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 Members and Visitors at the Site. |
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 Norbert and Me |
A faithful man named Norbert!
July 18 2006 / ShareHim in Benin, Jun. 2 - Jun. 17 '06 #34by Jorge Aguero
Personal Testimony of Jorge Aguero.
Campaigns! Most of the times campaigns are held with one focus, to convert people to Christ. I believe this is rightly so. However, our attention is focused on the visitors and on their lives. We take the time to get to know them and often neglect the importance of reassuring the members.
Fortunately during this trip I have had the opportunity to get to know more the people with whom I am working with. There is a young man here by the name of Norbert. Norbert is a young adolescent who is just finishing high school. He has been in the church for less than a year. He is a very quiet and calm person. During these meetings he has faithfully assisted every day. Norbert is one son out of five children in the family. His sister and he are the only Adventists in the family. God has softened the heart of his family and they have allowed his sister and him to stay with them in spite of the fact that he has become a Seventh-Day Adventist. Many families alienate their relatives if they convert to a different religion.
However, it has not been a smooth road for Norbert and next year he will be facing some great challenges. Norbert wants to become an engineer. In order for him to enter the university he must take an exam. This exam is required and most of the time it is given on Saturdays. His family has become aware of the fact that he observes the Sabbath and that he will not do any work on this day, including taking that exam. Norbert said that his brother warned him, “If you do not take the exam on Saturday, you will have to pack your bags and leave!” It is hard to face the facts, but that is what most likely will happen if he does not take it. Norbert said to me, “I pray that the exam will not take place on Sabbath. I want to be faithful to God, and if the exam takes place on Sabbath I will not take it. I pray to God that he will help me.” I thank God that he is making a strong Christian out of Norbert. He is already willing to accept the consequences but prays that God will provide the exam another day so he will not have to leave his home.
Norbert has expressed his gratitude for the church. He is glad to be a member and has become involved in the Adventist Youth Society and Pathfinders. It is his hope that his sister and he will be able to bring the rest of his family into the church. He has worked hard to invite his family to come to the meetings. Thankfully two of his brothers are assisting, and one of them is taking baptismal classes.
I pray to God that he will bless Norbert and his family. Hopefully, one day when we are all in heaven Norbert will have the joy of being there with his family. In spite of difficulties he is fighting to be a faithful servant of God. Keep it up Norbert!
By
Jorge Aguero
Fortunately during this trip I have had the opportunity to get to know more the people with whom I am working with. There is a young man here by the name of Norbert. Norbert is a young adolescent who is just finishing high school. He has been in the church for less than a year. He is a very quiet and calm person. During these meetings he has faithfully assisted every day. Norbert is one son out of five children in the family. His sister and he are the only Adventists in the family. God has softened the heart of his family and they have allowed his sister and him to stay with them in spite of the fact that he has become a Seventh-Day Adventist. Many families alienate their relatives if they convert to a different religion.
However, it has not been a smooth road for Norbert and next year he will be facing some great challenges. Norbert wants to become an engineer. In order for him to enter the university he must take an exam. This exam is required and most of the time it is given on Saturdays. His family has become aware of the fact that he observes the Sabbath and that he will not do any work on this day, including taking that exam. Norbert said that his brother warned him, “If you do not take the exam on Saturday, you will have to pack your bags and leave!” It is hard to face the facts, but that is what most likely will happen if he does not take it. Norbert said to me, “I pray that the exam will not take place on Sabbath. I want to be faithful to God, and if the exam takes place on Sabbath I will not take it. I pray to God that he will help me.” I thank God that he is making a strong Christian out of Norbert. He is already willing to accept the consequences but prays that God will provide the exam another day so he will not have to leave his home.
Norbert has expressed his gratitude for the church. He is glad to be a member and has become involved in the Adventist Youth Society and Pathfinders. It is his hope that his sister and he will be able to bring the rest of his family into the church. He has worked hard to invite his family to come to the meetings. Thankfully two of his brothers are assisting, and one of them is taking baptismal classes.
I pray to God that he will bless Norbert and his family. Hopefully, one day when we are all in heaven Norbert will have the joy of being there with his family. In spite of difficulties he is fighting to be a faithful servant of God. Keep it up Norbert!
By
Jorge Aguero