Honore Receives the Word

A young man finds health and blessings on the path to life.

My mother died when I was a baby, so I was raised by my village community in North Togo, West Africa. I attended a Sunday church for many years, and learned many untruths there. I was told that all things God created are good for us to eat, and that prayer before meals blesses unhealthful food. These were bad teachings, and I lived in poor health because I practiced them.

My life was changed when I met an evangelist named Paca. He answered my questions from God’s Word. As we went through the Scriptures together, I learned about the Sabbath, baptism, health and the Three Angels’ Messages in Revelation chapter 14.

“Are these teachings the truth?” I questioned. As Paca repeatedly turned my attention to the Word, my eyes were opened. I knew that the Lord had directed me to His message, and that I must leave the lies I had once believed.

From that day forward, I felt a strong conviction that Saturday was the day chosen by God Himself for our rest, and that Sunday had been chosen by man. I immediately decided to begin attending the Adventist church on Sabbath for worship.

With resolve in my heart, I went to the home of my boss to ask him for permission to have Saturdays off. I worried that he would be unhappy with me for my new decision. “Please touch his heart when I speak with him,” I prayed. “And thank you for hearing and blessing my request.”

Surprisingly, my boss was the first among my friends and acquaintances to encourage me on my new path. “Go and worship God on Saturday,” he said. I heartily thanked God for blessing my prayer!

I decided to be baptized. It was clear to me through my study that Jesus Himself was baptized, giving us an example. He was immersed in water, and I chose to be baptized in the same way.

It has been ten years since I was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist church, and God has poured out His blessings. My health is improved by following the principles in His Word. I learned from Leviticus chapter 11 and Deuteronomy chapter 14 that God’s people are to avoid unclean meat. As far as my health is concerned, I endlessly thank God.

While my friends and relatives were initially upset with my decision to become an Adventist, they are happy for me now. They can recognize the new life Jesus gives me through the Holy Spirit.

I thank God for showing me the way of happiness through the Bible studies Paca gave me. I feel that the Lord is calling me to evangelize others also, and have accepted the commission to preach the gospel to those around me. Just as He touched the heart of my boss through my Sabbath conviction, I pray that He will continue to speak to others through my testimony.

Location
Togo

Author
Mike Bauler is the director of Mission Projects International.

How You Can Help
Pray for the work Pastor Agamah and his team of Bible workers are doing throughout the country of Togo. Pray for Honore, and all those studying the Bible with the workers.

Donate. Funds are needed for evangelism and to buy Bibles and Spirit of Prophecy books for new converts. If you are impressed to help spread the gospel in Togo, mark your donation “Togo Workers/Evangelism” and send it to:

Mission Projects International
P.O. Box 151
Inchelium, WA 99138

For electronic options visit: www.missionspro.org/donate