From the front lines of mission—straight to your inbox

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Related topics Walking by Faith Not by Sight In Romania, 11‑year‑old Clara prayed for a native English‑speaking teacher—and God impressed Andreea in Australia to answer the call. Through prayer, conviction, and surrender, Andreea left her job and home to serve as a missionary teacher, becoming the direct answer to a child’s faith‑filled prayer.
C lara is a lively student, full of bold and creative ideas. Although she is only 11 years old, she confidently says that all her prayers are answered. At the school where she studies, there was a need for a native English-speaking teacher. However, for various reasons, the school year started without anyone filling that role. Clara began to pray about it, fully convinced that the situation would be resolved. Time went by, and no one seemed interested in the opportunity, but Clara didn’t get discouraged—she kept praying about it. On the other side of the world, in Australia, a young woman named Andreea was attending camp meeting. When a missionary family shared their experiences, she was deeply inspired. A thought came to her mind, but she decided not to act on it—it didn’t seem like the right time. She had just started a new job, was living on her own for the first time, had a mortgage, and was about to begin a professional training program. Clearly, it didn’t feel like the right moment. Still, as she scrolled through VividFaith’s* Instagram page, she paused to view their mission calls. Andreea clicked “like” and returned to everyday life, leaving those thoughts behind. But a seed had been planted in her heart. Meanwhile, in Romania, Clara continued to pray and believe. A few months later, while relaxing on the beach in Australia, Andreea was scrolling through Instagram when a VividFaith post struck her like lightning—an announcement for a missionary opportunity in Romania, specifically for a native English speaker. She felt that the call was meant for her—a wave of conviction flooded over her, urging her to act. This is crazy , she thought. It doesn’t make any sense. I’m not ready. I’m not equipped or trained for this . Andreea and her family decided to fast and pray for two weeks, asking God for special guidance. This only deepened her belief that God was calling her to Romania. So, she submitted her application. Two months passed—with no response. Andreea felt relieved, thinking she had dodged a bullet. She had done her part by applying, but no one had replied. Perhaps God was saying this was not the right time after all. Then, in September, Andreea received an e-mail response to her application. After an interview with the school administrators, Andreea could see that God was working behind the scenes. She believed He was in control and that it was best to follow His plan for her life. However, she still worried about the many unknowns—what to do about her new job, the house mortgage, the living expenses in Romania, and her church responsibilities. The burden was overwhelming. Through tears, she asked God for a sign that this truly was His plan. In that very moment, she felt a peace she had never known before—something supernatural. A peace beyond understanding. It was at this turning point that she surrendered all her doubts and accepted God’s will for her life. One month later, Andreea landed in Romania, where she would begin what she now calls: “The best time of my life.” She learned that if you want God to work through you, you need to be willing, obedient, and joyful. She often says: “God will never ask you to give up something without giving you something better in return.” For Clara, it was an answered prayer—a powerful reminder that even a child’s faith can move hearts across the world. It was the kind of evidence that can strengthen a child’s faith in God and confirm that God truly hears prayers, no matter what your age. For Andreea, it was a commitment to follow God, who always has the best in store for our lives. We should follow His plans because, as Andreea says, “God knows better than us.” ⎭ *VividFaith, a service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is an online platform connecting people with service opportunities, including Adventist Volunteer Service. Use it to find or promote available positions at vividfaith.com. God was moving Andreea’s heart on the other side of the world, as Clara faithfully prayed for a teacher to come to her school in Romania. This is where Andreea became Clara’s teacher and friend.  Story Tips Show Romania and Australia on a map. Point out the distance between the two countries. Fast Facts The capital of Romania is Bucharest. Romania derives from Latin romanus , meaning Roman or “of Rome.” Most people wear modern clothing now. However, traditional garb can still be seen at festivals worn by folk musicians and dancers. Women’s costumes are often heavily embroidered in largely geometric patterns. The embroidery is said to give a glimpse into the region it comes from through the colors and symbols used. Romanian cuisine has been influenced by German and Austrian cuisine and Balkan cuisines such as Greek, Bulgarian, and Serbian. Rich soups and stews, known as Ciorbă, are popular, as are mititei (small rolls of ground meat), mămăligă (like polenta mixed with cheese), and sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls). Six of the World Heritage Sites are located within Romania, and there are many castles, including Castelul Bran, known as “Dracula’s Castle.” Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Romania, and tennis is the second most popular. The parliament buildings in Bucharest are the largest parliament buildings in the world. After World War II, Romania became a communist country until 1989, when the Romanian Revolution overthrew the communist regime. The Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of Romania. Before 13th Sabbath Remind everyone that our mission offerings are gifts to spread God’s Word around the world and that one-fourth of our Thirteenth Sabbath Offering—also known as the Quarterly Mission Project Offering—will support five projects in the Inter-European Division. The projects are listed on page three and on the back cover. Before or after the story, use a map to show the places in the Inter-European Division—Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, and Romania—that will receive the offering. Future Thirteenth Sabbath Projects The Trans-European Division will be featured next quarter, and the special projects will include: Centers of influence at all Adventist schools, British Union Conference New church, Zagreb, Croatia Family mission center, Vantaa, Finland  Get to know the region Related publications More Youth & Adult Mission Stories Topics

