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Sunday School Lesson for the Teacher Print
God is transforming lives in Massama, Portugal. Marjorie Ekk, missionary with MBMS International, has been teaching Sunday school to children for most of her life. In the past three years she has led classes in Portugal’s new church plant in Massama, west of Lisbon. Many of the children have come and gone, but three children in particular are consistently present Sunday mornings.

These three children come from a very difficult home life and as a result do not have the attention span of many of other children. They have challenged Marjorie, caused her much frustration, and made her question her call to pioneer church planting. But despite Marjorie’s doubt, God continues to work in their lives and in her own. One Sunday eleven year old Ze came to her after class and said that he wanted to ask Jesus into his life. It was a joy for Marjorie to talk with him and show him the way to his Savior!

A couple of weeks later, eight year old Herculano said to her, “I want to do what Ze did.”  Marjorie questioned whether he was serious so she told him they would talk after class. Herculano ran out to play when Sunday School ended, their conversation seemingly forgotten. A couple weeks later he approached Marjorie again, but this time he did not run off. Herculano asked Jesus into his heart.

The following week seven year old Mila, the youngest of the three, said she also wanted to ask Jesus into her heart. Marjorie concluded that Mila must not really comprehend what she is asking, so she did not make a big deal out of Mila’s statement. “Oh me of little faith,” says Marjorie when she thinks of how the events unfolded. Some weeks later at a church lunch she was sitting with the children at their table. One of the boys was talking about the big idol his mom has in their home. Marjorie talked about how only Jesus can save us and help us, not idols. She reminded the boys about their decision to follow Jesus and that He is all the help they need. At that moment Mila lifted her head to Marjorie with an exasperated look in her eyes, “And what about me?” she said. “I keep waiting and waiting and you don’t talk to me!”  Marjorie was put in her place by the words of a child. It was with humble pleasure that she prayed with Mila as she asked Jesus into her life. Mila beamed with happiness.

Praise the Lord that He is raising up a generation of children in Portugal who long to follow Jesus. Pray that God would grow these children into men and women after His own heart, using them to shine light into their families, communities, and the nation of Portugal!

‘Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”’ – Matthew 19:14

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