Answers to Prayers!

Working at All Nations Church has taught me a lot. From meeting church members to people in the community, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that I never would have though of. For example, all the preparation that goes into a special music, the time put into seamless programs, having the AV working properly, and even getting down details in decoration. Bible studies and seminars, getting the people you meet to come to the seminars, struggling with God's promises... All of this goes on behind the scenes when it comes to evangelism. 

I want to focus on answered prayers. Rewind back to before there were cross-trainers at All Nations.

Church members were actually praying for evangelism to get started at this church. A couple would go door-to-door and just pass out pamphlets. They weren't the only ones either. The pastor, a church member here, a church member there... They were all praying and waiting for evangelism to get revived. Donato rolls along, GLOW, practicum workers, and the seminars. You get the idea.

The conclusion of the matter is this. God answers prayers. If you want to get started on evangelism, start praying and God will lead you

Decisions...

Ok, I'm going to keep this post brief and to the point. My Bible study contacts finally came to the seminars. When our evangelist David Fernandez made an appeal, even though it was their first time, he stood up and came to the front for baptism. The interesting thing is that the topic for that night was standards. It was very interesting to see them respond to an appeal for baptism with that in mind.

He wants to study more before getting baptized, but a decision is a decision.

Will You Decide?

There is great rejoicing in heaven and in our own hearts because people are making decisions for Jesus.

On Friday night, David made an appeal for baptism. You could feel the Spirit moving so deeply in the church. As I sang the song "Were It Not For Grace", I was so deeply moved by the depth of the song and seeing people choosing to publicly show that they were choosing Jesus that tears came to my eyes and I almost started to cry. Honestly no job compares to this! Seven people came forward. And yesterday there were three baptisms with more scheduled for the next week or two as well. Praise God!

Click on the following link to hear the song "Were It Not For Grace" It is not the best recording because it was recorded on an iPhone. But I pray that you will blessed. Please let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart as you listen.

Soon after Jesus had returned to heaven, the disciples had an attitude that I want to have in regards to saving souls. I pray that we may all have this same commitment and burden. "The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised." {AA 37.2}

I Think I Understand a Little More of God

What pain God must feel when people reject Him! And what joy He must feel when people accept Him! I am beginning to understand a little more of God.

When I knock on a door, I offer the residents truth that will lead them to true happiness in a relationship with God. Most people are happy the way they are. Perhaps they are too busy for God. Perhaps they think they know all they need to know about God. But many say, "No." As I think about all those people who don't want to know or learn of the God that I have come to love and serve, my heart fills with sadness. Why can't they see the trap Satan has them in? Why can't they see how cheap everything they are investing their lives in really is? Why can't they just listen to God's voice?

But wait! Haven't I done the same? How many times has Jesus knocked on the door of my heart and I respond, "Not now. I'm happy the way I am. I've grown up going to church; I know what I need to do. I am a good Christian (on the outside)." Jesus stands there sadly as I slam the door in His face. He weeps as He cries out, "Why, oh why can't he understand? I've done everything I can to help him see. Why can't he see the trap he is stuck in? Why can't he see that his happiness is only temporary and really isn't true happiness? Why can't he just listen to me? I want to help him, but I can't. I came to earth to show you what kind of person God really is. I went through awful separation from my Father, experienced the terrible guilt of all humanity, and died alone with no promise of resurrection. I did all this for you. Won't you please listen? I can't force you, but the path you are going is a miserable path. You don't want to experienced what I have and there is no need for you to. I gave everything for you. What more can I do?"

When I stand in front of the attendees of this Bible seminar, I look at the faces of the people. David has made his appeal and I sing the appeal song. Each night I see hearts melt in the presence of the spirit of God. Then after the song, David continues the appeal. I move to the side and look around at the people who are sitting. On some faces I see a struggle. I see one person get up slightly and then sit back down again. I see the same effect on a whole group of about 5-6 people. I see the controversy inside. God is knocking on their heart. I see it on their faces. Will they say yes? Oh please don't say no! The appeal continues. I plead with God for them that Satan will be driven back and that they will make their decision for Him. Time passes and the struggle continues. Then one stands, and another, and another, and another until almost every one of them stands and comes to the front. Joy like nothing else I have ever experienced fills my heart! A smile comes into my face and tears come to my eyes. They chose Jesus and they stood for Him. Joy fills the heart of Jesus and a smile comes over His face. They chose Him.

