Participants:
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY210035A
|
00:01 As you're well aware,
00:03 we're living in unprecedented times. 00:05 Join us now for today's special program. 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:18 Mending broken people 00:23 I want to spend my life 00:29 Removing pain 00:34 Lord, let my words 00:39 Heal a heart that hurts 00:44 I want to spend my life 00:50 Mending broken people 00:55 I want to spend my life 01:00 Mending broken people 01:15 Hello and welcome to another 3ABN Today program. 01:19 I'm Jason Bradley, and I'm so glad that you 01:21 decided to join us once again, as you always do. 01:24 And here with me I have my copilot Ricky Carter. 01:28 Pleasure to be here. 01:30 Ricky, it's great to have you here. 01:31 Yeah. Yes, sir. 01:33 We have an exciting program in store for you, 01:36 a power-packed program in store for you. 01:39 And I'm looking forward to diving into that program. 01:42 Ricky, who do we have here with us? 01:44 We have the Runne family. 01:46 We have Brother Caleb Runne and his wife... 01:50 Glenda. Good. Glenda Escudero 01:54 And their two children, Enoch and Jordana. 01:57 It was great to have all of you here on our program today. 02:00 Thank you for having us. Yes, thank you. 02:02 Yes. Yes. 02:03 And I'm looking forward to diving into your background, 02:05 all of that upbringing... 02:07 We're gonna even go to the upbringing 02:09 and the whole nine yards. 02:11 So excited to get into that. 02:13 But before we do, 02:14 we're gonna be blessed in song by Moses Brown 02:17 and he is singing "Because He lives." 02:35 God sent his son 02:40 They called him Jesus 02:46 He came to live 02:51 Heal and forgive 02:56 He bled and died 03:01 To buy my pardon 03:06 An empty grave 03:09 Is there just to prove 03:13 My savior lives 03:17 Because He lives 03:22 I can face tomorrow 03:27 Because He lives 03:32 All fear is gone 03:37 Because I know Yes, 03:41 I know 03:43 He holds the future 03:48 My life is worth the living 03:52 Just because He lives 03:58 And then one day 04:03 I'll cross that river 04:08 I'll fight life's final 04:14 War with pain 04:18 And then as death 04:24 Gives way to victory 04:29 I'll see the lights of glory 04:33 And I'll know 04:36 That my Lord lives 04:39 Because He lives 04:44 I can face tomorrow 04:50 Because My God lives 04:55 All fear is gone 05:00 Because I know 05:03 Yes, I know 05:06 He holds the future 05:11 My life is worth the living Just 05:16 because He lives 05:21 Because God lives 05:26 You can face tomorrow 05:32 Because He lives 05:36 All fear is gone 05:42 Because I know 05:45 Yes, I know 05:47 He holds the future 05:53 My life is worth the living 05:57 Your life can be worth the living 06:02 O our life is worth the living 06:07 Just because my 06:12 God lives 06:24 Amen. 06:26 Thank you, Brother Moses, for blessing us 06:28 with that wonderful song. 06:29 "Because He lives." 06:30 What a wonderful song, what do you think? 06:32 Yeah. 06:33 I'm extremely happy that He lives. 06:35 You know, we have a risen Savior 06:37 and it was the death, burial, and resurrection, 06:40 and that has made a huge difference 06:42 in not only my life but I know your life 06:45 and I know our wonderful guests' lives as well. 06:49 What scripture do you wanna share with us today? 06:52 Yes. I wanna share Jeremiah 29:11. 06:57 When I was reading a little bit about your experience, 06:58 this text came to mind. 07:01 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 07:04 said the Lord, thoughts of peace 07:06 and not of evil to give you an expected end." 07:10 So, God, He knows your family 07:13 and He's got a plan for you all. 07:15 So I'm excited to hear about this plan. 07:16 Hmm. So let's dive into your background. 07:19 Let's find out what was your upbringing like, 07:21 Caleb, and were you brought up in the church 07:24 'cause I'm always fascinated 07:27 when people wanna go into mission work 07:29 and go out of the country 07:31 and we're gonna get to that too. 07:33 That's just a little preview. 07:34 But let's go into your background. 07:37 I guess I'll start with my parents 07:38 because they were missionaries in Guatemala. 07:41 My dad's from the United States and my mom's from Nicaragua. 07:44 And they met in Guatemala and were married there. 07:48 And it was at an Adventist institute, 07:51 a health Institute. 07:52 So from there, they moved back to the United States 07:55 and I was born in Florida. 07:57 And so I was raised in the church and raised on, 08:01 I guess, the health message really. 08:03 And so our family is always kind 08:07 of almost missionaries and training, 08:10 just the way we were raised. 08:11 And that led me to eventually 08:14 decide to become My father is a chiropractor. 08:16 Oh, okay. 08:18 And I decided I would go that route because we had such, 08:22 I guess, a healthy upbringing. 08:24 And I thought, you know, 08:25 I wanna have that for my family. 08:27 So whether I was going to be a chiropractor 08:29 or work construction or, you know, 08:32 whatever it is that God had for me, 08:34 I wanted to know those things to be able to have 08:36 that for my family. 08:38 Wow. 08:39 And I know also as I was studying chiropractic, 08:42 there's all kinds of different techniques. 08:44 And I always focused for techniques 08:48 that didn't require tools or electricity 08:50 'cause I always thought, you know, 08:51 what if I don't have that stuff, 08:53 I wanna be able to help people anyway. 08:55 So I didn't know, the Lord was kind of training me 08:58 during that time. 09:01 So that's kind of, I guess, my health background, 09:04 but grew up in the church, 09:08 took a while for me to decide to be baptized. 09:11 I was 21 when I decided to be baptized. 09:15 But, you know, everybody's got their story, 09:18 ups and downs, and I felt the Lord really pulling me 09:22 back towards Him in college. 