This year started off with such high hopes. 00:00:20.38\00:00:24.12 Like so many of you, Maranatha had great plans. 00:00:24.15\00:00:27.32 We hoped to mobilize 2,700 volunteers around the world. 00:00:29.66\00:00:36.53 Congregations had their heart set on worship 00:00:36.56\00:00:39.13 in a beautiful new church. 00:00:39.17\00:00:40.77 Children were daydreaming about sunny classrooms 00:00:44.17\00:00:47.11 and clean dormitories. 00:00:47.14\00:00:49.54 Women were counting down the days 00:00:49.58\00:00:51.31 until they could pump fresh, clean water for their families. 00:00:51.35\00:00:54.82 And many of you were setting plans in place 00:00:56.69\00:00:58.89 to be a helping hand. 00:00:58.92\00:01:00.26 Life took an unexpected turn in 2020. 00:01:03.39\00:01:08.06 And for a moment, it felt like all these hopes were dashed. 00:01:08.10\00:01:14.10 Then, we started to push. 00:01:14.14\00:01:17.31 We pushed against every closing door 00:01:17.34\00:01:19.94 while praying for God to lead the way. 00:01:19.97\00:01:23.81 And God, He opened the doors. 00:01:23.85\00:01:28.32 He opened the doors into Kenya, Cuba, Zambia, Brazil, India, 00:01:28.35\00:01:34.86 Cote d'Ivoire. 00:01:34.89\00:01:37.23 He found ways for the mission to continue pushing forward. 00:01:37.26\00:01:42.96 Today, we'll take a trip around the world, 00:01:43.00\00:01:45.63 highlighting the work Maranatha is doing 00:01:45.67\00:01:48.87 and how you can help. 00:01:48.90\00:01:50.24 Cote d'Ivoire, 00:02:00.12\00:02:02.22 this West African country 00:02:02.25\00:02:03.65 is a fascinating melting pot of cultures and religions. 00:02:03.69\00:02:09.02 Adventism was first introduced in this nation 00:02:09.06\00:02:11.69 more than 100 years ago, 00:02:11.73\00:02:14.46 but a lack of resources and infrastructure 00:02:14.50\00:02:16.87 has hindered growth. 00:02:16.90\00:02:18.90 In 2018, Maranatha embarked on an ambitious endeavor 00:02:18.93\00:02:22.87 to provide churches, schools and water wells 00:02:22.90\00:02:25.74 beginning around the city of Abidjan. 00:02:25.77\00:02:29.21 Work progressed through 2019 and 2020 00:02:29.24\00:02:32.05 began with high hopes. 00:02:32.08\00:02:34.82 But in March, the global pandemic looming, 00:02:34.85\00:02:37.59 there was much uncertainty 00:02:37.62\00:02:39.09 as to the future of these plans. 00:02:39.12\00:02:42.09 So we pray, Lord, this is our big need, 00:02:42.12\00:02:46.46 our greatest opportunity. 00:02:46.49\00:02:48.43 Please help us to avoid the same situation 00:02:48.46\00:02:51.03 of locking down here in Abidjan, 00:02:51.07\00:02:53.54 so we will not be able to work in this country. 00:02:53.57\00:02:56.81 Gilberto began to put together a plan 00:02:56.84\00:02:58.87 to safely resume working, 00:02:58.91\00:03:00.68 a formula that would be used in other countries as well. 00:03:00.71\00:03:03.18 Maranatha's local crew 00:03:06.35\00:03:07.68 sheltered in place on construction sites, 00:03:07.72\00:03:09.92 pushing the work forward. 00:03:09.95\00:03:11.29 And in September of 2020, 00:03:13.19\00:03:15.32 our first project, 00:03:15.36\00:03:16.69 the Anan Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:03:16.73\00:03:18.93 was inaugurated. 00:03:18.96\00:03:20.30 Hope continued to flow as school started 00:03:22.20\00:03:24.67 at the first Maranatha built school in the country 00:03:24.70\00:03:27.57 in Abbebroukoi. 00:03:27.60\00:03:28.94 Water wells are now being drilled at church sites 00:03:31.91\00:03:34.64 enabling greater access to clean water. 00:03:34.68\00:03:36.78 And in December, 00:03:40.55\00:03:41.88 a small team of volunteers 00:03:41.92\00:03:43.25 successfully worked at the Niangon School, 00:03:43.28\00:03:46.05 our first international mission trip since March. 