Samuel* from Eritrea, East Africa, tells of a
very special day in his life:
"When I was growing up, my sister took
me to Christian meetings. I did not
understand the words that were spoken,
but I liked the singing.
The time came for me to prepare myself
for our national exams. I
studied hard with my friend
Isaac*. He was a good friend
to me, and a follower of Jesus
Christ.
One day, we were on our
way to study at the library
when Isaac began to tell me
about Jesus Christ. Something
happened that day as he
spoke to me. I felt as if I was
coming out into bright daylight
from a dark room where
I had lived for years. It was
something I had never known
before. It was the brightest
day of my life.
From that time, I began to
read the Christians' holy book, the Bible,
and to talk to God (pray). My life began
to change. Things did not become easier
for me, but I knew Jesus was helping me.
Some of my old friends began to hate
me, but I prayed for them and learned to
love them. This was one of the ways God
changed my life that day.
After my exams, I had to go into the army
to do national service. We went to a new
area to learn how to be soldiers. It was 300
km away from my home. This was a hard
time for me, but I learned that the more
difficult life is, the more God helps me."
* not his real name