Participants:
Series Code: MMS
Program Code: MMS100061S
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00:21 Fifty years ago, when Maranatha was still mostly an idea,
00:25 projects were few and far between. 00:28 Work was done 00:30 when local congregations had enough funds 00:32 to ask for Maranatha's help, 00:34 then things began to change. 00:37 People said, 00:38 "We can give more." 00:40 Maranatha started raising funds for communities in need, 00:43 collecting precious dollars for churches, schools, 00:47 orphanages, clinics. 00:51 People said, 00:53 "We can go further." 00:54 And Maranatha started traveling further, 00:57 across oceans and continents and into corners of the world 01:00 that had never been noticed before. 01:04 People said, 01:06 "We can do more." 01:08 So, Maranatha started building more structures, 01:12 drilling wells, 01:16 and expanding the scope of what was possible. 01:21 Things changed because people said, 01:23 "Let's change the world." 01:26 And you did. 01:28 Fifty years later, 01:29 you have helped to build more than 11,000 structures, 01:34 drill 1,000 water wells, 01:38 mobilize more than 85,000 volunteers, 01:43 transform countless lives. 01:47 And there is more to come. 01:49 As the gospel continues to shine throughout the world, 01:52 the requests for Maranatha's help 01:54 are only growing. 01:57 Today, we'll take a look at five areas of the world 02:00 where Maranatha is working. 02:04 And how you can get involved 02:05 in doing more for God's mission. 02:07 Immediately he leaves the next morning 02:10 and treks through. 02:16 Peru, 02:18 the very mention of the word 02:19 evokes the notion of ancient civilizations. 02:27 Colorful cultures... 02:35 epic landscapes, 02:38 vistas to take your breath away. 02:42 It's no mystery 02:43 as to why an estimated 4 million people 02:46 visit Peru each year. 02:48 Maranatha has begun adding our volunteers 02:51 to this growing list of travelers. 02:54 But these groups come with a different purpose. 02:57 They're coming with a mission to serve. 03:01 Between 2004 and 2006, 03:03 hundreds of Maranatha volunteers 03:05 headed to Peru 03:06 to build hundreds of churches all over the country. 03:10 One of them was even a floating church 03:13 on the fame Lake Titicaca. 03:15 The impact of the work in Peru was impactful to the volunteers 03:19 and the local communities. 03:21 In the city of Pachacutec, 03:23 Maranatha met a small congregation 03:25 with big ambitions 03:26 to take the gospel to the corners of their region. 03:30 But their place of worship was a basic wooden structure. 03:34 In 2006, Maranatha constructed a new church for the group 03:38 propelling their outreach efforts. 03:41 Over the past 13 years, 03:42 the city of Pachacutec has grown with buildings 03:45 as far as the eye can see. 03:47 The sprawl is not contained to the physical borders. 03:50 The Adventist Church Maranatha constructed in 2006 03:53 has planted 20 new congregations 03:56 in this region. 03:58 The Pachacutec congregation is just one example 04:00 of how the construction of churches and schools 04:03 more than a decade ago has promoted explosive growth. 04:09 Now the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Peru 04:11 has asked Maranatha to partner once more 04:13 in building new churches for more congregations in need. 04:17 In this coming year, 04:19 join Maranatha in returning to Peru 04:21 to build new places of worship 04:23 for these deserving communities. 04:26 Be a part of this special mission 04:28 by volunteering or giving a gift of support 04:31 to build more churches, 04:34 places of worship, 04:35 centers of light for those in need of hope, 04:44 India, 04:47 a land of 1.3 billion people, 04:51 a land of great faith. 04:53 For most, this faith involves traditional customs of Hinduism 04:57 that are deeply embedded into Indian culture, 05:01 but a growing minority of Christ's followers 05:03 can be found in every corner of the country 05:06 and their numbers are increasing. 05:08 This flourishing group often find themselves 05:10 worshiping in less than desirable circumstances. 05:14 This has made it difficult for them 05:16 to share the gospel with others. 