A few years ago, one of our workers from the East European Union wrote to us to share the story of a family in his region.
A housewife and mother, Anna*, became seriously ill. She tried several different remedies but in vain. While battling these health issues, Anna heard and accepted the good news of the gospel. She gave her heart to the Lord and became our sister in Christ. Soon after, however, Anna had to face another test. Her husband and two children renounced her, and she was left completely alone. Due to her illness, Anna had to spend extensive time in the hospital, yet her husband sent her to live with her elderly parents in the village.
Anna became very depressed for a long period of time. She had lost her family and her health. Eventually, she was labeled as disabled, and her children demanded that she transfer the title for her apartment to their names. Fortunately, Anna was still able to attend church, and while sadness filled her heart because of her circumstances, she was still conscious of the presence of God’s blessings in her life. She decided she would put her thoughts into writing and began to write short poems.
Years passed, and the poems multiplied. Anna resolved to publish her poems in a small book. She took a bit of money from her pension and asked the brethren to help her to type up her poems and prepare the book for publishing.
Armed with this small booklet, she began to witness to people. One Sunday, she arranged for the distribution of her book in the village where she lived. Several people gathered to learn more about the book, and some brethren took the opportunity to preach the Word of God and sing hymns. While her poetry book might have been garnering attention, Anna felt that the most important thing was that the people in the village heard about her faith and her hope for healing and salvation. Her dream to spread the Gospel in her village came true.
Anna continued her work as a witness by communicating through letters with other individuals who, like her, were battling disease or trials.
One day, she called a Bible worker in her region and asked him to take her book to a young fellow who also suffered from a disability. The worker planned on delivering the book and resumed his business. When he arrived at the address Anna had given him, he looked at the building and was confused.
Normally, Anna’s correspondents were ill and often poor. However, the appearance of this apartment building gave the impression that people in the apartment were quite wealthy. He checked the address again. Everything was correct, and he decided to ring the bell. The door opened, and a lady appeared. He explained that he was looking for a young man and assumed there was some mistake. But the lady invited him into the well-furnished sitting room. He met the young man, got acquainted with him, delivered the book, and was about to take his leave when the mother of the young man asked him who he was. The Bible worker answered and was able to witness and share the Gospel with her. The lady was eager to listen to the Word of Truth. A few hours quickly passed, and at the end of their visit, the lady invited him to come back and tell them more.
It was an unforgettable, encouraging conversation that reminded the Bible worker that God often uses feeble and weak vessels to open doors and bring forth wonderful fruit that others who may seem stronger and more talented cannot bring. After all, God does not always call the equipped; rather He equips the ones who answer the call.
*For the sake of confidentiality, the original name is not supplied.