Participants:
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY230006A
|
00:04 I want to spend my life mending broken people.
00:14 I want to spend my life removing pain. 00:25 Lord, let my words heal a heart that hurts. 00:36 I want to spend my life mending broken people. 00:46 I want to spend my life mending broken people. 01:07 Greetings, and welcome to another 3ABN Today program. 01:11 My name is Ricky Carter and I'll be one of your hosts. 01:13 I'm Jasmine Carter. 01:16 Glad to have you here on the program. 01:17 - I feel blessed to be here. - Amen. 01:20 Well we've got another hour packed program 01:23 for all of our viewers today, 01:24 and I hope that you will be blessed with it. 01:26 I know that you will be blessed. 01:27 I want to take a moment just to say, "thank you," 01:30 for your prayers and your financial support. 01:33 We greatly appreciate it. 01:35 Before we introduce our guest, I'm going to have 01:39 my wife read Isaiah 58:12. 01:43 But let's have a short prayer first. 01:47 Heavenly Father, we're very thankful for all that You do, 01:50 especially for sending us Jesus. 01:53 We ask that the blood that Christ shed on Calvary would 01:55 wash us white as snow. 01:57 Father, we ask that You would give us wisdom 02:00 to understand the words that we're going to read. 02:04 We also ask that You will be with my brother, Ostap, 02:06 as he shares, and be with our viewers 02:08 as they learn as well. 02:10 We ask this in Jesus' name, amen. 02:12 - Amen. ~ Amen. 02:14 "Those from among you shall build the old waste places. 02:18 You shall raise up the foundations of many generations. 02:22 And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, 02:26 the Restorer of the Streets to Dwell In." 02:29 Amen, amen. 02:32 Well in today's program, we're going to be learning about 02:35 Build and Restore International. 02:38 And let me introduce our guest. 02:40 We have founder and president, Ostap Dzyndra. 02:44 We're happy to have you on the program today. 02:46 Thank you so much. 02:48 ~ Welcome. ~ Welcome, exactly. 02:49 Well in just a few, we're going to be learning a lot about 02:53 Build and Restore International. 02:55 But before we do, we're going to start with special music. 02:59 And J., who's going to be our special music today? 03:01 Vonda Beerman will be singing one of my favorite songs, Come. 03:25 Come, when your heart is heavy laden, 03:32 feeling like the joy has faded. 03:36 Just come. 03:40 Come, believing everything I've told you; 03:47 here are arms that long to hold you. 03:51 Just come. 03:59 Come, leave behind the mask you hide in; 04:05 there is someone to confide in. 04:09 I know what you've done. 04:14 Come, and tell Me everything you're hoping; 04:20 My Father loves a heart that's open. 04:24 Just come. 04:29 I wouldn't die so you could try to save yourself. 04:36 I know who you are; don't try to be somebody else. 04:45 Come, believing everything I've told you; 04:52 here are arms that long to hold you. 04:56 Just come. 05:00 Come, come into the joy of living; 05:06 knowing that your sin's forgiven. 05:10 Just come. 05:26 I wouldn't die so you could try to save yourself. 05:34 I know who you are; don't try to be somebody else. 05:43 Come, when your heart is heavy laden, 05:49 feeling like the joy has faded. 05:53 Won't you come? 05:58 Come, come into the joy of living; 06:05 knowing that your sin's forgiven. 06:09 Just come. 06:17 Just come. 06:41 - Amen. - Amen. 06:44 - Jesus calls us to come. - Yes. 06:46 What an awesome privilege. Thank you, Vonda. 06:50 Well, if you're joining us a little bit late, 06:53 our guest today is Ostap Dzyndra. 06:56 And he's with Build and Restore International. 07:00 And we're going to learn a little bit about his ministry, 07:03 but before we do, we'd like to have our viewers 07:07 get to know a little bit about you. 07:08 So can you share with us about you and where you're from? 07:11 ~ Yes, thank you. 07:13 Our family immigrated from Ukraine back in '92. 07:17 Communism had fallen apart, and my father said, 07:20 "We've got to pack up and go." 07:22 And so we immigrated over to California. 07:25 And there we settled and began the American dream. 07:31 Working two jobs trying to make ends meet, 07:33 learning a new culture, learning a new language. 07:36 Which I'm still learning today. 07:39 ~ Amen, amen. 07:40 Well, can you share a little bit about when your ministry 07:44 started and what was the original mission or objective 07:49 of Build and Restore International? 07:52 You know, the Lord was really reaching my heart 07:56 at a time when I was asking and searching 07:59 what He would have me to do. 08:01 And I really believe that everything started with prayer. 08:05 You know, just finding that time to humble ourselves, 08:09 to come before the Lord, to seek for His guidance, 08:12 for His counsel, to ask Him for wisdom. 08:16 You know, "Lord, what would You have me to do? 08:18 You've given me time and talent and skills; 08:20 what would You have me to do?" 08:23 And it was difficult because it didn't come right away. 08:26 There was no immediate answer, "Go and do this. Go do that." 08:30 Sometimes we want that quick answer 08:32 to know exactly what to do. 08:33 But it was a process. 08:35 And it was like a refiner's fire kind of process. 08:39 You go through and you really search your heart 08:42 to see, what is it that I need to be doing? 08:45 What's preventing me from connecting with God? 08:48 Or, what am I holding on to that's getting in the way? 08:52 And really, the study of Isaiah 58 happened to be 08:57 something that was really powerful in my life 08:58 to help me to understand that we are to go to 09:02 build and restore the waste places. 09:05 I didn't really understand that point 09:06 and what that would look like. 09:08 Who would go with me, or what am I repairing 09:11 and rebuilding and restoring? 09:14 But it was also again a process of calling out to the Lord 09:18 and saying, "Lord, what would you have me to do next? 09:20 Where would You have me to go?" 09:22 And I remember the call came to go to Thailand 09:27 and to preach. 