In Romania, 11‑year‑old Clara prayed for a native English‑speaking teacher—and God impressed Andreea in Australia to answer the call. Through prayer, conviction, and surrender, Andreea left her job and home to serve as a missionary teacher, becoming the direct answer to a child’s faith‑filled prayer.

Walking by Faith Not by Sight

Related topics Mission Begins Young Myron Iseminger, now serving in Lebanon, never imagined becoming a missionary. But a volunteer year in the Middle East transformed his worldview, ignited a passion for cross‑cultural ministry, and led him into decades of overseas service. From Egypt to Lebanon, Myron discovered that when believers stay open to God’s leading, He directs their path far better than they could themselves.
Even though as a boy I’d read all of Eric B. Hare’s* stories, I don’t think it ever occurred to me that I could be a missionary myself,” says Myron Iseminger, a missionary serving in Lebanon. In the late 1970s, Myron’s sister declared she was taking a year off to volunteer as an English teacher in Japan. After a year in college as a theology major, Myron proposed his own volunteer experience to the Middle East. It was a decision that would steer the rest of his life. “I thought it would be really neat to experience the Bible lands,” Myron says. “Besides, I thought it would give me some helpful ministerial experience. But I received much more. That year, my worldview began changing. I saw another culture, another way of thinking. I went to my students’ homes and listened to their stories, saw their personal grief. I began understanding life from another person’s perspective. I realized it’s easy to judge groups of people until you meet them one-on-one and come to love them.” Myron began sensing the call to long-term service for God overseas. At the time, cross-cultural pastors didn’t appear to be in high demand, but Myron concluded if the world church budgeted funds for mission, finance officers would be needed to manage those funds. When he returned to college, he added a second major in business. It was another critical turn that would determine the direction of his life. The advice a church leader shared with Myron also weighed on his mind: If you want to serve in a foreign country, make sure the woman you marry shares that same vision! Myron’s wife, Candace, had never been outside the United States when they married. “But she was willing,” Myron says. Together, they waited for a job opportunity overseas. One day, a General Conference officer told Myron there was an opening in the Middle East for a treasurer. Soon, Myron and Candace were settling into an apartment in the Egypt Field office. It was hard work but rewarding. “I enjoyed being on the frontline of mission,” Myron says. “I liked contributing where there were limited resources. I enjoyed seeing the difference I could make, even though it was challenging.” Myron would later serve in a variety of church offices. It all seemed impossible to a little boy captivated by Eric B. Hare’s stories, but he can testify, “If we’re open to wherever God needs us, He works out our life direction much better than we could ever plan it.”  * Eric B. Hare was a Seventh-day Adventist missionary and prolific author Get to know the region Resources More Inside Stories Topics From the front lines of mission—straight to your inbox

Myron Iseminger, now serving in Lebanon, never imagined becoming a missionary. But a volunteer year in the Middle East transformed his worldview, ignited a passion for cross‑cultural ministry, and led him into decades of overseas service. From Egypt to Lebanon, Myron discovered that when believers stay open to God’s leading, He directs their path far better than they could themselves.

