REPORTSSpring 2013 • Vol. 15, No. 1

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A behind-the-scenes look at shooting the OCI Reports video series| 12

Followingin Their Footage

Latest News From: Colombia, Honduras, Japan, and More...

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Traveling TroopIn December, 10 Oklahoma Academy

students and two staff embarked on a “Faith Trip” to attend the 2012 Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC) Conference in Seattle, Washington. Traveling more than 4,000 miles in 15 days, the group put on musical concerts to raise funds for their trip expenses. The students were grateful for the support they received along the way and especially enjoyed visiting Walla Walla University and DayStar Adventist Academy. Also enjoyable were their GYC experiences and making new friends and memories.

Faithful FoundationsAt the start of the school year in

February, VIDA Internacional, an OCI ministry in Honduras, celebrated the grand opening of its bilingual elementary school’s new building. Campos Blancos Educational Center began classes with 35 students. After the inauguration ceremony, students’ parents toured the spacious classrooms and joined their children in activities such as cooking, playing, and singing.

NEWSFLASHNews From OCI Ministries Around the World

Spreading the Word

Charles Cleveland, president of Health Education Resources, and Ron Crary recently visited Southeast China. While there they presented a local medical missionary group with a set of health expo banners sponsored by the Dunlap Seventh-day Adventist Church. The team, which operates two vegetarian restaurants, quickly put the new banners to use by organizing two health expos in front of each restaurant in a single day.

Attentive AttendeesAfter a long

remodeling process, Springs of Health, an OCI ministry in Czech Republic, recently opened the Mission and Church Center in downtown

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Prague. The center, located next to Country Life Prague’s store and restaurant, opens during the week for seminars. On Sabbath the team holds a morning service, as well as a health presentation in the afternoon. More than 40 guests have been attending each week, and the ministry is excited to continue expanding its outreach through this city center.

Tastebud TurnaroundLoma Linda Campestre, an OCI

associate member in Colombia, is teaching a local restaurant staff’s more about vegetarian cooking. The ministry has been supporting owner Yolanda Casallas’ lifestyle changes, as well as showing the chef, Alexis, how to prepare soymilk, scrambled tofu, and meat substitutes. In the future, Yolanda plans to open a vegetarian restaurant that offers customers healthier food choices.

Friendly FaceliftMount Akagi Institute in Japan is

among the earliest overseas projects that OCI helped start. A dedicated team of three families and three workers now runs the ministry, and another couple will arrive

soon. Mount Akagi operates a bakery, conducts in-home lifestyle programs, and is affiliated with a Country Life store in the city. In May a mission group will help remodel and upgrade the lifestyle building, which is more than 30 years old.

Touching TestimonyIn January,

Advent Home Learning Center Inc., an OCI ministry in Tennessee, held a week of prayer featuring Mark Mendizabel. The speaker shared how he stopped dealing drugs to follow Jesus, and he warned students about Satan’s distractions. When he made an appeal at the end of the week, nine students pledged their lives to Christ. The team is grateful for the impact God’s love has had on changing hardened hearts, and it asks for your continued prayers for this ministry.

Nursing the NeedyMukuyu Outreach’s small team is

working with Dr. Steve and Donna Shank to conduct bush clinics and health presentations in rural villages in Zambia. With the aid of the ministry’s small boat, the Bakwesu Medical Launch, the team is able to reach people living along the Lower Zambezi River with much-needed medical and dental care.

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Janos was uncooperative and irritable when he arrived as a guest

at Elek Health Center. However, after suffering a recent stroke, he realized the need to improve his health.

Initially Janos was hesitant to participate in the suggested program activities, and the staff found it difficult to get him to smile. During his medical conference with the lifestyle counselor, doctors, and licensed clinicians, he remained cynical. But when the doctor talked about how valuable the treatments were, as well as the time with his counselor, Janos began to open up. Finishing with prayer, the team members were hopeful that God would work on Janos’ heart.

On Friday, Janos and his wife announced they were leaving early and said goodbye. When Janos left, he admitted that he had been touched by the worships and wanted to start going to church regularly and be baptized. The staff members were surprised to see

by Magdolna Balogh

the changes that were taking place in Janos’ life, and they thanked God for His healing hand. They were most excited when they noticed Janos at the local church service that Sabbath.

Elek Health Center is operated by Vojvodina Foundation, an OCI ministry in Hungary. The ministry promotes God’s healing for body and spirit and helps guests to improve their health through the NEWSTART® program. Each guest has a special story of healing, but the staff members are especially pleased when guests also receive a spiritual blessing in addition to their renewed health.