Will you chose Jesus? I know we hear it all the time--"Jesus gave all for us." But actually think about that. He literally gave up EVERYTHING to be able to give us the ability to choose life. How can you say no to such a generous offer in exchange for death and a miserable existence? How?

I am understanding a little more of God. I am feeling a little more. I am feeling a little taste of the joy He must feel when I choose to follow Him. I am feeling a little taste of the pain and utter anguish He must feel if I chose to turn my back on Him and reject Him.

What do you want to give Jesus? Do you want to give Him joy? Or do you want to give Him pain? The choice is yours, but don't delay.

" Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20

16 Miles to Mt. Wilson

The WiFi Connection Seminar just started last night and God has really been blessing. I'll write more on that in another blog, but I wanted to give you a little peak at a different part of my life and share an object lesson I learned.

So what did I do on my day off? I love nature and innately despise the city so I was delighted to take last Monday to go off by myself to hike up Mt. Wilson. Now you wouldn't think that LA is known for much nature, but I was surprised to find that 10-15 minutes away from here are several really nice trails back up into the mountains. So I decided to go on an approximately 16 mile hike round trip; over seven miles up and over seven back and then some at the top. Mt. Wilson is known for its many astronomical observatories which I wanted to see as well. Now you could drive up there, but why drive if you can spend time in nature hiking up?

As I hiked, it was a steady incline--often quite steep--with little respite. It was a fairly narrow trail that decreased in size the farther along I went. From about three miles in, I had multiple thoughts of how I should just call it quits and return; but I was determined to get to the top. I was struggling at times to continue because I was so tired and sore. Sometimes I had to climb up rocky parts; other times I had to fight against slipping back down the steep slope on sand and loose dirt and it was very wearing. I frequently had to stop and rest. A couple miles from the summit, the trail got much wider and seemed to turn into a gravel road that cars drove on. Once I turned onto this wide gravel road, even though it was still a steep incline and in the sun, I began moving at a much more rapid pace. Yes, I was tired and sore, but it was so much easier on my legs. I don't think I took a break from that point all the way to the top!

Here I was almost to the top of the mountain. I could see the peak not far off, but how did I know that I was actually on the trail? I stopped seeing trail signs and kept wondering if this road would really take me where I wanted to go. Looking up the trail later online, I noticed a note that another hiker had left saying that many people take the gravel road but that that actually isn't the trail. The trail is really had to notice and goes more directly to the summit. It is so small that most hikers miss it.

What a lesson God brought to my mind! As it turns out, the wide road was just a longer easier way around to the top, but it wasn't the trail. For the point of this object lesson, the road actually did go where I was heading eventually (so don't take the comparison too far), but what if it didn't? I still would not have known until I was far down it. In our Christian walk, how often do we fight our way up a mountain of difficulty. We are nearly to the top, almost to victory, and we come across a wide easy road and completely miss the real trail never making to the top. It might be a big temptation of money or family or anything else that looks attractive and looks like the easy way out. But we are then going off in the wrong direction.  All because it is easier to walk on and you can move faster. So few people had taken the actual trail that it was practically invisible except to those who had been there before.

Yes the true trail is more challenging, more narrow, more tiring, and harder to find. But that is the trail we need to be on.

I thank God for that warning from nature. I pray that as I climb the narrow road with Jesus, that He will guide me to stay on the true trail. Yes it seems harder at the time, but He knows the way and it'll take me where I want to go in the end. No matter how many roads I cross that look easier to travel on, I want to stay on the narrow climb directly to the prize at the top--heaven and eternal life with Jesus! And I want each one of you to stay on that same trail with me so we can meet there together!

