From February 14 to March 3, five students from SOULS and two staff members seized the opportunity to go on a mission trip to the Czech Republic.
Our presentations focused on health through personal testimonies. We shared with young people that a drug-free lifestyle is possible with Jesus Christ. This year we scheduled 32 presentations in different public schools, two full Sabbath programs in local churches and a visit of Auschwitz. God manifested His power, blessing, care and protection.
The mission trip was a success on several levels.
First, the teachers and faculty were so excited that right after our presentation at their high school many of them immediately requested another visit on our future mission trip. In our presentations we emphasized that without God it is impossible to be clean from drugs and this was accepted well; some teachers had more questions regarding Christianity. Recently I received an e-mail message from one of the schools where they recorded our presentation on videotape. Not only are they using the tape to perfect their English, but also to re-enforce the dangers of drug addiction and victory over it. Three teachers are still in touch with us and they would like to come here for two weeks to observe our [Adventist] school system.
Second, Czech students, for the most part, don’t believe in God. They are raised atheists, and the thought that God may be able to help them in their difficulty leads them to think and ask questions. The truth is, many of them still don’t believe, but the seed was sown. Our presentations were accepted with a friendly response, and the students really enjoyed talking with our group members. Some of them, wanting to learn more English, were very excited with our friendship. Besides the school presentations we were able to go horseback riding with a couple of the students and fought a few snowball fights, where we always lost due to inexperience since we don’t have much snow in Florida. We went to play soccer on the snow with them and went to the gym four times to play with those young people. The reason behind it was that those students wanted to spend extra time with us.
The most exciting experience was when two of the students in the first week of our presentations showed an interest in coming to worship with us on Sabbath. They came and spent the whole Sabbath with us and stayed from 9AM until 4PM. Then they came with us for after-sundown activities. When I talked with them the following Friday, they asked if they could join us again and come to the church. They came and stayed the whole Sabbath, went with us to the gym, and the next day to Auschwitz.
And the outcome of this story?
Michelle, a high school student we met at a health lecture, just wrote me an e-mail. She just quit smoking, which she wasn’t able to do for the last two years. She has not smoked for two weeks and she believes she will never smoke again. She doesn’t have any desire to go to parties any more, and on top of everything, she is experiencing the power of prayer. She is learning to daily walk with the Lord. Please remember Michelle and Martina in your prayers They believe we’ve changed their lives, but we know that this was the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rene Metz, Youth Publishing Leader
Georgia-Cumberland Conference