Charleston Magabook Winter Program

God brought a small group of Carolina youth together over Christmas break to spread His word through Magabooking. Josh Mapes, Danny Mapes, Mark Mapes, Abbie Wait, Seth Wait, William Holt and their parents met in Charleston, SC. Heidi Supit also joined them from TN. They went to serve God and see the Lord work, while also raising funds for tuition to Southern Adventist University, Fletcher Academy, and Mount Pisgah Academy. Each day required the students to read and pray a whole lot so they could have strength to meet all kinds of people! The very first man William Holt talked to was a Toyota lover and owner, much like himself. After taking a book, he not only gave him good advice about learning a trade, but showed William his newly rebuilt engine. It was a positive way to start the week. A man who Mark canvassed asked him when Mark showed the books, whether these books were Jehovah's Witness or Seventh- day Adventist. Without thinking, his mom replied, " The Jehovah's Witness have their own Bible, these follow the King James." The man then asked are these books Seventh-Day Adventists? Mark and his mom both said, "Yes." Then he asked are you Seventh-day Adventist? Mark and his Mom again both replied, "Yes." He took all three books saying that he wasn't a Seventh-Day Adventist, but he had had his children in a Seventh-Day Adventist school which he really appreciated. When Heidi was questioned how this had been a life changing experience. She responded by saying, "I have learned that I get nowhere without prayer. I'm very scared of public speaking and approaching strangers. The first two days I was here, I did not want to get out of the car, I was so scared. I prayed and I asked God to take away my fear and he did. I realized by constantly keeping a prayer in my head, I kept Jesus with me and kept the fear away." The students found it really meant something when people would compliment them, pray with them and donate to their education, whether it be a handful of change or a $100 bill. Not everyone was like that. A handful of people were very mean and cutting. The students joke about a lady that told them "I don't want to raise a daycare." Thankfully the majority were pleasant and nice to talk to, no matter whether they took a book or not. Each morning one of the student teams would give worship for the group. After a particularly hard day on Wednesday, Danny Mapes felt the need to go to his car and read his Bible. He was looking for faith and hope. This is what he came up with. Psalms 119:114 (UKJV) You are my hiding place and my shield: I hope in your word. That led him to 1 Corinthians 13 where it says that we have hope, faith, and love, but the greatest of these is love. In looking for faith and hope, he realized love was the most important and that's what he needed to share with the community. The group identified with his thoughts as he shared them the next morning for worship. We saw many miracles and were touched by stepping into people's lives for a brief moment. William Holt is reminded of a Lowe's worker who was sitting in his truck waiting to go to work. He didn't have enough to buy the both books that he really wanted. It was a stretch to buy the one about fighting disease. However seeing the yearning he also had for the one entitled, They Call Him Jesus (Desire of Ages) it was satisfying to have the ability to put those words of peace and joy in his hands. The group passed out 497 books, found 12 Bible study interests,collected over $10,000 in donations, saw God hold back the rain, and interacted with a city about their spiritual relationship. The intended goal was an intense spiritual mountaintop experience. The Holy Spirit abundantly met that and it was a blessed week that will not be forgotten.

- by Susan Holt