In El Salvador, Adventist literacy program brings new opportunities to thousands A literacy program coordinated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in El Salvador has reduced the country’s illiteracy rate from 17 to 13 percent, officials say, bringing new opportunities to thousands and bolstering the influence and unity of the church in Central America. More than 2,500 students received literacy completion certificates at a recent ceremony in San Salvador, making it the largest graduation in a single event held in the church’s Inter-American Division. Angelica Pania, National Literacy Coordinator for the Ministry of Education in the Central American country, applauded the efforts of the Adventist Church, its volunteers in El Salvador and Hope for Humanity, a humanitarian ministry run by the church’s North American Division. “I have no words to express our gratitude on behalf of the Ministry of Education in El Salvador … because [you] are our main partner in the process of eradicating illiteracy in the country,” she said. The Ministry of Education provides materials, training and an accreditation process for literacy program volunteers. In a keynote address, Maitland DiPinto of Hope for Humanity thanked the hundreds of volunteers who tutor the graduates. “I am so impressed by the commitment of volunteers who invest more than two hours every day, four times per week, eight months every year and then begin the cycle again the following year to help transform lives,” he said. According to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in El Salvador, more than 6,000 people have received certification through some 650 literacy circles in the country. The program is staffed by 520 volunteers. Juan Pablo Ventura, ADRA El Salvador director, said the program is a chance to partner with the Adventist Church and expand the role ADRA plays in the community. “ADRA is not only an agency that comes to the aid when disaster comes, but one that can be seen as an organization that can enable the Adventist Church in the fulfillment of its social responsibility,” he said. The program is expanding the influence of the Adventist Church in El Salvador, too. “This type of service to the community has allowed us to establish ties and be known to communities, government agencies and private entities as people who care for their fellow man,” said Abel Pacheco, president of the church’s El Salvador Union Mission. Among those who graduated from the literacy program is Fermin Requeno, mayor of the San Juan de la Reyna Municipal district in the state of San Miguel. “Knowing how to read and write has changed my life,” Requeno said. The mayor is now a main promoter of education in his community. Another graduate, Maria Elena Gonzalez, 70, works at a laundry service in a medical center in the Apopa municipal district and was among 22 people who attended the literacy circle there. “My family was so poor and I wasn’t able to get an education,” she said. “I felt so bad every time I went to the bank to cash my check because I didn’t know how to write my name, so I decided to make an effort to learn how to read and write.” Eradicating illiteracy across Inter-America is a priority of the church in the region, said Wally Amundson, ADRA director for the church in Inter-America. Although statistics vary from country to country, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras have seen their illiteracy rates go down significantly, Amudson said. “We want to explore all the possibilities to reach the illiterate population within the church as well as in the community,” he said. To date, Hope for Humanity has funded literacy programs in nine countries in Inter-America. Among the 3.6 million IAD church membership, it’s estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of church members who do not know how to read or write. “Literacy is a challenge in the Adventist Church in Inter-America and other parts of the world,” DiPinto said. “We say that we are ‘people of the Word,’ but there are millions of church members worldwide who do not know how to read their Bibles or Sabbath School lessons.” Each graduate at the recent San Salvador event received a new Bible—a chance to practice newfound skills while learning about God. The Inter-American Division wants to implement more literacy programs based in the church, Amundson said. “These literacy programs which are led by the initiative and participation of church members make the program successful because there is an infrastructure available to bring together various ministries of the church to form groups of volunteers,” he said. Pacheco, the local Adventist president, said the church in El Salvador has set a goal for 2014 to see each of the country’s 930 Adventist churches begin serving as community literacy circles. So far, literacy circles in El Salvador have 175 facilitators, who meet with their students in homes and churches. Monteiro’s reflections on his detainment in prison Seventh-day Adventist minister Antonio