From July 24 to August 4, students from Sacramento Adventist Academy (SAA) joined 122 volunteers from around the world in Paraguay.
The trip was with Ultimate Workout 35, an immersive, teens-only mission trip organized by Maranatha Volunteers International. This opportunity allowed young people to serve with purpose, deepen their faith, and witness God’s work through acts of service.
At project sites with names like Campo 9, Kilometer 8, and Kilometer 40 in Paraguay, SAA’s group worked alongside other volunteers, carrying tools, water bottles, and sunscreen before dividing into teams. By mid-morning, one group was hauling bricks under the rising sun, another was assisting with blood pressure checks at a small clinic, and a third was teaching local children’s songs in Spanish, sharing laughter across languages and cultures.
After long, hot, humid days, evenings often brought moments of reflection and fellowship. Students shared stories over dinner—about the day’s accomplishments, unexpected challenges, and the generosity and kindness they encountered. Hannah Emmanuel, 17, reflected, “It gave me the opportunity to build new relationships, forming friendships while deepening my understanding and faith in Jesus—not only through worship, but also by helping others.”
<em>Featured in Northern Lights, August 21, 2025</em>
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