1 00:00:04,070 --> 00:00:06,950 When Renato was called to be an Adventist volunteer, 2 00:00:07,310 --> 00:00:10,299 he imagined serving in remote, exotic locations, 3 00:00:10,461 --> 00:00:13,191 such as those he heard about in mission stories as a kid. 4 00:00:13,979 --> 00:00:17,320 He was surprised when God sent him to a city instead. 5 00:00:19,929 --> 00:00:22,508 Thailand is far from his home country of Brazil, 6 00:00:22,915 --> 00:00:24,990 and Renato quickly learned about the mission needs 7 00:00:24,990 --> 00:00:26,804 in big cities such as Bangkok. 8 00:00:27,216 --> 00:00:29,379 In the very beginning, I got a little bit disappointed, 9 00:00:29,379 --> 00:00:33,990 because that was not the idea I had of working the 10/40 Window. 10 00:00:34,386 --> 00:00:36,720 I thought I would be teaching in a bamboo school, 11 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:38,470 in the forest, in the jungles, 12 00:00:39,160 --> 00:00:43,109 but I realized that challenges are everywhere, 13 00:00:43,109 --> 00:00:44,711 and they are so intense. 14 00:00:45,343 --> 00:00:48,187 It is hard to serve as a missionary anywhere. 15 00:00:48,977 --> 00:00:51,710 Working in cities such as Bangkok can be difficult. 16 00:00:52,150 --> 00:00:56,273 People are often busy, isolated, and seemingly in need of nothing. 17 00:00:56,658 --> 00:01:00,042 Their lives are good the way it is. 18 00:01:00,310 --> 00:01:03,133 They're healthy. They have beautiful families. 19 00:01:04,079 --> 00:01:06,630 There are many wealthy people here in Thailand. 20 00:01:07,007 --> 00:01:08,450 Why do they need Jesus? 21 00:01:08,730 --> 00:01:09,772 That's the question. 22 00:01:09,772 --> 00:01:11,390 Why do I need something else 23 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:15,827 if I have everything a successful human being can have? 24 00:01:16,733 --> 00:01:21,230 We know that a life without Jesus is a meaningless life. 25 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:22,992 Despite the challenges, 26 00:01:22,992 --> 00:01:24,660 Renato has made it his mission 27 00:01:24,660 --> 00:01:27,427 to foster positive connections with the people around him. 28 00:01:28,134 --> 00:01:30,384 To volunteer is not just about suffering 29 00:01:30,384 --> 00:01:32,836 and dealing with challenges and difficulties. 30 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:37,040 Somehow, even if we don't deserve, 31 00:01:37,596 --> 00:01:42,811 God promotes hundreds of opportunities for us to enjoy life and be happy. 32 00:01:44,085 --> 00:01:47,611 Renato's primary role as a volunteer is teaching grade 4 English 33 00:01:47,611 --> 00:01:49,587 at Ekamai International School. 34 00:01:50,110 --> 00:01:52,588 Teaching has allowed him to bond with his students 35 00:01:52,904 --> 00:01:54,233 and learn about their lives. 36 00:01:55,131 --> 00:01:59,198 95% of the kids in my school are non-Christian, 37 00:01:59,963 --> 00:02:03,836 so worshipping in the morning for us is really important. 38 00:02:03,836 --> 00:02:08,016 From 7:00 to 7:20 AM we have the worship session, 39 00:02:08,016 --> 00:02:09,769 and that's my favorite moment of the day. 40 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:13,530 After class, Renato is involved with other ministries, 41 00:02:13,530 --> 00:02:15,185 such as visiting people in prison 42 00:02:15,185 --> 00:02:17,747 and gathering resources to support refugees. 43 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:21,581 Renato's experiences as an Adventist Volunteer Service 44 00:02:21,581 --> 00:02:24,787 or AVS worker have impacted him in a way 45 00:02:24,787 --> 00:02:27,190 that will remain with him for the rest of his life. 46 00:02:27,645 --> 00:02:31,809 I'm pretty sure that nobody that goes to any country 47 00:02:31,809 --> 00:02:33,135 to serve as an AVS 48 00:02:33,522 --> 00:02:36,627 will come back home the same way they got into this. 49 00:02:37,139 --> 00:02:38,794 It's a life-changing opportunity, 50 00:02:38,794 --> 00:02:40,974 and by the grace of God, 51 00:02:41,180 --> 00:02:45,659 the work here in the missionary field has changed my life in a very good way. 52 00:02:46,850 --> 00:02:49,724 As we refocus our attention to mission in the cities, 53 00:02:50,230 --> 00:02:52,298 please pray for workers such as Renato 54 00:02:52,298 --> 00:02:54,787 who share the light of Jesus with those around them. 55 00:02:55,620 --> 00:02:58,350 If you would like to learn more about service opportunities, 56 00:02:58,470 --> 00:03:00,480 visit vividfaith.com 57 00:03:00,910 --> 00:03:04,390 Thank you for supporting the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.