Formerly mute young Muslim woman now speaking out for Jesus

Oosman* and his wife, a Muslim couple, lived ordinary lives in an Arab kingdom of the Middle East. Still childless after ten years of marriage, they decided to adopt baby Ajmi* from a local orphanage.  As the child grew, baby talk failed to appear and the parents were dismayed to eventually learn their beloved daughter would never learn to speak. She could hear clearly, but was—and would always be, doctors told them—mute. Devastated but thoroughly in love with their child, they knew returning her to the orphanage was unthinkable. So as soon as she was old enough, they admitted her to a special school for deaf and mute children.

A new teacher appeared at the school the year Ajmi turned ten. Unbeknownst to school authorities, the dedicated educator and former Muslim ‘just happened’ to be a volunteer evangelist with Bibles for Mideast and began each day’s classes with prayer. Trying to stay below the radar of other teachers and staff—all strong Muslims—she did her best to quietly convey the gospel message to her students. Whenever she could fit them in, she would tell stories of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and try to make it clear that salvation and eternal life could happen only through and with Jesus.

Ajmi was intrigued. She especially treasured a picture of Jesus her teacher gave her. But when she showed it to her parents, they scolded her for carrying such a thing. Taking it from her, they ripped it to pieces, paining their young daughter deeply. When her parents left the room she managed to rescue all the bits of paper, tape them back together, and then hide the image away where they wouldn’t find it.

The fortunate Little girl in our story learns way more than math in her Arab Muslim school (Shutterstock image)

She also, in secret, began praying to this prophet man Jesus … not in words as we know them, but with the language of her heart and body. Since she now knew how to read, the teacher gave her a booklet containing the Gospel of Luke and advised her young student to read from it daily.  

Whenever Ajmi had problems with what she read, she would approach the teacher, manage to convey her questions to her, and get an explanation. It wasn’t long before she accepted this wonderful Jesus as her own personal Lord and Savior.

When she became a teenager, her cherished teacher presented her with a Bible in in Arabic. She finally had the whole precious Book!

Back at home, while her parents did their regular namaz (Islamic ritual prayers), Amji tried to distance herself from them and pray instead to the Lord she now knew. While her initial attempts to share the gospel only angered them, they couldn’t deny her increasing happiness and grew more tolerant.

One day, her father seriously injured himself in an accident. Doctors tried to help him, but the wound only worsened, got deeply infected and refused to heal. When medicine couldn’t help him he turned to Islamic priests and imams, but his wound continued to fester.

Ajmi brought her father the gospel booklet her teacher had given her and motioned to him to read it.

“Jesus will heal you!” she assured him with gestures, but he would have none of it.

"I will pray to the Lord Jesus for your healing,” she let him know with the body language they had grown to understand. “Will you believe in Him if you are healed?"

"I can believe," her mother piped in, but her father remained silent. Tearfully, she continued to press him for an answer.

“Okay,” he finally relented. “If he heals me, I will believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior.”

Ajmi closed her eyes, put her hands over Oosman's wound, and prayed. Her parents watched, smiling at their fervent young daughter’s way of praying, not believing anything would change.

When she finished, Ajmi took her hands away. The wound had dried up completely! Her parents stared in disbelief. Each ran their hands over where the wound had been … now smooth, clear skin. Their doubts in Jesus as healer, Lord and Savior vanished as completely as the oozing wound had, and each willingly accepted Him into their hearts and lives.

All three knelt down before the Lord, praising and thanking Jesus. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Ajmi then began praising in language her parents understood!  Sixteen years mute and now she was bursting both earthly and heavenly language. As the family’s friends and relatives learned of her new-found speech, many came to believe in Jesus as well.

With the help of Ajmi's teacher, the family approached the local  Bibles for Mideast pastor and not long afterwards, all were baptized and became members of his church.

Now enrolled in secondary school, Ajmi mixes her studies with sharing the truth of Jesus with her friends. Please pray for her and her family as they grow in the Lord. As more and more others are coming to faith through their witness, they face increasing persecution from the Muslim community, so please be in prayer for their protection as well.

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*  Names changed for security reasons

Viciously attacked pastor’s healing convinces doctors of Jesus’ power: he leads them and over 500 Hindu hospital staff to Jesus

While pastoring a group of 40 new believers in an extremely poor, predominantly Hindu region in northern India, the unthinkable but increasingly ‘normal’ happened: militants viciously attacked a young pastor and his church meeting secretly in a believer’s home. Pastor Kumar and three others were rushed to hospital in critical condition, the leader bloodied, unconscious, and not expected to live (Indian pastor and church members viciously attacked by Hindu extremists).

