My journey to finding faith and education in the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been long and filled with challenges. I was born in Congo, a place where my family was very poor. We struggled daily just to survive, and I often spent my days grazing animals to help provide for my family. Life was hard, and when war broke out in my country, my family had no choice but to escape. We escaped to Uganda, and it was during this hard time that I first felt God’s presence powerfully.
In Uganda, I was introduced to the Adventist faith. Every Saturday, I would go to church and praise the Lord, even though I had no food, no shoes, and sometimes went to bed hungry. Despite all the hardships, I felt a strong connection to God and continued to worship Him. One Bible verse that stood out to me during those times was Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse gave me the strength to keep trusting in God’s plan for my life, even when I felt hopeless.
After five long years in Uganda, my family was able to move to the U.S. Getting used to life in a new country was hard. We didn’t know anyone, and we struggled to find a Seventh-day Adventist church. That’s when God sent a man named Mr. Reid into our lives. He took us into a Seventh-day Adventist church and welcomed us like one of his own. He also introduced us to Tri-City Christian
Academy, a Seventh-day Adventist school in North Carolina, which was a blessing for my family.
Attending Tri-City Christian Academy helped grow my faith and strengthened my connection to the Adventist Church. I learned about trusting God’s process and experiencing His hand in my life. I began to see how far the Lord had brought me. My time at the school helped me build a good foundation in both my education and my faith. I made friends who shared the same beliefs, and I learned the value of patience, faith, and trust in the Lord.
This past summer, my family moved to Missouri, another big change. I didn’t know anyone, and I struggled to find a school that matched my beliefs. I prayed day and night for God to guide me to the right place. At times, I felt like giving up, but God always showed up at the perfect time. Out of nowhere, a pastor introduced me to Sunnydale Adventist Academy, a school where I could continue my education within a Christian environment. The only problem was the cost of $17,000 a year which was beyond what my family could afford. As immigrants who are still adjusting to life in America, this amount was impossible.
Once again, God provided in ways I never expected. I started attending Seven Angels Church, and the church community offered to pay for my and my sister’s tuition. It felt like a miracle and I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:11. He had plans for me that I couldn’t even see at the time. His plans have given me hope and a future, just as the verse promised.
Now, as I attend Sunnydale Adventist Academy, I look back on my journey and see how much the Lord has worked in my life. I’ve made new friends, grown closer to God, and deepened my understanding of His love for me. Adventist education has not only helped me grow academically, but it has also brought me closer to Christ. I’ve learned to trust God with my future, knowing that He’s in control. My faith in Jeremiah 29:11 continues to grow stronger, and I am excited to see where the Lord will lead me next.
Nolice Matumano is a student at Sunnydale Adventist Academy in Missouri.
This article is the first place winner of the 2024 OUTLOOK student essay contest.