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14

A view of the trail going up near the
beginning.  It became probably a third
or less of the size of the trail here.

                Exhausted, but happy.

 God's creation is so beautiful!

                               The wide easy road.

















At the top!

 

                                                             The observatory for the 100-inch telescope

Wrestling with His Promises

It's opening night! The first night of 11 has begun, and everyone is excited. I'm also... excited. More than the actual seminars however, I'm excited for my Bible study contacts to come to the meetings. Time ticks by and it's almost 6:30. The seminars/meetings start at 7:00. I am waiting and waiting. 6:45... and I am still waiting. The seminars end and I'm stuck with these mixed feelings. We had about 10+ guests come on our opening night. Praise the Lord! None of my contacts came. The simplest question comes to my mind, and that is why. God must have His hand in this, but what is He trying to teach me. And... why?

I'm going to share a verse that we all are very familiar with

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Everything works together for good to them that love God. So when my contacts don't come to the meetings, initially, I have a somewhat doubtful and questioning sentiment. Initially. Because I had always heard that we need to claim God's promises; but what does that mean practically? What does that mean in my life personally?

Well, it kinda means this. God said He would do something, and just because things don't turn out the way you want doesn't mean He isn't doing it. Therefore, keep His word close to you and trust in His promises. It means having faith in what you don't see! God is doing something beyond my/our human eyes. We don't see it, but does that mean it isn't happening? Not only that, but He is constantly bringing us higher. So what does that mean? God is growing our faith. He wants us to trust Him more and more.

Here's my conclusion: how has God been leading you, and where does He want to grow your faith?

The Witness of a Child

Nine year old Krystal comes to church because of a school friend whose parents are members here. She is one of 4 little girls that have adopted Donato, Sam, and me as uncles. Not only do they come to Sabbath School and church, but faithfully come to Tuesday and Wednesday night Bible studies. Krystal does not belong to an Adventist family, but she loves coming to Bible study.

This last Tuesday and Wednesday night, I unexpectedly had to teach both studies. I had about an hour on Tuesday to prepare and I was praying about what to share. I finally settled on Jeremiah's prophecy that Israel would go into captivity for 70 years, but that God would not forget them. I then shared how Daniel prayed in Daniel 9 for God to remain faithful to his promise even though Israel had failed their end of the bargain.  Then I went to 2 Chronicles 36 where it says that just how Jeremiah had prophesied according to the word of the Lord, so it happened. I ended in 2 Chronicles 7:14 where God promises that if His people return to Him, humble themselves, and repent, He will hear and forgive. Since Donato has been focusing on prophecy in this Bible study in previous weeks, I wanted to show how there are other prophecies outside Daniel and Revelation and that God is always faithful. Little did I know how applicable this would be.

A lady walked in before the Bible study began that I had never seen before. She sits down and we begin talking. It was kind of ironic that the reason why she was here was because Krystal invited her classmate, this lady's daughter, to the Bible study. She had grown up Adventist, but had kind of, yet not entirely wandered away from the church after her marriage years ago. She has rarely been to church but still faithfully keeps the Sabbath. Her husband frequently asks her questions about why she does certain things and her answer is that it is in the Bible, but she doesn't know where. I offered to help her with finding those answers and she readily agreed. Then she told me that she has a real burden for her older teenage son and wants me to study with him as well. Please pray for us. I will be studying with them this Tuesday.

As I think about this whole situation, I stand in awe at how God orchestrated the whole thing. Krystal, a young girl and not even Adventist herself, invites her friend to come to church. Now the girl's mom wants me to study with her and her family to give them Bible answers to the things she knows but can't support herself. God works in wonderful ways.

PS: She has a family member who is a Dietrich. She is going to find out but it may be that we are distantly related!

What's Your Schedule Like?

