Nutrition evangelists

Most Americans have never heard of the city of Banska Bystrica. For two School of Allied Health Professions nutrition and dietetics professors, however, Banska Bystrica is now very familiar.

Last March, Bertrum C. Connell, PhD, professor of nutrition, and chair, department of nutrition and dietetics; and Kenneth I. Burke, PhD, professor of nutrition, and associate chair, department of nutrition and dietetics; were invited by Lega Life and Health, the health ministries department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Slovakia, to assist the Church in doing basic health evangelism and to help influence government policy regarding nutrition and health.

During their 10-day stay, Drs. Burke and Connell presented several lectures--both to local Adventist church groups and to a symposium attended by government nutritionists and health educators.

In conjunction with the visit, Lega Life and Health sponsored a symposium on national nutrition policy for scientific and health leaders throughout Slovakia.

Dr. Connell presented a summary of American nutrition policy and a model suggesting ways that Lega Life and Health could support nutritional and health programs in Slovakia. Until now, Slovakian national policy has allowed only government workers to officially provide nutrition programs.

"This policy did not prohibit Lega Life and Health from doing health evangelism, but by changing the national policy, the mission of the Adventist Church could be enhanced," Dr. Connell says. A major part of their time in Slovakia was spent consulting with AlfaBio personnel on developing soy beverage products to go along with AlfaBio's tofu products.

"AlfaBio processes between 500 and 1,000 metric tons of tofu per month," continues Dr. Connell. "They make six different tofu products including a white tofu, a smoked tofu, and a marinated tofu, in addition to several tofu spreads. "The AlfaBio tofu is some of the best tofu I have ever eaten," he says. "It has quite a bit of texture--something we do not find in American tofu. The tofu is made from soy milk extracted from soybeans."

Improving the nutritional value and taste of a soy beverage was one part of their task. Another part was consulting on ways to package the product with the least possible cost with the longest possible shelf life.

One of the most spiritual experiences happened near the end of their stay in Slovakia. "We were told that an Adventist lady who lives in Bystra, about 30 miles to the east, dreamed that Dr. Burke and I were lecturing in her village about health and wellness," Dr. Connell says. "Monica, the lady who had the dream, and her daughter and son-in-law, are the only Adventists in the village. Their goal is to witness to others and bring them to Christ.

"Under no circumstances could we turn down an invitation that came in this way. Monica began a house-to-house campaign and invited all who lived in her village to hear our health lectures. Many villagers, including the town mayor, turned out to hear our presentation on Ellen G. White's statement that pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, use of water, and trust in divine power are the true remedies for the restoration of health."

Other public meetings were held in Banska Bystrica and nearby towns on the food technology issues of radiation and genetically modified soybeans.

In addition, Dr. Connell presented a lecture on sports nutrition and Dr. Burke lectured on his involvement as a nutrition consultant with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration projected trip to Mars.