Monteiro dos Anjos was arrested, charged and imprisoned at the Civil Prison in Lome, Togo on March 15, 2012. After 22 months, the Cape Verde native was found innocent of all charges against him by the Togo Appeals Court and released on January 13, 2014. Thousands of Seventh-day Adventists, persons of various faiths, and human rights advocates around the world who had prayed and worked for the freedom of the minister were grateful at the news of his release. Still, others, including Adventist Church member Bruno Amah, remain in prison on charges related to the case. Monteiro and his family spent the first Sabbath of his freedom in Dakar, Senegal on their way home to Cape Verde. Delbert Baker, a Seventh-day Adventist world church vice president and representative of the world headquarters, met the Monteiros and accompanied them back to Cape Verde. Monteiro received a warm and jubilant welcome from more than a thousand supporters and friends at the Nelson Mandela International Airport in the capitol city of Praia. Baker interviewed Monteiro in Senegal, where he discussed his time in prison, how he felt about his time there, and what he plans to do next. The Portuguese to English translation was provided by Pastor Monteiros daughter, Andreia. REFLECTIONS Delbert Baker: In brief, how do you summarize your experience of being falsely accused, arrested, and imprisoned for almost two years for a crime you did not commit? Antonio Monteiro: I helped a man who came to my office asking for assistance; a man who I had never seen before. Sometime later this same man, when in trouble with the police, blamed me and others for a crime that I knew nothing about nor had anything to do with. As a result of these false accusations I was arrested and held unjustly in prison. When all this was happening it was if the sky had fallen in on me. The last sermon I preached before I was arrested was on personal revival and walking with God. Little did I know when I preached that sermon how much I would need to believe and follow the very Bible principles I spoke about. My faith was tested, but God sustained me. Baker: The Togo courts recently found you innocent of all charges. What were your emotions when you heard the verdict? Monteiro: I was thankful, relieved and glad. I remember when the judge was reading the declarations with all the legal terms and laws, the two guards who stood by me quietly turned to me and said, “Pastor, you are free!” It was an emotional and joyful moment. My first thought after hearing the verdict was I would be so happy to be with my wife and family! Baker: What were the factors that led to your eventual acquittal and freedom? Monteiro: First, it was the direct intervention of God. He moved through people. I could have been overlooked or forgotten in prison, but my wife and family, local Adventist church leaders and colleagues on all levels of the church did not forget me. Then God worked through the Cape Verde government and the attorneys for my defense. Gods power was magnificent. TRIALS Baker: As you look back, do you have any idea why God may have allowed this experience to happen? Monteiro: I really cant explain why this happened. It seems God may have been accomplishing a bigger purpose. I realize I dont have to have the answers to all the things that happen in life. Some things you just have to live through. My biggest concern was for my family. If something befell them because of what happened to me—that would have been the worst thing. Baker: Did the accusations and time in prison ever make you angry or bitter? Monteiro: No. I was not angry or bitter. I knew there were no basis for the charges against me and that I was being treated unjustly. At first I would always ask, “Why was this happening to me?’ Then I began to ask, “What did God want me to learn from this situation?’ That was a much better way to approach my predicament. I decided not to spend time being negative but to use it as a learning, growing experience. I saw so many other prisoners who were angry, mad, and upset all the time. I saw what anger and bitterness did to break them down and poison their relationships. I didn’t want to be like that. Baker: What about the others who were accused with you and not freed? Monteiro: Someone said to me, and I believe it: I was on a mission in prison. I would not leave that prison before my mission was done. It was true with me and it is true with the others as well. We have a mission to do and God will be with us when we remain to do it or when He wants us to leave. When departing from prison I said to Brother [Bruno] Amah, who I respect and believe to be innocent, and to the believers, that they must continue the work we started. I still to pray that the same God that worked with us in the past will continue to be with them. I remain concerned and supportive. ACQUITTAL Baker: What if your verdict had been different? What if you hadn’t been freed? Monteiro: Thats a good question that Im happy I dont have to deal with (laughter). When I was