adventist? I answered yes, and she began to tell me how she had been healed from cancer following our health message; she said, "You are a blest people. God has given you information on health that He has not given to anyone else, and it is so wonderful that you are sharing these organic products here in the supermarket." She said thank you and keep up the good work. It made my heart glad to hear someone not of our faith, praise the health message that God has given us. It made me think of what Psalms 67:1,2 says, "God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us; That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations." We are thankful that our young men have learned to work with their hands, and also be able to go out into the thoroughfares and mingle with the people and thus be able to be a light for the Lord. We keep ever before them the purpose for all that we do, and that is to glorify God and be able to give His message for these last days. They admire the apostle Paul and his fervor for the ministry, and how he also worked with his hands.
"He gave his fellow workers instruction in spiritual things, and he also set an example of industry and thoroughness. He was a quick, skillful worker, diligent in business, "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11. As he worked at his trade, the apos-tle had access to a class of people that he could not otherwise have reached. He showed his associates that skill in the common arts is a gift from God, who provides both the gift and the wisdom to use it aright. He taught that even in everyday toil God is to be honored. His toil-hardened hands detracted nothing from the force of his pathetic appeals as a Christian minister. {AA 351.3}
Outpost of Refuge
by Elsa
"The cities of refuge appointed for God's ancient people are a symbol of the Refuge provided and revealed in Jesus Christ. The offering made by our Saviour was of sufficient value to make a full expiation for the sins of the whole world, and all who by repentance and faith flee to this Refuge, will find security; here they will find peace from the heaviest pressure of guilt, and relief from the deepest condemnation…. A merciful Saviour appointed the temporal cities of refuge, that the innocent might not suffer with the guilty. "
Joe teases me, saying that we will soon have all of La Zona living at the outpost. But what else can we do but open our doors to those who are in need. Isaiah 58:7 says, "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house, when thou seest the naked , that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh."
I know that it is only God’s grace and His love that has allowed us to be able to live with a "full house". But as the days go by, I believe that we are going to see more and more need for us to become totally unselfish with our means and with our lives. We have been placed in this world to be a blessing.
About a year a go, we saw a great need for Ada, (Rene’s mother), to move up to the clinic with her daughter, Dinora. Ada’s husband had left her, and Dinora was going through those hard teenage years; she needed a place of refuge away from the center of the village where they were living. Praise the Lord that they accepted our offer to come and live with us. Their presence here at the Outpost has been such a great blessing. Mother and daughter work at the bakery, and Dinora is growing in the Lord; Of course Rene is happy to have Mom and little sister with him at the outpost.
Recently we had another sad incident. The deceitfulness of sin, can blind people to the point where the love for the things of this world can even take away the love for your own children. Two precious little ones were left by their mother, in the care of their hard working and overwhelmed father, who did not know what to do. The girls were shuffled here and there, wherever their father took them; then, for a while, they stayed with an uncle in a small crowded house. Our hearts went out to them, and finally the father realized his need and asked if we would keep the girls. They have been with us now for three months, and we realize that God has a special plan for these precious girls. For in spite of all that has happened to them, they have kept a strength that only comes from Him. I ask for wisdom and strength to be like a mother to them and guide them in the way of the Lord. We have the deepest interest for these children. They are as dear to us as if our very own. We will not lose sight of them, nor cease to care for them. Already they have developed such beautiful Christian characters. No, it isn’t easy being the provider for so many; but what a joy and privilege it is to demonstrate God’s love to those who have been abandoned and neglected. By God’s grace, we will continue to go where He tells us to go, say what He tells us to say, do what He wants us to do, and be what He wants us to be.
So when people ask if I have any children, I say "yes",…. an Outpost full.:))
[caption id="attachment_585" align="aligncenter" width="695" caption="Little Gabby and Valesca. (Left to right) Dinora, Gabby, Valesca, and Rene"]
[/caption]MINISTRY UPDATE
By Joe
We want to thank all who have faithfully supported this ministry over the years. The Lord has truly blest Maranatha Medical Ministries. There are several projects MMM is in the midst of, and by God’s grace, we will accomplish all that He directs us to do. We thank you for your support, and we ask that you keep our projects and ministry efforts in your prayers. Below is a list of a few of our projects:
** Maranatha Crisis Children: There are children in the nearby communities, desperately in need of food, clothes, and school supplies; MCC, continues to help these children,…. Not to mention the Crisis Children living right here at the Outpost with us.
**Maranatha Sanitarium & Health Retreat: We have recently had a number of patients at the clinic who have needed extended treatments, which requires them to stay at the clinic for long periods of time.. We believe this has been God’s way of showing us that we should design a portion of this Outpost to be used for Sanitarium work; To invite the sick to come and stay at the Outpost while they receive healing. In-patient treatments have always been most beneficial in patient healing; However, we will need to remodel one of our dormitories, as well as construct a couple of modest cabins for health guests. Thank you for your support, and may God richly bless all who have been faithful to His cause.
"Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of the Saviour shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim His own. It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to hasten, the coming of our Lord. Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel! Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come." CT, p.324
Let us consecrate and dedicate all that we are and have to the service of our Lord; Remembering that we are Pilgrims in this world. This is not our home.
Prayer Corner:
Prayer to the Great Physician for the healing of the soul brings the blessing of God. Prayer unites us one to another and to God. Prayer brings Jesus to our side, and gives new strength and fresh grace to the fainting, perplexed soul…...Prayer is the breath of the soul, the channel of all blessings.
As the repentant soul offers its prayer, God sees its struggles, watches its conflicts, and marks its sincerity. He has His finger upon its pulse, and He takes note of every throb. Not a feeling thrills it, not an emotion agitates it, not a sorrow shades it, not a sin stains it, not a thought or purpose moves it, of which He is not cognizant. That soul was purchased at an infinite cost, and is loved with a devotion that is unalterable.
[caption id="attachment_420" align="alignleft" width="285" caption="Pray without ceasing"]
[/caption]Please pray for:
Ligia Yanet - Restoration of health.
Michael Lullo - To know how precious he is to God.
Gayle Johnson - God’s rich blessings
Barbara Grahm - God’s blessings upon the work at Advent Home.
Frances Seabolt - Health & faithfulness to God
Julia Thomas & family - God’s blessings
Jacquelin Lynch - Health & blessings
Lorelie Goff - God’s continued blessings.
The Brostovski Family - That God will provide all of their needs.
To all of our MMM supporters - May God richly bless you for supporting His ministry.
Thank you, dear MMM family.
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