William H. and Nora Anderson were leading pioneers of Adventist mission to southern Africa. They blazed the trail for an expanding mission throughout the southern part of the continent.

After ministering and establishing work in several countries, Nora succumbed to black-water fever and died in South Africa.

Several years later, William got remarried to Mary Elizabeth Perin. The couple served in Angola from 1924 to 1933. William used his experience and position as superintendent of the Angola Union Mission to advance the gospel message over those nine years. The Andersons scouted future sites where they could establish mission institutions.

The work was too much for just them, so other missionaries came to Angola to support the spread of the Advent message. New mission stations were established in the eastern part of the country. The Lucusse [loo-coo-see] and Luz [loos] Missions were opened. They offered services such as medical care and education. Through Christ’s method of ministry, many people came to know the Adventist message.

Today, there are more than half a million Seventh-day Adventists in Angola. Statistically, one out of every 59 people is an Adventist.

One of these people is Joel. Over the course of his life, Joel explored the teachings of several Christian denominations. He had a lot of questions and never felt fully convicted by any of the teachings, but eventually settled into a congregation.

[00:07:40] I had a problem with my car. It was missing a part. So, I had a friend from Shakati who was an elder of the Adventist Church, and I went there and asked him, "Find me a man who has that part," and he did it.

Joel’s friend asked him to join him at church the next Sabbath. After Sabbath School and the sermon, Joel was given a book that answered a lot of his questions about God.

[00:09:10] The Great Controversy. I read, read, read. Then he showed up and brought me some booklets. I read, read, absorbed it all, and then I started distributing them to the others.

After reading everything he could get his hands on, Joel decided he wanted to follow Adventist principles. He took what he had learned back to his church, where the whole congregation accepted the message. Today, they worship every Sabbath and continue to study God’s Word.

The Adventist message is spreading in Angola through various means, but there are

real needs here. This quarter, a portion of the 13th Sabbath Offering will help with four projects in Angola. From building a church and an elementary school at one location to a domestic violence and counseling center at another, your offerings will help minister to those in need.

Please support this offering so more people in Angola will come to know the love of Jesus.

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Mayotte (maa-yaat) is a territory in the Indian Ocean, consisting of two main islands and several smaller islands. It’s part of France. In a population approaching 300,000 people, there is only one Adventist for approximately every 2,400 people.

Jean-François felt lost and unhappy. Looking for change, he moved to the island of Mayotte, not knowing what exactly to expect.

I taught French to middle school students for a few years. In the small school in the south of the island, where I worked and lived, I met a colleague, Joëlle, who later became my wife.

“I was quickly surprised and amazed by the serenity of her personality, and as we talked together, I understood where this strength and full assurance came from: she reflected the character of Christ!”

“When we first met, we talked about literature, about life. My life at that time was not very happy. I was quite lonely, a bit lost, and without real love. And as I told her about my enthusiasm for novels with light subjects, I had to laugh. I asked her what she liked to read. Without any hesitation, she answered, Ah, I read serious books! She said, I read the Bible. From that day on, she told me about the Word of God, about her church, about the Seventh-day Adventists, who I didn’t know.”

Joëlle invited Jean-François to church and they went together. There is only one Adventist church in all of Mayotte. Members meet each Sabbath in a house in the capital city, and the space fills up quickly.

“From the first time I attended an Adventist service, I felt flooded with peace and surrounded by a powerful love. And I remember well the fullness and happiness that came from the congregation that day.”

This was all new to him. Jean-François’ experience at the church opened up an enthusiasm to learn more. He searched the internet, read every book he could get his hands on, and asked Joëlle many questions.

“In a short time, I learned a lot about Adventism, the beginnings of the movement, the beliefs, the prophecies, and of course I took Bible classes. I am convinced that it was God who placed me on this path, and who led me to this modest church in the Indian Ocean. I was baptized in March 2019 in the lagoon of Mayotte. And since my new birth, my faith does not stop growing. I have a lot of pleasure to work for the Church that saw me reborn: I progress on the path of truth and love in Jesus and I am at peace.”

“And so, what I wish for the church of Mayotte is that there could be a place of worship able to welcome all those who are in search of truth or simply of peace as I was. And that on this small territory, the Word of the Lord Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life can be heard by the greatest number.”

This quarter, you can make this become a reality. A portion of the 13th Sabbath Offering will be used for an Urban Center of Influence and FM radio station in Mayotte, so that more people can experience the same hope that Jean-François has found.

Please pray for this project as well as others in Angola and Malawi this quarter. Thank you for supporting the 13th Sabbath Offering.