What does it mean that Jesus is Emmanuel STILL to Darya and her husband, Iranian immigrants to Germany, who were focused on their own desire for a child and economic prosperity. How would choosing to follow ‘God with them’ make a difference to them?
We share this story as part of ‘Emmanuel Still”, All Nations’ Year-End Campaign, because Jesus STILL seeks out the neglected, the hopeless, and the traumatized to give them hope & peace. Give today so that more people like Darya’s family can have their first experience of “Emmanuel Still” and become hope-bringers to others they love. Give today.
Hungry No More
In the morning, Yulme* sits in her usual spot outside the train station in Hamburg, Germany. While homeless, she is not friendless as she anticipates her daily visit with Darya. After any visit with Darya, Yulme continues to sit at the train station with a full stomach from the breakfast Darya shared and a full heart from her hospitality.
Most people didn’t even see Yulme, and neither would have Darya a few months earlier. But God transformed Darya from the inside out, giving her eyes to see and a heart to give.
An Unexpected Meeting
Darya and her husband left Iran two years ago in hopes for language certificates and good jobs in Germany. They were seeking a better economic future and freedom from Islamic regime. They also hoped for medical care that could end their infertility struggles.
What they discovered was unexpected. At a Welcome Café for Farsi-speaking refugees, the couple met All Nations missionaries stationed in Hamburg. This team regularly connected with Darya and her husband and shared Jesus’ stories with them. They decided to fully embrace Jesus and follow Him with their whole lives.
Shifting Focus
The Holy Spirit did a transforming work that re-ordered their ambitions and focus. Within a year of discipleship with All Nations missionaries, their interests changed from economic pursuits to wanting to be baptized, worshiping at the Farsi-speaking church, reaching out to unbelievers, and teaching others about the Gospel. Darya and her husband were not shifting from one religious practice to another, but rather, shifting from their self-focus to Christ-focus, resulting in love and service for others.
Hope-Bringer
Unprompted, Darya began serving the homeless people in her community. Every morning she made extra for breakfast and shared it with Yulme, the homeless woman outside the train station. No one instructed her to do these things. “I just feel like God told me to do it,” she shared with Callie, part of the All Nations team. Not only did she serve Yulme, but she also served other homeless people at a soup kitchen.
Here’s one more beautiful thing: God gave Darya and her husband a baby! They directly attribute their child to God, since even the doctors in Germany told them it would be impossible to have a child. They asked God, and He has graciously given them this gift. Since she had her baby, Darya has been unable to serve the homeless. When she asked her husband to serve in her place, he agreed – and he loves it!
He is Emmanuel STILL
Like Darya and her husband, there are many who have yet to experience the peace and transformation that Jesus longs to bring. He is indeed Emmanuel STILL. Would you give today so that more people can encounter Emmanuel in a way that multiplies God’s peace and hospitality throughout the world?
*All names changed for security
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Jesus STILL seeks out those who don’t even know to look for him – and transforms them from hopeless to hope-bringer.
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