Stories of faith to give you a look into my life as a Missionary and Pastor.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Nutmeg Gospel
The General Conference sent Ricky Oliveras to video several projects last October. Imagine my surprise this Sabbath when several of your mentioned you'd seen this video. It's a short promo for Adventist Missions. Enjoy
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Video of our "mission trip" to Raja Ampat.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Jungle Church Film
Friday, June 6, 2014
Hanging Gardens At Papua Adventist Seminary
Why are Water Bottles hanging from the roof at the Seminary?
This past semester I’ve been teaching Public Evangelism to 11 of our Theology students in our pioneer seminary here in Doyo Baru near my home. They have learned that evangelism is not an event it’s a lifestyle. There are 5 keys of a successful evangelism strategy. 1) Revival and Reformation, 2) Training the members how to share their faith on a daily basis. 3) Finding and reaching the needs of your community. 4) Harvesting the souls that God gives you. 5) Follow-up and cultivate the newly harvested souls to repeat the process. Evangelism is a cycle not an event.
As a result of this class I sent the students out with a survey to find the top needs in the communities around us. After carefully praying through the results of our research it was decided that the top needs were Health and Economic. Poverty and Health would be another way to state it. One area that reaches the needs of both at once is teaching people who eat an unbalanced diet new ways. Many of our students will return to their villages where its hard to grow vegetables because pigs destroy their gardens or there is too much rain or someone steals the produce, etc.
When I first saw someone creatively recycling plastic by hanging their water bottles on heavy-duty fishing line and filling it with compost and planting their gardens – I knew we had a possible solution. What if my students made their own sample hanging garden and then taught this method to those around them so that the diet can be varied a little? What if we made a number of small cheap projects like this into short economic and Health seminars? Many of us only need a working example and if we can teach our seminary students to be the example for their communities when they go out into their villages to work after graduation then we will have accomplished a lot.
Right now I have assigned them different projects. Some will research how to grow clean sources of protein for both personal consumption and for market. Others will research how to grow gardens such as this hanging garden. Still others will research how to grow alternative poultry such as Quale for eggs, etc. Better methods of fishing and even fish farming is still another project. What about raising Rock Doves for their highly valued eggs to the Chineese market? Or Maybe ways to turn recycled plastic into things as practical as plastic kayaks and long boats? After all plastic lasts an estimated 1,000 years while the traditional log canoe lasts only 2-3 years.
If solutions to Economic problems and health problems can be taught and implemented then we can win the hearts of the communities we work in so that we have influence for eternity. It’s a way to not only plant a seed for latter eating a harvest but perhaps God can use it to plant an eternal seed of hope for a Harvest with eternal consequences.
Another great benefit is that Indonesia is full of plastic thrown every where and perhaps one day these bottles will hang everywhere from 10,000,000 roofs growing vegetables and herbs for the poor and needy to help themselves to.
Two of my students teaching a practical lesson on how to hang bottles cut on the upper side and fill it with compost to grow herbs and other vegetables for consumption.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Jungle Chapels, Jungle Schools, Jungle Pastors Houses
The Jungle Pastor’s house in Soukoram. Or in this case the beach front Pastors House.
The Beach in front of the Soukoram Adventist Church is spectacular with these wild flowers and drift wood.
In a recent trip to Soukoram located on the north shore of the Pacific side of the Birds head West of Manokwari I got to see a variety of our Jungle Chapels, Jungle Schools and Jungle Pastor’s house’s. I was struck by the fact that some of our Pastors make huge sacrifices to live in incredibly challenging locations.
The Soukoram church was finished in 2006-2008. The original Jungle Pastors home built by Pastor Hanes Bindasano in 1980 is to the far right. Still occupied by a pastor and his wife today.
