Amelia’s Promise

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t her lowest moment, Amelia couldn’t envision a future worth living for. She had struggled with mental health for years and carried deep pain from the harsh words and actions of others. Her world felt like a dark tunnel with no light in sight, so she considered ending her life.

Then she recalled a conversation with a friend. He had encouraged her to pray for the people who hurt her. It seemed impossible, but Amelia was desperate for change, so she decided to try. “I remembered the Bible verse in Psalm chapter 37, verse 5 that says, ‘Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass,’” Amelia said. “I was crying, and I claimed that promise. I told God I wanted to serve Him and become all He wanted me to be. I begged Him to do something to help me. ‘I will work for you, Lord,’ I promised, ‘if You help me out of this problem, whatever that work is.’”

Amelia’s prayer of surrender opened doors for God to change her life. Free from the resentment that kept her focused on herself, she now wanted to share His healing love with others.

One day, Amelia’s friend told her about an opportunity to serve as a Global Mission pioneer, teaching at an Adventist school in the mountains of a veiled country.* The travel to the area sounded daunting—four hours by motorcycle and six hours on foot. When she discussed the possibility with some local pastors, they were concerned the journey would be too strenuous for her. They suggested she teach at a city school instead. But Amelia felt called to the more challenging position. Despite her fears, she braced herself for the obstacles ahead.

Amelia’s days were long and demanding. She was the only teacher in the village. When she arrived, the children were shy and hid whenever they saw her. It took time, but eventually, the children grew fond of her. In the evenings, she visited the students and their families and led worship services—not only for the Adventist members but for the animists, who made up most of the community.

Not everyone supported Amelia’s mission. The local village leader made it clear that he didn’t want her around. He even demanded that the locals stay away from her. He started attending her evangelistic meetings, thinking he could use his influence to stop the people from listening to her teachings. During baptisms, he would mock the ceremony, yelling, “Do you not have another place to take a bath?” Amelia had heard that the leader used witchcraft and cursed those who upset him, so she made his opposition a constant matter of prayer.

One evening, she held a parent-teacher meeting to discuss the students’ performance and share her plans for the school. She hadn’t gotten very far when the angry leader strode in and caused a disturbance. Amelia tried to ignore him, but his shouting drowned out her voice.

Amelia rushed to the church and knelt at the altar with tears streaming down her face. “God help me. I can’t find a solution with this man because I know he has an evil spirit. So, I surrender the meeting to you. Please, Lord, make me strong and guide our meeting.” Feeling God’s presence, she calmed down and returned to the meeting with newfound courage.

The village leader’s hostility didn’t subside. He continued interrupting Amelia and rejecting her ideas. Amelia kept her composure and answered his questions respectfully. He demanded that the parents take his side, but they stood firm in their support of Amelia.

In the end, the meeting was inconclusive. Amelia didn’t know what the future held, but she was determined to remain faithful to her promise, submitting herself to God’s will and trusting Him to guide her through every challenge.

Global Mission pioneers such as Amelia often serve in difficult and even dangerous conditions. Some face continual threats to their ministry and safety. Others have even sacrificed their lives because they refused to stop sharing the gospel. Please pray for Amelia and for the hundreds of pioneers who are sharing God’s love.