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Dead-end search
"When my country went through civil war, many young people died. Seeing so much death and dead bodies, I often thought about life after death. I wondered if these young men went to heaven or hell.
"I read the Koran to find answers to my eternal questions—but I was disillusioned. The Koran said that a man can have five wives-but Mohammed had nine wives. The Koran says that men inherit heaven-but not women. I felt worse than when I had started my search, and I decided to stop reading the Koran.
Pit of despair
"As the civil war was beginning, I gave birth to my second child, a son. My daughter, six years old, had a different father.
"Factories and industry stood still, and life was paralyzed. Because of shortage of food, my milk dried up, and I couldn't feed my son. I had to lower myself and earn bread—anyway I could.
"Depression came over me, and I began to drink. Most of the time, I was drunk. I couldn't face life or my starving children.
Outstretched arms
"One night, in a deep sleep, a man appeared to me in a bright light. I recognized Him as Jesus Christ. He appeared in the form of a cross, with arms stretched out. I was frightened.
"The next day I didn't drink, and I asked a lady if she knew who Jesus Christ was. She told me that He was God. I was shocked. I always thought He was a Russian God.
"I went to find a Russian Orthodox Church and asked directions from a man on the street. He became interested in me and convinced me to attend a home Bible study group instead.
Deliver us from evil
"Through the Bible study, I learned that God loves me and has a plan for my life. Humans are sinful and need a Savior. Between man and God, there is a separation and that separation can be crossed via the cross of Jesus Christ.
"When I learned that God was holy and I was sinful, I knew that we could never co-exist. Then I learned that I could confess all my sins to God through Jesus Christ and experience forgiveness. I was excited!
Lord of everything
"It was there that I repented of my sins, made a public confession of my faith in Christ, and pleaded with Him to deliver me from drinking, smoking, and an immoral life. After several days, I realized that my desire for alcohol, cigarettes, and the desires of the flesh had left me.
"A few days later I was tested. My friends invited me to their home where the table was covered with all kinds of alcoholic drinks. God gave me victory over my body!
"I returned to the Bible study group to testify of God's power in my life. Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord over everything!"
—Muhayo, a new Christian in, Central Asia.
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Sought out and brought out in Central Asia