Our Navajo Brothers & Sisters
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Our Navajo Brothers & Sisters
Devotional: ……………………………………………. “Overcast” ………………………….. Lillian Javellana, BSN’81
Editor’s Thoughts: ………………………… “Rise of the Phoenix” ... Ardys Joy Caballero-Gadia, BSN’91
Featured Items:
o Canyon de Chelly: Navajo History 1500-1899 ……………………………………………………………..
o Monument Valley: Navajo History 1900-1945 ……………………………………………………………
o Remembering and Honoring ………………………………………………………………………………………
o Our Navajo Brothers and Sisters ………………………………………………………………………………..
o
Patch of Weeds: ...……………………………………………………….…..…….……………….…….. Jesse Colegado
LIFE of a Missionary: ……….………………“Pearl of the Andaman”……………....………….. Romy Halasan
CLOSING: Announcements |From The Mail Bag| Prayer Requests | Acknowledgments
Meet The Editors |Closing Thoughts | Miscellaneous
Devotional: “Overcast”
Lillian C. Javellana, BSN’81
"The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power. and will not at all acquit the wicked:
the Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
and THE CLOUDS ARE THE DUST OF HIS FEET." Nahum 1:3 KJV
A
s little kids living in Bagonta-as, my siblings and I loved visiting our grandparents in
Kaulayanan. Fruit was often abundant: jackfruit, santol, guavas, pomelos, tambis, tisa,
etc. Sometimes to save on the fare, we would hike from Bagonta-as to Lolo and Lola’s
farm but going back home we would have sacks of fruits to take back with us so hiking was not
an option. The only thing we could do was wait for a jeepney to take us home. And since there
were so few jeepneys from MVC to Valencia, we had to wait a long time.
As a little child, I remember my older siblings telling me that we would know if there was a
vehicle coming even if we could not see it or hear it yet. They said by putting our ears close to
the ground we would feel or hear a vehicle approaching. I do not know if that was true or not
but as a child I believed it. I would put my ears close to the ground and listen. One thing I knew
for sure was that when a vehicle was approaching we would see a cloud of dust in the distance
which only got thicker as the jeepney got closer.
These days as I look up into the desert sky and watch the white fluffy or feathery clouds floating
by, I am always reminded of God's presence. It makes me smile to think of His "sandaled" feet
leaving dust in the sky for me to see, to let me know that He is close by.
But the sky will not always be blue with white fluffy or feathery clouds. (Even in the Antelope
Valley.) There are times when the sky will be overcast - when thick dark clouds hang low and
cover the whole sky so thoroughly that even the sun cannot penetrate through. The gloom
would seem to hang over our heads, darkening and dampening our spirits, making it hard to
breathe. It is at this point in time when I remind myself that if the "dust of His feet" are so thick
and low, then He must be really, really close by! My friends: if your sky is overcast and your
spirit is feeling low, cheer up! Jesus is very near. Bathe in the light of His presence! Let His glory
envelope and enfold you. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" Philippians
4:23 NKJV
Lillian C. Javellana
Editor’s Thoughts: “Rise of the Phoenix”
Ardys Joy Caballero-Gadia, BSN’91
H
erodotus was a Greek Historian and a contemporary of Socrates. Widely referred to as
the “Father of History”, this 5th century (c.484 – c.424 BC) scholar was the first historian
known to have systematically and critically collected his materials and then arranged
them into historiographic narrative – which was not the norm of his day. He also is the first
recorded person to speak of the phoenix who, per Greek mythology, is a long-lived sun-bird that
“dies” combusting into flames and from its ashes a new phoenix is born.
Flag of State of Arizona
(L) Pheonix in mythology
(R) Navajo jewelry
The phoenix is meaningful to Navajos. With most of Location of Navajo Nation
the Navajo lands being in Arizona, it is not surprising
that the State of Arizona bears the image of the rising sun. Phoenix is the name of the state’s
capital where its majestic capitol building stands. You will also see the phoenix in Navajo jewelry,
rugs, design and lore.
There is a Native American saying in the American Southwest (which includes the Navajo) for
times in a person’s life when things are bleak and difficult. It doesn’t give me the assurance I
necessarily need but it reminds me that tomorrow will be better. The saying goes like this and it
strongly refers to the phoenix: “sometimes you just have to die a little in the inside in order to be
reborn to rise again as a stronger and wiser version of you.”
Like the phoenix, the Navajo have risen. But there are some areas where they are asking our
help with.
In reply to the request of the Navajo people, SULADS USA was organized in March 2016. Last
year’s August 5 and September 9 issues of CyberFlashes were both dedicated to introducing the
group and the first VBS they conducted in Navajo land. Today, we will learn a little bit more
about the Navajo people and their environment. It is our hope that our alumni will get to know
(and love) the Navajos – and perhaps meet a few Navajo friends in the future!