I met Jesus (Spanish name) about two weeks ago. We had scheduled Bible studies on Saturday, but because of circumstance, I didn't follow up with him. Every week I tried to remind myself to follow up. I finally reschedule the Bible studies and we have a day that's not on Saturday. Fast forward to the day and I go to his house. To my surprise, Jesus isn't home, but his cousin Christian is. Yes. I know, they have wonderful and inspiring names. Christian tells me that his cousin just left but that he would be right back. He invites me inside and, naturally, we start to talk. He opens up about his past, how he used to live in a mens home and got really involved with God, the Bible, and evangelism. Since then, however, he's slid back into his old ways. I asked him if he wants to get back up and he told me that he's alright. If he ever wanted to, then he would just do it. I invite him to join our Bible study, but he gives me a skeptical look, as if to say, "Would these really do anything?" So we make more small talk, and then Jesus comes back home.

I start to give the Bible study, but this time it's a little different. I could sense the spiritual battle that was going on inside the room. I have never given the Daniel 2 Bible study with such energy and conviction. I was constantly adding in nuances about returning to God. The deeper we get into the study and I could tell that Christian and Jesus were hooked. They were loving it! Especially Christian...

After I finish the main portion of the study and I go towards the end, I asked them, "Now, after everything we've studied, do you believe you can trust in the Bible?" Christian excitedly responds, "Yes! Now, I do!"

For me, that's a paycheck. For me, this is why I do this work.

After I finish the study, with a new grin on my face, I ask him if he's going to come back next week. And... He's coming again :)

Now, why am I sharing this story. Yes it is beautiful, yes it is inspiring, yes it is great. The reason that I'm sharing this story is because God has such diving timing! Truly, truly... I can say that. God delayed me for 2 weeks so that He could reach another one of His lost children! Two weeks... and all I can do is praise His name.

Now I want to ask you something. Who's schedule are you on? Will you choose to let God make your schedule? Will you let Him? We are so stuck in our ways that it's hard to let go of our own plans. God has something in store for you, will you let Him guide and lead you?

1 church, 26 days, 50,000 pieces of literature

Now how does one go about passing out 50,000 pieces of literature in 26 days? Quite a mammoth undertaking!

A few weeks ago, we started a Glow-a-thon here at All Nations SDA church. Instead of running 26 miles, as people do in a marathon, we are, as a church, passing out 25,000 glow and 25,000 flyers to the upcoming WiFi Connection Series during a span of 26 days.

It all started a few weeks ago. We had a "Fun and Folding" event for the church on Sabbath to which a good number of church members came. Over the course of 6-7 hours, we put stickers inviting people to the seminar on 25,000 GLOW. The next week, we had another "Fun and Folding" event when we folded 25,000 invitations into GLOW-shaped flyers. Then every Sunday, Wednesday, and Sabbath since then, we have gone out and placed them on doors and/or personally invited people to the series.

Please pray for us. We have a colossal pile of tracts still to distribute. But by the time we are done, every home in Monrovia, with few exceptions, will have received 1-3 flyers and GLOW by the time the series begins on February 20. In Monrovia there are only 14,000-15,000 homes, so there is no telling what great things God is doing and will be doing. Pray that the GLOW will lead people to seek after Him and that the flyers will lead people to the seminar. Please also pray that God will impress more people to join us in passing out the flyers. We need help, but we are confident that God is behind this effort. The results are His not ours. We only need to do our part.

Pictures of the Glow-a-thon will follow.

In regard to our publications, we are told to "scatter them like the leaves of autumn. This work is to continue without the forbiddings of anyone. Souls are perishing out of Christ. Let them be warned of His soon appearing in the clouds of heaven." {CM 25.1}  

For Another...

This week I found two Bible study contacts who had similar reasons for signing up for Bible studies.

I met Vicky from an interest that a canvasser got. She had been Christian her whole life, but in the recent years she had struggled to find a local church to go to. Not only that, but she also wanted her children to grow up in that environment. She signed up for Bible studies for her kids, not for herself.

While going door to door down the street from the church I met Laura. She almost has the exact same experience. She was catholic by faith, but didn't get a chance to attend a church in the area (busy with kids and life). She even expressed that she might convert. It was interesting to note that she thought the Bible studies were initially for her kids. They are toddlers. After clearing things up, I mention how the wonderful and loving church that I'm working with has a lively children's program. With this in mind, she also expresses her need for God to be in her relationships. She signs up for Bible studies... Only after having confidence that her children would also have something as well.

