Give a short bio of yourself

Semi Togo is my name. I was born on the 26th September 1985. I am a mixed parentage of Misima, Maiwala and Suau which are located in Milne Bay Province. There are three of us in the family, of which I am the first and two younger brothers after me.

As a child I regularly attended church services and Sunday School but I never made a personal commitment to Christ. Because I thought that being engaged in all this activities took care of my salvation and so I didn't  think I needed Jesus in my heart. What I didn't realise was that I was in real need of the Saviour and Redeemer. Then in October 1996 at the age of 12, I made Jesus the Lord and Saviour of my life in a crusade. I felt God's peace and joy fill my soul and my whole life was transformed. Right then, I knew that the details of my life will be taken care of by this new friend and that I didn't need to worry about my future, even though it seemed unclear at the start.

After completing year 12 in 2006, I didn't receive an offer. Then in 2007 I did part time job with a building company and at the same time did some study on the Distance Education mode. I began part time work with BTA East Papua Office in June 2008 and since then, continued my studies. Ive done 8 courses so far in its Certificate in Tertiary and Community Studies (CTCS) Program and am currently completing the last 3 courses. By the end of this year (2010) I intend to complete the whole program. For the last three years (2007-2009) up to the current, I have been actively involved as a leader in the Youth Ministry and also am assisting in Children’s Ministry in my local church. It’s a joy and privilege to serve in God's Service.

Why are you doing what you are doing?

To contribute to the work of Translating God's Word and to personally experience God's Word transform my life first before others can be transformed so that I can declare the deliverance and forgiveness and blessings of God to those who are in despair and searching for answers.

How did God call you to the work?

It all happened in 2008 when Doulos made its final voyage to Alotau and my church selected me to work as a volunteer. This experience taught me that you could be a missionary right where you are. All it required was an available vessel. Since I had this great passion to serve in missions I told the LORD right then that I wanted to know His Word and let His Word be a reality in my life and that I had an interest in serving with a mission organisation. At that point, I didn't know all the details of the specific organisation where He was calling me for service but all I could do was trust Him and obey HIs voice. A couple of weeks later, an opportunity opened up with BTA East Papua Office. Immediately I knew that God had answered my prayers and had given me the desires of my heart.

What is one specific item that God has done in your life?

One thing that God has done in my life which clearly stands out is the fact that when I was growing up I used to be so shy and timid but I praise God for delivering me from timidity and shyness and has placed His confidence and power within me to boldly declare Him to others.

What does God's Word mean to you personally?

Personally for me, the Word of God is Jesus Himself expressing God's "love message" for me of His Great Mercy and Forgiveness.