Weekly Videos

Mission Spotlight

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The School in the Castle
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 The campus of Maruševec in Croatia is very special. Students once lived and studied in a castle next door, and the school is growing and thriving even still.
When most people think of castles, they imagine stone walls built to protect rulers and kingdoms. But in Croatia, a castle once housed students. More than fifty years ago, during the years of former Yugoslavia, Adventist education in this region needed a place to begin. At the time, a nearby castle stood available, offering unexpected space and opportunity. As the school grew, it eventually moved from the castle to its own campus next door. Generations of students passed through its halls. Over time, however, the buildings began to age and space became a growing concern. For Adriatic Union President Zlatko Mucha, this campus is meaningful. “I have been a student here for eight years, secondary school and theology student, and I worked here for one year. So Maruševec is in my heart,” he said. That personal connection also gave him a clear view of what the school needed in order to continue its mission. “Probably 40 years after this campus was built, infrastructure became quite old. So there is a need for renovation improvement,” Zlatko said. As educational standards changed, classrooms needed more space. Student housing areas had to be converted for learning. To move forward, the school first needed a new place for students to live. That solution came through the 13th Sabbath Offering in 2017. Thanks to your contributions, a modern dormitory was completed, making it possible to continue welcoming students from across the region. Ivana is a former student who came for secondary school and then studied theology there. She remembers what life was like before and how the new dormitory changed everything. “From the converted girls dormitory that I was used to, this was much more modern and much more comfortable… and the rooms were also nicer, so it was a better environment for studying,” she said. But the impact of this project went further than just providing a comfortable space. Today, Ivana serves as a church intern, working with young people and helping lead health-focused outreach in her community. “It was a really supportive environment to grow spiritually and also develop some spiritual gifts,” Ivana said. Most students who come to the school are not Adventist. Yet they are welcomed into a faith-filled campus. “Personally, I am very grateful to God and to the people who gave certain amounts so that the boarding school could be built… Without that, we would not be able to function,” said Principal Elizabeta Kobe Barbir. Because of faithful support through the 13th Sabbath Offering, a dormitory was renewed and the mission of this campus was able to continue. What once began inside castle walls now lives on through the students who pass through this school. Thank you for giving to this project. Your generosity made this possible. More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

The campus of Maruševec in Croatia is very special. Students once lived and studied in a castle next door, and the school is growing and thriving even still.

The School in the Castle

When a Cello Caught the Wind
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Teodor sets out on a bike ride with his mom and his cello, but he has a close brush with death—and his guardian angel.
Nine-year-old Teodor had just finished music lessons and was riding home on his bicycle in Croatia. On his back was something almost as big as he was—his cello. The road sloped downhill. His mother was riding ahead of him, and the afternoon air felt cool and fresh. Then the wind came. A strong gust pushed against the large cello case strapped to Teodor’s back. The cello caught the wind like a sail. Suddenly, the heavy instrument pulled him, causing him to fall. He landed in the middle of the road—right in front of an oncoming car. The driver had almost no time to react, but just before reaching Teodor, the car swerved. It missed him completely. Teodor lay there for a moment, stunned. His mother turned around in shock. Then Teodor stood up. He wasn’t hurt. His cello wasn’t damaged. There were no broken bones. No cuts. No bruises. Nothing. Teodor believes his guardian angel was there helping him. Teodor loves being involved in church life. He sings in the adult choir with his sister, Anastasia. He helps collect the offering. He loves Pathfinders and studying the Bible. His favorite Bible stories are about David, especially when David trusted God to defeat Goliath. That day on the road, Teodor felt like David—small, in danger, but protected by Someone bigger. The Bible says in Psalm 91:11, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Teodor believes that promise is real. God doesn’t always remove danger from our lives. But sometimes, in ways we can’t explain, He protects us. And sometimes we don’t even realize how close we were to being hurt. Today, Teodor still plays his cello. He still rides his bike. And every time he remembers that afternoon, he thanks God for sending an angel to watch over him. More from this quarter Downloads Related topics

Teodor sets out on a bike ride with his mom and his cello, but he has a close brush with death—and his guardian angel.

