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It Was No Accident
July 7 2011 / ShareHim in Madagascar, Jun. 17 - Jul. 2 '11 #496by Michelle Baylon
Personal Testimony of Michelle Baylon.
I was clueless the first time I met my church in Androndra, Madagascar. I have never preached before. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what this trip will bring. But as usual, God never ceases to amaze me! And He always has something in store! And when He works, He does it in ways you wouldn’t expect! Here is one of many:
The first Sabbath of the campaign, I met Solomon. He is a non-Adventist, English-speaking Nigerian. I was very happy that there was another person besides me, who only knows English and needs a translator. He told me that he wanted to be a professional football (soccer) player. Many people suggested that he can pursue his dream in Madagascar; and that’s why he was there. It was disappointing for him to discover that Madagascar doesn’t offer a good football team and he has to stay for there for months. Fortunately, Solomon got to meet and live with my campaign’s coordinator, an elder in the church, and started to study the Bible.
That morning he mentioned, “Your topic last night was really interesting.” That gave me a clue that he went to the very first day of the meeting! The next night, he said the same thing. I also noticed that he was taking notes every night, giving me an assurance that he was really interested. Since then, I have been praying for him to come every night and to decide to follow Jesus.
One altar call, I was watching him to see if he is going to come up. I was hoping, but he didn’t come. I told myself that maybe it was too fast for him to decide. However, the next day, the second Sabbath of the campaign, when they were calling and listing people who wanted to get baptized the last Sabbath of the campaign, he stood up! It was unexpected! God has His surprises!
I strongly believe that Solomon was sent to Madagascar, at the right place, at the right time for something greater than football. It was no accident! He started to write songs about Jesus instead and was convicted to attend Southern Adventist University with us next semester to take Theology! In addition, He wanted to go back to Nigeria after college to tell his family and former church the truths he had discovered!
It’s amazing how God works! All of this was definitely not an accident! And for me to be able to go to this trip to clearly witness His powerful hands working in my life and others was definitely not an accident either! All praises to Him who is still working in many people’s lives and for using ShareHim, Quiet Hour, and ERC to share these phenomenal experiences/opportunities to us!
Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time."
The first Sabbath of the campaign, I met Solomon. He is a non-Adventist, English-speaking Nigerian. I was very happy that there was another person besides me, who only knows English and needs a translator. He told me that he wanted to be a professional football (soccer) player. Many people suggested that he can pursue his dream in Madagascar; and that’s why he was there. It was disappointing for him to discover that Madagascar doesn’t offer a good football team and he has to stay for there for months. Fortunately, Solomon got to meet and live with my campaign’s coordinator, an elder in the church, and started to study the Bible.
That morning he mentioned, “Your topic last night was really interesting.” That gave me a clue that he went to the very first day of the meeting! The next night, he said the same thing. I also noticed that he was taking notes every night, giving me an assurance that he was really interested. Since then, I have been praying for him to come every night and to decide to follow Jesus.
One altar call, I was watching him to see if he is going to come up. I was hoping, but he didn’t come. I told myself that maybe it was too fast for him to decide. However, the next day, the second Sabbath of the campaign, when they were calling and listing people who wanted to get baptized the last Sabbath of the campaign, he stood up! It was unexpected! God has His surprises!
I strongly believe that Solomon was sent to Madagascar, at the right place, at the right time for something greater than football. It was no accident! He started to write songs about Jesus instead and was convicted to attend Southern Adventist University with us next semester to take Theology! In addition, He wanted to go back to Nigeria after college to tell his family and former church the truths he had discovered!
It’s amazing how God works! All of this was definitely not an accident! And for me to be able to go to this trip to clearly witness His powerful hands working in my life and others was definitely not an accident either! All praises to Him who is still working in many people’s lives and for using ShareHim, Quiet Hour, and ERC to share these phenomenal experiences/opportunities to us!
Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time."