Adventist youth paraded in Los Angeles and Hollywood on April 2 as a witness to the communities.

In Los Angeles, more than a dozen Hispanic churches, Master Guides, Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs participated in a “Say No to Drugs” parade, according to Sandra Thamas, parade coordinator for the sponsoring “Jesus Es la Solucion” organization,

On colorful floats, young adults donned costumes to make a statement against drug abuse and domestic violence. Paraders stopped to talk with people eager for contact. Women in a drug-rehab center wept when they saw the paraders and heard them singing about Jesus. They wanted to march with them, but were not free to leave the center. A Master Guide followed up with the women.

People made positive comments from their balconies. “We should bring our kids to this club,” some said. The parade concluded at a park where White Memorial Medical Center physicians conducted a health fair.

“In the park, many received Jesus,” said Jaime Martinez, event coordinator of Jesus Es la Solucion. “We told several people about programs where they could get help, including a support group at the Norwalk Spanish Adventist Church.”

Pathfinders Parade in Hollywood Thai Festival

Some Pathfinders went from L.A. to Hollywood to join many other clubs for the Thai New Year’s Day Festival. More than 1,000 Pathfinders waited patiently in the sun for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s arrival and the signal to begin.

A Thai man approached Youth Ministry Director Bob Wong, who walked alongside the clubs. “I was a Pathfinder,” he said. “I think maybe I should go back to church.”

Somchai Piromgraipakd, the Thai ministry pastor in Hollywood, was the sole speaker representing Christianity for the festival’s religious meeting. Citing Revelation 22:17, he said, “‘For 2,000 years, God has been sending to us Thai people His Word about the water of life that is free to all.’ That topic,” he said later, “is very special for Thais, who want to have immortality.”

“The Consul General and his wife sat in the first row, listening intently," noted Somchai. This was the first time a Christian was invited to speak. Buddhist and Muslim speakers also presented messages.

A dozen Thai Adventist doctors and additional health professionals, several led by Dr. Chavalit Chaya from the Redlands Thai church, offered free screenings. The Adventist Book Center hosted two additional booths.

Festival leaders later told the pastor, “The Pathfinders were wonderful. They made our parade so exciting!” Adventist youth handed out 2,500 Voice of Prophecy enrollment cards for Thai Bible lessons.