09:25 Did you feel like you didn't have that relation, 09:28 that personal relationship because you know, 09:30 sometimes our parents are in the church 09:32 and all of that stuff, 09:33 but if we don't have that personal connection, 09:35 like we didn't grab hold of God yet, 09:38 was that the case for you? 09:40 I'd say so 'cause we went to the Christian school 09:43 at my church in Maryville, Tennessee. 09:44 OK. 09:46 And I went first through eighth grade 09:47 and I knew doctrine and I knew how I supposed to be. 09:51 And there were things that made me question 09:56 when I got into high school. 09:58 And that that's where I kind of fell away. 10:01 And it wasn't until college that I started studying 10:04 the Bible myself. 10:06 And actually I was watching 3ABN. 10:08 That was one of the things that drew me back as well. 10:11 And I realized, you know what, I'm a baby. 10:13 I don't know all this stuff that I thought I knew, 10:16 it was only to me now hearsay, 10:18 and finding out for the first time, 10:19 learning for myself that began in college really. 10:24 Praise God for that connection and bringing you back around. 10:30 And, Glenda, tell us a little bit 10:31 about your background. 10:33 Well, my background, I'm from Argentina 10:37 as you can notice in my accent. 10:38 And I grew up in the church 10:41 and going also to Adventist schools 10:44 but always having a fire for serving the Lord 10:48 and also for adventure. 10:51 And I don't know if He put that when I was born, 10:55 but I just grew up. 10:56 And now finally, I think I can get use 11:00 of that natural, 11:03 I'll say, skill or characteristic. 11:07 So I can... 11:09 Or we as a family can go into a missionary 11:14 or be part of the missionary, 11:16 a missionary project. 11:19 I studied also in Argentina and all through 11:22 my kindergarten to university in Adventist schools. 11:28 And I enjoy that so, much, but when I was in college, 11:33 I had the honor to meet my husband there. 11:36 He was just visiting his brother. 11:38 I was his brother's teacher. 11:40 And we saw... 11:44 First time we saw each other, we just fell in love. 11:47 And 68 days after we got married. 11:50 So things can go... 11:51 I think it was 63 days. 63, okay. 11:55 63 days, we might have to talk after this. 11:58 I'm looking for my wife. 12:00 I got to find out how you did that. 12:03 Yes. 12:04 But everything was a miracle actually in God's hands. 12:09 And since then, we also, before marrying, 12:13 we talk about the desire. 12:16 We both have to be missionaries and we didn't know, 12:20 but the Lord was putting that seed in our hearts 12:24 one day to be able to really have this dream 12:30 come true being missionaries. 12:32 And for some reason, we always 12:34 wanted to be missionaries overseas. 12:37 And well, now we get to do that 12:40 and hopefully soon we can go to Guyana. 12:43 Oh, yes. Yes. With a project there. 12:46 I was wondering about 12:49 some of the things that you would, 12:51 family would do when you guys go over to Guyana. 12:54 And did you guys like music at all? 12:57 Oh, yes, definitely. Yes, we really do. 12:59 We play a lot of instruments 13:02 and we like to write songs and... 13:05 Nice. What instruments do you play? 13:07 Well, I play the piano, the guitar and the ukulele. 13:11 Oh, nice. How about you, Enoch? 13:14 I can play the guitar, the banjo. 13:19 I know how to play dulcimer, but I don't have one, 13:21 know how to play... 13:25 Violin. Violin. 13:27 I know how to play mandolin, but I don't have one. 13:30 I know how to play ukulele 13:33 and I can play piano right here. 13:35 Wow. That's great. 13:36 You have a musical family. 13:38 Yes. Yes. Yeah. 13:40 And we're planning to bring all that talent to the field too. 13:45 Amen. Nice. 13:46 So tell us about AWA. What does AWA stand for? 13:50 It means Adventist World Aviation. 13:52 Okay. And what does AWA do? 13:56 So they go to places where you cannot reach 14:00 these places by car, by boat. 14:03 Really the only way to get in is by flight. 14:06 So they go in and help people who are kind of isolated. 14:11 So it's funny 14:13 I'm answering your question, but I won't be the pilot. 14:16 My wife is the one that's studying to be a pilot. 14:18 Wow. Yeah. Yeah. That's awesome. 14:20 That's awesome. Now who drives? 14:23 I drive. We both do. 14:28 Okay. 14:29 So you're studying to be a pilot 14:31 and what's that training like? 14:33 Well, the training is a challenge because, 14:39 well, English is not my first language. 14:42 Okay. 14:43 The measurements are not the same 14:44 I used to use in Argentina. 14:46 So everything is different, but praise God, 14:50 I'm learning a lot. 14:51 And I have really wonderful instructors and it's exciting, 14:57 it's a blessing to be able to see these guys every week 15:02 and it's really a blessing. 15:06 So yeah, it's wonderful. 15:08 Now does the whole family get to go up 15:10 with you during your training? 15:12 How does that work? Well, not yet. 15:14 I mean, they could come in and watch, 15:16 but we have like a busy family. 15:20 So while they are at home, we homeschool, 15:24 they are doing their homework, I do mine in the sky. 15:29 Yes. Got you. 15:30 Got you. 15:32 And so were you about to say something? 15:34 I'm curious about where are you guys gonna be going? 15:37 You're going to Guyana, right? 15:39 That's right. Where is that located? 15:41 So every time we say Guyana, people say, "Oh, Africa." 15:43 And Guyana is actually in South America 15:45 and it is actually people know about Venezuela. 15:48 It's right next to Venezuela. 15:50 And it is also... 15:52 It's an interesting country because the primary language 15:55 there is English and right next to them 15:58 is Venezuela on the west. 16:00 And then south is Brazil where they speak Portuguese. 