00:03:46.09\00:03:48.76 Maranatha's effort in Cote d'Ivoire is working 00:03:51.69\00:03:54.03 to not only grow our faith during this challenging time, 00:03:54.06\00:03:57.37 but to also grow our community of faith. 00:03:57.40\00:03:59.97 While work in Cote d'Ivoire has continued 00:04:04.97\00:04:07.04 despite the pandemic, 00:04:07.08\00:04:08.41 the situation has been very different 00:04:08.44\00:04:09.98 in the country of Peru. 00:04:10.01\00:04:11.35 This is a street in a town outside Lima, Peru. 00:04:23.29\00:04:27.00 It's a typical residential street. 00:04:27.03\00:04:30.33 Tucked into the line of buildings is a church. 00:04:30.37\00:04:33.57 If you blink while walking past you might miss it, 00:04:33.60\00:04:36.77 and many people do. 00:04:36.81\00:04:39.37 Many people walk right past 00:04:39.41\00:04:41.08 without noticing the church sign. 00:04:41.11\00:04:44.25 But the Frente de Agosto Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:04:44.28\00:04:47.55 has been around for more than 20 years. 00:04:47.58\00:04:50.72 The problem was that their church was an old house. 00:04:50.75\00:04:54.26 It was easy to ignore or entirely invisible 00:04:54.29\00:04:57.53 as a place of worship. 00:04:57.56\00:04:59.29 The story of Frente de Agosto 00:05:21.65\00:05:23.62 exemplifies the problem of many congregations in Peru. 00:05:23.65\00:05:27.66 The number of church groups are growing, 00:05:27.69\00:05:29.79 but they don't have 00:05:29.82\00:05:31.16 actual church buildings to meet in. 00:05:31.19\00:05:34.00 Part of the growth can be blamed on Maranatha. 00:05:34.03\00:05:36.43 In 2003, 00:05:38.00\00:05:39.33 Adventist leadership in Peru 00:05:39.37\00:05:40.80 asked Maranatha to build 100 churches. 00:05:40.84\00:05:45.24 Over the next few years, 00:05:45.27\00:05:46.61 more than 3, 000 volunteers 00:05:46.64\00:05:48.84 poured into the country on mission trips. 00:05:48.88\00:05:52.61 The experience ignited a flurry of activity in Peru, 00:05:52.65\00:05:56.02 but resulted in more congregations 00:05:56.05\00:05:58.32 and a new need for more places of worship. 00:05:58.35\00:06:02.26 It wasn't long before 00:06:02.29\00:06:03.63 church leadership reached out to Maranatha once more. 00:06:03.66\00:06:07.30 In December 2019, 00:06:07.33\00:06:09.36 Maranatha returned to launch a new effort, 00:06:09.40\00:06:11.97 building churches and schools in Peru. 00:06:12.00\00:06:15.00 Before the Coronavirus pandemic, 00:06:15.04\00:06:17.11 volunteers had already worked at four sites 00:06:17.14\00:06:19.71 answering prayers for three congregations 00:06:19.74\00:06:22.21 and a community in need of a school. 00:06:22.24\00:06:25.61 In the spring and summer, 00:06:25.65\00:06:27.02 several other groups were slated to receive a new church. 00:06:27.05\00:06:29.92 In fact, 00:06:29.95\00:06:31.29 some of them had already torn down their old space 00:06:31.32\00:06:33.56 in preparation for volunteers to arrive. 00:06:33.59\00:06:37.49 But in March, Peru went into strict lockdown, 00:06:37.53\00:06:40.93 shutting down all of Maranatha's work. 00:06:40.96\00:06:43.87 The work halted for many months 00:06:43.90\00:06:45.83 before the country began to open. 00:06:45.87\00:06:49.17 Now, the work is slowly resuming. 00:06:49.20\00:06:54.21 And now, they pray and they hope 00:06:54.24\00:06:56.08 that Maranatha's going to be able to continue doing the work 00:06:56.11\00:06:59.28 and accomplish what they did. 00:06:59.31\00:07:00.98 And we always stay in touch with them 00:07:01.02\00:07:02.82 and reminding them to pray, 00:07:02.85\00:07:04.72 and trust that God can work miracles. 00:07:04.75\00:07:08.79 Miracles for congregations like Frente de Agosto. 00:07:08.82\00:07:13.53 Once the new building is constructed, 00:07:13.56\00:07:15.33 the church will no longer go unnoticed. 