05:19 Over the last 20 years, 05:21 Maranatha's presence in India 05:23 has resulted in the construction 05:24 of more than 1, 500 churches 05:27 helping to change the face of the Adventist Church 05:29 all over the country. 05:32 This year, our work continued 05:34 as a number of beautiful sanctuaries 05:36 have been erected as testaments to a living Creator God. 05:46 We also celebrated 05:48 the completion of a large 12 classrooms school building 05:50 on the campus of the Khunti Adventist School 05:53 in Eastern India. 05:56 The school's existing classrooms 05:58 were run-down and crowded 06:00 and the student population had outgrown 06:02 all of the meeting places on campus. 06:06 Students and staff began praying 06:09 that God would provide a solution 06:10 and they reached out to Maranatha for help. 06:15 After evaluating the needs, 06:17 Maranatha committed to building 06:18 a large elementary education center 06:20 on the Khunti campus. 06:29 In addition to constructing churches and schools, 06:31 Maranatha has added a water component 06:33 to our work in India. 06:36 The addition of water wells at our church sites 06:38 makes them places people visit every single day, 06:41 not just on Sabbath, 06:43 allowing for more opportunities to share Jesus. 06:47 Our work in India is far from over 06:49 as there are still many that haven't heard the gospel. 06:53 Help us continue to share Christ 06:55 in this vast country. 06:56 Your gift will help to change lives 06:58 by providing clean water, 07:00 Christian education and spiritual homes 07:03 to people who are hungry for the gospel message. 07:06 When we come back, 07:07 see how you can be a part 07:09 of the rapid spread of the gospel 07:10 on the African continent. 07:23 To me, the mission of Maranatha 07:25 is all about creating opportunities. 07:27 Yes, we build churches, we build schools, 07:29 we drill water wells, 07:31 but it's really about providing opportunities 07:33 for people to learn about the world 07:36 for kids to go to school, 07:38 for people to find community in the new church, 07:41 and for people to have life through clean water. 07:44 It's easy to get lost 07:46 in the immense needs out there in the world. 07:48 There are so many people that are hurting. 07:50 There are so many people that don't know Christ, 07:52 but I think what's special about Maranatha 07:54 is we break that down to a really personal level. 07:57 It's not about the overall need, 07:59 but if we can impact the life of one child, 08:01 because they have a place to learn, 08:03 if we can impact the life of a village, 08:05 because they have clean water, 08:07 if we can change a person's life, 08:08 because they learned about Jesus 08:10 in a church that we built, that is what makes it global. 08:13 Maranatha is changing the world. 08:16 Be a part of the change. 08:25 The Adventist Church on the continent of Africa 08:27 is growing faster than any other place on earth. 08:31 With this immense growth, 08:32 comes the challenge 08:33 of providing proper churches and schools. 08:38 This is a church. 08:43 As is this... 08:48 and this. 08:54 For many of the nearly 1 million Adventist members 08:57 in Kenya, 08:58 meeting under the scant shade of a tree 09:00 is not an unusual occurrence. 09:04 Vibrant worship is being dampened 09:06 by a lack of resources. 09:14 Since 2016, 09:16 Maranatha has been changing the worship experience 09:19 for hundreds of congregations across the country 09:21 through the construction of more than 300 new churches. 09:26 They stand as symbols of answered prayers 09:29 and a growing hope 09:31 in the most desolate parts of Kenya. 09:34 In addition to providing places of faith, 09:36 Maranatha is also caring 09:37 for one of life's most basic needs, 09:40 water. 09:50 Christian education 09:51 is an essential part of nurturing a church 09:54 and building good citizens of Kenya. 09:57 But the quality of education offered in Adventist schools 10:00 can be overshadowed 10:01 by the inadequacy of the facilities. 10:04 For the past three years, 10:06 Maranatha has been working to improve this situation 10:09 by expanding and improving campuses. 