To Sabbath School teachers: This story is for Sabbath, August 2.

By Andrew McChesney

You might be surprised if you were to see Henry stand up to preach in your church. He looks like any other kid. He’s tall and lean, and has a shy smile. He’s about your age. He’s only 12.

Despite his age, Henry has preached many times in Zambia. He especially likes preaching to children like you.

What does he talk about? Henry’s favorite subject is his mother and Mephibosheth. You may have heard about Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was only 5 years old when the sad news reached his home that his father, Prince Jonathan, and his grandfather, Israel’s King Saul, had died in battle. Mephibosheth’s nanny was scared. Perhaps she thought that the little boy’s life also was in danger. She picked up the boy to flee. But in her haste, the boy fell, and his feet were injured badly. He became lame in both feet.

It was a very sad day for the little boy, Henry says when he tells the story. In one day, he lost his dad, his granddad, and his ability to walk. “But,” Henry adds, “God does not cease to be good even in tough times.”

Sometime after that very sad day, David became Israel’s king. David’s best friend had been Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father, and David missed him. So, David asked if anyone from Jonathan’s family was still alive. Imagine David’s surprise and joy when he learned that Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth was alive! David welcomed Mephibosheth to the royal palace like a member of his own family and invited him to eat always at his table. The boy who had lost his dad and granddad had a new family.

Henry likes the story of Mephibosheth because it reminds him of his own family. Mephibosheth lost a parent. Henry also has lost a parent.

Henry was eagerly waiting for the birth of a new little brother or sister when Mom fell seriously ill. She was rushed to the hospital in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka.

Every morning at home, Henry and Dad prayed for Mom and the baby. In the evening, Henry and Dad prayed again. But after a month, the sad news came that the baby had died.

Henry felt very sad, but he still believed that God was good. He said to himself, “God does not cease to be good even in tough times.” He kept on praying to God every morning and evening.

But three weeks later, Mom died.

Henry felt very sad, but he still believed that God was good. He said to himself, “God does not cease to be good even in tough times.” He kept on praying to God every morning and evening.

A short time later, tragedy struck again. Henry’s aunt — his mother’s sister — fell ill with cancer. The doctor said Zambia’s hospitals weren’t able to help and recommended sending her to a hospital in far-away India. Dad and other relatives raised the money to send her there. But doctors in India said they also couldn’t help and sent her back home to Zambia. Henry prayed every morning and evening for his aunt.

Then she died. Henry felt very sad, but he still believed that God was good. He said to himself, “God does not cease to be good even in tough times.” He kept on praying to God every morning and evening.

A year after his mom died, Henry was invited to preach for a children’s church. He preached about Mephibosheth. He told the kids, “Mephibosheth reminds me of all those kids out there who have lost their parents but still go on.”

Speaking specifically to kids who had lost one or both parents, he said, “I feel your pain. I also have lost a parent, and I know how it feels. But look at me. How different are you from me? We are all the same. We can move on just like Mephibosheth because God does not cease to be good even in tough times.”

Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help other children learn about the God who is good even in tough times. Part of the offering will be used to give children their very own Adventurer’s Bible in Zambia and in the other countries of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. Thank you for planning a generous offering on September 27.