If you’d like to share your story, please see the info at the end of the article. Though all types of testimonies are welcome, right now, I’m especially looking for brief (1-3 paragraphs) testimonies.
Sharon’s Story
I come from South Africa. I grew up in an Anglican home but my mom and dad were Christmas and Easter churchgoers. However they had the sense to send us to Sunday school and confirmation classes. I went to a church camp when I was thirteen. There I heard the gospel in a new way and I was saved. I wanted to leave the Anglican church but was unable to. In order to attend youth at the Assemblies of God (AOG) church, I had to attend Anglican church on Sunday. I learnt more and grew in the Lord at AOG.
At this time I was living at my dad and stepmother but when I was 18 I moved to live with my mom and go to college. My mom had also been saved and attended AOG. My sister and I went with her.
While I was at AOG I started dating the youth leader, not knowing the man was actually married. My mom trapped him in a lie and did some digging. We discovered he had left a pregnant wife and girlfriend back in Durban. Then he moved to Johannesburg. That was end of that relationship but I was blamed for leading him astray. I was badly treated by the church.
We left and went to another fellowship. After dating and being badly treated by numerous “Christian” men, my heart was in tatters and my faith was low. I met my husband (not a believer, but not an atheist either). We dated seven years and got married.
Nobody ever cautioned me at the time about being unequally yoked. My husband is a good kind man that has never prevented me from going to church or Bible study. We are married 23 years later and happily. I believe God will reach him.
We have two sons. We are a nomadic family. We have been backward and forward from Saudi Arabia to South Africa to New Zealand to United Arab Emirates. I have always found a place to fellowship even in Saudi. God has always given me a spiritual home. When I have strayed and been less than faithful, God has brought me back. My personal life can be likened to Israel. From faithful to idolatrous to being in bondage and being rescued.
In December 2014 we were on holiday in South Africa where we were involved in a horror smash. I was left with a broken back and neck. God got me into a great hospital. I was due for neck surgery on December 26, so they sent me for x-rays. Miracle!!! God had placed the vertebrae back and surgery was not necessary. That was Christmas day. God had given me Jesus as Savior and given me healing. That hospital was special. The nurses were believers and sang and prayed over us. Many miracles occurred there. I was not the only one.
They fitted a halo brace to support my neck – sheer agony. But thanks be to God, I walked out of hospital a month after I entered. God restored all nervous function to my arms and legs. Prior to going on vacation we bought basic travel insurance which is something we had not done before. I can only think it was the prompting of God. God ensured that all of my medical expenses were covered in this insurance. We were not left with any debts. Praise God!! God has an awesome way of taking care of us even when we are not closely following.
This whole situation was a spiritual wake up call of note. I knew God had His hand on me and was shaking me right. The irony of a broken neck was not lost on me. God had to break my neck of stubbornness to get through to me. He did. And I thank Him.
It’s close to 3 years later and I am walking closely with Him.
I have an awesome fellowship here in United Arab Emirates. I think Isaiah 43:18-19 was made for me. I had to come to the desert to find living water. I am active in fellowship and service. We are prevented from openly evangelising but we go into labor camps to teach English and bring supplies to the poor and we spread the Word there. The Emirates are hungry for truth and not resistant. If they ask questions , we give them the truth. We have led many to Christ. It is however difficult for them to stay in the church.
God is truly awesome! I will continue to serve where He leads me. I enjoy hospital prayer and visitation. I go when I hear of someone in need. God has given me the gift of encouragement and support. I cannot begin to thank or praise God enough for what He has done for me. I have two scars on my forehead from the halo screws. The doctors here wanted to know if I needed plastic surgery to have them removed. I said no. It was my constant reminder of how much God loved me. Praise Him forever!!
Ladies, God is still at work in the hearts and lives of His people, including yours! Would you like to share a testimony of how God saved you, how He has blessed you, convicted you, taught you something from His Word, brought you out from under false doctrine, placed you in a good church or done something otherwise awesome in your life? Private/direct message me on social media, e-mail me (MichelleLesley1@yahoo.com), or comment below. Try to be brief (3-4 paragraphs or less) if possible. I’ll select a few to share on the blog another time. Let’s encourage one another with God’s work in our lives!
Michelle Lesley 