When he returned home from the hospital, I felt impressed to ask my pastor to visit. I knew my husband might resent it, but I was desperate. The pastor arrived only to learn that my husband had been taken to a local healer by his family.
This story was shared by a Global Mission pioneer serving in a veiled country.
I was in first grade when my best friend told me the story of Adam and Eve. I didn’t realize it then, but that simple conversation was when God planted a tiny seed of faith in my heart.
Looking back now, I see that His grace had been quietly guiding me all along. Through the years, He watered that seed, helping it to take root and grow.
My Adventist aunt—my father’s older sister—was one of the first to nurture it. She introduced me to Jesus through God’s Word. Later, when I was about 10, I stumbled upon a radio station broadcasting inspiring Bible programs. When a church opened near my home, I really wanted to go, but my father wouldn’t let me.
I feared for the small plant of faith growing inside me. Yet the Master Gardener continued to care for it.
Years later, after I married, my aunt and I reconnected. She became the sunlight God used to bring my faith into bloom. Patiently, she shared her beliefs, and as I listened, conviction filled my heart. I surrendered my life to Jesus and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church through baptism.
I had never been happier. Yet one deep longing remained unfilled.
I wanted to share my newfound faith with my husband, but he showed no interest in Christianity. I gave him a Bible, but I never saw him open it. Whenever I spoke about God, he grew angry and changed the subject. Eventually, I lost hope that he would ever believe in the Lord Who had brought me so much joy. He seemed willing to believe in anything—except Jesus.
Once, when I invited him to our son’s church holiday program, he surprised me by agreeing to come. He seemed to enjoy it and even posted photos online. My heart lifted—could his heart be softening? But when I invited him to another church program, he refused.
It was difficult enough that he wouldn’t attend church with us, but when he forbade our son and me from going, life became really painful. One Sabbath, in a fit of rage, he locked us inside the house. Thankfully, neighbors helped us escape while he was away. From then on, we attended church secretly, and fear and mistrust shadowed our home.
Everything changed when my husband became seriously ill.
His health declined rapidly, and he was diagnosed with a serious kidney condition that prevents the blood from being cleansed of toxins. Watching him suffer broke my heart, and I prayed constantly for God’s mercy.
When he returned home from the hospital, I felt impressed to ask my pastor to visit. I knew my husband might resent it, but I was desperate. The pastor arrived only to learn that my husband had been taken to a local healer by his family. They were bitterly disappointed when there was no improvement.
The pastor returned the next day and prayed with my husband. He told stories of how God had healed those who trusted Him. My husband listened intently. Afterward, he fell into a deep, peaceful sleep—the first he had experienced in weeks.
When he awoke, he looked at me and said softly, “I want to learn how to pray.”
Tears filled my eyes. In that moment, I saw God answering years of prayer. My husband began asking questions about the Bible, and I shared everything I knew. Within weeks, he gave his heart to Jesus and joined me in fellowship at church.
His conversion became a turning point in my life. I realized that if I was willing, God could use me to lead more people to Him.
With new courage, I accepted a call to serve as a Global Mission pioneer, sharing God’s love with those who have never heard it. There are many places in my country unreached by the gospel, and I am determined to reach them—trusting the same God who once nurtured a tiny seed of faith in a little girl’s heart to continue guiding me every step of the way.
Please pray that He will continue to strengthen me despite my shortcomings, so that I may help others find salvation in Jesus.
The 10/40 Window
The 10/40 Window stretches from North Africa through the Middle East and into Asia. It’s home to some 60 percent of the world’s population, most major religions, and the world’s poorest people. Most here have never heard the name of Jesus.
This region is one of Global Mission’s greatest challenges. Please help us reach these people for Jesus.
Ways to Give
ONLINE
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PHONE
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In the United States:
Global Mission, General Conference
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904-6601
In Canada:
Global Mission
SDA Church in Canada
1148 King Street East
Oshawa, ON L1H 1H8
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Please remember Global Mission in your will and trusts. Visit GMsda.org/PG or call 800.648.5824 to learn more.
