Poverty and violence have turned Merida, a city in western Venezuela, into a challenging place to live. Ninoska, a 67-year-old lady, sought refuge in the occult. “I started practicing witchcraft because my life was terrible,” she confesses. “I didn’t sleep at night because I dedicated myself to doing evil.”
Ninoska’s occultic practices alienated her from her family. “I would pray for my daughters with all kinds of spells,” she explains. “As a result, they started to hate me.”
In her deepest misery, God arranged for Ninoska to meet with a pastor named Josue. He encouraged her to join a Bible study group, where Ninoska discovered the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. When she surrendered her life to the Lord, the people in her neighborhood couldn’t believe it. “They said, ‘That’s the witch! She can’t be a Christian!’” she recalls, smiling. “But it’s true!”
The verse that specifically soothed Ninoska’s tormented mind was Philippians 4:7, “And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.”
Now, Ninoska preaches God’s Word in her city. “I work mainly with street youth,” she says. “I bring them food and preach the Gospel to them.” She also runs a Bible study group with women and children, using materials you helped provide.
Thank you for offering Venezuelans like Ninoska comfort and purpose in the Gospel. “The Word of God is my greatest treasure,” she rejoices. “Your support allows me to bring God’s message to my community. Thank you!”
