My name is Pierre Tingwiano. I’m a 23-year-old college student living in Macenta, Guinea.
Most people in this country don’t observe Saturday as the Sabbath. When I was a member of another Christian denomination, my friends and I would attend school over the weekend. But as soon as I met François, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, my routine changed. François invited me to join him and his friends to study the Bible together. As we studied, I became more interested in the Word of God.
A few months later, I was baptized as a Seventh-day Adventist and started to attend church every Sabbath. However, the time soon came for me to take my college exams, which happened to fall on a Saturday. François encouraged me to take the day off and observe the Sabbath. But at church, some members told me I should take my exams.
“In the Bible, God says we should obey the authorities,” one person said, quoting Romans 13. I should obey my teachers, I thought to myself. I decided to ignore François’ advice and went to school on a Saturday.
As soon as I received my exam paper, heavy rain began to fall outside the classroom window. I shivered as thunder rumbled in the distance. My mind went blank, and I couldn’t finish my exam. After that day, my health began to decline. I had multiple surgeries because of my illness. Throughout my struggle, François continued to meet with me. He encouraged me to give my burdens to God. François was then called to Conakry to continue his evangelism job there.
Years later, I met Doré Moniafa, Gospel Outreach coordinator for the forest region of Guinea. He continued Bible studies with me where François and I left off. Doré and I started to worship together each Sabbath. My dream was to become a pastor, but my poor health stopped me. I spent five years dealing with various illnesses with no cure in sight.
Eventually, I was diagnosed with a new condition. The doctor gave me three injections. I felt OK at first, but I fainted on the way home. When I woke up, I started shouting and calling Jesus’ name. I was rushed back to the hospital. The doctor prescribed expensive medicine that my family couldn’t afford. I prayed to God, asking Him to provide a way for me to get the treatment I needed.
Desperate to help, my mother decided to sell the only chicken she had. The buyer asked why she was selling it for less than the normal price. My mother explained that she had to sell it quickly to help me.
“Take this,” the man said, handing my mother extra money. “Buy your son’s medicine.”
My overjoyed mother thanked the man for his selfless act of generosity and came straight to the hospital to share the good news.
While I was thanking God for answering my prayer, another family member provided the missing amount of money needed for us to afford my medicine. I am so grateful that God is by my side in every circumstance. I will serve him all my life no matter what comes my way.