In the quiet recesses of my heart, there has always been a burning desire to serve others and share the love I yearned for as a child.

Born in Angola, I moved to South Africa as a teenager and later to the United Kingdom. My worldview took shape through the foundational teachings of God instilled by my Adventist mother. However, it wasn’t until my own wilderness experience that I encountered God in a profound way.

Growing up in a world that seemed indifferent to my existence, I felt invisible, lost in the crowd. Yet, amidst the shadows, I found solace in the knowledge of a Creator who loved me unconditionally, a Savior who sacrificed everything for me. He became my anchor.

As I grew in my relationship with Christ, I realized the profound depth of His love. His healing touch transformed my heart, fostering a longing for others to encounter the same restoration, hope and love I had found in my Saviour. To create these opportunities, I pursued an education and career in Humanitarian Engineering, where I could address global challenges. Still, my soul yearned for more, and I prayed to the Lord for His further guidance.

To deepen my walk with God and serve Him in ministry, I began volunteering at various GYC-Europe conferences. During the last conference, the Lord led me to Adventist Frontier Missions (AFM). This meeting was an unexpected provision, and it became evident that AFM was the pathway through which I could fulfill my calling to extend Christ’s love and hope to those who have yet to encounter Him.
For me, service could never be a fleeting endeavor. It is the essence of my existence, the path to true fulfillment in Jesus Christ. When I spoke the words, “Here am I, send me,” it was not a question of duration but of destination. Little did I know that the journey would lead me to a land I had never considered — Japan. The mere mention of it seemed inconceivable, yet God had a plan woven into the fabric of my story.

As the seed of Japan was planted in my heart, I wondered how I, with no connection to this distant land, could be called to serve there. Surrendering to the leading of the Holy Spirit, I embraced the call and found peace. It is in giving that we receive and in serving that we find true fulfillment. The road ahead may be filled with challenges, but with each step, I am reminded of the One who called me — the One whose love knows no bounds and whose grace sustains me through every trial.

In Japan, amidst the bustling streets and quiet alleys, I will carry lessons learned from diverse traditions, personal struggles and deliverance by God. I hope to serve as a vessel of His love and a beacon of hope to those who feel lost and forgotten, showing them that, amid the uncertainty of life, God has a purpose for them and wants to fulfill it in their lives. As I step out in faith, I am reminded that the journey is just beginning — a journey of love, of purpose, and of unwavering devotion to the One who chose me before I was even formed. I invite you to join me in this journey.

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