Southwestern Union Record

Corrales, N.Mex. » Ten Sandia View Academy students and three sponsors boarded the plane with eager anticipation of what God would be able to accomplish through them in the Philippines. After much prayer, fundraising, struggling with computers, and practice, it was time for the mission trip to begin. The group would be joining with students from Ozark Adventist Academy and ministers from the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference to preach 20 evangelistic campaigns and conduct various children's ministry programs.

Upon arrival in the Philippines, the group was trained by the Southwestern Union Conference evangelism director, Duane McKey, and ShareHim coordinator, Kathy McKey. The anticipation grew as the training was held at the Philippine Union Conference office in Manilla.

Once we reached Lipa, the city where everyone stayed, reality hit as each speaker visited their site and met their translator. The meetings began on Friday evening, March 11, and concluded on March 26, 18 sermons later. Each site had many visitors who became acquainted, not only with the speakers, but with the wonderful message of a soon-coming Savior. When the meetings concluded, all the churches met together at a resort swimming pool where 310 new believers were baptized. More than 200 others are still studying and planning for baptism in the near future as a result of the meetings and the ministry of the Holy Spirit's leading.

The experience was not only a strong spiritual experience for the students, but a great academic and learning one, as well. Among the lessons that were learned were geography, culture, speech, communication, math (changing money), and history. This was time well spent and the students will never forget the way the Lord led as they ministered for Him. This is Adventist education at its best!