16:03 And then on the east side, they have Suriname 16:05 where you've got Dutch 16:07 and then on the east of them is a French Guyana 16:09 where they speak French. 16:11 It's a really interesting multi pot there on the coast, 16:13 the upper coast of South America. 16:15 Hmm. 16:16 So what are the needs of the Guyanese natives 16:19 and how do you figure out what those needs are? 16:23 So AWA has been in Guyana for 25 years, I believe. 16:28 And so, they've been working there 16:31 with the native people 16:32 and the people on the coast as well. 16:33 So the information, we're missionaries at training, 16:36 we've not yet been to Guyana, but we're gonna go very soon. 16:40 But we heard a story specifically about a city 16:45 that's in the interior Guyana, more in the jungle. 16:47 Most of like 80% I believe of the population 16:50 live on the coast. 16:51 And so, the natives though, the highest concentration 16:54 of natives is in the interior, in this place called Bermuda. 17:00 And Bermuda about 10 years ago 17:02 was AWA was flying in and helping people. 17:07 If they had any sort of emergencies, 17:08 they would pick them up and bring them to Georgetown, 17:11 the capital city on the coast where there's a hospital. 17:14 So I guess there was a time 17:19 where there was one of the chiefs, 17:20 they call them the Tashou, 17:23 and he was very sick and they didn't know why. 17:25 Turned out he had appendicitis and his appendix had ruptured. 17:28 So if they hadn't picked him up, 17:30 he would have died. 17:32 Now the community said, "We like your airplanes, 17:35 we want you to be here and help us, 17:37 you know, with that service. 17:38 But we don't wanna have anything to do 17:40 with your religion." 17:42 So after this though, after the Tashou got sick 17:46 and was taken to the hospital, he was able to be cared for 17:49 and brought back home. 17:51 Then he was like, 17:53 "We want you to build a house here. 17:57 And we want you to teach us about your God." 18:00 And that was done. That was 10 years ago. 18:03 And no one has lived in that house yet. 18:06 So when we heard that, I'm shivering right now, 18:09 I've got goosebumps So it's like... 18:11 So the house is waiting 18:12 more than 10 years for a missionary family, 18:15 that community, he said a city, okay. 18:18 This is just few houses on the jungle, 18:21 it's not like we picture a city. 18:23 It's a population of 4,000 people 18:26 distributed in that community. 18:30 And the house is waiting there for a family. 18:33 And there is no Christian prisons 18:36 except for one. 18:39 Yeah. 18:41 For one community, that one religion 18:43 that when there is missionaries too, but turned out now 18:46 that they get the customs of their community 18:49 and they introduced Algorism too. 18:52 So we feel like the call is urgent. 18:56 There is, you know, 4,000 people there in the heart 18:59 of the jungle waiting for the Lord. 19:03 They need hope. 19:04 I mean, the things that are happening in that community 19:06 are a little scary that even we are not sharing everything 19:10 with our family, what is going on there, 19:13 so they let us go. 19:14 But we feel like, yeah, 19:18 we should go the sooner, the better. 19:20 And we can't wait because it will be so amazing 19:25 to see the transformations there that we cannot wait. 19:28 Yeah. That is our hope. 19:30 The biggest problems that they're facing 19:33 there are alcoholism 19:35 and domestic abuse because of that 19:38 and then also suicide, and suicide among young people. 19:42 They really just don't have hope 19:44 that their vocations are mining 19:49 and agriculture. 19:51 But they don't have very much education. 19:55 In fact, one of the ways that we wanna reach them 19:56 is with literacy. 19:59 So if we can teach them to read English, 20:01 they speak English and their native Carib 20:04 I think it's called, they don't know 20:07 how to read well. 20:09 So if we can help with literacy and then we can also share 20:12 the Bible with them and share hope with them, 20:14 and that's how we hope to reach them 20:16 is really through literacy. 20:19 The things I can help in terms of health 20:22 and then with the flights, bringing them to the hospital 20:24 when there are emergencies. 20:26 Yeah. 20:27 I love that literacy component because that is so crucial. 20:31 How can you study the Word of God 20:32 if you can't read the Word of God? 20:34 So that's powerful. 20:36 What were some things 20:37 that went through your minds as, 20:40 you know, you were thinking about missionary work 20:42 and leaving the United States to go live in another country 20:46 and serve? 20:49 I guess I've visited many other countries. 20:52 So I think that opens your eyes and you realize 20:54 that the world is quite diverse 20:57 and that diversity is actually beautiful. 21:00 And kind of it's exciting to be able to experience that 21:03 and learn new things. 21:04 Glenda is not from here. 21:06 So she knows exactly what it's like 21:08 to leave her country. 21:10 Yes. 21:11 And I experienced already 21:13 the culture shock moving from Argentina to here. 21:17 So I think that was part of God's plan also, training, 21:21 He was training us before. 21:23 And now, I feel like I can help my family with transition 21:28 when we get there and that's something that 21:30 we are also doing with the children, 21:32 and we actually were talking recently about... 21:34 that they're going to be things different 21:37 and it will take It took me a year to adapt. 21:40 So I think I can help my family. 21:43 And yes, definitely, 21:45 God was preparing us for this mission now. 21:49 Amen. Amen. Amen. 21:50 Speaking of that, how did you know 21:52 when God was calling you to this mission? 21:56 That's such a good question. 21:57 I always Someone asked me that question. 