I don’t think it was a coincidence that Ratnakar happened to be passing through Pastor Jalendra’s village the day of the Jesus Well dedication. I imagine that was the Lord’s answer to someone’s prayer—maybe the pastor’s, maybe mine, maybe yours.

I am sure you know this, but we so easily forget: The Lord sees us, and He knows what we need. We really don’t have to do gymnastics and use special words and do a whole bunch of funny stuff to get His attention. He is here.

Think about this: Before you or I or anybody knew about Nishi’s pain— being lonely, overworked and rejected by her in-laws and brothers—the Lord saw her. It amazes me that when this simple village woman was hurting, the God of the universe sent Ria and a few other sisters to minister to her and tell her about the love of Jesus. He cares.

Honestly, I think the Lord gets so excited when we pause and take time to talk to Him. And He basically says to us, “Tell Me your need; talk to Me about it, and I will answer you. As a matter of fact, I will show you things you never even imagined” (see Jeremiah 33:3). He is ready to work in your life and in my life.

In John 20:29, the Lord says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” I am grateful to the Lord for your faith. Please know that as you intercede for your family and business and church and for a world that is dying without Christ, God is with you and He is answering your prayers. These stories of transformation and deliverance are happening because of you. You and the GFA staff here and the missionaries on the field—together we are all making a difference.

Crime was an everyday event in the area where missionary couple Arun and Maina lived. Each week, the couple heard reports of women raped and thieves caught. Women faced a lot of discrimination, which made ministry difficult for Maina.

But as the couple got to know the people, they didn’t seclude themselves in pockets of safety. Instead, they found themselves befriending a man who epitomized everything that made the area so frightening.

A Dark Past

Uttal had been in the army for 20 years, knowing well the power his position gave him.

In his younger years, he drank often and spent his free time drifting from woman to woman. Whatever his desire, he demanded local civilians provide it for him. Some chose to stand up for themselves, but the price for crossing Uttal was incredibly steep.

“Because the whole country was under military rules and regulations, I knew each soldier had power over the civilians,” he said. “I, therefore, killed some people—more in the villages—if they did not do what I asked them to do.”

His military status soon became his undoing, however. One day while he was on duty, a powerful bomb went off and caught Uttal in the blast. His right leg was broken, leaving the strong warrior utterly helpless.

Uttal lost all hope for his future.

A Purpose for His Life

When Arun and Maina found the dispirited soldier, he had retired from the military and wanted nothing to do with the Jesus they talked about. But the couple continued to visit Uttal, and slowly, a friendship bloomed. Gradually, Uttal let them share more about Jesus’ love until the three of them spoke freely of the topic.

As Uttal began to understand more, he decided that he wanted to follow Jesus, too. His new faith gave him a hope like nothing he had experienced before. And when he looked back on his accident from years before, the bitterness had left him.

“I could have died when the bomb blasted, but only Jesus protected me from such a dangerous situation,” he says. “He has a purpose for my life.”

Uttal stopped drinking alcohol and began attending church regularly. Now, instead of terrorizing villagers, he uses his story to share the love of Jesus.

Knowing Uttal’s past, they can see the change for themselves, and with encouragement he tells them, “Jesus is the Son of God and can forgive your sins and change your life also.”

Because supporters like you enabled Arun and Maina to share the Good News, Uttal has a new life, and by God’s grace, many more will follow along with him.