Contact: sandrew@aiias.edu | August 2025
My name is Sakly Andrew, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Divinity at AIIAS. Though I graduated in Mechanical Engineering, God placed a passion in my heart to share His truth. After years of wrestling with His call, I finally surrendered and came with my family to study here as a self-sponsored student, trusting Him to provide.
Not long after we settled, my wife became pregnant. When the time for delivery came, we went for an ultrasound check. The doctor’s words struck us with fear: the placenta was blocking the birth canal, putting both mother and child in grave danger. A C-section was the only option. But we were already struggling to cover the cost of a normal delivery. How could we face something even more expensive?
We left the hospital heavy-hearted, but I reminded my wife of God’s promises: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”— Isaiah 43:2
I told her, “The Lord knows why He brought us here. He will not forsake us.”
That very evening, when we were at our lowest, the SPD Community Elders came to visit. Their visit was nothing short of God’s timing. They encouraged us with words of hope, prayed earnestly for us, and—most unexpectedly—presented a love gift collected by the SPD community. To our astonishment, it was the exact amount we needed for the hospital bills.
Tears flowed freely as we felt God’s presence through His people. Truly, He had sent the SPD community as His angels to carry us in our moment of crisis.
The next day, we returned for another ultrasound. This time, the doctor was surprised: the placenta had shifted to its normal position. Mother and baby were now safe for a normal delivery! What seemed impossible yesterday, God had turned around in a single night.
When the baby was born safely, the doctor asked me, “What name would you like to give to your daughter?” I stepped aside into the bathroom to pray for guidance. The Lord impressed upon my heart the name Elianna, which means “God has answered our prayers.” Truly, her life is a testimony of His faithfulness.
Today, my family and I look back with tears of gratitude. We echo the words of Jeremiah 32:27: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?”
On behalf of my wife and children, I want to say: thank you, SPD community. Your visit, your prayers, and your generosity were God’s answer in our storm. Because of your faithfulness, we experienced firsthand that we serve a living God who never abandons His children.
May God continue to bless you abundantly—your families, your studies, and every need of your lives. Let us remain faithful and keep shining the light of Christ until the day He returns to take us home.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”— Numbers 6:24–26