22:00 I had to think, I was like, "How do I know, 22:02 how is this from God?" 22:03 And it occurred to me that where we're going 22:07 and what we're going to do, 22:09 it doesn't make logical sense 22:11 if we're looking at it from a human perspective. 22:14 We're going to a place where there's no electricity, 22:17 there's no running water, no sewer. 22:20 And in the middle of nowhere, we're leaving all our friends 22:22 and family and our loved ones behind. 22:25 That doesn't make sense in human logic 22:28 and yet God has placed it on our hearts. 22:29 And when we heard the story, 22:31 like we were telling you about Bermuda, 22:33 it's like all of us were in unity about it. 22:35 We need to go there. 22:37 And so the Holy Spirit had to be the one that put 22:41 that on our hearts. 22:42 It's not something that came from us. 22:46 I guess that's how. 22:47 So how did you talk to the kids about this 22:51 and what was that conversation like? 22:54 I actually don't remember it well. 22:57 Yes, because I mean, we homeschool, 23:00 we have a different type of life and we do a lot 23:03 of things in nature. 23:04 So just telling them that we are planning to go 23:08 or we have this call from God to go to Guyana, 23:12 it was for them a big like yes, 23:16 a big adventure. 23:17 And I think for Jordana, it was even easier, 23:20 a little bit easier and Enoch, 23:24 we remember that once 23:26 we learned about this really remote location in Guyana, 23:30 he was very into that too. 23:34 And I think that they are in the age that, 23:36 you know, they can feel 23:40 ahead that they will miss their friends 23:42 and it's going to be hard, but still they feel that it 23:47 is very worth it to do this. 23:49 Yes. 23:50 As far as being missionaries, 23:53 are there any special qualifications 23:55 that are needed to be a missionary? 23:57 I mean, are you guys bringing any special qualifications 23:59 for being missionaries? 24:00 Have the call. 24:02 That's it, the harvest is white. 24:04 So, you know, God wants people to go 24:07 and I think He's gonna place it on their hearts 24:09 when they should go 24:11 and He will provide the means 24:12 and He's gonna provide the abilities. 24:14 We have things that we bring maybe character traits 24:19 or training or whatever it is that our background 24:22 is that we feel we could help the people in Guyana. 24:25 But really we will get there and God may use us 24:28 in a totally different way than we expect. 24:30 And so... 24:32 Still, we are trying to prepare ourselves the best 24:35 we can because this is His mission. 24:39 So we want to know, you know, I'm doing the pilot training. 24:43 And he has been, you know, trying to get as simple 24:47 as he can within his practice. 24:50 Children, they have been learning survival skills, 24:54 gardening, and construction, 24:58 and a lot of things that maybe here in US 25:01 can be like a hobby, but there in Guyana, 25:04 we will need it for survive. 25:08 That's a necessity. It will be a necessity. 25:10 Yes. 25:12 And I also think that like the main thing 25:14 is to look for where God is working and then join Him. 25:18 Amen. Amen. 25:20 We could end the program on that one. 25:22 That was very, very good. 25:24 Excellent. Excellent. 25:26 What do you anticipate will be some 25:28 of the challenges that you'll face? 25:31 So I mean, just the adapting to the changes. 25:33 We won't, again, have electricity on a regular basis. 25:37 It's very hot, humid. 25:39 There are different animals, different insects. 25:43 The culture is different and I think 25:45 I've had experience with different cultures 25:47 and my wife has too, and Jordana is kind 25:50 of more adaptable. 25:52 And Enoch has had maybe the hardest time 25:54 with thinking about, "Man, this is America. 25:57 I love America. And I wanna go fishing." 26:01 And he's got all these things that he loves from our home. 26:06 So I think those are difficult to think about changing. 26:11 That's a good segue. I'm curious. 26:15 How do you two feel about, 26:18 you know, leaving your country, leaving your friends, 26:22 a family, what do you think? 26:25 Well, I mean, I think the hardest part 26:29 only probably leaving the cultures, 26:32 like we live in Tennessee, by the way. 26:35 And down there 26:36 it's pretty southern and I mean, 26:39 that's like I grew up in Tennessee. 26:41 It's all that I know about. 26:43 And I'm also leaving all my friends and family, 26:48 that'll probably be the hardest part. 26:50 Yes. 26:52 For me, it will definitely be the people. 26:56 I mean, and the mountains and the river 26:58 and that it's not very hot. 27:00 I don't like heat very much. 27:02 And I like cold rivers that you can swim in that are safe. 27:06 And that probably won't be like that in Guyana. 27:09 But for me, I'm the adventuresome type. 27:12 So I'm ready for the adventure. Nice. 27:15 They both touch me because she's very 27:19 willing to do it 27:21 and he is very willing to do it, 27:22 even when he knows that he won't be comfortable 27:26 and he knows that he'll have a very harder time. 27:29 Yes. Yes. 27:31 What do you hope to accomplish 27:34 on this missionary trip? 27:38 So we hope to spread the gospel because the people, 27:42 again, specifically in Bermuda, I mean, Guyana, 27:46 there are several places where AWA has, like, 27:50 we have a headquarters, in my room, 27:52 I think we have a picture of that. 27:54 And then Bermuda, 27:55 and then there's another one in Georgetown. 27:57 And so there are people that we're reaching already, 28:00 but we always wanted to reach people 28:02 who haven't heard the gospel. 28:05 And so to us 28:06 that's our major drive is to share the gospel 28:10 with people who haven't heard it yet. 28:11 And God is already working on their hearts. 