By example, an unchurched young boy assists in leading 40 people to baptism and construction of a Seventh-day Adventist church in his village.
One Big Family (Pedrito’s Story-SAD)
[KIDS VOICE with Spanish accent]
Hi, my name is Pedro, my friends call me Pedrito and I am from a native family in Paraguay. The native or indigenous people here occupy a number of distant villages in the northern part of the country. Life is not easy, many communities still don’t have access to clean drinking water, electricity or basic education.
Because of these challenges, my grandpa told my family they should send me to a boarding school. And that’s where my story begins. The school is located not too far from my house, it is the Seventh-day Adventist primary or Escuela Adventista de Caaguazu. By car, it’s only an hour away from our humble home.
At the Adventist escuela, I felt as if I was part of one big family. I learned how to read and write, do arithmetic, and even more importantly, I learned about a God who deeply loves me. I also learned Christian habits such as praying before each meal.
During my first school break, I got to go home and I was excited to share my new experiences with the family. As we sat down to eat dinner, I noticed that everyone started eating. I felt somewhat awkward and although I was only a seven, I decided to pray. So I bowed my head and offered a silent prayer of thanks for the food.
[Father’s voice- angry tone]
“Why are you doing that?!”
[Pedrito]
My father yelled from across the table.
[Father’s voice - angry tone]
We don’t do that! If you want to pray, then take your food, go outside, and eat alone!”
[Pedrito]
So I quietly took my food, and went outside of our home, I sat on a log, and started eating. Before long, my grandfather came by and asked.
[Grandpa’s sweet elderly voice]
Pedrito why are you eating outside?
[Pedrito]
My dad doesn’t want me to pray for the food, so I was sent out here, I answered.I could see Anger rising in my grandpa’s face as he rushed inside to confront his son, my dad.
[Grandpa]
Why are you doing this to your son? You should be happy that he wants to pray! He has changed a lot and you should be thankful for that! I’m going to visit that school tomorrow and I will ask them to come to our community and teach us the things Pedrito has learned.
[Pedrito]
So my grandpa traveled to the Adventist school and explained how happy he was with my behavior. He asked the school principal, if he would be willing to send someone to our community, to teach us more about good behavior.
The principal agreed and the school sent a pastor to our community. The pastor spent time with the people and he taught us from the Bible for three months. Then my grandpa, mom, and 17 other people from the community decided to get baptized.
And as time passed, more baptisms took place.
[CHANGE FROM ANIMATION TO FOOTAGE]
[Grandpa as the narrating voice]
Now, more than 40 people are baptized members of the new Seventh-day Adventist church in our community. On Sabbaths, we sing hymns, hear Bible stories and praise God after each inspiring sermon. Many friends from our community also come. And we pray for the day that everyone will become a part of God’s big family.
You may be asking yourself, how could a church be planted by a young, unchurched boy? The answer is simple. God can use everyone who decides to do what is right.