09:29 I said, "Lord, surely I'm not qualified to go to preach. 09:32 I'm not a pastor. 09:33 I haven't been able to, you know, study, and to learn 09:37 all that I still don't know." 09:40 And the conviction that I had in my heart was, 09:42 "Well, are you willing to go? 09:44 It's not what you know, but are you willing 09:47 to go to be used by Me?" 09:49 And that was a very humbling experience 09:51 to understand that God is looking to equip us, 09:54 those that are willing to go, if we will say, "I'm not going to 09:58 look to self, I'm not going to rely on what I know 10:02 and understand at this moment. 10:04 I'm going to rely on God who is in charge." 10:08 And He's going to show me every single step of the way 10:11 as I'm looking at the points in this journey 10:14 as milestones, mile markers that He wants me to cross. 10:18 And when I get there, I'll learn the next lesson. 10:21 And from there He'll take me to the next step. 10:23 ~ Amen, amen. 10:25 ~ In addition to building and repairing buildings, 10:28 and preaching, what else is involved in the ministry? 10:33 Yes, so we're seeking to equip the volunteer 10:36 that's coming with us to serve in different life experiences. 10:41 Whether it's sharing the health message. 10:44 We know that the medical missionary work is the 10:46 right hand of the gospel, so we want to be actively doing that. 10:50 So whether it's a depression recovery program 10:52 that we did in Puerto Rico right after hurricane Maria, 10:56 whether it's sharing about the NEWSTART program, 11:00 eight laws of health, you know. 11:04 We just did that in Iceland where people were saying, 11:07 "Look, our health is deteriorating. 11:09 What can we do?" 11:11 Well, the Bible has answers to what we can do. 11:13 Practical daily things that we can do. 11:16 Lifestyle modification and lifestyle choices that help us 11:20 to live a healthier and more meaningful life. 11:24 We want to mentor and teach the young people. 11:26 We want to bring them along with us and say, 11:28 "Look, you don't know this right now or you may not 11:31 feel comfortable doing this right now, 11:33 but together we can learn." 11:35 By the time you go home you'll have that comfort, 11:38 that experience to say, "Okay, I can do this." 11:42 And then to hear a parent that I recently talked to 11:45 tell me, "Listen, our daughter came back from your mission trip 11:48 and she repainted her whole room." 11:51 I was like, "Wow, that's incredible." 11:52 You know, she had enough confidence to say, 11:55 "Well, I've held the paintbrush, 11:57 I've held the paint roller before. 11:58 I'm going to paint my own room." 12:00 ~ And so, it's things that we learn in the mission field 12:03 that we can take home that's become 12:05 more practical for every day. 12:07 ~ Right, right. 12:09 And then, as far as buildings, what types of buildings 12:13 are you putting together? 12:15 Is it for schools? What is it for? 12:18 ~ Yes, our primary focus is churches, schools, camps, 12:24 lifestyle centers, wellness centers. 12:27 You know, places of community impact. 12:29 Places where the community can receive a blessing. 12:33 Places where the community can go and participate. 12:37 ~ Amen, amen. 12:38 ~ Well, I'm sure that with all the missions that 12:43 you've been a part of and been involved in, 12:45 I'm sure that you've got some wonderful stories 12:49 that you can share. 12:50 Matter of fact, you were telling us a little bit 12:52 one of them was GYC. 12:53 Share a little bit about that for us. 12:55 Yes, we had an opportunity to coordinate together with GYC 12:58 to organize a hands-on project that together with the 13:03 pre-conference volunteers and those that were coming for 13:06 the main event, we could come together and 13:08 do something powerful in the community. 13:10 ~ And we have some pictures of that, you can share as well. 13:13 ~ Yes, and so can you imagine 76 young people 13:18 descending upon a church and just going to work? 13:23 Tearing out the old, putting in the new. 13:25 We had to replace some ceiling that was damaged. 13:29 We had to replace some boards and apply lots of caulking 13:33 to the areas that needed it. 13:34 And in just 3.5 hours the whole entire church was repainted. 13:38 And you did that in perfect weather? 13:41 Well, you know, it wasn't. 13:43 Even though it was in Phoenix, 13:45 it had started to rain that morning. 13:48 And part of me was like, "Lord, this is Your church. 13:51 This is Your work. Why is it raining? 13:53 Help us." 13:54 And so, again, it shows us that God is there amongst us. 13:59 Are we going to look to self to understand the situation? 14:03 Or are we going to look to God to help us through the process? 14:06 ~ Amen, amen. 14:07 ~ Do I stop the paint work and send everybody back? 14:10 That would be really, really discouraging, right? 14:14 Or do we persevere? 14:15 Or do we look for a miracle 14:17 and just be patient and wait upon the Lord? 14:20 And it happened just in that form. 14:23 It started raining. 14:25 The paint started to actually run off the wall onto the grass. 14:30 What do we do? 14:33 We said we can't stop. We've got to keep going. 14:35 So the Lord really impressed me to pull together the volunteers 14:39 under the awning, the covering, and just focus on the hallways 14:43 while it's raining. 14:45 And it's pouring down rain. 14:47 And we're painting the hallways. 14:49 And then about 1.5 hours into it as we're done painting 14:51 the hallways, the rain stops. 14:55 ~ Praise the Lord. 14:57 And then the wind comes. 15:00 And then the sun pops out. 15:01 ~ Amen. A Good God. 15:03 ~ And then we transitioned back outside and finished the outside 15:05 just in time to go back to the evening presentation. 15:09 And so, the Lord was there with us. 15:10 It was, it's a faith building experience. 15:15 It's outgoing, it's outreach, it's being able to really, 15:24 experience that transformative power of God 15:27 out in the mission field, 15:29 but it was right here at home in Phoenix. 