Two contacts, two situations, and two mothers whose hearts are filled with love. What do I mean by that? "Charity suffereth long, and is kind... seeketh not her own" (1 Cor 13:4, 5). These two contacts wanted God in their life for the sake of others! This, my friends, is what I believe the Christian walk is about... Others. If I stayed a Christian for myself, what's the point of that? So I can secure my salvation? One of the biggest motivating factors for me to continue on is others. Simply put, unselfish love. I think of my friends and family who haven't come to a relationship with Christ and it hurts. That's not enough. I think of the people in the community... Down the street, and this is part of why I stay a Christian.

Now, I want to ask you reader, why are you a Christian?

The Harvest is Plentiful

As I walk down the sidewalk to the next house, a lady walking her dog on the other side of the street calls out to me. "Hey! Are you with those blue Discover Bible study cards?" I answer in the affirmative and she continues, "My friend was wanting Bible studies and I think she was just talking to your friend Sam. Hold on a minute." She proceeds to chuck her two little yapping dogs into the house.

Upon her return, she continued her questioning to confirm that I was a "normal", Bible-believing Christian and then asked me, "How do you go about getting those studies? I am going through a lot of problems in my family and I need something like this now." She signs up for Bible studies.

A couple times over the next week, I contact her and she continues to postpone because of her busy schedule. Then she sets a time and says, "Thank you so much for your consistency. I really do need this."

We have studied once last week. Please pray that her hectic life will not interfere with her continuing to listen to God's voice.

So many people are needy--longing for the peace that only God's word can give. Will you share it with them? Or will you allow something to prevent you from giving them that blessing?

"Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" Matthew 9:37

Across the Street

One morning, I decided to knock on doors near the church, right across the street actually. I went into a cul-de-sack and not many people were home. On my way out, the door of the first house was not slightly cracked open. This is where I met Daniel.

Daniel and I begin to talk and we relate over things like health and fitness. (I'm working out nowadays). I turn the conversation spiritually and we start sharing our how our walk with God started and where we were now. I shared with him how studying the Bible really helped me when I was searching for Christ. Then he shares with me how he recently hit rock bottom, but he wants to come back to Jesus, and he knew that God has been calling him. Then I ask him how long it had been since he realized it, and he told me that it was for 2 years. 2 years... We continue talking and I start to see that God used someone like myself because we shared some of the same struggles and experiences. For example, we both came from a broken home, we both grew up Christian, and we both knew that we needed Jesus.

We just had our first Bible study, so keep us in your prayers!

Oh, and by the way... God doesn't need someone who has special skills. God doesn't need someone who knows their Bible back and forth. God doesn't need someone who will change the world. Jesus already did that. All God needs is a willing heart for service.

"Christ’s followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a worker, and to all His followers He gives the law of service—service to God and to their fellow men. Here Christ has presented to the world a higher conception of life than they had ever known. 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." Christ's Object Lessons

Listen to His Voice, Part 2

The story of Oscar continues...

One night this week, I was following up Bible study interests. It was eight o'clock and I had two people that I needed to see. I was praying for wisdom and was about to go to the one on the other side of the town when the Holy Spirit impressed me. "Go visit Oscar." Now I recognized that voice and I was not about to hesitate again.

I knock on his door and he welcomes me into his house like a long-lost friend. Surprised, I sit down on the couch with him and he begins to tell me about some spiritual conversations he had just had with his college-aged son. For lack of time, I can't go into the details of that conversation; but I am amazed at his deep love for God and commitment to share that with his family even when they don't seem to really care. As I shared with him the first study on prophecy and how that shows God's love for us, he already knew everything. Clearly, he has spent a lot of time studying his Bible.