AttitudeAdjustment

Top: Guests relax while at Vojvodina’s health center.Inset: The center, located in Hungary, provides an inviting atmostphere for guests.

Touching Lives

Magdalna Balogh is a project assistant at Vojvodina Foundation. For more about this member ministry, www.outpostcenters.org.

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Steven Grabiner Executive Editor Janell Hullquist Editor, Layout & DesignHannah Kuntz Content EditorDebbie Hicks Copy EditorPrinted By College Press, LLC

OCI Reports magazine is published quarterly by Outpost Centers International. Send address changes to ocireports@outpostcenters.org, and please include both the old and new addresses. You may also use the OCI contact information below.

Outpost Centers International is a nonprofit organization working in cooperation with the Seventh-day Adventist Church to network and nurture supporting ministries worldwide. OCI operates through the generosity of people like you and issues tax-deductible receipts to U.S. donors. One-hundred percent of all donations go to the designated ministry. Please direct correspondence to: Outpost Centers International 5132 Layton Lane Apison, TN 37302 Tel: 423-236-5600 Fax: 423-236-5650 Email: info@outpostcenters.org For further information, please visit us on the web at www.outpostcenters.org.

About the Cover: School children in Tanzania gather around Eric Hullquist’s camera.

Photo by: Janell Hullquist

Copyright © 2013 Outpost Centers International

Editorjanell@outpostcenters.org

President’s Perspective

When I visited a medical missionary training program in Indonesia recently, I was struck by the challenges

the team faces. With a population of about 250 million, less than 200,000 are Seventh-day Adventist. The majority of the country’s populace is also Muslim, making any attempt to share God’s love appear overwhelmingly difficult. And the same could be said of numerous countries. At times it seems almost impossible to fulfill the task that God has given His church, at least from an earthly perspective.

Yet Revelation 12 and 13 remind us that we need to have a heavenly point of view. For example, John describes a woman (the church) fleeing from the persecution of the dragon (Satan). Satan appears to triumph, overcoming the woman and putting many of the church’s people to death; from an earthly perspective, evil wins.

However, before relating how the battle that the church will face unfolds, John draws our attention to the heavenly perspective of the conflict. He describes the church as clothed with the sun and adorned by a crown of stars, signifying her victory. From the heavenly point of view, God’s church is triumphant, despite Satan’s apparent success.

As we each endeavor to cooperate with Christ in the fulfillment of the Gospel Commission, it is essential that we maintain the heavenly mindset. From that perspective, difficulties are seen as opportunities and defeat is turned into victory.

HeavenlyPerspective

REPORTSSpring 2013 • Vol. 15, No. 1

Steven GrabinerPresident

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How did your education at two OCI ministries influence your desire to start a ministry?

Laurelbrook was an intense introduction to an understanding of Adventism, true education, and service. While there I heard about the European Bible School (EBS) in Norway. At EBS my commitment to God deepened, and I learned specific skills to apply in His work. During a leadership class at EBS, we studied the outpost-to-city concept for doing evangelism, and it became very clear what I was supposed to do and how I was supposed to it.

How is VIDA meeting some of the greatest needs in Honduras?

Honduras has major socioeconomic struggles due to the lack of a strong

Before Jose Suazo attended Laurelbrook School & Sanitarium Inc., an OCI ministry in Tennessee, he had never heard of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. While there he began studying the Bible in a new way and was baptized. At 19, Jose realized that there were others like him who had never heard the truth. Five years ago, Jose and a small team established VIDA Internacional in his home country of Honduras, aiming to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. With God’s blessing, the team and campus have continued to grow.

educational system. Teachers strike because they aren’t getting paid. Children graduate from elementary school without being able to read and write properly.

This year is “The Year of the Laity” for the Inter-American Division. Our Church leadership is calling for lay workers to serve God. Whether we educate a new generation of Hondurans to love the Lord or train church members to work alongside our pastors, God is calling VIDA to meet Honduras’ need for true education.

How is VIDA positively impacting the community?

Our bilingual elementary school, Campos Blancos Educational Center, offers community children access to life-changing education. When the school

Interview by Hannah Kuntz

EducationEmpowered

through

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Face to Face

For more information about VIDA Internacional, visit www.vida-internacional.org.

opened, there were just two students; however, the following school year we had 29. God has worked miraculously. Students’ families have started coming to church and receiving Bible studies.

What has been the most successful outreach for VIDA?

