During this quarter, we’ve been hearing stories about people living in the countries of: Austria, France, Italy, and Romania. These are the countries where the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering projects for this quarter are located.
In which world division of the church are these featured countries located?
The Inter-European Division (EUD). This world division has 178,380 Adventist members worshipping in a total of 2,550 churches and 548 companies.
Italy
In what city and country are Adventists meeting in the ground floor of an apartment building?
Ragusa, Italy, located on the island of Sicily. The group has outgrown the current facility and desperately needs a church building of their own. Our Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help them to build a new church.
In which city and country has the city government given sole responsibility to the Seventh-day Adventist Church for operating a food assistance program for needy families?
In Ragusa, Italy, on the island of Sicily.
A young man in this country stood strong for his faith and the seventh day Sabbath and refusing to compete in the national mathematical Olympiad in his country because it was scheduled on a Saturday. After meeting with this young man and asking him several questions regarding his faith, the Olympiad directors re-scheduled the national competition to be held on a Friday. In what country did this take place?
Italy.
What was the first country in Europe where Adventist doctrines were preached?
Italy. A man by the name of M. B. Czechowski, (check-COW-ski), a Polish ex-Catholic priest, who had been baptized in the United States in 1857, went to Italy as an unofficial missionary in 1864.
France
In one of the stories this quarter we were introduced to someone, who as a Jewish young man, was disowned by his father when he decided to become a Seventh-day Adventist.
In what city and country did this family live?
Paris, France. France is home to the third largest Jewish population in the world, after the countries of Israel and the United States of America. Part of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will go to help build a Jewish-Adventist Friendship Center in Paris.
A portion of today’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will be used to help establish a Jewish-Adventist Friendship Center in Paris. France has the third largest Jewish population of any country, after Israel and the United States.
Currently, the Jewish-Adventist friendship group meets once a month in one of the rooms of this former underground theater. Part of today’s offering will be used to establish a center of their own.
Austria
The “Live to a 10+ Level” is a Seventh-day Adventist program offered as an extra-curricular activity in middle and high schools throughout Austria. The program features diverse themes and seminars for every grade level and age, and addresses topics such as health and nutrition, dealing with addictions, personal development and good manners, social relationships and problems specific to the teen years, personal finance, the impact of technology and how to use the internet responsibly, and more. Part of our Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help provide more materials for these classes as well as fund teacher training programs and a week-long camp for students.
Refugees from the Middle East are flocking to Adventist churches in this city because they feel accepted and loved. Some are being baptized.
What is the name of this city?
Vienna, Austria. People from many different countries worship at the International Seventh-day Adventist church in Vienna. The building where they currently meet is very old and has many challenges, including with mold. Part of our Thirteenth Sabbath Offering today will be used to help build a new building closer to the city center for this church.
Which city that we have read about this quarter is famous for its music?
Vienna, Austria. Many young people come to Vienna to study in the city’s famous music schools and other universities. Several of these students are coming to the International Adventist church where part of our Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will be going.
In what European city and country did a homeless man sleep with beavers?
In Vienna, Austria. The man’s name is Ferdinand and after several years of living on the street, he was rehabilitated at the ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) Center of Influence in Vienna, where he now serves as program director.
Romania
The largest population of brown bears in Europe lives in which of our featured countries this quarter?
Romania. In addition, Romania's Carpathian Mountains are home to 400 unique species of mammals, including the Carpathian chamois, a kind of mountain goat.
In what country did 90 non-Adventist teachers attend a weekend convention at a Seventh-day Adventist youth camp where they learned about an Adventist run program for middle and high school students?
Romania. During the teachers’ convention, seminars on personal development are also offered, and the Adventist organizers encourage teachers from the same area to get to know each other and form supportive small groups.
Of the main languages spoken in this quarter’s featured countries—Italian, Romanian, French, and German, which one is the most studied?
French is the second most studied language in the world after English. The Salève Adventist University in Collonges, France, offers classes in French language and culture. The Adventist school in Austria, Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen offers classes in German, and the Italian Adventist College in Florence, Italy, provides classes to learn the Italian language.
We hope that you have enjoyed reviewing some of the things that we have learned this quarter—and perhaps you have even learned something new!
The offerings that you give today for the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will make a big impact on the lives of the people living in these countries.
In Italy and in Austria, your offerings will help build much needed Adventist churches. In France, your offerings will provide funds for a Jewish-Adventist Friendship Center. And throughout the country of Romania, your offerings will make a positive impact on the lives of thousands of children and young people in public schools as they receive training in healthful living by dedicated Adventists.
Thank you so much for your support of mission and for giving generously to the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering today.