15:31 And so, we've tried to refocus what we're doing, in terms of 15:37 international work, domestic work, 15:39 getting the local church involved, 15:41 seeing revival in the local church, 15:43 having the young people involved. 15:44 When a young person comes to their church, 15:47 and they can point their finger and say, 15:49 "We painted that building. We painted this wall. 15:52 We fixed up this classroom," 15:55 they feel like it's their own, they belong to it. 15:58 Absolutely. That's wonderful. 16:00 Tell us about Mexico. 16:03 ~ You know, Mexico is a really interesting experience. 16:05 We took a group of volunteers. 16:09 People coming together in a foreign country 16:12 not knowing the culture or the language, 16:13 but we're going with the focus of sharing the health message, 16:17 running a dental van with a dentist coming 16:21 and some nurses coming to help. 16:22 We're helping people with their physical needs. 16:26 We're also restoring the church, repainting the church. 16:30 We're also having evening seminars. 16:32 Every participant that's coming 16:34 is able to go up front and share. 16:36 And they really get to question themselves and say, 16:42 "Well, how can I share my faith? What do I really believe? 16:44 What can I tell the people that are coming? 16:46 How has Jesus revealed Himself to me? 16:50 How can I tell others about Jesus? 16:53 What are they learning in this process? 16:55 And what is my take away when I leave from this trip?" 16:58 I'm reminded of a lady that was just a few 17:02 blocks from the church. 17:04 And she had this little venue set up at her house. 17:08 She had hung some used clothing on the fence. 17:12 And here we come. 17:15 We set everything up, and we have a little Dorcas going on. 17:19 We have some giveaways that we're giving out. 17:21 Things that people donated to give. 17:24 And it dawns on me that she folded everything up 17:27 and went inside her house. 17:30 And I said, "Lord, what's going on over there? 17:32 Why isn't she selling today?" 17:35 And I went and knocked on her door and started to talk to her. 17:37 And it hit me. 17:40 We just shut her down. 17:43 We came as a bigger, better outfit. 17:46 And here she was trying to make a living for her family. 17:49 And I said, "Lord, there's an opportunity here. 17:53 I don't see it, I don't understand it. 17:54 She's definitely not our friend right now. 17:56 She's upset. 17:58 But help us to correct this." 18:00 The Lord impresses me to talk to the others. 18:05 And one of our team leaders, John, he says to me, 18:08 "Well, why don't we work together with her?" 18:12 Because at their church where they were preaching, 18:14 there was a group of refugees that were coming 18:17 on a regular schedule visiting the church 18:20 and participating in the evening seminars, 18:23 listening and hearing all about Christ 18:25 for the very first time. 18:28 And many of them had come in t-shirts and shorts, 18:30 and the weather was getting colder. 18:33 It was now December upon us, and what do we do? 18:38 Talking to John, we said, "Why don't we do this: 18:41 why don't we buy her out?" 18:42 ~ Wow, a great idea. That's awesome. 18:46 ~ Why don't we buy every single clothing piece that she has, 18:50 and why don't we send it in the van when we go to church tonight 18:53 and distribute it amongst the refugees? 18:56 ~ Amen, amen. 18:58 You should have seen her face. 18:59 She lit up. 19:00 She was just so thrilled and excited to see what's going on. 19:06 We said, "Listen, every pair of sweatpants, 19:09 every pair of pants, every jacket, every sweater 19:12 that you have, we want it. 19:14 We'll buy it from you." 19:18 Here's the transformative power of God working. 19:24 She said, "Why do you need this clothing? 19:26 You have plenty that you're giving out. 19:28 Why do you need this?" 19:29 A logical question. 19:31 I said, "We want to help the refugees at the church." 19:35 And then she says to us, "I'll donate it." 19:38 ~ Oh, wow! 19:39 This is a lady that has very little. 19:42 She's trying to get a dollar, two dollars, three dollars a day 19:47 to feed her family. 19:49 This is her livelihood. 19:51 She says to me, "I want to donate all of 19:54 this to the cause." 19:57 I said, "John, we just... We can't, we can't. 19:59 We're going to wipe her out. 20:00 I mean, this is all that she has." 20:03 And this reminds me of that story of the widow. 20:05 The widow's mite, right? 20:07 She gave the very last. 20:08 And this is happening in front of us, you know. 20:11 It's the story happening right in front of us. 20:13 She's willing to give all that she has. 20:17 And so, we take this clothing, we take it to the church. 20:22 The refugees are blessed. 20:24 Through the translator there we send a care package 20:29 over to our neighbor. 20:31 Just to bless her, to thank her for what 20:34 she did for the refugees. 20:37 She comes to us the next day. 20:39 The dentist sees her. 20:41 She gets a few fillings done, a few cavities taken care of. 20:44 She gets a pair of reading glasses. 20:46 She is just thrilled. 20:48 She's just so excited that God is working 20:51 through this opportunity. 20:53 She sends her husband over. 20:55 He gets a pair of glasses. 20:57 And now the opportunity is, we've got a close friend now, 21:02 where just a few days ago we had an enemy kind of thing going on 21:06 because we totally shut her business down. 21:10 And so throughout that whole week she would wave to us, 21:12 she would smile. 21:14 Every time that we crossed her path and we would see 21:17 each other walking on by the street, she was just thrilled 21:20 to see what had happened. 21:22 So the volunteers receive a blessing. 21:27 They have an opportunity to see a miracle take place 21:29 in the mission field. 21:31 They're just super thrilled and excited to be a part of it. 21:34 And so together as we come in, we're just saying, 21:37 "Lord, how can we be Your hands and feet?" 21:40 ~ Amen, amen, amen. 21:44 You know, that reminds me of how there's lessons 21:49 that are being learned here. 21:52 And are there any other lessons that you can share 21:56 that have been learned, maybe from you or from 21:58 some of the other volunteers? 22:00 ~ Or stories. 