testimony

Miracle! The Conversion Testimony of John Lazor

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I was born in Stockbridge, Michigan, United States of America, in 1953, and raised in Northville, near Detroit. I wasn’t raised in a Christian home; on the contrary, I grew up in a very dysfunctional family with an abusive, alcoholic father. Life for me was very difficult. I never felt loved by either of my parents in my growing-up years, and my four siblings and I fought almost constantly. Rarely did I ever see my father sober, and in his drunken stupors I was often beaten for no reason at all, causing me to grow up bitter and hateful. There was just one bright spot in my childhood years—my mother saw a need to have us obtain some religious training, so she sent us off to a nondenominational Sunday School and church on the church bus. Attending somewhat regularly, and accepting Jesus Christ as my Saviour resulted in my baptism at age 13. However, things changed drastically in my mid-teen years.

It is no wonder that in my mid-teen years I started hanging around with a bad crowd, quit attending church, and became heavily involved with alcohol, using and selling drugs, stealing, partying, attending rock music concerts, and all that goes with that wild lifestyle. Although having been arrested for a felony and spending some time in jail, I still believed in God—that He was up there somewhere, just looking down on me. But I wanted nothing to do with Him. I just wanted to live my own life the way I wanted to live.

But something within me began to change when I was 18 years old. I began to realize that the life I was living was empty and vain. This caused me to think for the first time about my future. I realized that I wanted something more in life; that the life of drugs and partying was not the way I wanted to live my whole life. I thought that now, as an adult, I needed to start thinking seriously about having a job, a family, etc. I knew that I needed to change my lifestyle, so I decided that I should quit the drugs and alcohol, and start going back to church. So, I returned to church, and tried to change my ways. But it was more difficult to change the drug and alcohol habits after several years than I had thought! I would stay away from the drugs and alcohol for a few weeks—or even a few months—then it was back with my old friends, and into the old situations again, and before I knew it, I was right back there in my old ways. This continued for about a year-and-a-half: the attempts to change my life, and then the fall back into my old lifestyle.

Then one night at the age of 20, there was a breakthrough. I had been clean and sober for about six months. Then for three weekends in a row I fell victim to the devil’s temptations, and found myself using the drugs again! I thought I’d had the victory after six months, but found how weak I was when hanging out with the wrong crowd. My willpower was not as strong as I had thought. On that last of the three weekends, Friday night, January 26, 1973, something happened that forever changed my life. After again falling into the trap of getting high with a girlfriend, I went home and felt guiltier than ever before. Unlike other times, I now realized that I had no strength in myself to overcome that terrible drug habit, and that the only way to overcome it would be by taking hold of the strength of God! For the first time in my life, I fell down on my knees and cried out to God for help to gain the victory that I was powerless in myself to achieve! And the Lord answered that prayer right then! Getting up off my knees, I felt a new power—God’s power—surging through me. I remember saying words to the effect, “Praise God; I’ll never get high again!” It was as though God showed me right then and there that the victory was won forever, for now it was God who was doing it, not me! And, praise the Lord, that victory was real, and is real, for it has now been more than 38 years since that life-changing night, and I have never once used drugs or alcohol since! But that was only the beginning.

I knew right away that if God has the power to change my life in such a dramatic way instantly, then that’s the kind of God I wanted to live for! I then recommitted my life to the Lord and I started to read the Bible more regularly and seriously, searching for a church that followed the Bible all the way. I realized that the church I had been attending had many man-made teachings instead of basing them all on the Bible, so I went to Catholic, Pentecostal, “The Jesus People,” and many other churches in search of a truly Bible-based church. Finding none, I was very disappointed and decided that I would quit attending formal church services, and just meet with a few friends to have our own “church” services under a tree. It was at this time that an old friend, who had also become a Christian about the same time I was reconverted, showed me a beautiful Bible he had received as a gift. I told him that the old Bible I had was falling apart—literally missing pages, and the cover falling off. I wanted a new Bible, but I couldn’t afford one. He told me that I could get a free Bible. I wanted to know how. He told me to just pray to God, and ask Him to send me a free Bible! I believed that God was interested in even small things, so I began to pray for a new free Bible.

Within a few weeks of beginning to pray for a new Bible, my mother received a brochure in the mail, with an invitation to attend a “Voice of Prophecy” Bible crusade. I had no idea what the Voice of Prophecy was, but several things in the brochure made it clear to me that this was of God, and that He wanted me to attend that crusade. The most prominent of them was that if I attended 19 of the 27 meetings, I would receive a free Bible! There was the answer to my prayer! I knew that the Lord wanted me to attend this crusade to get my free Bible! I had no idea what church or denomination was holding the crusade, for it was held in a community center. But I knew that I was supposed to be at those meetings.

The first thing I noticed when entering that community center in Plymouth, Michigan, in April of 1973 were the smiles on the faces of the young people who greeted me at the door. All of the people there seemed radiant with the love of Christ. I wasn’t used to seeing this at the other meetings I had attended, so this made a good impression right away. But the most important thing was the message. It was straight from the Bible! None of man’s added teachings! I was invited back night after night, and I gladly came. I wanted that free Bible—but after a few nights, I realized that there was another reason I was to be there—it was that Bible-based teaching I so hungered for, but found nowhere else! I knew now that I was attending not just for that free Bible, but also for the life-changing truth that I was hearing each night! Unlike all the other meetings I had attended, the pastor, Elder Robert Wiese, handed out a paper each night with every text that was used in the sermon, and encouraged us to go home and look up all the texts and study them for ourselves! That’s what I really wanted—sermons based completely on the Bible! And every night after the sermon, the pastor would encourage us to go “all the way with the Lord”; not just what was convenient, but to accept all His teachings, and go all the way with Him! And this was what I wanted!

After the 19 nights and my free Bible, of course, I knew that I was to attend the rest of the meetings, for by that time I knew that this was God’s true message, and that the real reason God had led me there was to bring me to His marvelous light of truth! After learning the truth about the true Sabbath, the state of man in death, the Three Angels’ Messages, Bible prophecy, and more, I knew that this was God’s true message, and that I wanted to be part of God’s true church! At the last meeting when the pastor made a call for all who wanted to follow the Lord all the way, and to be baptized, and be a part of His last day remnant church to come forward, all of my former shyness left me immediately, and I was on my feet and at the front, committing my life to God’s true message, and publicly showing my desire to serve Him and be part of His true church! I gave my life totally to Jesus—accepted Him as Saviour and Lord of my life, to live for Him!

Pastor Wiese came to my home and gave me follow-up Bible studies, which further solidified my understanding of God’s word and His present truth message for these last days. Then in July, I attended part of the Michigan Seventh-day Adventist Camp Meeting, which I felt was “a taste of heaven”! I learned much Bible truth at those wonderful meetings. I also became a vegetarian at that camp meeting, and have been so for nearly 38 years! Then on August 25, 1973, I was baptized in the Plymouth Seventh-day Adventist Church, and became a member that day. It was the most wonderful day of my life! There’s a song that tells how I felt in my newfound faith: “New Life in Christ,” by John W. Peterson. The lyrics are:

New life in Christ! Abundant and free!

What glories shine, What joys are mine,

What wondrous blessings I see!

My past with its sin, The searching and strife

Forever gone—There’s a bright new dawn!

For in Christ I have found New Life!

Two years later, I felt the call of God to the gospel ministry. I was led to Southern Missionary College (now Southern Adventist University) in Collegedale, Tennessee, United States of America, to study for the ministry. After four years, I received my Bachelor’s degree in theology, and began my ministry in the Florida Conference as a youth pastor. Since then, I have been involved in ministry as a pastor, academy Bible teacher, academy chaplain, and academy boys’ dean in several states, drug education counselor, and short-term foreign missions worker in Romania, Thailand, and the Philippines. I presently serve as director of Paradise Ministries International, a self-supporting ministry in Hawaii, operating a Bible Correspondence School and literature distribution program. My greatest desire is to see the Three Angels’ Messages spread throughout the entire world, so that Jesus may come again, and all of the faithful be gathered with Him in that glorious Kingdom He is preparing for us, to be with Him forever! Maranatha!

John Lazor is founder and director of Paradise Ministries International of Hawaii, and pastors the Paradise Free Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kalapana, Hawaii. Pastor Lazor may be contacted by phone at: 808-965-2666, or by e-mail at: paradisemin7@yahoo.com.

Would you like to share how the Lord has worked in your life? Because of space, not all submissions can be published, but we would love to hear from you. Please write or email us at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

Bible Study Guides – Solomon’s Testimony

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June 19, 2011 – June 25, 2011

Key Text

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.” Proverbs 22:4.