When a Cello Caught the Wind

Welcome to OIKOS
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 OIKOS House has transformed from a small church plant in Helsinki to a community that changes lives.
Helsinki is characterized by its beauty—clean lines, thoughtful design, and a sense of intention. That same intention is evident in how people live, how they relate, and how trust is formed over time. Inside one church plant in Helsinki, that careful approach to life has provided a foundation for a community where faith is growing. OIKOS House began as a small church plant, supported in its early years by Global Mission. It was created to reach people who might never step inside a traditional church. OIKOS House is led by Mikael, who came to Helsinki with a simple desire: to see faith lived out in real relationships. Alongside him is his wife, Amelia, who contributes to the sense of belonging people experience there. “We just wanted to see a new chapter of Adventist Mission in Finland,” Mikael said. From the beginning, OIKOS focused on relationships—sharing meals, listening, and creating space where people could belong before they believed. “It just feels like a second home,” Amelia said. In a country where loneliness is a growing challenge, OIKOS has become a place of community. “You get to make connections with people… and we’ve seen a lot of people find or refind Christ,” Amelia said. That sense of belonging is what first drew Pavel. He had grown up around faith, but over time, life pulled him away. Something was missing, even after moving to Helsinki. When he finally walked through the door at OIKOS, he was met with people who were genuinely interested in him. “When I came here for the first time… I already felt that there is something special here,” Pavel said. Through small groups, prayer, and honest conversations, Pavel began taking slow steps back toward God. Faith began to feel possible again. “What does this church mean to me? It’s like a big family,” he said. Today, Pavel has purpose in his life; he’s supported by his community. And his story is not the exception. Lives are being changed here, but now, this growing church plant is reaching its limits. “We are running out of space,” Mikael said. This quarter, a portion of your 13th Sabbath Offering, also known as the Quarterly Mission Project, will help OIKOS House secure a larger, more flexible space, making room for families in Helsinki. What began as a Global Mission church plant is now ready to welcome others who are still searching. Thank you for giving to projects like these! More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

OIKOS House has transformed from a small church plant in Helsinki to a community that changes lives.

Welcome to OIKOS

The Phone Box Experiment
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 A pastor decides to “ban” cell phones at his church’s game nights and the results are surprising and exciting.
In a world constantly buzzing with notifications, what if real connection began the moment you put your phone away? Maribor is Slovenia’s second largest city. As in any city, the people live busy lives. But beneath the surface, many are longing for something more. That longing is what brought Pastor Daniel to this city. Though he grew up in Australia, he’s connected to this region of Europe through his family’s background. “At 24 years old, I felt God calling me into ministry,” Daniel said. Daniel’s journey led him across borders, from Serbia to Bosnia, where he met his wife, and now to Slovenia. Along the way, he wrestled with a question: How do you share faith in a way that feels real? “I was trying to think, how can I share my faith with people… and I didn’t know what to do because I didn’t have the typical skills that might exist in the Adventist church,” he said. “And so I asked God, what can I do? And then He kind of pointed me to, what do you love to do? And I say, well, I love board games.” That simple answer started a unique and unexpected ministry, unlike typical church programs. Daniel started an open board game night. “We created a board game club where we just got to know people… no religious pressure, Bible verses, or prayer. It’s just genuinely getting to know one another,” Daniel said. People came. Soon, the tables were full. “Our first event was completely, fully booked. We had to reject people. I was like, wow, this is incredible.” When Daniel brought this idea to Maribor, he noticed something else. “There is a problem here with too much telephone use. There is a problem with depression. There is a problem with this lack of real genuine connections,” he said. At the door, guests are invited to do something uncommon: put their phones into a box. “When you pull out your phone and you’re on it, you’re no longer engaged with the person across from you,” Daniel said. “But after about 30 minutes, people completely detach from that need… and they actually build these relationships.” That idea resonates for Val, one of the regular attendees. “I think we are currently chronically online… It’s good that from time to time we take some time off and just relax our brain,” Val said. “Board games are designed for people to connect, to enjoy, to relax, and to feel loved.” Strangers become friends. Conversations stretch late into the night. And people are surprised. “Wow, I didn’t know I could be five hours without my telephone and have a really great time,” Daniel said. There’s no pressure here. Just an emphasis on the people around them. “My goal is to build those relationships, and through those relationships to show Christ’s love and His kindness,” Daniel said. This isn’t just about board games. This is creativity in mission: seeing a need for connection and responding with a God-inspired solution. This is an example of Jesus’ method of ministry. He met people in everyday spaces. And through genuine relationships, He revealed His love. Here in Maribor, that same approach is creating space for friendship and faith to grow. More from this quarter Downloads Related topics