00:07:15.36\00:07:19.43 Like so many of the other Maranatha churches 00:07:19.47\00:07:21.60 that have been built in Peru, 00:07:21.64\00:07:23.07 the new sanctuary will serve as a beacon of good news 00:07:23.10\00:07:25.97 and hope to the community. 00:07:26.01\00:07:28.38 A light too bright to be ignored. 00:07:28.41\00:07:30.61 When we come back here are more ways 00:07:33.92\00:07:36.02 Maranatha's mission is continuing around the world. 00:07:36.05\00:07:39.02 Maranatha's Donate button 00:07:49.20\00:07:50.77 is more powerful than you think. 00:07:50.80\00:07:52.53 Anytime, day or night with a simple click, 00:07:52.57\00:07:55.44 you can drill a well, 00:07:55.47\00:07:56.81 bringing fresh water to an entire community. 00:07:56.84\00:08:00.04 With a touch, you can touch a child's life 00:08:00.08\00:08:02.54 through a dorm, a classroom. 00:08:02.58\00:08:05.05 Your push pushes up a wall on a church or school. 00:08:05.08\00:08:08.65 That little Donate button puts the roof on this church, 00:08:08.68\00:08:11.89 puts the smile on this face. 00:08:11.92\00:08:14.19 Find Maranatha's Donate button today 00:08:14.22\00:08:16.39 and bring real change to a world in need. 00:08:16.42\00:08:19.06 At 1.4 million members, 00:08:29.04\00:08:31.37 the Adventist Church in Zambia boasts 00:08:31.41\00:08:33.38 one of the largest memberships in the world. 00:08:33.41\00:08:38.21 Visit on the Sabbath morning 00:08:38.25\00:08:39.61 and you will witness churches full of joyful singing, 00:08:39.65\00:08:45.12 passionate preaching, 00:08:45.15\00:08:46.49 and members reaching out to their communities 00:08:49.82\00:08:52.29 in any way they can. 00:08:52.33\00:08:53.66 But what Zambian church members possess in zeal, 00:08:57.33\00:09:00.44 they lack in proper places to worship. 00:09:00.47\00:09:04.27 They're meeting under trees. 00:09:04.31\00:09:06.31 If they have a structure in general, 00:09:06.34\00:09:07.78 they have some kind of shade structure built up, 00:09:07.81\00:09:09.41 but it's made out of, you know, sticks, 00:09:09.44\00:09:11.51 let's say what around us it just pulls grass over top. 00:09:11.55\00:09:16.58 From 2009-2015 Maranatha worked in Zambia 00:09:16.62\00:09:20.62 to construct One-Day churches and school campuses 00:09:20.66\00:09:23.73 in the southern part of the country. 00:09:23.76\00:09:25.26 In 2018, 00:09:28.20\00:09:29.53 a growing church membership 00:09:29.56\00:09:30.97 brought Maranatha back to Zambia 00:09:31.00\00:09:32.83 to build additional schools 00:09:32.87\00:09:34.34 and One-Day churches 00:09:34.37\00:09:35.70 as well as provide clean water by drilling wells. 00:09:35.74\00:09:38.44 Our work is currently focused 00:09:41.91\00:09:43.35 in the northern part of the country. 00:09:43.38\00:09:44.91 Areas previously unentered 00:09:46.78\00:09:48.78 and so remote that few have ventured into the bush. 00:09:48.82\00:09:54.22 Yet here there is a small 00:09:54.26\00:09:55.92 but growing number of Adventist communities. 00:09:55.96\00:09:58.53 Each week, even during the pandemic 00:10:01.13\00:10:03.50 Maranatha's crews traveled dusty roads 00:10:03.53\00:10:05.73 to bring spiritual shelter and clean water 00:10:05.77\00:10:08.37 to needy congregations. 00:10:08.40\00:10:11.97 The completion of each church elicits joyful celebration, 00:10:12.01\00:10:16.44 and the wells are improving lives 00:10:16.48\00:10:18.61 by providing clean water 00:10:18.65\00:10:20.12 that enables better hygiene, 00:10:20.15\00:10:21.92 plentiful crops and healthy livestock. 00:10:21.95\00:10:26.55 So far in 2020, 00:10:26.59\00:10:28.09 200 water wells have been drilled in Zambia. 