One cold January night, my husband and I huddled around a bonfire with a group of people we had recently met on a bike ride. As I looked around at their faces, my eyes met Diana’s.* She was a short woman in her twenties with brown, curly hair and a bashful smile that invited connection. We didn’t speak each other’s language, but we exchanged a few words through a translation app and shared phone numbers. I had no idea how important she would become in our lives—or how thirsty she was for Jesus.

My husband and I teach English in a large city in the Middle East. So, we were excited when Diana contacted us to join our class. I was surprised to learn that she—against all social norms—had moved to the city on her own to become the owner of a small shoe store.

Diana applied the same determination to learning English that she brought to managing her store. She was always enthusiastic and eager to learn. But one day, she entered the classroom with a heavy, sad expression. I planned to approach her after class, but as soon as it ended, she rushed out the door.

I sent Diana a message, offering to help with whatever she was going through. To my surprise, she replied instantly, admitting that she felt miserable. She explained that the country’s financial crisis had plummeted sales in her store, and she had decided to close it. “I’ll have no income or project of my own,” she wrote. “It feels like my reason to get up in the morning is gone and that things always go wrong.”

I couldn’t do much for Diana’s business, but I was certain she needed Jesus. I remembered that our small group had invited a special speaker for the following day and invited her to attend. She agreed without hesitation.

Diana arrived on time and listened attentively to the speaker. That day we reflected on the story of Jesus saving the woman who was about to be stoned after being caught in sin. I could see that Diana was deeply moved, as if the forgiving eyes of Jesus had rested on her. 

That evening, Diana learned that she was infinitely loved and valued by her Creator. During the following months, as she continued attending our worship meetings, I watched the darkness in her life give way to the light and hope of Jesus.

Diana progressed quickly in her English skills and eventually became our receptionist. We grew close through working, eating, worshiping, and studying the Bible together. Before long, Diana accepted the Sabbath and began keeping it with us.

One day, while Diana and I were exercising together, she shared that she was moving to a larger city to attend college. I was sad but wanted to support her desire for personal and spiritual growth. My husband and I arranged for her to finish her Bible studies with our friend Hana, who worked in the same city Diana was moving to. 

“Please pray that I can find a job that doesn’t require me to work on Sabbath,” she asked. “Of course,” I replied. I prayed both for her employment and that she would soon choose to give her life to Jesus through baptism.

The Lord didn’t delay His answer—He had already been working in her heart. During a Sabbath lunch before she left, Diana announced her desire to be baptized. I was thrilled!

After Diana moved, she completed her Bible studies with Hana. Then Hana asked Diana to become her store manager—an answer to prayer for both women!

A few weeks later, on a cold December evening, Diana entered the baptismal waters. It was a joyful day for all of us. We welcomed a new sister in Christ who was eager to face her life holding His hand. Diana is thriving in her new job, and we thank God every day for hearing our prayers.

*Names have been changed.