Amelia couldn’t envision a future worth living for. She had struggled with mental health for years and carried deep pain from the harsh words and actions of others. One day, she considered ending her life.

Then she recalled a conversation with a friend. He had encouraged her to pray for the people who hurt her. Amelia was desperate for change, so she decided to try. “I remembered the Bible verse in Psalm chapter 37, verse 5 that says, ‘Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass,’” Amelia said. “I was crying, and I claimed that promise. I told God I wanted to serve Him and become all He wanted me to be. ‘I will work for you, Lord,’ I promised, ‘if You help me out of this problem, whatever that work is.’”

Amelia’s prayer of surrender opened doors for God to change her life. Free from the resentment that kept her focused on herself, she now wanted to share His healing love with others. 

One day, Amelia’s friend told her about an opportunity to serve as a Global Mission pioneer, teaching at an Adventist school in the mountains. The travel to the area sounded daunting, but was determined. 

Amelia’s days at the school were long and demanding. After teaching, she would visit the students and their families and led worship services—not only for the Adventist members but for the animists, who made up most of the community.

Not everyone supported Amelia’s mission. The local village leader demanded that the locals stay away from her. He started attending and disturbing her evangelistic meetings. Amelia had heard that the man used witchcraft and cursed those who upset him, so she made his opposition a constant matter of prayer.

One evening, she held a parent-teacher meeting to discuss the students’ performance and share her plans for the school. She hadn’t gotten very far when the leader caused a scene. Amelia tried to ignore him, but his shouting drowned out her voice.

Amelia rushed to the church and knelt at the altar. “Please, God, help me,” she pled. “Please, make me strong and guide our meeting.” Feeling God’s presence, she returned to the meeting with newfound courage.

The village leader’s hostility didn’t subside, but Amelia kept her composure and answered his questions respectfully. He demanded that the parents take his side, but they stood firm in their support of Amelia.

In the end, the meeting was inconclusive. Amelia didn’t know what the future held, but she was determined to remain faithful to her promise, trusting Him to guide her through every challenge.

Global Mission pioneers such as Amelia often serve in difficult and even dangerous conditions. Please pray for Amelia and for the hundreds of pioneers who are sharing God’s love. To learn more about Global Mission pioneers, visit GMsda.org/Give.

Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering, also known as the Quarterly Mission Project Offering, will support projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere in the East-Central Africa Division. Thank you for your generous offering that will help proclaim the good news that this world is not our home.