10:12 We've tackled large school complexes. 10:15 We built classrooms, dormitories, kitchens, 10:19 bathrooms, and more, 10:21 every block, every building, 10:23 every campus represents a step forward 10:26 in the future of thousands of children. 10:29 This year, one campus in particular 10:31 has captured our attention and our hearts. 10:36 The Maasai people reside in many parts of Kenya 10:39 and Northern Tanzania 10:40 and maintain their traditional way of life 10:42 as they have for generations. 10:45 This includes practices 10:46 that can be shocking to outsiders. 10:49 In some Maasai tribes, 10:51 girls are married as young as nine years old. 10:54 The transaction is determined by a girl's father 10:56 who is paid a dowry in cattle, the currency of the Maasai. 11:01 But before marriage, 11:03 a young girl must undergo a painful and dangerous ritual. 11:07 In order for the dowry transaction 11:09 to be complete, 11:10 a female circumcision occurs, known globally 11:13 as female genital mutilation or FGM. 11:18 FGM is illegal in Kenya, 11:20 but continues to be a common practice 11:22 among the Maasai 11:24 who usually live in remote areas. 11:28 Young girls have a difficult choice. 11:31 Stay and enjoy life as a young wife and mother 11:34 or attempt to escape, 11:35 potentially severing all ties with their families. 11:40 For nearly 20 years, 11:42 the Kajiado Adventist School and Rescue Center 11:44 has provided a safe haven for hundreds of children 11:47 who have decided to take a risk 11:49 and leave their families behind. 11:53 The school sets these girls on a bright path 11:55 towards a future of opportunity. 11:58 They are providing a home to those who have none. 12:03 Yet the facilities have been inadequate. 12:08 Since learning of Kajiado's needs, 12:10 Maranatha has helped 12:11 with a number of projects on campus, 12:13 including the construction of new dormitories 12:15 and bathrooms and showers. 12:26 New bathrooms, showers, and thriving gardens 12:29 require a strong water source. 12:31 The existing well is failing 12:33 and the school has had to purchase water 12:35 for basic needs. 12:39 In spite of pessimistic hydrology reports, 12:42 Maranatha's well drilling crew encountered a miracle. 12:45 They found an abundant and unexpected water source 12:49 that can easily supply the campus's needs. 12:53 Maranatha's work continues on the Kajiado campus. 12:57 Currently, after students complete primary school, 13:00 those who want to continue their education 13:02 must leave their campus home 13:04 and go to schools across the country. 13:07 Maranatha has committed to help the school expand 13:10 by building classrooms for a secondary program. 13:12 This will keep the girls on the campus 13:15 and under the care of an empathetic staff 13:17 who understand all that they've endured. 13:20 With your help, 13:21 the Kajiado Adventist School and Rescue Center 13:23 can be a safe haven for even more children. 13:27 Your support will provide these girls 13:29 with the opportunity for a bright future. 13:34 In addition to our work in Kenya, 13:36 Maranatha has an ongoing effort in the country of Zambia. 13:40 This Sub-Saharan country is most famous for wonders, 13:43 such as Victoria Falls. 13:45 It also boasts 13:46 one of the largest groups of Adventists in the world 13:48 with 1.3 million members. 13:51 Although breathtaking waterfalls 13:53 and thrilling safaris may draw tourists, 13:55 the reality of life in Zambia 13:57 is found far off the beaten path. 14:02 Lilian lives in the village of Lwendge 14:05 with her husband and their 10 children. 14:10 She makes a meager living by traveling into the forest, 14:13 cutting down trees and making charcoal. 14:17 Her situation is not ideal. 14:21 Farming or raising livestock are not options due to drought, 14:24 lack of financial resources and clean water. 14:29 Infact, the nearest well is a few kilometers away 14:32 and Lilian must make several trips a day 14:34 to provide water for her family. 14:42 Despite the difficulties, 14:44 Lilian has found strength through her faith 14:46 connection to God and her local church. 14:50 Lilian attends the Lwendge Seventh-day Adventist Church. 