Mazeli* worshipped and made sacrifices to a different god daily… hoping to please one enough to move up a level in the Hindu caste system. In the depths of her soul, she knew her devotion was futile, but she had no knowledge of a better, truer way.
One day that reality changed as Mazeli stood still, enthralled by the message pouring from a strange man’s mouth.
This man—an East-West missionary—approached her family and neighbors and began explaining that sin separated people from the one true God. Out of His great love for everyone, this God sent His only Son—Jesus—into the world to live and die on behalf of sinful people.
The story he told didn’t end with Jesus’ death … the East-West missionary claimed that Jesus was resurrected from the grave after three days to complete the work of restoring the relationship between God and people. He confidently declared that all who trust in Jesus spend eternity in Heaven with God.
Mazeli was shocked. Could this be the message she had been searching for?
As she wrestled with this question, her heart leaped. Mazeli suddenly knew Jesus truly was the only way to eternal life with God.
The missionary asked if anyone wanted to trust in Jesus. Mazeli eagerly thrust her hand in the air and exclaimed, “Yes!” Her enthusiasm surprised the man and he asked for her name.
When she responded that her name was Mazeli, his translator grinned and told him that her name means “seeking” in their language. That day Mazeli found the true God she’d sought her entire life.
Mazeli’s father also met Jesus for the first time that day. They now host church at their home and share the gospel in their village in hopes that others will seek and find their loving God.
*Name changed for security reasons.