In the quiet stillness of Ramadan, when an entire village slowed to a near standstill, one man encountered something unexpected—hope, healing, and the Bread of Life.
Irawan*, a 50-year-old man from North Sumatra, first met our ministry partners in Southeast Asia in December 2025. In the aftermath of devastating floods that swept through the region, they were on the ground providing emergency aid and free medical care to those affected. Like many others, Irawan came seeking treatment. What began as a physical need would soon open the door to something far greater.
Following the disaster in late November, the team traveled from village to village, offering medical care and recording patient information for follow-up visits. In rural areas where homes often have no addresses, even locating patients again can be a challenge. Instead, they recorded the names of their villages and trusted God to guide the way.
On February 25, 2026, they set out to find Irawan. It was the middle of Ramadan, and the village was unusually quiet. Most people remained inside their homes during the day, conserving energy while fasting. As they rode along on a motorbike, the stillness made them question whether they would find anyone at all. At one point, they nearly turned back. But just a little further down the road—about 300 meters ahead—they saw him sitting at a small roadside stall in front of his home.
They stopped and asked if he remembered attending the free medical clinic. He did—and warmly invited our partners inside. As they talked, he shared how effective the treatment had been and how quickly he had recovered. But as the conversation deepened, they began to speak about something more lasting than physical health.
Our partners asked him how he believed his sins could be forgiven. Irawan explained that he tried to do good works, but he wasn’t sure if it would ever be enough. That uncertainty opened the door for us to share the truth of the Gospel—that forgiveness cannot be earned through human effort, but is given freely through God’s grace. We told him about Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and the way He made for us to be fully forgiven and restored.
Irawan listened intently. When we asked if this made sense to him, he said yes. When we asked if he believed it, he said yes. And when we asked again—three times to be sure—he confidently declared that he believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Right there in his home, during the holy month of Ramadan, Irawan confessed his sins and placed his faith in Jesus.
Before baptizing him, we asked what this decision would mean for his life going forward. Would he continue to trust in Jesus alone, not turning back to old practices in times of hardship? Would he share this Good News with others? Would he remain faithful to Christ for the rest of his life? His answers were clear and unwavering.
When we visited Irawan again in early March, we saw the first signs of growth. He had already begun sharing about Jesus with his wife. While she has not yet made a decision, she responded with openness, encouraging him to continue learning. We left Irawan with a simple summary of the story of Jesus—something he could easily share with her and others. The seeds of faith are already spreading.
Irawan’s story is a powerful reminder that God is always at work—even in the most unexpected places and seasons. Even in a time of fasting, he found true nourishment. Even in the quiet, God was speaking. And even in the aftermath of disaster, new life began.
Please pray that Irawan will continue to grow strong in his faith and remain rooted in Christ. Pray that he will boldly share the Gospel with his wife, family, and community, and that the discipleship process will continue smoothly. Please also pray for three new believers who were baptized on January 27, 2026, that their faith would deepen and that they would be discipled well. Pray for a woman who has heard the Good News and is open to learning more, but has not yet been followed up with. And pray for our team, as they navigate the challenges of reaching and discipling those in remote areas.
*Name changed for security purposes.