19/10/2026
THE PRAYER THAT BROUGHT TEARS OF JOY: A LITTLE BOY’S REMARKABLE STORY OF FAITH IN A REMOTE ADVENTIST MISSION SCHOOL!
In a small missionary classroom hidden in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat, a young teacher faced a challenge she could not solve on her own. One of her kindergarten students remained completely silent during class, despite months of encouragement. But an unexpected moment would soon become one of the most unforgettable experiences of her missionary journey.
By SULAD Missionary April Mae Perez | August 2018
Deep in Sitio Kilogib, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, a young Seventh-day Adventist missionary named April Mae Perez was serving as a teacher at Kilogib Mission School.
Her mission was simple: to teach children, help them learn, and introduce them to the love of Jesus.
But teaching in a remote mission school was not always easy.
Some of her students struggled to read. Others could barely count. Every day brought new challenges, and April often found herself wondering how she could help each child learn something meaningful.
She wanted to make sure that no child would leave her classroom without learning something.
So she prayed.
Every day, she brought her students before God, asking for wisdom, patience, and the right strategies to reach their hearts.
But among all her students, there was one little boy who especially concerned her.
His name was Manny.
Ever since April arrived at Kilogib Mission School, Manny had never spoken a single word in her classroom.
Not even once.
While other children eagerly participated in activities, Manny remained silent.
Every day, April encouraged her students to lead the class in prayer.
Little hands would immediately rise into the air.
The children loved volunteering.
But Manny never raised his hand.
One day, April gently encouraged him.
“Manny. Come, you pray!”
The little boy simply stared at her.
No answer.
No prayer.
Not a single word.
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks turned into months.
And still, Manny remained silent.
After three months of teaching at Kilogib Mission School, April had yet to hear Manny speak.
But she refused to give up on him.
Instead, she continued praying.
She believed that even when she could not find a way to help her student, God was still able to work in ways she could not understand.
Then came one unforgettable morning.
During her personal devotional time, April opened her Bible and read 1 Samuel 12:24:
“Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.”
Those words touched her heart.
She felt encouraged to continue trusting God, not only for herself but also for the children entrusted to her care.
With renewed faith and a joyful heart, she went to school that morning.
As usual, she gathered her students and asked a familiar question.
“Who would like to lead out in prayer?”
The children began volunteering.
But then April noticed something she had never seen before.
Manny raised his hand.
The same little boy who had remained silent for three months was now volunteering to pray.
April could hardly believe what she was seeing.
Without hesitation, she called him.
“Come, Manny.”
And what happened next became a moment she would never forget.
Manny stood in front of his classmates.
He smiled.
Then, for the first time in April’s experience teaching him, the little boy began to speak.
“Dear Jesus. Be with us in our class. In Jesus Name. Amen.”
The boy who had never spoken a single word in class had just led his classmates in prayer.
April was overwhelmed with joy.
“Let’s give a hand to Manny!” she exclaimed.
The children applauded their classmate.
But for April, this was more than a classroom achievement.
It was an answered prayer.
She quietly closed her eyes and whispered:
“Thank you Lord for another answered prayer!”
And the beautiful story did not end there.
According to April’s testimony, Manny’s parents were extremely happy because their son had begun speaking to them as well.
He was even learning to recite Bible memory verses.
The child who had once remained silent was now using his voice to communicate and pray.
For April, witnessing Manny’s progress became one of the most meaningful experiences of her missionary journey.
She had arrived in Kilogib hoping to teach children.
Yet through one quiet little boy, she discovered that she herself had much to learn about patience, perseverance, faith, and trusting God.
Her experience reminded her that there are moments when human effort seems insufficient, yet prayer gives us strength to continue.
She later reflected that when we recognize our limitations and place our trust in God, we may witness things we never imagined possible.
A little boy who remained silent for three months. A missionary teacher who never stopped praying. And one simple prayer that became an unforgettable testimony of faith.
Sometimes, the greatest encouragement comes through the smallest voices.
And in that little classroom in Sultan Kudarat, Manny’s prayer became a powerful reminder that no child should ever be forgotten or given up on.
“Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.” — 1 Samuel 12:16
Source: The Boy Who Never Said a Word — Personal missionary testimony of SULAD April Mae Perez, Kilogib Mission School, Sitio Kilogib, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, August 2018.
