Rescued from the Streets

To Sabbath School teachers: This story is for Sabbath, March 7.

As told to Gracelyn Ban Lloyd by Dennis Lului

Dennis was a teenager living in the big city of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. One night, he came home late after spending time with his friends out on the streets. Mother was waiting for him, worried and upset.

Dennis didn’t want to listen. Who are you to tell me what to do? he thought. He was angry. Deep inside, he felt sad and alone.

When Dennis was three years old, he went to live with his grandparents. Mother loved him, but she was having a hard time taking care of him. Dennis’ father didn’t provide the attention and support his family needed. When Mother had another baby—Dennis’ sister—she made the sad decision to leave him with her parents.

Dennis’ grandparents were kind Seventh-day Adventists. They loved Dennis, but Dennis missed his mom and dad.

By the time Dennis was 11, he was spending a lot of time on the streets. He tried alcohol and drugs. He even sold drugs. He thought his new street friends made him feel like he belonged.

A few years later, Mother came back into Dennis’ life. She, her new husband, and Dennis’ younger sister all wanted to help him. Mother gave him food, money, and clothes. But Dennis didn’t want her help. He was still angry.

Mother didn’t give up. She tried everything—even shouting and spanking—but nothing worked. The more she tried, the more Dennis argued.

“What do you want me to do?” Mother shouted. “What did I do wrong with you?”

Dennis felt hurt inside. You left me. Why should I listen to you? he thought.

That’s when God spoke to Mother’s heart. She felt Him say, “I gave you this child, and I alone can help him.”

So, Mother stopped scolding Dennis and began praying for him instead. She made his favorite meals. When Dennis stayed out late, Mother would wait and pray for him. When he came home, he would find a plate of warm coconut rice and chicken—the best pieces saved just for him.

Something began to change in Dennis’ heart. After many meals and prayers, he began to feel loved. When he was 26, he returned to worshiping God and was baptized. Although his stepfather had since passed away, Dennis was glad he was alive to see his baptism.

One year later, Dennis’ uncle, a church leader, invited him to help lead a small church. Dennis worked for three years. Then, a pastor asked him to study at the Omaura Adventist School of Ministry. There, Dennis learns ways to teach villagers to grow food and prepare meals. He is also learning more ways to share Jesus with others.

Dennis grew up in the city, so village life is new for him. “I had to learn how to garden and cook my food,” he said.

Now, Dennis wants to help other families be strong and full of hope. “As a child from a broken family, sometimes I didn’t have enough food or money to go to school,” he said. “But now, I want to help others have happy homes—both in this life and in heaven.”

You can help people, like Dennis, by giving to the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering, also known as the Quarterly Mission Project Offering. This special offering will help students at the Omaura Adventist School of Ministry learn how to serve Jesus and others in Papua New Guinea. Thank you for your faithful offering!