Alec Bofetiado, (Junior, Medical Lab Science)
What made you choose to go to the Michiana Fil-Am Church for Change Day?
The reason why I decided to go to Fil-Am for Change Day is because a friend of mine works in admin building, Fares Magesa. Since I’m the External VP of the Andrews Filipino International Association (AFIA), I was looking for events to do for AFIA members, as well as other students, amidst the pandemic for Change Day. I thought that it was a good service activity for everyone and would make the church look prettier.
Which activities did you participate in? What did Change Day entail for you?
We prepared the ground for mulching. We had to dig a 6-inch deep hole around the area and prepared the grounds, which basically meant pulling all the grass out and all the weeds.
How was the experience for you?
I would say that the experience was very fun. It was very hard work and we were all suffering, but amidst all that suffering, I made some new friends. There were some really cool people that I didn’t know beforehand, but now I’m really glad I got to know them.
Was there anything you took away from your Change-Day experience that you plan to implement in your everyday life?
To just talk to people. You never know who’s going to be your friend. I did not expect to make connections to the level that I did, I did not walk into it thinking I was going to make friends to that extent.
Did Change Day impact your spiritual life?
It did. It helped me recalibrate my mindset to be more self-sacrificial to others, not in a toxic way, but in a Christ-like way. Doing more community service reminded me to be more empathetic, instead of being stuck in my room by myself doing work, but to be more selfless towards others.
What would you tell other students to encourage them to participate in Change Day next year?
Change Day is not just about the act of helping others and serving others, but it is also the act of being empathetic and selfless. If you’re about personal improvement that would really appeal to you. I encourage everyone to be more empathetic and get out there more and help others!
Fares Magesa, Assistant Director of Accounts, Michiana Fil-Am Church Change Day Event Organizer
What was your primary goal for the students participating in Change Day?
We were trying to accomplish getting the front of the church ready for mulching for the landscaping and to prepare the mound that we are going to put a church sign on.
What was interacting with the students like?
I think they didn’t really know what they were going to do, you could see the surprised look on their faces. I brought out shovels and tools and they looked so surprised, but they just jumped in and started working. I was surprised at the end, seeing all the things that got done, and I’m excited to show the Pastor when he gets back.
How do you believe that Change Day impacts the students’ spiritual life?
Some people may think landscaping is a small thing, but in a spiritual journey those things make a difference. There’s an idea that church is just a building, but people passing by will stop and see what a place is all about if it looks nice and inviting. I don’t know what it does to the students spiritually, but I hope they can see that a spiritual journey is not just preaching, but there are other elements such as landscaping that can bring people to Christ.
Do you believe that Change Day was impactul for the Michiana Fil-Am Church community?
It is always nice to see young people come and beautify the church, and it is impactful because it was something that we haven’t been able to do. It has been a great benefit, as it was something in which there were previously no resources to accomplish. The church members are busy doing very many things, and so it gets hard. People think Fil-Am is a big church, but there are only a few core members and most are transitional, so the students coming by and giving a hand, especially when there aren’t many hands available, was very impactful.
In what ways can Andrews University students improve Change Day?
Doing it more often. I know it’s challenging as a student with all the things that must be done, but I think it makes a difference to the community to see them involved in service, in different capacities, throughout the year. Change Day is nice as it’s a big event in the year, but maybe the students could partner in a long-term project throughout the year and see it develop within the community.
What would you say to Andrews University Students to get them to participate in Change Day next year?
I would say just really take the opportunity. Sometimes, in giving back, you might get to experience something you never have, meet people you never have, and it’s an experience you can take with you for a long time. I think at Fil-Am, some of those things they learned they could use later in life. Take the opportunity, take the chance to do something new, you never know where God is going to lead you.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.