My name is Sakiusa Rokovasa Vakadewatabua, Jr. But I go by Zac. I grew up in Fiji, an island nation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The International Date Line cuts straight through my country, meaning that Fiji is the first to see every new morning and new year. We are literally at the very end of the earth. Childhood there was different than you might expect. Fiji is rich in clear blue waters and warm temperatures, but my four siblings and I grew up playing with sticks and stones. Often kids in our neighborhood played rugby, Fiji’s national sport. Except no one could afford a ball. Instead we played with empty soda bottles, even after someone inevitably got hit in the face. I come from a long line of pastors, from my great-grandpa, to my grandpa, to my father, to me. My family lived right next to our church, positioned near the river which flooded during rainy season. Routinely my father and the men of our congregation trekked downriver to fetch pieces of the church that swept away. I gave my life to Christ at a young age during a revival camp in my grandmother’s village. Throughout my life, God continues to remind me of His faithfulness. One reminder of His love was through Operation Christmas Child. This specific Monday afternoon when I was nine, my mom oversaw a special outreach event to present the Gospel to children in our community. She already told me there was a surprise at the end, but as her son, my name would be the last called – just in case they ran out. All day at school, I prayed, “Please let my name be called!” At the event, I waited anxiously as my mom started calling names, first the kids from the community, then those who regularly attended Sunday School. Soon the celebration drowned out all my worry. Infectious joy burst from my friends and in my own heart as they received their shoebox gifts. Finally, with the last shoebox in hand, my mom called my name. Excitement shot me forward to retrieve my very own shoebox gift. From coloring books and pencils to a jump rope and racecars, all these colorful items kept coming out of my shoebox. I didn’t have these new things before! But the jaw-dropping item which most reminded me of God’s love was a bright yellow yo-yo. I only ever saw this toy in stores that were financially out of reach. Now here it was in my shoebox, a special gift just for me. That yo-yo meant more to me than simple plastic and string. It was a tangible gift from someone around the world, given in faith, to remind me of God’s love. Going through my shoebox, God brought to my mind Romans 5:8, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” I was a Christian before, but this moment was impactful. We are all undeserving. But someone spent their time, money, and resources just to pack this beautiful gift for a child at the ends of the earth. Somebody around the world thought of me. After God opened doors for me to move to the United States years later, He called me to pastoral ministry at my local church in Kansas. Soon after starting my position, I rediscovered Operation Christmas Child. The youth group participated every year, and the task of leading the project fell to me. Ecstatic, I told my church about how I received one of these shoebox gifts, and the news caught fire! For the kids in my youth group, this put a real face to the mission they were doing and gave them a renewed drive to serve the Lord. Watching those kids pack over a hundred shoebox gifts as an outpouring of God’s love to others around the world, I was so overwhelmed that I cried with joy. I remember one child in my youth group praying over the shoebox gifts, “Thank you for what I’ve been blessed with that I may bless other kids.” That’s when it hit me that these kids have a profound understanding of what it means to show God’s love. Being a part of someone’s discipleship journey is incredibly humbling. Whether through pouring into the church I serve in Kansas or through packing a shoebox gift for someone around the world – I know that God blesses such faithful ministry because of my own testimony. Packing a shoebox gift may look like a little thing, but the impact is profound. It’s the fingerprint of God. My shoebox gift shaped me and continues to shape millions of lives all over the world.

By Bishop Leah Gregory

Introduction In the heart of Western Kenya, where survival is a daily struggle, my journey began as the firstborn of twelve children from peasant parents. Life was marked by hardship and deprivation; often, we went without food, and the concept of a proper meal felt like a distant dream. My mother, a beacon of hope, tirelessly mended my torn clothes, preparing me for school against all odds. Despite overwhelming challenges, a flicker of hope emerged through the generosity of a local church that saw potential in me. Their unwavering support lit a path I once thought was forever closed. This is my story—a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of education.

