Jope's Prayers

Jope’s PrayersGraceLink Connection: Service.Jope LeniraA boy wanted to live with his grandfather and learn to serve God.Jope [JOH-peh] lives in the mountains of Fijiwith his grandfather, but it was not always so.When Jope was little, his mother left him withhis grandfather, who lives in a little village threehours from the city. Jope grew up there, helping hisgrandfather plant cassava, taro, and other vegetablesin his garden. He pulled weeds and tended the plants.Grandfather had banana and orange trees, too.When harvesttime came, Jope helped to pick thevegetables for Grandfather to take to the market.Grandfather would fill his truck with fresh fruits andvegetables and leave at 3:00 in the morning to driveto the city where he would sell his produce.School DaysWhen Jope was 6, his grandfather enrolled himin the Adventist elementary school in the village.He liked the school and the students there. He lovedlearning stories from the Bible and singing thesongs about Jesus that children love.On the days that Grandfather went to the market,Jope woke himself up and ate the breakfast that hisgrandfather had left—cassava, taro leaves (whichtaste like spinach), and fruit. Then he would dress inhis school uniform and walk up the hill to the school.Move to the CityThen when Jope was in the third grade, hismother married a man who would become Jope’sstepfather. Mother wanted Jope to come and livewith them, but Jope did not like the big city. Hehad never lived there before, but he had gone therewith his grandfather when he was not in school. Buthis mother pressed him to come, and Grandfatheragreed to drive Jope to the city to live.Jope’s mother enrolled him in the governmentschool in town. It was OK, he said, but he missedhis friends in the Adventist school. He missedhis teachers and his grandfather. Most of all, hemissed singing songs of praise to God and learningabout God in Bible class. He told his parents thathe wanted to return to the village and live withGrandfather and study at the Adventist school. ButMother was firm. “Stay with us; we are a family.”Jope stayed with his parents and tried his bestto like it. But it was hard. His stepfather did notwant his mother to attend church, so Jope walkedwith his younger brothers to church alone. Thebrothers liked Sabbath School and were glad togo with Jope.Jope lived with his parents for three years. Butlittle by little his stepfather became meaner tohim. When Jope’s grandfather learned about it, hevisited Mother and asked her to let Jope return tothe mountains and live with him. “He likes it there,”Grandfather said. “And I can use his help.” Motheragreed, because she could see that her husband wasnot treating Jope nicely.Home With GrandfatherJope was glad to return to the village with hisgrandfather. He knew that he would miss his littlebrothers and his mother, but he loved living in thevillage where everyone knew everyone. He lovedhelping Grandfather. And most of all, he lovedstudying at the Adventist school.Jope is older now and can help his grandfathermore in the garden. This helps pay his school fees.Jope also works in other people’s gardens to earnthe rest of his fees.Jope believes that returning to the village wasGod’s answer to his prayers. Now he has anotherprayer request. “This is my last year in primaryschool,” Jope says. “Next year I must attend anotherschool, either a government boarding school orour Adventist boarding school. I want to attendthe Adventist school, where we can pray any timeof the day for our needs, and no one will object. Ipray that God will help me find a way to attend theAdventist school.“I have another prayer request, and that is thatmy stepfather will accept Jesus as his Lord andSavior. Then my family can be united in Jesus.”Boys and girls, let’s pray for Jope’s two requestsnow, during our mission time. And remember, ourmission offerings help people in Fiji and around theworld to learn about Jesus.[Close with prayer for Jope.]www.adventistmission.org 3Q06 17

Sing in Tok Pisin (Pidgin)Vowels are ah (as in awh), ai (as in high), ao (as in out), eh (as in bet), ee (as in bee), oh (as inoh), and oo (as in boot). The symbol ( is used to link syllables that must be run together on one notein order to fit the music. The symbol -- after a syllable indicates that a syllable must be drawn out tofit the music. Find more songs at www.adventistmission.org.Sabbath Is a Happy Daysah baht ehm ee hah ( mah mahs dehhah ( mah mahs dehhah ( mah mahs dehsah baht ehm ee hah ( mah mahs dehmee lai ( kihm ohl ( geh tah sah bahtJesus Loves the Little Childrenjee suhs laik ihm ohl oh geh tahpih kih nee nee long ohl plehs,skin ee reht nah blahk nah wait *mahn kee meh ree noh kehn prehtjee suhs laik ihm ohl oh geh tah dehnah nait †—————*Sounds like “white”†Sounds like “night”I’m Glad I Came to Sabbath Schoolmee hah ( mah ( mahs mee ( kahm longsah baht skoolmee hah ( mah ( mahs mee ( kahm longsah baht skoolmee hah ( mah ( mahs mee ( kahm longsah baht skoollong dihs peh ( lah sah bat moh ning.Jesus Loves Mejee suhs ehm ee prehn b’long meelihk lihk mee ree nah mahn geeehm ee strong nah mee noh gahtehm ee nahp long rao sihm seengoot peh-lah jee-suhsgoot peh lah jee suhsgoot peh lah jee suhsjee suhs ee prehn b’long meeGive Me Oil in My Lampgihv ihm mee kih rih sihn bee longheh vehngihv ihm mee kih rih sihn long lahmlait ihm mee hoh lee spih riht longheh vehnlait ihm mee ee nahp long jee suhs kahmseeng hah mah mahsseeng hah mah mahsseeng hah mah mahs long jee ( suhskeeng b’long keengseeng hah mah mahsseeng hah mah mahsseeng hah mah mahs long – jee suhs keeng18CHILDREN’S MISSION 3Q06 South Pacific Division