22:02 ~ Yes, you know, as we continue to go to places of need, 22:07 as we look around us, there is so much suffering, 22:11 so much pain, so much hurt. 22:13 We have the opportunity to say something, to do something. 22:16 Right? 22:17 And so the questions is, why wouldn't we? 22:20 I think what is happening is, you know, Laodicea is setting in 22:24 and we're just so comfortable. 22:26 We're comfortable in our own church, 22:28 we're comfortable with our own families, 22:30 we're excited about the things that are happening 22:32 in our home, in our circle of influence. 22:36 But how are we able to share that in our communities? 22:39 How are we able to see and spot things that are in need? 22:45 And so, our focus has been, well how can we intentionally 22:52 be willing to say, "Lord, please send a divine appointment. 22:56 Please help me to see the need. 22:58 Help me to respond in one way or another. 23:02 You know, when young people come on these trips with us, 23:05 whether they're 18 young or 93 young, 23:12 they're willing to come and serve, and say, 23:13 "I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus." 23:15 ~ Amen, amen. 23:17 And so we're learning together what it means to persevere, 23:20 what it means to pray through challenges and struggles. 23:24 When we were getting ready to go on a trip to Las Vegas, 23:27 we did a fundraiser. 23:29 And nobody wanted to donate for Vegas. 23:32 And people would say things like, 23:34 "Oh, what are you going to do in Vegas? 23:35 Are you going to go gamble a little bit? 23:37 What's going on in Vegas?" 23:38 So it was a lot of sarcasm, a lot of, you know, 23:42 negative remarks about Vegas. 23:44 But there was a group of young people 23:46 who said, "We want to go." 23:49 So I said, "Kids, let's go. 23:50 Let's jump in the van, grab some spending money. 23:54 We're going to put some gas in the van, we're going to go. 23:56 And if all that we're going to do is show up to this school 24:00 that needs help, we're just going to clean this school, 24:02 organize this school, make it nice for next class year, 24:06 we'll do that." 24:08 But in that process of going, the Lord provided a miracle. 24:14 He provided two families that came on the trip 24:18 last minute, and they arrived late. 24:22 And they were so touched by what was going on there 24:24 at the school, they decided to sponsor the building materials. 24:30 ~ The paint, the flooring, the carpet, the light fixtures. 24:35 And in a short period of time, five working days, 24:39 the school was completely transformed. 24:40 ~ Amen. 24:42 And the question is, why wouldn't we do that more often? 24:45 Why wouldn't we come together as a body of believers 24:48 and say, "Well, if I help school A, if I help church B, 24:52 then maybe school A and church B will come and help us 24:55 at some point in time. 24:57 And helping one another, we can build up our institutions, 25:01 we can build up our churches, 25:03 we can help our schools that are struggling. 25:05 And together we'll be able to share the gospel 25:08 in that way as well because now we see the results of the work. 25:12 We see hundreds of students coming through 25:15 having a quality education, Christ-centered education, 25:19 in a facility that's clean, that's safe. 25:23 All they have to do is show up and study, right? 25:26 ~ Right, right. Exactly. 25:29 So we've seen the impact on others 25:31 who get involved in ministry. 25:33 How about you? 25:35 What was your walk like before the ministry 25:37 compared to now? 25:39 ~ You know, my story is a little bit different. 25:41 I've never had an outfalling. 25:43 I've never had the experience of going and doing drugs 25:47 and smoking and partying. 25:49 That never interested me. 25:52 But you could say that Laodicea was very real for me. 25:57 Once a week at church, and then the rest of the time 26:00 I could do whatever I wanted do to. Right? 26:03 And my mindset was very lukewarm. 26:07 Yes, I would read my Sabbath school lesson, 26:09 I would read my Bible, and I would show up to church, 26:11 and I would be active in church, and such. 26:15 But it was more of an intellectual knowledge of 26:18 who God is versus a relational aspect of 26:22 actually connecting and relating to God. 26:25 Figuring out who is Jesus. 26:27 How is He important for me? 26:29 What is He doing in my life? 26:32 And how can I share that with others? 26:36 I'll tell you a story of what happened with 26:37 me in a grocery store. 26:39 I was standing in line to check out, and this older lady 26:43 walks up behind me. 26:44 And I just turn back and say, "Hello, good morning." 26:48 And the very first thing that she asked me, 26:51 "What church do you go to?" 26:53 And I said, "Wow, what an opening line." 26:56 I totally didn't expect that. 26:58 Well, it turns out that by the time we left that grocery store 27:03 I knew what church she went to, I knew the programming they had 27:06 at her church, I knew the pastor. 27:08 I knew all there was to know about her church. 27:12 And then the question comes into my mind, 27:14 am I that prepared? 27:16 Am I that ready to tell someone all that there is at my church, 27:21 all that they need to know, and how to inspire them 27:24 to come and visit my church? 27:25 I was inspired that morning to go to her church. 27:29 And so I was asking myself, how can I be in that same mindset? 27:34 How can I have that same intentionality, 27:37 that personal approach, to invite the next person I meet 27:40 at the grocery store to come to my church? 27:43 It was a priority for her, and I saw it and sensed it. 27:46 She was excited, and she wanted me to know about it. 27:49 ~ What a great example. 27:51 ~ Yeah, it's just incredible. 27:52 You know, for me personally it's been a refiner's fire 27:57 kind of a process. 27:59 It's been me getting out of my comfort zone. 28:03 It's been a faith-building journey. 28:06 It's been a process of learning and experiencing what 28:11 can God do personally in my life. 28:14 How can I overcome? 28:16 What are some of my struggles and challenges? 