Mission Begins Young

Related topics Pulling Teeth Out(reach)
Laura extracting a tooth Dentist Laura Sherwin traces how student mission service in Peru eventually led her and her husband to medical and dental outreach in Malawi.
When I was 19, I served as a student missionary in Peru. It was the most life-changing year of my life. I met my future husband, Brent, another student missionary, and we both experienced how amazing it was to serve others through dental and medical mission. Every two months, our group spent a week providing free medical and dental care in jungle villages. Those clinics were my favorite. Brent and I worked in the dental area each day, helping the many patients who lined up for care. Because dental services were limited in the region, many people came from far away to receive treatment. As I assisted each person, I began to realize the potential impact dental care could have on someone’s life. Beyond relieving physical pain, it gave me opportunities to share a glimpse of Christ’s love and compassion with each patient. This was my first real exposure to combining mission and dental care. To me, it was the gospel in real-life practice: sharing Jesus’ love through action. Rather than just preaching about it, I was experiencing what it meant to live it out. During those nine months, God planted a seed in my heart. I wanted to learn more about dentistry so that one day I could return to a mission setting and serve people in need. Fast forward 13 years. After getting married and completing many more years of education and training, Brent and I, along with our son, moved to Malamulo Adventist Hospital in Malawi. It was a surreal moment— our prayers and goals to become dental/medical missionaries were finally coming to fruition. After helping to establish a dental clinic at the hospital, I wanted to get back to where my passion for dentistry started: the local village. So last year, after prayer and discussion with hospital and community leaders, we launched a monthly dental outreach. Once a month, our dental team visits a village to provide free extractions and oral health education. In my time at Malamulo, I’ve realized that one of the greatest challenges many people face, besides the daily struggle for survival, is a lack of education. Good education can transform lives! Providing dental extractions fixes a specific problem for a short time, but oral health education can equip people to prevent problems from starting in the first place. This year, Brent joined the outreach, too. Trained as a general surgeon, Brent works hard to provide surgical care for those suffering. He also serves as the Malamulo Program Director for PAACS (Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons), a training program for African doctors who want to share the love of Christ with their patients. Each month, Brent brings two surgical residents to the outreach. They present practical information about common health issues facing Malawians and address many of the misunderstandings that surround disease. The surgical team also offers free health screenings for anyone interested. As we drove home along the bumpy, muddy roads after a recent outreach, I reflected on how God had once again led us to minister together. Even the setting of our outreach reminded me of Peru, with its rundown buildings, dim lighting, leaking roofs, and crowds of curious children peering through the windows. Yet there are stark differences, too. Today, we are far better trained and prepared to provide dental and surgical care. Our work reflects years of education, experience, and confidence. Most of all, God is the constant in our mission journey. This hasn’t been an easy road to follow. Challenges and discouragements have often threatened to smother the seed He planted in our hearts so many years ago. Yet God has faithfully carried us through every difficulty, performing miracles and arranging divine appointments that have led us to this point. I love that God provides opportunities for reflection, giving us flashbacks of yesteryear to remind us how far we have come and to encourage us to trust Him in the future. It’s a reminder that God loves us and that He is faithful. More from Mission 360° Magazine Get to know the region Resources Topics

Dentist Laura Sherwin traces how student mission service in Peru eventually led her and her husband to medical and dental outreach in Malawi.

Pulling Teeth Out(reach)

