My Name is Donna Kuenzi and This is My Story. My Grandma believed in God and told me about God. But it wasn’t until she sent me to camp where the Bible was explained that I understood about my problem and God’s answer.
I was a very excited eight year old as I left for my first whole week of camp at a Canadian Sunday School Mission Bible Camp. Along with the archery, swimming, and crafts, I heard the Gospel–that Jesus, God’s Son, died for me, was buried and rose again that I might have eternal life
The camp counselor explained about sin and salvation. Most people would have thought that I was a nice girl but I knew better. I was a liar and knew it. At that point I realized that Jesus died for me and that He took the punishment for my sins. I prayed for God to save me and forgive me. (Note: Salvation, saved, and born again are Biblical terms referring to the forgiveness of sins by God and the rescue of a person from the power and penalty of that sin. This is God’s requirement for everlasting life.)
The Bible says in Romans chapter ten, verses nine through eleven, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” I do not remember the exact words I prayed or the day. It was sometime in August of 1964. But I know that at that point of simple child-like faith, that Jesus could and did wash away my sins, and my life was changed forever.
How did my life change from this point? Well, I did not become a perfect child. I still fought with my brothers. I had lots of opportunity with five of them, plus three sisters. But my desires changed. I felt badly about my sins. I loved to be with believers and hear preaching. As a young child and teen I lived out in the country a good distance from any Gospel-preaching church, but I tried to listen regularly to Bible radio preaching. Although I was no singer, I loved to sing the Gospel choruses and hymns I had learned at camp and from my Grandma. I had a desire even as a child to tell other people about Jesus. Most importantly, God has given me an inner peace and purpose in life
I am thankful that the camp where I got saved also had a regular Bible reading program. And I am thankful for a Mom who, though unsaved during my growing up years (she is now saved), encouraged and reminded me to read my Bible daily. Without this spiritual food I would not have grown spiritually, or known God’s will for my life
What has happened in my life since that choice I made at age eight? In saving me early in life, God spared me the effects of sowing and reaping much misery. My Grandma had wise advice for me. “Do not marry someone who just says they are saved. Be sure you can see that they are living for God.” That has proven itself indeed to be godly advice. I have been happily married to a godly Christian man for over thirty-eight years. Yes, God can change your life if you repent and turn to Him believing what He says in His Word, the Bible.
