When my family and I first arrived to our mission placement in June, we were slowly trying to settle into the new culture, language and rhythm of the beautiful new place. But one week after our arrival, I was asked by school administration to temporarily lead the school Mission Committee.
I remember silently asking God, “Why me? I’m new here. I barely know the land or the people.” But I also knew God does not make mistakes. So, I humbled myself and accepted the role, trusting that God never calls without equipping.
Our first assignment was a big one: to plan and implement a Vacation Bible School (VBS) across five sites, scheduled for July 14–19. As the starting day approached, all five teams were in motion. Local communities were on board and everything appeared to be going smoothly—until the real test of faith came.
On the first day of the program, one of our VBS teams travelled to a remote community. I accompanied them to drop off supplies and pray with the team. Arriving after midday, we shared words of encouragement and prayer, and returned to our school, confident the program would begin as planned.
But before sunset, I received a troubling call. The chief had rejected our team, despite prior agreement. He told them the program could not proceed because it was associated with the name Adventist. He accused us of trying to “indoctrinate” the children and declared their community was Catholic-only.
The team leader was discouraged and asked if they could return to the school. A school administrator also suggested bringing the team back. I paused, breathed and lifted my heart to God. In that moment, the Spirit of God pressed on my heart to stand still—I knew the answer was no. God did not bring us this far to retreat. I asked the team to find a place to stay overnight and assured them that we would come to speak with the chief in the morning.
That night, I called the school staff to unite in prayer. We gathered and prayed until late, then continued praying from our own homes. I could not sleep and I kept praying the same prayer: “Father, let Your Spirit visit the chief now. Reveal Yourself. Show him that this is Your mission.”
Early the next morning, we set out for the community. We began with prayer and prayed the entire journey. I communed with God in my heart: “This is why You sent me here. Give me strength. Give me Your words. Clothe me in the humility of Christ. Let me speak as Your servant.”
When we arrived, the chief, his team and our VBS team were already gathered. I sat quietly as he addressed the group. And then, the miracle unfolded. Without protest or conflict, he told us they had prepared a place for the program and that we were welcome to proceed. We were overwhelmed. I thanked him and gently asked for forgiveness for any earlier miscommunication. I thanked God, our God who hears the cry of His people and moves mightily when His mission is threatened.
But God wasn’t finished yet.
We began travelling to a second VBS site, where another team had been banned from conducting the program for similar reasons. I received a phone call. It was the second team, their voices filled with emotion.
“The chief has changed his mind,” they said. “He has now allowed us to continue the VBS program.”
I was speechless. Two communities, two firm rejections, both overturned through nothing but the power of united prayer.
That day, I saw that when God’s people pray, heaven responds. When opposition arises, God doesn’t retreat, He advances. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).
We often say we believe in prayer. But until we are backed into a corner with nothing left but prayer, we never understand the weight and power it truly carries. When doors seemed closed, prayer reopened them. When rejection came, God’s Spirit brought reconciliation. We humbly ask that you continue to pray for the mission in difficult places around the world.
Manoa Nailiva is a missionary from the Trans Pacific Union Mission in the 10/40 window.
