Young Adult Adventists Engage in Service, Faith, and Adventure in Peru

The moment he stepped out of the airport in Juliaca, Peru, the rain began.

For Ken Pombo, who was already feeling nervous about what lay ahead, the weather could have been taken as an omen of a difficult and intimidating week to come. “This [was] something that I would never normally find myself doing,” he says. “I’m an introverted person, so it takes me a lot of time to make a friendship with someone.”

Ken was joining 40 fellow volunteers on Catalyst, a mission project specifically designed for young adults, ages 18-28. Maranatha created the project to offer service opportunities for young people in a pivotal season of life, during which they encounter new schools, jobs, relationships, and other key transitions. This year’s participants came from all over North America and other countries, hoping not only to serve the Juliaca community, but also to find connection with other young adults. What they hadn’t anticipated was being welcomed by a thunderstorm, complete with hail and lightning.

Yet as they ran to the waiting bus through the downpour, there was a glimmer of hope—like a break in the clouds—for the exciting adventure they were about to face. The group’s anticipation was palpable, and the spirit of curiosity and willingness was present from the very beginning.

First Experiences at a Construction Site

Early the next morning the team hit the ground running at the construction site, where the volunteers would be building a new church for the Calapuja Seventh-day Adventist congregation. The group had been meeting in a cramped, windowless room in a member’s home for 14 years. The congregation grew to 30 members in a little more than a decade, but in a place like this there was no room for growth; no extra pews, people, or additional faith activities could be crowded into the already-maximized area. Members often felt claustrophobic because of the lack of space or even fearful of the risk of the building collapsing from an earthquake.

“In a home, you can’t have the equipment you need. You don’t have the space, because it’s a home, not a church. [There are certain functions] you can’t take part in,” says Juan Samuel Apaza, the first elder of the church. “Now, thanks to Maranatha, we will have not just a church but a temple where we can do all this.”

Many of the volunteers had never laid block before, but they quickly learned under the leadership of Peter Thomas, who served as the volunteer construction superintendent on the trip. The five days spent on the construction project were tiring yet fulfilling. As the walls grew higher, the volunteers envisioned that by the end of the week they would be worshipping in the building with the local congregation. Not only that, but they would see the work of their hands stand for years to come.

Serving the Community

While a large part of the group focused on construction, another dedicated team, which included medical students, nurses, and midwives-in-training, coordinated free daily medical clinics for local communities. The volunteers engaged in direct patient care, checking vital signs, coordinating triage and intake, and handing out prescriptions. During the four days of clinics the team saw more than 200 people, who often waited hours to receive the free care.

The third component of the project was children’s programs. Volunteers organized engaging activities for children who waited at the clinic or just wanted to join in the fun. Kids made crafts, drew pictures, sang songs, and played energetic soccer matches. While the volunteers strived to teach the kids about Christ’s love, they in turn learned about the true nature of gratitude and simplicity. 

Ken was able to serve in all three foci of the trip, another aspect that stretched his limits and expectations. “I was part of medical. I was part of VBS, and it’s been a really great experience, because I just expected to come, lay some block, and call it a day. But the Lord calls us to do things that sometimes we’re not ready to do or are not expecting or planning.”

The trip brought some environment-related issues that required adjustment, such as extreme cold in the night but pleasant, sunny days. The high altitude—Juliaca is located 12,500 feet (about 3,800 meters) above sea level—affected everyone to some degree; some found themselves winded after walking up a few stairs, while others dealt with varying degrees of altitude sickness. Each day brought new challenges and victories, all of which served as tiny catalysts for connection.

“In just the first, second, third, even fifth days we actually connected with a lot of people,” reflects Ken. “It feels as if we have known each other for years. It’s been great to know that there are a lot of people that [came] to meet others, to meet other friends . . . it’s only God that brought us and helped us connect.”

A Strong Spiritual Emphasis

Tying it all together was the strong spiritual emphasis that kept the volunteers grounded and encouraged. Each day began and ended with worship led by Sandro Sandoval, the spiritual coordinator for the project. From early-morning devotionals to lengthier gatherings in the evenings, during which people could sing, pray, and debrief from the day, the work was always focused on God and growing faith together. Many of the volunteers were searching for the stability of a church community and navigating personal questions about life and faith. For Ken this element of faith was a primary reason for joining the project; his overall objective was to grow closer to God, and sharing this journey with peers made it even more meaningful.

“I think it’s very vital for young adults to be surrounded with more young adults, because we can see the challenges of the things that people are going through,” reflects Ken. “And yes, more grown adults have gone through these things before us, but times change, generations change. So seeing the testimony of the young adults here—listening to that—empowers your heart to keep pushing . . . keep working toward a better future.”

The experience culminated with a beautiful Sabbath morning service, celebrated with the Calapuja congregation in the newly constructed church. While the windows, doors, and utilities were still to come (details the local congregation will add later), the spirit of love and unity was clearly present.

The day became even more meaningful as seven volunteers stepped into the icy-cold river just down the road from the new church. Throughout the week they felt God’s call through their work. Now they publicly dedicated their lives to God through baptism—a powerful reminder that while Catalyst had built a physical church, God was continuing to build their spiritual hearts.

Memories for a Lifetime

The trip ended in success and with great satisfaction for all. Volunteers such as Ken had come prepared to engage in service and outreach, but found themselves surprised with how impactful it was to be part of a young adult team. They came away with lifelong friendships and memories, never having imagined such an adventure when they arrived on that stormy afternoon at the Juliaca airport.

“It’s been really great, feeling that sensation of serving a community that you never knew before. And likely the only time you’ll see them again is in heaven. So it’s great to know that a lot of people from around the world are willing and able to come here and just do something for someone and never expect anything back,” says Ken.

“I feel as though this Catalyst trip has been a catalyst for my own life—for knowing and pursuing my calling. . . . It is vital that like-minded young adults keep doing these things. God really works, and there’s nothing that God cannot do for you when you are giving everything to Him.”

The original version of this story was posted in the Issue 3 2026 of The Volunteer magazine. Maranatha Volunteers International is a supporting ministry that is not part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church organization.