Waheeda and the Word

In their first years of ministry, James and Kristin were part of a team that had the joy of leading Muslims to Christ and helping them start fellowships that were beginning to multiply.

But most of the new believers were men. Few Muslim-background women had begun following Jesus. James and Kristin’s team knew that women are instrumental in the spiritual transformation of families and communities. In this region, however, women seemed much less open to the Gospel.

When this persevering Frontiers couple relocated their family to serve a different Muslim people group in the region, Kristin resolved to do all she could to introduce more women to Jesus Christ.

But even seasoned workers can become overwhelmed with learning a new language and culture while also caring for a young family. Kristin felt exhausted and often wept as she cried out to God.

So, she and James started praying for a Muslim woman who would help with household responsibilities—and who would also receive the truth of God’s Word and help catalyze a movement of faith among women.

After months of praying and searching, they met Waheeda.

She cried when she learned about God’s love for her.

A woman in her late thirties, Waheeda was already a grandmother and a respected matriarch in the community. She became a wonderful blessing in their home. And as Kristin shared the Gospel with her, Waheeda rejoiced and longed to hear more.

“She cried the first time she heard about God’s love for her,” Kristin recalls. “She stood a little taller when she learned that, in Christ, she could be a daughter of the King.”

One day, Kristin showed Waheeda Magdalena, a movie by the makers of the Jesus Film that portrays the Gospel message through the eyes of Mary Magdalene. Waheeda loved what she saw and asked her husband to watch it, too. Afterward, he told Waheeda that if she wanted to start reading the Bible with Kristin, then she had his permission. The two women began studying the Word together over lunch several days a week.

“The first lessons were rough,” Kristin says. “Waheeda wasn’t used to thinking about and discussing spiritual matters.” Gradually, it got easier, and Waheeda began sharing insights into Scripture that Kristin had never considered. This sweet Muslim woman loved listening to Bible stories every day. Waheeda’s heart was good soil, and God’s Word was taking root.

She treasured the words as a special message from God.

But where she most needed transformation was in her marriage. Waheeda’s relationship with her husband was strained because he didn’t do the one thing a man is expected to do in the culture: provide financially for his family. The couple argued regularly, and Waheeda often nagged him for the money she needed.

One night, while Waheeda and her husband were sleeping, she was awakened by an angelic figure that appeared in their bedroom and said, “Don’t ask your husband for money anymore.”

Her husband woke up and asked his wife, “Who are you talking to?”

“You don’t see him?” Waheeda replied. He shook his head no. Though baffled, the exhausted couple fell back asleep. But Waheeda treasured the words she had heard as a special message from God.

When it came time for a relative’s big celebration, Waheeda didn’t nag her husband for money to buy a gift. Instead, she prayed with Kristin and asked God to provide. The day before the celebration, Waheeda’s husband gave her the money she needed without her ever asking for it.

This was a turning point for Waheeda. If the Lord could guide her husband’s use of money, then surely He could do anything, she thought. She committed to following Jesus and determined that everyone needed to hear His good news. Kristin rejoiced with Waheeda, and they began praying together for boldness in sharing Christ’s message with others.

“I want my whole household to hear about this.”

Several months later, while Kristin was prayer walking through another neighborhood, a local woman stopped her to ask where she was going.

“I’m not going anywhere in particular,” Kristin replied. “I’m asking God to bless this neighborhood and the people here.” She chatted with the woman then began telling her about the Kingdom of God.

“Wait, wait, wait!” the woman said. “Come to my house. I want my whole household to hear about this.”

In her home, Kristin found several women who were eager to hear the Gospel. She shared about the very first sacrifice when God took animals and used their skins to clothe Adam and Eve after they had sinned—and how the last sacrifice of Jesus Christ dealt with sin once and for all (Genesis 3; Hebrews 10).

After hearing the Good News, the woman and two of her relatives repented, received what Jesus had done for them, and dedicated themselves to following Him. The room filled with undeniable joy as they marveled over Christ’s loving sacrifice, and they eagerly accepted Kristin’s offer to meet with them regularly to study God’s Word.

Kristin recognized this as an opportunity to nurture others into leaders. After praying for the Lord’s guidance, she introduced Waheeda to the new believers and began coaching her to facilitate the Bible studies. Word got out about these weekly study times, and several other neighbors joined. Kristin and Waheeda also had opportunities to pray in the name of Jesus and were thrilled when women were healed of infertility, debilitating pain, and other health problems.

Meanwhile, more and more women were becoming disciples of Jesus.

God has given Waheeda a vision to share Jesus with as many people as she can.

Seeing the Kingdom grow among this group of women gave Waheeda the confidence she needed to start a Bible study with her own friends, family, and neighbors. She started gathering several women and their daughters every evening to listen to and discuss passages from God’s Word. Two of Waheeda’s sisters, her adult daughter, and several others started following Jesus, and many more women are on the path to becoming His disciples.

“It’s such a precious gift to watch Jesus Christ transform Waheeda’s life and use her in ministry,” Kristin says. “He’s given her a vision to tell others about Jesus. She shares God’s Word with as many people as she can and recently sat for three hours discussing the Good News with two of her brothers and their families.”

Life still feels overwhelming to Kristin at times. But witnessing such a spiritual breakthrough among Muslim women is filling her with songs of joy.

“Kristin went out weeping, and oh, how she wept,” her husband James says. “But she carried seeds for sowing—seeds that have now taken root in the hearts of the women around her.” As Scripture promises, Kristin is returning with shouts of joy, bringing with her a great harvest.

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.  — Psalm 126:5–6