14:55 This congregation started 15 years ago 14:57 and membership has grown to 78 members. 15:02 They are zealous 15:03 about spreading God's love to their neighbors, 15:06 but one element they are still missing 15:08 is an adequate place to worship. 15:11 All of that changed 15:12 when Maranatha came and built a church 15:14 for Lilian's group. 15:24 Lwendge is just one of the many places 15:26 where Maranatha is building churches 15:28 as part of a new effort in Zambia. 15:32 These simple steel frames are providing not only shelter, 15:35 but hope for many congregations 15:37 who are in a situation similar to Lwendge. 15:42 In addition to church construction, 15:43 Maranatha is helping the Adventist Church 15:46 expand their education system 15:48 through the construction of schools. 15:54 Crews are also drilling water wells 15:56 to provide crucial access to clean water. 16:00 Maranatha's work to provide churches, schools, 16:03 and water wells 16:04 is answering prayers all over Zambia, 16:07 but we need your help. 16:09 You may not realize 16:10 even as Maranatha the work that we are doing now, 16:12 how far it will go 16:13 and how far it goes in the minds of the people. 16:15 So it is quite important that Maranatha continues building 16:18 these structures here, 16:20 because at the end of the day, 16:21 people praise God for this work that you are doing. 16:26 Help us spread hope 16:27 through the construction of churches. 16:30 Projects in Zambia are in need of funding 16:33 and you can help by making a donation. 16:37 Cote d'Ivoire, also known as Ivory Coast 16:40 is situated on the south coast of West Africa, 16:43 nestled between five other countries. 16:46 From cocoa beans to palm oil to cashews, 16:48 Cote d'Ivoire's agricultural might has made the country 16:51 one of the most economically stable 16:53 in West Africa. 16:55 This success is obvious when visiting Abidjan, 16:59 Cote d'Ivoire's economic capital. 17:02 Metropolitan vast and expanding, 17:05 Abidjan is evidence of a country on the rise. 17:11 However, a drive to the city's borders 17:14 are where the high rises stop 17:16 and modernity is a rumor of the future. 17:26 It is in some of these areas 17:27 where Maranatha has committed 17:29 to build churches for congregation 17:30 struggling to find or build a home of their own. 17:34 People are meeting in homes, patios, classrooms, 17:37 or under trees. 17:39 The lack of proper worship space 17:41 has created some prejudice 17:43 toward the Adventist Church in Cote d'Ivoire. 17:49 The issue of space has definitely been a hurdle 17:51 at the Abbebroukoi Adventist Church. 17:54 This church started in 2008, 17:56 following some Bible studies and meetings. 18:00 Initially, there were 27 members, 18:02 but when the pastor fell ill, 18:03 the congregation dwindled to almost nothing. 18:08 For more than a decade, 18:09 Kamelan, a church leader at Abbebroukoi 18:12 is still attending and still sharing the gospel. 18:15 He helped to grow the membership 18:17 back up to 30. 18:23 But faster growth has been difficult 18:25 because of odd meeting space. 18:28 This structure which was started back in 2008 18:30 has never been finished because of the lack of funds. 19:15 In 2020, 19:16 during the 100th anniversary 19:18 of the Adventist Church in Cote d'Ivoire, 19:20 Maranatha will be constructing a new church for Abbebroukoi. 19:24 It will be an answer to years of prayer. 19:26 What's more, 19:28 Maranatha will also construct classrooms on the property 19:30 to fulfill an urgent need for education 19:33 in the community. 19:34 This is just one of the many congregations 19:37 that Maranatha will be helping in the next year 19:39 as we launch our efforts in Cote d'Ivoire, 19:42 yet none of this work can be completed 19:44 without your help. 19:46 Each school classroom 19:47 and sanctuary needs to be sponsored. 19:50 And we need volunteers to join us on these projects 19:53 and many more. 19:55 This will be the first time 19:56 Maranatha has worked in this country 19:58 and the impact of the churches, schools 20:00 and volunteers will be significant. 