For more than 110 years,
the 13th Sabbath Offering
has empowered
the Seventh-day Adventist Church
to launch mission boats,
fly mission planes,
heal the sick,
educate young people,
reach the unreached,
and change lives.
The sacrificial giving
of faithful Adventists
for more than a century
has brought light and hope
to every corner of the globe.
Many of these offerings
have gone toward children's projects.
In 2011, a portion
of the 13th Sabbath Offering
was used to translate
children's materials, like books,
into the local languages of Armenia,
Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
More than ten years later,
we can see the effects
that these materials had
on that generation of children.
Guram is a video editor
in the Adventist Church
in the city of Tbilisi, Georgia.
The translated materials
from the 2011 13th Sabbath Offering
were instrumental
in shaping his spiritual life.
I was about eight years old
when my parents brought me to church.
At that time, there was already
a group of children
who would actively study the Bible.
These lessons, which were conducted
in my native language,
significantly contributed
to my getting to know God.
Years passed, and today,
I try to be actively involved in service.
Currently, with the support
of Adventist World Radio,
I participate in the preparation
of video materials.
I hope God will help us to do
even more in our country.
In another Georgian city,
Lela remembers not being interested
in church as a kid.
It wasn't until there were materials
designed for her
that she started to enjoy going to church.
Lela grew closer to God
and began getting more involved in church.
Today, she's the assistant
Sabbath school teacher for the children.
She loves passing on her passion for Jesus
to this young generation.
Children's classes are important
because children need to grow
in understanding God
and grow in knowledge of God,
so they can stay in church
when they grow up.
Thanks to your giving
to the 13th Sabbath Offering in 2011,
children such as Guram and Lela
have grown up loving Jesus
and continue to be active contributors
to ministry as young adults.
The impact of this offering
will only truly be known
when we all get to heaven.
Thank you for your support
of the 13th Sabbath Offering
that makes a difference in so many lives.