A smile spread across my face as I read the text message: “My wife, my family, and I are now going to join the SDA Church.”

It was an answer not only to my prayers but also to the prayers of other AFM missionaries working among the Gogodala people. Praise the Lord!

I first met “M” while visiting the neighboring village of Dogono one Sabbath morning. As we passed his house on our way back to the canoe, his wife came out and offered us some delicious pineapple—a Gogodala gesture of friendship. While we chatted with her, “M” came over and introduced himself.

He immediately struck me as a capable man. By Gogodala standards, he had a nice home, a water tank, and nice clothes—things that only someone very hard-working or well-connected could afford. I later learned that he had worked for a former member of Parliament, assisting with community development projects to improve the lives of his people. From that time on, I began to pray for him. There was a small but growing Adventist group in his village, and I hoped that one day “M” would lend his influence and leadership to help it grow.

Over the years, our paths have crossed from time to time. Our conversations are always pleasant and friendly, though never spiritual. I invited him to several church programs, but he never came. Still, I believed God was quietly working on his heart.

Then tragedy struck. First, his brother-in-law—young and apparently healthy—collapsed and died suddenly in the market, likely from a heart attack. The family was shaken. Less than a month later, an older brother also passed away from unknown causes. It was after these losses that I received “M’s” text message about his decision to take a stand for Christ.

Please pray for “M” and his family. Many social, political and spiritual pressures could easily discourage him from following through on his commitment. For years, we have prayed for strong, dedicated, spiritual leaders among the Gogodala—men and women who can help raise up the next generation of believers. I want to see “M” become one of those leaders for Jesus, discipling others and helping plant new churches among his people.

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