Related topics Hugging Kids and Holding Babies
Kaylee spending time with some of her Bangladeshi “sisters”. Overwhelmed by her new life in Bangladesh, Kaylee learned that God’s love makes room for every child.
If you’ve ever been to a Student Missions Vespers at Southern Adventist University, you probably haven’t forgotten what it was like. The parade of flags from different countries, inspiring music playing in the background, colorful traditional outfits, and testimonies from former volunteers make it the perfect setting to decide to be a student missionary. For Kaylee, it confirmed what she was already hoping to do.  Kaylee wants to be a teacher, and mission has always been a possibility in her mind, not just for short mission trips here and there, like the ones she took in high school, but also long-term. She’d traveled to Costa Rica, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic in high school, and she knew she wanted to take a year off to serve as a volunteer when she came to Southern. God eventually made it clear that He wanted her in Bangladesh, so she signed up, excited about what He had planned. When she arrived at Bangla Hope Children’s Home, it was overwhelming at first. Everyone was trying to talk to her and touch her. “I had kids latch onto my hands, my shoulders, and my arms,” she said. “There were kids everywhere.”  The morning after arriving, Kaylee went to speak with the principal to introduce herself and share some of her expectations. He said he would speak to the teachers and, a few minutes later, he called her back to his office. “He told me I was going to teach in about two hours! I was like, ‘I just got here less than 24 hours ago, and they’re already putting me in a classroom?’ I was so scared.”  Kaylee prayed and made a rough lesson plan of some games she could play with the kids. “It was definitely a little test of faith, but it was also such a cool moment of being like, ‘All right, God, we’re doing this,’” she says. “It made me really happy, because it’s something I’d been wanting for so many years. Relying on Him was what I was craving before I even got there. So I went to the classroom, and I started learning the kids’ names.”  One of her students really challenged her. She would stand right in front of Kaylee after class or around campus and not let her pass until Kaylee gave her a hug. “I didn’t want to hug her,” she said. “Because she was acting so entitled. It was frustrating.”  “One day, we were going to lunch, and she was standing right in front of me. Every time she had asked me for a hug before, I just gave her a quick little squeeze. But this one day, when all I wanted to do was eat my lunch, I thought, ‘Fine.’ So, I wrapped my arms around her for that quick little squeeze, and I couldn’t let go. I hugged her more and more and told her, ‘Girl, you know that I love you.’ In that moment, I felt so filled with the Holy Spirit. For a split second, I felt like God gave me the ability to see her through His eyes and to see how valued she was. It made me feel really bad for those times I had only given her a quick hug, and I decided to ask Him to fill me with His love every day.”  Another profound experience Kaylee had was when a staff family adopted a five-day-old baby. The kids came up to her to show her the baby, and she hesitated. “Babies kind of scared me, just because they’re so fragile,” she says. “I said I’d wait to hold him until he was a little older, but when we walked in, he was so beautiful, so precious and valuable. I’ve been to the Bolivian Salt Flats. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon and other national parks, but never in my life have I been more in awe of God’s creation than the moment I was holding that sweet, little, five-day-old baby. God put so much work into him. He put so much work into me and into each one of those kids. “God changed my mindset, and I realized the value and worth of each child,” she adds. “I couldn’t love them on my own; I had to draw that love from God. Now that I know that, I think I’m going to be able to love a whole lot better.” More from Mission 360° Magazine   Get to know the region Resources Topics From the front lines of mission—straight to your inbox

Overwhelmed by her new life in Bangladesh, Kaylee learned that God’s love makes room for every child.

Hugging Kids and Holding Babies

Related topics Prepared A student missionary teaching in Palau discovers that preparation, perseverance, and daily faithfulness transform both the classroom and the heart, revealing how ordinary tasks prepare us for Jesus’ return.
Good morning, Mr. Parks!” A group of energetic juniors bursts into my classroom. It’s 8:00 AM on another school day. I sigh and smile at the same time. Some days it can be tough knowing I’ve got many hours, days, and weeks of teaching still ahead. But I smile to myself too, knowing it’s all part of the adventure God’s taking me on. After all, He’s helped me, a college student, successfully complete a semester of teaching high schoolers. On this particular morning, I know exactly what I plan to do for each class. First period is US history. I’ve reviewed the day’s material on the origins of World War I, created a teaching plan, outlined questions for students, planned an activity, and found a video to introduce the topic. I’m glad that today I feel well-prepared. After a devotional and prayer, I start the video. Click! Oh no, the power’s out! There goes my video. Fortunately, because I’ve prepared my other material, I can easily transition to an interactive lecture on the factors that pulled nations into war and tie it to a moral lesson about building up versus tearing down relationships. I conclude with an activity: students pick a side of the room depending on whether the statement I read is true or false. Then I ask them why they picked that side, and they recall information from the lesson to explain their choice. The bell rings. First period is over! As the second-period students enter the classroom for World History, I smile to myself again. God is with me, and He will keep working things out. Just five more periods of teaching left today! As I look at the semester ahead, I realize that preparation is imperative. Here are four lessons I’ve learned about preparation since I began teaching in Palau.  Preparation for the expected is a defense against the unexpected . As I described above, the unexpected happened, but being well-prepared made it possible for me to handle it.  Confidence comes naturally from preparation . Fear dissipates and is replaced with surety. On the days I haven’t prepared well enough for class, it’s at least five times harder to be confident, clear, organized, and engaging. Every day matters . Some days it feels like I’m building the pyramids of Giza; does placing one more stone really make a difference? But no matter how big or complex a task seems, consistent effort turns the tide. And if yesterday didn’t go well, I still have today. Consistency means asking myself, “How can I glorify God today?” I can only prepare so much; at some point, it simply must just happen . Last semester, pretty regularly, I must admit, I wanted my lessons to be so information-packed, spiritually nourishing, and attention-gripping that I went to sleep later and woke up far earlier than what was sustainable. I realize now that my lessons will never be perfect, no matter how much I prepare. Perfection isn’t God’s requirement for me, faithfulness is.  The Bible tells us of something else to prepare for. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44). I’ve sometimes made the mistake of thinking that class prep shrinks into unimportance when compared to preparing for the Second Coming. While it’s true that Jesus’ return will be the greatest event the world has ever witnessed, everyday activities are exactly how we prepare. It’s the things that seem so ordinary, like teaching, working on a project, encouraging a friend (or stranger), and morning prayer that are the massive determiners of our preparation for Jesus’ coming in glory. Do I do all that I do for King Jesus? Do I live with a kingdom mindset, believing that every word, thought, and action in my seemingly ordinary days is a stone in the great pyramid God is building? I choose to be prepared. I choose to be faithful in the “little” things. I choose Jesus. “His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21). More from Mission 360° Magazine  VividFaith A service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, VividFaith is an online platform connecting people with service opportunities. To learn more, visit VividFaith.com . Get to know the region Resources Topics From the front lines of mission—straight to your inbox