Near the end of our conversation, he wanted to see the books that we carry as well. I pull out the Great Controversy and tell him about it. A puzzled look comes over his face as he tells me, "I had a really big book in Spanish that sounds really similar to this book. It was called El Conflicto de los Siglos (Spanish Great Controversy)." Shocked, I confirm that this is the same book in English. Now it was his turn to get excited. He said, "Prophecy is the reason why I believe the Bible to be true. The reason why I know so much about the Bible and prophecy is because of this book (Great Controversy)." I proceed to ask him where he got it from and he told me that his aunt was a Seventh-day Adventist, the only one in the family; and he got it from her after she passed away.

But the story gets even more interesting. I pull out Lessons of Love (Christ's Object Lessons). Oscar gets excited again and exclaims, "I have that book!" He goes to his room and returns with a well-worn, practically loose leaf copy of the book. Apparently he got it in a book store somewhere and has thoroughly enjoyed studying it.

Oscar then opened up and proceeded to tell me his life story. God has truly rescued him from a life of drugs, girls, and gangs and has given him a solid faithful relationship with his wife and family. At least five times, he has either been stabbed or shot-several of them life-threatening-and God saved him from them. He is now a serious Bible student and is doing all he can to set a good example for his family and to try to make up for time that he lost when they were younger.

Clearly, God has been preparing Oscar for something big. I don't know the plans God has for him, but  I know that he is listening to God's voice. Both Oscar and I realize that it is no coincidence that we met. Now I know there are no "what if's" in God's plan, but "what if" I had walked up to his house 1 minute before he pulled in to his driveway. We would never have become friends and I would never have known God's amazing story in his life. And I know that his story is not over yet...

"God will soon do great things for us if we lie humble and believing at His feet. . . . More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications." {CM 151.3}

How many other Oscars are there out there? Will you go and find them? God will lead you to them, but you must be willing.

Listen to His Voice.

I was about to start knocking on doors one afternoon, but all my stuff was very disorganized. Now I should have straightened it up earlier, but the morning had been a little hectic, and, as a result, I was sitting on the sidewalk getting organized for a little while. I was getting frustrated with myself because I was taking so long.

As I am about to go to the first door, a car pulls rapidly into the driveway, a man jumps out, and he runs inside the house. My first thought is, "I must have been taking so long so that I can meet this man." But he is so rushed that I brush that thought off. I don't want to inconvenience him and hold him up from his appointment, so I just told myself that I would just talk to his wife after he left. He rushes out of his house, jumps into his car, and drives off. Now remember, this whole time I am on the sidewalk right in front of his house just standing there.

Then I hear a car reversing and Oscar calls out, "Hey do you need any help? Are you lost?" At that moment it hits me. Why hadn't I talked to him? First, I was too busy doing stuff that could have waited ten minutes. Second, I didn't want to inconvenience him. Silly thinking--to put it mildly. I am here to help people get to know Jesus better and I am too busy and don't want to inconvenience him! What was I thinking?

I tell Oscar that I am not lost, but am a Christian missionary offering free Bible studies in his neighborhood. He responds that he is Christian and loves studying the Bible! He hasn't found a church that he likes though. On the passenger seat of his car is a piece of his Bible; he reads it so much that it has fallen apart. He signs up for personal Bible studies and then speeds off to his appointment.

As he left, I reflected on the divine appointment I almost missed because of my own selfishness. If he hadn't backed up, I wouldn't have talked to him. But God knew that it was a lesson I needed to have reinforced and it was a huge rebuke to me. Yes I might be inconveniencing someone else and myself right now, but what is that in comparison to eternity. The books we carry and the Bible studies we offer will change people's lives bringing them into a relationship with Jesus. Nothing, absolutely nothing is more important than that! I am thankful that God is merciful and works with our weaknesses giving us experiences such as these to strengthen our connection with Him.

Next time God impresses you to hand a piece of literature to someone, talk to someone, or help someone out, don't hesitate to do it. It doesn't matter if it is awkward, embarrassing, or inconvenient. Remember--what is that in light of eternity? God might just be leading you to a divine appointment just like Oscar. You can never go wrong when you follow the voice of God.

