Look at what God has done in Southeast Asia through one of our teams and partners!
“Of the seven people you prayed for, three have been baptized! Two others are moving closer to surrendering to Jesus. We continue praying for the remaining two, that they will see the faith of those baptized and take that step as well.”
“Let me share the story of two of them—a husband and wife named Ziaad* and Farah*.
Our local partners had been walking with them through the stories of the prophets and of Jesus. But every time they scheduled the final study, something went wrong: their child got sick, then Ziaad became ill, then the local partner fell sick. There was a village project, a neighbor’s death, a sister’s wedding, that same sister’s sudden appendicitis, another hospitalization, a job trip out of town, and finally—believe it or not—their child stuck a peanut up his nose and had to be rushed to the emergency room!
One obstacle after another kept them from hearing the final story of Jesus.
But after we asked you to pray last week, the breakthrough came. Our local partner met with them, shared the final study, and both Ziaad and Farah prayed to receive Jesus. He later told us, “All the hindrances stopped.”
Soon after, a challenge arose. A loan shark came to collect money from Farah. Unknown to Ziaad, she had borrowed a small sum that had multiplied into an enormous debt because of exorbitant interest. In the past, Ziaad admitted, he would have beaten his wife. But now, as a follower of Jesus, he responded differently: “I will not hurt her. Instead, I will take the debt upon myself.”
Not long after came the day they had chosen for their baptism. When they arrived at the beach, strong winds whipped up the waves, making it unsafe to enter the water. Together they prayed, “Lord Jesus, You calmed the storm when You walked this earth. Please calm these waters.”
In an instant, the sea grew calm. They stepped into the water and were baptized in the name of Jesus. As they walked back to shore, the waves rose up again.
God is clearly at work. Please continue praying for those newly baptized—that they would grow strong in their new faith—and for the remaining four, that the Holy Spirit would draw them in with His lovingkindness. Pray that, like Ziaad and Farah, nothing will hinder them from fully surrendering their lives to Jesus.
*pseudonym
PRAYING KINGDOM OPPOSITES
From a field worker in Austronesia: “Yanti* called, desperate to line up a second DMM training. She described renewed enthusiasm and attested read more …
FEAR LESS, LOVE MORE
On the last morning of her stay at a quaint hotel, Sharon* noticed a simple but profound message: “Fear Less, Love More.” One of the staff members had written read more …
“I DON’T HAVE AN OIKOS”
*Frida seemed hungry for Jesus, yet insistent that no one else around her would want to join in discovering God’s heart through the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) read more …