28:14 And it's clear that that was true 10 years ago. 28:17 And we expect that He's still there, 28:19 still working on their hearts, 28:20 and we just we'd like to be workers 28:23 in His kingdom, so... 28:24 Absolutely. Amen. 28:26 What did your family say when you told them about this? 28:30 I think everybody was just maybe curious 28:35 how long we would be interested in doing this. 28:37 I don't know. If we were serious. 28:39 If we were serious, yeah. 28:41 But we have been doing things differently. 28:44 So in my case, my family wasn't really surprised. 28:48 My mom wanted to be a missionary in the Amazon. 28:51 So for her, I think 28:52 it was a happy thing to see in us 28:55 to realize about it. 28:57 Well, I think as the dates get closer, 28:59 our family is realizing, "Hey, this is serious. 29:01 They're going." And so they're... 29:05 I would say they don't have a problem, 29:07 my parents were missionaries, 29:08 but just they're just seeing us do it. 29:12 We're just going. Yeah. Yeah. 29:14 Walking into the calling that God has placed on your lives. 29:18 And it's amazing to me that you two are embracing 29:22 that calling as well. 29:23 And you're the adventurous type 29:25 and you're ready for an adventure. 29:27 And that's exciting. You wanna be used by God. 29:29 And I think that's incredible. 29:32 So that shows that your parents instilled 29:34 some wonderful Christian values in you. 29:38 So what was that like? 29:40 Do you guys learn about, 29:42 you know, the stories in the Bible? 29:46 Yes, we do. 29:49 I like to read more on my own and he reads a book too. 29:54 He reads it to me and yes, 29:56 that's like part of our training, 29:59 but it's like, well, before we got... 30:02 About the boys, 30:03 that's a totally different story, 30:04 but Dad would read to us every day from the Bible. 30:08 We're trying to read the whole Bible. 30:09 Amen. Nice. Nice. 30:11 And your brother reads to you too? 30:13 Yeah, I like reading Proverbs. Oh, that's awesome. 30:17 Yes.Yes. A wise man. 30:20 Jordana, you mentioned something 30:21 about preparing to go as a family. 30:26 So it makes me wonder, so as a family, 30:29 are there things that you are doing 30:31 to prepare to go to the mission fields? 30:35 Well, we're studying and praying together. 30:37 The training that that AWA provides for us, 30:40 there are certain reading materials 30:42 that we have to do. 30:43 There's also training, 30:45 like the Institute of World Missions. 30:48 So we do these things as a family. 30:50 And that's why when you asked about 30:52 how they responded when we told them about 30:55 or how we told them about it, 30:56 we make a lot of our decisions together. 30:58 We're together all the time and they're homeschooled. 31:01 I work from home. 31:02 And so everything that we're doing 31:06 for preparation is together. 31:08 And honestly, I think the biggest preparation 31:11 I think sometimes we lose sight of it, 31:12 especially now in this time we see 31:15 we're like in the toenails 31:17 of that image of Nebuchadnezzar. 31:19 And so that we are so close to the end 31:24 and I think people get worried about 31:25 how will we prepare for Jesus coming, 31:27 and really it's just relationship. 31:29 We need to have a relationship with Him. 31:31 And so that's our biggest training 31:34 is keeping our relationship with Jesus. 31:37 Amen. 31:38 And that's also how you're planning on reaching 31:40 the people in Guyana is by building 31:43 those relationships, assessing the needs 31:45 of the community, building those relationships, 31:47 and then telling them to follow Christ as Christ method. 31:49 Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. 31:51 That's something that we have in mind. 31:53 We can have the best preparation 31:55 and we try to do that, 31:57 but being friends with the people there, 32:01 I think that's the best thing 32:02 we can do to reach people to the Lord. 32:05 Yes. Yes. Absolutely. 32:07 So you guys are excited about this. 32:10 I can tell. I can tell. We are. 32:12 You know, I remember when you first got here 32:14 and I came up and introduced myself to you 32:17 and met you. 32:18 I was just amazed at your countenance. 32:21 Like, you know, there's a glow on each and every one of you 32:24 and it just shows that, you know, 32:26 you've been studying the word and you've surrendered to God, 32:29 like your countenance really shows that. 32:32 Praise God. 32:33 And I think that's gonna make a difference too 32:35 when you go over there to Guyana. 32:36 People are gonna see that something 32:38 is different about your family. 32:41 You know, and they're gonna be drawn to that. 32:43 And it's the Lord. That's right. 32:45 It is the Lord. 32:47 So, yes, Ricky, what's on your mind? 32:50 I think about flying 32:52 and about the most piloting that I could ever see myself 32:58 doing is being right here with Jason being his copilot. 33:02 And so are you planning on being copilot? 33:05 I will. 33:06 I'm sure I will be co-pilot from time to time. 33:10 You know, there are a lot of medevac flights, 33:12 and so I may be in the back. 33:13 I have EMT training as well, 33:15 so I may be helping as we fly the patients. 33:19 But she's the pilot. Yeah. 33:21 I'm learning, I'm a student pilot. 33:25 And well, you are welcome to come to my, 33:28 you know, my training, that will be pretty 33:30 exciting for sure. 33:33 But that is a plus, it's not something necessary 33:37 to be part of the AWA family, 33:40 but it will be a plus to learn 33:44 because of the situation that the geography 33:46 and the way people communicate from community to community. 33:50 Yes. 33:51 So let's talk about that situation. 33:53 Let's talk about the geography and the layout. 33:55 So where's the closest grocery store? 33:59 It depends what way. 34:01 If you are going on a vehicle from Bermuda, 34:07 which is the project that we will like to go, 34:10 it takes four to five days. 34:13 So if you are having a craving... 34:15 Wait, wait. 34:16 Four to five days to go to the grocery store? 