Our medical missionary training school, Instituto Biblico Centroamericano (IBC), has been a wonderful outreach tool in our community and around the country. We recently held our first youth congress. It was inspiring to witness young people grasping the spirit of mission service. Some of this year’s IBC students heard about VIDA through the congress. During the event, attendees were introduced to evangelistic outreach. Now they spend each week knocking on doors and giving Bible studies. We pray that God will help them take these experiences back to their home churches to start a revival.

What are some of the challenges you face in your work?

One of the biggest challenges is my character flaws; however, God brings me to a point of surrender so He can work in spite of me. Finances are another challenge. Everything we have done at the ministry has been through faith. Although things don’t always happen according to our timing or “our way,” God provides. Experiencing His faithfulness is so rewarding. Every student that decides to dedicate his or her life to Him in service, every person that is baptized, it’s like God’s stamp of approval. There’s no other feeling like it.

What are future ministry goals?We would like to open a lifestyle center

and a mission center in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. We would also like to see at least one Adventist church started in every village in our district. Our aim is for the mission of VIDA Internacional to expand throughout Latin America, and we believe in empowering people to spread this concept, one IBC graduate at a time.

Above: VIDA celebrates a baptism together.Left: Jose preaches in a small village church-plant.Previous page: Steven Grabiner and Jose during an OCI visit to the ministry.

Education

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Bienfait’s neighbors scoffed when they heard he was attending

an evangelistic series in their village. Known in the community as the “Famous Drunkard,” Bienfait Bayongwa sold alcohol and never attended church.

Before the meetings began, Bantu Hope Ministries, an OCI ministry working in Democratic Republic of Congo, sent one of its Bible workers to do visitation in Bienfait’s village. The Bible worker, Bonane, invited Bienfait

to go to the meetings. When Bienfait told his Pentecostal wife

by Thomas Ongasa

From Drunkardto Soul Winner

Left: Bible worker Bonane (left) and the Bayongwa family in Democratic Republic of Congo.Below: Bienfait’s conversion led a whole group to Christ.

Touching Lives

Thomas Ongasa is president of the South Kivu Field in DRC. To learn more about Bantu Hope Ministries, visit www.bantuhope.org.

that he planned to go, she encouraged him, thanking God for answering her prayer for her husband’s conversion.

The topics at the meetings captured Bienfait’s attention, and God’s love filled his heart. He decided to give up alcohol and get baptized. When Bonane visited the family, he was excited to learn that Bienfait’s wife had decided to be baptized, too.

Many of his neighbors were shocked by the miraculous changes they saw in Bienfait, especially Marcellin, one of his close friends. Marcellin made a bet that Bienfait would not survive a month without alcohol; however, a month later, Bienfait had not wavered in his new beliefs. Amazed at the impact Jesus had had in his friend’s life, Marcellin was baptized, too. By the end of last year, Bienfait’s testimony had moved four other couples to get baptized. Today, they are active members of the Adventist church in their village.

Bantu Hope Ministries appreciates your prayers and support as they strive to send more Bible workers to villages in Congo and Cameroon, sharing the Good News with people like Bienfait, who have never heard of Jesus.

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I turned away from the broken window and screamed, but the wind’s

roar drowned out my voice. My husband, Walter, and I had gone to

bed that night aware of the strong winds, but we were not expecting a powerful storm. However, when I woke up and checked my phone for weather updates, I was alarmed to discover that our area was under a tornado watch. Praying for God’s protection, I tried to fall asleep, but the wind grew stronger. Walter woke up, too, and we agreed to move to a safer part of the house.

As we headed for the door, the lights flickered. I grabbed my cat and reached for my flashlight. The window suddenly shattered, and shards of glass blasted into the bedroom. Before I could reach Walter, the storm had pushed him into the hall and slammed the door. Amidst the chaos, we were finally able to make our way downstairs.

In the morning, the other staff and residents from Cave Springs Home, an OCI ministry in Tennessee, surveyed the destruction. Fallen trees and power lines littered the campus. Various buildings were damaged, as well as the ministry’s fiber network, which allows the staff to broadcast Christian Internet

by Amber Barnes

Protectedby Prayer

radio. However, in spite of the mess, God’s protection was evident. The rest of the team and the six residents were unharmed, and I sustained only minor cuts and bruises.

A week after the storm, a group of students and teachers from Harbert Hills Academy, another OCI ministry in Tennessee, arrived to help us clean up. Even though the work bee was a great start, there is still much to be done to repair the campus. Cave Springs Home is grateful for God’s protective power, and the team asks for your prayers and support as we continue to rebuild.

