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When Renato was called[br]to be an Adventist volunteer,

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he imagined serving[br]in remote, exotic

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locations, such as those he heard[br]about in mission stories as a kid.

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He was surprised when God[br]sent him to a city instead.

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Thailand is far from his home[br]country of Brazil,

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and Renato quickly learned[br]about the

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mission needs in big cities[br]such as Bangkok.

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In the very beginning I got[br]a little bit disappointed because.

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That was not the idea I had[br]of working the 1040 window.

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I thought I would be teaching[br]in a bamboo school,

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in the forest, in the jungles,

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but

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I realized that challenges[br]are everywhere

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and they are so intense it[br]is hard to serve

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as a missionary anywhere.

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Working in cities such as Bangkok[br]can be difficult.

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People are often busy, isolated[br]and seemingly in need of nothing.

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Their lives are good[br]the way it is.

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They're healthy,[br]they have beautiful families.

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There are many wealthy people[br]here in Thailand.

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Why do they need Jesus?

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That's the question.

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Why do I need something else

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if I have everything[br]a successful human being can have?

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And we know that a life[br]without Jesus is a meaningless life.

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Despite the challenges,

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Renato has made it his mission

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to foster positive connections

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with the people around him.

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The volunteer is not just about suffering

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and dealing with challenges[br]and difficulties.

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Somehow, even if we don't deserve.

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God promotes hundreds of opportunities[br]for us to enjoy life and be happy.

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Renato's primary role as a volunteer[br]is teaching grade for English

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at Ekamai International

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School.

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Teaching has allowed him to bond[br]with his students

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and learn about their lives.

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95% of the kids in my school

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are non Christian so worshipping[br]in the morning for us

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is

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really important.

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From 7:00 to 7:20 AM[br]we have the worship session

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and that's my favorite moment[br]of the

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day.

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After class, Renato is involved[br]with other ministries.

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Such as visiting people in prison[br]and gathering resources

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to support refugees.

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Renato's experiences[br]as an Adventist volunteer service,

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or AVS worker have impacted him

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in a way that will remain with him[br]for the rest of his.

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Life.

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I'm pretty sure that nobody[br]that goes to any country

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to serve as an AVS will come back

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home the same way[br]they got into this.

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It's a life changing opportunity[br]and by the grace of God.

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The work here in the missionary field[br]has changed my life

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in a very good way.

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As we refocus our attention[br]to mission in the cities,

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please pray for workers such as

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Renato who share the light of Jesus[br]with those around them.

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If you would like to learn more[br]about service opportunities,

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visit vividfaith.com.

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Thank you for supporting the mission[br]of the 7th Day Adventist Church.