Joy Caballero-Gadia
Canyon de Chelly
M
anuelito1 was the acclaimed head-
chief of the Navajos in 1855 during
the conference with Governor
Meriwether for negotiating a treaty. Although
courageous, the Navajos are not a warring tribe.
They had many leaders, many small groups. Their
political philosophies were as varied and diverse
as their many bands; they were not politically
motivated or politically organized. They were
widely scattered. They were not united. They
never had a tribal chief but Manuelito seemed to
have a bigger following than the other Navajo
leaders. And unlike the Apache tribe, the Navajos
were not engaged in ceaseless destruction and
raids. They preferred to follow the quiet life of
1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuelito https://www.britannica.com/biography/Manuelito
herding animals. They as a people are energetic, industrious, independent and have a cheerful
disposition. They just wanted to be left alone in peace.
Between 1581-1583 the first Spanish settlers met the Navajos. With the increase of Spanish
settlers arriving in Navajo land, the Navajos drove them off their eastern lands in 1774. Then in
1805 while the men were away hunting, the women, children and elders spotted a Spanish
raiding party. They took refuge in a cave about 1000 feet above a canyon wall and completely
inaccessible from above. The Spanish soldiers spotted them from above and rained bullets on
them. Over 115 Navajos where killed. The incident became known as the Massacre at Canyon de
Chelly2 while the cave itself got named Massacre Cave.
The Spanish Era ended. In 1851 the US Army established Fort Defiance near Window Rock,
Arizona. In the 1860s, after years of conflict between the US government and the Navajos, the
Navajos struck back. In retaliation, the US government sent Colonel Kit Carson to gather the
Navajos together and move them to Fort Sumner on the Bosque Redondo Reservation. The
Navajos refused to leave and hid in the Canyon de Chelly. Colonel Carson began the “Scorched
Earth Policy Campaign” destroying Navajo crops and livestock, burning villages and killing
people. He eventually brought the Navajos into submission in 1864.
Not satisfied, he ordered the destruction of their property and forced the captive Navajos the
Long Walk3 to the Bosque Redondo Reservation which was already occupied by the Mescalero
Apaches, longtime enemies of the Navajo. 8,500 men, women and children marched 400 miles.
Walking in harsh winter conditions for almost two months, about 200 Navajos died of cold and
2
https://www.nps.gov/cach/learn/historyculture/upload/CACH_adhi.pdf
3
Editor’s note: The Bataan Death March in the Philippines was between 60-70 miles, depending on
which camp the prisoners of war started from. The Navajo Long Walk was 350-400 miles depending
which camp the captives started walking from.
starvation. Many more died after they arrived at the barren reservation. Bosque Redondo was
having problems with drinking water, sanitation and disease. The land was not suitable for
agriculture. After three years, the US government acknowledged the failure of the camp and the
surviving Navajos were allowed to return to their land hungry, ill and in rags. Many of them
returned to the Canyon de Chelly. In 1864 the Treaty of Bosque Redondo created the first
Navajo Reservation4.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument has become part of the National Park Services. It is
unique as it consists entirely of Navajo Tribal Trust Land that remains home to the same Navajo
canyon community that have lived here through many generations. If you are in the Arizona
area, come visit! Take in the views, hike with a ranger, have a picnic. There is no entrance fee.
Many photographers and painters come. Or go a tour with fun Navajo guide!
4
Editor’s note: The Philippines do not have reservations so I am compelled to share that a
reservation is not paradise. Instead, it is a place a government herds a group of people into. My
father-in-law was Native Hawaiian; he passed away in 2008. As my husband Andy was growing
and even after Andy and I got married Pops would often tell stories about life at the reservation.
He would always emphasize, “Never accept anything for free from the government because
nothing is free.” When Hawaii became part of the United States, his family was placed in a
reservation while the “white man” took over their pristine lands and fisheries. The reservation did
not have resources and slowly families died off but not before alcoholism and substance abuse
became common place. Andy’s grandfather escaped reservation life and signed up with the US
military. When World War II broke out Pops and his older brother enlisted as well. While stationed
in Mindanao, Pops met this beautiful SDA Filipina whom he married. They later had five children.
Andy was raised in California; he has many Native American friends and has a Cherokee brother-
in-law. We are no strangers to reservations. A reservation is not paradise.
Overview of the Canyon Window Rock
Hope Arch
Monument Valley
I
n 1906 John and Louisa Wetherill started a trading post at Oliato. Oljato is the Navajo name
for the Monument Valley. This is significant because it was the start of the Navajos standing
together as one. They bartered, shared ideas, and started to ally with each other.
In 1921 the trading post got upgraded into an adobe building. Today most costumers are still
local, barter is still carried out, and Navajo is the spoken language. A museum has been added to
the trading post. In 1921-1927 the Navajo Tribal Council was created. Navajo communities were
organized into chapters which is still the same structure in place today.