in prison I really believed that God would free me. He impressed me with that thought. Yet I knew that I could not say too much about that conviction. But even though I believed that God would free me, I was prepared to remain in prison or to make any sacrifice that might be called for. Baker: You did the work of a Christian by helping a person in need. Then the one you helped falsely accused you. Does this experience cause you to re-think about helping others? Monteiro: No. What happened doesn’t influence me against helping others. The fact that undesired things may happen when we do good shouldn’t stop us from doing good. Jesus did good and look how He was treated on the cross. In prison I was able to help more people than ever before. However, when helping others we should always be wise and thoughtful and take safe and sensible precautions. Baker: Do you feel your previous spiritual experience prepared you for this test? Monteiro: God will not allow any experience or temptation to come to us that we cannot handle. I do believe that God prepares us for what we will face. Yes, my previous experience with God helped prepare me to cope and progress in this situation. It is not that one event will prepare you. Like Jesus I said, “Lord if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” But then I would add “not my will but Thy will be done.” These are thoughts that don’t come only once, but come back from time to time. Each time you must face and dismiss them in faith and move on believing. MINISTRY Baker: Describe a typical day in prison. Monteiro: I lived in a prison that was built to hold 500 inmates, but there were almost 2,000 crammed into it. My particular facility had 25-28 men in it, very tight quarters, with no windows or air conditioner. We got up early. I would take time for personal prayer and Bible reading and then move out into the yard. Many prisoners considered the food to be not food at all. Of course we were denied the basic freedoms. At 5:30 p.m. every evening the guards would lock all of us in the room and you couldnt go out nor would they come in until the next morning at 6 a.m. We had no beds, just mats on the hard floor. There was a big pail in the middle of the floor that everyone used as a toilet. There was no privacy. Let me just say the living conditions were not desirable. Due to the environment there was sickness and the potential of fights. However, I was blessed for the way the other prisoners respected and treated me and the fact that I never once got sick. Baker: Many people visited you in prison from around the world. What impact did these visits have on you and your time in prison? Monteiro: Yes the visits were most encouraging. I better understand what the Bible means when it says that we should visit those in prison. Each visit was a witness and demonstrated love and support. The highpoint of my day was when my wife visited. She was allowed to bring me food and she did so every day. Often my children would come as well. Then I received visits from Adventist Union and Mission leaders, pastors and members; visits from representatives of the Division and General Conference, and my country, Cape Verde. One of the most special visits was from Pastor Ted, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Everyone—prisoners, guards, prison officials, members and community people—was impressed that the president took time to come and visit. LESSONS Baker: What are some lessons you’ve gained from your prison experience? Monteiro: There are many lessons that I learned while in prison. Here are a few. I learned that there is great power in: First, forgiveness without resentment. There was a temptation to be bitter and mad about how I was treated. But I remembered that Jesus was also mistreated and wrongly accused, even by His own followers. So my plan was to forgive and hold no resentment. That’s why I was able to relate kindly to the man who falsely accused me; a man who was later confined in the same prison where I was held. That gave me spiritual fire and staying power. Next, acceptance without giving up. I didn’t know what my future would be but accepted my state in prison. I believed I would be freed at some point though I didn’t know where and how it would happen. Therefore I didn’t tell people what or how I would react if not released. Why? Because I didn’t want them to misunderstand me and think I was doubting and unsure. I would not give up on believing in and working for justice against the false accusations. Third, compassion and generosity. In prison there is always a need for helping people. Love and kindness were very important in that prison. We had many inmates in a small place. In this difficult situation there is a real need to show the love of Christ. When people were hungry, needed money, discouraged, having home problems, I would step up and help whenever possible. Then when prisoners would get mad and fight, I sought to bring peace and reconciliation. Most of all when people were open, I shared