In the 1980’s we had a pastor who is now retired but had a great belief that if we could create houses for our pastors in un-entered area’s that we could be more effective than building churches first. That Pastor, Hane Bindasano, is like a legend in the field of pioneer work. While he’s old now God has blessed him with old life and his wife too. When I went to visit him a few months ago in his retirement home near Nabire he said, “I want to still travel to the far places and set up new locations amongst those who’ve never heard. I beg God to let me have the health and energy and financial support to build Jungle Pastors houses in new places.” I know of at least 10 Jungle Pastors homes that have resulted in full churches because of his vision to build churches.
The view out the front of the Soukoram Church. Pacific Ocean.
One of the places he built a home was in Soukoram. . . That home was built in 1980 but the termites make it list to the side like a grounded ship. Inside during the heat of the day its unbearably hot. There are no screens and the cracks in the wood are enhanced by the rotting wood caused by termites building their jungle palaces. Such is life in this hard place.
One of the many views on the way home (above) as we bounced my this 4x4 Toyota truck (below)
With 2 of the 6 pastors in the Manokwari Regency. Trying to explore new places for spreading into new tribes.
On the way home from Soukoram we stopped by another pastors “Honey-moon” jungle chapel, school and house. They beamed with delight as we came to see them. Who knows how long it’s been since someone from the mission or union has been able to make it to this far place. As I prayed with them I was reminded of my very first city evangelism meeting in Manokwari. This pastor had just become engaged to his now bride. They were so shy but Pastor Donald came to me one evening and asked, “Can you give me and my future bride some counseling?” As a result this young couple always greet me with a warm smile and friendly handshake. He and his bride are pastoring 6 locations in an area 3 hours across by motorcycle in difficult terrain.
Pastor Donald and his Wife Agness pastor the Provi district with 6 churches across 3 hours span.
Jungle Chapels, Schools and Pastors houses will be needed to either start new work amongst the 256 tribes of Papua and West Papua Indonesia. In fact we could use 48 such locations now but the cost is simply a dream for most of these locations.
Think Chocolate–Think Ransiki (Ran-See -key)
Fabulous view of the Bird of Paradise bay on the way to Ransiki
Never before have I been surrounded by so many Cocoa trees in my life. But as we traveled the approximately 3 hours by four wheel drive truck to Ransiki 117 km south of Manokwari in West Papua we passed cocoa trees for more than 50 Kilometers of that trip.
Ransiki is a sub-district of the Manokwari regency. The government has slated Ransiki to be come a district of its own in 2015. Chocolate is its number one crop. Lots and Lots and Lots of chocolate. When you eat Chocolate think to pray for Ransiki
Along the side of the road people place the cocoa (Chocolate) beans out to dry in the sun.
While Chocolate is in abundance in this region and people number 7,700+ -- Adventists are few – eight to be exact. But those eight have banded together to seek to share and expand. We’ve placed two volunteer missionaries in this area. Its an area with about 10 unique tribes non of which know about Adventism.
Volunteer Missionaries who have worked for the past 10 months in Ransiki
Our Volunteers have prayed with hundreds of people every day in the Ransiki town. Their ministry has been mostly with Children. Teaching children to read and write. Teaching them to love Jesus. If you notice in the picture above their students eagerly look on in the side ground.
In the late 1990’s a retired Soldier, Mr Rumander, who had served in both the old Dutch East Indies Army and in the Indonesian Army decided to retire to his birth place of Ransiki. During his years around Indonesia he had learned of the Seventh-day Sabbath and had become an ardent spreader of the Gospel of Jesus. He has prayed for years that an Adventist church could be established in his home place. In 2003 a church plant was launched in the small home that is located in the picture below. Today, there is a group of 8 adults and approximately 10 children trying to reach 7,700+ people.
Key People in this picture: Left most = Pastor Arthur who leads from Manokwari, Mr Rumander stands to the immediate right of Pastor Arthur.
This is the project of the Sanggeng Adventist church in Manokwari. Manokwari is the capital of the West Papua province in Indonesia. The Sanggeng church sacrifices nearly 1/4 of its Church Budget to pay for the two student missionaries who have been working in Ransiki.
