They could have been anywhere; lounging on the sands of Venice Beach, conquering the peaks of the Rockies, or simply spending time with their family.
They could have been anywhere; lounging on the sands of Venice Beach, conquering the peaks of the Rockies, or simply spending time with their family. But 40 Union College students chose to volunteer part of their summer vacation to work at this year’s Adventist world church meetings.
Manning information booths in their light green garb, the students ensure that guests, delegates and staff alike are always headed in the right direction.
“For some, this may be their first overseas trip,” said student volunteer Alessandro Cavalcante. “They may not know how to use the maps or are not used to the language.”
However, many of the volunteer students have stepped far beyond the call of map-reading and direction-finding expectations, reaching out in acts of service that reflects a desire for Christlike lives.
Cavalcante is one of these. The physicians assistant student was stationed at an information booth when his Brazilian heritage and medical know-how were called upon in a time of need. First aid officers explained that a lady, who they feared might contract septicaemia, was in need of a translator. Cavalcante was more than happy to assist.
Arriving at the hospital, they were pleasantly surprised to find the emergency room empty of patients. However, while Cavalcante assisted in checking the woman’s health insurance details, the room began to fill.
“It was the fourth of July, lots of people were doing stupid things and having accidents,” he said.
After a lengthy wait the woman was processed and Cavalcante remained by her side until 4 o’clock the next morning, ensuring that she was aware of the procedures that were taking place. They left together, Cavalcante convinced that “it was more than providential. It was from God.”
It is a culture of service that is ingrained in students by the college’s active involvement in volunteer services during the semester. College staff and students regularly organize community services projects, a foot health clinic for the homeless (where shoes and socks are distributed), and singing visits to hospitals.
Michelle Halim also implemented her medical training in an extraordinary act of service. After leaving her hotel uncharacteristically late—“We never leave that late,” she said emphatically—Halim observed a group of Africans surrounding a lady who had fallen to the ground.
Having just received her Basic Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and Basic Trauma Support qualifications, Halim ensured the lady, who at one stage lapped into unconsciousness and blood pressure dropped to 66, made it through the 45-minute wait till the ambulance arrived.
For many, simply walking through the halls of America’s Center and Edward Jones Dome, where the meetings are taking place, can be a traumatic experience. Fortunately the student volunteers are armed with a myriad of maps and an intimate knowledge of the venue.
Unfortunately they are not mind-readers.
Volunteer Ashley Bohlender tells the story of a lady who, having been ministering on the streets, requested a list of the local Seventh-day Adventist churches. With none available, Bohlender asked the lady to return at a later time to collect a collated list.
The following day a 93-year-old woman came with an unusual request. “I need to get to my hotel,” she said, but could not remember where she was staying. What she could remember was that she came with a friend, but once again could not remember her name.
With no other option they turned to prayer. “No sooner had they looked up and there was her friend, the same lady who needed the list the day before.” Bohlender is convinced that it was more than just students working in the booth that day.
With more than 150 nations represented at these meetings, language can form a seemingly impenetrable barrier for some. Miguel Nunez is fluent in three languages other than English. During an average six-hour shift Nunez estimates he translates for more than 40 groups or individuals, be it in Portuguese, Spanish or French.
“I didn’t know I would be using so much French,” he said. “Au contraire.”
It seems his linguistic skills have become famous throughout the international crowd. “Sometimes I get called when I am sleeping in the hotel, but I don’t care, anything to help.”
“With such an international crowd we have become experts with phone cards,” added 23-year-old Bohlender.
Session manager Linda de Leon is thankful that the students have been willing to take time out of their vacation to assist at the meetings.
“They are fabulous. We provided them with a book of what we thought would be frequently asked questions and just let them go,” she said. “It is hard to get a good volunteer base due to the length of the Session. The student’s from Union College have been a good match.”
And so for the next five days the students in green will continue to aid and assist, giving freely of their time to those who just need a little help, often stepping out and exceeding expectations.