This testimony is from a Deaf woman in Burundi named Sonia.* Her story was shared with us by our partner, the Association Burundaise pour la Traduction de la Bible en Langue des Signes.
“I grew up in a Muslim family and my family comes from many generations of Muslims. We embrace Islamic culture and its values.
When I was at a Deaf school, I attended a church. The preacher taught us that Jesus is the Son of God. Later, when I finished school I went back home. My family forced me to go to the mosque. The imam taught us that Jesus is not the son of God and that Jesus is a prophet.
From there, I started to be confused and then I remembered at church that a preacher told us that Jesus is the Son of God. As time went on, the ABTBS (Association Burundaise pour la Traduction de la Bible en Langue des Signes) hosted an evening fellowship which I attended.
I observed their preaching and the preacher said, “Jesus is the Son of God.” I asked the believers if Jesus is truly God’s son. And they told me, “Yes!” They excitedly shared with me the Bible verse John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
I began to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that Jesus Christ is the Savior. After I decided to become a Christian, my faithful Muslim family found out and expelled me from my home. I moved in with my friend.
Eventually, I met the ABTBS team and explained to them that my family expelled me from my home for being a Christian. The team was deeply moved and helped me to find a job. I am grateful to work with ABTBS and may God bless them!”
*Sonia is a pseudonym.
