My name is No’o. I am a Cook Islander. Before I became a Christian I was a heavy drinker, a trouble maker to my family and my friends. I did a lot of foolish things in my life, when I got married I did the same thing even to my wife when I got drunk. I gave her a hiding, she got bruised all over. I was taken away from home by the police to my brother in-laws home for a week. I was lucky that my wife did not press charges for assault.

Sometimes, when I was alone, I would think about the bad things I have done to my family and for not being a good father to them. My life was empty and I couldn’t do anything right. And I was thinking about to end my life. I told my wife it was a useless life for me in those years. I thank my wife for being with me to help me to stand on my two feet. As the years go by my life started to change knowing that my son Norman is a Christian. One day my son asked me if it is okay to bring their youth cell meeting to our home. I agreed. On the first night of their youth cell meeting they came and greeted me. After that they went and started their cell. I was sitting on our door step when I heard them singing and praying their hearts out. I couldn’t believe what I heard from them that evening. These young men were hungry for God. Doing this at our home every Wednesday evenings I felt something in my heart. It was so hard because I loved the world. Deeply in my heart their songs and their prayers gave me strength.

So one Sunday morning I asked my son if I could come with him to church. He said to me, Dad are you sure? Yes, I said. I saw the happy look on his face, giving me that big smile and said to me I am happy for you. So he took me to church.

I took a seat at the back of the church. At the end of the preaching the Pastor called an altar call. I was the first to respond. That Sunday I gave my life to Jesus. That was the happiest day of my life. I have changed in many ways. No more alcohol. One day my wife said to me – I am happy there is peace in the home now.

I truly thank God for the youth cell group which encourages me to come to Jesus.

May God bless you all.   Amen.

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