A pastor decides to “ban” cell phones at his church’s game nights and the results are surprising and exciting.

The Phone Box Experiment

Sofia’s Colorful Hope
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 A kindergarten formed for Adventist children has reached farther than originally planned. Many of the children are not Adventist, creating a beautifully unexpected mission opportunity.
Early learning is about more than letters and numbers. In Sofia, Bulgaria, this kindergarten is helping children grow with purpose, care, and faith. "Our kindergarten is called Colorful Hope. This is a building we have rented for about 10 years. At that time in Bulgaria there weren’t any Adventist education alternatives. The educational system in our country is a secular one." —Maria Kiriova For Maria, that reality created a burden and a calling. As her son grew older, she thought about how she could change things. "I wasn’t ready to give my child to an environment that is secular in this crucial stage of his development. So I prayed, and in only four months this kindergarten opened its doors for the very first time." —Maria Kiriova What began as a place for Adventist families soon reached far beyond the church. "At the beginning, we thought we would create a place for the Adventist families and children. But interestingly about 80 percent of the children enrolled in our kindergarten come from non-Adventist families now." —Maria Kiriova "When all children are here, we start with praising songs. Then we have a story, which is from the Bible. And then we have lessons." —Ralitsa For many families, the impact is deeply personal. "It was one of the most beautiful things that happened for us in the last year." —Maria Maria drives nearly two hours every day to bring her son here. "Every minute in the traffic, every kilometer, I'm happy to do this for him to come here. It's really special. I felt the spirit here, the spirit is extremely special." —Maria The values children learn don’t just stay at school. They make an impact on them even at home. "Sometimes it's very funny because even when we're walking somewhere, he just has a spark and says, ‘Don't worry, Mom. God will take care of things.’ And even with praying, because we don't normally pray at home before we eat, but he sits on the table and says, ‘Okay, now let's pray.’ I’m happy because I want him to be like this." —Maria This quarter, a portion of your 13th Sabbath Offering will help Colorful Hope Kindergarten continue to influence lives throughout Sofia. "This is not a church project. This is a project of church members. If you invest in education, you are investing in the future development of the church. The children and the young people are its future. If we don't understand these things, we are limiting our future. So we will be very thankful to every person and any donation that anyone would like to give for this project." —Milan Please pray for this kindergarten, for the children and families it serves, and for Adventist education ministries. Thank you for your support of Colorful Hope Kindergarten and similar projects around the world. More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

A kindergarten formed for Adventist children has reached farther than originally planned. Many of the children are not Adventist, creating a beautifully unexpected mission opportunity.

