“I was glad when they said unto me,
The Return of Sister Sofonie Dala
Sister Sofonie Dala, a faithful daughter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, had once walked with zeal in the house of God. She had served tirelessly, leading with joy as a treasurer and as director of stewardship, encouraging her brethren to give cheerfully as unto the Lord.
But for two long years, the doors of the sanctuary that once echoed with her footsteps remained closed to her. The reasons for her absence were known only to her heart and to God, who “searches the heart and examines the mind” (Jeremiah 17:10).
Then, without announcement and without ceremony, she returned. It was the conclusion of the church’s annual stewardship program, a time of thanksgiving and rededication. She entered quietly, with no request for introductions, no longing for recognition—only a heart yearning to praise the God who had kept her through the silence of absence.
She sat gently at the back, in a humble corner. Yet, the Spirit of God was at work. For as she sat, brothers and sisters began to notice her. Faces lit up with joy. From the pews, from the aisles, from the very streets where her testimony was remembered—they came.
Warm kisses were planted on her cheeks, arms wrapped her with the embrace of long-missed fellowship. Some whispered, “Our sister has returned.” Others, with tears, remembered the days of her service. It was as though the parable of the Prodigal Son came alive:
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him;he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
The church had not forgotten their steward, their sister, their beloved Sofonie. And in that moment, heaven itself rejoiced. For the Lord declares:
“I will heal their backsliding,I will love them freely:for mine anger is turned away from him.” (Hosea 14:4)
Her silent return became a testimony of God’s endless mercy, the church’s compassion, and the beauty of spiritual family. It was not a grand introduction that mattered, but the quiet worship of a heart reconciled with God.
And just as the psalmist sang, so did Sister Sofonie’s soul:
“I was glad when they said unto me,Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1)
That Sabbath was no ordinary Sabbath. It was a living parable of forgiveness, compassion, and the unbreakable bond of the household of faith.
✨ This story echoes Luke 15 (the Prodigal Son), Hosea 14:4 (God’s healing love), and Psalm 122:1 (joy in returning to God’s house).
The church has extended an open invitation to everyone—regardless of membership status—to take part in this work through donations, contributions, or gifts, whether small or large. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
The success of the church’s growth in both spirit and quality is closely tied to the faithful administration of God’s resources. The chosen theme, “Called to Be Faithful to the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12), guided the gathering.
The highlight of this convention was the adoption of the seven commitments of the Holy Convocation. August, celebrated as the Month of Commitment—My Commitment, Your Commitment, Our Commitment—calls church members to put “God First” (Matthew 6:33) in every aspect of their lives. This special event, organized by the Northeast Union of Angola through the Department of Stewardship, has now reached its seventh edition.
How God restores His children even when human injustice tries to silence them
Sister Sofonie Dala, a devoted daughter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, had poured her heart into God’s work. As treasurer and stewardship director, she had guided her church family with diligence and faithfulness. Yet, though she served with love, injustice and pain arose against her—leaving wounds so deep that for two long years she could not bring herself to enter the sanctuary she once cherished.
It was not rebellion. It was not sin. It was the heaviness of a heart broken by unfairness.
But God never forgets His children. At the conclusion of the annual stewardship program, without announcement and without ceremony, Sister Sofonie walked quietly through the church doors once more. She did not ask for recognition. She only longed to lift her voice in praise to the God who had carried her through the valley of silence.
She sat quietly at the back, almost hidden. Yet the Spirit moved in the hearts of her brothers and sisters. One by one, faces brightened with recognition. From pews and aisles, members approached her with joy. They kissed her cheeks, embraced her warmly, and whispered, “Welcome home, our sister. We missed you.”
The fellowship of love broke the silence of her absence. What had been a place of pain became a place of healing.
And so, the words of Scripture came alive:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” (Joel 2:25)
Her return was not about the past hurt—it was about God’s power to restore. It was a testimony that even when injustice drives us away, compassion and faith can lead us back to joy.
That Sabbath became more than the conclusion of stewardship—it became the beginning of reconciliation, healing, and a living testimony of God’s unchanging love.
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