Above: Students from Harbert Hills Academy help clear debris after the tornado.Right: A tree fell through one of Cave Springs’ buildings during the storm.

Touching Lives

Amber Barnes is the communications coordinator for Cave Springs Home. To learn more about this OCI ministry, visit www.cavespringshome.org.

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BlessingOasis of

DayStar Adventist Academy is situated in Castle Valley, Utah,

a beautiful desert oasis between the La Sal Mountains and the Colorado River Canyon. The ministry is special for many reasons, but most notably for the way that God orchestrated its beginnings and how He continues to lead in its development.

More than 40 years ago, a group of dedicated individuals prayed that God would open the way to establish a supporting academy in Utah. Stonecave Institute, an early supporting ministry in Tennessee, had grown too large to accommodate additional students, and

the staff believed this was a providential sign to start another school.

They were not alone in their mission. A few states away, leaders from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Nevada-Utah Conference were impressed that they should have an Adventist academy in their area, but they were not financially able to undertake such a venture. Conference church members were also praying for a place where they could afford to send their children for a Christian education. When someone suggested opening a self-supporting school, many agreed it was a good idea.

by Alexa Hernandez

Founded on faith, today DayStar Adventist Academy continues equipping young people to serve Christ.

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Mission Snapshot

Seeking God’s guidance, a conference committee and individuals from Stonecave searched for a suitable piece of land. A property was purchased and buildings were constructed. Castle Valley Institute opened in 1970. Nestled among towering red cliffs and mesas, and furnished with plenty of water and fertile ground for farming, the ministry’s location was ideal for a self-supporting campus where students could develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. Most importantly, it was a place they could get to know their Creator as their best friend.

Today, DayStar is a thriving educational facility with a college-preparatory curriculum. The academy also operates Castle Valley Farms on 320 acres, making it one of the largest supporting farms in the country. In addition to classroom instruction, the ministry offers a variety of outdoor activities and life skills courses.

These technical and occupational classes provide students with an idea of possible future careers and aid in developing a strong work ethic. However, the ministry’s greatest desire is that the young people will become faithful caretakers of their God-given abilities, equipped with skills that enable them to effectively minister to others.

Mission work plays a key role in students’ experience at DayStar. The academy recently returned from a mission trip to Belize. The staff and students built One-Day Churches using the newly reinforced Maranatha design specifically for hurricane-prone areas. A total of nine churches were constructed, and the academy prays they will be lighthouses to spread the

gospel to the Belizean people. During the trip, students were able to connect with local church members and gain an appreciation for a different culture.

DayStar’s program is a unique blend of academics, practical life skills, outdoor education, and spiritual emphasis. The ministry is grateful for the pioneers who stepped out in faith to establish the academy, and its staff continues to seek the Lord’s will for the future.

Alexa Hernandez is the marketing director at DayStar Adventist Academy. For more information, visit www.daystaradventistacademy.org.

Above, top: DayStar students build a One-Day Church in Belize.Above: The academy runs a successful 320-acre farm.Previous page: Set in a beautiful valley, DayStar offers students a variety of fun and useful activities.

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Interview by Hannah Kuntz

FollowTheirFootage

in

What is the purpose of the OCI Reports video series? Janell: Around the world, ordinary church members have made the extraordinary decision to dedicate their lives to God through service at supporting ministries. Our aim is to share their stories, what they are doing, and how God is working through them. We want to bring these ministries to life for viewers who may never have the privilege of visiting these places and to inspire people to get involved in missions.

Share a highlight from your travels. Janell: We got to see first hand how much OCI is like a family. Everywhere we went, people made us feel at home. The ministries are staffed with friendly, generous people who put all they have into serving their community and representing Christ in their daily lives.

Eric: I grew up as a missionary kid in Africa, so the work there will always have a special place in my heart. It was great to be back “home” again after so many years. Visiting Amazon Lifesavers Ministry

During the past year and a half, three OCI team members traveled through 17 countries to capture the work of OCI ministries for a new video series,

OCI Reports. The team conducted roughly 130 interviews, gathering more than 120 hours of footage, with the end goal of 13 half-hour TV episodes. They were inspired as they visited 17 OCI ministries and hope you will be, too.

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in Brazil was also a memorable experience, because we spent most of our time traveling and living on the river. It was so inspiring to see the work the team is doing in the remote areas of the Amazon.

Did you experience any interesting cultural traditions or events?Janell: Living Springs Overseas Missions’ Bible seminary in India has a special tradition for visitors. The entire staff gathered around in welcome, washed our feet, placed colorful flower garlands around our necks, and then one-by-one, each person shook our hands. Some of the children came through line several times, which was endearing.

