East-West Blog

Formerly Known

Written by East-West Staff | May 12, 2016 1:08:15 PM

Marian* was a gypsy and, at 80-years-old, she was exhausted from scraping by on the resources she pickpocketed from passersby. Wasn’t there more to life than this?

Guilt overwhelmed her. She knew her life was built on scam after scam, but Marian had yet to find a better path … until she met an East-West partner.

Marian was used to receiving scornful looks from people on the streets, but when she met this man it was evident that a different Spirit filled him. Instead of condemning her, he looked at her with love and compassion. Did he know what she was?

Most people run from her, but he came close … sharing a message Marian didn’t know she needed to hear. God loved her and sent His Son—Jesus Christ—to die for her every sin.

In an instant, Marian believed in the gospel and became a disciple of Jesus. Just two months since that day, God has completely rewritten her story.

This woman—formerly known for thieving— is now the host of a weekly house church gathering in her spiritually dark nation. And it’s growing as her family members seek answers about a God who redeems some of the most wayward lives.

*Name changed for security reasons.