She was Waiting

"Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in..." (AA 109). I had always heard this quote, but experiencing it is a whole different story.

As I canvassed in Monrovia, I met Sylvia. She was apprehensive at first, but she eventually warmed up to me. We began talking about spiritual things and she mentioned something very interesting. She said that it was very funny that I had come when I did, because she had been wanting Bible studies. I told that it was funny that she said that because I was giving Bible studies. Notice, I hadn't mentioned Bible studies to her at all. We were only talking about spiritual things and she opened up like that. Afterwards, we have a wonderful conversation about her experience with God and she signs up for personal Bible studies.

To anyone reading this who says that they would never be able to do something like a Bible study. You're absolutely right. You would never be able to do it. However, if Christ truly is your joy, He is sufficient. Remember, many are on the verge..

There's a first for everything...

As I was door knocking in Monrovia, I found my very first Bible study contact. His name is Rolando, and he had just arrived home, so I hurried to get to know him. I show him some DVD's about prophecy and discovering God's character, and this unlocked the spiritual conversation. He then opens up about how he rejected God for most of his life, but about a year or two ago, a coworker talked to him about God. Since then, he has been going to church and reading some of the Bible. Recently, however,  he hasn't been able to go to church. We talk about studying the Bible, church, and what God is all about. Rolando expresses how he wants more in his spiritual life, so, I offer him Bible studies. He signs up for Bible studies and we can't wait to start studying the Bible.

By the way, Rolando only has a New Testament Bible, but he has been really reading and studying about Jesus. He is eager to learn, and I know that truth, God, and His word will speak for itself. Pray for us!

My Journey to Monrovia (Josh)

The time has finally arrived! I have been looking forward to the next eleven weeks with a little trepidation, but mostly with great anticipation. My classmate Sam Ream and I, who go to a Bible college called SOULS West, are at the All Nations SDA church in Monrovia, California (near Los Angeles) for our Bible work practicum. And our mission? To knock on the doors of the people living in Monrovia and the surrounding communities; to study the Bible with interested people God puts in our paths to help them develop a closer relationship with Him; to see people get to know Jesus for perhaps the first time; to help train and mobilize the church members to become more active soul-winners; to participate with and assist in an evangelistic series; and to do whatever else God calls us to do during this time that will make us more effective workers for Him in the future and hasten His soon coming.

I will be posting more in the future of experiences that God will be giving us as we work for Him; but for my first post, I just wanted to tell a little about myself and how I got to where I am.

I grew up 13 miles outside of Greeneville, TN in the northeastern corner of the state. Surrounded by pastures and farm land, our home was nestled in one of the valleys of the Appalachian Mountains. To give you an idea of the kind of place my family lives, I used to think our road was super busy if three or four cars drove by in the span of a few minutes. I was blessed to have godly, deeply committed, Christian parents who raised me, my two older brothers, and sister to love Jesus and desire to serve Him.

Although I had a desire to serve God, I definitely had my rebellious side. Quite honestly, I appeared to be the perfect kid to those at church and to most of my friends. I mean, who wouldn't think so. Almost every Sabbath, with few exceptions, I came to church. From when I was a pre-teenager, I was very involved in the Audio Visual department; I assisted and taught in the younger Sabbath School divisions, I was a junior deacon and later a deacon; I volunteered at the Community Services Center; and whenever someone in the church needed help, I was there to help out. I don't mention this to brag, only to point out the fact that even though I looked really good on the outside, inside I was a mess. I didn't respect my parents as I should have and consistently rebelled against the things they asked me to do. As a result, I was going down a downward spiral and didn't really care. Of course, I had those good streaks. God would get through to me at various times and I would choose to follow Him for a short time, but unfortunately it never lasted long.

One night, six or seven years ago, I was on one of my short lived upward swings. As I was spending time in prayer one night, I received an unmistakable impression--almost an audible voice--that God was calling me to overseas missions. I had never been outside of North America before, but my dad had grown up as a missionary kid in Africa and I always heard stories of his experiences. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said confidently that I would be a nurse or a pastor. I guess deep down I had that missionary blood flowing through my veins and knew that those were some good ministry careers that would be helpful in the mission field.