Study Helps: Testimonies, vol. 1, 565, 566; Christ’s Object Lessons, 339–342.

Introduction

“Even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like him who possesses the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, untouched by the tinsel and show of the world.” The Review and Herald, January 18, 1906.

1 VANITY AND VEXATION

  • To what heights of worldly wealth and splendor did Solomon reach? Ecclesiastes 2:4–10. What did he finally see, and how can we learn from it? Ecclesiastes 2:11, 12.

Note: “One sad feature of Solomon’s experience was his supposition that massive buildings and magnificent furnishings give character to the work of God. He endeavored to pattern after, and to compete with, the world. He lost sight of the foundation principle underlying the influence that is ever to be exerted by the people of God—obedience to every precept of Holy Writ. The real power of God’s people lies not in numbers, nor in the wealth and worldly prosperity that may be displayed, but in steadfast adherence to His Word.” The Review and Herald, January 18, 1906.

  • Why did Solomon become bitter? Ecclesiastes 1:14; 2:14–17. How is this a warning to us? Proverbs 25:26.

Note: “Let no line of work, no institution, bear a name that would divert honor from God to any man or any set of men. Let us remember that the beautiful temple which was erected for the honor of ‘the name of the Lord God of Israel,’ came to be known, through the apostasy of the builder, as ‘Solomon’s temple.’ ” The Review and Herald, January 11, 1906.

2 DISCERNING TRUE WEALTH

  • How was Solomon deluded? Ecclesiastes 4:4; 5:10.

Note: “As Solomon continued to conform to the customs of the world, his pride greatly increased. And the worldly prosperity that attended his apostasy, was regarded by him as a token of God’s favor. So fully had he yielded himself to evil influences, that his spiritual discernment was well-nigh destroyed. He could not see the terrible losses that were sustained by the nation spiritually because he brought into the kingdom an abundance of the gold of Ophir and the silver of Tarshish.

“Today there exists the same danger of mistaking prosperity for the favor of heaven. The prosperity that often for a time attends those who turn from a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord’ to follow a way of their own choosing, is not an assurance of divine approval. Men may interpret it thus, but it is no sign that God’s prospering hand is with them. Let all learn a lesson from Solomon’s experience. Notwithstanding his violation of a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ riches and worldly honor poured in upon him, and seemingly he was greatly blessed. This is in harmony with Job’s declaration that the wicked spend their days in prosperity.” The Review and Herald, January 18, 1906.

  • What better way does God offer? Proverbs 11:17; 14:22.

Note: “How striking is the contrast between Solomon’s ambitious desire to exalt himself, and the life that the Son of God lived upon this earth! The Saviour of mankind was born of humble parentage in a sin-cursed, wicked world. He was brought up in obscurity at Nazareth, a small town of Galilee. He began His work in poverty and without worldly rank. He sought not the admiration or the applause of the world. He dwelt among the lowly. To all appearance he was merely a humble man, with few friends. Thus God introduced the gospel in a way altogether different from the way in which many deem it wise to proclaim the same gospel in this age. At the very beginning of the gospel dispensation he taught his church to rely, not on worldly rank and splendor, but on the power of faith and obedience.” The Review and Herald, January 18, 1906.

3 SEEING OPPORTUNITIES

  • What had Solomon failed to realize? Ecclesiastes 3:17.

Note: “Solomon lost sight of God’s high and holy purpose. He failed of improving the magnificent opportunities for enlightening the representatives of all nations who were continually passing through his territory and tarrying for rest at the principal cities. A selfish use was made of the strategic points along the well-traveled highways. Solomon sought to strengthen his position by building fortified cities at the gateways of commerce. …

“The missionary spirit that God had implanted in the heart of Solomon and in the hearts of many true Israelites, was rapidly supplanted by a spirit of commercialism. … Because of the cupidity and the short-sightedness of those to whom had been entrusted the oracles of God, the countless multitudes that thronged the thoroughfares of travel were allowed to remain in ignorance of the true God.” The Review and Herald, January 25, 1906.

  • How can we redeem the time? Ecclesiastes 11:4–6.

Note: “In these days of travel, the opportunities for coming in contact with men and women of all classes and of many nationalities, are much greater than in the days of Israel. …

“We are to give the last warning of God to men, and what should be our earnestness in studying the Bible, and our zeal in spreading the light! Let every soul who has received the divine illumination, seek to impart it. Let the workers go from house to house, opening the Bible to the people, circulating the publications, telling others of the light that has blessed their own souls. Let literature be distributed judiciously on the trains, in the street, on the great ships that ply the seas, and through the mails.

“Christians who are living in the great centers of commerce and travel have special opportunities. The believers in these cities can work for God in the neighborhood of their homes. They are to labor quietly and in humility, carrying with them wherever they go the atmosphere of heaven.” The Review and Herald, January 25, 1906.

4 LEARNING FROM SOLOMON’S FALL

  • Why was Solomon’s fall so tragic? Proverbs 25:26. How can we avoid his steps of decline? II Corinthians 6:14–18.

Note: “[II Corinthians 6:14–18 quoted.]

“Never was there a time in earth’s history when this warning was more appropriate than at the present time. Many professed Christians think, like Solomon, that they may unite with the ungodly, because their influence over those who are in the wrong will be beneficial; but too often they themselves, entrapped and overcome, yield their sacred faith, sacrifice principle, and separate themselves from God. One false step leads to another, till at last they place themselves where they can not hope to break the chains that bind them.” The Review and Herald, February 1, 1906.

  • What are some important principles that Solomon had to relearn as a result of his apostasy? Proverbs 22:4, 8.

Note: “In his later years, turning wearied and thirsting from earth’s broken cisterns, Solomon returned to drink at the fountain of life. The history of his wasted years, with their lessons of warning, he by the Spirit of inspiration recorded for after generations. And thus, although the seed of his sowing was reaped by his people in harvests of evil, the lifework of Solomon was not wholly lost. For him at last the discipline of suffering accomplished its work.” Education, 153, 154.

“Solomon’s later writings reveal that he realized the wickedness of his course, and sought to warn those who were in danger of going astray.” The Review and Herald, February 8, 1906.

  • In his bitter anguish of remorse over the influence he had cast, what was Solomon constrained to declare? Ecclesiastes 9:18; 10:1, 5, 6. How should this affect us?

Note: “Solomon’s repentance was sincere, but the harm that his example of evil-doing had done the people, could not well be remedied.” The Review and Herald, February 15, 1906.

5 A SAVORY INFLUENCE

  • How are we bidden to guard carefully the influence we exert upon others? Luke 14:34, 35; Colossians 4:6; II Corinthians 2:14–16.

Note: “Among the many lessons taught by Solomon’s life, none is more strongly emphasized than the power of influence for good or for ill. However contracted may be our sphere, we still exert an influence for weal or woe. Beyond our knowledge or control, it tells upon others in blessing or cursing. It may be heavy with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of some cherished sin; or it may be charged with the life-giving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. But potent for good or for ill it will surely be.” Prophets and Kings, 85.

  • What is the final summary of the wisdom that God offers us through Solomon? Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; Philippians 2:5–11.

Note: “We should ask ourselves, For what are we living and working? And what will be the outcome of it all? We need the religion of Jesus Christ daily; for everything we do or say comes under the notice of God. ‘We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.’ What we are at heart, we reveal in life. Our thoughts, our words, our actions, are the result of what we are; and our influence is a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death, according to whether we abide in Christ or not. In the judgment we shall be brought face to face with those whom we have had opportunity to help by directing them, through choice words of counsel, into right, safe paths. If we have a daily connection with God, we shall have a living, abiding interest in the saving of the souls of men, and our influence will be a savor of life unto life.” The Signs of the Times, November 21, 1892.

Review and Thought Questions

1 What triggered the first steps in Solomon’s apostasy?

2 How was Christ’s life a sharp contrast to the king’s?

3 What vital opportunities may we be overlooking today?

4 Explain the most tragic aspect of Solomon’s fall.

5 What are the secrets to exerting a right influence?

Copyright © 2002 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Testimony – Trudel’s Story

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The year was 1945 and the end of World War II was nearing. Like many others whose lives were war-torn and shattered, Gertrude (Trudel) Kowarsch dreamed of escaping with her family to Western Germany. She and her husband, Willie (testimony in LandMarks, January 2011), owned a 100-acre farm in Eastern Germany about 60 miles from the Polish border. Willie was serving as a medic in the German army and had been sent to the Russian front. Trudel was a Red Cross nurse.

One day an urgent letter came from Willie.