Sofia’s Colorful Hope

The Ministry of Living Well
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 A political thoroughfare, the city of Brussels is home to many busy, lonely people. Christina and Emma have founded a ministry that targets the emotional and mental pain of the people of Brussels.
Brussels, Belgium, is more than a historic capital city. It’s the political heart of Europe, home to the European Parliament and European Commission. Because of its political influence, Brussels attracts large communities of policymakers, diplomats, and other influential high achievers from across the world. This part of the city, known as the European Quarter, teems with important people. But beneath the prestige and productivity, many carry heavy levels of stress, pressure, and loneliness. Christina and her sister Emma are part of that community, but they also have a deeper purpose. "We have always seen ministry as part of our calling and not something separate." —Emma As they built their careers, they began to notice the human cost of life in the European Quarter. "At some point, you feel like here, work and career are kind of a religion by themselves, and people create an identity around work. When something happens, if there’s a setback in the professional life, then things start shaking." —Christina Friends and colleagues began asking questions. "At some point, we have had colleagues asking us, ‘Well, where do you get your strength in this moment of high intensity, high pressure? How come you stay calm?’ These were moments where we could point them to the source of our strength." —Emma Out of those conversations, an idea for a unique ministry center in the European Quarter began to grow. They named it Living Well, a health and wellness center designed to serve the whole person. People come for massages, stress relief, and health workshops, but they often discover much more. "There is a lot of need, and not just in the physical pain, but in the emotional pain and the spiritual pain." —Paola Paola gave examples of many visitors who have been positively impacted by the center, but remembers one in particular that stood out to her. "He said that since the moment he got into the center, he felt something different. Suddenly he opened up, and he started to cry, and he started to share. I realized that sometimes we can be around people—we don't know what people are carrying. I believe that there is a mission here in the center, that more than to relieve the pain, it's also to give hope." —Paola In a city where many feel alone, Living Well has become a place of peace and connection. That sense of community is especially visible during events like evening cooking classes. Community members, many with no church background, gather to prepare healthy, plant-based meals together. "Food is often the first conversation. ‘Why do you eat this way? How do you manage stress?’ These questions open doors." —Emma For many cities around the world, this approach is essential in a very secular environment. "For someone that is secular, to invite them to a church, it’s almost impossible. We needed to find a place where they can first connect and find a community." —David Here, faith is shared through presence, not pressure. "We are not in a hurry. We are here to make friends. Then the Holy Spirit will do the rest." —David In the heart of Europe’s power corridor, Living Well offers a different kind of influence, one rooted in compassion, service, and hope. Please pray for the Living Well team, for the volunteers who serve, and for every person who walks through these doors. And pray that centers like this will continue to shine as lights of hope in cities around the world. More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

A political thoroughfare, the city of Brussels is home to many busy, lonely people. Christina and Emma have founded a ministry that targets the emotional and mental pain of the people of Brussels.

The Ministry of Living Well

The Dorm of Hope
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 What began as a simple dormitory became a place of transformation. In Cambodia, the Dorm of Hope is helping students receive an education, discover Jesus, and build a brighter future.
Global Mission pioneers are ordinary people, church members who answer God’s call to go where the gospel is needed most. They build relationships, plant churches, and share Jesus in practical ways, often in areas that have never heard the good news. Their work is challenging, but through faith and perseverance, they bring hope to forgotten communities. One such pioneer is Vann. In 2016, Vann became a Global Mission pioneer in the northeastern part of Cambodia. His journey wasn’t easy. As a young student seeking a better education, Vann attended English classes at Banlung City Church. After being baptized, he finished his studies, got married, and moved back to his village. Cut off from the church by distance and lack of transportation, his spiritual life declined as he focused on farm work. It wasn’t until 2016, when the church needed help due to the illness of a pioneer leader, that Vann was called. At first, he felt unqualified and tried to avoid the call. But with encouragement from fellow believers, he returned to a struggling church, where only three families remained. Seeing the need, Vann accepted God’s call to serve. Vann’s mission was to reach a local tribal group of youth who lived up in the mountains, far from the city, but desperate for education. For them, education is often the only way to a brighter future. As a Global Mission pioneer, Vann helped establish a dormitory near the church, a safe place for students to live, study, and worship together. They called it the Dorm of Hope. The dorm allowed them to attend school regularly at no cost, join church activities, and grow in faith. "I have been staying here for two years. What I love most about this dormitory is, first, I get to learn about Jesus. Second, it helps me with the cost, because I can stay in the dorm for free. Lastly, we have church members, elders, and pastors who support me—not only in my studies, but also in my relationship with God." —Bunny The dorm became a vibrant center for education, discipleship, and community. Students participated in daily worship, Bible studies, English classes, and outreach programs. Many were baptized, and the church grew stronger. "The program that I like the most here at Banlung City Church is evangelism. While there are many activities I enjoy, evangelism is very special to me because it’s the time when we reach out to our neighbors and people in the community, so they can learn more about Jesus." —Phoeurng The Dorm of Hope is more than just a building. It’s a place where lives are transformed. "The main reason I came to this church is because my family is poor. We don’t have much money, and when I needed to attend high school in the town, I needed a place to stay. This church offered me a dormitory, a safe place to live while I study. But it’s more than just lodging; the church also helps me with my studies and even supports some of my school expenses." —Samorn Please pray for Global Mission pioneers around the world, and for the work being done here in Cambodia. Pray that these students will be able to complete their studies and return to their villages, sharing how great and wonderful God is. Thank you for supporting Global Mission. Your giving empowers pioneers like Vann to reach people and share hope where it’s needed most. More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

