Tony Anthony, the evangelist and author of 'Taming the Tiger', was in Tirana a few weeks ago to preach and share his incredible story. We took a group of about 20 people from 'Light of the World' church to hear him. At the end of the service Tony spoke about the different 'prisons' we find ourselves in, and how we can only experience true freedom in Jesus. He asked everyone to shut their eyes and pray and asked for those accepting Jesus for the first time to raise their hands.
We had been praying for one of our lads 'Angelo' who is a bit of a handful but we've seen a change and openness in him over the last year. During the praying when we should all have had her eyes closed, I sneaked a look round to see if Angelo had raised his hand. I didn't get round to Angelo because my eyes could not leave Lumi, with her hand proudly in the air, tears streaming down her face and the biggest smile you've ever seen.
Lumi is the sister-in-law of two of our members. She is in her early 20s and has come to church recently for something to do. She is recently married in a traditional arranged marriage.
Recently she miscarried and her two sisters-in-law, who are strong Christians, have been a huge help to Lumi, praying with her and reading the Bible with her.
That morning I had been preaching about the contrast of the old and new we have as Christians and Lumi responded to that by joining in a practical prayer of throwing away something of our old lives. In the afternoon Tony Anthony meeting she grasped the freedom being offered her in Christ.
Since becoming a Christian, Lumi's husband is more accepting of her coming to our meetings. With a Christian wife and two Christian sisters, we pray for him now too.