Asma* never thought of herself as brave. At age 27 and single, she was practicing the Muslim faith of her family, never really questioning what she’d been taught about God.
But that began to change when a missionary in the region shared with her that Jesus is the only Savior. This was a revolutionary idea for Asma, and she had many questions which the missionary patiently answered.
Soon they began to pray together. As they prayed, Asma began to feel a release from an evil spirit that had gripped her for years. At the same time, she began to see significant improvements in her health, including being healed from diabetes.
“Now I am healed and free from an evil spirit. Jesus must be the true Savior,” she exclaimed as she accepted Him as her Lord.
But Asma’s decision came at a cost. In her community, being a Christian carries extreme risk. Christians face daily persecution, and in many cases they expect to be killed because of their faith. It is a sobering reality, and many practice their faith in secret.
But Asma refused to be silent. With great courage, she began to share Jesus in her community. Two women and two men witnessed the transformation in Asma’s life and responded, “If Asma is converted and saved, we will also accept the Lord Jesus.”
All four accepted Jesus and have begun learning about their new faith in foundational Christian classes the missionary is holding in the community.
Today, Asma’s passion for Christ continues to grow, and she’s pursuing Christian education so she can continue her ministry in her community.
Please pray for Asma and the new believers. Pray they will grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus and follow Him faithfully. Pray for continued courage in the face of persecution. Pray that God gives them a strong love for His word. And pray for the missionary and his family. They need God’s protection, strength, and wisdom as they courageously serve in this volatile region.
May their hearts continue to grow strong in faith, courage, and trust in God, even in the face of fear and opposition.
