September 2005 International Personal Stories

AFRICA

Burundi:  The hospital in Bujumbura is visited twice a month by Aglow women.  In June they preached the Word and prayed for women in the maternity ward who had been detained because they could not pay their bill for many months.  Many of the women gave their lives to Jesus, including two Muslims.  Two days after this, a group came from the Congo to pay the bills for some and promise to return in two weeks time.  After a week, the Aglow women returned to check on the women and found them singing and praising the Lord and shouting loudly that the Lord Aglow praises is the true one because He answered their prayers and testified of this miracle they received with enthusiasm.  The women decided to pray to Aglow’s God and asked the Aglow women to continue to pray for them.  From that day forward Aglow has been invited to preach and pray for the patients.  Many more women have been delivered and two more Muslim women have repented.

Burkina Faso:  Mr. André is a man Aglow women were praying for because according to x-ray shots, the nerves in his legs were severed.  He used to smoke almost 2 packs of cigarettes a day.  His mouth and hands became lax, because of the smoke.  The sisters first exhorted him to pray for repentance and then they prayed for healing.  At the end of the  prayer, the man who couldn’t move, walked them out to his porch.  Today, this man doesn’t smoke.  New medical exams performed in France revealed that his nerves are now back to normal.  He gave his testimony at an Aglow dinner this past summer.  His wife also gave her life to the Lord after this miracle.

Cameroon:  In October 2004 Frida went with her Aglow fellowship to visit a prison and share about Jesus.  Two months later, Frida found herself a prisoner in that same prison.  She was depressed and refused to eat or drink.  She was asked to lead some women in meditation and she refused.  But they insisted and she eventually gave in.  Most of the women had been in prison for over six months without their cases being heard.  On the 3rd week Frida was in prison, one of the inmates asked Frida to pray for her because she was going to court.  The prayer request was for a short sentence.  The sentence passed down was for 3 months and since the lady had already been in prison for 6 months, she packed her bags and went home.  This started a different phase in the prison; as women prayed, led by Frida, they were called up to court and their sentences were being reduced and some were acquitted.  Frida was eventually released on bail and while on bail she was given a light sentence which was less than the time she had spent in prison.  Today she gives God the glory.

AMERICAS

Mexico: Aglow leaders in Mexico have recognized they have their own “10/40 Window”. In 8 states located throughout the central part of the nation, there are 288 different people groups. They are divided by language and customs, and many cannot even speak to those in the next village because of language differences. Aglow is one of the only organizations that is reaching out to these unreached people, bring the love of Jesus to those isolated and hungry women.

ASIA & SOUTH PACIFIC 

Hong Kong: Our National president, Alice Tsoi, reports that at a recent Aglow meeting a woman who was suffering from headaches, and was involved in a Chinese form of exercise was healed.  During the meeting the Lord delivered her from the spirit that was in her, and she was healed of her headaches.  Alice said “Praise God” – indeed we do!!

Fiji:  The national board in Fiji is busy bringing the Aglow mandates to each of their Aglow fellowships.  National president, Davila Walker, writes “One practical way we can accelerate the ongoing process of running with the Aglow vision through her mandates, is to FAMILIARISE ourselves with the HEART of each mandate.  Commit to have a deeper understanding of the concept of each mandate so that it becomes yours (possess it and treasure it) and begin to share it on an individual basis.  You will find that as you begin with the Male/Female reconciliation aspect, it will flow and follow very naturally onto the next two (mandates) in its order.  Understanding the order, and grasping the bigger picture will help you  to see just how GREAT the task God has called AGLOW to participate in these last days.

The National Conference in Sabeto was a great success.  There were 94 women in attendance, coming from Labasa, Pacific Harbor and Suva areas. 

A one day retreat will be held in Lautoka, by the Lautoka Aglow women on September 24, 2005.  “The theme of the day is based on the book of Nehemiah, “Guild the Walls in Troubled Times”.   The speakers are from Brisbane, Australia.

Sri Lanka:  A beautiful testimony was received from a local president in Sri Lanka.  “I was a confused, proud, lonely and frightened person when I first attended Women’s Aglow Fellowship meetings”.  My husband was an alcoholic and I was undergoing immense problems in the home and also in the school where I teach. 

After joining Women’s Aglow Fellowship, I find that I really am a changed person.  I find in Jesus all the security I need in the world.  As such I am now able to serve my family and community much better.  I understand them and am able to guide and direct them to Jesus.   My husband also understands me and encourages me in my work for the Lord.  In Jesus, I am now more than content with my life.  I give God all the glory for changing my life through this ministry.”

Another lady, from a different Aglow group, also has a precious testimony.   This woman intended to poison her four children and end her life as well.  She was facing many family problems.  Her husband was unemployed, they were in debt and he was unfaithful to her.  She struggled to raise her family, as they had no finances.    She harbored bitterness, unforgiveness and hatred.

Her life dramatically changed when she was invited to attend an Aglow prayer meeting.  She was counseled by one of the board members and she experienced the grace and mercy of God.  She invited Jesus into her life.   

From then on she began to experience the goodness of God.  Her husband was blessed with a good job, 90% of her debts were cleared and she was also healed of heart disease, arthritis and headaches.  She loves the Lord and is now a great blessing to her family.    Her fervent prayer is “Lord, I have nothing to ask you, but so much to thank you for.”

EUROPE

Latvia: Alite and her 5 children escaped to a halfway house when their family was destroyed by fire. An Aglow woman began to help them in the shelter and eventually began to hold Aglow meetings every month. 50 to 60 women attend, and today there are two Aglow Candlelight Groups that have formed inside the halfway house. Alite said “My old life is gone in the fire, and now I have a new life, and I believe God will provide a new home for my children.”

European English Aglow: On the continent of Europe there are many English speaking expatriates who are lonely and in need of God’s touch. Dianne de Jong and Carolyn Jones work tirelessly to bring the love of Jesus through the Aglow ministry to these women, who feel alone and displaced, living in a country far from what they would call home. In the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Spain there are a total of 10 affiliated Aglow fellowships made up of English speaking women from many nations.

Dianne said God has spoken to them that, “As we are “mobilizing” our women to be part of the army of God He is forming for the last days – we are seeking to (Hebrews 13:20-21) “equip them with everything good for doing God’s will”. When our women go into battle we desire that they are trained and equipped and are able to take and reclaim territory for the Kingdom of God.