28:19 And then, how can I rely on God to help me do that? 28:24 It has shown me to be patient. 28:26 It has taught me to step out in faith 28:29 and do something I've never done before. 28:32 When we went to Honduras to build a building 28:34 there for the Central American Bible School, 28:37 we didn't have all the funds. 28:41 My business mindset would say, "Well if you don't have it, 28:44 don't go and do it." 28:46 In Luke the 14th chapter, it's saying 28:49 if you don't sit down and count your funds, 28:53 and then you build and can't finish building it, 28:55 then people walking by start making fun of you 28:58 and say, "Look, this guy started and can't finish." 29:02 And so then I'm saying, "Lord, where is the balance?" 29:05 Like, how do I know that I need to go 29:08 and how do I know that I need to stay? 29:12 And I think it's through prayers, 29:14 through time of devotions, 29:15 through the time of connecting with God 29:17 that we see and experience His hand guiding us. 29:23 We start to understand and tune into that still small voice 29:27 that speaks to us. 29:29 And then the peace that passes all understanding 29:33 fills our heart, then you know you need to go. 29:36 ~ And there have been projects where I had peace to go. 29:39 And there have been projects where I had no peace, 29:41 and we didn't go. 29:43 And only later could I see and understand that 29:45 that was not the right time. 29:47 It wasn't the right time to go. 29:49 You know, and so I'm learning each and every day 29:53 to rely upon God every moment. 29:57 "Okay, Lord, is this what you want me to do? 30:00 Is this where you want me to do? 30:02 How would you have me to approach this situation?" 30:05 There are many moments where I just 30:08 have to take the first step. 30:10 I have no idea what the second step looks like. 30:13 I don't know if it's a step up or a step down, 30:15 or if it's going to be flat. 30:17 But just as much as I trust the ground I'm walking on, 30:20 that it's going to hold me up, I'm learning to trust that God 30:24 is going to hold me up and get me to that next step. 30:26 ~ Amen. So tell us, I know you have got some current projects, 30:31 I'm sure, and some ongoing ones, and I know our viewers 30:34 would love to participate in that, 30:36 can you share what those are 30:38 and what skills are necessary or needed? 30:42 ~ Yes, so we have a few projects that are on schedule. 30:45 And on our website we have a page dedicated 30:48 with a calendar that shares what's happening in March 30:51 and April and June and November. 30:53 Different projects that are coming up. 30:55 And ultimately anybody and everybody that's willing 31:00 to go is really welcome to come. 31:05 There's not any certain skillsets that's going to 31:07 give you an advantage over someone else. 31:09 We're working together, we're learning together. 31:12 Someone may know how to paint, someone may know 31:15 how to do something else. 31:16 We may have a nurse coming with us or a doctor coming with us. 31:19 But ultimately we're building a team of hands and feet 31:24 that are willing to go and serve. 31:26 They have the desire to say, "Okay, I'm going to do 31:31 something this year for God. 31:32 I'm going to contribute in one way or another." 31:34 Now it may not be a project somewhere far in Asia 31:38 or Africa or central America. 31:39 It may be a project right here at home. 31:41 ~ That's fine. - But we need to get involved. 31:43 We need to get off the sidelines, 31:47 put on our big boy boots, and just go. 31:50 Get involved, find ways to get others involved. 31:53 Maybe someone is watching this program and is saying, 31:57 "Well I'm not able to physically travel and go at this point." 32:01 Maybe you have a few teenagers in your church that 32:03 you want to inspire and lead and motivate, 32:06 you say, "I'm going to help to organize these five kids 32:09 to go on a trip and experience God in action. 32:12 And I'm going to spearhead that project. 32:15 Even though I can't personally go and be there, 32:17 but I'm going to help to coordinate and help them go." 32:20 Maybe someone is watching and saying, "Well, I have a burden 32:23 for a certain country, and I want to see a 32:26 church built in that country." 32:28 Maybe you won't be able to physically go, but you can 32:31 start by saying, "I'm going to find financial support 32:35 for this region, for this country." 32:38 And together we can build a team and go and build a new church. 32:43 ~ Maybe someone is saying, "We have a school 32:46 that needs some renovations." 32:48 And maybe they will not be able to go and actually do the 32:52 physical work, but we can put together a team 32:55 that can respond to that need. 32:58 And so, we can have people that identify needs 33:02 in the community, in their state, in their country, 33:05 and say, "We need support here." 33:07 Let's build a team, let's go. 33:10 Maybe there's someone saying, 33:11 "Well, I want to be a financial supporter. 33:12 I want to support a project in this region or that region, 33:16 or this country, or this area." 33:18 Or, "I have a burden for my school. 33:20 I graduated 20 years ago, 10 years ago, 33:23 and I want to see something happen there. 33:24 I want to renovate that school. 33:26 I want to add something to this school." 33:28 Maybe some curb appeal, 33:30 or maybe take care of the landscaping. 33:33 Or maybe someone is saying today, 33:36 "I want to send my kids on a trip. 33:39 They need to experience the transformative power of God 33:43 in the mission field. 33:44 I want to send them on a trip." 33:46 We can put together a team and go somewhere and serve together. 33:50 Whether we're preaching, whether we're doing medical missionary 33:53 work, whether we're building, doing community outreach, 33:57 distributing food for the homeless, 33:59 or shelter for the needy, or distributing clothing, 34:03 all of those components can be part of a trip. 34:06 ~ Absolutely. I think that would be a good time to put 34:08 the information on the screen. 