But all was not well. In 1933 while the United States Congress voted favorably for Philippine
Independence and Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, US President Theodore
Roosevelt appointed John Collier Commissioner of Indian Affairs who imposed the Navajo
Livestock Reduction explaining that it will alleviate soil erosion problems. Collier directed the
purchase and removal of more than half the Navajo livestock. The analysts did not understand
the deep cultural ties the Navajo had to their herds which the Navajo considered sacred. Many
women suffered economically often losing their only source of income. This caused the
previously divided mind-my-own-business Navajo to become united in opposing the program
but after Collier had the opponents arrested, they were unable to stop the government.
The government established a quota for different types of livestock on specific areas of the
reservation. Without Navajo agreement, the government slaughtered a majority of the livestock
it purchased in order to reach the quota it established. The livestock quota system is still being
used today.5
Meanwhile, on December 7, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States entered
enter war. For three years wherever the Unites States Marines landed, the Japanese got an
earful of strange gurgling noises interspersed with other sounds resembling the call of a Tibetan
monk and the sound of a hot water bottle being emptied. Huddled over their radio sets in
bobbing assault barges, in foxholes on the beach, in slit trenches or deep in the jungles, the
Navajo Marines transmitted and received messages, orders, and vital information. The Japanese
ground their teeth and committed hara-kiri.
These code talkers that had the Imperial Japanese Military of the 1940s confounded were
Navajo Marines. During World War II, the U.S. government needed the Navajos' help. And
though they had suffered greatly from this same government, Navajos proudly answered the call
to duty. After the war ended, the Code Talker’s code remained unbroken and the enemy still
perplexed.
5
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_Livestock_Reduction
Remembering and Honoring
Y
ears had passed. Yet the Navajo (and all Native American tribes for that matter) had not
forgotten the tragic part their ancestors had played in the United States history. They
remember the many massacres6 organized by the government at that time as many of
their relatives were among those who were killed. Years have passed yet our schools do not
mention these massacres, buildings are built over historical areas and people try to forget as
though it never happened.
But some remember. Some never forgot. Some built monuments to honor the past, whether
tragic or brag worthy. Among these monuments are the Bosque Redondo Memorial7 at Fort
Sumner State Monument in New Mexico to solemnly remember the dark days of suffering from
1863-1868 when the US Military persecuted and imprisoned 9,500 Navajos and 500 Mescalero
Apache. The memorial today celebrates these two cultures’ dignity, resilience, endurance,
courage and strength in the face of extreme hardship, isolation, sickness and death, to emerge
to become the admired and proud people that they are today.
Bosque Redondo Memorial Memorial to the Long Walk
Mural to the Navajo Long Walk – its impact still felt 150 years later
6
http://westerndigs.org/site-of-deadliest-native-american-massacre-identified-in-idaho/
7
http://www.bosqueredondomemorial.com/Code Talkers Monument SULADS USA President Asher Himbing,
at Window Rock at the Code Talkers Monument
In 1961 the Navajo Tribal Museum was established in Window Rock creating a center to help
educate others. In 1968 The Navajo Tribal Council declared the reservation the Navajo Nation
also adopting a Navajo flag, a move towards a stronger more united people. That same year in
1968 the Navajo Community College was opened, the first Native American operated college in
the world.
Through the years, the Navajo got even more organized; pride in their people, arts, culture and
lore was even more ignited than before. In 1986 the Navajo Tourism Department was
established. In 1990 due to government reforms, the first Navajo president elected was
Peterson Zah. In 2000, 56 years after the war, President Clinton approved Congressional Medals
to World War II Code Talkers many of which were received posthumously.
It is said that it takes the courage and strength of a warrior to ask for help. Like the phoenix in
Greek mythology that rises from the ashes beautiful and strong, so do the Navajo who have
been through so much. As they slowly rise, they pause to officially ask for SULADS to come help
them in Window Rock and Page. SULADS USA are made up of volunteers. Will MVCians step
forward to help? Will you join? Will you want to participate in Sulad Training? Perhaps come
help with the VBS for Navajo kids? If interested, contact Asher Himbing, Pastor Bong Cañales,
Jay Salcedo, Sammy Salarda or any of the SULADS USA officers.Our Navajo Brothers and Sisters
N
avajo land is located in the Southwestern United States including the 27,000 square
miles of land in Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. The Navajo Nation
constitutes an independent governmental body that manages the Navajo reservation.
Most Navajos speak English well.
Unlike the lush green Philippines where rains pour several times a week blessing the earth in
Bukidnon with an average of 40 inches’ rainfall a month,8 Navajo land is extremely dry. The most
rain they get is in October for less than an inch rainfall at the most9.
The dusty ground of the Navajo land is colored red. Grass don’t grow but desert plants like sage
do grow. Temperatures soar to a warm 95F (35.1C) in July, their hottest month, and dips low to
43-44F (6.2-6.5C) in December and January, their coldest months. Most of the homes in Navajo
land have no electricity, no running water, no heating and no gardens. Imagine living in those
conditions and your front yard is covered with snow.
