For many women across the Middle East and North Africa, life is marked by struggle, deep wounds, and discouragement. The following story comes from HOH – a local partner organization with a ministry focused on empowering, inspiring, and discipling women for mission.
Zimora*’s journey shows how, thanks to your faithful support, healing and hope can emerge – even from the darkest places.
From Living Under the Shadow to Rising Above It – God Is Healer
When Zimora first arrived at the Center, she carried deep hurt from her past. Even speaking about her childhood would often bring her to tears. Like so many women across the Middle East and North Africa, she had suffered many abuses in life, and some of what she shared was difficult for the staff even to hear.
Years of suffering had left Zimora burdened and broken-hearted, carrying invisible wounds that weighed heavily on her. So much pain and so many unimaginable things had happened to her. Now in her thirties, she felt demotivated and unable to move forward in life.
But everything began to change when the Center team simply listened. As she shared her wounds, she was met with acceptance and empathy. For the first time, Zimora experienced a loving community that offered true support just by being present with her. Through this caring environment, she also heard the Gospel and learned about the power of God’s love to overcome even the deepest trauma and darkness.
Zimora discovered God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. She was encouraged to lay her heavy burdens at God’s altar – the burdens that had kept her from living the life He desires for her. Progress came gradually, as the Lord spoke to her through teaching and discipleship classes.
With time, Zimora began to experience relief and peace. She surrendered her pain to God and found healing in Him. Step by step, she felt better about her past and her childhood, encountering the Lord’s peace and comfort in new ways.
The change was visible: her spirit became more positive, cheerful, and peaceful. Zimora began to smile – a joy missing from her life for so long. She started taking care of herself, believing she was truly loved by God and called to offer that same love and patience to herself.
She shared how caring for her appearance, her hair, and her clothes brought new confidence and joy – not because of what others thought, but because she knew God cares and wants her to love herself as well. Her inner transformation was clear in the renewed health and happiness she now radiates. Zimora describes herself as a new person, freed from the bondage of trauma and wounds at last.
A Ripple Effect of Hope and Healing
Through the classes, Zimora found not only healing but also practical skills for daily life. Alongside 32 women and a few men, she gained confidence and new abilities – from cake baking and sewing to hairdressing and beauty care.
As a ministry leader shared:
“Praise the Lord through His miracle and protection, 32 women including a few men were able to attend the classes. This academic year, we have opened the classes to men too because the women who have attended have commented often how they wished their husbands were with them in the classes.
“Some of the women went on to take the 5-day practical course, for example, baking cakes and patisserie, sewing, hairdressing, making bread and pizza, and aesthetic courses like learning manicure and pedicure.
“Praise God, all the women and men were very thankful to God for the changes in their lives, the empowerment, the discipling course, and the opportunity to do the practical course for the women with a state-recognized certificate.”
Zimora’s story is tangible proof of what can happen when God’s love, discipleship, and community come together. Today, she stands as a testimony of healing and transformation – and bears witness to what is possible through the power of Christ.
Praise the Lord for healing and transforming Zimora from the inside out!
Thank you for standing with women like Zimora in prayer and support. Lives are being changed, families restored, and hope is rising in communities across the Middle East and North Africa… thanks to you!
*Name changed for security purposes
