A Secret Connection to Jesus

Middle East

Walking around an airport, a man* secretly carried a wireless hotspot in his pocket. This device advertises open Wi-Fi to anyone seeking an Internet connection. Similar to the Wi-Fi at a McDonald’s or in a hotel, the first page served from the hotspot displays content available in the local languages, including the text of the Bible and the film, JESUS.

In just over an hour, 30 business travelers, asylum seekers and tourists downloaded JESUS from the hotspot in this man’s pocket—in a country where authorities would kill the man if he handed out a single copy of the Bible on a street corner.

Today, this man has prepared 2,500 hotspot units to be carried by hundreds of volunteers in the coming months. Who knows the potential impact of the story of Jesus on phones and touchscreens in places where traditional methods of ministry face so much resistance?

* This man and his location need to remain nameless for security reasons.

Stumbling Toward Jesus: Eastern Europe

Adela walked down the street, inviting villagers to a tent gathering. Soon, he began sharing the gospel with a woman standing in her yard. Overhearing their conversation, a drunken man stumbled to them. Tossing his cigarette aside, he admitted: “I am a very sinful man. I have many flaws. I’m a bad man. What must I do?” Adela told the man to repent. He responded: “But I’m drunk all the time. Will God receive me?” Adela explained that God would hear him if he was honest with God and prayed for forgiveness for his sins. The man agreed to pray. Laying his hand on the man, Adela prayed that the man would to open his heart to Jesus. 

Upon finishing the prayer, the man wondered, “What did you do to me?” He continued: “When you put your hand on my shoulder I felt something change inside me.” The man no longer felt the effects of his alcohol consumption. Adela gave the man a copy of the New Testament and arranged to visit his home the next day to explain more about Jesus. During the follow-up visit, 11 of the man’s relatives also indicated decisions for Christ.

Jesus Appeared to Light the Way

During the dangerous journey across the Aegean Sea to Greece, a group of refugees in one boat were so frightened, they called out to God. When a "shiny heavenly figure" appeared, the entire boat knew it was Jesus. From that point the sea became calm and peaceful, and they finally landed safely on shore.

Convinced that the heavenly figure was truly God, they all wanted to become followers of Jesus. 

Many weeks later, the refugees were together in a disciple group, sharing what happened with their Bible teacher - himself a former jihadist and now a vibrant Christian. He is the one who passed their testimony onto us.

God has a heart for all people. He desires that they come to faith in the Light of the World, Jesus.
By the thousands, Iraqi and Syrian refugee families who have survived their trek over land and sea must now spend their nights in abandoned buildings, store fronts, garages, open spaces or tents. In camps without electricity, they often sit in darkness. Jesus Film Project®

is helping to remedy the situation by providing refugee families with "Light Their World" lamps. Each lamp is solar powered and has a built-in audio player and speaker that plays "JESUS" in their own language. The lamps also have an FM radio set to Christian programming, a mobile phone charger and of course, an LED light. These lamps are providing hope to refugee families by stirring their hearts toward God.

Uber Driver and "JESUS"

“Driver, would it be okay if we make a quick stop at McDonalds?” Maria asked from the backseat. Looking in the review mirror, Carlos nods and pulls the car into the drive-through lane.

As they wait behind the other cars, Carlos senses the Holy Spirit prompting him to give Maria a “JESUS” DVD from his glove compartment. He offers it, assuring her of God’s blessing if she will turn to Him. Maria thanks him and takes the DVD, and they both sit quietly as the car idles. 

He notices her sniffling. “Is everything okay?”

“As a student, I gave my life to Christ at a Campus Crusade retreat, but I’m so cold in my walk with Jesus. He’s reminding me tonight, through this DVD, I need to return to him.” 

Maria reflects for a moment, “I'll take a look at the movie.” They pull up to order and she buys Carlos an iced tea. As Carlos drives Maria to her destination, he knows that God is drawing her to Himself.

Orphan Learns About Jesus for First Time

A great story from email we got at The Jesus Film Project (Feb 2016):

It was the summer when we hosted an eight year-old Eastern European orphan through a summer hosting program. It was our job to show Liam (name changed) what American family life is like. Someone suggested we get The Story of Jesus for Children in his Russian language, so we did, placing it on the shelf and forgetting about it for some time.
     
