A group of Seventh-day Adventist young people from Colombia recently visited Egypt to lead health initiatives and community outreach efforts during a two-week service experience.

Amid the daily rhythm of one of the most densely populated cities on the planet, some 33 young people from northern Colombia began a cross-cultural immersion experience in Egypt on January 9, marked by service, learning, and Christian witness in the heart of the 10/40 Window, a geographic region that includes North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The area is home to much of the world’s unreached population and is characterized by high poverty rates and a low density of Adventist membership.

Egypt, an Arab nation of more than 116 million inhabitants, maintains a deeply rooted religious identity. Changing religious affiliation presents significant social and family challenges, church leaders said, but the presence of the Seventh-day Adventist group emphasized cultural respect and peaceful coexistence.

Kelly Bautista and Mauricio Chavarro, Global Mission directors of the East Colombian Conference School, said preparation was essential to the trip’s success.

“From the beginning, we understood that serving in a different context required special preparation of heart, attitude, and behavior,” they explained. “Each volunteer received cultural orientation, guidance on social and religious respect, and instruction on thoughtful and respectful communication so that every action would reflect genuine service and cultural sensitivity.”

The Egypt trip, they said, was the result of months of careful planning. From more than 230 applicants, nearly three dozen volunteers were selected and then completed extensive spiritual, logistical, and intercultural training in coordination with local leaders.

Cairo as a center of service

The Nile Union Academy, a bilingual Adventist institution in Cairo, served as the operational base. From there, volunteers integrated into school and community life, responding to practical needs.

Projects included carpentry work, remodeling and painting the associated church, restoring benches, creating artistic murals in student residences and common areas, and donating computers to strengthen the library and educational programs. The team also presented a special offering to support the local field.

Healthcare was a central component of the initiative, organizers said. Volunteers provided basic medical screenings for academy students, health education sessions for teachers, and a community health brigade serving more than 150 residents.

These activities were carried out in collaboration with faith-based community organizations such as Think Green, a center offering educational, sports, and environmental programs that strengthen local relationships, local school officials said.

Sharing faith with respect

Daily activities included intentional moments of spiritual formation. Prayer and reflection sessions were held with academy students from other faith backgrounds, along with morning and evening gatherings that emphasized service-centered spiritual growth.

The group also toured key historic and cultural landmarks, including the Coptic district, the Nile River, the Valley of the Pharaohs, the Pyramids of Giza, and other significant sites across Egypt.

Dr. Jonathan Cáceres Prada, general director of the East Colombian Conference School, said the experience reinforced the goal of training young people committed to service, dependence on God, and the church’s global outreach.

Stories That strengthen faith

Participants witnessed firsthand the perseverance of individuals serving in complex intercultural environments, as well as testimonies of faith lived amid social pressures.

One young man shared how publicly expressing his spiritual convictions brought rejection and personal risk within his own family. His words deeply moved the group when he stated that “life finds its true purpose when lived with faith,” reflecting the determination of those who remain steadfast despite opposition.

For first-time participants, the experience left a profound personal impact.

Volunteer Anabella Álvarez described the Egypt trip as a turning point in her spiritual journey.

“This experience marked a before and after in my life,” she said. “I arrived wanting to serve, but I left deeply transformed. In a different cultural context, my relationship with God became a daily dependence. I learned to love without prejudice, value simplicity, and understand that service is lived through actions, character, and how we treat others.”

Strengthening the local church

Leaders from the Egypt Conference, part of the Middle East and North Africa Union (MENAU), highlighted the spiritual, social, and tangible impact of the initiative. Aislan Nanni Bonetti, departmental director for Pathfinders, Adventurers, and related outreach initiatives, praised the volunteers for their respectful and compassionate interaction with the community.

“God worked through smiles, simple gestures, and hearts willing to serve,” he said.

Manuel Luna Atuesta, secretary of the North Colombian Union and former president of the East Colombian Conference, affirmed that the East Colombian Conference School has become a strong, well-organized, and spiritually committed initiative. He noted that the ministry mobilizes young volunteers for both local and international service while maintaining close coordination with regional leadership.

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division news site.