2015 Adventures in Medical Missionary Work - Part 3

THE ABC OF EDUCATION

“The cultivated mind is the measure of the man. Your education should continue during your lifetime; every day you should be learning and putting to practical use the knowledge gained.” {MH 499.1}

Yea, education and learning continues for a lifetime. But I have inquired of God: 'In WHAT area do I still need to learn that I can put into practical use?' The answer was: 

"Study in agricultural lines should be the A, B, and C of the education given in our schools. This is the very first work that should be entered upon..."-- Test., Vol. VI, p. 179.  {PH124 37.3}

It was pretty clear! When I was in the 'literal' school, we weren't taught of this. Nevertheless, I am still a student in the School of Christ. If this should be the very first work to be entered upon, the Lord knew that I should acquire more training on this field other than the 'pulling of branches.' So my next query was, 'WHERE Lord, for I am willing to go!"

It's amazing how God had already scheduled a place for me to go --- off to Puerto Princesa, Palawan!

The training was at Aborlan Outpost Center. It only started two months ago when I arrived in the site. I Praise God for the Llaniguez couple who were shown by God the truths for this end-time and the need to follow the blueprint; then later on, was inspired by a speaker, Dwayne Lemon, about the outpost center. Thus, it was built!

The Bank House

It was a country setting. Here is the place where we, the trainees, had our free lodging; where we eat our free meals; where we get to know each other; where we had fellowships; where we cook together and other things;  and where we talk about God's Word and the ministry. 

Our daily schedule

I only attended the lectures which run for three weeks, from October 5 to 24. Mrs. Llaniguez said, quoting from the Bible, that they freely received the light and they are freely giving it as well. This is why the training was for free! I Praise God for their conviction! So, for three weeks, this was our routine.

I love everything to be in order. Isn't it what the Bible says?

"Let all things be done decently and in order."

1 Corinthians 14:40 

Let me apply that as an outline of this testimony.

Worships

The humble place where we worship and listen to lectures

For the morning and evening worships, we use the Sonlight Materials. We all learned about nature, character qualities, scripture songs, remarkable parent foods, memory verses, and a lot more! The families love it; the children enjoyed the varied activities so much; and even for us singles, it serves as a practice for our future families, God willing. :) 

Food Preparation 

This is our humble kitchen. It really reminded me when we were still young and this was exactly the way we were trained --- cooking using firewood. So, I didn't have a hard time; rather I was much blessed going back to primitive cooking!

In this kitchen was different, too. We still use muscovado sugar but here was none at all. It's absolutely not a challenge. I just love the natural sweeteners --- sweet potato and squash! And added with coconut milk? Equals creamier, tastier, and healthier food! Everyone enjoyed and were filled. Praise God for nature's substitutes!

Take a look at the improvised oven. It is not powered by electricity but by charcoal and an improvised fan.

Praise God for the astounding  and brilliant inventions!

Wheat-Squash Cake 

Who can ever imagine that even in a remote area, we can still bake and make delicious cakes?

Yes! It is even sugar-free; just sweetened with natural sweeteners.

Can you guess what I used for toppings? Looks like almonds? No, no! Those are boiled and sliced breadfruit seeds!

Wheat-Sweet Potato Cake

This one is topped with overboiled and mashed breadfruit seeds.

"...But the science of cooking is not a small matter. The skillful preparation of food is one of the most essential arts...But more important still is the art of preparing food so that it is both healthful and appetizing. This art should be regarded as the most valuable of all the arts, because it is so closely connected with life...The foundation of that which keeps people in health is the medical missionary work of good cooking."

{MM 269.3}

Praise God for the given talent, and still enhancing it with His help.

Outdoor Work

Preparing the plot

Contained within the practical duties of life is agricultural education. This was what I am excited to learn about. Well, my father had his own garden and did agricultural works since we were small; but it was only when the light had flashed before me that I appreciated what he had done. And now, I need to learn it. Why? Because of this:

"...The students are to be given a practical education in agriculture. This education will be of inestimable value to them in their future work. Thorough work is to be done in cultivating the land, and from this the students are to learn how necessary it is to do thorough work in cultivating the garden of the heart." {PCO 152.5}

So why? Because it will be a help for maybe a greater future work that God is preparing for me, especially in dealing with soul's hearts.

Gathering the mulches

Mixing the organic fertilizer

Taking care of nursery plants as 'babies'
Lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, raddish, eggplant, beans, and others

Transplanting cautiously that not a single root will be cut

It's a joy seeing these lettuce grow healthy in the plot!

 Cheerfully planting fruit trees!

Gardening is the best exercise!

Even a small child delighted in helping his mom to plant

Sun Bathing

The solarium

I have learned during our lectures that there are only two ways of getting Vitamin D3, through 1) Sun bathing and 2) Stealing it from animals. Which do you think would I prefer? Which will you prefer? I hope we have the same choice --- God's way!

Sunshine/sunlight has a lot of benefits and not to forget that Jesus is the 'Sun of Righteousness'; yet many people are ignoring this natural way of getting Vitamin D.