Substance abuse, alcoholism, and lack of access to healthcare and education are some of the
many challenges faced by those who live in this area. With suicide being the 10th leading cause
of death in the United States (the average is 117 deaths daily in the nation)10 Native Americans
and Alaska Natives have the highest suicide rate compared to other ethnic groups.11 When
psychiatrist R. Dale Walker, who specializes in American Indian psychiatric issues and himself a
Cherokee, was invited to a small reservation that had suffered 17 suicides in eight months, he
reported feeling overwhelmed at the toll suicide was taking on reservations and Native
American communities especially when he heard a community say, “We can grieve no more. We
are cried out. We just can’t respond anymore to the problem.
Life in Navajo lands is harsh but in these same lands there is beauty, peace and serenity. It is
also home to our Navajo brothers and sisters. For that alone, Navajo land has become a special
place to us. This was what many MVC alumni and friends learned when they went to
Coppermine/Page Arizona for a week-long Vacation Bible School (VBS) deep last summer.
The Navajos heard of the great work SULADS Canada had done in Canada where villages have
changed for the better, where there is now hope, happiness and improved health. They then
went to Canada to see the transformation themselves and they asked if the SULADS could come
to the Navajo land and help them as well. Much is needed. Any help we give will make a big
difference.
8
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_Philippines#Rainfall
9
http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/page/arizona/united-states/usaz0152
10
http://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/
11
http://www.fronterasdesk.org/content/native-americans-have-highest-rate-suicideSnap Shots of SULADS USA In Action
Sulad Grace Bahian cooks a meal Singing Sulads: Nelson Decina
& daughter Karen
Filipino Junior Sulads and Navajo kids: can you tell which ones are Filipino?Sulad Nanding Eusebio Hosts/Navajo Leaders
Telling a story Allen & Kelly Fowler
Sulad Alma Jean Prajes Sulads Projects Director Sammy Salarda
and a Navajo friend cooling off in a river inside Navajo landCan you tell which ones are Navajos and which ones are Filipinos? Nope!
SULADS USA Goals 2017-2018
W
hat exactly are the plans of SULADS USA? On a short-term basis, both locations are in
need of Vacation Bible Schools, pathfinder classes, medical/dental outreach missions.
At Page/Coppermine – the long-term needs are teachers, preferably a couple to open classes
for preschoolers, out of school youth, adult education and train the children how to sing. The
program needs skilled carpenters to assist the community in fixing homes, trained mechanics to
teach basic automotive. The program needs a person who can assist in teaching how to raise
livestock and poultry. We also need people to sponsor the program and dedicated prayer
warriors.
At Hardrock – the long-term need is for an agriculturist due to their desire to go back to farming
as their ancestors did. The program needs midwives to assist with the delivery of their babies as
the nearest hospital is several hours’ drive away. Teachers are needed, preferably a couple to
open classes for preschoolers, out of school youth, adult education and train the children how to
sing. Health educators, Drug/Alcohol counselors, prayer warriors, and sponsors are needed.
For more information, contact Asher Himbing in Facebook or email him at sherhim1@gmail.comSULAD Sabbath at Waterman Church
Feb 25, 2017
The SULADS have this saying, “once as Sulad, always a Sulad.” Last February 25, MVC alumni
members who had once served in the SULAD mission schools all congregated at Waterman
Visayan Filipino-American SDA Church in San Bernardino, California.
Sabbath School was led by Ruthy Punay Masayon, Cherrie Pefanco, Jared Guillema, Mr. and
Mrs. Alex Ibarra and Faith Anne Huilar who gave a rousing talk about her experience at Navajo
land. The Hour of Worship was participated in by Pastor Sammy Gaurino, Pastor Rodrigo
Alabat, Pastor Mike Sarsoza, Asher Himbing, Joel Punay while Mark Ejurango, representing
SULADS Thailand, told a story of the SULADS work in Thailand. Dr. Hendrick Edwards delivered
the sermon. The afternoon celebration was led by Nelson Decina, Jimmy Batanga, Sweety &
Mark Ejurango, the SULADS USA Teen Leaders, Lara Albano, Sammy Salarda, Joy Caballero-
Gadia, Levi Sisona, Sammy Gaurino and Asher Himbing while Pastor Romeo Cañales spoke
about the Power of Empowerment citing examples of how the SULADS USA Teen Leaders (also
referred to as Junior Sulads) successfully led a week-long mission trip at Page, Arizona.
