Light in the Darkness –  You look completely different!

A few days ago, Meryem gave her life to Jesus. She had fled from Turkey to Europe to escape her gambling-addicted husband and his family. Her husband had gambled away all their money, but in her culture, it is said, “no matter what the man does.” If a woman wants to get divorced, she must either leave her child with the husband’s family and go—or she will be killed.

Fearing for her life, Meryem fled to Europe. For many days, she and her young daughter lived on the streets. One day, she walked into a church and encountered the love of God. After hearing their testimony, she approached Tayfun and Sezer and asked if they would tell her about Jesus.

They invited her to the Alphalive course, where she surrendered her life to Jesus. The group prayed for her and her six-year-old daughter. For a long time, neither of them had been able to sleep because of all they had endured—but now God’s Spirit rests on them, and they have found peace.

Ayşe, another woman who cannot read or write, has also experienced a profound transformation. Tayfun and Sezer met her a few months ago and had the opportunity to pray with her. Ayşe had been through immense hardship. 

One day, she decided she wanted to end her life. But the moment she stood on her balcony, ready to jump, she remembered that prayer—and that there's a God who loves her. So she stepped back. The following Tuesday, she came to the discipleship meeting, shared what had happened, and gave her life to Jesus.

Before that day, her appearance was heartbreaking—her face seemed overshadowed by darkness. But she kept coming back every week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, faithfully attending another small group as well. You could see something changing inside her. Today, her face is radiant—the darkness has lifted.

Ayşe had been praying for a job, and others prayed with her. Just one week later, she was offered a position at a nursing home through someone from the church. Overflowing with gratitude, she sent a voice message:

“I thank God—and then you—because you opened the doors for me. God bless you. I have never met people like you in my entire life. I’ll be at the Alphalive course on Tuesday, and I’m bringing a friend.”

The group also prayed in her apartment because she couldn’t sleep there. Later that very day, she saw Jesus. It deeply touched her heart. Ayşe is overjoyed about her new job and has already begun bringing others to the meetings. It’s powerful to witness how God is at work in Ayşe’s life and how she has embraced life again since discovering His love.

These two stories are just a glimpse of what is happening. God is moving in powerful ways: hearts are opening to Jesus, lives are being restored, and discipleship is growing in tangible, everyday ways.