Sophie: The Reward Is Worth the Risk
“Bravery is acting in the knowledge that the reward is worth the risk.”
When Sophie—a middle-aged woman from a poor, remote village in Vanuatu—traveled to a large town to participate in a Sunday school teacher’s training course, she brought little but a change of clothes and a big smile. Just getting there was a challenge; there was no road for Sophie’s journey. Even worse, her husband was not a Christian, and he was adamantly opposed to Sophie’s involvement in this new program.
Men are traditionally the authority in Vanuatuan homes, so defying her husband’s wishes was a brave action. Sophie’s husband beat her, but he could not dissuade her from her calling to teach others about the God she loves.
Sophie’s village is very small, isolated, and poor. There is no electricity, no running water, and not even one store. But one thing Sophie’s village does have is a Sunday school where eager students are introduced to a God who loves them—using new curriculum in their own language! Since June 2020, Sophie has been one of its most faithful, effective, devoted teachers. In spite of her husband’s repeated beatings, Sophie bravely continues to teach through the Holy Spirit’s power.
Her church recently baptized 18 of their Sunday school students; two of them were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Sophie refuses to let fear hold her back because she knows how precious it is to know Jesus as Savior.
The gifts of ALO friends like you make it possible to train teachers like Sophie and finance the translation and production of the precious Sunday school curriculum she uses to teach others about Jesus and God’s Word. Sophie stands bravely for God, continuing to teach, risking her husband’s wrath and retribution. Will you stand with Sophie—and others like her—who are doing their best while waiting for friends like you to give them the training and tools they need to reach the villages and towns of Vanuatu? What are you willing to risk for God, the gospel, and the people of Vanuatu?