Mr Rumander has promised a nice piece of land located next to the current home that is being used for the church. On this land he hopes we can help find sponsors to help them build a Jungle Chapel, School and Pastors home. He is praying that someone can come that will help lead them in becoming knowledgeable in health ministry and leading young people to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
We dream of having a full time pair of workers who can build a school, church and workers house in this region of Chocolate. So the next time your tempted by that Chocolate bar as you check out at the Grocery store – say a prayer for Ransiki and if God should convict donate for a full time worker, a jungle school, church and pastors house in Ransiki. Think Chocolate Think to pray for Ransiki.
For those who like to look at GPS on google earth or other such maps The above is my GPS screen shot.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Bob’s younger side (by Verna his big Sister)
After the crash I began collecting stories of Bob’s younger life incase the family wasn’t able to give Bob’s life sketch during the funeral. Bob’s sister, Verna Roberts Canaday wrote this tribute to her “little” brother the day after the crash. I’ve asked her for permission to be a guest on my blog by letting me publish her story in full. Thank you Verna for allowing the rest of the world to peek into your life as big sister to Bob. Darron
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Memories of my Brother, Bob
(By Verna Canaday)
Bob (1) and Verna
My first memory of my brother was standing outside Walla Walla General Hospital looking up at the 3rd story window where my mother was with my new baby brother. Big sisters were not allowed in hospitals in those days. (June 14, 1951)
Bob held in his mothers arms with big sister Verna
When Bob was 1 we moved to 128 SE 12th street where our parents lived until February 2010.
Bob Age 1
Bob was 4 when he pulled his highchair out from the dining room table. The chair had been helping support 60 quarts of newly canned peaches. Believe it or not there were jars in tack when Mother finished wiping away her tears and checked on the damage. Bob had been hungry and wanted to eat. He thought that if he got in his chair the food would appear. After he saw the mess he had caused, he high tailed it to Grandma’s just 3 houses down the street where he knew he could get some supper. Just recently I reminded our mom of that incident. She chuckles about it now because the memory of all that work has faded.
Bob Age 3
My mother often told the story of a camping trip at Langdon Lake in the Blue Mountains when Bob was fairly young. He was probably about 4 or 5. It was dusk and just about bedtime. Bob needed to use the outhouse but was very scared to do it on his own. He clung tightly to Mom’s hand. As they walked to the facility, he reminded her, “You’re responsible for me.” He was fearful of falling in the hole.
Bob with his sister and Mom and Dad
I was not always the kindest big sister. One time I locked both the front and back doors so he couldn’t get in the house. The reason for doing such a thing escapes me now, but I remember the act of doing it! My mother would remind me that Bob would grow and get bigger than I was someday. She was right, that happened. Thankfully we put away childish squabbles and became best friends about the time we were teenagers.
Bob had a flair for making money when we were kids. One of our money making adventures was the collection of night crawlers. We were going to get rich! Armed with a flashlight and small shovel we took to looking in the dark for the worms. We may have found one or two but we quickly realized we were not going to bring in money on that venture.
4th Grade
Bob had lawn mowing jobs for elderly ladies who were only too happy to have him work for them. I was jealous that he got paid to work while I slaved in the hot kitchen helping Mom can apricots, cherries, peaches, and pears. To me it seemed like most of the summer was spent canning.
My brother was generous though. When it was time to buy a gift for Mom, I’d ask if we could do it together. I would pick it out, if he’d pay for it. He was willing.
Bob’s first work with aviation was making markers for spray pilots to drop to designate the portion of the field just sprayed. He was about 12 when he was employed doing that work at Walla Walla Airport for Dale Tillay. Later he did night flagging for spray planes.
