When we entered the patient’s room, we found a small, weak 19-year-old girl lying in bed. From her mother, we learned that her name was Lina* and that she had thalassemia, an inherited blood disease. There was no cure, and her treatment offered little relief. She seemed to be waiting in the hospital to die.

We were friends with several Christians living in the area, and one day we learned  they were going to visit a patient at the hospital. We asked whether we could accompany them, and they welcomed us. This is how we met Lina.

After everyone in the group prayed for Lina, my husband and I had an idea. We had come to this city as Global Mission pioneers—sent to share the gospel in a place where few had ever heard it. Because hospitals in our country don’t provide food for patients, we wondered whether we could prepare healthy vegetarian meals for Lina to help her feel better. We shared the idea with her mom, and she eagerly agreed.

The next morning, we brought Lina breakfast. Before we ate, we introduced her and her mother to Jesus. “He is our marvelous Creator, a loving and merciful God who can sustain us in this life and grant us eternal life,” we told them. Then we asked them to join us in prayer as we pleaded with God for Lina’s healing. When we finished, Lina said, “Amen!”

Each day that we visited Lina, we saw small improvements. Then, a week later, we heard the incredible news. Her body functions had essentially returned to normal, and she was discharged from the hospital.

The attending physician was astonished. “What kind of miracle cure did you give this young lady?” he asked. “You must tell me so I can help more patients.”

We explained that we had simply prepared healthy vegetarian meals and prayed for her, but we made it clear that Jesus alone had brought about her improvement.

A few days later, our Christian friends heard about Lina’s recovery and asked us to teach them how to prepare the “miraculous” meals. Again, we explained that the meals weren’t the source of healing. We had prayed to the Lord in heaven, and He had answered.

We began studying the Bible with Lina and her mother, telling them about God’s incomparable love. Both wanted to learn more about Jesus.

For six months, Lina’s health was relatively good. Then she was readmitted to the hospital. She died shortly after.

As we looked back on those six months, we realized how wonderfully God had provided. When we first met Lina, her condition was considered a death sentence. Yet, the Lord had given her precious additional time—and during those months, she came to know and accept Jesus as her Savior. 

God had transformed her life. He had given her peace in this life and the promise of eternal life free from sickness and pain. We were grateful for His miracle of mercy and for using us to share His love with Lina and her mother.

Marvelous things continued to unfold after Lina’s death. We were worried that her mother might lose all interest in Jesus, so we constantly prayed for her. Instead, she not only continued studying the Bible with us, but she also chose to be baptized. She introduced us to her relatives, and we were able to tell them about God’s love. 

This gospel work began with a girl on the brink of death. Though she now rests in the Lord, the seed of the gospel has taken root in her extended family. God was true to His promise: although we had sown in tears, we would indeed reap “with shouts of joy!”

This is what Global Mission pioneers do. And it’s what your support makes possible.

* Name has been changed

† Global Mission pioneers start new groups of believers in unreached areas or among unreached people groups. They’re paid a small stipend and, where possible, work among their own culture.