What began as a simple dormitory became a place of transformation. In Cambodia, the Dorm of Hope is helping students receive an education, discover Jesus, and build a brighter future.

The Dorm of Hope

Grounded in the Bible, Focused on the Mission
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 An original song grounded in God's Word and focused on His mission. As we share the hope of Jesus with the world, may we remain faithful until the day He returns in glory.
We’ve been called to speak Boldly far and near Jesus is the only way With a humble heart Let us do our part That’s our mission every day Prophecies fulfilled, There’s no time to waste. Let’s declare that Jesus saves. Christ so loved the world That He gave His life This truth we shall proclaim Grounded in the Bible, focused on the mission Till we see Him high in the clouds Soon we’ll hear the trumpets Thunder will be sounding Here He comes, the King of kings He descends in glory Majesty and power What a joyful day that will be We’ve been called to pray For the latter rain, And to walk in unity Hand in hand we stand All across the land Preaching for the world to see He’s the great I Am He is Lord of lords Worthy of our highest praise Wonders will be seen As the Spirit leads us If only we remain Grounded in the Bible, focused on the mission Till we see Him high in the clouds Soon we’ll hear the trumpets Thunder will be sounding Here He comes, the King of kings He descends in glory Majesty and power What a joyful day that will be More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

An original song grounded in God's Word and focused on His mission. As we share the hope of Jesus with the world, may we remain faithful until the day He returns in glory.

Grounded in the Bible, Focused on the Mission

Where Hands Talk
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 The Kakima Adventist Church provides a worship experience both in spoken language and Kenyan Sign Language. Emily brings her son to the Kakima school, and both of their lives are transformed.
In rural western Kenya, worship at the Kakima Adventist Church brings together both deaf and hearing believers in a way that’s united and welcoming. At the church, spoken language and Kenyan Sign Language are used side by side, every member is valued, and worship is defined not by sound, but by connection. Today’s message comes from a deaf Adventist pastor, whose sermons in sign are voiced for hearing members. The church is closely connected to a school for deaf children, a project that took root years ago when Global Mission helped launch it by sending four Global Mission pioneer teachers. One of those pioneers, Lydia, is still faithfully serving there today. "I thank God because I’ve seen His mighty hand work in this institution." —Lydia Through this school, families from the community are encountering God in surprising ways. Emily learned that her son, Jabulani, was deaf when he was three years old. She searched for a school where her son would be accepted. Too often, she was turned away. She took her young son to Kakima School, simply hoping he would receive an education. "The very first time we came to this school, this was the only school Jabulani accepted to step down from my back. And he ran, and he was so happy. And I told my parents, ‘This is the school.’" —Emily Jabulani began discovering faith and joy through what he was learning at the school. "I love going to church." —Jabulani They weren’t Adventist, but one weekend when Jabulani returned home, he insisted they attend church on Sabbath, the day he had learned about in class. Curious, Emily began going to church on Saturday, wanting to understand what her son was experiencing. As she worshiped, met the members, and studied the Bible for herself, she felt God leading her. Over time, she embraced Adventist beliefs and chose to be baptized. What began with a child’s simple conviction became a journey of transformation for his mother. "By the time I was coming out, I knew I was a changed person and my life would never be the same again." —Emily "I feel happy that my mom comes to this church." —Jabulani Along the way, Emily found more than faith. She found friendship, forming a close bond with Lydia. Stories like theirs are part of what makes Kakima special. It’s a community where deaf and hearing members grow together and where families find faith. Global Mission pioneers planted the seeds here, and your continued support of Global Mission helps make projects like this possible around the world. Because of your support, more leaders can be trained, more families can be reached, and more lives can be touched by the love of Jesus. To learn more about inclusive mission, visit Adventist Possibility Ministries at possibilityministries.org. Thank you for supporting the mission offering. More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