34:10 You want to tell us the website, how they can contact you? 34:14 Yes, our website is... 34:18 And our email is info@buildandrestore.org. 34:22 And yeah, folks can reach out. 34:24 We have a project request form that people can go on 34:27 our website and fill out a project request. 34:30 They can sign up for any project that's 34:31 already listed on the website and come with us on a project. 34:35 And yeah, we'd be happy to serve together. 34:39 ~ Great. I imagine when someone returns from a mission trip 34:43 they're on fire, they're inspired. 34:45 What ultimately happens in the church that they belong to? 34:49 What have you seen or heard? 34:52 ~ Yes, you know, we see a tremendous revival take place. 34:56 We see people coming back and saying, "Well, I want to 34:59 start a small group at church." 35:01 Or, "I want to start an outreach program." 35:04 "I want to go once a month and interact with our community. 35:07 I actually want to know what is the immediate 35:11 needs of my community. 35:12 How can I serve and share?" 35:14 I remember a church in central California went out and did that 35:18 once a quarter. 35:19 They picked up their tools, jumped in their truck, 35:22 and went to the immediate homes surrounding their church. 35:26 And they knocked on people's door and said, 35:29 "Hey, we're here from the local church. 35:31 Can we assist you with anything?" 35:34 And one lady said, "You know, I've been dying to change out 35:37 a light bulb, but I just can't climb a ladder. 35:39 Can you help me change a light bulb?" 35:41 "I need some help in my kitchen." 35:44 "I need help remodeling our bathroom." 35:47 "Our fence just fell over. 35:48 We just need help putting in some new stakes and 35:51 propping up the fence." 35:53 You know, small acts of kindness go a long way. 35:58 Now here's where the rubber meets the road. 36:01 You make the initial contact, you get to know your community, 36:05 you get to know the immediate needs, 36:08 and then the church can respond as a whole. 36:10 You can hold a financial seminar. 36:11 You can hold a bridge event that draws the community 36:15 back to the church. 36:17 The same people that you helped are coming now to the 36:20 church and saying, "Well, this group of people 36:22 helped me at my home. 36:24 Now they're helping me with a cooking class, 36:26 or a financial program, or how to stop smoking, 36:29 or how to raise my kids. 36:32 I want to see and hear more of what they have to say." 36:35 And so, now the Christ method alone is coming into picture, 36:39 where we're mingling with the people, 36:40 we're desiring their good, we're hoping to network with them, 36:44 and now we're saying, "Well, come and hear 36:46 what the Bible says on this topic and this topic." 36:49 And then as they begin to find confidence in us, 36:52 they will want to hear more. 36:54 ~ Amen. Exactly. ~ Amen. 36:56 Now walk us through the process that someone would need 36:59 to do if they want to participate or get involved. 37:03 What are those steps? 37:04 So the very first step, I think, is to pray. 37:07 To really, you know, surrender your heart to the Lord 37:09 and ask, "Lord, where would you have me to go? 37:12 What would you have me to do?" 37:14 Because we're all called to go, right? 37:16 The great commission in Matthew 28 tells us to go. 37:20 How that going is going to depend on each individual, 37:23 how they connect with God. 37:25 I can't tell you which project would be the best one, 37:28 but God can. 37:30 And maybe someone does need to travel to Virginia 37:33 for a project, or maybe to Phoenix. 37:35 Or maybe someone just needs to be involved 37:37 more in their local church. 37:40 When you have a local church bee scheduled, 37:42 don't be that person that doesn't show up. 37:45 Exactly. 37:47 ~ Make it a point to say, "Lord, there's a church bee happening. 37:49 Let me put it on my calendar, let me pitch in. 37:52 Let me help to support my local church 37:54 and the needs that are there." 37:55 God will bless and inspire you through that service as well. 37:59 But I think just being willing and open to pray. 38:02 Matthew 7:7 tells us to ask, to seek, and to knock. 38:07 That's a three-fold principle that we can practice 38:10 in saying, "Lord, I want to ask You what would You 38:12 have me to do this year? 38:14 How would You have me to dedicate 38:16 and to recommit myself to You this year?" 38:18 And then seek for opportunities, you know. 38:21 And as you seek for them, pray through them. 38:24 And then knock on those doors, you know. 38:26 When I was first starting this ministry back in 2015, 38:30 that was my process. 38:31 I was asking, I was seeking, and I was knocking. 38:34 Moses prays to God in that same principle 38:38 as he's leading the children out of Israel, 38:40 that God will go with him. 38:42 You know, Joshua prays for strength and courage 38:45 and for God's guidance. 38:47 It's a three-fold process: to ask, to seek, and to knock. 38:51 And then God begins to work. 38:53 And then we can have confidence and have peace 38:56 that that's exactly the plan that He has for us. 39:00 I imagine people who go and are employed, 39:02 they use their vacation time. 39:03 But what would you say to someone who is self-employed 39:07 and they want to go, but their concern is, 39:09 "If I leave, I'm going to lose work opportunities. 39:13 I'm going to lose income." 39:15 What would you say to them? 39:17 Yes, and that's a valid concern. 39:21 You know, I've had many experiences now 39:24 where people have come to me and said, 39:26 "Well, I can't go because I've got work." 39:29 And I said, "Well, why don't I write you a letter, 39:31 a letter invitation saying, 'This organization is inviting 39:36 you to come volunteer with us.'" 39:38 Not only did the employer provide the time off, 39:42 but many organizations have a fund where they will cover your 39:46 hours for volunteering for giving back to the community. 39:51 And so, they didn't have to use vacation time, 39:54 and the employer covered their time with 39:57 the community fund that they had. 39:59 Now if you're self-employed, you're going to say, 40:01 "Well, I'm going to look for ways to 40:04 have to make up that difference." 