The alley that led to Mahima’s house was eerie.
Sarah had moved to south Asia a few months before, working with Muslim people and showing them the love of Christ.
She imagined this day would be just like any other day… but she would soon find out that was all but true.
Sarah had picked up bits and pieces of the new language, but was eager to take the next step in learning the ins and outs of the mother tongue. She anxiously arrived at her new teacher’s doorstep.
Knocking softly, Mahima kindly welcomed her in.
The house was dim and heavy. Idols as far as the eye could see. The smell of incense filled the air. The darkness was encompassing.
The air cleared as introductions were exchanged.
A tool that Sarah used to spread the gospel was temporary Henna tattoos, each design representing a basic Bible story.
Mahima was intrigued and asked what her henna stood for, since she had never seen such a design before.
The design represented the story of the man possessed by many demons, torturing his body day and night. The people of the town would tie him up and he would break out. His strength was far greater than any chain could suppress.
Mahima sat with wide eyes… eager to hear the rest of the story.
“Jesus called the demons out and he was set free.”
Mahima looked up with tears in her eyes, catching Sarah off guard.
“I…I… am… just like that man.”
Mahima raised her sleeve and showed Sarah the marks on her arms. For years she had been locked up in her house, never leaving. Cutting her flesh and crying out to all of the gods… begging for release.
Sarah held her as she cried. She told her more about Jesus and noticed Mahima breathing easier just by the mere mention of His name.
They talked for what seemed like hours, attempting to have a language lesson, but on a day like today it was nearly impossible– they talked about Jesus instead.
As Sarah was getting ready to go, she handed Mahima a Bible and challenged her to, “Pray to only Him for the next month, and we’ll keep in touch and talk about it.”
Sarah left with a peace on her heart that was unexplainable. She sent emails for prayer warriors back home to get on their faces for Mahima’s freedom. Sarah knew that if Mahima gave her life to Christ, she would be dangerously effective for the Kingdom.
Three days later Mahima called, “I don’t want to wait another day, I want Jesus now!”
Sarah dropped what she was doing and headed over to Mahima’s once oppressed home. As she entered the house she breathed in fresh air that was once smokey with incense.
Mahima threw up her hands and received Jesus that day. She gave every ounce of herself to Him. She was freed.
She didn’t take it lightly that she now served a powerful God who wants freedom and is full of love.
To this day, despite the possibility of persecution, she openly spreads the gospel everywhere she goes. She knows from personal experience that just the name of Jesus changes atmospheres.
Mahima fasted and prayed until her husband, Salman, gave his life over to the Lord. The newly saved couple now has a Church in their home and they are rapidly sharing the gospel.
Mahima went from being tortured by demons to torturing the same demons with her passion for Christ.
The couple now understands the urgency of the gospel and they won’t stop until all have heard.
Meeting Mahima and Salman, you’d have no idea where they’d been just months before.
Jesus breaks through chains.
He calls the broken.
The possessed.
The abused.
The self-mutilators.
The lost.
And makes them disciples overnight.
It may not be as extreme as Mahima, but what is it that’s holding you back?