The Kakima Adventist Church provides a worship experience both in spoken language and Kenyan Sign Language. Emily brings her son to the Kakima school, and both of their lives are transformed.

Where Hands Talk

Snowy Night's Prayer
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 A fun night of sledding leads to a missing headlamp and a prayer to Jesus.
Winter had arrived in Austria, and white snowflakes fell thick and fast outside the window. Amelie was very happy—it was the first snow of winter! “We just have to go outside!” Amelie exclaimed. It didn’t matter that it was already dark. It didn’t matter that the girls were already dressed in their pajamas for bed. Amelie wanted to go outside and jump up and down in the snow. Tamia and their mother agreed—it was a marvelous idea! Everyone quickly changed into their ski pants and warm winter coats. The girls’ mother strapped lights to the girls’ heads, then put one on her own. The two girls and their mother bounded out of the house. After locking the door, the three of them began to jump in the snow. Up and down, up and down they jumped. It was so much fun leaping through the white fluff! Then their mother pulled out the sled. It was a beautiful dark-red sled that could fly down hills very fast. All three climbed a hill by the house. Then, the girls sat on the sled, and their mother gave them a push. Whee! With a scream of delight, the girls flew down the hill. But they didn’t want to wait for the sled to reach the bottom. That would be boring. So, they purposely fell off as the sled zoomed downhill. Yay! That was fun! The girls and their mother climbed the hill again, and—whee!—down they flew. Once again, before reaching the bottom, the girls tumbled off the sled on purpose. Their mother ran beside the sled. Amelie was glad she was there. The night was dark, and the snow was falling fast and heavy. Even with her headlamp, Amelie could barely see. Suddenly, Amelie realized something was wrong. She reached up and touched her forehead—her headlamp was gone! She had no idea when it had fallen off. She had been having so much fun that she hadn’t even noticed. “Mother!” she cried. “My light is gone!” Amelie and Tamia’s mother wasn’t worried. She said they could look for it in the morning. “It’s OK,” she said. “Let’s go back home. It’s getting late.” Still, the girls wanted to look for the missing light. They revisited every place where they had fallen off the sled. No light. “Mother,” Amelie said. “We have to pray.” Their mother thought that was a good idea. So, she and the two girls stood under the falling snowflakes while Amelie prayed. “Dear God, please help us find the light,” she said. Then they opened their eyes and immediately saw something. At first, no one recognized what it was. Was it the headlamp or something else? They looked closer and saw something even more important than the light. Lying in the snow was a set of keys, including the house key their mother had used to lock the door when they went out to play. How the keys got there was a mystery. But Amelie knew one thing: without the house key, they would have been stuck outside in the cold snow for a very long time. If she had waited even a little longer to pray, the keys might have been buried beneath the thick snow, and they wouldn’t have found them. God had answered her prayer—just not in the way she expected. He had helped them find something even more important. More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

A fun night of sledding leads to a missing headlamp and a prayer to Jesus.

