A worker in Southeast Asia — Ana* is one of the sweetest pre-teens that I know. I still remember first meeting her out in the rural Southeast Asian village when she was just in kindergarten. She has one of those smiles that lights up her face and she gives the best hugs. She is now a seventh grader and has shown such a maturity for one not quite yet 13 years old.
Ana was one of our teen volunteers last summer with our Values Classes. I asked her and her cousin Olive if they wanted to continue meeting together to study after the classes and they agreed. The week before my vacation, I left a book for them to read about a man named Esmael and conversations he had with his Muslim friend Abdullah. In those conversations, Esmael shares about his faith in Isa (Jesus).
Ana had been reading the book and one day, while she was at school, her Aunt Martha saw it and started reading it. She couldn’t put it down. Before long, Martha’s daughter Zoe was reading the book, too.
My teammate, Kim, went to visit and break the fast with them one night while I was away. As they ate, they excitedly shared what they had learned from the book. Ana declared, “I believe Jesus is the Way!” Kim realized that Ana’s heart was ripe for harvesting. Ana spent the following night with Kim and they went through the wordless book together. Ana understood, believed and accepted the free gift of Jesus!
Recently, “stories” have been passing through the community of a cult that is abducting children and harvesting their organs. People throughout the province are terrified.
As I was cooking dinner one night, Ana walked in the kitchen and greeted me with one of her amazing hugs and a huge smile. As we began to talk about all these “stories,” she said, “I do not know why, but I am not afraid like the others.” I just smiled and asked, “Why do you think that is?” She wasn’t sure why; she just knew she wasn’t afraid. I told her that God is not a God of fear and said that since she believed Isa is the Way, he has filled her heart with peace during this time where most are living in fear. Praise God that he is so clearly at work in her life!
Pray for us as we disciple and continue to mentor Ana and other young people like her. May they grow in understanding of what this relationship with Jesus means and share their faith with others.
*Names have been changed
