I Once Was Dead: How God Rescued Me from Islam, Drugs, Witchcraft, and Death Itself

This book covers many pressing issues in Africa. Cedric Kanana's addiction to marijuana and his later drug trafficking shows the desperation that can come from broken homes, youth despair, and life on the streets. The book demonstrates the interplay between curses, sin, and the demonic as traditional religion is woven in with folk Islam or contrasted with it. Other topics include:

• The interplay between the colonial legacy
• Tribalism and the extended family
• The role of education level and how shame affects one’s family

While Cedric's story explores the extremes of these situations, the topics covered affect many people in Africa. Throughout this book’s riveting, action-packed plot, one central message shines through: Jesus is stronger than death, than addiction, than Islam, than traditional religion, than curses. Trust Jesus alone! This emphasis on spiritual power is the centre of a compelling testimony in many African contexts – as well as God’s deliverance from sin, guilt, and shame. The miracles recorded in this book echo the book of Acts and give all glory to God – whether healing, deliverance, resurrection, protection from threats, or hearing God's voice.

Kanana includes practical explanations of the struggles in his context, whether tribal tensions, challenges for Muslim background believers, or encouragement for how to witness to Muslims.