Blog Layout

PCA Serves One More in Peru

October 17, 2024

Students from Palisades Christian Academy partnered with Maranatha volunteers during spring break in Peru.

By Sidney Needles

Maranatha communication specialist


In March, a group of 25 volunteers from Palisades Christian Academy did construction work on a project in Peru with Maranatha Volunteers International, a supporting ministry of the Adventist Church. The Volunteer Team laid the block walls of a church building for the Villa Jesus Congregation in the city of Pucallpa.


Having formed in 2011, this church family endured years of worshiping in cramped homes and nearly dissolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. The congregation’s current 85 members now have a brand new, spacious church building, thanks to Maranatha and its volunteers.


The team from PCA, located in Spokane, Washington, included 13 students and 12 adults. Their passion for service bridged the age gap, blending members into a cohesive and efficient unit. The group worked so well together that they finished the church building’s walls a couple of days early — just in time to meet another important need.


For the duration of the trip, several team members led a Vacation Bible School program, which proved very popular among local children. “On the very day the building team finished the church, the VBS team returned, wondering how they could properly provide for more children, as 100 had joined by day six,” recalled Ruth Lenz, PCA teacher and Peru project coordinator.


The construction team provided the extra hands necessary to accommodate more than 120 kids on the second to last VBS day and more than 140 on the final day.


“The children responded exceptionally well to our VBS team,” said Lenz. “They loved our students and adults so much that many children and parents arrived an hour early so they could spend more time socializing.”


The VBS program also made a special impact on Audrey Staben, Palisades Academy freshman. “While I was working on the VBS site, I was pretty shy at first because I’m not super good with new people, and there was also a huge language barrier,” recalled Staben.


Staben was able to step out of her comfort zone and form strong connections with the local children. “As we started to become closer and closer to the end of the trip, I definitely grew a lot. I wasn’t feeling as shy with them,” Staben said. “On the last day, it was sad because I was going to miss the kids a lot. I wish we could visit them again.”


Maranatha mobilizes volunteers to build churches, schools, water wells and other urgently needed structures around the world. In addition to projects open to the public, Maranatha helps church and school groups organize their own mission trips at no additional cost. Since 1969, Maranatha volunteers and crews have constructed more than 14,000 structures and more than 3,000 water wells in nearly 90 countries.


  • PCA Students help build a church for a congregation in Pucallpa, Peru

    Slide title

    PCA Students help Maranatha build a church for a congregation in Pucallpa, Peru

    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

News

By Dustin Jones March 25, 2025
Littell previously served as the director of education and superintendent at Oklahoma Conference.
Shine 104.9 Chaplain Tyler Kern has his beard shaved off by one of his sons as part of a pledge goal
By Isaac Meythaler March 19, 2025
Listener support and innovative pledge goals successfully "razered" funds during Shine 104.9's Annual Spring Friendraiser.
The ACS Thrift Store in Troy, ID being remodeled
By Isaac Meythaler March 11, 2025
Distance made the heart grow fonder for residents of Troy, Idaho, after ten long months of separation from a trusted community member: The local ACS thrift store and food bank.
By David Jamieson March 5, 2025
President Jamieson shares recent actions from Executive Committee to address financial challenges.
The theme of the 2025 National Day of Prayer is
By Kathy Marson March 4, 2025
Churches considering a community event can hold a special National Day of Prayer event!
A row of pews in a church with the sun shining through them.
By Isaac Meythaler March 2, 2025
This author asks: "What does it mean to be a Christian?"
By Isaac Meythaler February 27, 2025
The three-day event began with a healthy three-course meal on Thursday, followed by a series of presentations on mental health.
By Isaac Meythaler February 18, 2025
Teens enjoyed a weekend filled with fun activities, time to connect with peers, and worship that challenged their understanding of God.
A man is kneeling down working with power tools to replace old flooring
By Isaac Meythaler February 10, 2025
In 2024, Orofino Adventist Christian School, with support of the Serve One More initiative and the Adventist Church, repaired a family’s home in time for Christmas.
By Isaac Meythaler February 3, 2025
More than 130 young adults from 42 cities and 15 church groups gathered at Camp MiVoden for a weekend filled with connection and spiritual growth.
More Posts
Share by: