The afternoon sun shines brightly on a group of elementary children playing soccer highlighting their smiles and laughter during recess. The bell rings and high school students pour into the sunshine, transitioning between classes, walking between the soccer players to their next period of instruction. A happy chorus of play and learning fills the air, making an appealing educational environment for the 455 students attending the Pohnpei Seventh-day Adventist School.

of students as the years roll on. With each passing year, volunteer teachers greet the students, and the underclassmen gain seniority while looking toward commencement. A new growth of Christian spirit fills the students, faculty and community. The school’s mission statement helps paint a picture of the Christian spirit that encompasses the campus.

“Mission Statement: To let the love of Jesus Christ shine through each one of us.” Students from all over the world attend the school creating a patchwork of diverse faces, languages and lives. However, the common bond between all is the Christian environment the school provides. Each day is begun in prayer, continues in Spirit-filled lessons and studies throughout the day, and culminates in prayer. The faculty at the school strive to set a Christ-like example for all students in sharing the way to live one’s life.

Students are taught that while people may be different in the eyes of men, all are of value in the eyes of God. The strains of a familiar song echo through the rooms of the elementary grades, and remind all that, “red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight...”

large demand for daily lunches for students and staff. In addition, a staff apartment has also been completed. The Upper-Columbia Conference helped build these projects partially through volunteer labor of current and past staff, local church members and a mission project in March of 2001. Use of the buildings began in January of 2002. The school is recognized throughout the Island for its excellence in education. High school courses offer a great range of classes, including Bible, Micronesian history and English literature. Elementary classes excitedly grasp concepts of academic subjects, as well as exciting hands-on projects and written papers. There are always lessons to be learned, but the most important lesson for all is that of the love of Christ, which the staff at the SDA School strive to teach each and every day.

“To be a witness to the students and the community as a whole so that we, with help of the Holy Spirit, may better prepare them for the return of our Savior.” No matter the situation, no matter the person, the staff at the school has committed themselves to show the love of Christ in all of their actions. After school on most days, teachers stay late in their classrooms, helping students with tutoring and homework; others coach basketball and volleyball teams. The students at the SDA School are taught that they are loved—by the staff, by their school family, and most importantly, by God.

form throughout the hearts of all students and staff at the SDA School. This life on earth is only temporary, and each day hope is found in bright skies, in dreams of Christ’s return. That day is coming, and coming quickly, and all at the Pohnpei Seventh-day Adventist School look forward to meeting together in heaven with Jesus, to be together for all eternity.

This article was contributed by Erin K Jones. Erin is a volunteer from Walla Walla teaching second-grade in Pohnpei. Almost all of the teachers at the Pohnpei School are volunteer missionaries giving at least one year of service.

Reprinted with permission from the TROPICAL ISLES REPORT.