I grew up in an environment focused only on economic development, where life felt like a constant fight in the mud. In 2005, just as I graduated and started my career, my mother, who raised me as a single parent, was diagnosed with late stage cancer. At 23, I could not understand why the strongest woman I knew had to face this. I felt lost, believing I was alone in a war against pain and despair. Though my mother survived, I carried wounds and unanswered questions for many years..
Looking back, I now see that God was always with me, even when I did not recognize Him. He placed people in my life as signs of His presence, like an elderly neighbor who, though poor, faithfully read her Bible every day. She once asked me, “Is it okay that your mom doesn’t know Jesus? How can she survive without Him?” At the time, I did not understand, but those words stayed with me and now often return to my mind.
Now, twenty years later, God has opened my eyes to the truth: physical death is not the end, but the beginning for those in Christ. Satan tried to separate me from God, but the Lord never gave up on me. Through my struggles, He built in me the strength and character I needed to find Him. Today, I confess that Jesus Christ is my only Lord and Savior. I long to live as His child, with faith that He will return to judge with truth and to give eternal life to His people. All I am and all I have is because of Him.
