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Lake Titicaca,
Peru - 2004
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Reflections from Joedy Melashenko
on the MP3 Peru Project |
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| Youth ministries project starts with 400 baptisms, 1,200 decisions for Christ |
| Lake Titicaca, Peru—At 12,500 feet in elevation, Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, is one of the highest cities in the world, where 90 MP3 Players gathered for a mission project during March 2004. (MP3 stands for Mission Project: Jesus, The Quiet Hour, Me.) |
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Throughout Peru, the Adventist denomination is experiencing growth beyond imagination. One of the major strategies used is the “Caravan of Power.” Large convocations—celebrations—are planned in various regions throughout the country. They celebrate hundreds of baptisms and at the same time, call for additional decisions from those attending. A call for members to become “Gideons” was also effective. (A “Gideon” is one of a small army of soldiers pledged to win one soul to Christ this year.) More than 8,000 Gideons were recruited. |
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Pastor José Rojas, along with the evangelistic team, traveled with the medical van to seven cities in nine days. More than 40,000 people attended these meetings. Thousands of people lined up for the dental, medical, and optometry clinics. Sadly, only a small percentage of these people were treated, as it would have required an army of medical personnel to meet the medical needs.
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| Pastor Ty Gibson of Light Bearers International followed up with 10 days and two series of meetings in Juliaca and Puno. More than 100 people made decisions for the Lord. |
| Many of the young people assisted with the medical teams as dental assistants, optometry aides, and other health assistants. More than 1,200 patients were treated by the dental teams; 750-plus pairs of glasses were dispensed by the optometrists. The physicians saw more than 500 patients. Most days began at 6:00 a.m. and ended well past eleven at night. The level of commitment and service were astounding. To see young people, retirees, and everyone in between so anxious to help was an inspiration! |
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| The floating islands of Lake Titicaca (Uros Islands), also received the benefits of the dental and optometry teams, as well as the children’s ministry group. The combined group was so impressed with the needs of the small church school on the island that they took up an offering to support their sole teacher for a year. Nearly $1,000 was raised on the spot for this teacher, which represents a year’s wages. As they were preparing to leave, one of the island women approached David Swan, an emergency medical technician from Maryland, and begged him to take her six-week-old baby to America so that she could have a “life.” To say that he was visibly moved would be an understatement. Life changing! (The baby was left with her family, but some team members have committed to sponsor the child financially.) |
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A large number of the young people joined several of the adults and served on the children’s ministry team. Not only did they provide awesome programming during the evangelistic meetings, but they also ministered to several orphanages in the area. Many of the young people had the opportunity to play with, hold, and feed the children, some as young as six weeks old. The word “adoption” kept coming up, especially when it came to saying goodbye and giving them their final hugs and kisses, with not a few tears. |
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| Heather, a 15-year-old from Alberta, Canada, said, “This was the best ten days I have ever spent in my life! Pastor Joedy, thank you for the deep spiritual focus. I am so much closer to Jesus now! I can't wait to go on another project with The Quiet Hour!” |
| Brandon, a 17-year-old from Loma Linda, California, said, “This is the most fun vacation… no, not a vacation, but the most enjoyable ‘vacation' I have ever spent. Where are we going next year?” |
Jonathan, a 16-year-old from Pennsylvania, gave a moving testimony. “Before I came on this trip, I thought I was just going to build a church, or help with translating. But God really changed my life while here in Peru. I have never cried much in my life, but my heart of stone was touched by God. It is now soft. I found myself crying for these people. I have found out that it takes a real man to cry for God!” |
| This is what happens when MP3 participants experience the Matthew 25:40 principle, “as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto me!” |
| Are you looking for an adventure that has life changing implications—the kind of adventure you cannot find at Disneyland? Then join us personally (we need health professionals of all ages and specialties!) or send your favorite teenagers with us on our next MP3 project? |
View the video
View the slide show
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Joedy Melashenko is youth ministry coordinator for The Quiet Hour, and with his wife Judy, conducts a musical ministry across North America.
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