November 30 - Giving Up Paradise

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.

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?