A student missionary teaching in Palau discovers that preparation, perseverance, and daily faithfulness transform both the classroom and the heart, revealing how ordinary tasks prepare us for Jesus’ return.

Prepared

Related topics Stuck in a Sweaty Oven A volunteer’s journey to a remote village in Zambia turns into a life‑changing experience as breakdowns, extreme conditions, and overwhelming medical needs reveal both the challenges of mission service and the deep purpose found in serving others for Christ.
It was our second full day on the road, and we were exhausted. The dirt road was riddled with potholes, but the Land Rover bounced over them with surprising ease. The night before, we had stopped at a gas station just to hunker down and survive the night. There were six of us in the back of the vehicle, and somehow, we maneuvered ourselves like sardines, lying sideways, trying to get any sleep we could. Mosquitos buzzed in our ears. We had to keep the windows open for ventilation or the car would have turned into a sweaty oven. None of us slept well. We kept telling ourselves, hopefully, tonight will be better. We were on our way to a village in the Zambian bush for a four-week trip during my volunteer mission year, and so far, it wasn’t going well. As we bumped along the road the next morning, I noticed smoke drifting out of the engine. Not a good sign. Sure enough—we broke down on the side of the road in the middle of the African bush. Stranded. Barely any food. Running low on water. We weighed our options. The local man driving us knew of a small town about three hours away where we might find the replacement part we needed. So, we waited. And waited. We sat in 99° heat with no air conditioning, rationing water.  But while we waited, something happened. People from a nearby village began to gather around the vehicle. They stared at us with wide, curious eyes. Kids climbed onto the back of the Land Rover and pressed their faces against the windows, making expressions and laughing. Many wore tattered clothes. Only some had shoes. A few parents stood back watching cautiously, while others came closer, just as curious as the children. In that moment, I felt like an animal in a zoo exhibit—fascinating, strange, and unfamiliar. Two completely different worlds had collided on the side of a dirt road. For five hours, none of us knew what to do except look at each other. That was only day two of a three-day journey to the remote village in Zambia—and my first real glimpse into life there. We spent one more night on the road, eating small snacks we had picked up at gas stations. Then, after a long boat ride, we finally reached our destination—a small village called Chipwa, nestled along a river. This would be our home for the next four weeks. We unloaded our supplies and pitched our tents in a field just outside the village. Immediately, people began gathering. Many had never seen white people before. Children crowded around us, shouting, “Muzungu! Muzungu!” ( White people, white people!) Some cautiously came up and grabbed my arm, rubbing my skin to see whether I was really that color. During the day, we ran a dental clinic, and at night, we held evangelistic meetings. We quickly realized that the medical need was overwhelming, so we also opened a small general clinic. Word spread quickly; people traveled for hours to be seen. The local clinic was often neglected, and some villagers had turned to witch doctors out of desperation because they felt they had no other option. Infection, untreated wounds, chronic illness—problems that would be minor back home—became serious here simply because help wasn’t available. So, we worked. Day after day. Showering in tents. Washing clothes by hand. Praying over patients. Serving nonstop. That month opened my eyes to how vast the medical need is in much of the world—not because solutions don’t exist, but because resources and workers are scarce. I kept thinking of the words from the Bible: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37–38). When people ask me about my mission year in Africa, I still answer the same way: it was a character-growing experience. And I mean that. It was the hardest year of my life—but also the most rewarding. Because with sacrifice comes something greater than comfort: purpose. And there is no greater reward than seeing lives touched for eternity. More from Mission 360° Magazine  VividFaith A service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, VividFaith is an online platform connecting people with service opportunities. To learn more, visit VividFaith.com . Get to know the region Resources Topics From the front lines of mission—straight to your inbox