We also breathe fresh air and drink enough/more than enough water each day

During the training, we experienced exposing ourselves in the sun at the hottest part of the day (recommended is from 10 am to 2 pm) for around 30 minutes (increasing gradually from 10 minutes). You might think that it will burn the skin. Yes, it will if you are a person that consumes too much oil which is equivalent to frying yourself under the sun. That is why there was no problem for us to stay that long under the sun and during the hottest part of the day --- our diet is free from oil.

The process? It is lying at a solarium bed with 40% of the body exposed (whole back or whole front). Why lying? Due to the fact that we don't make Vitamin D by walking around. We felt and reaped the benefits! You can try it, too!

Lectures

All ears are lent!

Our speaker was Dr. Killman Boutet. For me, it was an extension of the Family Bible Camp that I attended during the early months of 2015. The series of lectures were so informative, scientifically based, practical, eye-opener, detailed, comprehensive, clear, and above all, Bible and SOP-based.

All eyes are keen!

We were taught about Nutrition, Benefits of the Sun, Causes of Skin Cancer, Grain Anatomy, Coronary Heart Disease, Benefits of Sleep, Facts About Liquid Foods and Bread, God's Plan for the Home, Depression, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Greens Diet for Diabetes and Hypertension, Hypertension, Exitotoxins, Autoimmune Disease, Hygienic Basics, Respiratory Health, Influence of Media on the Mind, ABC of Jesus' School, True Education, Homeschooling, Natural Remedies, Leaky Gut, Arthritis, and a lot more.

Soap-Making Lecture

        What else? What about...

Making soap? Sure, we were fortunate to learn that, too!

It's easy, safe, and natural!

Here's what you need:

1 measuring cup
3-4 kinds of oil (eg. palm, coconut, soya) - look for the cheapest!
Note: The more oil, the softer!
6 cups of oil to 1 cup liquid sosa or lye


Here's how to do it:

Ma'am Carla Boutet demonstrating the process

1) Mix the 6:1 mixture and keep stirring; or
2) Expose to sun to heat faster then it will start thickening and change its color; or
3) Use a blender to speed up the process
Warning: Avoid splashing to eyes or skin!
4) If consistency is reached, pour to desired molders/containers where it can come out easily

The finished product

                        Usage:

For shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry/dishwashing soap, and for cleaning.

Taught Chair Massage

I thought that I'd just learn about gardening or agriculture this whole three weeks; but it was more than the expectations --- the light overflowed!

I Praise God for more responsibility and accountability.

Sabbath Observance and Culmination

A father had formed this man out of the ground
to teach his children about creation.
Just like when Jesus formed Adam and us
out of the dust of the ground
into His own image.

"The Sabbath school and the meeting for worship occupy only a part of the Sabbath. The portion remaining to the family may be made the most sacred and precious season of all the Sabbath hours. Much of this time parents should spend with their children..."

{CCh 264.5} 

"In pleasant weather let parents walk with their children in the fields and groves. Amid the beautiful things of nature tell them the reason for the institution of the Sabbath. Describe to them God's great work of creation. Tell them that when the earth came from His hand, it was holy and beautiful..."{CCh 264.6} 

This light tells us that Sabbath afternoon is the most sacred and should be spent with God, nature, and family. Truly, this was what the families practiced there. 

Gone out in nature on a Sabbath afternoon

What about the singles?

Well, we don't have families but we made instant family friends. So, we go with them for a walk and spend time with God in nature.

Our last Sabbath of the training

Two thumbs up!
Glad to leave packed with spiritual learnings
and excited to share wherever God leads and sends me

Now, I Better Understood that...

“No line of manual training is of more value than agriculture...it was God's plan for man to till the earth; that the first man, the ruler of the whole world, was given a garden to cultivate; and that many of the world's greatest men, its real nobility, have been tillers of the soil…” {Ed 219.1}

And...

"...The more perfectly the youth understand how to perform the duties of practical life, the greater will be their enjoyment day by day in being of use to others..." {MYP 179.1}

Above All...

Jesus came to this earth to accomplish the greatest work ever accomplished among men. He came as God's ambassador, to show us how to live so as to secure life's best results. What were the conditions chosen by the infinite Father for His Son? A secluded home in the Galilean hills; a household sustained by honest, self-respecting labor; a life of simplicity; daily conflict with difficulty and hardship; self-sacrifice, economy, and patient, gladsome service; the hour of study at His mother's side, with the open scroll of Scripture; the quiet of dawn or twilight in the green valley; the holy ministries of nature; the study of creation and providence; and the soul's communion with God--these were the conditions and opportunities of the early life of Jesus.  {MH 365.3}

I Praise God that He didn't leave us unguided in this lifetime of learning at Jesus' School. Even Jesus has shown us how to live. Where else can we see the best and right example? Are we willing to obey and follow His steps?

This is what constitutes TRUE EDUCATION --- when there are changes in our ways and not just mere theoretical knowledge or information. Are we willing to change and be like Jesus?