In the week after the attack, other church members living in fear for their lives were out walking one day and reported seeing an amazing vision in the sky. It appeared to be a warrior angel, they said, moving and dancing, and helped displace their dread with courage. Local Hindus who witnessed the sight became less hostile to the believers. Previously enraged whenever they saw believers gather, many even began joining them to worship secretly.

About two weeks ago, the three injured members were released, but Pastor Kumar continued to need further treatment. He had already had several surgeries, one a major procedure on his back after which doctors were uncertain he would be able to stand, let alone walk again. More prayers, and he was soon up and about! His doctors could not deny a miracle had happened.

He was to have been discharged from the hospital last Friday (Nov. 9). Again, however, he developed unusual pain in his back. When an x-ray showed yet another injury to his backbone, doctors suggested one more surgery. Without surgery, they warned, he would likely be seriously affected the rest of his life.

Yet Pastor Kumar knew his Lord could heal him. He so strongly believed this he told the attending doctors that the Lord Jesus will not only reduce his pain, but would, by the prayers of His children, heal him completely. He then shared his testimony and other experiences with the Lord. 

Throngs of Indian Hindu devotees gather around a huge idol of the elephant- headed Hindu god Lord Ganesha

The GP and surgeon found themselves listening respectfully and intently to their strange patient, even though they—with practically all in the hospital—are fundamentalist Hindu.

They decided they would wait and do another x-ray the next morning … so of course Pastor Paul, on learning this, sent out a prayer alert.

“Let them believe Jesus is Lord and mighty healer,” he encouraged prayer warriors. “We believe our Lord will not allow His children to be ashamed before gentiles and scoffers.”

The next day, doctors were dumbfounded to see no injuries. ‘Might something have gone askew with their x-ray machine?’ they likely wondered.  

“Without a doubt, it is my Lord's mighty work,” Pastor Kumar assured them. “Trust Him for He is your Lord too. Accept Him, then you will see many, many wonders.” Empty of arguments, they still decided to wait and do one more test the next day.

When Friday morning’s x-ray showed the same thing, the doctors had to relent. “It is a great miracle from your Lord,” they admitted. “We now believe His wonderful works.”

"Can you arrange a meeting for me in the hospital with your staff?” Pastor Kumar boldly requested.  “I would like to share my story with them." 

They would have to check with hospital authorities, the doctors responded, but if the higher-ups agreed, a meeting would be organized.  

Around noon, Pastor Kumar got the word that a meeting had been announced for two that afternoon.  He immediately contacted Pastor Paul and Pastor Peter Haneef for prayers. He and a visiting church member then knelt by his hospital bed in earnest prayer for the next two hours, neglecting their noonday meals. They then headed directly to the conference hall.

More than 500 people—nurses, nursing students, doctors and other staff—sat waiting to find out why they had been called. Almost all were Hindus.

Pastor Kumar’s attending surgeon introduced him.  The pastor began with a song only he and his visitor knew the words to, then a prayer.

He shared of his upbringing, his conversion from Hinduism, and followed with a powerful presentation of the gospel. A pin drop would have echoed through the auditorium.  As he wrapped up, the Holy Spirit guided him to go further.

“Please stand if you are really willing to accept this Jesus as your Lord and Savior.” Everyone looked around at each other, but no one stood.

So he repeated the question. Then, a young woman sitting in the front row raised her hand and rose to her feet.  Slowly, one-by-one, all did the same: doctors, nurses, administrative staff—absolutely everyone in attendance.

The pastor asked them to close their eyes, lay both their hands on their chests, and to accept Jesus into their hearts and to say it out loud.

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
(Rom. 10:9)

He had explained enough so that each, in their own words, replied along the lines of: 
"I accept Christ Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Heavenly Father as my Lord and my Savior.  Lord Jesus came down from heaven and was crucified on the cross of Calvary, died and rose from the dead to give me salvation and eternal life. I believe in Him and accept Him as my Lord and Savior."

Pastor Kumar then prayed for them. One of the doctors rose to thank him, tears in his eyes. He pronounced the moment overwhelmingly great and joyful for him.

“From now onwards I will not worship any idols and will worship Jesus alone.” He thanked him profusely again.

When the meeting ended about 4:30, everyone came forward asking if they could be given bibles. Of course he had none on hand, but we are praying the resources will come in to provide this exciting new ministry with all the bibles they need.

Pastor Kumar was then discharged from the hospital, and returned to his home and family this morning.

Please keep this new and growing ministry in your hearts and prayers. Without your support, none of this would be possible.

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Can you help? BLESSING the work of Bibles for Mideast

UPDATE on church members brutally attacked … and more former Muslims baptised

By Pastor Peter Haneef

I thank you for your prayers and support for Pastor Kumar and three of his church members who were brutally attacked by Hindu militants almost a month and a half ago. Pastor Kumar remains in hospital, and the other three were discharged recently.