A volunteer’s journey to a remote village in Zambia turns into a life‑changing experience as breakdowns, extreme conditions, and overwhelming medical needs reveal both the challenges of mission service and the deep purpose found in serving others for Christ.

Stuck in a Sweaty Oven

Related topics Upended A student volunteer’s plans fall apart upon arriving in Egypt, but through surrender, trust, and unexpected provision, he discovers a love for teaching, a deeper faith, and the joy of following God’s leading.
I’ve always been fascinated by office curios, the bric-a-brac of professional life strewn across the workspace, laid out to testify to a life lived well. It was January of 2022, and I was observing my custom, slowly running my eyes over the curiosities in the office of Steven Manoukian, the former mission director for Southern Adventist University. I was in an interview that would change my life, the interview in which I decided to become a student volunteer in Egypt. My decision came with stipulations, however. I had no interest in what I viewed as the boring “busy work” of serving in the field. I wanted to see and experience the nooks and crannies of the world; I wanted to be Livingstone, free from the tyrannical chains of a day job. Thus, my only requirement for Mr. Manoukian was that I desperately did not want to teach English. But this request, as readers familiar with the Lord’s character and humor could predict, became my destiny. Upon my arrival in Egypt, the wheels of my best-laid plans began to fall off quickly. I was soon informed that the money I had raised wasn’t sufficient to support my work in Egypt as no stipend was available for my position. I was also informed that my anticipated “Medical Volunteer/Pathfinder Leader” position was more accurately described as “English Teacher.” This new financial stress, along with the sudden change of vocation, sent me reeling. I allowed myself to doubt everything, and all sorts of questions ran through my mind: Did God really call me here? What if I’m not meant for this service life? This was not what I signed up for. Surely God would understand if I called it off and returned to the comforting porch swing of my Florida home. Those doubts, those feelings, are what I like to call the missiological fight-or-flight response: the moment when someone decides whether to give up their own will and agency to Christ or cling to their best-laid plans and bow out of the arena. I faced that dilemma, the choice between what felt familiar, safe, and comfortable, and a future in which I had no hand in writing. It was a powerless feeling; I felt betrayed by God, or as though He didn’t care. I’ve never felt temptation like that immense pressure to leave. It was only through the grace of God and the wise counsel of my father that I chose to stay. That one decision changed my life. Once I decided to stay and teach English, I set about violently upending the couch cushions of my mind, searching for the skills and patience I needed as if they were loose change. Slowly, my anxious thoughts receded as I gave up my own plans and trusted that God was guiding my steps. Soon, He provided a stipend that allowed me to stay in Cairo. I began teaching at an urban center of influence,* where I was genuinely surprised to discover that I loved teaching English. I loved sharing my language, my culture, and my faith with students—many of whom became friends. More importantly, I discovered that faith in Jesus could move my mountains. I learned that life with Jesus was an adventure, no matter the job or place. Cairo, the city that once made me feel homesick, became one of my favorite places in the world. Despite all its dust, cigarette smoke, and busy streets, it was the place where I learned to trust Jesus.  * Small urban hubs for practicing Christ's model of ministry, building relationships within city communities, and starting new groups of believers. More from Mission 360° Magazine  A service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, VividFaith is an online platform connecting people with service opportunities. To learn more, visit VividFaith.com . Get to know the region Resources Topics From the front lines of mission—straight to your inbox

A student volunteer’s plans fall apart upon arriving in Egypt, but through surrender, trust, and unexpected provision, he discovers a love for teaching, a deeper faith, and the joy of following God’s leading.

