ONE WEEK IN PARADISE
“The trash I am going to throw into the garbage is my lack of belief that my body has the ability to heal.”
Resounding applause filled the room.
“And the treasure I am going to take home from this week is the persistency to stand on God’s truth and promises and the power of prayer.”
Again, the audience erupted.
At the end of “One Week in Paradise,” participants exposed the trash they decided to discard and the treasure they desired to take home. Over the past seven days, addictions had been overcome, weight lost, diseases reversed, relationships restored, pharmaceutical medications given up, and ongoing illnesses ended.
As I witnessed the testimonies, an inspired quote kept flashing in my mind: “I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work” (Counsels on Health, pg. 533). After reading this statement, the conviction settled in my soul to investigate wholistic health; I longed to practically help sick and suffering souls, and ultimately lead them to Jesus.
Recently, I connected with Dr. George and Daniel Cho—twins who share the same passion—to begin partnering on a program called “One Week in Paradise,” a 7-day wholistic evangelism and wellness immersion experience. This became a collaborative effort of various Seventh-day Adventist businesses and ministries: Paradise Fields, It Is Written Canada, Lifestyle is Medicine, Not by Bread Alone, Energy Shack, Marcos Made God Inspired, and Pathways Lifestyle Medicine Clinics. The grassroots team currently consists of two general practitioners, two naturopathic doctors, two massage therapists, two nutritionists, two fitness instructors, a couple of spiritual counselors, and a host of other volunteers.
At our “One Week in Paradise,” guests were invited each morning to a 30-minute worship experience. Many initially felt fearful praying in public, but as the week progressed, all found prayer partners and tears flowed freely as they celebrated their achievements, praising God for what He was doing to transform their lives.
“I’m so thankful to God,” one smiling face acknowledged. “I know He made this happen.”
“Me being here is definitely a divine appointment,” another happy soul declared. “I’ve been looking for something like this for years. This is such an answer to prayer! I felt the angels and God’s presence in this place!”
“This is the treasure I’m taking home with me: I’m going to spend my mornings with God. I always knew I should,” one participant confessed. “Now I know how to do it because you showed me how. So, every morning is going to be my devotional time, and I know He’ll speak to me. I know He’ll tell me what He wants for my life.”
Another beamed as she spoke: “My blood pressure went down; I lost five pounds—two inches around my waist—and I quit smoking! I thank God for this treasure!”
Choking back his tears, one gentleman vulnerably admitted, “I came here broken—not thinking I could be healed or loved. So, I want to throw away my shame because it is truly by God’s grace that I am here today, and the treasure I want to take home is me—the new me!”
Another brave soul asserted, “I want to throw away my fearfulness because so often we think we can’t do it, and we haven’t even tried. And the treasure I want to take home is the fellowship, love, and hope you have given me.”
Barely able to contain her emotions, one woman disclosed, “What I’m taking home is the fact that I’ve known for a long time I’ve needed God in my life.”
The necessity of making a daily commitment to Jesus, of getting a Bible and spend time every morning connecting with our Creator and Saviour became the number one take away from their “One Week in Paradise.”
Doctors marvelled at this feedback: to the people attending, having found Christ outweighed everything.
If you wish to learn more about the secrets behind the success of “One Week in Paradise,” René and I will be travelling throughout Canada this spring (April and May) to share with anyone who wishes to have us visit their church.
If you want us to visit your church, please, call us at It Is Written Canada: (905) 404-6510, or email: information@iiw.ca, or write to: It Is Written Canada, Box 2010, Oshawa, ON, L1H 7V4, CANADA.
Please, pray for these precious souls and for our team as we move forward leaning on God’s everlasting arms.
~ Mike Lemon
Upcoming Episodes
This month, we will be continuing our series with Don Straub, a practicing clinical counselor, who helps people struggling with everyday problems by giving them powerful, practical solutions.
February 5: My Acceptable Addictions
February 12: Emotional Dishonesty
February 19: In the Hands of an Angry God?
Don Straub shows you how there are healthy and unhealthy ways of expressing anger. He also examines the question: Are we in the hands of an angry God?
February 26: Letting Go of Deep Hurt
Don Straub looks at the process for how to get past deep hurt and how to forgive those who have hurt you.
From Our It Is Written Canada Bible Students
“Thank you for assisting me in this study course. I am loosening the pages of my Bible from casing and could not be more pleased that I am reading more often than I ever have.” – Barry
I received a completion diploma and a nice card with a handwritten message when I finished the Discover Bible Study Course. This gesture really made me feel noticed. You never know when kindness and thoughtfulness is going to lift someone’s spirit. I’ve learned so much about God and about myself. As the quote goes: “I’m not what I ought to be, but I thank God I’m not what I used to be.” – Shane
Prayer in Action
We would also like to pray for you, so please send us your personal prayer requests, and we will add you to our prayer list here at It Is Written Canada.
Update on The Epic Dream Book
Businesses across North America and the world are currently facing an unprecedented disruption to their supply chains, from shortages in staff availability and transportation bottlenecks to a lack of materials.
Paper products have especially been affected, and unfortunately, these disastrous events have also affected the production of The Epic Dream book.
We planned to have this book delivered to you by Christmas, but it is with deep regret that we inform you that we are now looking at an end of February delivery date.
Thank you so much for your patience and understanding.
THIS MONTH’S FREE OFFER – Jesus in Genesis, by Henry Feyerabend
In the pages of this book, Henry Feyerabend, will show you how the book of Genesis is a Christ-centered message. You will discover how Jesus is our Saviour, Creator, Advocate, Substitute, Judge, and our Friend in the first book of the Bible. We pray that Henry Feyerabend’s simple messages will make Jesus more real in your life today!
Health Nugget
“… we should ever remember that the efficiency of the medical missionary work is in pointing sin-sick men and women to Jesus.” – Loma Linda Messages
“Everywhere there are hearts crying out for something which they have not. They long for a power that will give them mastery over sin, a power that will deliver them from the bondage of evil, a power that will give health and life and peace.” – Ministry of Healing, pg. 143
STUFFED SQUASH
Ingredients:
● 3 medium Acorn or Delicata squash (cut into 1/2” slices. Remove seeds & guts)
● 1 tbsp lemon juice
● 2 tbsp olive oil
● 2 tbsp maple syrup
● 1 cup vegetable broth
● ½ cup quinoa
● 1 med. onion chopped
● 1 apple (cored & diced)
● ½ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
● ¼ cup dried cranberries (chopped)
● 2 tbsp walnuts
● ½ tsp mild curry powder
● ½ tsp coriander powder
● ¼ tsp seasoning salt
Instructions:
● Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
● Spray two rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray or oil.
● Place squash rings on sheets.
● Cook quinoa in broth. Cool slightly.
● Sauté onion over med. heat in a small amount of water, until brown.
● Add apple and cook until apple is softened. Allow to cool slightly.
● In a large bowl, combine quinoa, apple & onion mix.
● Add cranberries, parsley, walnuts, coriander powder, curry powder, and seasoning salt.
● Stuff quinoa filling into the center of each squash ring, pressings down to fit as much stuffing as possible without overflowing.
● Bake 30-40 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and squash is tender.