Gift of Faith | Sunday’s Story
Hardship is not what sets people apart – we all face our own kinds of hardship in life. Our response to that hardship is what distinguishes a person. And with unshakable faith in God, a person can not only persevere through difficulty but conquer it entirely.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:35-37 (ESV)
Sunday Sabia didn’t have an easy childhood. It began well in a home full of love, but then she tragically lost her father to war and her mother to illness soon after. Her world suddenly fell apart. Sunday bounced around to other family members, never finding a place that truly felt like home. While living with an uncle, her cousins weren’t always kind to her. She felt sad and alone, longing for a sense of belonging.
Experiencing God in Hardship
There were still a few glimpses of good in it all. Sunday’s uncle noticed how hard she worked in school, and he gave her a beautiful dress to reward her after receiving the “Best Pupil” award. As a child, she aspired to become a doctor. Her uncle’s gift gave her a boost of encouragement and reminded her to stay focused on her work.
In addition, God gave Sunday the gift of faith at an early age. Even with a tumultuous home life, she was able to regularly attend church services. When she was at her lowest, Sunday heard the voice of God strongly telling her not to give up on her faith and to trust that he is in control of her situation. She clung to His promise and pushed through, knowing that God would provide opportunities to grow along the way.
Sure enough, Sunday had the chance to move in with her two loving aunties and her older sister. Not long after, a representative from 4africa’s Leadership Academy of South Sudan took notice of her distinctive work ethic – and more importantly a radiating joy that could only come from God.
New Beginnings at The Leadership Academy of South Sudan
She began her studies at the Academy in 2017 and graduated in 2019. During her time there, she learned to stay grounded in Christ and to trust in God’s plans for her amid the storms of life. She also learned that family is not limited to blood relatives. Sunday finally felt like she belonged with her family of friends and caring teachers at the Academy.
Her dreams changed while she was at the Academy, but her desire to lead the way did not. Holding onto Jeremiah 33:3 as her life verse, she is now determined to study law at Makerere University in Uganda once the pandemic subsides and schools reopen.
Finding Opportunities to Lead
Until then, Sunday serves as a youth counselor at her local church and leads a mentorship group for young girls in her community. When she sees a chance to serve, she takes it. To her, everyone’s life matters. Everyone should have a voice. So, she also joined a creative group called Arise and Talk that uses music and drama to create awareness on social issues and provides an outlet for community members to speak out. Nothing is too big or too small for Sunday. She sees them all as opportunities from God.
Sunday left us with these wise words of experience:
“Accept the situation you are in. Always try and find love around you, and always be the first to extend love to others.”
Follow that, and you can’t go wrong!
Will You Pray for Sunday?
Sunday asks for prayers for good health and God’s presence during these uncertain times. We also pray the she can attend University in the fall to pursue her aspirations in Human Rights Law. Will you help us cover her in prayer today?
