WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES

Second Suspect Arrested in
Solomon Islands Murder Case

atients and staff members are returning to Atoifi Seventh-day Adventist Hospital after the arrest of a second person suspected of murdering Australian missionary Lance Gersbach.

Located in Malaita, Solomon Islands, the hospital had discharged patients who were able to treat themselves as shaken staff members left for the capital, Honiara, while police waited for the suspect to surrender. The hospital reverted to clinic status June 15, treating only outpatients. When police arrested the suspect 48 hours after the clinic reopened, the hospital resumed a normal working schedule, treating all patients.

"We're all relieved the tension has ended," says Dr. Arnold Raubenheimer, who remained with his wife, Yvonne, as a medical officer at Atoifi after the murder of Gersbach. "I couldn't see anyone on the campus yesterday. Today, people are everywhere. I even got a cheer when I arrived for work this morning."

The hospital expects more than half the staff members who left for Honiara to return within a week. "The staff members can return to duty without fear of further danger," says Percy Harrold, the associate health director for the South Pacific Division, who has visited the hospital regularly over the past 12 years. "The government has promised a permanent police presence on the compound."

"The staff members and students at Atoifi have shown a wonderful spirit of unity and devotion over the past month," says Lester Asugeni, a Malaitian who serves as acting chief executive officer. "The hospital will continue serving the community."

Gersbach, a dedicated missionary and church worker, was beheaded at about midday on May 18. Solomon Islands police have arrested two men, Silas Eddie Laefilamo and Mark Nasusu, in connection with the slaying.
                                                          --Adventist News Network

Youth Killed During Campmeeting Storm
Deliverance Anucha, a 15-year-old attending the Lake Region Conference campmeeting in Cassopolis, Michigan, was removed from life support on June 30. He died from an accident on the campgrounds caused by a thunderstorm.

A violent thunderstorm with high winds occurred Sabbath afternoon, June 28, on the last day of the week-long campmeeting. Deliverance was in the youth tent when the storm came through and a gust of wind blew down the tent. A supporting pole of the tent fell hitting him on the head. He was rushed to a hospital and airlifted to a hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan where he later died.

Deliverance is the son of Fred and Victoria Anucha of Nigeria, Africa, members of Pioneer Memorial Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He is also survived by two brothers.

Adventists Support Tobacco Control Treaty
On June 16, 28 countries signed a new global tobacco treaty in Geneva, Switzerland. The treaty was adopted by all 192 member states of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).

Titled the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the treaty is the first of its kind. It requires countries to set new labeling and clean indoor air controls, restrict tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion, and strengthen legislation to clamp down on tobacco smuggling. Tax and price increases are two issues that will be considered as well.

As soon as 40 countries ratify the convention, it becomes law for those countries and thereafter, for other countries that ratify it.

"Globally, about 5 million people die from tobacco-related illness each year," said Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, U.N. liaison director for the General Conference. "For more than 40 years, the tobacco industry has known that nicotine in cigarettes is addictive. The WHO estimates that by the year 2030, 10 million people will be dying each year from tobacco use. Approximately 80,000 to 100,000 young people around the world become addicted to tobacco each day. If current trends continue, 250 million children alive today will die from tobacco-related diseases."

Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church voted a statement on smoking and tobacco at the General Conference Session in Utrecht in 1995. According to the statement, "Cigarette smoking is the single greatest preventable cause of death in the world... We believe that the ethics of prevention requires in every country a uniform ban on all tobacco advertising, stricter laws prohibiting smoking in non-residential public places, more aggressive and systematic public education, and substantially higher taxes on cigarettes."

Vietnam Veteran Named to DUSTOFF Hall of Fame
On February 22, Colonel Ernest J. Sylvester, a member of the Tampa First Church, was the eleventh person inducted into the Army's DUSTOFF Hall of Fame at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.

The DUSTOFF Association is a nonprofit organization for Army medical department enlisted and officer personnel, aviation crewmembers, and others who are (or ever were) engaged in (or actively supported in any capacity) Army aeromedical evacuation programs in war or peace. The name is derived from the radio call sign given to the first aeromedical helicopter evacuation unit in Vietnam and describes the helicopter action of blowing dust, dirt, blankets, and shelters over the men on the ground. DUSTOFFers are medivac pilots who answer the call for helicopter medical assistance.

Sylvester was cited for his first Vietnam deployment when he became the first aviator to fly more than 1,000 support-of-combat hours in less than a year. He is credited with evacuating or leading men under him to rescue or recover nearly 15,000 casualties during two deployments to Vietnam and one each to Laos and Korea.

Highly decorated, the 22-year veteran has more than 47 air medals including a Bronze Star with Valor, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, Purple Heart, and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with a Silver Star. "I know I was divinely protected for some special service," says Sylvester.

In the fall, Sylvester will be piloting a helicopter for a television documentary called "In the Shadow of the Blade" which will feature DUSTOFFers and honor all veterans.

To read more about Sylvester and the other Hall of Fame members, you may visit www.dustoff.org/hall-of-fame/inductees.htm.

North American Division Helps Members Understand Name
As the Seventh-day Adventist Church membership continues to expand around the world, it has become increasingly apparent that communications regarding the church=s name be carefully considered. The North American Division communication department has initiated a re-education of its members by creating a small information card which explains the best way to refer to the church organization.

In the past, it was common to refer to the Seventh-day Adventist Church by its initials, SDA. In today's climate, those initials are no longer the preferred method for referring to the church, but rather the terms "Seventh-day Adventist" or "Adventist." The card cites as one of several reasons that the term Adventist conveys one of the central beliefs of the church--that Jesus is coming again soon while the initials SDA do not convey any message. In addition, the Adventist Church is communicating in more than 800 languages and the initials are not translatable.

The card hopes to help members understand the importance of the name "Seventh-day Adventist" and how to use the name most effectively to witness to others. To receive a copy of the card, contact your union communication director or the North American Division communication department, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

News Notes

Adventist Television Network (ATN) has announced a broadcast for August 2003 which will involve Adventist young adults participating in a live program with Jan Paulsen, General Conference president. The program will involve discussion of issues and questions, and allow young adults to express their observations, vision, and ideas for the church. The broadcast will be live to the Americas. www.adventist.tv

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