the gospel. There is a Portuguese word, “morabeza,” which summarizes what I sought to demonstrate. It is a powerful word that means hospitality, kindness and love. Fourth, persistent trust in God. I kept believing that God was in prison with me. I would not give up. I thought of other Bible characters who spent time in prison—Joseph, Jeremiah, Paul, and others—and it gave me encouragement. Like Paul, I was not a prisoner of Togo, but of Jesus Christ. Finally, spending time wisely. I had time on my hands. I could waste it or I could use it to grow mentally and spiritually. I read the Bible, books. I would pray, journal and develop devotionals. I could preach, teach and counsel others. I tried to use my time in constructive ways. EXAMPLE Baker: You talked about forgiving those who falsely accused you. How were you able to exercise the ministry of forgiveness? Monteiro: I just forgave. In light of my decision not to be angry or bitter, I resolved to forgive just like God forgave me. Revenge doesn’t pay, it costs. People saw me treat my accuser kindly and decently and they wanted to know how I could do that. This living demonstration of forgiveness opened many doors to witness and it began to make a difference. The prison became a more peaceful place. The people would say, “We cant fight like we used to with Pastor Monteiro around (laughter).” The example of forgiveness is powerful and contagious. Baker: You did widespread evangelism and witnessing. There are pictures of you conducting communion services and baptisms. Tell us about your outreach activities. Monteiro: The prison was an evangelistic territory and the inmates were persons to help and, if possible, win to Christ. The prison experiences of Paul and Daniel and Joseph and their witnessing habits were good examples. Paul witnessed and won souls for Christ while in chains. Daniel was thrown into prison for a time and witnessed to the king. Joseph was in prison unjustly and yet witnessed to and treated other prisoners kindly. When I arrived at prison they introduced me as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. They wanted me to preach to them and so I did. I would regularly preach and give Bible studies. Then I also gave away truth-filled literature that the church brought to the prison. We used and gave away the “Conflict of the Ages” series; hundreds of Bible studies, the “Connected with Jesus” series, books such as “The Adventist Home,” “Steps to Christ” and more than 2,000 copies of “The Great Controversy.” Then we organized prayer and Bible study groups. We also organized a “Pray for Togo Day.” For the first time Muslims, Catholics, Protestants and other religions came together to fellowship and pray for the country and leaders of Togo. These activities created unity in the prison. Baker: The typical model of prison ministry is people minister from the “outside to the inside.” In your case it was from the “inside to the inside.” Did you find it difficult to do prison ministry as a prisoner? Monteiro: At times it was difficult ministering in prison but there was also joy, especially when you saw prayers answered and lives changed. I didnt go into prison with a developed or established outreach plan (laughter). The plan developed as opportunity presented itself. I preached on Tuesdays and Thursdays and gave Bible studies all through the week. I also had time to translate Bible and Spirit of Prophecy literature into Portuguese. Then there were the baptismal and communion services that were so meaningful. In one baptismal service nine inmates were baptized and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. FUTURE Baker: What do you think is the spiritual legacy of your time in prison? Monteiro: I’m not sure that I would call it a legacy, but I would like to think I accomplished the mission that Jesus wanted me to do. I went there accused of something I didnt do. While there I discovered that great needs existed. I had something special to offer, a special work to do and I did it. Baker: Your ministry will undoubtedly continue. What are some future possibilities that you see? Monteiro: My desire is to minister to and help people. I will see what God has in the future. I have a pastorate in the Cape Verde Conference. Further, I have a great interest in ministry in prisons and to those who are there. I think I can use my experience to minister in this area and make things better. This is the ministry that Christ encourages and there is much that can be done in this important area. Then I am willing to share my testimony with whoever wants to hear it. THANKFUL Baker: What message would you like to share with Adventists and other people around the world who prayed for you and are happy for your freedom? Monteiro: I have a message, a message of thanks. Tell the whole world church thank you, thank you, thank you. I am grateful for the love, support and prayers during the whole time I was in prison. The love of my wife and family—yes, praise the Lord, the love of our whole church will