Volunteering Sparks Faith and Transformation for a Young Participant

Camping for the first time, serving others, and participating in daily worship left a lasting impression on Lemis Gómez Mendoza, a 20-year-old who discovered a path of faith and hope through the Mission Transform Arauca initiative.

The tenth edition of Mission Transform, held in the department of Arauca in northern Colombia, profoundly impacted Lemis’ life. She had accepted the invitation from her in-laws to join the project, unaware of what it would mean for her. Although she is not a Seventh-day Adventist, she quickly discovered a community unlike any she had known.

“I felt peace, a calmness—a completely different environment from what I usually experience,” she shared. “I even imagined what it would be like to give my life to Christ.”

For Lemis, the experience of serving others, camping for the first time, and participating in daily worship left an indelible impression. “You feel a closeness with God, something I want to share with my friends and encourage them to experience,” she added enthusiastically.

While Lemis embarked on her spiritual journey, another story touched the hearts of others in the community.

Marta Pérez (name changed for privacy), a Seventh-day Adventist, lives with her daughter in a small wooden house that once flooded whenever it rained, leaving the structure at risk of collapse. Touched by her situation, volunteers stepped in to help—rebuilding the walls, securing a new door, and repairing the roof.

With tears in her eyes, Perez, who lives in the Saravena community, said, “Now I can leave my daughter at home with confidence, because it’s safe. We won’t get wet anymore, thanks to my precious Lord.”

Grateful for the support, Perez added, “These young people have such big hearts. They gave up their own comfort to come and help without expecting anything in return. Only God could inspire that in them.”

The experiences of Lemis and the hope restored to Perez’s family were part of a larger effort that mobilized more than 150 volunteers across Arauca. During the course of a week, four projects came to life: the construction of an auditorium with space for 1,000 people, the renovation of an Adventist school, the building of a youth hall, and the expansion of Perez’s home.

Volunteers shared that beyond the physical fatigue, the mission strengthened their faith. “It doesn’t matter what profession we have; we can all work for God and give our best for others,” said Milton Dueñas, a 40-year-old farmer. For 64-year-old Miriam Acevedo, the experience was a gift. “I feel very grateful to God for giving me the chance to contribute to His work,” she said. “It was an excellent experience, full of fellowship and service.”

Mauricio Buitrago, Youth Ministries director of the North Colombian Union Conference and main organizer of the initiative, captured the mission’s spirit when he shared that Jesus “taught us to mingle with people, empathize with them, and meet their needs. That’s what Mission Transform does.”

Echoing this sentiment, Omar Piña, Youth Ministries director of the Northeast Colombian Conference, reflected on the volunteers’ experience, saying that they “saw God’s hand providing every detail. Wherever something was lacking, He made a way.”

At the conclusion of the mission, Raúl Torra, executive secretary of the Northeast Colombian Conference, emphasized the lasting impact, noting that “this project not only built walls, but it also built discipleship. The young people learned that the church is a family that serves and shares.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.