Chilongo Village, Luisa’s home in Zambia, is a 90-minute bicycle ride from the nearest church. Missionaries had not reached out to the people there until Martha Barrett and several Zambian Christians set up an ESL program to open the way for evangelism. Though unsaved, Luisa was trained to be one of the teachers after Martha’s team left. That October brought more missionary contact when Barry Byrne and Jim Smith came to show the Jesus film. Jim later began holding Bible studies.
During that time, Luisa experienced the agony of delivering a stillborn child. With her heart softened by the pain, she listened attentively as Jim taught the Bible study. Recognizing her need, Luisa placed her trust in Christ. Her husband, John, also found the Savior.
It was then that the missionaries learned more of her story. “I had been married twice before,” Luisa said, “Each of those men put me away because I could not produce them a child.” Luisa also shared, “I was a thief and a gossip. I even stole food regularly from my grandmother. When I saw something I wanted, I just took it and lied about it when questioned.”
“When you [Jim] came to visit my husband and me after our baby died,” she continued, “I didn’t know how I could live with the pain. This was to be my first baby. You prayed with me and told me about Jesus’ love. The more you shared from the Bible, the more hope I had about the future. I saw my sinfulness and knew I needed Jesus.” With a huge smile, Luisa talks about her new life as God’s child, “Oh, I’m different! I don’t steal anymore and I am no longer a gossip.” She still understands she is a sinner, but her life demonstrates the presence of Christ.
Thanks to an extra bicycle bought by a gift from a U.S. church, Luisa and John can both ride their bikes 90 minutes to church each week. Luisa and John now have a strong testimony in their village. They are the motivating force behind the group that gathers each week for Bible study in Chilongo—a group they desire to one day develop into a formally organized church.