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The Adventist Volunteer Services (AVS) Orientation in Bangkok recently concluded with over 30 volunteers from all around the world demonstrating a strong sense of passion and commitment. The orientation's conclusion, led by Pastor Joni Oliveira, AVS Director for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, stressed God's call to service and the transforming impact of serving in diverse mission sectors.

 "God's call to serve is not based on our abilities, but on His desire to equip and use us as reflections of His message and character to the world," shared Pastor Joni Oliveira, offering a compelling message that deeply resonated with the volunteers. This viewpoint instilled a strong feeling of purpose and determination in the volunteers, strengthening their dedication to their cause.

Pastor Elbert Kuhn, AVS Director in the General Conference, led the final Commitment service, which served as a time of spiritual reflection and direction for the volunteers. He connected the compass to the Bible, emphasizing that God's word serves as their unfailing North, pointing them toward Jesus, using a striking metaphor. The core message was clear: developing a close relationship with Christ is essential for knowing the path their lives should take.

"We often get lost, and as we eventually go astray, we must find our way back." That is what the Bible gives us. "The way back to Jesus," Kuhn explained. 

The AVS Orientation presented the volunteers with a full and enriching experience. They not only learned the skills needed to appreciate the heart of Jesus' message, but they also obtained significant insights into comprehending other cultures and the art of adaptability, just like Jesus did.

The recently finished Adventist Volunteer Services (AVS) Orientation in Bangkok presented volunteers with a one-of-a-kind and enlightening experience, allowing them to immerse themselves in the city's dynamic streets, enjoying its variety, people, and religious beliefs. Bangkok's bustling streets were a playground for the volunteers, allowing them to experience the city's hustle and bustle firsthand. The city's sights and sounds provided an opportunity to immerse oneself in diversity and fully see the globe.

The volunteer group went on one of the arranged trips to Phu Khao Thong, also known as the "Golden Mountain." The Phu Khao Thong, located within Wat Saket, one of Bangkok's oldest temples, is a high man-made hill of tremendous Buddhist importance. The volunteers were able to observe the region's spiritual legacy and engage in significant talks with a Buddhist monk throughout their stay. They developed a better grasp of the Buddhist way of life and beliefs as a result of these contacts, which developed mutual respect and appreciation for other religious traditions.

The Southern Asia-Pacific Division includes 14 nations, with twelve of them predominantly Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu. The AVS orientation allows volunteers to experience the world through the eyes of Jesus, transcending color, race, language, and religion. The ultimate objective is to cultivate a personality that represents Christ's love and compassion for all of His children, regardless of their backgrounds.

Aside from the immediate impact on the volunteers, the AVS Orientation had a bigger goal: to inspire and motivate other young people who are searching for their purpose. The orientation aims to fill a vacuum in many young hearts by establishing a profound awareness of God's love and provision via immersion in mission and service.

The AVS program attempts to provide volunteers with the capacity to build bridges of empathy and friendship across diverse groups by emphasizing cultural immersion and understanding. This method is consistent with Jesus' primary teachings, emphasizing the value of love, acceptance, and unity in sharing His message of hope and salvation.

The AVS Orientation in Bangkok not only prepares volunteers for their impending service in diverse mission sectors, but it also fires a love for global outreach and the knowledge that reaching out to people of other cultures and beliefs may have a great influence. It offers the groundwork for a successful and gratifying journey of service in which volunteers may replicate Christ's character and bring His love and compassion to all they meet.

Edward Rodriguez, Southern Asia-Pacific Division