Sheela* worked in a garment factory. Although she earned a handsome wage, a large part of her earnings went to paying for medical treatments. She spent a great deal of time worrying about her health. Not able to sleep, she took pills from her doctor, but they didn’t help.
After a few days, she increased the dose but still couldn’t sleep. Her sense of restlessness grew. Finally, she felt the problem was not physical. She went to a fortune teller to resolve her problem, but he did not have the answer. She found another to consult, who told her, “You are under some severe magical effects. I will make a talisman for you with the blood of owl and place it in the mouth of a dead body. I am really surprised to see you alive after such strong magical practices on you. I don’t have the solution. You may go to some Christian leader. Only he can help you—there is no other way.”
Sheela turned toward home, discouraged but also somewhat hopeful, although she did not know a Christian leader to whom she could go for help.
The very next day, as she was going to the bazaar, she saw two Operation Mobilization team members from the women’s team talking. She sensed they were Christians. Sheela approached them just as they were discussing their leaders: “We are really learning a lot from them,” they agreed.
“What leaders are you are talking about?” asked Sheela.
The women answered, “We are talking about our religious leaders who teach us about God. We should obey them.”
“But this society does not respect women,” retorted Sheela.
“That is true, but we have learnt that God values women. Our leaders also teach us that God is great and no one is useless in His eyes,” the women replied.
When she heard this, Sheela asked to meet their leaders, and she told them her story. As the team prayed for her, they felt the effect of the magic depart. Sheela returned two days later, rejoicing that she had slept well—even without taking sleeping pills. “God has healed me!” she exclaimed.
The team explained that it was the Word of God, Jesus Christ, who healed her. Then Sheela said, “I want to know Him who healed me.”
Sheela began visiting the team after her factory shifts. For three months she learned about sin and the Savior, and then accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord.
A few days later, she came to the team and said happily, “My colleague often asks me where I am getting my medicines, because I have left my worries behind—my attitude is quite changed. I now look happy! I have got a new life. My actual life starts now. Now, I will tell you about my family problems and you will have to pray for me.”
She told the team that her husband had divorced her and married another woman six years ago. Her two sons and one daughter are studying in Saudi Arabia, where their father lives. “I have no hope to re-establish my family,” she said. “Please pray for me that my husband will let me meet my children.”
The team advised her to read Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (NIV). They helped her understand the verse and prayed with her. As she visited the team and asked questions about the Bible, she grew in faith and understanding.
She also brought other seekers to the team—six families with whom the team shared the Word of God. They are still in relationship with the team.
As she grew, Sheela recognized that there were other important relationships in her life she needed to address. She had no contact with her elder brother who was now in Japan. They had ceased to meet as a result of past conflict. But now, after receiving Christ in her life, she wanted to ask his forgiveness. She continued to pray for her brother, and he came to Pakistan five months later. He saw Sheela in a market, embraced her and said, “Come with me.” She felt the hand of God upon her. Jesus had indeed changed her life.
Some months later, she had a dream that convinced her that God would restore her family. Time passed, and one day she came to the team, saying, “My husband got my phone number from my relatives and has contacted me. He asked about my health! I feel that God has raised my hopes through this dream, and after receiving the phone call from my husband, I am more strengthened in faith that God will really restore my family. God is giving me happiness upon happiness in my life these days. I am walking the way of hope now.”
Three weeks later, Sheela learned that her husband and his second wife had split. He said to Sheela, “The doors of my house are always open for you. I still love you and am expecting your return.” Sheela answered “Yes!” She was filled with joy, thanking and praising God.
Sheela’s husband sent her money and instantly applied for her visa to Saudi Arabia. They began to talk every day on the phone. When she got her visa, Sheela said, “Jesus has solved my all problems. I am very happy. I will be the witness now of this real life in Saudi Arabia. I will tell my husband and children what Christ did for me.”
A month later, Sheela had the visa in one hand and the plane ticket in the other. Two days before she left Pakistan, her husband told her, “We are waiting for you quite passionately. The whole house is adorned for you.”
Six days after arriving in Saudi Arabia, Sheela contacted the team. “I am very thankful to you that you made me familiar to Kalemat Allah, who not only healed me but also restored my family,” she said. “My husband asked me, ‘How has your attitude changed? Your attitude was hard previously, but now your words are changed. Your life is changed.’”
Sheela continues to seek God, along with fellow believers with whom she has fellowship. She knows the importance of godly relationships and believes passionately in the power of a prayer-answering God.
*name changed
