Every Sunday during my childhood, my parents used to take me to the Catholic Church to worship God. Everywhere I turned, I would see images, statues and candles used to worship God and all the saints. I was used to that environment. Every Saturday morning, I attended a confirmation class to study the Bible and Catholic doctrines in preparation to confirm my intention to follow God and those Catholic teachings. Without the class, my commitment and obligatory church attendance each Sunday, I would be unable to receive Crisma (or Chrism), an anointing with holy oil representing the receiving of the Holy Spirit. I also would not be able to receive the Eucharist (bread representing the body of Christ).

My parents frequently took me to big cathedrals where we would go to light candles and pray for the dead. When I got sick, they would take me or my clothes to spiritual healers who would pronounce enchantments to give me spiritual protection. My mind was confused by my experiences; something inside me, I believe it was the Holy Spirit, was making me feel uncomfortable with these faith practices. It seems that I was walking in darkness.

Fortunately, I always studied in Adventist schools. I met my wife Isabela there. She shared about Jesus and presented the Adventist faith to me. It wasn’t easy. My parents were not happy, especially when I decided to keep the Sabbath. My sister and I eventually got baptized, and now we are the only Adventists in our family. However, we always feel privileged to share the gospel light with our mom, dad and brother.

There are people living in Georgia with an experience similar to mine, confused and walking in darkness, living their lives depending on works to receive blessings, protection and forgiveness from God or their saints. We are going there to show them the light of Jesus Christ so that they can live a life of freedom.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). You can be part of our journey. Join our support team to reach the unreached of Georgia.

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Confirmation and Eucharist are two of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the others being baptism (infant), confession and reconciliation, anointing of the sick, marriage and Holy orders.

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