“The Russians have destroyed the railroad lines; the German army cannot get supplies, warm clothes or food. We are cold and hungry, and we are unable to hold back the Russians any longer. Prepare to flee with our four children to Western Germany. Willie”

Shortly before Trudel received Willie’s letter, their nine-month-old daughter, Heidi, was recovering from ear surgery at a hospital in a nearby city. Using the train to visit was dangerous, because airplanes were constantly bombing the crowded trains. Every time Trudel visited Heidi, she appeared to be hungry, so she started taking her food.

Trudel told the nurse in charge that she had decided to take her baby home but was advised that it would be another four or five days before Heidi would be released. Sharing her concerns with her family, Trudel, also a nurse, believed she could care for her baby better, so she and her sister devised a plan to sneak Heidi out of the hospital. After riding the train back into the city, Trudel slipped into Heidi’s room. She listened until the sound of the boots of the German Secret Police guard on duty faded away, and then with Heidi in her arms, ran out of the hospital door, and hid her in the baby carriage that was waiting with her sister in the bushes.

That night, the Russians bombed the hospital, leaving nothing. “Praise the Lord,” Trudel said. “I had my Heidi. God had impressed me to go at the right time.”

One February evening in the dead of winter, just a few weeks after Willie’s letter, a German Secret Police officer came to Trudel’s house asking why she was still there with her children. He informed her that the Russians were near and that she would need to leave by 6:00 a.m. the next morning or they would be overtaken.

It was 20 degrees below zero. Where could a woman go with four little children and a horse, and how could she feed them all on their way? She did not know what to do. But then she remembered that her pastor had offered that they would be welcome in his home in the event they had to flee.

Just then two horse-drawn wagons full of German soldiers arrived at Trudel’s home asking for shelter and food, so she asked them to take her and her children to Weisswasser to the home of the pastor.

It was in Weisswasser that the soldiers were to report to the army, so they were happy to help. Surely this was an answer to prayer!

The trip to Weisswasser was very traumatic for Trudel and her children. Everything imaginable was on the highway—people, bicycles, motorcycles, a few cars, horses, buggies, mules and oxen. The police would say, “Don’t stop—just go, go, go!” The wounded or dead were pushed out of the way into the ditch.

Along the way they saw a farmer who had stopped his buggy for his mother to go into the woods. He was ordered to go or be shot. As he drove away, his mother came out of the woods crying, “Wait, wait!”

All at once she fell back onto the snow and the police pushed her into the ditch.

Tears came to Trudel’s eyes. Her children saw all these things and said, “Mama, let’s go home; let’s go home. We want to go home.” But they could never return home.

Finally they reached their destination, but not without hardship. Trudel’s oldest daughter, Renate, was on the first wagon of soldiers and Trudel was on the second wagon with the other children. When the wagons stopped, Renate could not get off. Her legs were frozen, so they carried her into the house and rubbed her legs with snow. They rubbed and prayed and some life came back into her legs, but even today she still suffers problems with her legs.

There was still not enough food to eat, but they were with the pastor and his family, sharing a special time of fellowship with such sweet people. This was not to last. The police came and said that mothers with small children would have to leave. That evening Russian airplanes threw out pamphlets saying, “Tonight we bomb the bomb factory.” It was right across from where the pastor lived.

There was nowhere to go, and Trudel decided to stay in the pastor’s home. They lay on their beds ready for whatever would come. They heard the planes flying low, heavily loaded with their bombs. They kept coming and then going, around and over the house. Inside the house the occupants were kneeling and praying, but nothing happened. Then, all of a sudden, the house shook with a big explosion breaking the windows—it was like an earthquake. Later they learned that the planes were misdirected and dropped their bombs in the woods outside the city. If the factory had been bombed, the whole city would have been gone. There was much praise to the Lord for His goodness.

The Russians were getting closer and closer, and again the police came with the warning to leave.

The marketplace was full of people waiting for trucks to take them away. As they enquired of the Lord the pastor had a better idea. He suggested that they wait on the side street. But there were even fewer trucks there than in the marketplace!

Acting on such a strong impression, they waited, and sure enough, it wasn’t long until a truck came that was big enough to fit the baby carriage in the back. An offer was made to take Trudel and her children wherever she wanted to go, but about ten miles before they reached the city, the driver said that that was as far as he could go. Trudel pled with the driver to take them to a warm place, but he said, “Sorry lady, just following orders. I’m not allowed to go into the city. You’ve got to get out now.”

Trudel wondered how she could walk the rest of the way to the city with four frozen and sleepy children who were all crying; they were so cold and tired and hungry.

Leaving the farm, Trudel had only been allowed to take 50 pounds with her, so she filled a handbag with food and put it in the baby carriage with Heidi. But now the empty handbag had been thrown into the ditch. The cries of the children tore at her heart. The food was gone and the journey they had undertaken seemed hopeless. Trudel sat down by the side of the road and cried, too. “Children, I can’t go on any longer. I’m tired, just like you are.”

All at once, she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was her seven-year-old daughter, Renate. “Mommy,” she said, “Why don’t you pray to Jesus? He will help us.” Trudel thought about how they had always prayed together and how she had told them Bible stories. She looked up at her little girl and said, “Okay! You know how to pray.” It wasn’t five minutes after Renate prayed until another truck came by.

The driver enquired why she was out there with her children. Wearing her Red Cross emblem, she asked to go to the Red Cross building. On arriving there, they soon discovered that the bomb had destroyed the whole building. So the truck driver took them to a restaurant that had been made into just one huge room. It was full of people with everybody lying on the floor—children, parents, grandparents, everyone. There did not appear to be any more room for them, and as Trudel decided to leave, an elderly man waved at them. He had room on his blanket for them to lie down. He went and got milk for the children; then helped Trudel get them settled down to sleep.

“Where are you planning to go?” the man asked.

“To the city of Leizzig,” she replied.

“That place has already been bombed,” he told her. “There is nothing there.”

“But, I’ve already bought the tickets,” she exclaimed.

Suddenly their conversation was interrupted. Renate awoke with a high fever and vomiting. The man immediately started helping to clean her up, objecting when Trudel told him that that was her job.

“I’m doing fine,” he replied. “Are you still going somewhere with this sick child?”

“Yes, the train leaves tonight at 2:00 a.m.,” Trudel answered.

“Okay,” he said, “we’ll see about that. You just lie down and sleep and I’ll call you and wake you up in time.”

Trudel fell asleep, and when she woke up, it was already morning.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” she asked him.

“I knew you couldn’t take that sick child out to the train station in the middle of the night.”

“What should I do now?” Trudel sighed.

A few minutes later, Renate woke up, her fever was gone, and she seemed perfectly fine. The kind man bought breakfast for the children and offered to take them to the marketplace, so they gathered their few belongings and went with him. Heidi was still in bad shape from her ear surgery, so he talked to the man in charge of the trucks about getting them on sooner.

They didn’t have to wait long for a truck, and, as before, it was big enough to hold the baby carriage. As the truck pulled off, Trudel shouted, “Slow down, I want to thank that nice gentleman.” She looked out the window and there was no one in sight. “Quick, go around the corner,” she said. “He must have gone around the corner.” When Trudel realized there was nobody there, she felt sure that the nice man must have been an angel sent to help them.

The truck driver stopped at a restaurant, so Trudel could take care of the children. The sweetest old couple owned the restaurant and welcomed them as family and gave them a meal. Again, the Russian airplanes dropped pamphlets threatening to bomb the city. The owner told them they would have to leave.

Reluctantly leaving the elderly couple, Trudel and her children started walking down the road, pushing Heidi in the baby carriage. Soon a truck came along which picked them up. They had only gone about ten miles away from the restaurant when they saw the airplanes dropping bombs—it was like thunder and lightning, and the truck driver had a hard time steering his truck. More than a million people were killed that day. Praise the Lord; they were safe again!

The truck driver knew of a Red Cross train, which would be traveling to the city of Cam in Bavaria, so he took them to the train station. Before even boarding the train, the siren blew, warning them of approaching Russian bombers, so they ran into the bunkers for protection, knowing that if a bomb did fall on the bunkers, they could not escape. Everyone was terrified, and many were crying and screaming. Finally Trudel begged them all to kneel down and pray.

Two planes came and went and nothing happened, so the siren blew again indicating that it was safe to leave the bunkers. Trudel then suggested that no one leave before thanking God for His protection and blinding the pilots’ eyes from seeing the train station in the broad daylight.

