Adventist youth in Principe decided to skip their summer vacation in paradise. Instead, they served people in a difficult-to-access region of the island.
Principe is a magnificent “Lost World” with untouched beaches, greener-than-green forests, and a small yet welcoming population. This is truly an ecological sanctuary for the handful of tourists who visit this remote island in Sao Tome and Principe. There are many activities here for guests and locals to enjoy: relaxing beaches, jungle exploration, snorkeling, fishing, birdwatching, and other fun adventures.
Surprisingly, Adventist youth in Principe decided to skip their summer vacation in paradise. Instead, they gave their time to serve people in a difficult-to-access region of the island.
This group is Mission Caleb. They went to Vila Belavista, the village selected for their summer project. There are no paved roads and the team traveled carefully through treacherous terrain. Inspired by Caleb’s courage in the Bible, these young men and women desire to have that same fearless spirit, so they call themselves the Calebs.
When the Calebs first surveyed the community, they found many people in need.
So the young men began working to clear access to people’s houses.
The young women did house chores and cleaned up the walkways.
The group also visited the sick, bringing hope and food supplies.
In this remote area, some villagers struggle to survive on their own.
The Calebs’ unselfish acts of service, kindness, and compassion demonstrated their Christlike love. Soon they captured the villagers’ attention and people began to open up.
“I thought there was no solution for me anymore. After I lost my son, I thought I should die.”
“When the Calebs came over, the pastor invited us to go to church. So, we accepted Jesus here and then went to the church in the city. … then we got baptized.”
The Calebs could not have imagined how God would bless their efforts. By giving up their summer in paradise, God was able to reach the people of Vila Belavista. Villagers asked questions and requested Bible studies. Others attended the special meetings hosted in the village. Today, the main congregation plans to build a new church in this village because many have accepted Jesus.
Show clip where they shout:
Caleb, I am. Mission Caleb, I will go.
Each summer, thousands of Mission Caleb youth accept the challenge to show compassion and creatively serve all over the world. Many times, the goal is to establish new groups of believers in unentered areas. God is using young people in Sao Tome and Principe and all over the world. How can He use you?
