A Bright Light

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16, NIV.

The emotional and social barriers for a Muslim background person to become a follower of Jesus are immense. Siti* was raised in a strong Islamic family. She knew the Koran and was well schooled in Muslim beliefs and traditions. Siti recalled lessons at the Pasenteren (a strict Islamic school) about how she should hate Christians. Yet, surprisingly she grew up, fell in love, and married an older Christian man.

Her family did not disown her, but they strongly disapproved of her marriage. Siti’s husband never pressured her to attend church or even to explore Christianity. But he did play Christian music in the home, and the words to the songs intrigued her. After two years of marriage, she asked to go to church.

She attended church several times, and then she had a dream. In the dream, she saw a bright light that she knew was Jesus. She told her husband about the dream, and he agreed that Jesus is the light. Siti decided to turn to Jesus and become His follower. Now she is one of only ten known believers among her people group of over two million. She was baptized shortly thereafter, but she did not tell her family about her decision for fear of further strain on their already fragile relationship. However, her brother discovered a picture of her baptism in a photo album at her home, which increased the ostracism from her family.

At the same time her daughter became seriously ill. Siti constantly cared for the child, but after a two-year struggle, her daughter died. They buried her in a Christian cemetery, which enraged Siti’s family. She longed to go to her family during her grief, but she was afraid that they would reject her. Her husband encouraged her to go to them anyway.

Her father asked her why she continued to follow Christianity when it had not done anything for her, especially since her daughter had died. Siti admits that during this season of pain and mourning that she considered walking away from Christ and returning to her Islamic roots. But she told her father, “If I did not have Jesus, I would go crazy.”

For the first time since he learned of her baptism Siti’s father listened to her respectfully and was even willing to let her bring a Bible to leave in their home. Siti learned how God could take her pain and bring healing and strength to her and to her family. She also began to learn that Jesus is enough to give her strength to face persecution with boldness.

Another Muslim lady with a sick child was introduced to Siti. The woman’s husband took the Bible that she had been given and threw it out of the house, and he forbids her to go to church. Siti continues meeting with the woman to teach her how to make handbags to earn extra income. As they work on the bags, Siti shares stories from the Bible. As a matter of fact, she tells these stories whenever she gets the chance.

Since the death of her daughter Siti has been a consistent witness to her people about the one who held her life together in the midst of suffering and pain. She does this knowing that she risks further estrangement from the community for her witness. Her life is a powerful example of the transforming grace of God. The Lord is turning Siti into a bright light in a spiritually dark land for His glory!

*Names changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Siti’s family would continue to be drawn to faith.

God would grant boldness like Siti’s to many believers so that unreached people may hear about Jesus.

God would continue to make Himself known to Siti’s people through dreams, visions, and any other means to which the people will respond.

Churches that produce other churches would begin to rapidly form in this Muslim people group of over 2 million.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.