Desire Nana has a French name that has long been confusing when people see it in writing. But he’s clear about his desire to tell the story of how his life changed when he became a Christian.
Nana grew up in difficult circumstances in Cameroon, west-central Africa, where he lived in poverty and dealt with the danger of an abusive, alcoholic father. Yet in his memoir, “Much Like Joseph: From Pit to Glory,” he has a conversion experience to share, a renewed heart to explain and godly provision to honor.
‘From Cameroon to the Promised Land’
He likens his journey through despair, betrayal and ultimately hope to the patriarch Joseph.
“God worked through my childhood, education, failures, chaos and abuse to bring me from Cameroon to the Promised Land,” he writes. “He used my mom, a stranger, a teacher, some elders and brothers in Christ to realize His plans for my life.”
Nana is able to achieve his dreams, such as moving to America and serving in the U.S. military, as he lives a life guided by faith, Scripture, prayer and mentors.
Doing things ‘out of the ordinary’
Notably, many of the miracles he describes could happen to anyone anywhere.
“The Lord called me to do things out of the ordinary,” Nana concludes, “like being kind to my enemies by overcoming evil with good, avoiding strife, forgiving even if I thought that the other person should ask for forgiveness first, and trusting in the Lord, having faith — not fear or dismay — in the midst of adversity.”