34:18 Yes. Wow. 34:20 I like to eat, 34:21 so you have to have a solid grocery list. 34:26 For sure, for sure. Yeah. 34:27 So I don't know how advance or how big 34:31 is the community now, for what we watched, 34:36 I didn't see any market there. 34:40 So we have our gardeners 34:42 and hopefully they provide us with some food, 34:46 but flying from one place from the base project, 34:52 which is in... 34:54 Mabaruma. Mabaruma. 34:55 Bermuda, it takes 30 minutes. 34:58 So see that the distance is a really... 35:00 It makes a difference to fly instead 35:03 of going on a boat or driving. 35:07 Okay. Absolutely. 35:08 So if the grocery store is so far away, 35:11 what about getting fuel for the plane? 35:14 Is that someplace close or how do you go 35:17 about getting that? 35:19 Well, my understanding is 35:22 I will have to fly to Georgetown 35:23 to the international airport. 35:26 And yeah, get the fuel there and then be very careful 35:30 going back not wasting any fuel because it's very expensive, 35:34 very expensive. 35:35 Yeah. That's right. 35:36 The fuel is stored in the airplane wings. 35:38 So they fly into Georgetown, fill up the wings, 35:42 go back into the headquarters and pump the fuel out 35:47 and use only what they need. 35:49 So they start storing barrels of fuel at Mabaruma 35:53 so that we, for future flights, 35:55 have it there versus having to go to Georgetown to get it. 35:59 Wow. Wow. Yeah. 36:01 So what in the areas of training, 36:05 how long is training to be a part of AWA? 36:10 That's an individual sort of thing. 36:12 Like some people are pilots already. 36:14 So if we were... 36:16 If Glenda was a pilot already, we'd have that under our belt. 36:19 But there's reading material, and then there's also... 36:23 You need to make a site visit 36:25 and we're planning on doing that very soon. 36:28 But I guess it depends on your life circumstance. 36:32 So for us because we do everything together 36:36 and we do everything from home, we have this flexibility 36:39 and I feel like we're advancing pretty quickly. 36:43 But it could take several years even to get the training done 36:46 or it could be a question of months. 36:49 So it's kind of like a learn at your own pace type of thing. 36:53 Right. Okay. Okay. 36:55 Is there like an average? 36:58 I think when I asked that question to AWA, 37:03 they told me about a year. 37:04 Nine months, a year. Okay. 37:06 That to me, it sounded so long, but after, 37:10 you know, this is now a year, basically a year ago, 37:13 I feel that we did a lot, 37:15 but there are more to accomplish before 37:18 we are ready to go. 37:19 Yeah, In addition to the training, 37:20 we have to raise support. 37:22 AWA is a supporting mission, just like 3ABN actually. 37:27 So we're independent. 37:29 And so we have to raise support 37:32 and that's one of the things that we'll be working on 37:34 as well between now and when we depart. 37:37 Got you. Got you. 37:38 Well, we hope that our viewers 37:41 and listeners will support your cause. 37:43 And we're gonna go into that a little bit later 37:45 'cause I want to find out exactly, 37:47 you know, what it is that you all need. 37:48 And then we'll show how to get in touch with you 37:51 and all of that stuff a little bit later. 37:53 But what advice would you have for someone 37:56 who's sitting at home and they're like, 37:58 "Well, I wanna do something for God, 38:00 but I don't know where to even begin." 38:05 Well, for us, 38:06 I guess it's just been keep a connection. 38:08 I mean, if you wanna know 38:12 what God wants you to do, really, I think if you look, 38:17 you'll see God's working. 38:19 And this is something that we've learned in our 38:21 training actually God will be working somewhere. 38:27 And if you recognize it, 38:28 that means He's showing it to you. 38:30 And if He's showing it to you, 38:31 that means He's inviting you to participate in that work 38:34 that He's doing. 38:36 So I think a lot of times we get caught up in this idea, 38:38 "Where I wanna do something for the Lord 38:40 and I have these skills. 38:42 And when is He gonna use me this way?" 38:43 And really we should be looking for where He's working 38:47 and join him where He is. 38:48 So, don't say when is He gonna use me this way, 38:51 but how does He want to use me. 38:53 Yes, yes. Excellent. Excellent advice. 38:56 I can imagine that in getting to the community, 39:02 you're going to start establishing friendships 39:07 and getting to know the people there, 39:11 but while there, after I guess you've 39:15 established those connections, are there gonna be types 39:18 of training that you'll be giving the people 39:20 or what type of training you do you 39:23 see that you'll be doing for them? 39:26 Well, we've talked about literacy, 39:27 so that's something we wanna help people 39:29 if they need to learn how to read. 39:31 Also so I'm a health professional 39:35 and so helping people, especially with our, 39:38 you know, our eight natural laws, 39:40 I'd help with that and their physical pains. 39:43 So those are things that we can share with the people. 39:45 But one of the other big ideas we've had is starting 39:49 a Pathfinder club because, you know, 39:52 there's an Adventist presence in Guyana, 39:54 but where we're going into the interior, there's not. 39:57 So the kids have talked about starting up 40:00 a Pathfinders club because there's so many 40:04 kids there and these are the kids 40:05 that are not having hope or they go to commit suicide 40:10 because they don't see a future. 40:12 And we feel like if we can get them 40:15 involved in something that teaches them about God, 40:17 but it's also fun and creates something to look forward to, 40:21 then that will change their idea about their future. 40:26 They'll know more about why life. 40:31 Yeah. Pathfinders is great. 40:32 I grew up in Pathfinders from a busy bee 40:38 all the way up to my teen years. 