The Teen Leaders took turns sharing their testimony about last summer’s mission trip, how
much it changed their lives and how they would do it all over again. The sanctuary was full of
teens from different churches who eagerly listened to the stories and who later stood up to
show their interest in joining the SULAD team. The afternoon festivities was closed with Judy
Teves sharing what her life as a female Sulad in the mountains of Mindanao was like.Photos courtesy of Judy Teves
Faith Anne Huilar & Angel With siblings Dana and Ely Deslate
Joy Caballero-Gadia & Sammy Salarda Nelson Decina and Asher Himbing
Sweety & Mark Ejurango
Representing SULADS Thailand With Danny DiazWindows
S
ome older citizen called tech support complaining that his computer acted
sluggish and sometimes “froze.” The tech support suggested that he probably had
too many windows open and suggested he close some. The tech support heard
silence on the line and wondered what the gentleman was doing. He heard a few
banging sounds, then heard the slightly out of breath customer on the line. “There, I
closed my windows. Let’s see if it would help.” He just got back from closing the
windows of the room.
GPS
M y wife and I were on our way to visit a patient. We were not familiar with the
address so I used our portable GPS device to guide us. We were on a nice paved road
when the GPS instructed us to turn into a dirt road going up a hill. I had no problem
negotiating the rough uphill road with our V-8 truck. I thought the house must be in
some undeveloped place. Then we were directed to another paved road to the patient’s
house. On our way back I found out that the paved road led directly to their house. As
to why we had to drive through the rough road, only the GPS device knows but it
wouldn’t tell.
+++++
While driving in Oregon we drove to the city of Klamath Falls with the aid of our faithful
GPS. My wife later learned that Klamath Fall was just a name and there was no falls
for us to see there. So we changed our destination to the next place we wanted to see,
Crater Lake, on the GPS. We knew there was a paved road to the lake but from where
we were the GPS told us to turn left into some rocks and grass but no road. I made a
U-turn and drove back to the main road, and from there the GPS directed us to Crater
Lake with no more mistakes.Car Trouble
I feel inadequate when talking with a mechanic, so when my vehicle started making a
strange noise, I sought help from a friend. He drove the car around the block, listened
carefully, then told me how to explain the difficulty when I took it in for repair.
At the shop I proudly recited, "The timing is off, and there are premature detonations,
which may damage the valves."
As I smugly glanced over the mechanic's shoulder, I saw him write on his clipboard,
"Lady says it makes a funny noise."
Engineer
T
here was an engineer who had an exceptional gift for fixing all things mechanical.
After serving his company loyally for over 30 years, he happily retired. Several
years later the company contacted him regarding a seemingly impossible problem
they were having with one of their multimillion-dollar machines. They had tried
everything and everyone else to get the machine to work but to no avail. In desperation,
they called on the retired, engineer who had solved so many of their problems in the
past.
The engineer reluctantly took the challenge. He spent a day studying the huge machine.
At the end of the day, he marked a small "x" in chalk on a particular component of the
machine and stated, "This is where your problem is."
The part was replaced and the machine worked perfectly again. The company received a
bill for $50,000 from the engineer for his service. They demanded an itemized accounting
of his charges. The engineer responded briefly:
(1) One chalk mark - $1
(2) Knowing where to put it - $49,999
It was paid in full and the engineer retired again in peace.
Miscellaneous short quotes
If you aren’t serving, you’re just existing, because life is meant for ministry.
- Rick Warren
I will love the light for it shows me the way.
Yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars."
- Og MandinoBright Engineers
Two engineers were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking at its top. A woman
walked by and asked what they were doing.
"We're supposed to find the height of this flagpole," said Sven, "but we don't have a
ladder."
The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a couple of bolts, and laid the pole
down on the ground. Then she took a tape measure from her pocketbook, took a
measurement, announced, "Twenty one feet, six inches," and walked away.
One engineer shook his head and laughed, "A lot of good that does us. We ask for the
height and she gives us the length!"
Both engineers have since quit their engineering jobs and are currently serving in the
United States Congress.
Moving Fee
Two brawny men came to install some new floor covering in the kitchen. Once they had
moved the stove and refrigerator out of the way, it was not long before the job was done.
As they were getting ready to leave, they were asked to put the heavy appliances back in
place. The two men said that would cost an additional $145 service fee, stating it was
not in their contract. The homeowner really had no choice but to pay them.
As soon as they left, however, the doorbell rang. It was the two men. They asked the
homeowner to move a car that was blocking their van.
The homeowner told them there would be a fee for that: $145.
Small Town Emergency
The sheriff of a small town was also the town's veterinarian. One night the phone rang,
and his wife answered. An agitated voice inquired, "Is your husband there?"
"Do you require his services as a sheriff or as a vet?" the wife asked.
"Both!" was the reply. "We can't get our dog's mouth open, and there's a burglar in it."
(from GCFL)Reaching the Unchurched
While serving as church usher, I was carrying out our tradition of escorting parishioners
to their seats before the service began. After I returned to the entrance of the sanctuary
to escort the next party, I greeted two strangers and asked where they would like to sit.
Looking confused, the young man smiled and said, "Nonsmoking, please."
