Holding strong to their Islamic faith, 36-year-old Azma* and her husband Fakru* also worked hard to support their six young children in their native Somalia. When Covid swept through their area several months ago, the disease claimed the life of one of their children and left Azma battling ‘long Covid’, feeling weaker rather than stronger as the days dragged on. Her husband did his best to work and support the family on his own.

When Pastor Mustafa and a Bibles for Mideast gospel team visited their home to distribute bibles, Azma mistook them for health workers due to the team’s full PPE gear. [You can read our most recent story on Pastor Mustafa’s work in Somalia here: Evangelization in the time of Covid: PPE x 2 (Personal Protective Equipment + Powerful Personal Evangelism)!]

“No, we aren’t health workers,” the kindly pastor explained. “We have come to pray for you, and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Azma stared from her doorway in disbelief.

“Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the Son of Most High God,” the pastor continued.  “He came from heaven to save us from sin and death. And for that, He was crucified on the cross of Calvary, died, and on the third day rose from the dead. If you believe, you will be saved.”

When he offered her a Somali bible, Azma pulled away. At his offer of prayer, she told the team to ‘get lost’ and slammed the door.

Then, about two weeks ago, Azma’s husband Fakru fell ill as the omicron variant swept through their village. He died within two days.

Inconsolable, Azma had no idea how to deal with her remaining children. Two sleepless nights after his death, she had a vision of hell and of Fakru being tormented there, while countless demons tried to drag her and her children into the pit as well. But then, the vision transformed, lightened and brightened as a beautiful, powerful man came—in the form of light!—and chased away all the tormenting demons from her house. She knew it had to be Lord Jesus, the Savior Pastor Mustafa had told her about.

The next day (Sunday before last), Pastor Mustafa and his congregation were engaged in ‘socially distanced’ deep worship at their church. As they worshiped the Lord Jesus in Spirit and Truth and with gifts of tongues accompanying, they suddenly heard an unusual cry in front of the church.

Someone went out, and found a woman lying face down before the church door, wailing and weeping uncontrollably. Between the loud wails, she seemed to be begging for forgiveness.  

Pastor Mustafa headed out to investigate, saw the prostate woman, and entreated her to stand up. Quaking with fear, she slowly rose to her feet. It was Pastor Mustafa’s turn to be surprised at the sight of tear-streaked Azma standing in front of him.

She asked for forgiveness, saying how sorry she was for demanding they leave when they had come to her with a Bible and an offer of prayer. She poured out her trials of the past few weeks and said she knew now how much she needed Jesus as her Savior.

Pastor Mustafa reached out to comfort her, gently holding her hands. He asked if she would come with him into the church, and there he told her more about Jesus. All in attendance had been praying for her, and she soon fully accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior.

Azma was back at church with her children for services of prayer and fasting during the week, and says she feels such “a great and powerful peace” in her mind now. She knows her Savior Jesus will always be with her, and will help her with her children.

‘All fear is gone,’ as the great old hymn reminds us, and Azma now holds that Truth in her heart and mind.

Please pray for Azma and her children. Please also pray for Pastor Mustafa and his team as they continue to minister and distribute bibles. They urgently require 10,000 Somali bibles to continue their work.

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*Names changed for security reasons