shamilla | Beyond

We Are Becoming Like You!

Jan 23, 2021 | Stories

Our Himalayan team treks for days to share the Good News with mountain-dwelling peoples. In our last story from the region, we shared that the team felt it prudent to leave one village early because some there were afraid of outsiders during this time of Coronavirus.

Leaving early gave them time to visit a small village of 18 homes where a teammate had been discipling a family towards Christ. At the outbreak of the pandemic, Dalha, a follower of Jesus, moved back to this remote village where she had been raised. Many others did likewise, opening opportunities for followers of Jesus to share their faith with unreached family and friends whom they rarely see.

At Dalha’s invitation, the team stayed overnight with her family. They led the family and a few others from the village in a Discovery Bible Study and prayed over them. The next morning, as the team turned to leave, one man stepped forward and said, “Pray for us because we are becoming like you.”

Glory to God! This man recognizes that he and his family are turning toward belief in Christ and away from their traditional religion. Pray for this family as they are being discipled toward Christ.

*pseudonym

8 Months, 5 Generations, 64 Baptized

Jan 16, 2021 | Stories

“When we see generational growth, we know the work is going well….If we don’t have generational growth after 5 or 6 trainings, something is wrong. Fruitful work has generations.” – Sanjay, a movement leader in North India

Ranbir met Chara, a woman interested in discussing spiritual matters. He invited her to a Bible study to learn about Jesus and His Kingdom. Chara attended with her children and enjoyed the conversation, but she stayed quiet and didn’t share what she heard with others.

Then her daughter became ill. The doctor was not hopeful for her recovery. Chara asked the Bible study group to come and pray for her daughter. The daughter quickly recovered! Chara told her abusive husband that God had touched their daughter.
After further Bible studies together, the whole family gave their allegiance to Jesus. Chara declared, “He is the amazing God. He saved my life, healed my daughter, and saved my husband. I will not hide this from my people, but will share with my neighbors and [extended] family.” And she did.

Chara shared with many, including Roopwani and her household. Roopwani shared with many, including Kasla and her household. Kasla shared with many, including her brother and sister-in-law . . . Lives were changed.

In eight months, five generations of disciples were birthed, 64 people were baptized, and 47 Bible study groups were started!
You can help spread the Good News of the gospel for generations to come in Every People in Every Place.

Lessons from a Coffee Shop

Jan 8, 2021 | Stories

“It’s just like finding a person of peace,” Delun whispered to Matt.

The two men were visiting the warehouse of a friend to pray over his new business venture. Afterward, they started talking about different marketing strategies.

Their friend’s previous business had been a small coffee shop. For the most part, he had simply waited for customers to come in. But with an online business, he noted, you had to go out and find new customers rather than wait for them to come to you. It was a lot of work — “just like finding a person of peace.”

Matt enjoyed his friend’s observation. Delun “got it.” Disciples must intentionally go out to find people who will be receptive to the Good News. A person of peace hears the Good News, receives it, and opens their oikos (family or relational network) to the gospel messengers.

Later Delun told Matt that he was going to talk with a potential person of peace he knew. “I’m going to talk to her and pass on Jesus’ instructions for making followers like we are studying together in Luke 10.”

Pray that Delun will see much fruit as he learns and follows Jesus’ example.

Answered Prayers, Opened Doors

Jan 2, 2021 | Stories

BEYOND’s Himalayan team treks out to meet and build relationships with families and disciple them toward Jesus. One family they met had relationship problems and asked for prayer. A team member prayed aloud for God to intervene in specific ways.

On the following trip, the family greeted them enthusiastically. “Everything you prayed for happened just like you asked!” One answered prayer had been the marriage of their daughter.

The answered prayers allowed the team to share more about Jesus and becoming his follower.

Before the team left, the family shared that the daughter had miscarried, and the baby had been deformed. They believed they were cursed. Again the team prayed, asking for a healthy baby and blessing on the family.

This year the team found that a beautiful baby had been added to the family. God had answered their prayers again.
A few hours after arriving, however, some villagers told them to leave. Outsiders were not allowed during the pandemic.The family’s grandmother stepped forward: “These are our visitors, and they will stay in our home. If you are worried, don’t come around our family or house for two weeks after they leave.”

The team only stayed one night but are thankful for that time of discipleship.

Sharing the Christmas Story: The Only Woman Named in the Qu’ran

Dec 12, 2020 | Stories

“Do you know the name of the only woman mentioned in the Qu’ran?” Nicole asked the four young women. They had been meeting as an English Club and had gathered for a Christmas celebration.

One woman knew the answer: Miryam (Mary). Yes, the mother of Jesus even has a chapter in the Qu’ran named for her.

Nicole asked if they would like to hear Mary’s story. Everyone was eager, so they began reading the story found in Luke. The women then discussed it by answering searching questions.

Finally, Nicole asked if anyone had heard the story before. The Buddhist woman, *Neha, shook her head. No, she never had. This was the first time she had ever heard the Christmas story. The Muslim women nodded their heads, but only because they’d heard the character’s names. This was their first time to hear the actual story.

There are over 2 billion others like these women: they have never heard the story of Emmanuel, God with us. They don’t know that he came – as one of us – to redeem us from sin and restore us to God the Father.

*pseudonym