
Hank Hornstein
Have you ever been so lost that you didn’t even know which way to go to find your way home? My whole life was like that until I found a “spiritual GPS system” for life.
I grew up in a pretty good home, second son (of four kids) of an Army officer. Since we moved 14 times before I went away to college, I don’t remember ever going to church. I wondered if there was a God, but the question was an intellectual exercise with no real attention to my life. Until I went to college.
Freshmen year I took a course in Literature that should have been labeled, “The Meaning of Life Course.” We read books by authors that questioned the purpose of life if there was one.

All came up with the conclusion that life had no meaning. Earnest Hemingway was my favorite. He concluded that life was “nada,” nothing, empty. I thought about my life and I had to agree. When it was all added up, my life was going nowhere. Had trouble even deciding what I wanted to study at school because I didn’t know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. “Nada.”
Sophomore year I got an upgrade in dorm room and roommate. Roy had been the quarterback of our dorm’s intramural football team and I was one of his favorite receivers. Roy was a straight arrow, an engineering student like myself (though he was electrical—I was willing to overlook that, being a Mechanical Engineer myself). He was a Senior, a great student, and dating Patty, a real sweetie. He seemed to know where he was going in life.
I had no purpose, no reason to live, no direction in life; so his words struck me in the heart.
In March I had an argument with the girl I was dating and when I got back to the dorm I started talking with Roy. We talked about relationships and life in general, and Roy shared with me about his relationship with God. He shared that “You cannot find out why you are here in life until you know your creator, who made you for a purpose.” I had no purpose, no reason to live, no direction in life, so his words struck me in the heart. We talked until 3:30 a.m., when I asked Jesus into my life to give me purpose and direction. That night changed my life. Thanks, Roy!
All of a sudden, I knew which way to go and what to do. The Bible opened my eyes to a spiritual world all around me. Jesus was no longer just a person in history, but a friend and constant companion, someone to turn to for direction and guidance. I no longer felt “lost.”
Sure, I still had questions, but I saw God lead me to answers to every question I had, and every doubt. Life became an adventure. I became a better student, a better person, content, secure in where my life was going because now, I was going with God. He has never let me down, never led me astray. Life is still a challenge, but I have the assurance that God is leading me every step of the way.
More Faith Stories
Stu Ross
We built the first church with great difficulty. We went back to the States and the board asked us to become mission staff with the Outreach Foundation. That was 25 years ago, just about, and we’ve gotten more involved with Kenya as days and years went on.
Olive Karuchi
I am a chef by profession. I’m happy because I do what I love. Now I work at Villadise Tours and Safaris, where I meet so many different people coming from far. Being helpful is just a blessing to other people.
Kathryn Lindsay
Then God started tugging on my heart. There was a church sermon series that was about taking your God-given dream off the shelf. I was like, “I don’t know what my dream is. God, if you have a dream for me you’re going to have to tell me what it is.”
Anne Joo
We attended church but maintained a passive religious life. Our family had been going to church and proclaiming, “Jesus is our Savior and Lord,” with our mouths only. It seemed that my heart was gradually drifting away from God.
Alice Wanjiku Gichira
So, I just put my faith in Jesus. I trust him and it is my prayer that my children and the entire community will know Jesus because of my faith. Our salvation should not be only our own. We should encourage other people.
Bevalyne Otulia
I’m no longer worried because I have come to learn that God’s timing is the best. You cannot hurry God. These days, all I do is wait, no matter what, I just wait. I know my time will come and that time is God’s time. So, I keep on waiting for God to do for me wonders.