Seven years ago, a young woman we’ve become friends with was drawn to Jesus and the message of hope and love he offered her. God allowed us to guide *Sophia to receive Jesus as her Savior, but these past few years have truly been a walk of faith through hills and valleys. Together we have celebrated victories in her life and have also wept with and for her when she drew back from us and even denied her faith for a time. But a few months ago, *Sophia reconciled herself with the Lord, recognizing that God never stopped loving her or showing her his great mercy. She asked that we continue to lead her in discipleship, and she hungers and thirsts for the Word of God.
Due to mental illness, *Sophia had been undergoing treatment last year, but in these past few months, she cried out and believed in the power of Jesus to bring her healing and restoration, and he delivered her from her sickness. The Spirit of God has given her the courage to share her faith and be a witness to the transforming power of Jesus in her life, sharing openly with her family, her community and her friends. Being the only believer in her family, there are extended family members who are heavily involved in sorcery, which has been harmful towards her in the past. But *Sophia has forgiven those family members and now intercedes on behalf of them. She plays an active role in the life of the Church and desires to be baptized, even though there are severe laws against conversion in our country. It was such a great blessing for us to see Sophia take her first step of obedience and be baptized in September and rejoice when she told us that she had led her sister to become a Jesus follower as well! We meet with *Sophia every week to study the Word and to pray and share with one another. She takes every opportunity to testify of Jesus’ faithfulness and redemptive power over her life.