Eric: We arrived in India the day after Diwali (a major Hindu festival) had ended, but ongoing festivities continued for the next few days. Countless ponds and rivers were littered with the debris of clay and stick gods, which had been thrown in as part of the worship ceremony.

During your travels, what interesting foods did you sample?Janell: There are some great vegan cooks working at OCI ministries! We also ate a lot of delicious local foods: mangos in the Philippines, n’shima (stiff cornmeal porridge) in Zambia, cashew fruit juice in Brazil, pupusas and baleadas in Honduras, and sarmale (cabbage rolls) in Romania.

What did filming this series mean to you?Janell: For nearly eight years I’ve worked at OCI as the communication director, mostly in an office capacity. Being able to visit many of the ministries personally and see what they are doing was very special. I’ve come away knowing that each of us, no matter what our skills or training, can and should have an impact. I’m excited to be connected to so many people who are taking the Great Commission seriously.

Eric: It is an honor to help support the work that OCI and its member ministries are doing around the world to spread the good news of Christ’s soon return. Being involved with this project has been a great example to me of how God can use anyone for His work, no matter their talents or training.

Mission Snapshot

Above, top: Oklahoma provided a beautiful backdrop for Steven Grabiner, the host of the series. Above: Naomi Jackson and Janell work through details in Honduras. Previous page: Eric and Steven walk through historic Zanzibar.Bottom left: Bill Dull, Janell, Eric, and Steven are welcomed at the Bible seminary in India.

Eric Hullquist and his wife, Janell, produced the OCI Reports video series. For more details, visit www.outpostcenters.org/schedule.

Scan this QR code or visit www.facebook.com/ociconnects for more photos from this project.

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Lars-Gustaf Larsson is the director of Alekarr Fruitfarm in Sweden. To find out more about his ministry, visit www.outpostcenters.org.

by Lars-Gustaf Larsson

As the director of Alekarr Fruitfarm in Sweden, I often have the

opportunity to witness to new people. Of the five guests currently staying at our bed and breakfast, three regularly participate in morning worship. Even though two are Muslim women who do not speak my language, they are attentive; one comes with us to church every week. The other woman prays as a Muslim but says “Amen” after I offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the food.

While God has sent people to my ministry with whom I have had the privilege to be a spiritual mentor, I sensed that He wanted me to make connections in the community as well. A few months ago I decided to start spending Sabbath afternoons leaving literature in people’s mailboxes. I have already seen God blessing. Some of the recipients have asked to receive Bible studies in their home!

I’m always looking for new ways to share Jesus with others. When I sell our farm produce at the market, I offer customers a GLOW tract. I read them the title of the pamphlet and give them a summary of what it’s about. If they choose to take one, I trust that God will impress His truth upon their hearts.

Of course I know that nothing I do compares to what God has done for me, but I am truly glad that witnessing has reignited my cold heart. It is also my hope that you sense the same yearning to do something for Him. Our neighbors, friends, and family need to know Jesus and His promise of eternal life.

Food for Thought

Let YourLight Shine

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Service Opportunities

If you have a desire to serve God, prayerfully consider one of the

following ways to get involved.

Advent Home Learning Center Inc., USAResident Care PersonnelVegan Cook

Black Hills Health & Education Center, USA

Registered Dietician

Fountainview Academy, CanadaAssistant Deans

Kibidula Farm Institute, TanzaniaAdministrative Assistant

Oklahoma Academy, USACafeteria DirectorCountry Store ManagerFarmer/GardenerGirls’ & Boys’ Deans Maintenance Worker

VIDA Internacional, Honduras Accountant Agriculturalist Assistant Director of Education Construction Manager Elementary School Teachers

Get Involved

Service Openings Events

View the complete list atwww.outpostcenters.org.

New OCI Reports Video Series When: Begins April 7, 7:30 pm ET Where: Hope Channel (DirecTV 368) Contact: info@outpostcenters.org Website: www.outpostcenters.org/schedule

Academy Days When: April 19-21, 2013 Where: Oklahoma Academy, Oklahoma Contact: 405-454-6211 Website: www.oklahomaacademy.org

Inspiration Weekend Spring 2013 When: May 3 - 5, 2013 Where: Matteson Mission School, Norway Contact: post@matteson.no Website: www.matteson.no/iw-may-2013

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Bill Dull has dedicated his life to saving

children in India from the unthinkable.

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Find service opportunities atwww.outpostcenters.org

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