Happy Birthday Juliana!

Hi Everyone,
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:17 & 21

Let me introduce you to Juliana. Doesn't she have the prettiest smile? I won't go into a lot of detail but let me share a little of her testimony. First of all, yesterday was her birthday and she works for Corrie and John (Corrie met her through a Bible study she was leading a while ago) so I went over to their apartment in the morning and Corrie had some cards, a gift and some cupcakes with candles lit and we all sang "Happy Birthday" to her. I asked Juliana how old she was and her reply was "I don't know." She doesn't know when or on what day she was born so many years ago she just picked a date and July 28th became her birthday.

As a small girl she was sold as a slave and her early years were ones of physical, mental and sexual abuse. At the age of 12 she was sold to her husband (he was not a believer at the time) and her life continued as before - much abuse, no education - no hope of escape. At this point, I want to stand up and shout Halleluhia because only God can do this. Her husband became a believer in Christ and by his witness and the changes in his life, Juliana also accepted Christ. She and her husband have 5 children, the oldest being 21 years of age and they love the Lord and one another. In fact, Corrie said, "her husband treats her like a princess." I love that!

To be around Juliana you would never know of the horrors of her childhood. Because "she is a new creation in Christ," she is serene, joy-filled, a loving wife and mother and a servant of the Lord. God took what was broken and without hope and fashioned (as only He can do!) a woman of God with a purpose and a plan. I imagine her story is the story of many women here in Nigeria. But God is in the redeeming business and the restoring business. He makes all things new!!!

Happy Birthday Juliana!

In-joy,
Eileen and Crist