From the time that Frank Sinatra first crooned, “Come fly with me, let’s float down to Peru,” it has captured the imagination of those who love to travel and explore. Some never imagined they’d find themselves in “llama-land,” sharing an experience they’d never forget with great friends. The Florida Conference Administrative Committee sets aside a week each year to plan the upcoming new year of ministry. The committee uses this time to reconnect and rededicate themselves to the mission of supporting Florida’s churches, schools, and members. Thanks to a mission trip that Allan Machado, president; Tim Goff, executive secretary; and Les McCoy, Health Ministries director, attended in 2021, the idea surfaced that they could combine their annual planning meeting with a mission project. Little did they know that the trip would wind up in Peru.

Chair the Love (CTL), a wheelchair ministry formed in Central Florida, prepared a memorable mission trip. Together with CTL representatives and volunteers in Peru, the travelers would be responsible for delivering a container load of 280 wheelchairs. The chairs were ordered from the factory according to specifications from the CTL organizers in Peru. During that time, volunteers scoured the Lima, Peru area, locating those in need of wheelchairs and scheduling several distributions.

In the middle of October, twenty-five travelers left Orlando for Peru for this unique mission. The following day, after a two-hour bus ride, the group piled out onto a dusty soccer field in a small town in the district of Ancón. Patiently waiting for them were nearly one hundred families under blue tarps, sitting on plastic chairs. The recipients and their families had been anxiously waiting for this moment; some had been waiting for up to ten years. This was the day they were to be given the gift of mobility.

The conference volunteers rapidly set to work, together with their new friends from the rotary clubs in Peru, assembling the wheelchairs and organizing them by size. One by one, the recipients’ names were called, and as they were lovingly placed into their new rugged red chairs, tears were shed, and hugs were freely dispensed.

After a successful distribution, participants enjoyed a brief program, starting with prayer and the national anthems of Peru and the United States. After several hours, all the chairs were distributed, but no one wanted to leave. The volunteers hung to the recipients’ stories, such as Pedro’s, who, at twelve years old, had never had a wheelchair. Pedro had to be carried during the few occasions he ever left home. With his new chair, he could now attend school, be with friends, and become a full part of his community. Another recipient, Señor Dominguez, lost his leg to untreated diabetes and had been waiting for a chair for three years. He could now attend his doctor’s appointments and receive needed treatment without aid from his family.

“Chair the Love is one of the most transformational things you want to be a part of,” said Frank Runnels, VP for Education. I’ve been a missionary, I’ve been a part of going to different countries to tell people about Christ, but to also be able to help them with a need in this way is just incredible.”

The next day, volunteers handed out 140 chairs to recipients in the district of Pachacamac. More hugs were given, more tears were shed, and similar stories of newfound freedom were shared. The ability to instantly change the lives of the recipients and their caregivers with a chair was remarkable.

The group couldn’t help but recall how Jesus ministered—first to people’s physical needs, then to their deeper spiritual hunger.

The remainder of the trip was filled with spectacular scenery, rugged hikes, and moving worship. Despite all the beauty they experienced, the faces of the grateful recipients and families stayed with the volunteers most closely. Indeed, sharing the love of God, restoring mobility, and sharing the hope of a heaven where wheelchairs will be banned forever was far greater than the group could have ever imagined! As Allan Machado expressed, “Healing and purpose come from serving.”

Interested in going on your own trip and restoring mobility? For more information, visit www.chairthelove.org.

About Us


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A Better Choice
Books • Deli • Natural Foods

351 S. State Road 434

Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-3824

Phone: (407) 644-4255?•?Fax: (407) 618-0274

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Store Hours:
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Monday-Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Saturday: Closed

Deli Hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday-Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Saturday: Closed

Camp Kulaqua General Store (ABC Branch)
23400 NW 212 Ave.
High Springs, FL 32643
Phone: (386) 454-7956?•?Fax: (386) 454-7976

Hours*:
Sunday: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Monday-Wednesday: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am -7:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday: Closed

*open for special events as needed

Express Delivery Schedule
Avoid shipping costs by placing an ABC order to be delivered to a location as scheduled below. Orders must be made by phone or e-mail before 5:30 p.m. on the Thursday before a scheduled Sunday delivery: (407) 644-4255  or FloridaABC@floridaconference.com

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About Us


The Adventurer Club is a Seventh-day Adventist Church-sponsored ministry open to all families of children in grades 1-4. Our mission is to support parents and caregivers in leading and encouraging their children in a growing, joyful love relationship with Jesus Christ.
The first few years of a child’s life sets the stage for their future.  For parents/families of pre-K through fourth grade children, our Adventurer Clubs provide a safe place to encourage the development of the necessary social and interpersonal skills they need, in an environment that promotes Christian values and responsibilities.
Families will learn a variety of topics together, from character building, nature, hobbies, safety, and much more. This club also has parenting tips and resources through the family network and is designed to help you be the best parent/caregiver you can be as you partner with your child and other families to grow your kids to be the best they can be. Most clubs meet twice a month.

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