Shining Lights in Dark Lands
Two women believers in Central Asia are
publicly baptized
WIN Ministries continues to reach people in the restricted access
countries of Central Asia which border Afghanistan. In these lands,
we must consider not only the safety of our missionaries, but also
the challenges national believers encounter. Jameela* and Eva,*
two women whose lives have been changed though WIN, face the consequences
of their faith.
 A "Closer" for Christ
Jameela is a new believer from a Muslim background who not only
made her own profession of faith, but also led her entire family
to the Lord, except for her father. She is an example of what the
WIN team calls a "closer": a national believer with a gift for evangelism,
who can communicate with inquirers in their own language. In a region
of 99 ethnic tongues, when WIN missionaries believe that a person
is close to making a decision for Christ, they set up an opportunity
for that person to meet with a "closer" who can fully explain salvation
to them in their heart language. WIN staff then disciple the new
believer with the "closer" present.
In the 'stan' country where Jameela lives, the collapse of communism
has left a spiritual void. For 70 years, communism reigned as the
dominant ideology, but now the conflict between the seemingly opposite
forces of materialism and Islam causes tension as both strive to
fill the void. In Jameela's country, it is still illegal for Christians
to congregate outside of a registered church, and pastors are still
imprisoned. Christians in this country face not so much the threat
of terrorism as the persecution of the church, particularly of individual
believers who take a stand for Christ.
Jameela is currently being discipled and helping disciple other
new believers in Central Asia. Though she initially considered quitting
her job because of the constant harassment she receives for her
faith, Jameela decided to stay and keep witnessing. WIN personnel
began a Bible study to which she brings her women co-workers. Recently,
another such class was started for men. Jameela speaks boldly of
her faith, although she could be persecuted if her activities came
to the attention of the local authorities. Her mother, now a believer
as well, worries for her young daughter's utter fearlessness: "Jameela
has no fear," she says. "She will talk with anyone." Last month,
Jameela and her brother were baptized as a testimony to the Muslim
world of their newfound faith in Jesus Christ.
From Tears to the Water of Life
Eva's story, "Mommy, She's Crying," appeared in our Summer 2001
issue. Eva, a Slavic woman in another former communist land, was
discovered by an MK in tears. She and her husband did not have enough
money for a second child, so she was being pressured into an abortion.
Eva was in anguish for her baby, and her Russian Orthodox upbringing
gave her no answers to her questions.
Eva was one of WIN's first sponsorship cases. Thanks to the two-year
project donations of supporting churches and WIN's aid, her unborn
child was spared. Two years later, moved by their generosity, Eva
came to a personal knowledge of their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Today, her beautiful blue-eyed boy is the pride of his family and
our WIN team. However, Eva is pressured by her husband and her family,
who are still unsaved. She recently took the stand of baptism as
a witness to her family and her husband.
These "shining lights"-Eva, Jameela, and other "closers"-desire
to impact the lives of their friends and co-workers. Pray that WIN
will continue to forge relationships with nationals in restricted
access countries which will lead to the acceptance of Christ, discipleship,
baptism, and church growth.
*Names have been changed.
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