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General Conference Assistant Reports
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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
VISION AFFAIRS FOR
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SDA
Lowell Meister, OD.
Assistant Director of Visual Affairs GC Health Ministries
P.O. Box 627
Nowata, OK 74048
Home phone 918-273-1280
Office phone 918-273-0486
lomeiser@sbcglobal.net
VISION AFFAIRS FOR
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SDA
Lowell Meister, OD.
Assistant Director of Visual Affairs GC Health Ministries
P.O. Box 627
Nowata, OK 74048
Home phone 918-273-1280
Office phone 918-273-0486
lomeiser@sbcglobal.net
From May, 2011
I have just returned home from the General Conference Health Ministries Advisory meetings, March 27-31, 2011, Seventh-day Adventist Headquarters, Silver Springs, Maryland.
Medical reports were given as to the health threats coming on the world. Spiritual influences were very good with Dr. Allan Handysides, Dr. Peter Landless, Dr. Fred Hardinge and others giving challenging talks.
The growing Health threat to the world today is mental health including depression and obesity. Sixty percent of U.S. will be diabetic in 2040 and there will not be enough money to care for the crisis. Prevention is what is needed in the world and the SDA church has a big part to play. Many years ago what we call the Health Message was given by Sister Ellen G. White. If this list of health principles were followed the world would be a more healthy place. Nutrition, Exercise, Good rest, Lots of water, Temperance in moderation, Fresh air, Sunshine, Faith in God.
Bob Butler requested optical equipment for Heri Hospital in Tanzania. I meet Bob a the HCHMA meeting. Bob stated to me that two of Braam Oberhalster’s group made it to Heri Hospital with the ophthalmoscope and retina scope. I gave him a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope with three condensing lenses schiotz tonometer, cross cylinder and examination loupe. These thing came from my office and were used but in good condition
I meet Christopher Drasbek from Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and I ask him about Vision Care. He told me he was not in charge of VC but he would e-mail my name to Dr. Silva who was in charge of VC for PAHO. As of now I have three communications with him. He said if I had an interest in VC he would invite me to his meeting. I will pursue this opportunity not only for eye care but for our church.
I received many invitations to go to various parts of the world. One was from Dr. Alex Llaguno, Health Ministry director, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean division. The tour includes South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi and Blantyre Adventist Hospital Vision Clinic. I sent 9 dozen pair of reading glasses back to Africa with Dr. Oscar Giordano who is director of HIV/Aids international ministry. They are to be used in rehabilitating aids patients.
The feeling about optometry is good. Many hospitals around the world could use optometrists, but they just don’t know how to employ them. Making friends at the division level will do a lot to promote Optometry in our church. I appreciate the opportunity to witness for Optometry in the Health Ministry department
I have just returned home from the General Conference Health Ministries Advisory meetings, March 27-31, 2011, Seventh-day Adventist Headquarters, Silver Springs, Maryland.
Medical reports were given as to the health threats coming on the world. Spiritual influences were very good with Dr. Allan Handysides, Dr. Peter Landless, Dr. Fred Hardinge and others giving challenging talks.
The growing Health threat to the world today is mental health including depression and obesity. Sixty percent of U.S. will be diabetic in 2040 and there will not be enough money to care for the crisis. Prevention is what is needed in the world and the SDA church has a big part to play. Many years ago what we call the Health Message was given by Sister Ellen G. White. If this list of health principles were followed the world would be a more healthy place. Nutrition, Exercise, Good rest, Lots of water, Temperance in moderation, Fresh air, Sunshine, Faith in God.
Bob Butler requested optical equipment for Heri Hospital in Tanzania. I meet Bob a the HCHMA meeting. Bob stated to me that two of Braam Oberhalster’s group made it to Heri Hospital with the ophthalmoscope and retina scope. I gave him a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope with three condensing lenses schiotz tonometer, cross cylinder and examination loupe. These thing came from my office and were used but in good condition
I meet Christopher Drasbek from Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and I ask him about Vision Care. He told me he was not in charge of VC but he would e-mail my name to Dr. Silva who was in charge of VC for PAHO. As of now I have three communications with him. He said if I had an interest in VC he would invite me to his meeting. I will pursue this opportunity not only for eye care but for our church.