They are all very poor, so other local church families have been helping their families and Pastor Kumar's family as well with their daily needs. They also did as much as they could to settle the hospital bills. With the help of our other churches and our generous partners, we have managed to cover the rest of the expenses.

By God's grace, Pastor Kumar continues to recover from his injuries and may be discharged from hospital by the end of this week. He has undergone two surgeries, one a major procedure on his back. Doctors were not certain he would be able to out of bed afterwards. But now, he has begun walking slowly with his wife’s assistance. The doctors themselves report this is a miracle! Of course we know it is because of your prayers that our Lord touched his backbone and healed him as a witness to His glory.

Please pray for him that our Lord may give him more courage and strength to labor in His Vineyard, witness for Him, and win more souls for His Kingdom. Pray also for his family and all the members of his church. 

Many of the local people who were against the church and ministry are now attending the prayer meetings and worship services. Please pray for them, and also for the conversion of the attackers. 

Ninety-four former Muslims were baptized in the Middle East last week. Pray for them and their families. So far this year, thousands of former Muslims have been baptized not only in the Middle East, but in our Asian and African churches as well.

Baptismal ceremony in the Indian Ocean by African ALG Church

This past Sunday, Pastor Mustafa baptized 22 former Muslims in Somalia in Africa. Others are also preparing for baptism there. Even more people are getting ready for baptismal services in Pakistan, which will probably happen next week. Please be in prayer for all of them.

94 former Muslims baptised in dramatic Arabian Sea ceremony!

94 former Muslims praising God in the Arabian Sea [photo: Bibles for Mideast]

[Oct. 26, 2019] By God's grace, several Middle Eastern pastors of the Assembly of Loving God (ALG) churches of Bibles for Mideast baptised 94 former Muslims in the Arabian Sea early yesterday morning!

The pastors and believers had all fasted and prayed for the Lord's guidance and protection over the three days leading up to the service. Going 72 hours without food or drink, they feasted only on the Word of God.  

Very early yesterday, they travelled by six buses to the shore of the Arabian Sea. God blessed them by providing ex-pat evangelical Christians as drivers, all promising to keep the journey and baptisms secret for the safety of the believers and churches.

The sea had been churning violently since the evening before, inciting fear in some of those to be baptised. How could they safely get in with such massive waves crashing in?

Before beginning the service, all joined hands as the pastors led in prayer. As soon as they finished, the sea calmed, the waves completely subsided. The people looked up in awe to see unusual illumination from above. Pastors and candidates approached the shore praising the Lord of Creation and salvation. As they proceeded with the ceremony, the Holy Spirit moved powerfully among them.

When all had headed back to shore after the baptism and the final prayers concluded, giant waves began to swell and crash in again. As mysteriously as it had appeared, the glow from above the sea also dissipated.  

Returning to their churches bursting with joy, the believers celebrated the Lord’s Supper and only after that, broke their fast.

We know without a doubt that God’s protection and care guided and guarded His children as the apple of His eye. Their time of prayer and fasting, added to the prayers of our prayer partners, moved and continue to move heaven. A great mystery we shall all know the answer to one day!

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Kindly continue praying for the newly-baptised and their families.

Please also pray for all the leaders, believers and the ministry of Bibles for Mideast as a whole for the great task of winning every Muslim to the fold of Jesus Christ at any cost!

No time to waste: the time is short, the harvest ripe

By Pastor Paul

Praise be to the Lord Jesus! The return of our Lord is imminent. Let us not waste our time and energy in our efforts to bring the gospel to the unreached. Whatever we have—our health, wealth, wisdom, power, everything—has been given us by our Lord to be used for HIS glory, for HIS Kingdom's sake.

Our Heavenly Bridegroom wants us to be wise virgins who have oil in our lamps when He comes (Mt. 25:1-13). Our Master wants to see us as His wise and faithful servants, whom He made ruler over His household, and to give them food in due season (Mt. 24:45-51).

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man will come. Let us not bury our talents in the ground, but trade with them and make even more.

Certainly the share is equal for those who do His ministry and those who pray for and support the ministry. Because of the prayers and support of the faithful, the ministers receive power and energy for the work.

The word of God says, "As the share is of the one going down to battle, so will the share be of the one staying with the equipment. They will share equally.” (1 Sam. 30:24). So please, be always praying for and supporting those who bring the gospel to the unreached.

"And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,

“ ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

“ ‘But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.

“ ‘Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!’ ” (Rev. 12:7-12)

P.S.: Please continue praying for Bibles for Mideast  and the Assembly of Loving God churches. We desperately need your prayer support. Please also share with your praying friends.

With love, prayers and Shalom, and in the mighty name of Jesus,
Pastor Paul  (Director), Bibles for Mideast