Trudel and her children waited to board the train. Some mothers went into the train looking for seats while their children waited outside and some children went inside looking for seats while their mothers stayed outside with the baby carriages. All of a sudden the train started to pull away. Mothers screamed for the train to stop. Children screamed in anguish for their mothers, but the train did not stop. Trudel immediately took a rope and tied her three children to Heidi’s baby carriage. She was not about to lose any of them.

When the next train arrived Trudel and the children were able to get seats. Not very many miles down the tracks, shooting suddenly broke out. Everybody was out of their seats, hiding and screaming. Trudel knelt down with her children, right there on the train, and prayed. The bullets made holes everywhere and feathers from the beds were flying.

One old man who thought it safer outside the train, though Trudel cried for him to stay inside believing that God could protect him, ran behind a big tree, but the airplane people saw him. They shot at him, and he jumped all around the tree attempting to avoid the bullets but he finally succumbed to a heart attack and died.

The passengers had to leave the train and go into the woods so the dead and wounded could be removed from the train and it could be cleaned. There, Trudel and her children met a little girl seven years old who was wounded; her mother had been killed in the train and her father had been killed in the war in Russia. She also became part of Trudel’s family. Doctors and nurses went from car to car listing the casualties and were amazed to find that nobody was injured in the carriage where Trudel was praying. On the rest of the train there were 42 dead and over 120 injured.

It had been almost four weeks since Trudel Kowarsch and her four children began their journey across Germany. Arriving in the next city, Trudel, her children, and the little orphaned girl were offered a place to stay with a farmer and his family. In return they helped the farmer’s wife in the house and also out in the fields.

One day while working outside, Russian planes swooped down on them but there was no time to run for the bushes. Instead, they got down and prayed. As they prayed, the planes opened fire into the bushes. If they had run there, they surely would have been killed.

It came time for Trudel and her children to leave the farm and go on to the city of Cam. The lovely farmers offered to keep the little girl whose parents had died.

Meanwhile, Trudel’s husband, Willie, had been wounded a second time and taken to France where he learned of his wife’s flight to Western Germany. When he recovered, he joined his family in Cam where they had finally reached safety.

Picking up their lives again they worked the next seven years in a farming community before migrating to the United States of America.

Trudel had finally realized her dream. All of her children were able to get an education: Renate, a home health nurse; Deiter, a home builder; Willford, a pastor; Heidi, a nurse; Heinz, a pastor and Esther a physical therapist. Trudel, too, went to school and trained for home nursing, which she still does.

Trudel has received many written letters of appreciation for her unselfish care for other people. They include a surgeon in Houston, Texas, where she worked at a hospital; a state representative in Georgia; and the brother of a patient in Chattanooga, Tenessee, who called her his sister’s “guardian angel.”

“We all go through life and meet many people,” he said, echoing the sentiments of many. “Few do we ever really remember. … But I think the most vivid and lucid recollection I have of Gertrude (Trudel) Kowarsch is her 100 percent patience and compassion for her fellowman.”

To God be the glory for the things He has done through this faithful child of His.

Submitted by Trudel’s daughter, Heidi (Kowarsch) McFarland. She can be contacted by email at: heidihoho@charter.net.

See also Willie’s Story (LandMarks, January 2011).

Would you like to share how the Lord has worked in your life? Because of space, not all submissions can be published, but we would love to hear from you. Please write or email us at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

My Story

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My life, so far, reveals God’s righteous right hand at work, not-withstanding my unrighteousness. I never really got to see and understand the fact that our ever-living God simply watched and waited for me to present myself for service before He began unfolding Himself to me in various ways. I can only accord to Jesus Christ honor and glory for His loving-kindness and mercies towards me while in sin. Now, I realize all this and praise Him for that.

I was raised well in a Christian home, my parents being members of the N.K.S.T Church, which is the Church of Christ in the Sudan among the Tiv. I hail from Kwande local government area of Benue state in Central Nigeria where Tiv language is widely spoken. I could read and write in Tiv and English language as well as read the Bible in Tiv right from my primary school, much thanks to my parents.

It was at F.G.C. Ogbomoso in Western Nigeria at age 12 during my secondary education that I had a different orientation of Christianity. Here I came face to face with Pentecostalism. I was deeply involved with the tongues-speaking movement. My little knowledge of the Holy Scriptures with regards to speaking in tongues, as taught by my Orthodox Church, was quite different from that of the Pentecostals (fellowship group) in school, such as 1 Corinthians 14 and other texts. I had my reservations with their answers, knowing full well that they were incorrect, but I had no way to counter them.

With the completion of my secondary education, I returned home more confused, because I could observe even more errors with my Orthodox Church practices, not to mention the tongues practice session in school. This had terribly affected my relationship with God, so much so that during my university days in Jos, I drifted further away from God and almost stopped attending church. Parties and all forms of social vices became part of my life; drinking, smoking, you name it and I did it! I simply drifted in and out of churches and found myself attending Eckankar [a cult believing that the soul is multidimensional and shares all the aspects of God—the that part of God that you are] meetings in school. One sure fact is that I always experienced an empty feeling with a desire to know what was missing and how to find it.

With my graduation from the university in 1996 and one-year national service in Benin City in mid-western Nigeria, God decided to start revealing Himself and His truth to me in the most marvelous way ever imagined. However, I must state here categorically that my road to becoming a member of God’s remnant church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, started way back in 1985.

I was home on holidays visiting with my parents who moved to our country home in the village. One Sunday morning, my mother, as usual, asked me to prepare for church. My response was, “Saturday is the right worship day, according to the Bible, and not Sunday.” She laughed and retorted that young men always come out of school with strange thoughts and behaviors. One may wonder how that statement came from one who had not heard of the Sabbath truth, neither did he know that the Seventh-day Adventist church was in existence. This is simply due to the fact that I so much loved history and always read historical accounts of the children of Israel in the Holy Scriptures and I also enjoyed reading world affairs in Time and Newsweek magazines. This is where I got the idea of Saturday being the right day of worship according to the Scriptures, and I was able to confirm from the magazines that in the present day land of Israel, the Jews still keep Saturday as the Sabbath of the Lord.

My question then was, If Christians believe the Bible, why do we refuse to rightly obey Bible doctrines since the seventh day was the fourth amongst the Ten Commandments, which are read every Sunday at worship in churches? This was a question that required an answer, but could not be found at that time.

My service year in Benin did not change much. I still drifted in and out of churches, but they never made any impact in my life! I attended several denominations but still felt empty. The irony was that any church I found myself in, I would come out with something that never demanded my presence therein again, due to their beliefs and doctrines. A friend finally took me to Krishna consciousness. My desire to seek for the unknown led me to read their Bhagavad Ghita and other books of the movement. I began practicing the Yoga, chanting the mantra and attending meetings with the spiritual head in Nigeria. The feeling of dissatisfaction increased in me and I confronted the leader with my questions challenging the reincarnation doctrine. I quoted Hebrews where the Bible says, “It is appointed unto man to die once, but after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

He made efforts to defend the belief, but I was not convinced. After the meeting, I never went there again, returning all the books. Shortly thereafter, I was again invited to the meeting with the Mormons. I received copies of Joseph Smith’s testimony and the Book of Mormon. More confusion came with more unanswered questions.

With the completion of my service year in 1998, I stayed back in Benin with a close friend who was still in service. A discussion ensued between us one day and the subject of the Sabbath came in focus. He pointed out my constant emphasis on Sabbath being Saturday and thereafter offered me a book, which can help explain more on the subject. He pulled out from his bag a booklet entitled Mysterious Answers to Prayers. This book was simply exceptional and wonderful; immediate answers to some questions started unfolding; and my troubled conscience began experiencing peace. This was God-sent. I went over the book twice with my Bible, cross-checking to confirm all the texts that were quoted and was convinced and relieved that I had found the truth at last after years of wandering in spiritual darkness. I simply told my friend that this little book had changed my life.

I left Benin for Lagos in October 1998 to stay with a friend. Within the next four months of business I drifted into a life of criminality, cheating, fornication, and alcoholism because the funds were coming in but also going out the same way they came in. I tried to obtain a Master’s Degree but without success. The cities of Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Abuja, Jos Ilorin, etc., were our business points.

I give thanks to God that I escaped arrests. On one of our business trips a careful thought brought my mind home and my parental care and Christian upbringing came into focus. I left Lagos against my friend’s wish on February 26, 1999, for Makurdi with a decision never to return to such a life again. My return to Makurdi opened my eyes to see truth. My joblessness gave me the opportunity to remain indoors where I again stumbled across the booklet Mysterious Answers to Prayers. Another Bible study session ensued. I was challenged by a friend, whom I had high regard in respect to Bible knowledge while attempting to explain the Sabbath message. He referred me to Hebrews 4 and that the Sabbath simply meant rest and all the apostles kept Sunday and not Saturday. To straighten this out, I resorted to searching the Scriptures for confirmation, reading through the New Testament pocket Bible twice. The revelation was just wonderful, seeing from the Bible that the Sabbath is the seventh day and it will never be changed. Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer, kept it, as did all of the apostles and the early Christian church. I became convinced, but never knew what church or group of believers to join in Makurdi. I simply stopped attending church on Sundays.