Ministry of Service
“The surest way to heal your own sorrow and soul is to endeavor in a spirit of love and
helpfulness to comfort another who is bowed down with some weight of woe. When
Jesus was bearing the sorrows of the world upon the cross of Calvary, He was
concerned to comfort a weeping woman and forgive a dying thief. If we would follow
Him in a full ministry of service, we must learn to lay aside even the weight of our own
sorrow by ministering to others who need our help.”
—Selected, Signs of the Times, February 26, 1929 via the Signs of the Times Newsletter.
Parking Solution
A pastor of a two-church parish had to drive every Sunday morning about four miles
from the 9:30 service at one church to the 11 o'clock at the other. He would often find
the parking lot of the second church full, and he would be forced to park down the road
and race to the church on foot.
The problem was finally solved when he selected a parking spot near the side door of
the church and posted a sign that read, "You Park -- You Preach."
(from You Make Me Laugh)
Secret Service
A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was
standing at the door as he always did to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the
hand and pulled him aside. The Pastor said, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"
My friend said, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor."
Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"
He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service!"Pearl of the Andaman
This week let me share with you the famous vacation destination of Thailand – Phuket.
The largest island of Thailand is Phuket, one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Phuket Province consist
of another 32 smaller islands off its coast. It lies off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. The province
closest to Phuket is Phang Nga Province to the north, famous for its limestone islands similar to that of Palawan,
Philippines. The next nearest province is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay. These three provinces of Southern
Thailand are famous all over the world because of their beaches and tropical weather.
Phuket Province is the second-smallest province of Thailand and which is a little less than the land area of Singapore. It
used to derive its wealth from tin, rubber and palm oil and enjoys a rich and colorful history. The island was formerly
the major trading route between India and China. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Some beaches in Phuket.
On December 26, 2004, Phuket and other nearby areas on Thailand's western coast suffered extensive damage when
they were struck by the Boxing Day tsunami, caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The waves destroyed several
highly populated areas in the region, killing up to 5,300 people nationwide, and tens of thousands more throughout the
Asian region. Some 250 were reported dead in Phuket, including foreign tourists, and as many perhaps as a thousand of
the Burmese workers building new beach resorts in the Khao Lak area. Almost all of the major beaches on the west
coast, especially Kamala, Patong, Karon, and Kata sustained major damage.Pictures of the Tsunami of December 26, 2004.
In early December 2006, Thailand launched the first of the 22 U.S.-made tsunami-detection buoys to be positioned
around the Indian Ocean as part of a regional warning system. The satellite-linked deep-sea buoys float 1,000 km
offshore, roughly midway between Thailand and Sri Lanka.
Memorial to the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004. Tsunami Early Warning System.
The island of Phuket has long been misunderstood. First, the ‘h’ is silent. Second, Phuket doesn’t feel like an island at
all. It is connected by a small narrow bridge to the province of Phang Nga. It’s so large, 49 km long, so that one rarely
feels surrounded by water, which is probably why Ko (‘island’) was dropped from its name. Because it is known to offer
“so much fun under the sun,” Phuket has been named the ‘Pearl of the Andaman.”
Phuket's Patong beach is the biggest and busiest beach. Near Phuket is Phi Phi Island, Thailand's “superstar” island,
particularly famous for its central role in the 2000 movie “The Beach.” Many tourists visit Phi Phi Island mainly because
the movie was shot there.
Even with all the hype, it doesn't disappoint. Phi Phi's beauty is a large chunk of the allure. The islands, when
approached by boat, rise from the sea like a fortress. Sheer cliffs tower overhead, then give way to beach-front jungle.
Many who visit feel like it is love at first sight. This island, though, was heavily damaged by the Boxing Day Tsunami of
2004.The island shaped like a spike is more popularly known as James Bond Island in tourism books because a James Bond
movie was shot in that location.
There are many vista points on both the east and west coasts of Phuket, affording sunrise as well as sunset views. If you
are in Phuket don’t forget to visit Promthep Cape. The view here is spectacular especially during sunsets. Here you can
see the ocean stretching as far as Phi Phi Island on a good day.
What I like with Phuket are the many tropical fruits that you can FIND. Several of them I only found in Phuket and I do
not even know their names up to today. There are two fruits that look like Lanzones or Longan but the taste is different.
The Thais get them from the forest near Phuket.
In Phuket, there are several fruits that greets you when you check the local fruit store. The country's fertile plains and
hot tropical climate, as well as its more temperate northern regions, means that pretty much anything grows here. As a
result, few places on earth can claim to have such a plentiful supply of gorgeous tasting fruit.
