Inspiring Convert Story-35

"I gained more than what I lost"

Marzia Bangrazi
Rome, Italy

 

     EVERYTHING HAS A REASON. Everything has its time. Just wait patiently and it will be granted.

     It all started in a very ordinary way when Sister Lory Perez, a choir member in the Church of Christ, was looking for a job. She asked God to bless her to find a job which would allow her to continue performing her duty in the Church. Her prayer was granted as she found work as a baby-sitter for me, a half Italian and half Peruvian mother.

     I was an active member of the Roman Catholic Church. At that time, I was already separated from my husband and was struggling hard in taking care of my two kids on my own.

     Sister Lory persuaded and convinced me to attend the instruction in biblical doctrines in their area, knowing that if I would join the Church and serve the true God, I would find solace for my sufferings. Through the supervision of Brother Rey Membrere and the support of the brethren in the Local Congregation of Rome, I attended doctrinal instruction regularly at the residence of Brother Bartolome Villajuan.

     I was so eager to learn the doctrines of the Bible and so I didn’t hesitate to ask everyone many questions. Since then, my close friends and even my relatives had started to change their attitude toward me. But in spite of the fact that they were against what I was doing, I continued attending doctrinal instruction and worship services. During the course of my joining the Church, I encountered hindrances and heavy persecutions; many of my relatives and friends disowned me because of my decision to join the Church. It was my faith in God and conviction to serve Him that made me strong enough to overcome these things.

     Before I was baptized, I had already manifested my firm faith in God by inviting my friend Paolina Mejia who immediately acknowledged my invitation for her to enlist as a doctrinal instructee. It was on June 1, 2003 when I became a member of the Church of Christ. As soon as I was baptized, I offered my children to God. My older child, Isabella, is now a choir member in the children’s worship service, whereas Aaron  really enjoying most of his time with the children in the Church of Christ.

     I also have already “harvested a fruit” when sister Paolina was baptized in the Church not long after my baptism. I continuously receive God’s blessings. I became a teacher for the Children’s Worship Service Summer Class in 2003. at present, I am one of the “production team talents” in the Local Congregation of Rome in Italy.

     I am grateful to God that I have found the true Church, the right way to worship the true God, and solace for my sufferings. In my heart I know that I have gained more than what I have lost. God is now my Father and He has given me a chance to be with my brothers and sisters in the true Church of Christ, whom I now consider as family.

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Source: God's Message