Stories of Mission

Story of the Week

Week 33 – August 14, 2026

AGAINST PARENTAL CONSENT

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37

Mia had everything—a stable career, a good salary, a secure future. But every payday, an emptiness lingered. Was she really living the life God had called her to?

Mia Lumano’s decision to become a missionary was not an easy one. Her parents thought she was making a mistake, Throwing away a stable career and financial security. As a Geo Engineer, she had earned a comfortable salary, yet, despite the material success, something was missing. Every payday, she felt an emptiness, a longing that no amount of money could satisfy. Deep in her heart, she knew God was calling her to something greater.

For years, Mia wrestled with this burden, praying earnestly for guidance. She had read a powerful quote: “Everyone who accepts Christ as his personal Savior will long for the privilege of serving God*.” These words resonated deeply within her. She knew she couldn’t ignore the call any longer. With faith, she left the security of her career to join SULADS, a missionary organization dedicated to serving remote communities.

Life in the mission field was far from easy. The extreme climate tested her endurance, and water scarcity made even basic tasks challenging. Bathing with only three liters of water became the norm. But the hardest struggle was the language barrier. How could she connect with the people she went to serve if she couldn’t speak their language?

Yet, through constant prayer and perseverance, she pressed on, trusting that God would equip her for the work He had called her to do. Despite the hardships, Mia found strength in her love for God and her compassion for the people. She longed to share Jesus with those who had never heard His name, to bring light into their lives. The island where she served, even though it’s in the same country where she’s from, is predominantly non-Christian, and many children had never experienced the hope of the gospel. Mia dreamed of a future where the children in her community would not only know Christ but also grow into leaders who would one day give back and teach the next generation.

Her parents still struggled to understand her choice. But Mia knew she was following God’s plan, and that was enough. One thing was certain: the passion for serving would never leave her heart.

*Ellen G. White. The Ministry of Healing, p. 502.

Please, pray for our missionaries, volunteers, and Global Mission Pioneers. Your faithfulness sustains their ministry.

CHALLENGE FOR THE FAMILY: SULADS stands for Socio-economic Uplift, Literacy, Anthropological, and Developmental Services, and it’s a wonderful support ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Philippines. SULADS continues to need dedicated workers to bring education, hope, and the love of Christ to children in the most remote places. To learn more or support the mission, visit facebook.com/SULADS