Fruits of Phuket
Fruits of Thailand. Lychee
Lanzones RambutanThe Rose Apple Unknown name, looks like lanzones but is not. The most famous of all the fruits in Thailand is the Thai durian. Many of our varieties now available in the Philippines came from Thailand. To many the love for this spiky, stinker of a fruit seems strange, but for many one taste of durian will make you, like it like nothing else. Not only is fruit inexpensive, it is also good for one’s health and nutritious. It makes for a great snack. One of the most well-known fruits in Thailand, there are many varieties of the delicious, refreshing mango and a few different ways of eating it. The mangoes in Thailand are not sour even if they are still green. When ripe, the fruit can be halved and eaten with a spoon, while many choose to enjoy it with sticky rice and coconut milk. Another fruit that I like in Thailand is Rambutan which means “hairy” in Malay. Peeling this away reveals a firm, white, translucent flesh. Another fruit that I really like in Thailand is the Rose Apple. It has a shiny skin that is either pink or green in color. Extremely refreshing and with a crisp, crunchy taste it is often eaten in Thailand with salt and sugar. SDA church in Phuket In 1937 R. M. Milne, Ritz and Kon, while selling books in Phuket, called upon Tan Cheng Hor, and asked about the work of the Adventists, and was told of their worldwide medical and educational work, particularly in Bangkok. “Well, why don’t you people start something here in Phuket?” Tan exclaimed. Our vacant Chinese school is in a good location on Dibook Road. Use it for your clinic. We will charge you rent of one Baht a year and never collect it.” How could there be a more wonderful opportunity? Heaven’s blessing was upon the clinic in a rich measure until the sudden interruption of the work by the outbreak of World War II. In 1949 F.N. Crider accepted the call to reopen the Phuket Mission Clinic which was closed during the war. Before long the clinic become too small to care for patients. One patient was so impressed by Adventist medical care that he donated a big piece of land on which to build a new hospital. This is the current land where our hospital in Phuket is located. When the new Phuket Mission Hospital building was officially opened on February 9, 1965, P.M. Watson, the medical director, praised the audience for their generosity and thanked them for their gifts. Special appreciation was shown the heirs of the late Chin Guan, donor of the land where the Hospital was built. On October 9, 1970, a new wing was added to the Phuket Mission Hospital, increasing the bed capacity to thirty seven. At that time, T.P. Billones, a graduate from MVC, was business manager and Nursia Supanavong was director of nurses.
The Phuket Mission Hospital with its ambulance service.
As the church membership increased in Phuket, the need for a new church building became very urgent and a building
fund campaign was started. On October 10, 1970, the new church was dedicated with a membership of 107. The A-
frame style sanctuary, with a seating capacity of 275 was planned by Jerry Aitken, who was the district leader at the
time.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Phuket.
An inside view of the church.
On one of our trips to Phuket, we could not find a hotel as most hotels were fully booked. The church Pastor welcomed
us and allowed us to set up our tents inside the compound of the SDA church.Our Adventist Hospital in Phuket has been very successful and is constantly improving until today. During the 2004
Tsunami in Phuket, it treated hundreds of patients and many were blessed through its services.
Please include in your prayers the work of God in this part of the world
Romy Halasan
Congratulations to the following new Doctors who passed the recent Board Examinations!
1. ASOY, ELNARDZ HARVEY VASQUEZ
2. DE VILLA, SHERRILYN MAY LASTIMOSO
3. GENTAPANAN, RONEL RAY CABRERA
4. NAVALES, JON KYLE OLIVERIO
5. PANGAN, GHIYLL EVANNIE GULTIANO
6. SABEROLA, LYL ASYLL LA SAGE
7. SOLIS, RONDA KLAIR GESTA
8. TOMAMPOS, DOMINIQUE ARIEL BINGCANG
Again, Congratulations to you, and to your Parents, too!