stay with me. I’m thankful for the support of the Adventist Church that was a strong witness to the government and people of Togo. It was also a powerful picture to my own country that Adventists are unified and supporters. I am thankful to Pastor Ted Wilson for his prison visit and ongoing support. Then I am thankful to Pastor Wari and the West-Central Africa Division staff, Pastor Guy Roger (and his team), Pastor Solomon Assienin of the then Sahel Union. Special thanks to Dr. John Graz, Dr. Ganoune Diop and you of the GC and Religious Liberty Department who helped me, my family and gave leadership to the global movement to free me. Then I have deep appreciation for the defense attorneys and to Todd McFarland of the GC [Office of General Counsel] for their good legal advice and defense work. I have thanks to the GC, Dr. Baker for you coming to greet and accompany us to Cape Verde after my release from prison. So I’m thankful for everyone who supported me in every way. Words can never fully express my gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for. In Europe, Adventists call on Sunday Alliance not to discriminate An alliance promoting work-life balance and social cohesion in Europe reiterated its call for work-free Sundays at a conference in Brussels, Belgium last month. The European Sunday Alliance, a coalition of national Sunday alliances, trade unions, civil society organizations and faith communities established in 2011, is gaining some traction in the European Parliament but continues to trouble religious liberty advocates. At the Second Conference on Work-Free Sundays and Decent Work, the alliance launched a pledge targeting current and future members of the European Parliament, asking lawmakers to promote legislation that “respects” Sunday as a “day of rest” and guarantees fair work hours. “A work-free Sunday and decent working hours are of paramount importance for citizens and workers throughout Europe,” a document distributed by the alliance said, adding that extending the workweek to “late evenings, nights, bank holidays and Sundays” is jeopardizing the health, safety, family and private lives of employees. The alliance also argues that a longer workweek with fewer holidays isn’t the answer to Europe’s entrenched financial woes—instead it favors job creation and competiveness. “Competitiveness needs innovation, innovation needs creativity and creativity needs recreation,” the document states. Economic arguments aside, religious minorities in Europe—among them Muslims, Jews and Seventh-day Adventists—worry the proposal could infringe on free expression of religious beliefs, despite its seemingly well-intentioned goals of reducing stress and overwork. “Millions of European citizens belonging to religious minorities could be affected by [the] EU Sunday Law aspirations,” said Liviu Olteanu, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the Adventist Church’s Inter-European Division (EUD). In a January 21 news release, the EUD endorsed the position of Hannu Takkula, a Finnish member of the European Parliament who has spoken out against work-free Sundays. “Legislation must never discriminate on religious grounds. A law setting up Sunday as the universal work-free day would do just that,” Takkula said in a recent news release. “Freedom of religion and belief is a core European value. … The European Union must guarantee everyone equal rights and freedoms to celebrate the rest day of their convictions,” he added. John Graz, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the Adventist world church, said he was pleased that Takkula and other Parliament members are taking a clear stand against work-free Sundays. “We encourage all lawmakers in Europe to protect the rights of all people of faith, including those who do not observe Sunday as a day of rest,” Graz said. Adventists in Europe have questioned the effects of work-free Sundays since the European Sunday Alliance was established. In 2011, Raafat Kamal, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for the Adventist Church in Northern Europe, said Adventists “support the notion that people need a day of rest to achieve a work-life balance,” but “at the same time, we want to be sure that those who don’t observe Sunday as a designated religious day of rest will be respected.” Now, Olteanu is directly calling on members of the European Parliament “not to interfere in matters relating to religious liberty and freedom of conscience, proposing or accepting laws that affect the religious liberty of religious minorities.” Olteanu encouraged Adventist Church members in Europe to pray for the situation and contact their respective Members of Parliament or MEP candidate to lobby for their religious liberties. “We should commit ourselves with wisdom, balance and [a] positive attitude to be ambassadors of liberty, hope and peace, loving others but looking always to promote and defend religious liberty for all people,” Olteanu said. 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