Scripture: “ Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8 (NIV) Devotional Thought: Life doesn’t always make sense. It’s not always fair. Hard things happen—sometimes in waves that threaten to pull us under. I know this truth deeply and personally. In just four years, I lost all four of my grandparents. My first husband abandoned me and our daughter. I endured two miscarriages, battled ovarian cancer, and underwent surgery. At age 31, I lost my second husband suddenly to a heart attack. These losses cut deep. I entered a season of addiction—dark, consuming, and isolating. And yet—God. Fourteen years ago, I had an encounter with the living God. In that sacred moment, I met Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. That encounter changed everything. Fourteen years later, I am still in recovery, still walking in grace, still held together by the One who promised never to leave me or forsake me. His Word became my anchor. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) Even when doctors discovered three blood clots in the language center of my brain, God was with me. I made a full recovery. In the valleys and the victories, I have experienced His faithfulness. I’ve learned to love even when betrayed. I’ve grieved deeply, most recently losing my mother suddenly. Grief and I have walked together for many years. Yet, the wounds God healed in earlier seasons have helped me walk through new pain with hope, not despair. One thing I know for sure: bad things happen in this world. We don’t get to choose when or how. We do, however, get to choose how we respond. There are hurting people all around us—not just across the world, but right down the street. We can choose to step out of our comfort zones, meet people where they are, and be vessels of compassion and encouragement. Focusing only on the chaos of the world drains our energy and shifts our focus from what God is calling us to do right here, right now. You may not be able to control the world, but you can control your response. You can choose love. You can choose grace. You can choose to draw near to God—and He will draw near to you. Reflection Questions: Where in your life have you seen God remain faithful, even in pain? Are you focusing on things you can’t control, or are you letting God use you where you are? Who in your community might need encouragement today? Prayer: Lord, thank You for never leaving me, even when I felt abandoned or broken. Help me to keep my eyes on You, not on the chaos around me. Teach me to be an encourager, a light, and a vessel of Your love to those around me. May my story, my scars, and my healing all bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Tena Griggers, from the North Georgia Annual Conference

Have you ever felt completely alone—even in a room full of people? Maybe you’ve experienced seasons when nothing in life seemed to fill the emptiness inside. We often think success, popularity, or material possessions will make us feel whole. But they don’t. Even those who seem to “have it all” can still feel isolated and unfulfilled. David’s Story: Loneliness in the Midst of Riches The Bible gives us countless examples of people who struggled with loneliness, but one of the most powerful is King David. Long before he wore a crown, David was a shepherd—overlooked and underestimated, working for his father Jesse. Later, he became a musician and aide in King Saul’s court. During the war between Israel and the Philistines, a giant named Goliath taunted the Israelites for 40 days. David, armed only with a sling and stones, courageously stepped up to fight and defeated the giant. His bravery brought him fame—so much so that Saul grew jealous and sought to kill him. David fled and spent years on the run until Saul’s death. Eventually, David became king, ruling with wealth, power, and influence. By all appearances, he had everything. Yet, even with so much, David knew the sting of loneliness. His heart is revealed in this prayer: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” (Psalm 25:16–20, NIV) Even in prosperity, David recognized his deep need for God. His loneliness drove him to lean into the Lord—not into the comforts of the world. What About Us? Unlike David, we often try to fill the God-sized void in our hearts with entertainment, social media, relationships, or achievements. But no matter how much we try, the emptiness lingers. These substitutes can never truly satisfy. Jesus offers us a better way: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV) God did not design our hearts to be filled with things that fade. He created us for Himself. Loneliness, though painful, can become a holy invitation—drawing us back to the only One who can truly satisfy.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…” Ephesians 1:18–20a (NIV) One song that still sticks with me (now MANY years old) is “The Same Power” by Jeremy Camp. It takes Paul’s words from Ephesians and brings them to life with a powerful message: The same power that raised Jesus from the grave on Easter is alive in us. Let that sink in for a moment. As we journey through Holy Week—beginning with the joy of Palm Sunday, walking through the sorrow of the cross, and arriving at the glory of Easter morning—we’re invited to slow down and truly enter the story. Don’t rush from celebration to celebration. Spend time at the Last Supper with Jesus. Stand at the foot of the cross with the disciples—especially the women who stayed, unafraid. Visit the tomb where they laid his body. Why? Because without the weight of death, we can’t fully grasp the power of resurrection. And here’s the incredible truth: that same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead is alive and working in you and me. It’s not just about forgiveness—it’s about new life, restoration, and the promise that we, too, will be raised when Christ returns. “Christ is risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life is liberated!” — St. John Chrysostom, Paschal Homily So don’t just celebrate Easter—live it. Live in the power of the risen Christ. Share that hope with someone who needs to hear it—maybe for the first time, or maybe for the first time in a long time. Invite them into worship. Share your story. Be ready to speak about the hope you carry, because it’s not just a memory—it’s the power of God, alive in you. Rev. Steven Taylor is the Conference Superintendent of the Northeast Annual Conference.

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