Rescued from the Devil’s Grip
God presents a desperate alcoholic with hope through a familiar voice.
I was in trouble. My addiction to alcohol immersed me in abject poverty, and my family suffered. My wife’s advice fell on deaf ears, and her endeavors to help only ended with my feeling insulted and hurt. I wanted to flee the family, but I didn’t know where to go.
One day, I found myself sitting beneath a tree in my compound while full of suicidal thoughts, when suddenly my daughter came running with my phone in her hand. One of my drinking counterparts was on the other line, inviting me to another boozing session. I staggered to the bar again. While we were there, a wealthy man joined us and shared that he had a construction site in Mbarara. He wanted workers! I leaped at the opportunity to leave home. My solar-powered radio set was all that I took with me.
Life in Mbarara was tiring and hectic, and working around men who were not Christians proved to be a source of many temptations, but I enjoyed the break from my wife’s chiding. I drank as much as my pockets could afford. My radio was a source of comfort for me when I struggled with loneliness, and I tuned in to new, unfamiliar stations, but I couldn’t find anything that appealed to me.
One morning, I tuned in to a radio station and caught the sound of a familiar voice. The presenter was a classmate from elementary school—one I had not seen in many, many years. John Kaganzi’s voice compelled me to continue tuning in to hear him, and later I discovered thrilling music and wonderful Bible studies on the same station.
My plans to meet him in person were successful, and he introduced me to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The three months I spent in Mbarara, listening to the radio and interacting with Adventists there, made a tremendous change in my life. Pastor John Kaganzi (my elementary school desk mate turned pastor) helped me break my alcohol addiction through prayer and counseling.
It wasn’t long before I returned home to my family, and I kept attending Seventh-day Adventist church services on the true Sabbath and chose to be baptized. Listening to the Word of God and putting what the Scriptures say into practice gives me power to live for Christ, and not for myself. To God be the glory!
With the support from Mission Projects International Ministry, Adventist World Radio’s 104.2 Messenger FM is being used to rescue souls from the tempter’s grip. The radio station team is looking forward to building a booster tower to expand coverage and reach more perishing souls. Your prayers have a hand in this work—thank you!
Location
Uganda
Author
Told by Michael Buzoora to John Kaganzi, the Executive Secretary in the Southwestern Uganda Field.
How You Can Help
Pray for Michael as he learns and grows in the Lord. Pray that his wife will choose Jesus because of his transformation!
Pray for all the Bible workers as they look for open hearts.
Give to the work in Uganda. Needs include church buildings, Bible worker training and support for church planters. Send your gifts marked “Uganda Evangelism” or “Uganda Churches” to:
Mission Projects International
PO Box 237
Kirksville, MO 63501
To give securely online, visit:
www.missionspro.org/donate
Thank you. Your gifts sustain seven Bible workers and one evangelist who are bringing God’s last warning to southern Uganda.