She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13
Recently, I had the privilege of being part of a ministry team in Jordan. We had the opportunity to fellowship with local church leaders, learn simple yet effective ways to share the gospel, participate in discipleship training sessions, attend worship services and home Bible studies. However, my favorite part was the home visits. Our team of four, two local women who are ministry leaders and two women from our team, went out several times to seek out Syrian refugee women with whom the truth of God’s love and plan of redemption would be shared.
We sought out these women through congested city streets swarming with cars whose drivers seemed to make up their own traffic rules as they careened along – no stop sign, no problem. Pedestrians bravely stepped out into this tangle of traffic while shopkeepers and shoppers conducted daily business. Finally, we stopped and began to look for the address of the woman we would visit. Often, we would walk through dark doorways, down narrow alleys, or climb several flights of stairs to a door. When we knocked a woman would shyly peek out and open the door for us to enter.
As we listened to these women, themes began to develop of families driven from their homes in Syria because of war, marriages at 14 or 15 years of age with two, three or more children by their early 20’s and for some no ability to read or write. Many women spoke of heartache, isolation, and loneliness.
Mari is one of these women. Little did she know that when she opened the door to us her life would change forever. As Mari listened intently, she learned that God sees her and has always seen her. She learned that he loves her and offers a way through Jesus to heal her brokenness and restore her to a whole relationship with God. The way it was always meant to be. That day God called Mari out of darkness into the light of His love and she said “yes”.
Do you know someone who is waiting to hear about Jesus? God sees them. Will you also see them and be intentional about sharing God’s plan for redemption with them?
Nancy Wood
Global Outreach Council