I received many invitations to go to various parts of the world. One was from Dr. Alex Llaguno, Health Ministry director, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean division. The tour includes South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi and Blantyre Adventist Hospital Vision Clinic. I sent 9 dozen pair of reading glasses back to Africa with Dr. Oscar Giordano who is director of HIV/Aids international ministry. They are to be used in rehabilitating aids patients.
The feeling about optometry is good. Many hospitals around the world could use optometrists, but they just don’t know how to employ them. Making friends at the division level will do a lot to promote Optometry in our church. I appreciate the opportunity to witness for Optometry in the Health Ministry department
From February 2012
I received a report from Hepzibah Kore in regards to the eyeglasses the ASDAO provided for Women’s Literacy classes in India. She is requesting another $1,000.00 for additional glasses for her Bible Literacy classes. If you would like to sponsor this worthy cause please send Eddye Benedict (treasurer) your check. Join me in sending a check for $100.00, $500.00, $1000.00 for this cause.
You will have more pictures and report in the next few week. One of the directors who was distributing the glasses yesterday told me that a few of the ladies who received the glasses are in their fifties and sixties. They were so thrilled to see clearly. Some of them even read the Bible. It is amazing what the reading glasses can do to make a difference in people. I will definitely pray for the success of the project. Thanks a million for supporting our cause voluntarily. I can never forget the first time you met me and assured me of your support. It is wonderful working with you. I pray that God will continue to use you for His glory.
Hepzi
I received a report from Hepzibah Kore in regards to the eyeglasses the ASDAO provided for Women’s Literacy classes in India. She is requesting another $1,000.00 for additional glasses for her Bible Literacy classes. If you would like to sponsor this worthy cause please send Eddye Benedict (treasurer) your check. Join me in sending a check for $100.00, $500.00, $1000.00 for this cause.
You will have more pictures and report in the next few week. One of the directors who was distributing the glasses yesterday told me that a few of the ladies who received the glasses are in their fifties and sixties. They were so thrilled to see clearly. Some of them even read the Bible. It is amazing what the reading glasses can do to make a difference in people. I will definitely pray for the success of the project. Thanks a million for supporting our cause voluntarily. I can never forget the first time you met me and assured me of your support. It is wonderful working with you. I pray that God will continue to use you for His glory.
Hepzi
From August, 2011
While we were at the recent convention in Louisville, Kentucky, we came to the hotel restaurant to have breakfast. We were greeting many friends we have known for years when my eyes turned to a table of three. They were asking God’s blessing on their food. As I turned away to get breakfast and find a table I looked back at the trio and saw on their table a carton of soy milk. I thought these might be new to ASDAO. What a pleasant surprise. Here was Dr. Ross Collins, his wife Kristin, with their child Michael from Kettering, Ohio, first time in attendance. It is great to have these new members of ASDAO.
From the stand point of Visual Affairs I gave a report on the recent General Conference Health Ministries Advisory Meeting held March 27-31, 2011, Silver Springs, Maryland. Representatives from every Division were there. The meeting is very Christ centered. Reports from every field are given. One goal of the Health Ministry Advisory is- Every church a community health center/Every member a health minister.
While we were at the recent convention in Louisville, Kentucky, we came to the hotel restaurant to have breakfast. We were greeting many friends we have known for years when my eyes turned to a table of three. They were asking God’s blessing on their food. As I turned away to get breakfast and find a table I looked back at the trio and saw on their table a carton of soy milk. I thought these might be new to ASDAO. What a pleasant surprise. Here was Dr. Ross Collins, his wife Kristin, with their child Michael from Kettering, Ohio, first time in attendance. It is great to have these new members of ASDAO.