00:10:28.12\00:10:30.66 In addition to providing churches and wells, 00:10:34.13\00:10:36.46 Maranatha is helping 00:10:36.50\00:10:37.83 to bolster Christian education in the country 00:10:37.87\00:10:39.93 through the construction of schools. 00:10:39.97\00:10:41.54 This includes the completion 00:10:45.77\00:10:47.24 of a 12-classroom elementary campus 00:10:47.28\00:10:49.54 in the city of Kabwe. 00:10:49.58\00:10:50.91 The new campus moved students out of cramped classrooms 00:10:55.02\00:10:58.99 and into a bright new school. 00:10:59.02\00:11:02.29 Once the Kabwe campus was complete, 00:11:02.32\00:11:04.33 Maranatha began work 00:11:04.36\00:11:05.69 at the Emmanuel Adventist Secondary School. 00:11:05.73\00:11:10.17 The original buildings on campus 00:11:10.20\00:11:11.67 were built through the sacrifice of many people 00:11:11.70\00:11:14.24 who wanted local children 00:11:14.27\00:11:15.60 to have a quality Christian education. 00:11:15.64\00:11:19.01 But as the school has grown, the space is now inadequate. 00:11:19.04\00:11:23.78 Maranatha responded to their need 00:11:23.81\00:11:25.61 by building two blocks of three classrooms 00:11:25.65\00:11:28.08 along with the girls' dormitory, 00:11:28.12\00:11:29.75 bathrooms and a new well. 00:11:29.78\00:11:32.92 Maranatha's crew sheltered in place on the campus 00:11:32.95\00:11:35.19 to work on the buildings. 00:11:35.22\00:11:37.99 When complete, 00:11:38.03\00:11:39.36 these structures will help the school 00:11:39.39\00:11:40.73 expand their reach. 00:11:40.76\00:11:42.10 Maranatha's work in Zambia continues 00:11:45.33\00:11:47.70 as the requests for help are growing. 00:11:47.74\00:11:51.44 Because there are still many 00:11:51.47\00:11:52.87 who hunger to learn more about the world around them. 00:11:52.91\00:11:57.38 Who thirst for physical and spiritual water, 00:11:57.41\00:12:00.12 and who spread the gospel 00:12:03.69\00:12:05.42 in anticipation of Christ's return. 00:12:05.45\00:12:07.42 For the past decade, 00:12:21.57\00:12:22.90 Maranatha has worked in Brazil 00:12:22.94\00:12:24.57 to bring proper places of worship 00:12:24.61\00:12:26.37 to more than 1,000 congregations. 00:12:26.41\00:12:29.18 But recently, a new need presented itself, 00:12:29.21\00:12:33.25 water. 00:12:33.28\00:12:35.22 Brazil is famous for the Amazon rainforest, 00:12:35.25\00:12:37.75 where an abundance of rain and river water 00:12:37.79\00:12:40.06 make for a lush green landscape. 00:12:40.09\00:12:41.99 But in the northeastern part of Brazil, 00:12:45.29\00:12:47.26 the geography changes to a dry, brown desert. 00:12:47.30\00:12:52.53 Sometimes this region goes months 00:12:52.57\00:12:54.47 without any rainfall. 00:12:54.50\00:12:56.07 Recent years of drought have made it even worse. 00:12:56.10\00:12:59.44 And the people suffer too. 00:13:20.26\00:13:22.26 Many residents here are subsistence farmers 00:13:22.30\00:13:24.80 or work jobs that earn a humble wage. 00:13:24.83\00:13:28.64 The lack of financial means 00:13:28.67\00:13:30.01 makes it difficult for many people 00:13:30.04\00:13:31.74 to overcome the water crisis. 00:13:31.77\00:13:33.38 These are the dilemmas 00:13:38.58\00:13:39.91 people face in the northeast of Brazil. 00:13:39.95\00:13:43.55 Whether to buy water or food, 00:13:43.59\00:13:47.16 whether to go thirsty or drink dirty water. 00:13:47.19\00:13:49.92 In 2019, 00:13:52.96\00:13:54.30 Maranatha responded to this crisis 00:13:54.33\00:13:56.06 by drilling water wells 00:13:56.10\00:13:57.43 at Maranatha built churches throughout the region. 00:13:57.47\00:14:02.64 And this precious resource 00:14:02.67\00:14:04.11 is not only quenching a desperate physical thirst, 00:14:04.14\00:14:07.11 but also opening up new opportunities 00:14:07.14\00:14:09.48 for these congregations to engage their communities. 