It was while riding in a commuter bus within Makurdi one day that I sighted the sign of the Seventh-day Adventist church. I thought that must be the same church I had read about in the booklet. The second Saturday of November 1999 saw me experiencing my first Sabbath worship. The experience cannot be penned down; talk of the joy of fellowshiping in truth and righteousness with special Sabbath blessings! I felt at home at last. Bible studies continued in earnest and soon answers to my questions cleared out all the troubles I had previously with regard to the Sabbath and other doctrines. Today I owe my sincere gratitude to the God of heaven who has been patient with me and for bringing me into the knowledge of the truth in Christ Jesus. It is my earnest and sincere prayer that all earnest seekers for truth find that which sets us at liberty from spiritual blindness and brings us into newness of life by the infinite power of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus.

Daniel Terence is founder and director of Daily Manna Ministries, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Do you have a testimony that you would like to share of how the Lord is working in your life? Because of space limitations, not all submissions can be published, but we would love to hear from you. Please write or email us at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

Reporting from England

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My Experiences

In the early eighties the Lord sought me out and brought me from a life of crime into a conversion experience. For many years I had been a professional drug-dealer/smuggler and for at least twelve years I was using drugs on a daily basis. Thanks to the witnessing efforts of members of the Seventh-day Adventist church I was baptized into the church in 1983. For the next seven years the Lord led me through a time of spiritual growth and tuition until in 1990 my wife and I responded to a call to enter the mission field.

In January 1991 we left with our two children to follow the call to work as missionaries in Hungary and other parts of Eastern Europe. While in Hungary the work involved preaching the gospel in SDA churches and witnessing, the saving grace of Jesus Christ in schools, hospitals, prisons, community centers, and anywhere there was an opportunity. Much of the work involved speaking with drug addicts and alcoholics and introducing them to the true gospel. Evangelistic meetings were held not only in Hungary, but also Romania and (the then) Czechoslovakia, plus there were opportunities to speak to a wider audience through newspaper, radio, and television interviews in Hungary, Yugoslavia, and France. During this time the Lord also provided many opportunities to pursue my research into “the Mystery Babylon” of Revelation 17 and the influence of the “New Age Movement.” This research began in 1981 and drew on many aspects of my life “before Christ.” It seemed as if the Lord had been preparing me for this work from my youth. This resulted in a series of tracts “The Prophetic Look” series and a booklet “Unveiling the Mystery Babylon Using Biblical and Historical Evidence.”

Following the outbreak of the war in Yugoslavia I had the opportunity to travel into that country twice and the Lord opened the doors so that I was able to take the truth of “the great controversy between Christ and Satan” to many members of the media and to be able to confront members of the governments within the federation on the role of the Vatican in the war and modern politics. During the visits there I was able to gather much research material, which, when added to material gathered in Israel, Argentina and Peru, resulted in the video, “The Vatican and Fascism.” This video was produced in the USA after giving this presentation in several States and taking part in Religious Liberty meetings in both the USA and Jamaica. It was a follow-up from a two previous videos: “The Future Plans of the New Age Movement” and “The Vatican’s Conspiracy for World Domination.”

Since that time my research has continued into the role that the Roman Catholic church has played in history, culminating in the (so far) five-part series: “The Vatican and Politics” and the two-part “Religion of 666,” which traces the roots of the number 666 and identifies the true meaning of Revelation 13:18. These presentations have also been given in England, France, Germany, Italy, and Holland as well as Eastern Europe. Unfortunately in 1993 my wife and children had to return to England and were not able to return to be with me on the mission field. Understandably this placed quite a strain on all members of the family, which was resolved by my return to England in January, 1995. Being loathe to work for anyone else and after prayerful consideration, my wife and I decided to trust in His guidance and continue the work that He set before us, from England.

Since that time He has continued to provide for us and we have followed His leading. There have been evangelistic meetings in Australia, England, Denmark, Holland, and Germany as well as research undertaken in various other places. We now produce a newsletter on an irregular basis which focuses on the research undertaken and updates on previous topics.

 

Statement of the Aims of this Ministry:

(1) The primary aim of this ministry is to lead souls to Christ.

(2) As loyal members of God’s Seventh-day Adventist Church we recognize that we are members of the church that is destined to fulfill Christ’s commission to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19, 20.

(3) We also recognize that this commission is to be fulfilled through the preaching of the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14, namely, that we should preach the everlasting gospel “unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Revelation 14:6.

(4) We recognize that each of the Three Angels has it’s own peculiar aspect to its message.

First Angel — a call to worship the God of creation, to glorify Him through faith and obedience to His commandments and proclaim the fact that the day of judgment has begun. Revelation 14:7.

Second Angel — to identify Babylon and expose her corruption of not only God’s plan of redemption but also His plan for His church. Revelation 14:8.

Third Angel — to warn the world of the dangers of straying from God’s way and the vital importance of God’s original Ten Commandments in His plan (particularly the fourth commandment as the sign of allegiance to Him). Revelation 14:9, 10.

My Journey for Jesus

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It was about twelve years after being baptized in 1977 that I heard about our incredible health message. I had become a vegetarian when I joined the church, but did not understand how much more there was to learn. Giving up meat was one thing, but I still used some processed foods, sometimes eating cakes, pies, ice cream, chocolate, cheese and many other “so called” tasty treats. I had no idea about the laws of health.

Accompanied by my husband Peter, we attended some Country Living Seminars run by some dedicated Seventh-day Adventist folk. Some of these people had started up simple health clinics where they were helping people with lifestyle changes and natural remedies. This is when we learned about the Adventist health message. Immediately we became vegan vegetarians. Leaving behind all the little indulgences, we started to eat whole plant foods, avoiding refined foods and all unhealthy fats. Cheese was very hard to let go for my German born husband. I became fascinated with this totally new way of preparing food, reading as much as I could about natural health and healing. There was so much to learn. Choosing to eat only two meals each day and experiencing the benefits, we have done this ever since. Peter encouraged me that if I was really interested in learning about this, I needed to take a course and get some specific training. There being no such training available in the area I live in, Australia, created some difficulty. So, unable to train at an institution, I searched for a correspondence course, which on completion, enabled me to become a Christian natural health instructor.

It was not long after that I rallied some of the members of my small church, and we began to teach the eight laws of health while running vegan vegetarian cooking programs in our community. I have been teaching these for many years now, and they have developed into a program I call Natural Home Remedy classes which have become quite popular. We show how poultices can act in so many different ways by using simple things like potato, charcoal, cabbage, onions, garlic, comfrey and slippery elm, to help heal many of their health problems.

One lady was excited when, after coming to our class, she used a potato poultice to heal a leg ulcer on her neighbour’s elderly mother. Usually leg ulcers are hard to heal, but with persistence, as well as alternating different poultices, it healed in about four months. People love to be shown simple remedies for common ailments like coughs, asthma, bronchitis and earache. One man tried the cayenne poultice on his gout and was healed after three applications. The class is shown how to break up tumours and cysts using castor oil. The poultice session always amazes people. They cannot believe that such simple remedies actually work. I have countless testimonies of people who have used these remedies and have been helped by them.

As these programs were being shared I realized that a newsletter was needed to advise the folk when additional programs would be running. So, the Back to Eden Health Newsletter was started with the aim of sharing this wonderful health message, educating people, sharing healthy recipes (I have published my own recipe book), providing information and suggesting ways to improve their health. The quarterly newsletter is primarily designed for those starting out on their new lifestyle journey.

This program grew and people began to call, asking me to share in their communities. More ideas were sought after and different programs have been developed. With such an interest in poultices, more have been added—bentonite clay, aloe vera, honey, epsom salts, sodium bicarbonate, coconut oil, skin brushing, olive oil and honey and more. Sharing the testimonies of those who have used these remedies makes it easy to interweave into the presentation how God has placed healing properties in many of these simple remedies. As they are used by faith, He blesses them.