From the stand point of Visual Affairs I gave a report on the recent General Conference Health Ministries Advisory Meeting held March 27-31, 2011, Silver Springs, Maryland. Representatives from every Division were there. The meeting is very Christ centered. Reports from every field are given. One goal of the Health Ministry Advisory is- Every church a community health center/Every member a health minister.
From November 2011
It was my privilege to attend the Conference on Emotional Health and Wellness October 12-15, 2011 held at the Centennial Complex LLU Loma Linda, California. This was a World Conference for the health workers in our church and to other faiths. Lectures were given by mostly SDA Professionals and some by other Christian Faiths. I attended twelve hours of lectures and nine hours of Workshops. There were twelve tracts of workshops, each with a different topics. I attended the workshop on Family Education. Topics were Adventist Families and Emotional Health, Premarital and Marriage Education, Child and Adolescent Health. They were taught by Dr. and Ms. Oliver, Family Ministries GC. Dr. Allan Handysides and Dr. Peter Landless From Health Ministry Department GC and Dr Hart President of LLU lead out in the meetings.
Can there be Health without Mental Health is the question. What is mental health, you would have to read books to learn all this. I will try to give you a few thoughts.
We all suffer from mental health problems from time to time. Anxiety, Depression and other forms of mental illness are things we live with all the time. Who has not been concerned about the problems that come to all of us. Too much concern will lead us into depression. Answer’s in the past in the past have been pray, read your bible, get connected with God, are all good pieces of advice, but when the illness gets out of control you must get professional help. The SDA Church is changing their attitude toward Mental Illness. Most at this Conference thought it was about time.
When you get to the place you can’t do your work you have waited longer than you should have for professional help.
We know this is an evil world and we have to deal with evil. EGW says something like this. The greatest evil in this world is man’s inhumanity towards men. We believe this when we are hurt, but what about when we hurt someone. Some day we will have to answer for the things we have said and done. God Help Us. Let us determine to do our best to put some Son Shine into some one’s life today.
There are many stories I could tell you about Mental Illness. Depression first signs are sleep and eating changes, too much or not enough. Mental Health costs lives and billions of dollars. Let’s take another look at Mental Health.
It was my privilege to attend the Conference on Emotional Health and Wellness October 12-15, 2011 held at the Centennial Complex LLU Loma Linda, California. This was a World Conference for the health workers in our church and to other faiths. Lectures were given by mostly SDA Professionals and some by other Christian Faiths. I attended twelve hours of lectures and nine hours of Workshops. There were twelve tracts of workshops, each with a different topics. I attended the workshop on Family Education. Topics were Adventist Families and Emotional Health, Premarital and Marriage Education, Child and Adolescent Health. They were taught by Dr. and Ms. Oliver, Family Ministries GC. Dr. Allan Handysides and Dr. Peter Landless From Health Ministry Department GC and Dr Hart President of LLU lead out in the meetings.
Can there be Health without Mental Health is the question. What is mental health, you would have to read books to learn all this. I will try to give you a few thoughts.
We all suffer from mental health problems from time to time. Anxiety, Depression and other forms of mental illness are things we live with all the time. Who has not been concerned about the problems that come to all of us. Too much concern will lead us into depression. Answer’s in the past in the past have been pray, read your bible, get connected with God, are all good pieces of advice, but when the illness gets out of control you must get professional help. The SDA Church is changing their attitude toward Mental Illness. Most at this Conference thought it was about time.
When you get to the place you can’t do your work you have waited longer than you should have for professional help.
We know this is an evil world and we have to deal with evil. EGW says something like this. The greatest evil in this world is man’s inhumanity towards men. We believe this when we are hurt, but what about when we hurt someone. Some day we will have to answer for the things we have said and done. God Help Us. Let us determine to do our best to put some Son Shine into some one’s life today.
There are many stories I could tell you about Mental Illness. Depression first signs are sleep and eating changes, too much or not enough. Mental Health costs lives and billions of dollars. Let’s take another look at Mental Health.