00:14:09.51\00:14:14.95 Churches that may have been unknown previously 00:14:14.98\00:14:17.55 now have neighbors at their doorstep every day. 00:14:17.59\00:14:21.89 Friendships are forming. 00:14:21.92\00:14:25.13 Conversations are happening 00:14:25.16\00:14:26.53 all at the local Adventist Church. 00:14:26.56\00:14:31.20 When the donors provide their resource 00:14:31.23\00:14:34.27 for Maranatha's well program, 00:14:34.30\00:14:37.14 they provide not just water for them, 00:14:37.17\00:14:40.98 they are providing hope, life, 00:14:41.01\00:14:45.91 and a better future for these families, 00:14:45.95\00:14:50.42 for these communities. 00:14:50.45\00:14:52.79 Despite the pandemic, 00:14:52.82\00:14:54.16 Maranatha has been able to continue 00:14:54.19\00:14:56.12 bringing clean water to northeast Brazil, 00:14:56.16\00:14:58.36 now totaling more than 60 communities. 00:14:58.39\00:15:02.63 We will continue helping as many villages as possible, 00:15:02.66\00:15:06.00 paving the way for more souls to connect 00:15:06.03\00:15:08.54 with the wellspring of life. 00:15:08.57\00:15:09.90 Maranatha's mission takes us around the globe. 00:15:22.98\00:15:25.62 We work in areas to fulfill a specific need. 00:15:28.62\00:15:33.06 When our scope of work is complete, 00:15:33.09\00:15:34.76 we move on to help elsewhere. 00:15:34.80\00:15:38.37 But for the last 22 years, 00:15:38.40\00:15:40.14 Maranatha has had a sustained presence in India. 00:15:40.17\00:15:45.11 So what has kept Maranatha in India so long? 00:15:45.14\00:15:49.88 Big needs and a big request. 00:15:49.91\00:15:53.78 In 1998, Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership in India 00:15:53.82\00:15:57.49 approached Maranatha with an ambitious dream 00:15:57.52\00:16:00.36 to grow to 1 million members. 00:16:00.39\00:16:02.56 And to facilitate that growth, they requested 10,000 churches. 00:16:05.59\00:16:09.60 Twenty two years later, 00:16:13.40\00:16:14.74 Maranatha has built nearly 2,000 churches. 00:16:14.77\00:16:18.07 It is a far cry from the 10,000 requested. 00:16:18.11\00:16:20.58 But those churches have created immense growth 00:16:23.61\00:16:26.15 and Adventist membership in India 00:16:26.18\00:16:28.08 has increased from less than 100,000 00:16:28.12\00:16:30.62 to more than 1.1 million. 00:16:30.65\00:16:32.45 Despite this significant growth, 00:16:38.06\00:16:39.86 the majority of people in this vast country 00:16:39.89\00:16:42.36 still don't know Jesus. 00:16:42.40\00:16:43.97 And those that do struggle to share the gospel 00:16:47.70\00:16:50.54 when their worship structures 00:16:50.57\00:16:51.91 are not representative of the God they serve. 00:16:51.94\00:16:54.54 So Maranatha's effort in India continues. 00:16:58.25\00:17:02.58 Over the past year, 00:17:02.62\00:17:03.95 we've worked all across the country 00:17:03.99\00:17:05.45 to continue constructing churches, 00:17:05.49\00:17:07.56 schools, and water wells. 00:17:09.79\00:17:16.06 India is a vast country with a complex culture 00:17:16.10\00:17:19.27 and diverse landscape 00:17:19.30\00:17:20.64 that can often pose difficulties 00:17:20.67\00:17:22.37 to accomplishing our work. 00:17:22.40\00:17:26.07 But COVID-19 presented a unique set of challenges. 00:17:26.11\00:17:32.41 During the lockdown, for us, everything kind of slowed down. 00:17:32.45\00:17:37.69 There was one instance 00:17:37.72\00:17:39.05 when we were trying to finish the church in Kerala. 00:17:39.09\00:17:43.26 We could not move our equipment from one site to the other. 00:17:43.29\00:17:46.56 So we had only one drill. 00:17:46.59\00:17:49.36 Only one drill 00:17:49.40\00:17:50.73 to erect the entire church structure. 