Another interest began and I became very interested in the use of herbs, so I enrolled in Dr. Christopher’s School of Health, obtaining the Nutritional Herbologist Certificate. It is such a pleasure to share with others how simple garden weeds can be used to supplement health, taken either internally or used as poultices. God has placed healing properties in many simple garden herbs and others that grow wild. We have shown many how to make green drinks using edible green plants or weeds from their garden, which are simple and inexpensive yet very healthy.

Other classes are conducted for sourdough bread-making, how to make sprouts and kefir, ointments and oils while introducing the health laws from the Bible. This involves how we, as Seventh-day Adventists, have been given a health message, and science is now validating what we have been teaching for over 150 years.

Another program that remains very popular is teaching how to use simple hydrotherapy treatments for conditions such as migraines, pleurisy, period pains and insomnia, to mention just a few. One very impressive treatment is the hot and cold fomentations on the back to relieve severe back pain. We have some incredible experiences of people with debilitating back pain who, after being treated, the pain is either lessened considerably or relieved completely.

What an incredible health message we have. I have a burden to share this with others, because I know many Seventh-day Adventists do not realize or appreciate the wonderful health message we have. It is so much more than just becoming a vegetarian. God has given us this message so that we all can become home medical missionaries and help to relieve pain and suffering in those around us. I want to encourage people to start where they are. God has placed all of us in circumstances that are unique to ourselves. We all need to know and become competent in using these remedies on our families and ourselves and then share them with neighbours and friends. The sick and suffering are everywhere. God calls us to start sharing what we know. I have experienced how He takes us as we are and increases our talents as we use what we have.

Some think that one day a cure will be found for cancer and disease. They are looking for an elusive discovery and think this will end their health problems. They do not realise that God has already given the cure to us—we call them the eight laws of health. I love the counsel God has given our church through Ellen White. Yet some seem to think that keeping these laws of health are optional. The more I study and learn about our health message, the more I am convicted that we will be blessed with good health if we follow it very carefully. God wants those who are waiting for the Lord’s return to be health reformers. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” III John 1:2 NKJV.

I know God has blessed during these years. Currently I am involved in teaching a weekly class for a group of about fifteen, one cooking program a month, plus other special programs when I am invited. Has this been easy? Not always. For many of these programs I must do most of the advertising and organizing as well as speaking. Sometimes a few friends and my husband will help. Why do I continue? I am doing it for Christ, and He has asked us to share what we know with others.

We have all been given a commission. “And we should teach others how to preserve and to recover health. For the sick we should use the remedies, which God has provided in nature, and we should point them to Him who alone can restore. It is our work to present the sick and suffering to Christ in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in the Great Healer. We should lay hold on His promise, and pray for the manifestation of His power. The very essence of the gospel is restoration, and the Saviour would have us bid the sick, the hopeless, and the afflicted take hold upon His strength.” The Desire of Ages, 824.

“The Lord has a work for women as well as for men. They may take their places in His work at this crisis, and He will work through them. If they are imbued with a sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Holy Spirit, they will have just the self-possession required for this time. The Saviour will reflect upon these self-sacrificing women the light of His countenance, and will give them a power that exceeds that of men. They can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor is needed.” (Emphasis supplied.) Welfare Ministry, 145.

Kaye Sehm lives with her husband in Albury, NSW Australia. She loves sharing our wonderful health message by running seminars and cooking schools promoting the way to health. She also presents classes on the many simple home remedies God has given us. Visit Kaye’s website www.kayesrecipesandremedies.com or contact her by email at: backtoeden@aapt.net.au.

A Time for Every Purpose

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The wisdom of King Solomon is given in the Bible:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

The seasons of my life have varied tremendously, but I never really questioned the purpose. From an early age, I pursued a variety of activities, and my husband Jän and I have shared many interests. We have enjoyed music, camping, backpacking, riding our motorcycles and bicycles, relaxing on our boat, traveling, and have welcomed every opportunity to learn about and experience new things. But challenges have occurred throughout time that have altered these interests.

In late 1985, I began to occasionally stumble, and once in a while I would fall. I tried to ignore the situations, until the day I lost sight in my right eye. Visits to an optometrist and an ophthalmologist identified optic neuritis, inflammation of the optic nerve. Experiencing vision loss and learning the cause led to appointments with my general practice physician and a neurologist specialist. A spinal tap and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test confirmed that I had Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

MS affects each person differently. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary from person to person depending on which parts of the brain or spinal cord (central nervous system) are damaged. Demyelination, the loss of the myelin sheathes or covering of the nerves, and the scarring caused by MS can affect any part of the central nervous system.

MS symptoms may come and go or become more or less severe from day to day or, in rare cases, from hour to hour. Consequently, the doctors could not predict what I might expect, but within 12 months my sight had returned and the physical issues had dissipated. Regular activities again filled each day until the MS symptoms struck back with a vengeance in 1996.

Strength and agility weakened until I could no longer handle my work requirements. I had been manager of travel and meeting planning for a Fortune 500 mining company. (The Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled and published by Fortune magazine that ranks the top 500 United States corporations as ranked by their gross revenue.) I had written numerous manuals, introduced cost-saving travel practices, and had traveled to all of the company’s mines and offices throughout the United States and in other countries, giving training seminars and maintaining budgets. But after 20 years of service, in 1999 I was granted permanent disability because of the physical challenges of MS.

Purpose #1: One month after leaving work on permanent disability, the company suffered a hostile takeover by another mining company. I would have been unemployed without compensation. Without work, time was given to me to participate in church activities. Having been raised in Seventh-day Adventist families, Jän and I had built upon the foundation of our early training and, in 1991, had opened the Renaissance Church near Sedalia, Colorado. More time could now be given to its activities and to assist Jän with his work, at that time, as managing editor for LandMarks.

At this time, the neurologist explained that I was experiencing Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS). SPMS is characterized by a steady progression of clinical neurological damage with or without superimposed relapses and minor remissions and plateaus. People who develop SPMS will have previously experienced a period of Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) which occurred for me in 1985–1986. Over the months, I began to depend on a wheelchair as walking and standing became more difficult.

Everything changed June 27, 2008.

It was a very hot summer afternoon. Completing errands in Castle Rock, Colorado, before the Sabbath hours, we had stopped for Jän to make copies needed for the church. As he parked in front of the UPS store, saying he would be only five minutes, I asked him to open one of the side doors of our van for fresh air, rather than leaving the van’s engine running to provide cooling from the air conditioner. I was sitting in my wheelchair that was secured to the lift, facing the two side doors. He opened one of the doors, exposing my left arm and about one-fourth of the left side of the wheelchair and my body. That is all I remember.

Jän returned to the van within five minutes wondering why people were standing around it, but when he made his way through the crowd, he saw me lying on the ground in a pool of blood with more blood gushing from my eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Only the one door of the van was open; the wheelchair was securely in place; our black Labrador was still lying peacefully beside it.

A lady who had seen me fall from the van had stopped her car immediately and called 911. Within moments an ambulance arrived and rushed me to Sky Ridge Medical Center Emergency Room in Lone Tree, a suburb of Denver, Colorado.

When Jän arrived at the ER, CAT scans (computerized axial tomography frequently used to evaluate the brain, neck, and spine) and x-rays had already been taken, revealing that the right side of my skull had been crushed and the artery just above the right ear was severed, hence the continual bleeding. Several bones on the right side of my face were also fractured. A doctor approached Jän and told him that I had only two hours to live. He explained that three options were available: (1) do nothing, (2) insert tubes into the skull to drain the fluid and relieve the building pressure, (3) surgery. Jän asked him to do what he could to save my life. The doctor was the head neurological surgeon for the hospital. Only God could have placed him at the hospital, late in the afternoon (4:00 p.m.), before a holiday weekend.

Following Jän’s request, the doctor, using his cell phone, began calling the doctors and nurses needed for the procedure. Jän heard the doctor’s words, stating such things as, “I know you are leaving on vacation … ,” “I know you are not on call … ,” “I know it is a holiday weekend … ,” to “I need you here immediately.” Soon he had a seven-doctor neurological surgical team and needed assistants in place.

Surgery began in less than the predicted two hours of life I had remaining. Seven bone fragments, embedded in the right side of my brain, had to be carefully removed. The severed artery was a challenge. It was so torn that the doctor had difficulty piecing it together. During the six-hour craniotomy, my heart stopped twice, and six units of blood and four units of plasma were given to help retain life.

When I was taken to recovery, the doctor told Jän that I had a fifty-fifty chance to survive the procedure but would either be a vegetable or need to live in a nursing home the rest of my life. When Jän next saw me, my head was secured in a Styrofoam base and strapped down so it could not move; my body, legs and arms were also strapped to the bed so nothing could move, and I was in an induced coma. He has told me that in addition to my immobility, 25 different tubes were in my body for different purposes, controlling every function of my body.