40:40 So if you guys can get a Pathfinder club started, 40:44 that's just an excellent way. 40:46 I can remember several of my Pathfinder instructors 40:50 who have helped me along the way 40:52 when I was growing up to help point me 40:54 and keep me on that straight narrow path. 40:57 And I could see that you guys could be doing that as well 40:59 for the children that are there. 41:02 That'd be a great ministry, 41:03 Pathfinders is a great ministry. 41:05 Mm-hm. Absolutely. I can't wait. 41:07 You know, you already know, I want to do a follow-up. 41:10 You haven't even gone over there. 41:12 Right. 41:13 But I'm excited because I do believe that God 41:15 is going to do amazing things 41:17 and he's gonna use your family to do it. 41:19 And I want to hear about what happens as, 41:24 you know, you're over there 41:25 and you're ministering to the people 41:27 and you're seeing that growth, 41:28 and I'm just claiming it in faith. 41:30 There's gonna be people that are giving their hearts 41:34 to the Lord. 41:35 And I can't wait to hear those stories as well. 41:38 I can't wait to share them. 41:40 We're so excited for that too. 41:42 I think about, you know, the story 41:44 of the woman at the well and how Jesus, 41:48 He told the disciples, "Look, the harvest is white," 41:51 and you're entering into someone else's labor. 41:53 You're going to reap where someone else has labored, 41:56 and then you will be laboring together. 41:59 And I feel like we see that the labor has been started. 42:02 And it's so exciting to think that we're living 42:06 so close to the end, we're gonna see 42:07 some incredible things. 42:09 And we just, we can't wait to be used that way for God. 42:14 Do you have any stories that you can share with us 42:17 in terms of maybe some situations 42:19 that have happened over here on the US side 42:22 where maybe you've witnessed to somebody 42:24 and you've seen a difference in their lives? 42:29 Our neighborhood. Hmm. 42:33 Yeah, just the way we are going to Guyana 42:37 is the way we are here, actually. 42:40 We are making friends with our neighbors 42:42 and we have Bible studies together 42:45 and they are so open to the truth 42:49 and changes, big changes for them that we know 42:55 is not coming from us, 42:56 it's definitely the Holy Spirit. 42:58 So, that gives us a hint that it can happen there in Guyana. 43:03 Yeah. 43:05 Our next door neighbors, they're two doors down, 43:08 but they asked us for Bible study 43:11 and that was such a surprising thing. 43:12 And in my office, these were patients 43:15 and I always try to share that I'm a believer 43:19 and share truth with them, 43:20 especially in regards to health, 43:22 but I'll pray with my patients as well. 43:24 And this particular neighbor who's a patient, 43:27 she asked for if we did Bible studies 43:29 and I felt kind of embarrassed that she was asking me 43:34 instead of the other way around and some of the topics 43:37 that we've been studying together with, 43:39 there are things that we as Adventists know 43:42 and so we know about the Sabbath 43:44 and we know about what happens when we die. 43:47 And these truths, 43:50 even in the Christian world are new to people 43:53 and kind of scary for us 43:54 as Adventists to share sometimes. 43:57 And we're just amazed at watching 44:00 how while study on a topic, and they're just like, 44:04 "Yeah, well, it's in the Bible. 44:05 That makes sense." 44:07 And God's working that 44:09 He's the only one that can change people's hearts. 44:11 He's the only one that can show them spiritual truth. 44:14 So we're blessed to see that, and in many different ways, 44:19 but definitely recently with our neighbors. 44:21 Yeah. That's huge. 44:24 And I'm sure, like, as you said, 44:26 you're gonna take that abroad. 44:27 What are some of your needs as a ministry? 44:31 What do you need? Do you need prayers? 44:33 You need financial support. Tell us what you need. 44:36 So we definitely need prayers. That's first and foremost. 44:40 In order to go to Guyana, 44:41 there are needs financially because we have 44:45 airplanes that need to fly and have gasoline. 44:47 We have places that we need to upkeep for ministry. 44:52 We have a community center where people come and worship, 44:56 and of course we'll be doing all kinds of stuff there 44:59 that we'll need help with financially. 45:02 So I guess the needs that we have are for people 45:07 who feel, I guess, the connection because God 45:11 has asked us to go, we know God has 45:12 asked us to go to Guyana, but if He's asked us to go, 45:16 He has to provide for it. 45:17 And we can't go to people and say, 45:19 "You need to provide for us to go to Guyana." 45:22 God's gonna put that on each individual's heart 45:24 who chooses to support or to partner 45:27 with us on this mission. 45:29 So that is what we need. 45:33 We need people to search, I guess, 45:35 is God calling them into this same ministry? 45:39 Is God calling them to partner for the people 45:42 of Guyana to hear about the gospel. 45:45 We cannot do it on our own. 45:47 We need prayer and, yes, we need financial support. 45:50 But God will provide that. 45:52 And each individual who decides will know. 45:54 Amen. Amen. Yeah. 45:56 The gospel is to be preached in all 45:58 the world and then the end shall come. 46:00 So yeah, that's crucial. 46:02 And I believe that our listeners 46:03 and our viewers will support that wonderful cause for you 46:07 guys to go to Guyana. 46:08 Brother Caleb, what you just said reminded me of a text. 46:12 You probably know this, Philippians 4:6 and 7, 46:15 it says, "Be anxious for nothing 46:18 but in everything by prayer 46:21 and supplication with thanksgiving, 46:25 let your requests be made known to God. 46:30 And the peace of God, 46:31 which surpasses all understanding will guard 46:35 your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 46:38 I think that's an excellent text to claim considering 46:42 what you guys are gonna be going through, 46:44 let your request be made known to God and He will provide. 