20:07 The effects of Maranatha's work isn't contained 20:10 to those who receive a church, a school or a water well. 20:13 When we come back, 20:14 see how missions has had a spiritual impact 20:17 on those who serve. 20:30 The mission of Maranatha for me is about people. 20:33 Maranatha represents the gospel moving around the world 20:36 with a hard hat, safety glasses, 20:39 work boots, and gloves on. 20:40 And it's just cool to see the opportunity 20:43 that Maranatha facilitates for volunteers to serve 20:48 and to be a part of mission. 20:51 And I believe God hardwired us to be of service. 20:53 And so, people find great joy 20:55 when they're able to go out 20:57 and focus on the needs of others 20:59 rather than just themselves. 21:01 Maranatha is changing the world. 21:04 Be a part of the change. 21:22 For 50 years, 21:24 Maranatha volunteers have been traveling the globe, 21:26 building churches, 21:31 schools, 21:34 and spreading God's love everywhere they go. 21:39 From the plains of Kenya... 21:45 to the Amazon rainforest, 21:50 11, 000 structures stand as evidence of God 21:53 working through ordinary people. 21:56 Ordinary people carrying out an extraordinary mission, 22:01 but why not send a check and hire professionals? 22:05 Why go when it would be easier to stay? 22:11 Because 50 years ago, 22:13 God called a family to a mission to serve 22:16 and bring the gospel commission to life. 22:19 I knew this was something that we couldn't do ourselves. 22:24 I knew that it was something 22:26 that God had put into John's mind to do. 22:29 And that's why I felt that 22:31 I should encourage him in everything I do, 22:33 because other than that, it wasn't gonna succeed. 22:37 But he was with us. 22:39 I knew he was with us 22:41 and I knew it was something that the Lord wanted us to do 22:45 and not for any glory of our own, 22:47 but for encouraging our family, our children, 22:51 we really started the whole thing 22:53 for young people. 22:54 I'd say, 22:56 "Lord, help us to finish the work 22:58 that needs to be done." 23:00 Every job is a miracle. 23:03 There is no way that we can build these churches 23:07 without you helping us. 23:17 Maranatha works because it's God's program. 23:21 And the purpose of Maranatha is not anyone's agenda. 23:26 The purpose of Maranatha is bringing souls to Jesus. 23:31 I believe God had a purpose in raising Maranatha, 23:34 watching it grow. 23:36 And as he resolved in heaven, 23:41 there will be thousands upon thousands, 23:44 young, old in heaven 23:47 as a result of the work of Maranatha. 24:10 Maranatha is about people. 24:13 And God uses people. 24:17 God brought a host to people around 24:19 that caused this thing to go forward. 24:25 I believe that Maranatha has provided more than schools 24:31 and more than churches. 24:33 They provided the development 24:36 of thousands of individuals 24:40 that went on these projects 24:43 and that changed their life 24:45 and in their witness for God 24:48 everywhere they went after that. 24:59 For 50 years, 25:00 Maranatha has focused on building people, 25:03 one church, one school, 25:08 one mission experience at a time, 25:11 but there's so much more to be done 25:13 and we can't do it without you. 25:17 Together we can change the world. 25:22 Let's build more churches, 25:24 the heart of Maranatha's program. 25:26 Donate toward a spiritual home. 25:28 So, communities will have a place to flourish in Christ. 25:37 Let's grow schools, 25:39 a fertile ground for young minds and hearts 25:41 who are learning about the world and their God. 25:58 Let's bring water to the thirsty 26:00 and give communities a chance to thrive. 26:17 Let's serve on mission trips, 26:19 take your faith, put it into action 26:22 and open your heart 26:23 to the greatest adventure you ever know. 26:34 We are called to change this world... 26:39 for the kingdom... 26:44 His glory. 26:55 How better can you use your time? 26:56 How better can you use your money? 26:58 How better can you use your energy 26:59 and your influence? 27:01 Probably more than anything else 27:03 I've learned that God can be trusted. 27:06 I've seen His faithfulness in a thousand ways. 27:11 I know 27:12 if He can be trusted for Maranatha, 27:15 I can trust Him personally too. |
Revised 2021-01-22