In the Intensive Care Unit, I remained in the coma. A nurse sat outside my room continually, monitoring me. The medical staff routinely reduced the medication that induced the coma, but my autonomic nervous system would not begin to function. My Living Will states that I am to receive no extra medical assistance after seven days. I know now that many prayers were ascending for me during these days. The afternoon of the sixth day, when the medication was reduced, my autonomic nervous system responded; I began breathing on my own.

Purpose #2: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest … be in health.” III John 1:2.

Twenty days later it was necessary to transfer me from the hospital to a rehabilitation center. Jän was able to have me admitted to the Castle Rock Care Center (CRCC) in Castle Rock, Colorado, just 13 miles from our home.

I remember nothing of the hospital days, and the first days at CRCC are a blur. My vision was not clear; I could not focus to read. I could not speak, and as the words eventually formed, they were jumbled and made no sense. My thoughts were scrambled. My body was very weak—especially my legs—after no movement during those hospital days.

Physical and occupational therapy began immediately. Slowly, physical strength improved, my brain began to heal and memory gradually returned. In addition to the physical therapy and occupational therapy, I regularly met with a speech therapist who focused on my speech and language skills.

Each day at CRCC brought improvement and opportunities in many ways. By mid October 2008, I was dismissed to return home! During my last session in therapy, the physical and occupational therapists read to me what they had written in their notes the first time I met them. They each had written that I would never leave the facility!

Purpose #3: “I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 30:17. God performed a miracle. He had work for me.

During the months of my recovery, Jän faithfully was by my side. While I was in the hospital, friends from our church and from the community would sit by me while he took some time to eat or rest. He also spent time with me each day at the Care Center, usually sharing a meal during his visit and becoming acquainted with other residents. I enjoyed visits from many friends while I was at CRCC—they came from many parts of the United States and from Ghana.

As my thoughts became clearer and I learned about my accident and the miracle of life, I began to pray, “Father, I don’t know why I’m here, but thank-you. Show me what to do.” He has provided numerous opportunities.

Purpose #4: I conduct knitting circles twice a month at CRCC. It provides time to chat with the group and share the joys God has given each of us. Jän and I also spend many Sabbath afternoons visiting residents at CRCC. The director of activities recently asked Jän to present a Bible study twice a month! He is using the Steps to Life studies prepared by Marshall Grosboll. I assist the attending residents and help read the Bible texts. We have provided large print Bibles for each attendee to use if they are able. The residents attending frequently express their appreciation of the studies.

Purpose #5: We have also accepted volunteer positions to assist the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. Several of its members have played at the Renaissance Church, and others are asking when they may play their instruments there. We are continually given the opportunity to answer questions about the church and to share from the Bible what we believe.

Physical challenges have turned the activities I enjoyed previously into memories. The backpacks and camping gear are stored in the closet. The motorcycles and bicycles are dusty in the garage. Travel is difficult. But God has directed me to activities with Jän where we may share Him and experience His purpose for us.

“Every action of ours in befriending God’s people will be rewarded as done unto Himself.” Maranatha, 317.

Anna Schultz is again an integral part of the Landmarks team. She may be contacted by email at: ams80135@aol.com.

Bible Study Guides – Victory by the Word of Our Testimony

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November 23, 2013 – November 29, 2013

Key Text

“And they [the brethren] overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11.

Study Help: Steps to Christ, 115–123.

Introduction

“We become overcomers by helping others to overcome, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 974.

1 THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

  • How can we continually show that Christ is living in us? Psalms 105:1–5; 107:1, 2, 15.

Note: “Brethren and sisters, the Lord is our God. If Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, we have a hope in God that it is impossible for us to keep to ourselves. We will praise Him. We do not praise Him as much as we should. Whoso offers praise glorifies God. Now instead of speaking doleful words, and telling of our trials and afflictions, let us thank God that we can speak at all, and resolve that we will endeavor to glorify His name.” The Voice in Speech and Song, 148.

  • How can difficulties be turned into positive experiences? Ecclesiastes 7:14; II Corinthians 4:8, 9; Romans 8:28.

Note: “When someone asks how you are feeling, do not try to think of something mournful to tell in order to gain sympathy. Do not talk of your lack of faith and your sorrows and sufferings. The tempter delights to hear such words. When talking on gloomy subjects, you are glorifying him. We are not to dwell on the great power of Satan to overcome us. Often we give ourselves into his hands by talking of his power. … Have we not reason to be thankful every moment, thankful even when there are apparent difficulties in our pathway?” The Ministry of Healing, 253, 254.

2 A CURE FOR SADNESS

  • What is the best cure for sadness and grief? Psalm 42:11; Ephesians 5:20; James 5:13, first part.

Note: “The Lord Jesus wants us to bear a pleasant countenance, and to speak kind, sympathetic words. Even if we are sick, or if we feel out of sorts, we need not tell others. If we will talk of the goodness of the Lord, this will act as a cure for sadness and grief.” The Voice in Speech and Song, 132, 133.

  • What happens to our faith when using proper speech and conversation? Romans 10:17.

Note: “Even under temptation, our language may be that of faith and hope and courage.” The Review and Herald, May 13, 1884.

  • What topic should we avoid, as much as possible, in our conversation? Luke 24:17, 25; I Peter 4:12.

Note: “All have trials; griefs hard to bear, temptations hard to resist. Do not tell your troubles to your fellow mortals, but carry everything to God in prayer. Make it a rule never to utter one word of doubt or discouragement. You can do much to brighten the life of others and strengthen their efforts, by words of hope and holy cheer.” Steps to Christ, 119, 120.

“The more you dwell upon discouragement, talking to others about your trials, and enlarging upon them, to enlist the sympathy which you crave, the more discouragements and trials you will have. Why mourn over that which we cannot avoid? God is inviting us to close the windows of the soul earthward and open them heavenward that He may flood our hearts with the glory which is shining across the threshold of heaven.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 579.

3 CAREFUL CHOICE OF TOPICS

  • Though darkness, failure, and sin exist in this world, why should we not talk about these things? How can we help others in this regard? Isaiah 35:3, 4.

Note: “It is Satan’s work to talk of that which concerns himself, and he is delighted to have human beings talk of his power, of his working through the children of men. Through indulgence in such conversation the mind becomes gloomy and sour and disagreeable. We may become channels of communication for Satan, through which flow words that bring no sunshine to any heart. But let us decide that this shall not be. Let us decide not to be channels through which Satan shall communicate gloomy, disagreeable thoughts. Let our words be not a savor of death unto death, but of life unto life.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 62, 63.

“It is not praiseworthy to talk of our weakness and discouragement. Let each one say, ‘I am grieved that I yield to temptation, that my prayers are so feeble, my faith so weak.’ ” In Heavenly Places, 122.

“Every time we talk darkness, it pleases the enemy, for he does not want the joy of Christ to dwell in our hearts by faith. Christ is to us a never-failing fountain of refreshing joy. God does not regard it any virtue in us to keep looking at and talking of our mistakes and sins.” The Voice in Speech and Song, 161.

  • Describe Paul’s attitude in the face of trial and privation. Romans 8:18, 31, 38, 39; II Corinthians 12:9, 10; II Timothy 4:6–8.

Note: “Though Paul was at last confined in a Roman prison—shut away from the light and air of heaven, cut off from his active labors in the gospel, and momentarily expecting to be condemned to death—yet he did not yield to doubt or despondency. From that gloomy dungeon came his dying testimony, full of sublime faith and courage that has inspired the hearts of saints and martyrs in all succeeding ages.” My Life Today, 326.

4 PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Why do we need to speak of the precious chapters of our experience? Romans 5:3, 4; Revelation 12:11.

Note: “Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience. After a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, our joy in the Lord and our efficiency in His service would be greatly increased by recounting His goodness and His wonderful works in behalf of His children.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 299, 300.

  • What records are kept in heaven of those who share their experiences with others? Malachi 3:16, 17.

Note: “You cannot reach hearts with a mere form of words, a parrot-like repetition of set phrases. What you say must be the expression of a personal experience: If you cheer hearts with words of courage and hope, it will be because the grace and love of God are to you a living reality.” The Review and Herald, April 12, 1892.

  • What made the presentations of the apostle Paul so convincing? Philippians 3:7–10.

Note: “Paul carried with him the atmosphere of heaven. All who associated with him felt the influence of his union with Christ. The fact that his own life exemplified the truth he proclaimed, gave convincing power to his preaching. Here lies the power of the truth. The unstudied, unconscious influence of a holy life is the most convincing sermon that can be given in favor of Christianity. Argument, even when unanswerable, may provoke only opposition; but a godly example has a power that it is impossible wholly to resist.