46:47 Amen. Absolutely. 46:50 One of the hardest things for me 46:53 before starting as a missionary, 46:57 so support missionary was the financial part. 47:00 I have to be honest. 47:02 It's not easy to knock, 47:03 you know, and ask we need money. 47:05 It's not an easy thing. 47:07 But so far, God has been showing us 47:10 that He is the one who provides 47:13 and we see miracles constantly. 47:17 People... 47:18 I mean, we don't even ask, people come in and say, 47:20 "Hey, I would like to give you money 47:22 as a support you monthly." 47:24 And we are like, "Oh, Lord, we don't deserve this." 47:27 But He already the same way He called us to go to Guyana, 47:31 He is calling in people's hearts 47:33 to support us. 47:34 And that is wonderful. Amen. 47:36 Praise God. 47:37 So there's multiple different roles 47:39 and different facets in missionary work, right? 47:43 You have the people that can support and can help. 47:46 Maybe they can't go and maybe they can support financially. 47:50 You have the people that can pray. 47:53 And then you have the people that can pray, 47:54 support financially, 47:56 and maybe they'll join you out there as well. 47:58 There's multiple different facets. 48:01 How often will you get to come back home? 48:03 Oh, yeah. That's a good question. 48:04 It's kind of at our discretion. 48:09 AWA likes for us to come back on a furlough. 48:13 They like once a year, maybe a couple of years 48:16 so that we can really get to know the community 48:18 before we leave, you know? 48:21 So we'll see when the time feels right. 48:24 But I'm guessing about a year or two before 48:26 we come back after we launch. 48:28 Okay. So about a year or two. 48:30 Okay. Good. 48:31 We'll be looking for some stories 48:34 when you come back on furlough. 48:36 Yeah, that'd be great to have you guys back 48:38 and let us know how it all went out, 48:39 how it all went. 48:41 We look forward to that. Oh, yeah. 48:42 So how excited are you guys to go? 48:46 Like a lot. Yeah. 48:50 I love it. I love it. 48:52 Ricky, what's jumped out at you 48:55 so far from this wonderful story? 48:58 Well, I'm very impressed with the children. 49:01 We have... 49:02 My wife and I, we have five boys 49:04 and so I've always just want get in there 49:09 and do things with the family. 49:10 And so what I'm impressed is how the family 49:13 is just so together on this, 49:15 you know, that you guys haven't shown that, 49:18 "Oh, Dad, do we have to go? 49:21 Or, Mom, I really don't want to go. 49:22 I'm gonna miss all my friends." 49:23 No, you're very interested and you wanna participate. 49:27 You wanna help. 49:28 And so that's very exciting to see a family 49:31 together like that. 49:32 So I can see that the Lord 49:34 is leading in each one of your lives. 49:36 So that's been a blessing for me. 49:37 So thank you for sharing like this. 49:40 Yeah, you too. You're an inspiration. 49:42 You're an inspiration. 49:43 And you wanna use your gifts and talents for the Lord. 49:45 And I think that is incredible at such a young age. 49:48 You have a heart for ministry and that's evident. 49:52 Well done, parents. Well done. 49:54 Praise God. Amen. Amen. 49:56 How about you, Jason, 49:57 what's something that stood out for you? 49:59 Yeah. 50:00 I think you pretty much covered it, Ricky, you know, 50:01 what stands out to me is the fact that the family 50:04 is so close together. 50:06 They make decisions together as a family. 50:09 They've focused on the principles 50:11 that are found in the Word of God. 50:13 And I think that's huge. 50:16 Like your kids are on board 50:18 and on fire for the Lord, are ready. 50:20 I mean, that is incredible. 50:22 And that's something that stands out to me because, 50:24 you know, there's so many homes in the United States 50:28 and really around the world where the dad 50:30 is absent from the home or even 50:33 the mother might be absent from the home. 50:35 So there's the, you know, divorce and separation 50:37 and all of those things, but to see a family together 50:41 doing mission work for the Lord, 50:43 uprooting their lives, 50:45 you know, to go to Guyana and help others, 50:50 it's incredible. 50:51 And speaking of uprooting your lives, 50:55 I know that with all of the amenities 50:58 that we have and stuff in the States, 51:00 you're gonna have to get rid of some things. 51:02 So what's that process like? 51:04 Well, it's just not some things, 51:06 it's basically almost everything. 51:10 And well, this is something that even the kids 51:13 have to be part of it. 51:14 So they are... 51:16 We go over their room maybe monthly, weekly, 51:21 and they are declaring and getting just few things 51:25 items to take to Guyana. 51:27 And we are taking basically one pack, one backpack. 51:30 Plus the instrument cases. Yeah. 51:34 That goes in a different... 51:36 And those kinds of whole more things. 51:38 We saved some space 51:39 and just stuff everything to all pockets. 51:41 Yes. 51:43 That's one backpack and instrument cases. 51:46 Well, we want to let you know 51:48 how you can help this wonderful family in their journey, 51:52 in the mission field. 51:53 So we're gonna go to an address role 51:55 and then a brief news break. 51:57 And we'll be right back. 52:00 If you would like to contact 52:02 or know more about Adventist World Aviation, 52:05 you can write to them at 3457 Swift Creek Road, 52:10 Corp-3, Smithfield, North Carolina, 27577. 52:15 You can also call them 52:17 at (919) 938-2920. 52:21 That's (919) 938-2920. 52:26 You can also visit their website at flyawa.org. 52:30 That's flyawa.org 52:33 or email them at info@flyawa.org. |
Revised 2021-09-28