Our precious sister Ruti (not her real name) lives in a country somewhere in Southeast Asia. We can't say more, for her protection. She was 17 when she fell in love with a young Christian man who led her to fall in love with Jesus despite her Muslim background. Her family were stunned.
They did everything they could to break the couple up, even bringing in Shamans to convince her that her boyfriend had cast a spell on her. Her family hit her repeatedly and strangled her until she passed out, convincing themselves that they were delivering her of a 'Christian spirit'. They broke her cross and other Christian items and demanded she deny Christ.
Ruti boldly cried out, "I only believe in Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!"
The beating eventually stopped when her family mistakenly thought she'd called out to Allah for help, believing she had renounced Christianity and turned back to Islam.
Because of their abuse, she kept her faith a secret.
"No one understood my situation. I felt there was no hope. I wanted to commit suicide. I cried hard. And then, I sensed a peace in my heart, and a voice spoke to me, 'You need to calm down. You don't need to cry. God accepts you the way you are," she said.
A few months later, Ruti managed to escape to a town far from her family. Open Doors partners took her to a safe house where she lives with mentors who are discipling and caring for her. Local partners will support her financially until she can stand independently. Her family still pursues her, but she dreams of becoming a religious teacher and telling people about the love and peace of Jesus Christ, who saved her soul.
Father, Ruti has found safety under Your Wings with Your people. Please cover her with Your Mighty Hand of protection and keep her family from finding and hurting her. We ask that you comfort her heart and heal her from the emotional and physical wounds she has experienced. Help her to sense the love and affection you have for her. Bless her mentors as they water the seed of faith inside her each day and raise her up to be a mighty woman of God.
Thanks so much for praying, Elohim bless you. Taken from Open Doors USA text alert.
They did everything they could to break the couple up, even bringing in Shamans to convince her that her boyfriend had cast a spell on her. Her family hit her repeatedly and strangled her until she passed out, convincing themselves that they were delivering her of a 'Christian spirit'. They broke her cross and other Christian items and demanded she deny Christ.
Ruti boldly cried out, "I only believe in Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!"
The beating eventually stopped when her family mistakenly thought she'd called out to Allah for help, believing she had renounced Christianity and turned back to Islam.
Because of their abuse, she kept her faith a secret.
"No one understood my situation. I felt there was no hope. I wanted to commit suicide. I cried hard. And then, I sensed a peace in my heart, and a voice spoke to me, 'You need to calm down. You don't need to cry. God accepts you the way you are," she said.
A few months later, Ruti managed to escape to a town far from her family. Open Doors partners took her to a safe house where she lives with mentors who are discipling and caring for her. Local partners will support her financially until she can stand independently. Her family still pursues her, but she dreams of becoming a religious teacher and telling people about the love and peace of Jesus Christ, who saved her soul.
Father, Ruti has found safety under Your Wings with Your people. Please cover her with Your Mighty Hand of protection and keep her family from finding and hurting her. We ask that you comfort her heart and heal her from the emotional and physical wounds she has experienced. Help her to sense the love and affection you have for her. Bless her mentors as they water the seed of faith inside her each day and raise her up to be a mighty woman of God.
Thanks so much for praying, Elohim bless you. Taken from Open Doors USA text alert.