Contributed by Jess Colegado
Alumni Calendar
When What Where For More Info
Apr 14-16 MVC Alumni @Northeast USA Richmond VA Raylene Rodrigo Baumgart
& Canada Chapter
Apr 23 + Sulads Basic Training MVC Campus suladsasia@gmail.com
May 21-27 Reunion Sulads School MVC Campus TBD
Products
May 31-Jun 4 Philippine GYC (PYC) Iloilo City TBD
July16-22 SULAD VBS Navajoland Arizona Asher Himbing
Aug 02-05, 2017 ASI Int’l Convention Houston, TX www.asiministries.org
Aug 4-6, 2017 Sulads Canada Reunion Gitwanga, Canada Limwel Ramada
Sept 1-5, 2017 MVCSN Alumni Reunion Cancun Ted Ray Llasos (Facebook)
Dec 28-31, 2017 GYC Phoenix, AZ www.gycweb.org
2019 Summer MVCSN Golden Anniver- sary MVC Campus Devaney Bayeta, Pres
(TBD) Reunion MVCSN Homebase Chapter
2019 Aug 12-17 Int’l Pathfinder Camporee Oshkosh, WI www.camporee.orgDates to Remember INTERESTED in training to become a sulad volunteer? “Lead and change for the BETTER!” Join the SULADS Training this summer at Mountain View College. April 23, 2017. Email: suladsasia@gmail.com. Globe: +63 905 426 7637. TNT: +63 907 330 9388 Be prepared to submit the following requirements: 1. Application Form (completed/filled) – pick up at SULAD Main Office 2. Transcript of Records 3. Baptismal Certificate 4. Certificate of Good Moral 5. Health or Medical Certificate 6. Pastor’s Letter of Recommendation 7. Police Clearance Reunion for SULAD Mission School Products. At MVC Campus May 21-27, 2017. Invited: All Sulads who are able to come. Reunion for SULADS Canada at MVC Campus. At Gitwanga, Canada Aug 4-6, 2017. Invited: All Sulads who are able to come. MVC Alumni Retreat in Richmond Virginia. April 14-16, 2017. Join the Richmond, New York and the Canadian MVCians’ spring retreat. reFRESH, reFRAME, reFLECT, reSTORE, REMEMBER! at their “Hudyaka Sa Lungsod” themed weekend. For more info – Raylene Rodrigo Baumgart
Acknowledgement
A special THANK YOU to
Asher Himbing and Andy Gadia for their assistance with the SULAD report
Jessie Colegado for the chuckles in “Jessie’s Patch of Weeds”;
Romy Halasan for the stories about Missionaries’ LIFE
Lillian Javellana for the devotional; Ed Zamora for his help in editing
Meet The Editors
This week’s issue of Cyberflashes was by Ardys Joy Caballero-Gadia. Next week’s issue will
be a joint effort by all the CF Editors. Please direct all entries to any of the editors.
NAME: EMAIL ADDRESS:
Eddie Zamora ezamora594 at aol dot com
Evelyn Porteza-Tabingo etabingo at gmail dot com
Jessie Colegado Cyberflashes at gmail dot com
Joy Caballero-Gadia watermankids at yahoo dot com
Lily EscaraLare LyLare at Hotmail dot com
Melodie Mae Karaan-Inapan melodieinapan at yahoo dot com
Raylene Rodrigo-Baumgart raylene.baumgart at gmail dot com
Romulo ‘Romy’ Halasan romsnake at gmail dot com
If you wish to subscribe to Cyberflashes, to unsubscribe, or if you changed your email address and want
Cyberflashes to be sent to your new address, please send your request via email to any of the editors.
We spell out the @ and dot signs in the email addresses to prevent worms, viruses, and robots from
harvesting them. If you would like to correspond, simply substitute the correct symbols.
Prayer Request
COMFORT FOR THE BEREAVED FAMILIES OF:
Pete Protacio, Federico Blaza, Araceli Arit, Jovita P. Solis, Wayne Chavit, Nanette Chio, Kerry
Tortal, Elmore Jornada, Rolly Boniales, and other families who recently lost their loved ones.FOR HEALING: Rebecca Antemano, Roxie Pido, Virgie Osita, Neneng Sanes, Pastor Oseas Zamora,
Pastor Remelito Tabingo and members of the MVC Alumni & Friends who are sick.
FOR ALL THE SULADS around the world, the needs and the communities they serve at.
Additional Announcement
Urgent Need: Tentmaker Teachers in MENA
Thursday, March 16, 2017
The following positions are currently open:
Language teachers (multi-level)
English
Italian
French
Spanish
Kindergarten teachers
Secondary teachers
Social studies
Science
Chemistry
Math
History
Physical Education
These are in a variety of public, private, and embassy type organizations in several MENA countries (Middle East and
North Africa Union). It is a wonderful opportunity for us to place dedicated Adventists in cities and institutions where we
currently do not have Adventist workers. For more information about the tentmaker program in general, visit our website
(te.adventistmission.org).
If you are interested in being considered for (or knowing more about) these positions, please send your CV or resume to
us at total.employment@adventistmission.org. And please feel free to pass this on to others who might have an interest.
We are praying that God will lead us to dedicated Adventists who have the right degrees and experience to fill these
positions. Thank you for praying with us.
Homer Trecartin
Director, Global Mission Centers and Total Employment
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
globalmissioncenters.org
te.adventistmission.org
Posted by: Dennis Dean Tidwell
(Sent in by Jessie Colergado)
Closing Thoughts:
T
he Navajo have a proverb: “a rocky vineyard does not need a prayer but a pick ax.”
That means that when we have a large, important job ahead of us it would take much
more than good intensions: we will need to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Less
talking, more doing.They also say that “thoughts are a like arrows: once released they strike their mark.” It means
one must be careful what they allow in their thoughts because out of those thoughts – reality
happens.
The work of SULADS USA is just starting. The group has certainly rolled up their sleeves and
accomplished much in the past year. We thank the Lord for this opportunity to worship Him
through service. It is our prayer that the Lord will allow His Spirit to SHINE ON brightly in each of
us until Jesus comes.
Navajo Great-GrandparentsYou can also read
