(Field Story) The Vanguard of God's Blessed Work, Bangladesh

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Hello? I'm Samiya, living in Bangladesh.

I was born the only daughter of a poor family. Due to our difficult circumstances, I attended school only until fifth grade before dropping out and staying home all day.

One day, a Korean teacher began visiting our neighborhood weekly to give facial massages to the local women. They eagerly counted down the days until her arrival. One day, while giving massages, the Korean teacher asked the names and grades of the children present, including me, who was watching out of curiosity. When it was my turn, I was too ashamed to say I wasn't attending school and couldn't answer. A little later, when I told her the truth, the Korean teacher expressed immense sorrow and said she wanted to meet my parents.

After meeting my parents, the teacher said, “I heard that Samiya isn't attending school, and I'd like to teach her at the church. As a Christian, we start by singing hymns, praying, and reading the Bible before beginning our studies. Would that be okay?” My parents readily agreed, saying, “We are Muslims, but if it means our daughter can study, we are fine with it.”

Additionally, my mother asked the Korean teacher if a girl named Irene, who also hadn't been attending school in our neighborhood like me, could study with me, and the Korean teacher gladly agreed.

From then on, Irene and I studied with that Korean teacher every day. All the classes—singing, English, Korean, music, art—were fun and enjoyable. Before class, the teacher would start with prayer, read from the Bible, and explain things bit by bit. She told us God created the world and that Jesus was our Savior. Since I knew Allah created the world and Jesus was a prophet, this felt a bit strange to me. It was interesting to hear about the Bible, which I'd never heard of before, and to learn about Genesis, but I really disliked answering when she asked us every day who our Savior was.

A few months later, the Korean teacher invited me to attend a gathering with her. After getting my mother's permission, I went. Flags from other countries were displayed there. Teenagers like me, along with older sisters and brothers, stood up, clapped their hands, and sang joyfully. After the song ended, I heard about the Moroccan people. It was the first time I'd heard such stories, and I found it both interesting and surprising.

After some time, the Korean teacher mentioned there was a retreat and, with my mother's permission, took me along. Eating delicious food, singing with the older sisters and brothers, and listening to lectures—everything was fun and wonderful. At night, we listened to a lecture by one of the teachers. I couldn't understand everything, but I grasped a little. I also heard how sisters and brothers from other ethnic groups, born Muslim like me, came to believe in Jesus and how they live spreading the gospel despite facing persecution. All of this was so astonishing and shocking to me. As I listened to the message, I thought, ‘Is Jesus really the Savior?’ And their lives, overcoming all that persecution while living to share Jesus, were so amazing. Then, on the second morning of the retreat, a Korean teacher said to me, "Sadia, it was hard to understand last night's lecture, wasn't it? You're Muslim, so you don't believe Jesus is your Savior, right?“ At that moment, I replied, ”Teacher, I believe in Jesus. Last night, I decided to believe in Jesus as my Savior.“ The Korean teacher shouted ”Hallelujah!" right then and was so overjoyed she shed tears.

I am now training to embrace Morocco and quickly go share the gospel with the Moroccan people. When I shared my prayer request, the Korean teacher said, “God will open the way for you.” Please pray that I may follow the path God opens to share the gospel in Morocco and to the nations!

The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had (1 Chronicles 13:14)

We praise the Lord's grace for loving Sister Samiya, enabling her to resume her studies interrupted by a difficult family situation, and leading her to decide to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ through the testimonies of believers who, though born Muslim, heard the gospel and saw their lives transformed.

May Sister Samiya learn the heart of Jesus while studying and training within the church community. Open every path and guide her, O God, until Morocco is won.

Grant Sister Irene, who studies alongside her, the gift of being born again through the gospel. Establish her as a leader who embraces the nations and dedicates herself, just like Sister Samia.

May the gospel flow through Sister Samia into her household at all times, filling it with God's presence. Bless her home and all her possessions, guiding her so that when she goes to Morocco, she may be sent forth from her family as a steadfast support, blessed and commissioned.

Lord, who renews and sanctifies Bangladesh through the youth generation like Sister Samiya, grant that the Bangladeshi church may share this vision, diligently raise up the next generation before the Gospel, and lead the way in fulfilling God's covenant for the nations.

Thus, may all the peoples of Bangladesh become the vanguard of the blessed work of expanding God's kingdom to the nations through the gospel!