“In Australia, people don’t talk to people very much on the streets, not like in Cameroon. In Cameroon, people are always smiling and talking to people. I don’t know if it’s a cultural thing. I came to Australia in 2011, and I try to know about people here. I try to listen to them and appreciate them. I try to respect them. I smile at them. Now, I drive for Uber Eats. I turn on my app, I go to the shop, I pick up the food, and I take it to the person, and I smile at them. Also, I read these verses all the time – Philippians 2:1-4. It’s the best part in the Bible. It’s about living each day in the likeness of Christ – trying to be humble and kind. I want to embody that! It says, ‘Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.’ (verse 3-4).  That’s what I want to do each day. And now, when I go to the shops, I walk in and I smile at people … and they know who I am. They remember me. They say hello! And then, if my friend comes with me, he wants to know how they all know me. I say, ‘I smile at them!’”

Manga’s story is part of Eternity’s Faith Stories series, compiled by Naomi Reed. Click here for more Faith Stories.