A group of 34 volunteers from Southern Adventist University journeyed to an Asian nation in the 10/40 Window, a region known for limited access to the Bible, for a two-week mission trip in May 2025. They worked alongside the local Seventh-day Adventist mission to serve communities in need—and received a presidential thank-you in the process.

The volunteers, including four dentists and their families and 19 Southern students, partnered with local Adventists to host medical and dental clinics, lead Vacation Bible School, and help with construction projects. Their efforts even drew the attention of the nation’s president, who invited the group to his palace in recognition of their service and praised their initiative and commitment to supporting the health of the local people.

“It was a witnessing opportunity,” recalls Paulo Dias, MD, professor in Southern’s Biology and Allied Health Department and the trip’s primary sponsor. “I think that was God creating a chance for minds to change so the gospel can prosper there.”

The group traveled to remote villages each day, where the dental team performed 550 procedures, and the medical team assisted with more than 30 surgeries. Attendance at Vacation Bible School more than tripled by the end of the second week. Volunteers also helped add a roof, walls, and windows to a school building where English instruction is a key part of outreach.

“The concept behind these short-term mission opportunities is helping without hurting,” says Julie Devlin, Southern’s Vision Trips coordinator. “We come alongside locals to serve with and support them. And that was Jesus’ method as well.”

Provision and Providence

The impact of Adventist education is growing in the area. The first Adventist church in the country had just three members as recently as 2022. Since then, a school was added, and now, church membership exceeds 40, and the Adventist school has grown from six students to more than 500, 80% of whom are not Adventist.

Before the trip, as the country’s education minister was evaluating the local Adventist schools, he determined that in order to stay open, they would each need a computer lab. The Adventist mission voiced concerns about the financial burden, but an answer came only a week later. Southern’s IT Department was retiring devices and donated 62 laptops and nine projectors.

“The local schools are very, very basic,” says Dias. “When the requirement was announced, the Adventist mission president felt it would be impossible, but just one week later, God provided.”

A local airline even waived luggage fees, allowing the group to bring the computers and essential medical supplies at no additional cost.

The university’s team also witnessed remarkable stories of forgiveness and transformation. In one village, a local missionary invited a man who had previously mistreated him to the dental clinic. The man accepted reluctantly, but by the group’s departure, he had become friendly. Even the village chief, who had once opposed Adventist efforts, later called to express his gratitude and request further aid.

“These visits mean so much to our members,” the mission president says, his voice breaking with emotion. “They provide encouragement that other parts of the world care about God’s work here.”

Changed by Service

For many of the students, the trip was transformative.

Johnny Rojas, freshman engineering major, originally planned to serve elsewhere but shifted his plans when the opportunity arose.

“Maybe the Lord was trying to show me something,” he reflects. After long days of construction, he and fellow students still found energy to help with Vacation Bible School and kitchen duties. “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life! I just want to feel that I’m a missionary every day.”

Sophomore nursing major Carol Zamora shared how simple moments, like bonding with local girls despite language barriers, left a deep impression. “The saddest part for me was having to leave,” she says. “We made such meaningful connections.”

Devlin adds that mission work is part of our school spirit, “And for many students, service changes everything,” she says.

Dias echoes that sentiment: “To serve, to be useful—there is no better place to be.”

The original article was published on the Southern Adventist University news site.