00:17:50.77\00:17:52.67 Plus, also that same drill was used to place the roof. 00:17:52.70\00:17:57.84 State borders were sealed, we could not move. 00:17:57.87\00:18:00.44 It was frustrating 00:18:00.48\00:18:01.81 because you could not send your team members 00:18:01.84\00:18:03.18 back to their families. 00:18:03.21\00:18:05.28 But thanks to their sacrifice, 00:18:05.31\00:18:06.92 even a pandemic could not stop the progress of God's work. 00:18:06.95\00:18:10.25 Churches continued to be constructed 00:18:15.39\00:18:17.33 providing shelter for grateful members. 00:18:17.36\00:18:19.49 More than 130 wells were drilled, 00:18:28.00\00:18:30.37 providing clean water at a time 00:18:30.41\00:18:32.17 when sanitation is of utmost importance. 00:18:32.21\00:18:34.84 And classrooms arose 00:18:41.35\00:18:43.08 providing more opportunities to share Christ. 00:18:43.12\00:18:45.65 The last 22 years have been a journey of faith. 00:18:49.52\00:18:52.19 One where God continues to open doors 00:18:58.23\00:19:01.20 so that more people can choose Him. 00:19:01.24\00:19:03.17 When we come back, 00:19:09.01\00:19:10.35 we'll travel to an area of the world 00:19:10.38\00:19:11.85 that has hosted the largest number of volunteers this year 00:19:11.88\00:19:15.12 and also see how buildings are changing lives in Kenya. 00:19:15.15\00:19:19.02 COVID-19 could have halted the work this year. 00:19:30.77\00:19:33.64 But through God's leading 00:19:33.67\00:19:35.00 and the compassion of people like you, 00:19:35.04\00:19:37.04 Maranatha pushed forward in faith, 00:19:37.07\00:19:39.41 the results, 00:19:39.44\00:19:40.78 nearly 450 water wells, 200 churches, 00:19:40.81\00:19:44.21 multiple school campuses, all because of your generosity. 00:19:44.25\00:19:48.32 And now we're asking you to help us 00:19:48.35\00:19:50.09 finish strong in 2020 by making a year-end gift. 00:19:50.12\00:19:53.82 Go to maranatha.org/2020give 00:19:53.86\00:19:56.79 or call the number on your screen. 00:19:56.83\00:19:58.36 Plane tickets and passports. 00:20:10.81\00:20:13.41 These are some of the things that come to mind 00:20:13.44\00:20:15.21 when you think of missions. 00:20:15.24\00:20:16.58 But for hundreds of volunteers serving with Maranatha means 00:20:19.48\00:20:22.88 traveling around North America in their car or RV 00:20:22.92\00:20:25.99 to help church congregations, 00:20:26.02\00:20:28.09 school campuses, 00:20:32.19\00:20:33.53 or camps and retreat centers. 00:20:36.46\00:20:39.90 Over the past year, 00:20:39.93\00:20:41.27 Maranatha Volunteers have aided in a variety of projects. 00:20:41.30\00:20:46.51 From breathing new life into camps, 00:20:46.54\00:20:49.84 to building sheds for fire victims 00:20:49.88\00:20:51.75 in Paradise, California. 00:20:51.78\00:20:53.28 No job is too big or too small for this dedicated workforce. 00:20:57.25\00:21:03.69 In March of 2020, 00:21:03.73\00:21:05.16 most of Maranatha's volunteer activity came to a halt. 00:21:05.19\00:21:09.80 But as summer arrived, 00:21:09.83\00:21:11.17 people were longing 00:21:11.20\00:21:12.53 for some semblance of normal life, 00:21:12.57\00:21:14.24 and that included volunteering. 00:21:14.27\00:21:18.27 While international travel was out of the question, 00:21:18.31\00:21:20.84 Maranatha began developing opportunities 00:21:20.88\00:21:22.84 to serve locally 00:21:22.88\00:21:24.21 starting at Milo Adventist Academy 00:21:24.25\00:21:26.11 in Days Creek, Oregon. 00:21:26.15\00:21:29.05 After a thorough discussion with leadership, 00:21:29.08\00:21:31.12 site visits, and research on Oregon guidelines, 00:21:31.15\00:21:34.09 Maranatha in faith 00:21:34.12\00:21:35.56 decided to move forward with a long list of protocols 00:21:35.59\00:21:38.66 for safety and health. 00:21:38.69\00:21:41.90 Soon, there were 50 volunteers registered. 