An elderly American woman, Leith Richards, came to live in a neighbouring village. She started a public library. She called it Light for Living and wanted to employ a local student who could speak English. Even though Leith was a Christian, my family insisted that I apply for the job. Each working day began with English tuition and a Bible study. Reading woke up my mind. If God created everything, he needs nothing—so offering food to idols is pointless.

One day, I couldn’t kick start my motorcycle. I prayed to Jesus, “If you start my motorcycle, I will believe in you.” The bike started with the next kick. Coincidence!

My family realised that I could earn more money in a big hotel and decided to send me to Phnom Penh. The prospect of living alone in the capital filled me with dread. I prayed to Jesus, “If you stop me from going to Phnom Penh, I will believe in you.” That night, my father came to me and said “If you want to stay, we will not make you go.” Just another coincidence.

When a primary school was built in my village, I had a second chance for an education. The teacher put me in grade 4. That may have been right for my age, but because I had not completed grades 1 to 3, I found it tough. 

When I was about twelve, my older brother drowned. He had been travelling down river to the market with his father-in-law. Their dugout canoe capsized in the wake of a boat heading upstream to pick up timber. The larger boat did not turn around to help or even pause.

After only three months, my parents pulled me out of school. I was old enough to help my uncle saw wood in the forest and earn money. Even though I had not made much progress, I was very sorry to leave school. 

At Christ Church Leondale in Germiston, Gauteng, Pastor Mbulelo gave me many opportunities to serve. During my two-year apprenticeship, I worked with students, youth and children. Leading tender believers taught me to be gentle and patient. Experience in the pulpit grew my preaching and exegesis skills. I learned that fruitful ministry is governed by good theology and good administration.

Christ Church Leondale sent me to study at George Whitefield College (GWC). I desire to go back to this church and resume my ministry there but I also wish to use my studies to develop the field of biblical scholarship and serve the church throughout South Africa. The church in South Africa is growing exponentially and it needs not only preachers and evangelists but also readers, thinkers, scholars and teachers. I wish to make my humble ­contribution.

I might be better educated than the people in my care but I quickly realised that I had a lot to learn. Having to deal with difficult relationships among the church team and local officials, together with the economic burden soon left me discouraged and full of negative emotions. This is not what I expected. I felt discouraged and wondered whether I was on the wrong path. I was too embarrassed to ask for help. It was only when I had given up hope that I started to read The Call to Joy and Pain for the first time. The Holy Spirit used this book to renew my vision for ministry. I understood that, each day, I have to nurture my relationship with God and seek his guidance. 

Previous generations of pastors often devoted themselves to serve the church and neglected their families. This is not what God wants and is counter-productive. How can a pastor shepherd believers when he doesn’t love his wife and children? I want to avoid this mistake.

I am only 22 years old and have never even thought about marriage. Who am I to counsel couples and families? I am proceeding with caution! My copies of Integral Premarital Counselling and Why True Love Waits have become indispensable and well-worn resources.

Applying the theology I learned at the seminary while I prepare sermons and Bible studies for believers is one thing. Using this theology to fight against cults and folk religious beliefs is another. To help people deal with superstitious elements in their faith, I am glad I can consult New Evidence that Demands a Verdict.

One day a friend of mine came to town. He had a Christian magazine called Miras. I wasn’t interested in Christianity but as I flipped through the pages I noticed something. The articles in the magazine were about the love, compassion and sacrifice of Jesus. Even though I was far from Christianity, these words resonated with me. There was a warmth in those words that I had never felt before.

After everyone went to sleep, I stayed up and quietly read Miras magazine. At first I was just curious but as I continued to read a change took place in me. Those words showed me a completely different side of life. I found answers to the questions that had been circling around in my mind. Jesus’ message touched me deeply. 

Finally, I decided to become a follower of Jesus. Even though this decision was a big break from my roots and my family’s faith, I felt a deep peace in my soul. I did not tell anyone about my new faith. My family was still praying for our prisoners in Syria and trying to rescue them. Telling them that I had become a Christian would have deepened their wounds. So I kept my faith a secret. 

But I could not live this new faith only within myself. Two young people from my town, Hüseyin and Leyla, used to visit me from time to time and we would talk about life. One day, I decided to tell them about Jesus, and how he had touched my life. They were surprised; it was unheard of for someone like me to convert to Christianity. But what I told them touched their hearts too. Sharing with them everything I had learned made them feel the same peace. 

Telling Hüseyin and Leyla about Jesus gave me so much hope! They asked me questions and together we searched for the answers. Now, we pray together. Sometimes we read passages from the pages of Miras magazine, sometimes we just sit quietly and open our hearts to God. This has made me feel that I am not alone. Sharing my faith has made it grow deeper in me.

I grew up watching my dad and mum reading and writing. Long before I could read and write, I asked my grandmother to buy me a “compurora” so I could write books like my dad. However, I found learning to read without getting stuck difficult. My frustration made me avoid books. But my family and friends encouraged me and eventually reading became an everyday activity. God has given us the ability to reason and learn. Books allow us to explore new ideas and perspectives and reading exercises our hearts and minds.

At LittWorld 2015 in Singapore my mother met writers and publishers who risk their lives to share the message of the hope of Jesus Christ. This opened her eyes to the diversity and commitment of Christian communicators around the world. Because in Argentina Christians are not persecuted and we can share our faith openly, our challenge is to communicate the good news with excellence and sincerity.

My grandmother is the director of Christian publisher Certeza Argentina. She returns from each MAI, LetraViva, IFES and CMS conference with new ideas and strategies. Understanding the times in which we live helps us define our next moves and gives continuity to our ministry. 

In 2006 I married Abui. I moved to Yei, my husband’s town, and started again. This was challenging in every way; financially, physically, emotionally and socially. I concentrated on building good relationships. God offered me my first job as a cook at Nimaya Primary School.

At my new church I was elected to be a prayer leader and counsellor for women and youth. I attended seminars, Bible studies and conferences, and visited the sick and needy. I was issued with certificates in secretarial work, trauma healing and child protection.

A friend introduced me to the Sudan Literature Centre (SLC). I was interviewed by the Sector Head, James Zindo, and started work on 2 February 2010 as a casual labourer. Because of the war, the SLC in Yei closed and in 2016 I was asked to relocate to the SLC in Arua, Uganda.