Thousands of Seventh-day Adventists and their friends recently descended on a highway in eastern Venezuela to promote the church's “I Want to Live Healthy” initiative, which promotes eight natural remedies for a healthy life. We walked city streets, playgrounds, and communities. Drink water, keep a positive attitude, eat nutritious foods and a better breakfast, avoid bad food, eat less dinner, exercise, rest, and feel happy. A lifestyle that includes promoting.
Church members carried banners and handmade signs as they walked during the church's second annual Eastern Venezuelan Coalition 5K. During the walk, Church members interacted with more than 4,000 community members on January 28 and February 4, 2024. Church leaders say 5,000 more walks are planned in several areas in the coming weeks.
share hope
“This year's 5K walk was a blessing for our members to connect with others in our region,” said Darlis, director of the Ministry of Health of the Union of Eastern Venezuela and the main organizer of the event.・Mr. Bellisario said. The activity was a way to share hope, she said. “People may not be directly open to learning[ing] I would like to know more about the Bible and since they have an affinity for sports activities, the purpose of our health ministry is to open the door to many hearts for the honor and glory of God. ”
In the southeastern state of Bolívar, Adventist radio stations promoted the activity and encouraged people from Santa Elena de Huarien and other nearby communities to arrive at 7 a.m. to warm up before the walk. I called out. “After the walk in the park, we divided the participants into groups and each group went to a designated station where eight natural remedies were highlighted,” said Kendi, Director of the Ministry of Health of the Mission in Southern Bolivarian Venezuela.・Fernandez said.
regardless of age
Mariana Marquez, a cancer survivor, said she was happy to be able to participate in the “I Want to Live Healthy” movement. She says, “Exercise gives you vitality, energy, resistance, and most of all… [capability] To think more clearly,” Marquez said. “That's why I want people to practice walking to enjoy the sun and fresh air, to keep a calm and clear mind.”
“I walked 5km even though my daughter doubted whether I could do it,” said Elsi, 77, who participated in the walk in South Bolivar. She said, “I want to participate in activities like this for my health. I know I have strength and God bless me.”
Maria Noguera, 80, from northern Bolívar, said she knows it is God who gave her the energy, strength and will to walk. She had pain in her leg for three days, but she prayed to God to get better. “Thanks to God, she was able to walk a 5km walk,” Noguera said.
connect with others
In Caracas, Venezuela's capital, Minerva Mejias said she doesn't want to miss out on connecting with others and being active through walking, despite her back problems. Mejias, 50, encouraged her young people to be physically active and not waste time on video games or social media. “It's better to move her feet than move her fingers,” she said.
In Monagas, Wilma Perez was part of a group of 100 people participating in a 5K. “I love going for walks and participating in marathons. It's important to show others the importance of physical exercise to enjoy good health and a positive attitude,” Perez said.
More than 345 people completed the 5K walk, including 70 friends from the community.
Onlookers and drivers received literature about family, Christian faith and health as they traveled through the streets and communities during the annual 5K walk.
The large crowd was escorted and protected by city police and civil protection authorities, as well as local media who covered the activity.
“Today we were able to enjoy a special day,” said Kleiberin de Cardossi, a native of Guarenas, Miranda state. “As a church, we have been here at the beginning of the year taking on challenges to care for our health, so this activity was very encouraging. I was able to share with others who don't know Jesus how wonderful it is to have Jesus.”
Ana Gamboa, director of the Department of Health for the Zone 5 district of the South Central Venezuela Congress in Santa Lucía, Miranda, said she was happy to see children, youth and adults completing the 5K walk. “I'm sure this event inspired a lot of people,” she said. “I felt the friendship of God. He has helped us achieve things that we sometimes think are impossible. Walking is healthy. And we need to pray for God more often. You should walk next to me.”
Health activities throughout the year
Bellisario said the Ministry of Health will continue to work with the Ministry of Youth, Children and Women to promote various activities to highlight the “I Want to Live Healthy” initiative.
In addition, the church plans to promote its “Grow Healthy” initiative throughout elementary and middle schools in the union jurisdiction, Bellisario said. “We hold a number of activities bimonthly, such as health fairs, health clubs, food fairs, medical brigades, open clinics, etc. that help alleviate the difficult social and economic conditions in which many people live. doing. [with] In Venezuela. ”
“We can all do our part to spread this great truth in Jesus to our community members and friends and help change the paradigm with the Department of Health,” Bellisario said. ” he concluded.
Anaís de Jiménez, Gretsy Fonseca, Jettsim de Brito, and Pablo Gamboa contributed to this article.
of original version This article was published in the Americas section Website.
