"My Family Will Kill Me!"

As you know, I (Christine) am involved in an outreach to international women who live in my city. Most do not follow Jesus but once in a while, a believer will attend. This week, I sat next to a young woman from a Middle Eastern country. Her name was M. 

She was a believer and when I asked how she became a Christian, she shared her story which started in her home country.

She has an autoimmune disease and had been in the hospital. Her friend came to visit and read scripture over her. She said this was the beginning of her belief. Seeds planted.

This friend introduced her to two other believing women who worked in a salon. Mariam would go to have her hair done and hear about Jesus.

Then Mariam’s mother died and her family said she was to blame. They also said that her autoimmune disease was God’s punishment on her. But for what, she didn’t know.

Mariam compared how these Christian women treated her and how her family treated her. She felt loved by the Christian friends and this softened her heart to Christ.

Mariam began to read her Bible when her father wasn’t home, but one day when he overheard her talking to Christians on the phone he realized she became a Christian. he was very angry.

She had already applied to be an exchange student here in the US and came here to study. After she got here, she applied for religious asylum and was granted. She is living here as a young woman with no family and can’t go back because her father said he would kill her. As she told me her story, the joy of the Lord shone through her. Her commitment and love for Jesus outweighed the loss of her family. She will be instrumental in helping us reach the other women in the group. 

I share this story as an encouragement of how easily we can influence others for Christ. Who will you influence today? This young woman‘s eternal destination is forever changed because of some friends who were bold enough to merely read scripture and demonstrate the love of Christ. You can do the same!

Thank you for making it possible for me and M to reach these women. I couldn't do it without your support.