In keeping with what I felt was God's calling, I went to Weimar College (Northern California) in 2012 to take Pre-nursing classes. The goal was that as soon as I was done with my RN or BSN, I would go overseas. After my first semester, I joined a 10 week summer program called Youth Rush in which we knocked on doors sharing the gospel with people through Bible-based books that we left on a donation basis to help us through school. That summer changed my life. I think it was then that I really began to realize how essential it really was for me to be involved in ministry. During that 10 weeks, I began to have a personal relationship with Jesus deeper than ever before.

After that summer, I went back to Weimar College to finish my nursing degree. But God had other plans. The details are too many to write here; but after I finished my second semester, I ended up in Chad, Africa in January 2013. Among other things, I needed to confirm what I felt was God's life-calling for me of overseas missions. My first Sabbath in Africa, I woke up and walked outside of my hut. I was overwhelmed with the strange yet comforting feeling, "I am home! This is where I belong." Was it easy? No. No electricity; hot dusty winds; strange smells; a language I don't understand; a people whose customs I don't comprehend; a land of malaria and many strange diseases; a place far away from my friends and family. But I was home. I really can't explain the feeling. Yes I miss where I grew up and yes I may have missed all the conveniences I was used to for a little while, but I knew that I was where God wanted me to be and nothing could make me happier. I stayed for only four months, but I left knowing that I was coming back for much longer. When? I don't know except that it will be in God's timing.

While in Chad, God closed some doors and opened others so that I became heavily involved, among other things, in an evangelism training school for 20-30 lay church members. This was not my original intent for coming to Chad, but it was there that God also showed me my love for teaching more than I had seen before. Ultimately, I realized that I needed evangelism training of some sort to be an effective soul-winner and teacher, but I didn't know what that would consist of.  I just knew I needed to get trained as quickly as possible and get back to where I know God has called me.

I returned to the States and a few weeks later joined Youth Rush for my second summer of door-knocking and ministry. During that summer I once again had a deep experience with God. In light of the training that I had been impressed that I needed and the love that I discovered I had for teaching the Bible to others, God called me to attend Souls West, in Prescott, AZ. Souls is an acronym for Seventh-day Adventist Outreach Leadership School. It is the two-year evangelism training school for Pacific Union Conference with emphasis in Literature Evangelism and Bible Work.

Since September 2013, I have been at Souls West. God has been giving me a deep experience with Him that I have never had before. But I know that it is just a small vista of the grand expanse He wants to show me of the happiness a still deeper experience with Him can bring. He has shown me so much about myself and my weaknesses and grown and strengthened me in ways that I honestly didn't expect. I definitely see that He is preparing me for more effective service and can't wait to see what He will do in the next 11 weeks and the rest of my life.

This blog is long, I know. Future blogs won't likely be so long; but for you readers out there, this is how God got me to where I am. Honestly, this is a very brief summary of only the main points of God's leading in my life. And now I am at All Nations SDA church in Monrovia, CA ready and willing for God to use me and grow me however He wants. And yes I know by experience growth can be painful, but it is so rewarding.

God calls each one of us to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). Growing up, I was doing the right things on the outside, but inside, I was not happy. Only when I chose to put God's work the first priority in my life, desiring and truly beginning to experience His righteousness in my life, did I become happy. It has not been all smooth sailing the last couple years; there have been ups and downs. But, praise God, as I look back on my life, I see that He has been steadily growing me to become a much more effective worker for Him and I have confidence that He is in charge. I don't have anything to be afraid of because He is in control.

There is nothing special about my story. It's not really the story of an country boy from Tennessee. Rather, it is the story of a powerful, loving God who takes ordinary people and works through them to do ordinary things that bring about extraordinary results. The results are God's; we just have to be willing to be used by Him and He will do the rest.

I pray that each one of you who read this brief story of God's work in my life until now, will dedicate your life to serving Him. Nothing is more fun; nothing is more fulfilling; nothing is more rewarding.