Upended

Related topics Unexpected Missionaries Alvaro and Natalia never planned to become missionaries on a far-off island. The couple had been happily married for nine years in Chile. Alvaro worked as a dentist for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Natalia was a physical therapist at Chile Adventist University. They had a three-year-old daughter, Catalina. Then the couple heard a sermon about Adventist Volunteer Service. They felt that God was calling them. “Can we do this as a family?” Alvaro and Natalia asked each other. They felt terribly old. It seemed like only university students and young people in their 20s volunteered with Adventist Volunteer Service. Alvaro and Natalia were both 35. The couple spoke with the university pastor, who had made the appeal in his sermon. He assured them that God calls people of all ages to be missionaries. So, the couple took volunteer training at the university and looked for job openings on VividFaith, an Adventist Church website where people can apply for volunteer positions. They felt drawn to an opening for volunteers to serve a year on remote volcanic Easter Island, and they applied for the position. A short time later, the couple received the news that their application had been accepted, and they were asked to leave for Easter Island in two weeks. They were surprised by the speed with which God had answered their prayers. It was their first lesson as missionaries. They saw that God was in charge, and they needed to submit. Two weeks later, the family boarded a plane and flew 5 hours and 30 minutes to Easter Island. They landed at an airport that is considered the most remote in the world. It is located about 2,350 miles (3,780 km) from the next nearest airport. A very different culture greeted the family. While the Christian influence was strong on mainland Chile, people on the island leaned on ancestral teachings. On mainland Chile, everyone spoke Spanish, but on the island, everyone spoke the Rapanui language. Alvaro and Natalia had never felt trapped on mainland Chile, which is one of the longest countries in the world, stretching about 2,650 miles (4,265 km) from the north to the south. But Easter Island covered only 63 square miles (101 sq km), and most of its 3,800 people lived in the capital, Hanga Roa. Food was never a problem on mainland Chile, but bread was rationed on the island. Sometimes there was no flour. Food arrived by boat, and the tides didn’t always allow the boats to dock. Complicating matters, the couple quickly learned that many islanders didn’t like people from the mainland. This made it difficult to make friends and gain people’s trust. Remembering how quickly God had brought them to the island, Alvaro and Natalia decided to trust in Him and let Him lead. God began to work in an amazing way. Alvaro worked in tourism rather than dentistry to meet more people and better promote the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Natalia got a job at the local hospital. They bought a small motorcycle and went door to door, making visits and giving Bible studies. The couple also led the local Adventist church, which had 10 elderly members when they arrived. For the next year, Alvaro and Natalia did everything that a pastor does except baptize and officiate weddings. They even conducted a funeral. As they worked at the church, they reopened clubs for Pathfinders and Adventurers. To their delight, about 25 children showed up for the first meeting. As the months passed, the number of children grew and grew. The couple trained local leaders and placed the Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs into their hands. When they left, the two clubs had 95 children, and the children were bringing their parents to church on Sabbath. One Pathfinder and his mother had also been baptized. A pastor flew to the island to carry out the baptism. Alvaro and Natalia said it was a challenging year, but they wouldn’t change anything about it. “Thanks to God, the church now has local leadership on the island, and the Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs have remained open,” Natalia said. “We believe that God did a lot in the year that we were there. He opened the way.” More from Mission 360° Magazine  Thirteenth Sabbath Offering Project Alvaro, Natalia, and Catalina served as Adventist Volunteer Service missionaries for one year on Easter Island after hearing a sermon at Chile Adventist University and receiving volunteer training there. A recent Thirteen Sabbath project offering will help open an expanded Adventist Volunteer Service center at the university to train even more missionaries.  VividFaith A service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, VividFaith is an online platform connecting people with service opportunities, including Adventist Volunteer Service. To learn more, visit VividFaith.com . Get to know the region Resources Topics From the front lines of mission—straight to your inbox