40:06 I have seen again and again families come back and tell me, 40:09 "You know, we've been so blessed. 40:11 We didn't expect this. 40:13 But we received funds in a completely different way 40:17 that we never thought would come, 40:19 because we were willing to go and say, 40:21 'Lord, this week we're going to commit and surrender to You. 40:24 We're going to go volunteer for You. 40:25 We're going to go do something for Your church, 40:27 for Your school, for Your camp.'" 40:30 I'm reminded of a young lady that was recently 40:32 on a trip with us. 40:34 And she said, "You know, I prayed. 40:37 And I said, 'Lord, what would you have me to do? 40:39 Should I go or should I stay?'" 40:41 And she was really convicted that she would go on this trip, 40:44 but she didn't have the finances to go. 40:47 And as she began to share with her friends, 40:50 with her family, with her church, 40:53 that there's this opportunity to go and serve 40:55 and to give back, she said, "I wouldn't believe it." 40:58 She said, "One day I came home and there was a couple of 41:02 envelopes in the mail. 41:04 And she said, "More than enough had come in 41:08 for me to go, for me to pay my bills, 41:10 and for me to participate in this mission project." 41:14 And so, It's never really about the funds, because 41:17 God will provide. 41:18 ~ Absolutely. 41:20 ~ But are we willing to have that experience, 41:21 that testimony that says, "Okay, Lord, I don't see 41:25 the full picture, I don't have the finances, 41:27 but I want to be willing to be willing to go." 41:30 ~ Right, right. 41:31 You know, I like that question that you asked, 41:33 and I believe that you've had an experience. 41:35 I did when I went to El Salvador a few year ago 41:38 for three weeks, my concern was that I was self-employed 41:41 at the time, I'm going to lose clients. 41:44 I'm going to lose income. 41:46 But I still wanted to. 41:47 When I came back, the following three months 41:50 I had so many clients, so much income, 41:53 I was just blown away. 41:55 God truly knows our needs, and He goes over and above 41:58 sometimes to bless us. 41:59 ~ Amen, amen. 42:02 Brother Ostap, who would you say should... 42:07 You've listed some people already that should be involved, 42:09 but anyone else that you can share, who else should 42:12 get involved in missions? 42:14 ~ Yes, you know, there's many ways to support ministries. 42:19 Whether you're a retired accountant and can spare 42:21 an hour or two a week to help manage the books, 42:25 whether you have a background in medical 42:28 and you want to contribute. 42:30 Maybe you want to present and provide presentations 42:34 that can help someone, whether they're going through some type 42:37 of challenges with diabetes, or maybe manic depression, or 42:42 anxiety, a mental disorder. 42:44 Maybe you have training in a specific field 42:48 and God can use you in that capacity, you know. 42:52 You don't necessarily have to be a carpenter or a plumber 42:54 to be able to go on a mission trip. 42:56 Because there's so many different aspects 42:58 of missions right here at home. 43:01 You know, maybe you can help with marketing. 43:04 Maybe you can spread the word. 43:05 God has blessed you with that talent. 43:07 You can participate. 43:08 You can give an hour or two, and say, "Well, this week 43:11 I'm going to spend an hour and advertise one project 43:14 to recruit the volunteers and build a team 43:17 that can go and serve." 43:19 Maybe you can't go physically yourself, 43:21 but you can spend that hour of time at home. 43:24 Call a few people, get a group together, and say, 43:27 "Okay, for this project in Colorado, I've got six people 43:30 that are willing to go and volunteer 43:32 and help that institution." 43:34 And so, right from home, from our living room, 43:38 from our bedroom, from the laptop or mobile device, 43:41 we can contribute to the mission field. 43:43 On our website we have a list of needs. 43:46 And people can go and see; maybe they want to help with 43:49 bookkeeping, maybe they want to help with marketing 43:52 or advertisement, or maybe they have website-building skills 43:56 and they want to help us revamp and update the website 43:59 and add pictures or videos to the website 44:01 to make it more interesting. 44:02 We need photographers, we need videographers. 44:04 We need people of different skills and talents 44:08 that can go with us and document a trip 44:10 and put together a little video that says, 44:12 "Look, this is the before and after. 44:13 This is what happened. 44:15 This is how God opened the door." 44:16 ~ Amen, amen. 44:18 What challenge, if any, is the ministry facing currently? 44:22 I think the biggest need that we have is people. 44:26 ~ People. Hmmm. 44:27 Folks that are willing to say, "I'm going to go and serve. 44:31 I'm going to take some time and contribute." 44:35 I was recently talking to a friend of mine. 44:38 And he said something really interesting. 44:40 He said, "You know, I've gone on many mission trips, 44:43 but what I really value," he said, "when I go on a 44:48 family vacation, it seems like the first two days 44:52 are pretty good and we're getting settled in, 44:54 we're seeing different sights. 44:55 And then the rest of the four, five, or six days are 44:57 kind of winding down and we don't really see any new things 45:01 that we can do, and it's kind of seems to die down a bit. 45:05 We don't really get to experience all the joy that we 45:08 thought we would as we go on this vacation." 45:11 But he said, "On every mission trip that I've gone, 45:13 we've been able to apply ourselves, 45:16 serve the needs of the people, work with our hands, 45:19 and then take a few days to go sightseeing 45:21 and seeing some of the local sights." 45:23 And he said, "We always come back as a family 45:26 so much more fulfilled from a mission trip 45:30 than we do from a family vacation." 45:32 And I was like, yeah that's a very good point. 45:34 I hadn't thought of that. 45:35 ~ What a testimony. 