Recently Geofrey Masika asked a young man by the name of Eric to share his story. Jeff sent it to me, and I just had to share it with you. May you be blessed as you read.
Steve
My name is Eric Maleza, and I am a born-again Christian. I know that I am going to heaven when I die, and right now my life is better, because I am obeying what Jesus teaches.
I came to know Jesus through Xavier Mpanga. A while ago he was walking in the streets of my slum where he met me at a chill spot with my buddies. A number of my friends fled thinking he was an undercover policeman but I stayed back. He was the coolest evangelist I'd ever seen. Unlike the others he didn't condemn us but rather he offered us a story that changed his life, which would also help us see the back of our hopeless lives. I listened and got saved but my life didn't change immediately. I started avoiding Xavier because I'd felt ashamed since my actions were not owning up to my faith in Christ. I'd still sell weed and at times rob women of their purses on the streets at night. I stayed away for awhile without meeting Xavier until I forgot about him.
Then one evening I walked out to deal as usual. It happened that there was a raid against dealers on our block that day. One cop caught me by the trousers, pushed me on the wall and frisked me. He found my stash of weed, and I got arrested. That really blows. I was living with my sister at the moment, and when she heard I was arrested she was happy - my own sister was happy! She said if by any chance I made it out of jail she didn't want to see my face ever again, so I slept at the station awaiting my fate when the next morning I was bailed out. How did this happen? When I came out I realized it was Xavier. I was surprised at his love towards me - a total stranger. Why would anyone care about me - a drug dealer? This motivated me to learn more about Jesus and to begin sharing the same message with others. Right now, I'm teaching others what I learned and now believe. Some of those guys are doing what I’m doing and telling others. Who would have ever thought this street dealer would do something for the glory of God? Jesus changes everything, man.
Erica Maleza