00:21:41.93\00:21:47.04 Volunteers were excited to be back in the mission field 00:21:47.07\00:21:49.80 and approach the work with vigor. 00:21:49.84\00:21:51.57 With safety measures in place, 00:21:54.81\00:21:56.38 volunteering looked a little bit different. 00:21:56.41\00:21:59.91 But the camaraderie built from a common goal 00:21:59.95\00:22:02.18 remained the same. 00:22:02.22\00:22:03.55 North America continues 00:22:06.62\00:22:07.99 to be a major focus for Maranatha. 00:22:08.02\00:22:11.93 These projects don't require a passport for most, 00:22:11.96\00:22:15.76 and they still meet the deep desire to serve. 00:22:15.80\00:22:20.14 For Maranatha Volunteers, when the world is hurting, 00:22:20.17\00:22:23.81 service is the best way to heal. 00:22:23.84\00:22:26.01 Buildings can change reality. 00:22:37.32\00:22:39.79 Over the last 50 years 00:22:39.82\00:22:41.42 Maranatha has seen this time and time again. 00:22:41.46\00:22:45.13 And for the past four years, 00:22:45.16\00:22:46.63 we've seen this impact in the country of Kenya 00:22:46.66\00:22:50.13 with a simple structure 00:22:50.17\00:22:51.53 that can be transported 00:22:51.57\00:22:52.90 into some of the most remote parts of the country. 00:22:52.93\00:22:55.54 Maranatha's One-Day Church provides a strong shelter 00:22:55.57\00:22:58.81 for congregations meeting in terrible conditions. 00:22:58.84\00:23:02.81 One great impact is that, see, 00:23:02.84\00:23:04.61 when people worship 00:23:04.65\00:23:06.21 under with something made out of sticks, 00:23:06.25\00:23:09.28 or under rotten tin sheets, 00:23:09.32\00:23:11.75 or open air, in the hot air, and when it rains, 00:23:11.79\00:23:14.76 and is extremely hot, they're made fun of. 00:23:14.79\00:23:17.93 The community looks at that denominations and says, 00:23:17.96\00:23:19.59 "What is this? 00:23:19.63\00:23:20.96 Which denominations is this that 00:23:21.00\00:23:22.33 they can't even provide a decent church?" 00:23:22.36\00:23:23.70 And people are also ashamed to come into these churches, 00:23:23.73\00:23:27.07 you know, because who wants to come and worship 00:23:27.10\00:23:29.94 in the open air on rocks, sitting on the rocks? 00:23:29.97\00:23:32.54 So when these churches are put in, 00:23:32.57\00:23:34.11 many people are proud of, 00:23:34.14\00:23:35.88 it is simple structure, 00:23:35.91\00:23:37.25 but is one of the best structures 00:23:37.28\00:23:38.61 in that locality. 00:23:38.65\00:23:39.98 In 2020, 00:23:44.19\00:23:45.52 our local crew has constructed 00:23:45.55\00:23:46.89 120 of these desperately needed structures 00:23:46.92\00:23:49.62 in remote parts of the country. 00:23:49.66\00:23:53.29 And wherever there is a church and the need, 00:23:53.33\00:23:55.80 our crew has been busy drilling wells 00:23:55.83\00:23:57.77 on the church property. 00:23:57.80\00:24:00.34 Clean water is transforming communities 00:24:00.37\00:24:02.57 in the extremely dry Ukambani region. 00:24:02.60\00:24:06.91 Water is life. 00:24:06.94\00:24:08.28 Water is a basic necessity of life. 00:24:08.31\00:24:09.64 And so, when you provide this basic necessity of life, 00:24:09.68\00:24:14.15 people are healthier, happier, families stay together. 00:24:14.18\00:24:17.95 As life giving water is provided 00:24:17.99\00:24:19.95 at Maranatha built churches across the country, 00:24:19.99\00:24:22.59 we see communities beginning to center 00:24:22.62\00:24:24.49 around the local Adventist Church 00:24:24.53\00:24:26.63 connecting people not just to a crucial resource 00:24:26.66\00:24:29.66 but to the wellspring of life. 00:24:29.70\00:24:31.20 Futures lives and outlooks have also been impacted 00:24:36.47\00:24:39.87 for hundreds of students at school campuses 00:24:39.91\00:24:42.41 transformed by the work of Maranatha's local crews. 