Southwestern Adventist University

Hiren Barmeda, ‘06

 

Home: Tanzania, Africa

Academic major: Wellness

 

In Tanzania, Africa, Hiren Barmeda heard about Southwestern Adventist University from the Bina family, who own the business next door. “They are Adventists, and their son, Ken, is a student at Southwestern,”  said Hiren Barmeda.

 

Hiren wanted to study abroad and decided to try Southwestern.  Once on campus, Hiren Barmeda, who has a Hindu background, began to study Amazing Facts Bible study guides with his religion professor, Ingo Sorke.

 

Hiren joined the SWAU Literature Evangelism (L.E.) team. “At first I wanted the job for money, but then slowly the Spiritual impact became the most important,” said Hiren. 

 

Several months later, after a challenging week of L.E. work, he decided to be baptized. “I hesitated to be baptized, because I did not want to upset my Hindu family,” said Hiren. “But I know that following Jesus is what I want to do.”

 

“Although I have come to believe in Christ, I do not forget my country and my culture,” said Hiren. “But Southwestern is where I found God first, so I want to be here and graduate from here.”