Unexpected Missionaries

Related topics A Dream Job Jenny liked the idea. After graduating from the university, she visited the Adventist Volunteer Service website. She saw an opening in Chile and sent her resume.
Jenny never planned to move to Chile from the United States. When she graduated from Andrews University, she volunteered to teach English there for a year. She thought she would return to the United States at the end of the year. But five years later, she found herself teaching Bible classes at Chile Adventist University. Here is what happened. Jenny had wanted to become a missionary ever since she was a young girl. While completing undergraduate theology studies at Andrews University in Michigan, she spoke about her desire with one of her teachers. The teacher had helped another student go to Chile for a year with Adventist Volunteer Service and suggested that Jenny consider a similar path. Jenny liked the idea. After graduating from the university, she visited the Adventist Volunteer Service website. She saw an opening in Chile and sent her resume. Before long, she was accepted and went to Chile to spend a year teaching English at a center of influence. The year passed in a flurry of English classes, Bible studies, and friendships. Jenny was invited to stay a second year, and she agreed. By the end of the second year, she could speak fluent Spanish, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Central Chile Mission was looking for a bilingual assistant. She was offered the position as a volunteer. Jenny agreed, and, for the next three years, managed church membership records, trained church secretaries, and served as the local leader for Adventist Volunteer Service—the very organization for which she was volunteering. Along the way, she also got married to a Chilean. Then, Chile Adventist University called, asking if she would be willing to teach Bible classes. Jenny was excited to return to her roots after majoring in theology at Andrews University. When she became a legal resident of Chile, she transitioned to a Bible teacher at the university. For the first time in five years, she wasn’t part of Adventist Volunteer Service but a full-time university employee. Today, Jenny is one of five Bible teachers at the university. She and the other teachers teach general Bible classes that are required of all students but theology students, who have their own classes. Many of Jenny’s students learn about God and the Bible for the first time in her classes. About three-fourths of the university’s 3,000 students come from non-Adventist families. Jenny, who is 28 years old, couldn’t be happier. Being a missionary with Adventist Volunteer Service opened the door to a career she had never dreamed possible. “I meant to come to Chile for one year, and now it has been more than six years,” she said. “I feel like it was here that God wanted me.”  If you’re interested in volunteering, visit AdventistVolunteers.org to explore service opportunities. More from Mission 360° Magazine Get to know the region Resources Topics From the front lines of mission—straight to your inbox

Jenny liked the idea. After graduating from the university, she visited the Adventist Volunteer Service website. She saw an opening in Chile and sent her resume. 

A Dream Job

Related topics Scary Bike Ride Jenny liked the idea. After graduating from the university, she visited the Adventist Volunteer Service website. She saw an opening in Chile and sent her resume.
Kids will be kids. They will scrape their knees, laugh constantly, refuse to listen, attempt to take sugar from the fridge, and cry for attention as soon as they feel it’s necessary. Every day, from the rooster’s first crow to the cicada’s last hum, my full-time job as a house parent at Familia Feliz is to ensure that the needs of my 13 boys, ages 5-15, are met. Even though I’ve been here for only about six weeks, my experiences have helped me notice daily miracles. And these miracles have made me view my kids’ lives in a different light. As an orphanage/boarding school, Familia Feliz can reach the lives of many families that want or need help. Many of our children come from complicated backgrounds and didn’t get a chance to simply be kids. My experience with Eli,* one of my six-year-olds, perfectly describes this phenomenon. It was a Thursday, the day off for my co-parent, Zoro. It was my second week here, and the boys had been learning more about me, just as I had been learning more about them. Everything had gone mostly smoothly that day until just before dinner. Then, the boys ran across a small bridge out front to avoid chores. I couldn’t speak Spanish, and they couldn’t understand English. They knew what I wanted, but they looked at me with clueless expressions and occasional giggles as I helplessly tried to communicate the importance of being responsible. Finally, they relented and assumed their tasks, leaving me determined to expand my Spanish vocabulary. After dinner, it was time for worship. Eli was yawning and sleepy, so I placed him on his mattress. I had just started a Spanish worship video for the boys when I heard distant crying. I left the video playing and ran upstairs to see what was happening. There was Eli in his bed, sleeping and crying. I scurried over to him as the cries got louder and louder. When I arrived, I realized that I couldn’t do anything. He was asleep—a night terror. I couldn’t imagine what he was seeing. I don’t know where his dream came from. All I knew was that he had been smiling 30 minutes before. All I could do was hold him and pray. Then, I began to hum any Christian song that came to mind. I don’t remember the songs, but his cries subsided as I continued. He was calmed by Christ. Eli is a kid. He has no control over his dreams or the experiences that cause them, and I have no way of helping him other than praying and humming. Yet I trust God’s peace will heal him as he comes to Him as his Father. *Name has been changed.  If you’re interested in volunteering, visit vividfaith.com to explore service opportunities. More from Mission 360° Magazine Get to know the region Resources Topics From the front lines of mission—straight to your inbox

Jenny liked the idea. After graduating from the university, she visited the Adventist Volunteer Service website. She saw an opening in Chile and sent her resume.

Scary Bike Ride

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