00:24:42.44\00:24:48.38 For more than 20 years, 00:24:48.42\00:24:49.75 the Kajiado Adventist School and Rescue Center in Kenya 00:24:49.78\00:24:53.12 has saved nearly 2, 000 Maasai girls 00:24:53.15\00:24:55.82 from the fate of child marriage and female genital mutilation. 00:24:55.86\00:25:01.23 Kajiado provides these girls a safe place to live, learn 00:25:01.26\00:25:04.70 and grow in Jesus Christ. 00:25:04.73\00:25:09.00 Maranatha has been helping to improve their aging campus. 00:25:09.04\00:25:11.91 Throughout 2020, 00:25:15.04\00:25:16.38 local crews have sheltered in place at Kajiado 00:25:16.41\00:25:18.78 constructing a new high school campus 00:25:18.81\00:25:20.82 including classrooms, dormitories, 00:25:20.85\00:25:22.95 showers, and restrooms. 00:25:22.98\00:25:24.35 For the students and staff here, 00:25:27.46\00:25:29.16 it is a dream come true. 00:25:29.19\00:25:32.19 A similar renewal is happening 00:25:32.23\00:25:33.76 at the Kiutine Adventist School. 00:25:33.80\00:25:36.63 The aging school campus made it difficult for students 00:25:36.67\00:25:39.27 to learn or even get a good night's rest. 00:25:39.30\00:25:43.54 Over the past two years, 00:25:43.57\00:25:44.91 Maranatha has constructed three new classrooms, 00:25:44.94\00:25:47.94 four dorms, a new kitchen, a water well. 00:25:47.98\00:25:52.01 The new infrastructure has made a big difference in morale 00:25:52.05\00:25:55.08 and the school's ability to educate. 00:25:55.12\00:25:57.42 For these students, 00:25:57.45\00:25:58.79 life has changed before their eyes. 00:25:58.82\00:26:01.26 With a good night's rest, adequate facilities, 00:26:01.29\00:26:03.76 and the natural beauty the landscaping provides, 00:26:03.79\00:26:06.19 students grades have improved dramatically. 00:26:06.23\00:26:09.60 Maranatha's transformative work 00:26:09.63\00:26:11.20 continues to push forward in Kenya, 00:26:11.23\00:26:13.10 churches, schools, wells, all of them, 00:26:13.13\00:26:17.04 changing lives. 00:26:17.07\00:26:18.47 2020 has been a challenge. 00:26:25.35\00:26:27.92 But through the hand of God, 00:26:27.95\00:26:29.38 the mission of Maranatha has continued to move. 00:26:29.42\00:26:32.59 Each day hope for a brighter future 00:26:32.62\00:26:35.12 is shared around the world. 00:26:35.16\00:26:38.36 But our crews aren't the only ones 00:26:38.39\00:26:40.20 that have been busy. 00:26:40.23\00:26:41.56 It is also our supporters. 00:26:41.60\00:26:44.10 I frankly have been blown away that people, 00:26:44.13\00:26:47.64 despite all that you hear in the news, 00:26:47.67\00:26:51.34 and everything that is barraging this, 00:26:51.37\00:26:54.31 you could kind of pull into yourself, 00:26:54.34\00:26:57.31 hold back to yourself, 00:26:57.35\00:26:59.35 instead of being generous and giving, 00:26:59.38\00:27:01.78 we've seen so many people have taught beyond themselves 00:27:01.82\00:27:06.65 and taught to the people 00:27:06.69\00:27:08.02 that are receiving these projects. 00:27:08.06\00:27:09.82 We are one of the rare mission organizations 00:27:09.86\00:27:12.66 still able to work during this pandemic. 00:27:12.69\00:27:15.83 So, when you give, 00:27:15.86\00:27:17.53 your dollars go immediately into the mission field 00:27:17.57\00:27:20.47 to build and change lives. 00:27:20.50\00:27:23.37 To make a gift, call the number on your screen, 00:27:23.41\00:27:26.14 mail a check to our headquarters, 00:27:26.17\00:27:27.88 or give online. 00:27:27.91\00:27:29.24 Every dollar is critical to the mission of Maranatha. 00:27:36.58\00:27:40.96 Every dollar pushes the mission forward, 00:27:40.99\00:27:43.53 opening doors for hope to thrive 00:27:43.56\00:27:46.06 and the gospel to shine around the world. 00:27:46.09\00:27:48.80