By an SIM mission worker
Praise the Lord, my soul…who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. Psalm 103:1,4
Lobna sits back on the couch, curls her feet under her and smiles.
“I want to tell everyone my story,” she explains. “I want them to know what Jesus has done in my life.”
And what a story it is.
Lobna was born in a small town in North Africa, the only girl in a family of boys, deeply loved by her parents and raised in the traditional faith. However, in their family there was a great deal of freedom to choose their own actions and preferences.
Like many young people, when it was time for university she moved to the big city. During her studies, she met Marwa. At first, Lobna felt uncomfortable with Marwa’s constant attention and tried to avoid her, but Marwa continued to pursue her friendship and, through a series of circumstances, Lobna and Marwa moved in together. During the next two years, Marwa became more demanding and isolated Lobna from almost all her friends and family.
“Lobna was not only rescued from addiction, depression and danger… she was redeemed into a restored relationship with God and a transformed life.”
Marwa’s behaviour was manipulative and exploitative. She constantly borrowed money from Lobna and was always emotionally needy. Later, Marwa began to involve Lobna in her illicit behaviours including smoking, drugs and partying with young men. Lobna began to feel desperate that she would never escape from Marwa’s controlling behaviour.
But God is a faithful Redeemer. He had a plan from the beginning of eternity to rescue, restore, and reclaim His purpose for Lobna.
One friend that Marwa was not able to exclude from Lobna’s life, was her old classmate from Primary School, Youssef, who now lived in the capital city, but still kept in touch with Lobna.
Youssef had come to faith not long before and had been sharing this with Lobna over the phone. Lobna listened to this good news with a great thirst in her heart. One July day, she spent hours talking with Youssef about the Lord Jesus and decided, “I want this for myself”. Her eyes filled with tears as she prayed a prayer of salvation over the phone. Her spiritual life had begun. However she still continued in the old ways of sin and addiction. She knew that what she was doing was wrong, but she was unable to stop.
Please pray
- That Lobna continues to grow in confidence, freedom, and joy as she follows Jesus in her new community.
- For others in North Africa who feel trapped or isolated, that they too would encounter the Redeemer who calls them by name.
- Pray for local believers and workers who walk alongside women like Lobna, offering safety, discipleship, and the hope of the gospel.
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