“The apostle’s heart burned with love for sinners, and he put all his energies into the work of soul-winning. There never lived a more self-denying, persevering worker. … He lost no opportunity of speaking of the Saviour or of helping those in trouble.” Gospel Workers, 59.

5 A LAW OF NATURE

  • Which law of nature can be used to positive advantage in our daily communication? Romans 10:8–10.

Note: “It is a law of nature that our thoughts and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as we give them utterance. While words express thoughts, it is also true that thoughts follow words. If we would give more expression to our faith, rejoice more in the blessings that we know we have—the great mercy and love of God—we should have more faith and greater joy.” The Ministry of Healing, 251–253.

  • What illustration can we use to bring hope and encouragement to others? Genesis 28:12.

Note: “He who comes to Jesus is setting his feet upon a ladder that reaches from earth to heaven. …

“Tell the people in clear, hopeful language how they may escape the heritage of shame which is our deserved portion. But for Christ’s sake do not present before them ideas that will discourage them, that will make the way to heaven seem very difficult. Keep all these overstrained ideas to yourself.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 181, 182.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Why should we be praising and thanking God always, even when surrounded by trials and difficulties?

2 Why is it better to keep our discouragements and trials to ourselves, rather than expecting others to commiserate with us?

3 How can we, like Paul, take pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, and persecutions?

4 Why is it important to share with others the precious chapters in our experience?

5 What are the rewards of testifying for Christ?

© 2007 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

James White Collection, One Hundred Infidels Converted

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With the 1st of January, 1838, William Miller commenced a second course of lectures at Lansingburgh, New York, in compliance with the urgent request of the Baptist Church in that place, and of E. B. Crandall, their pastor. The lectures continued nine days, and were listened to by crowded and attentive audiences. The result also was most heart cheering. Infidelity had several strongholds in that neighborhood, and many of that class attended his lectures, and were greatly affected by them. In a letter dated on the 25th of that month, two weeks after the close of the lectures, a gentleman of that place writes to Mr. Miller:

“I have never witnessed so powerful an effect in any place as in this, on all who heard. I am of the opinion that not less than one hundred persons who held infidel sentiments are brought to believe the Bible. Infidelity is dumb in this place, as if frightened, and converts are many.”

Testimony of One Converted

 

The following testimony of one who was converted from infidelity during these lectures is copied from the Boston Investigator (an infidel paper) of January, 1845.

“Mr. Editor: I was a warm supporter of the views of Abner Kneeland, attended his lectures and protracted dances, disbelieved in Divine revelation and a future existence, and fully accorded with Mr. Kneeland’s views of religion. Having read every work of note that I could obtain, and having heard many lectures opposed to God and the Bible, I considered myself prepared to overthrow the Christian faith, and feared no argument that could be brought from the Bible. With these feelings, I attended a full course of Mr. Miller’s lectures. He gave rules of interpretation, and pledged himself to prove his position. I approved of his rules,—to which I refer you,—and the result was, he established the fact that the Bible is what it purports to be—the Word of God—to my mind, beyond a doubt; and I have taken it as the man of my counsel. I notice your doubts of the truth of the statement in relation to hundreds of infidels being converted under the preaching of Mr. Miller. This may possibly be owing to your never having given Mr. Miller a candid and thorough hearing. He is a man mighty in the Scriptures, and has done terrible execution in the ranks of the ‘King’s enemies,’ with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I am personally acquainted with nearly one hundred who held to similar views with Abner Kneeland, who were converted under the preaching of Mr. Miller; and we did not yield the point without a struggle, nor without due consideration. Each and every prop and refuge of infidelity and unbelief was swept by the truth of the Almighty as chaff is driven by the wind. Yet we parted with them much as a man parts with a diseased tooth. We tried to cure and keep it there, and when made to know that the root and foundation was rotten, it was painful to part with; but we rejoiced and felt better after the separation; for there is balm in Gilead—there is a Physician there.”

God is Never Too Late

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Through prayer, we have access to communicate with our Creator. Whatever situation we may find ourselves in, Jesus said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18. The only way to overcome temptations is to have an intimate connection with Him through sincere prayer and the study of His word.

For the past few years I have been honored to direct the team of workers at Three Angels’ Polytechnic and Bible School in Bunyore, Kenya. One of my responsibilities is to purchase necessities for the college. Recently, an incident occurred that severely tested my faith.

On Friday, I left the school to go into Luanda, which is 85 kilometers (approximately 54 miles) away from the school, to conduct some business and purchase some needed school items. My first stop was the bank. After making the necessary withdrawals I decided to hire a motorbike taxi to take me back to school to avoid the often much wasted time while waiting at the bus stop for the public vehicles. We had not gone more than two kilometers when a grey saloon vehicle overtook the motorbike and blocked the way, forcing the driver to promptly stop. Three men came out of the vehicle like policemen, in private garments, armed with a gun and chains. As soon as I climbed off the bike the driver raced away, leaving me in the hands of these men who pushed me into their vehicle. Once inside I was forced to lie down between the seats. I did not know what was going on. The men hit me on my head wedging my large frame between the seats. As I lay there one man stepped on my neck, while another was on my back and another held down my feet. For almost three hours I was a victim of their torture. My cell phone was taken from me, and I knew that nobody would know what had happened to me or where I was to rescue me. I could not see or know where I was being taken or by whom, as my captors ensured that I did not see their faces.

I remembered the plans I had made for that day and the other chores that were to be done. Many people at the school were waiting for me to get home with the needed purchases, but I had no other choice but to accept the situation in which I found myself. In pain I remembered how Daniel and his friends had suffered for the sake of their faith, and I sought help from above. The more I was beaten, the more I offered silent prayer. I knew that if God would not hear and answer my prayer I would be dead, because the men were very angry because I was not answering their questions the way they wanted.

Becoming exhausted, I felt that God had forsaken me, but He reminded me of how Joseph had remained faithful when his own brothers had sold him to the slave traders, so I continued to pray. Eventually the vehicle stopped and the driver asked my tormentors what they were going to do with me now—throw me in the water or kill me! The man sitting next to him told the driver that they would throw me in the water to either survive or die on my own. The three men in the back who held me down rarely spoke.

The one who had taken my documents noticed that I was a pastor and responsible for children. He suggested that they look for a place to leave me and not kill me as they had previously been directed. The vehicle picked up speed again for almost 20 minutes before it stopped. I was pulled out of the vehicle, my face tied with a plastic cover as well as being chained. Two of the men led me to a small path that led into a forest while a third man pointed a gun to my head threatening to shoot if I showed any sign of resisting or making a noise for assistance. The driver and the other man remained in the vehicle.

After we had walked quite a way, I was unchained and told to continue walking without looking back or I would be killed. They knew that I was weak. My hand was dislocated from being twisted and my joints hurt from the beating that I had received. There was no part of my body that was not in pain. I continued walking for a few more minutes before carefully looking back. What a relief it was when I saw nobody; they had already gone.

Having no idea where I was, I needed to look for assistance. Following the path I was on brought me to a small homestead where I was then able to contact my wife and staff members at the school who came to assist me back to the nearest police station to report the attack. Before heading back home we detoured by the hospital to have my injuries checked.

I praise God for His watch-care throughout this ordeal. It was a miracle to feel alive again, because I was like a dead man being jammed under those seats. Since this incident, more security measures have been taken to prevent this from happening again.

Dear brothers and sisters, what do you think of each time you learn of lives that have been cut short? My heart is heavy when I see such evidence that man has become the worst enemy of his fellow man. I am living proof that though all worldly communication can be broken and withheld and not one of your loved ones has any idea what has happened to you or where you are, God is still in control! He knows where you are every minute, and He hears every sincere prayer. His arm is not short that He cannot save you. He said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5. Whatever you may go through you are not alone. As Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us …” (Daniel 3:17), but if not we will still trust in Him. This can also be our conviction. God is not late to rescue us. When we trust Him with everything, we have the assurance that nothing happens without His knowledge and purpose. Never forget that we are not safe if we do not continually seek for heavenly assistance.

Atanas Anyanzwa has been connected with The Three Angels’ Polytechnic and Bible School in Bunyore, Kenya, since it was formally organized. Prior to returning to the Bunyore area with his family, as a result of the 2007 post-election violence, he was a successful building contractor. With his previous experience and with the help of the students, they have constructed most of the buildings on the compound. Since January 2012 he has been the manager, taking on the role of counselor and father figure for many of the students and particularly for those who are orphaned.