Liam was with us for five weeks, admittedly some pretty difficult weeks toward the end. When his bio said he spoke Russian, I never dreamed we couldn't use Google Translate to communicate; all the training we'd received said Google Translate would be sufficient, but he couldn't read Russian yet, so he couldn't type back to us. Google was only a one-way translation (English to Russian). We couldn't find a program that could "listen" to Liam, then capture what he said and translate it to English for us. Thankfully, he was fairly easy to get along with, and patient with us.

As the weeks wore on, the lack of communication made our lives more difficult. He was crankier, and didn't want to interact with us as much. The newness of America had definitely worn off. It was painful to hear all the wonderful discussions other host families were having with their orphans who could speak a little English or read Google Translate. We were only getting yes or no questions or food requests like "peeza, cheeken, or gamburgers." We were unable to discover what life was like for him, what he was thinking, etc. Xbox was the only thing he wanted to do - an escape from a people with whom he couldn't communicate.
     
Finally, nearing the end of our hosting time, God broke through. Two nights before his departure, we finally watched The Story of Jesus for Children, with English subtitles for us. I worried he would balk at giving up an hour of Xbox. But once he heard the Russian language, he was completely taken in - never budging, throughout the movie. 
     
Our entire family piled on our bed, watching this young boy learn about Jesus for the first time. He happily giggled when Jesus (speaking in Liam's mother tongue) performed miracles. He was visibly touched and wiped his eyes when Jesus was crucified.
     
At the end of the film, when the child actors explain what it means to ask for forgiveness, follow Jesus and receive eternal life, Liam enthusiastically nodded and responded. He wanted Jesus to forgive his sins. He wanted Jesus to be Lord of His life. Yes, yes, yes! Then he prayed to receive Christ.
     
Wanting to be sure he understood what he just did, we hit rewind, backing it up to the beginning of the salvation message, making sure he heard it again. Though limited by our language barrier (and my deep ache to tell him myself about Jesus' love), it was obvious the film made the incredible love and forgiveness of God clear to this little guy. I know God will honor Liam's childlike step of faith.
     
When he left us a few days later, we sent with him versions of this film and the original JESUS film. I'm sure he will share with others at his orphanage. We were told the hosted kids often bring home DVDs, and orphanage directors appreciate this because all the kids benefit from watching the movies. We also sent a Russian children's Bible, so one day, when he learns to read, he will have it. 
     
It is humbling to watch God break through an impossible obstacle to reveal himself to someone for the first time.

Tablets in Africa

A Thank You Note 
From time to time, our ministry gives tablets to help overseas Christians share their faith. This is a story of one of those tablets.

Yantu*, a West African university student, began his fascinating story, "I heard about the JESUS film and the tablet, [and] I received one [myself]." He went on to say how he and five friends shared the tablet, taking turns to use it for evangelism by showing JESUS. Tragically, terrorists attacked his university and burned it down. As Yantu fled for his life, the only possession he had time to grab was the tablet. While hiding out in the bush, he continued to use it to show JESUS. Eventually he made his way to another city, still with tablet in hand. 

As he reflected on what happened, he shared, "Despite how the terrorists did everything, the tablet is still here. Simply because that tablet is mobile. I find myself now, despite being homeless - privileged to share with the tablet. This tablet (provided by donors) has gone a long way in affecting souls."

*Name changed for security. 

Jesus Film in the USA

Maryama was born and raised in Somalia. When she was 5 years old, her mother died. She was terrified of death, feeling certain she could never enter paradise. 

When Maryama immigrated to America as a young wife and mother, things did not improve. Sitting in a car and racked with grief, she cried out, "Allah, Allah, please help me!" When she looked up through her tears, she saw a cross on a building. She had been in the U.S. for 10 years, but had never intently looked at a cross. She went into the church and said, "I want to know about the cross." On a weekly basis, the pastor began showing her the JESUS film. She was mesmerized and shocked. Maryama received the help she had cried out for. She prayed to receive Christ. 

Recently Maryama told JESUS Film staff members, "Twenty years ago, Jesus came to me through the JESUS film." Maryama now uses JESUS DVDs to help others receive Jesus' love.