45:37 Amen, amen. 45:38 Now what is the next mission trip overseas, 45:40 and how much time someone needs to be away from home? 45:44 So we have trips that vary in time. 45:47 You can be gone for four days, you can be gone for a week, 45:49 you can be gone for two weeks. 45:51 It really depends on your schedule and 45:53 what project you want to go on. 45:56 But when we head down to Mexico for Thanksgiving week, 46:00 we're going to be there for a week. 46:02 And we'll be serving and ministering to the needs of 46:04 the people, running a health program, 46:06 running evangelism, remodeling and restoring another church. 46:10 And there are projects at home that we go to support 46:14 camps, and churches, and schools where it's, you know, 46:17 a Thursday through Sunday. 46:19 Or maybe a Monday through Friday kind of project. 46:22 Or a Sunday through Wednesday. 46:23 And so, there's lots of flexibility in the schedule. 46:27 Now what happens if someone can only come for two days? 46:30 I say, come for two days. 46:32 You know, contribute as much as you can. 46:34 And as you get involved, you'll see how God 46:37 opens the door and your schedule opens up. 46:39 And if you're self-employed, you'll see incredible gains, 46:43 as you mentioned before, when God opens the door. 46:47 What's the most gratifying aspect of 46:51 Build and Restore International? 46:55 We get to first hand see God with us, amongst us. 47:01 With the struggles and the challenges, 47:03 with all of the logistics and all the pieces that have to 47:07 come together for a trip to be successful, 47:09 we see God's hand in the work, in the struggles, 47:15 in the challenges, in the victories. 47:20 You know, it's really inspiring to see when a young person 47:26 comes on a trip and their mindset is still on the 47:34 things of home, you know. 47:35 They're on their phone, they're checking emails, 47:38 they're talking to friends, they are consumed by their device. 47:41 And then little by little 47:42 the project starts to captivate them. 47:45 And they forget about the device, they forget about 47:48 all the stuff going on at home, and they can really focus on 47:50 what's happening there and how their efforts are 47:53 blessing other people. 47:55 And they come away with just the greatest satisfaction 47:58 that they've been able to take time away 48:01 and help someone that is in need. 48:05 Which is just an incredible opportunity to see, 48:08 you know, charity takes place. 48:10 The Bible tells us it is more blessed to give than to receive. 48:14 And you can actually experience that hands-on 48:18 on a mission project. 48:20 What is the core message that you want our viewers 48:24 to take away today? 48:26 You know, for our viewers, I would like to share that 48:29 the biggest blessing that we can see 48:32 is to answer the call of Matthew 28, 48:35 to be those that go and do the work; 48:38 those that are being able to share their talents 48:42 and their skills that God has given to us, 48:44 and to help those in need. 48:46 I see that many are not willing to take that first step. 48:51 And it's frightening and it's challenging, 48:53 but the blessings that come, and the ways that God 48:56 rewards us are much more. 48:58 And so I would really inspire and encourage each one, 49:03 you know, this time as we're sharing this message, 49:05 is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 49:08 To get involved, to get off the sidelines, 49:10 to look for ways to be involved in your local church, 49:13 your local community, support your local school, 49:16 your camp, and really be the one that says, 49:21 "I want to go. I want to help others." 49:25 You know, I'm inspired from a recent trip that we did to Peru. 49:29 And we'll share some pictures here with you. 49:33 How people came together with different backgrounds, 49:37 different professions, different disciplines, 49:39 and they said, "You know, we're going to dig this foundation. 49:43 We're going to put together this block. 49:46 You know, we're going to build this building that's 49:49 going to become an institution where others can come and learn. 49:53 And now this small project, this small school that's 49:57 been open in the mountains in Peru has been serving 50:02 the community, and for the very first time they have 50:05 a place where they can send their children 50:08 to receive a Christian education. 50:10 And it's just a tremendous blessing to see that. 50:13 Amen, amen. 50:14 Well that's great, I'm glad that you were able to 50:16 share this with us. 50:18 You know, we only have a few minutes left. 50:20 I want to just have a short word of prayer 50:22 for your ministry and for those who want to participate 50:26 in this program. 50:27 Let's pray. 50:29 Father in heaven, I thank You so much 50:31 for Build and Restore International, and for 50:35 brother Ostap and what he's doing to further the gospel. 50:41 I ask that You continue to guide my brother. 50:44 Guide him, lead him, give him wisdom, Father, 50:48 how to direct Your ministry. 50:53 And also I want to pray for those viewers 50:56 who are watching right now. 50:58 Father, speak to their hearts right now 51:01 and encourage them there's someone there, 51:05 there's a church there that they want to participate. 51:08 And You know who that is. 51:10 I ask that You would guide them, Father, help them, 51:13 encourage them to take a step out in faith 51:17 and to follow Your leading. 51:19 I'm looking forward to seeing all those coming into heaven, 51:24 Father, who are very thankful and have been blessed 51:28 by what this ministry has been doing for them. 51:31 Help us, Father, to remain faithful 51:33 so we can see You very soon. 51:35 We ask this in Jesus' name, amen. 51:37 - Amen. ~ Amen. 51:39 Well, I know that you're going to want to know 51:41 how you can participate with this program. 51:44 Well, we're going to show you some information here 51:46 on the screen to let you know how you can get in touch with 51:48 Build and Restore International. 51:50 But don't go away. We'll be right back. 51:54 If you would like to contact or know more about 51:57 Build and Restore International... |
Revised 2023-11-27