Snowy Night's Prayer

The Surprise School
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 In Setúbal, Portugal, plans were underway to build a new school when God provided an even better opportunity.
History, community, and deep-rooted traditions are some of the most significant foundations of Portugal’s culture. From its coastal cities to its quiet neighborhoods, families here place a strong value on education, not just for knowledge but also for character. Just south of Lisbon, in the city of Setúbal, one small school has gained trust in the community. "Our school has existed in this city for more than forty years. It began inside the church building, in classrooms underneath the church. As the school grew, the space became too small, and we knew we had to look for another solution." —Angela In 2023, plans were underway to build a new school with support from the world church through the 13th Sabbath Offering. But soon after, another opportunity appeared. "We had a plan to build a school on a plot of land with 1,500 square meters. But God gave us something far greater, a school with 10,000 square meters." —João Instead of building from the ground up, a full school complex went up for sale just in time to purchase. "We went from a very small space to suddenly receiving this gift of 10,000 square meters. It was a blessing." —Angela Throughout the years, this school has impacted many lives. One former student was so shaped by her experience that she now returns to teach music classes each week. "I was once a student here, and now I’ve returned as a teacher. Coming back to my roots means so much to me. Back then it was a very small school, but it felt like a family. That environment shaped me deeply. The values they taught us about God helped shape who I am today. They helped me become a better person." —Raquel The extra space now offers children the opportunity to play, explore, and learn. "Before, the children had very little space. Now they are surrounded by nature and space and for them, it is a joy to come to school. We don’t just teach knowledge. Above all, we teach children about the love of God." —Marta "Only about ten percent of our students are Adventist. That means this is truly a missionary school. This school is an example of what donations from around the world can do. What we do here is mission." —João Please continue to pray for this school and the students here. And thank you for your generous support of the 13th Sabbath Offering, which has helped this school grow and thrive. "If we do our part, God will do His, and He always gives us more than we ask for." —Marta More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

In Setúbal, Portugal, plans were underway to build a new school when God provided an even better opportunity.

The Surprise School

Carried by the Current
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 This throwback story highlights the beginnings of the first Luzeiro mission boat on the Amazon.
In the Amazon, villages lay hidden deep in the jungle, reachable only by days of travel through unpredictable waters. Leo and Jessie Halliwell arrived in Brazil in 1921. After several years of service in the northeast, they took a new assignment in the Amazon region. As they traveled, the couple began to understand how isolated many river communities were, especially when it came to medical help. So, in 1930, they built a boat and called it the Luzeiro, which means light bearer. It wasn’t large. It wasn’t fancy. It carried medical supplies, simple instruments, Bibles, and two missionaries willing to live on the river. For months at a time, that boat became their home. They slept in hammocks and endured the heat, insects, and sudden storms. When the Luzeiro rounded a bend before a village, word spread quickly, and people gathered at the shoreline. Malaria was common. Infections and tropical diseases were widespread. Jessie, a trained nurse, treated patients and delivered hundreds of babies during her years of service. Leo navigated dangerous stretches of river and organized the growing work. River communities came to rely on them. They kept coming back. Year after year, throughout the 1930s and 1940s, they traveled great distances along the Amazon. Villagers who had once been suspicious began waiting for the sound of the engine. Children who had been treated grew up remembering the boat that brought hope. It’s estimated that the Halliwells treated some 250,000 patients. Their mission became a life of compassion, carried along by the current. The Halliwells chose to say, “I will go,” and in the future, others would join them. As the work grew, more boats were built, each one carrying medical care and the message of hope to new communities. Today, Luzeiro boats are still traveling the rivers of northern Brazil, continuing the same kind of medical missionary work that began with one small vessel. The Halliwells are gone, but the mission they started is still growing. For more stories like this, visit encyclopedia.adventist.org. More from this quarter Downloads Get to know the region Related topics

This throwback story highlights the beginnings of the first Luzeiro mission boat on the Amazon.

Carried by the Current

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