I come from an influential family in central India and grew up worshipping stone gods. My parents wanted the best education for me, so they enrolled me in an Adventist secondary school. We didn’t know what “Adventist” meant then. I liked the school and made friends quickly. One friend, Amith, invited me to his home … Continue reading –>
Twelve-year-old Yvette walked along the dusty path, carefully balancing the plastic water jug on her head. She didn’t want to spill even a drop of water. She passed children walking toward a nearby school. They were dressed in dark skirts or trousers and white shirts. Yvette’s steps slowed as she thought about the children learning … Continue reading –>
Samba Jean loved going into the forest near their mountain home in central Madagascar to collect herbs for his magic. Although his family calls themselves Christians, his father sees no problem mixing Christian beliefs with witchcraft. He uses sticks and bones to determine who has cursed someone, and he uses magic and traditional herbs to … Continue reading –>
Sade Belo was born in a village to Adventist parents in the Solomon Islands. He loved swimming and began competing in swim meets in school. He qualified to travel to other islands of the South Pacific to compete, but during this time he lost his way spiritually. He completed high school and married a woman … Continue reading –>
Mila [MEE-lah] is 6 years old, but already she’s a prayer warrior. She prays for people until God answers. One day at school Mila saw her teachers outside during their break smoking cigarettes. Mila knows that smoking is dangerous, so right there she prayed for them. “Dear Jesus,” she said, “please help my teachers know … Continue reading –>
Irunga stepped outside the mud hut that was her father’s home. She had hoped that he would understand that becoming a Christian didn’t mean she was rejecting her family’s traditions. She loved her family, but now God was more important. Irunga is a Herero, a tribal people living in northern Namibia. She grew up watching … Continue reading –>
Alexei scanned the classified ads of his local newspaper in Siberia, Russia. He wanted to be sure that his ad for home improvements was attractive and his prices competitive. His eyes fell on the religious section of classified ads. The ads there offered to tell people’s fortunes or read their palms. So many ads for Satan, … Continue reading –>
Danilo paced the floor in anger. What right does Mom have to send me away? he asked himself. She hasn’t been here for me for years. Danilo’s parents had divorced when he was 5. He and his brother lived with his father, who drank heavily. By the time Danilo was12, he was drinking, too. Then friends offered him … Continue reading –>
Zuri, 10, lives in a village in the mountains of central Mexico. The villagers work hard every day. But on festival days, they put aside work and eat and drink and dance and laugh. But Zuri didn’t like the festivals. Often the men would get drunk and would fight. Often someone got hurt. Zuri told … Continue reading –>
Roger asked his pastor to visit his school and explain what Adventists believe and why the congregations in the Republic of the Congo met in houses, sheds, and covered courtyards. The next day Roger struggled to listen in class while the pastor and the field president met with the school director. The meeting seemed to … Continue reading –>
