In Colombia, Adventists bring smiles to thousands in Medellin
Thousands of Seventh-day Adventistst release thousands of helium balloons after praying for government leaders and citizens of the city of Medellin, Colombia, during the church’s city-wide impact held Mar. 14, 2015. Images by Centro Multimedia UNAC
March 23, 2015 | Medellin, Colombia | Claudia Escoflo/IAD Staff
Free medical checkups were offered throughout the day on Carabobo Norte Street in Medellin.
Thousands of Seventh-day Adventists in Medellin, Colombia, brought a smile, hope, and a health message to more than 80,000 people during a city-wide impact initiative held on Mar. 14, 2015.
The activity, coined as “A Smile for Medellin”, saw hundreds of students and faculty from Colombia Adventist University joined by thousands of church members eager to make the 2.1 million-populous-city, the happiest city in Colombia, organizers said.
Numerous tents were set up at Carabobo Norte Street to offer free hugs, massages, flowers, and prayers. Expos on health, business, family, and technology were also held.
Colombia Adventist University President Dr. Abraham Acosta thanks all those who joined the city-wide impact during the closing celebration at the Wishes Park.
“We can see and feel that the true source of peace is up to us,” said Maria Olga Mejia. “This type of activity promotes unity, spiritual health, physical health and care for our environment making us happier persons,”
Mejia was among 600 people who benefited at the large health expo section, where medical testing and blood donation areas were set up.
According to organizers, 7,200 flowers were distributed in malls, parks and metro stations from university students and members; 40,000 copies of the book “Health and Wellness: Secrets that will Change your Life” by Mark Finley and Peter Landless were given out, and 12 tons of food were distributed for pre-selected needy families.
Church members pray for pedestrians at designated areas in the city.
Across different sections of the city, pastors and members prayed for some 25,000 people.
As the community outreach activities concluded in the early afternoon, some 6,200 church members, wearing their yellow smiley-faced t-shirts, went for a 4.4 kilometer march to the Parque de los Deseos (Wishes Park) for a special musical closing celebration.
“This is a day of celebration and solidarity,” said Dr. Abraham Acosta, president of Colombia Adventist University. “This happiness we see here is contagious and it allows us to see the wellbeing of people simply because we see a smile on their faces.” Dr. Costa said he was overjoyed to see the participation of young students and the Adventist community in general.
More than 6,000 Adventists marched for health and happiness during a 4.4 kilometer walk in the city.
Deputy of the Department of Antioquia Manuel Márquez Pérez thanked university leaders for the positive impact held in the city.
“It’s wonderful to see what the University does for the communities and for the vision and mission of the church, and its positive impact,” said Márquez.
City Councilman Jaime Roberto Cuartas also thanked the university and the Aventist church during the ceremony. “The Adventist community has been doing an important work in our city for a long time now by offering a comprehensive educational and missionary model to its students, this being of great influence for us.” said Cuartas.
Dr. Acosta challenged all participants to continue promoting better physical and spiritual habits among the people they come in contact with in the city as they plan an even bigger city impact next year.
After Pastor Edgar Redondo, Adventist president of the church in North Colombia, prayed for government leaders and the city’s inhabitants, some 2,000 helium balloons were released as a reminder to all participants to work together to make Medellin the happiest city in Colombia.
View more pictures of the activity HERE
To find out more about the programs and initiatives at Colombia Adventist University, click HERE