Bob was 13 when I came home from UCA (Upper Columbia Academy) for a home leave. My boyfriend, Steve, came to visit on Sabbath evening. I heard Bob on the phone telling one of his friends that he couldn’t go over to the friend’s house because he had “company.” Of course as a teenage sister, I wanted him to go visit his buddy, but I was stuck with my younger brother helping to entertain “my” company.
Showing off with his dad.
His freshman year at Upper Columbia Academy he spent his early morning hours baking bread in the cafeteria. Before the school year was over he’d earned enough to pay all of his tuition. He asked that the business office credit his sister’s account with the excess. They told him “no.” The next morning he didn’t show up to do his usual bread making, he slept in. The cafeteria ladies were very upset and called him to come and work. He told them that since he wasn’t going to be paid, he wasn’t going to work. Some quick phone calls from the cafeteria bosses got the business office people straightened out. Bob was back to making bread and the credit was going on sister’s bill.
Bob had big plans in June of 1968 just after his sophomore year at UCA to drive to PUC, buy a plane, then fly it home. I was part of his plan, as the assistant driver in our dad’s 1956 Chev stationwagon. After he purchased the plane, I would have to drive the car. We spent the first weekend at Uncle Ralph and Aunt Rita’s house in Rio Dell, California. We wanted a little sight-seeing so drove to San Francisco which was way too busy with traffic for two kids from College Place. Back up the road to PUC. I heaved a big sigh of relief when there was no plane in his price range available for Bob to buy. I was not excited about driving 650 miles home by myself. I’m hazy on the details about what my folks knew about the purpose of the trip. They trusted Bob’s driving and didn’t seem to have a problem lending the car for that long excursion.
In the summer of 1969, Bob became the proud owner of a metal wing yellow Cessna 140. The price tag was $2,500. He purchased it from a farmer up in the prairie land near Grangeville, Idaho. That was just before his senior year at UCA. At that period in history no students were allowed to bring cars to the academy campus. There was nothing in the rule book that stated that airplanes weren’t allowed. Some of the faculty members turned grayer that school year over the Roberts’ flying machine and the teenager who pointed out there was nothing stated in writing that said he couldn’t have a plane on campus. He put his airplane to good use by flying certain staff members low over the surrounding wheat fields on Sabbath afternoon to check up on students’ clandestine meetings.
Bob (right) with his first plane
One of the first uses of that little Cessna was the evening of my wedding. After Steve and I made our get-a-way in his parents’ car so we wouldn’t have to deal with his car being decorated, brother Bob and cousin Bob Davidson took off in the two seater plane. They followed us to Pendleton where our car was stored safely in the Canaday garage. As we rolled down the long dusty quarter mile driveway, the little yellow plane flew over us dropping rolls of toilet paper. We were royally chased as we left on our honeymoon to the Wallowa Mountains!
Upper Columbia Academy Senior 1970
After graduation in June 1970, Bob and a friend flew in the Cessna to Alaska to find a job on the Alaska pipeline. One of the requirements to fly in the bush was to have a gun and survival food. The price of food was way out of line to Bob’s thinking. He bought a 50 bag of dog food in case he crashed and needed to survive. The boys quickly found out that finding a job on the pipeline was not going to be easy so they headed for home much to their parents’ relief.
When Steve and I lived in Fortuna, California where Steve was teaching at Fortuna Junior Academy, Bob sometimes would fly down for a weekend adventure with us. Northern California is noted for foggy weather. One Sunday when he needed to return north, the fog was right “down on the deck.” It was too foggy for him to fly but he was young and crazy. He flew over the ocean trying to make it past the Arcata airport (which was up on a cliff) without being detected since he didn’t want to file a flight plan. When the fog and the ocean waves met, he had to return to us and fly out through the mountains. We were very thankful he made it safely home that time. He did grow up and mature in his flying decisions!
Bob the Mechanic (Left) with his dad
Two months ago our mother had a stroke. Bob called every day that week to check on her progress. His care and concern for our mom and me is a precious memory.
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