"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6

Dear Friend,

Are their many people in the world who are oppressed? Are there many people weighed down with heavy burdens? Is there wickedness in our communities? The overwhelming answer is - YES, YES, YES!

So, what should we do about it?

I am reminded of a powerful quotation from Medical Ministry, p. 239 that directly answers this question.

“Medical missionary work brings to humanity the gospel of release from suffering. It is the pioneer work of the gospel. It is the gospel practiced, the compassion of Christ revealed. Of this work there is great need, and the world is open for it. God grant that the importance of medical missionary work shall be understood, and that new fields may be immediately entered.”

The importance of this work is being understood by thousands of people throughout the world and in particular in the island country of the Philippines. SOMETHING SPECIAL IS HAPPENING! By God's grace the project there has seen remarkable success in the past few years and is soon to be 100% self-supporting.

Let me share with you how this project has grown through the 3 step plan of LIGHT.

For many years one-month medical missionary courses have been conducted throughout the Phippines and many people have been abundantly blest. Yet, many of the students felt a deep desire for a longer training. In 2008 LIGHT began the first six-month program in Illocos Norte with just a handful of eager students. By God's grace word about the training program has spread and now nearly every course is full to capacity. Here is a report from a recent commissioning service:

"A very special Sabbath fellowship happened last June 19, 2010 in the training center of the medical missionaries in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte...
      On that Sabbath day, 24 medical missionaries were able to finish the 6 months program, and it was just amazing how the Holy Spirit gave them an impression to heed the calling to different open mission fields. Nineteen of them have decided to be sent with the promise that 'surely I AM with you alway even to the end of the earth' (Matt.28:20)."

After these students complete their training they do not sit around idle. The training equips them to minister to the needs of others wherever they may be called to serve. Six of those who finished the above mentioned course were hired by ASi to work as health evangelists! Several have partnered with us to conduct more one-month trainings around the Philippines. Others have caught the vision of the health food ministry and opened bakeries and vegetarian restaurants - not only as means of support, but more importanly to serve their customers the gospel.

As I mentioned before this project is nearly self-supporting through the various industries:

* Jeepney Ministry - Jeepney's are one of the main sources of transportation in the Philippines. Our team has two Jeepneys which not only provide a way to get the produce and baked goods to town, but also provide a heavenly atmosphere for passengers. The income produced by these Jeepneys not only covers expenses but provides stipends for two missionaries in the field!

* Bakery - Most families in the Phillipines enjoy white Pandesol, a warm sweet bun, in the morning. Several dedicated workers wake up very early nearly every moring to provide the communities with whole wheat bread, granola, and other baked items. After delivering the items the bakers go into the communities to provide health counseling, hydrotherapy treatments, massage and other things to minister to the peoples' needs.

* Agriculture - The banana plantation and pineapple plants are beginning to produce an abundant harvest and the organic vegetable gardens not only supply much of the food for the training school - they also bring in funds to keep the ministry going.

Listen as one of team members describes the importance of agriculture in the program there:

"Missionaries play a very active part for the growth of the agriculture department.  During school days, they spend half a day with the work education program....clearing certain areas of trees and bushes, cultivating the soil, planting seeds of vegetables and trees, and making the field productive."

There is so much more to say about this project! Click the image below to view a 35 minute multi-media presentation of this project.

Rodney Bowes
Field Director