Timor Leste is the newest nation of the 21st century. After many years of conflict this nation now has indepence. Although a country with religious freedom, Timor Leste is hesitant to accept new groups, that could potentially cause conflict and a divide in this nation once again.

Timor Leste is 98 percent Catholic, therefore much of the country operates on Saturday and shuts down on Sunday. This makes it difficult for Adventist children who cannot attend school on Saturday, in order to observe the Biblical day of rest.

Every week Adventist students have a tough choice to make--to miss lectures on Sabbath could mean embarrassment, a beating, and often being expelled from school. Nathania, like many other young ones, attends a public school. She studies hard and strives for the best grades. She has no other option but to do her very best--because she spends one less day in school than the rest of her class. Nathania has made a bold decision to respect the Sabbath and attend church.

Nathania’s family taught her from a young age to love Jesus and read the Bible. From the Bible, Nathania and her sister Levina learned to do good and to love others. They also learned to pray, for the things that concern the heart. Today, Levina and Nathania are praying about school. They have explained to the teachers, why they cannot come to school on Saturdays, but it has been difficult for them.

This time again, they have been threatened to be expelled from school. For them, this is unthinkable, they know they need an education and they love going to school with the other kids. After daily worship, the girls leave for school. As the school day goes on, it appears that the teacher forgot that they missed school this past Saturday. The girls come home thankful that one more time, Jesus has helped them.

This family has been praying for more than 10 years that an Adventist school could open here in Timor Leste. This school will accommodate Adventist students as well as other faith groups who cannot attend school on Saturday. A new school would also be an opportunity for children who do not have the privilege of an education as schools here in Timor Leste are operating over capacity.

Pastor Inaciu da Kosta is the only ordained Timorese Seventh-day Adventist pastor in the entire country. He has been working hard to start a Seventh-day Adventist school in Timor Leste. He has time and again requested assistance and funds for this project.

Fortunately, this quarter, Adventist church members around the world will join hands, to help make it possible for Timor Leste to open the first Seventh-day Adventist school in their country.