Transformed by Grace
Jane Schmitz makes a regular habit of walking part way up the mountain in the area where she lives. Some time ago she noticed a little mud brick house being built. Later, an elderly lady began living there alone. In a communal culture like Togo it is atypical for an elderly lady to live alone. One day, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, Jane went to this lady and asked if she was interested in hearing about the Bible. The lady said yes. Still, Jane was curious as to why this woman lived on her own. The response of one neighbor was that this lady had done “bad things” - a reference to the things in the spiritual realm.
MAMA MELANIE WAS CONSIDERED A WITCH.
As a witch, one has the power through Satan to take lives as the devil or demons lay down a requirement of the soul and blood of a person in a mystical way. Supposedly Melanie had claimed to be responsible for the death of some people in her clan. An uncle of hers, somewhat responsible for her, feared for his own family if she stayed with them, so he built her this house so she could be closer to her ancestors.
Through their many talks, Jane shared the gospel a number of times with Mama Melanie (Mama is a respectful term for elderly women in this culture). At one point she confessed that she had demons, but they are no longer with her since her uncle put her through a special ceremony. As she opened up, she shared her discouragement with life and being called a witch. She only wanted to die. After four failed attempts to take her own life, she moved to this little house at the base of the mountain.
“She told me she ate cement to try and take her life, but it just made her sick.
She stated that God just wants her to stay alive.”
She told Jane she was a baptized member of a church, but the more she listened to Jane share the truth, the more she realized she had not fully understood the gospel before. Now she does and she has clearly confessed her faith in Jesus as Savior and found joy again! Though she suffers a limp from the loss of a toe on her left foot and the after effects of a previous stroke, Melanie regularly attends a local church. The pastor has been teaching her and even her uncle, though it is clear he still has not understood the gospel clearly. A few of Jane’s friends, after hearing Melanie’s story, wanted to show her the love of the Lord and sent money to help her. Jane used some of that to purchase a radio with an SD card so Melanie can listen to the Bible in her own language. Jane often finds her listening to the radio as she goes on her morning walks.
Sometimes it's loud enough for all the neighbors to hear.
Mama Melanie has made it through the Gospels and is continuing through the rest of the New Testament. The power of the gospel transformed this discouraged, depressed, lonely follower of Satan into a hope-filled and joyful servant of the One True King!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Pray for Mama Melanie
~Pray she will continue to grow in her faith.
~Pray that people will stop being afraid of her and will see what a wonderful woman she is.
~Pray that others will be won over by her testimony of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness.
~Pray for her uncle and other family members to clearly understand and personally embrace the truth of gospel for their own salvation.
Hannah Strayer is a missionary using media on the field to communicate stories of need with others God may be calling to help resolve them. You can learn more about her or begin partnering with her today! You can also follow her on social media (just scroll to the very bottom of this page!)
Jane Schmitz is seeking to reach an unreached and unevangelized Muslim tribe in Togo. With the help of ABWE team members and other nationals, it is her desire to see churches planted among this people group. She also mentors and trains national women and pastor's wives to better serve in their local church. You can partner with Jane today.