“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Today as I reflect on the mercies of God in my life and ponder on my status as the youngest Professor at the University of Mines and Technology, I have come to the conclusion that without Jesus I am nothing! Jesus really saves!

Growing up at BA 144, Bantama in Kumasi I had no hope of succeeding in this world. It was a distressing mental, emotional, and physical challenge as I had no knowledge of the location of my father. My mother of blessed memory had to contend with raising 4 boys and 2 girls without her husband. The 6 of us together with our mum were crowded in a single room at BA 144. The room became so congested that the seniors had to sleep in the open space at the mercy of mosquitoes. Our mother became diabetic with total blindness and could no longer take care of us. It was at this point that we took life into our hands on the streets of Bantama and I ended up with a certain man by name Thousand (I still don’t know his real name) for him to train me in the toilet business.

Oh Jesus, this man taught me how to handle rush hours and be strong as a man and fight to survive. He was kind and trusted me with the business to the extent that I became his direct assistant in all the 4 toilets at Bantama. I did this work from primary school till I completed junior secondary school (JSS). I later joined Obaa Yaa at Kumasi PZ to sell second hand shoes. She too was very nice and even took me as a son to stay with her.

After sometime of wandering about with no clear dream couple with all my siblings dropping out of school, K-Bobo (a cripple friend) was used by God to instruct me to go and look for my dad in Tamale. I did without hesitation and finally met my father for the first time in my life at the age of 15. He had no job and was a lotto attendant. He could not even feed himself. Hmmmm, I am not sure I can go on…The full story shall be told another time!

My life is a complete miracle, just considering that even me too can be called a PROFESSOR… I would always appreciate the Lord for appropriating (Jeremiah 29:11) in my very life.

“……… For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Dearly Beloved reading my testimony, I’m encouraging you to please place your trust in the sovereign arms of the Lord for with Him all things are possible.

By: Elder Prof. Bernard Kumi-Boateng, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa.