»I know the plans I have for you,« announces the Lord. »I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.« (Jeremiah 29:11)

A future and hope?! These words sounded strange to me when I came to Lüdenscheid four years ago.
My name is Christiana, I am 26 years of age and was brought up in a normal Christian home. I never questioned the existance of God, for it seemed to me very clear that God was everywhere. I loved reading stories of missionaries, especially the story of Jim Elliot, and at the age of 10 year, I was determined: »One day I will go to the nations for God.«

Christina 07

Looking for freedom?

However, school and everyday routine pushed this desire aside. At age 16, our youth group went through some dramatic changes, for we had a new leader who was convinced that women don't speak up in church and should only concentrage to become good wifes. I felt cramped in my personal freedom which led to a good deal of rebellion mounting up in my heart. I rebelled against anything in church!
Furthermore, my rebellion started to also rise up in school. In all this I didn't realize that I locked up my heart for Jesus and went away from him further and further.

Christina 08

Major Shock

In 2011 (I had turned 19), I learnt from my father that my mother had a celebral tumor. The doctors only gave her five more months to live. This message came totally unexpected, it hit me to the core and I still remember that this was the moment when I said to God: »God, I don't need you anymore. You don't help me and now you are even taken away the people I love!« That moment I decided to live life my way. It didn't take long and I started to expose all my frustration and disappointment at parties thinking: »Finally I am free!«

Christina 09

On my way to the dogs

After a couple of months, parties became boring to me - I looked for more. I came across Marihuana, Extasy and other chemical drugs. From a once-a-week fun to pimp parties, they became indispensable remedies which became vital for me to cope with everyday life. I lost my job, because I just didn't turn up anymore. On top of this my parents chucked me out on my ear after they found out that I had stolen money from them. Bit by bit I lost everything that used to be important to me.
I didn't realize what happened and that I was trapped in a vicious circle where I couldn't get out by myself. Being trapped in my world, I believed that I was in control! I headed more and more for the drug scene and met more people who moved about this scene. I constantly had to be with people, for I couldn't be with myself and my thoughts for one minute. Every time I was by myself, I realized that I had thrown away all my good intents and goals in only three years and now I had nothing!

Christina 05

The Decision

As usual, I met with my girlfriend to buy the amount of drugs we would need to make it through the day. On our way to the dealer, a thought crossed my mind that revealed to me where I was at: »If you don't stop abusing drugs and change your life, you will still sit here at the age of 30 with the same people and do the same.«
Today I know that in that moment the Holy Spirit spoke to me. However, back then I was so shocked by the idea that at age 30 I might still be in this condition. I knew that I had to do something ... now, because at age 30 I wanted to stand with both feet strong in life and not in this drug swamp.

Christina 06

Everything new

I decided to go for a Christian rehab. That's how I came to House Wiedenhof in Lüdenscheid. Everything in my life became brand new! That's where God gave me a new life and revealed to me that he truly has hope and a good future for everyone.
I experienced forgiveness in ways as never before. However, the greatest was this: I got to know the Holy Spirit and he gave me a vision for my life. Over a period of time a new love for the nations came into my being, and this love made me go to the Revival School one year later.

Christina 04

The nations are waiting!

God provided me with everything I needed. Not only in Lüdenscheid - I could even do an outreach to Manila which was one of the biggest miracles for me. Two years before that my life was one big mess and I didn't have anything ... and now I experienced that nothing is impossible with God!
On this outreach God spoke to me that he wanted to send me to missions that it wasn't the last time that I had gone to the nations. I experienced his guidance in every single situation and everything that I have ever dreamt of as a child suddenly became real. The year after I moved on. God sent me to the Revival School on the move where I spent six months in the nations (Mongolia, China, Philippines) and he gave me an even greater vision for my life.

Christina 03

God's love overwhelms me over and over again and he shows me that he has made EVERYTHING new. He showed me that his ways and plans are so much better than mine! He has called me to go to the nations ... and I will go.
Christina
Well, you go to a conference, because you are interested in the theme or want to hear certain speakers, perhaps you also want to experience something ... and suddenly God speaks to you: »Go to this or that nations!« You wouldn't believe how often that happens - however, what do you do then? Recently someone sent us this story (which goes back to the 90s). It's an encouragement to everyone who is on the move to missions but it seems there is no land in sight. However, when God speaks, he makes a path ...

China 15

GET READY

»In 1996, I was one of thousands of participants of the GET READY conference in Switzerland (hosted by HELP International and a Swiss church movement). At some point in the conference, an altar call for people to go to various nations was made. Well, I have never had anything to do with missions or foreign nations and thought that it had nothing to do with me. I was sitting amidst the conference with an open heart. Nation after nation was named, and I was just sitting there listening ... until someone said: »China!« Immediately I started to tremble. Back then, Dennis Balcome gave us following advice: »If you have heard a nation and your heart trembles, however, you cannot go right now due to your situation, then start to get involved with that nation, start to pray for that nation. Don't skip everything that you are doing at the moment. Don't quit your training and don't deny your qualifications and talents. Be faithful in the here and now and walk step by step towards your destiny.«

China 05

Divine Business Plan

»In those days I studied BA (business administration) and conciously decided not to suddenly quit everything and become a missionary or change to studying social work. Rather, I focused my BA studies on China (Management in Asia). God miraculously made a way for me to do my Ph.D. in China's banking system, and over a period of three years I was lecturer for East Asian studies at the university. During that time I went twice to China for study purposes. At Beijing Airport I promised God that I will take his calling over my life serious and that I will go back to China.«

China 03

About closed ...

»My life's path took many curves and I had to face many challenges. It seemed that my dream to go to China, my vision were buried. Over a couple of years, God allowed my life to be shattered, I went through crisis after crisis, suffered rejection, but I also experienced guidance and healing, God shaped my character and divinely provided for me. I accumulated lots of experience in all kinds of areas. I learnt to listen to the Holy Spirit's voice, to trust in him and experienced that he empowers and comforts over and over again. Even though China was still on my heart, it felt like the doors were firmly closed.«

China 17

... and open doors

»In the beginning of 2017, I hit bottom of my life ... and it was just then that God highlighted my dream to go to China. I literally woke up from a lethargy and started to focus on where to find a job that evolved around China. Well, no chance if you cannot prove job experience in China. After a short while I found an employment ad of the GIZ in Beijing. They accepted my application - it was as if God himself pushed me in and gave me favor. Only a couple of months later I started to work in my new job. I believe that God has a commission for me ...«

China 16

Seed and Harvest

»This whole thing is still a miracle to me - I can hardly believe that all of this actually happened. In Beijing, I attended an international service and had the impulse to donate this money to you as a »first fruit«, because you initially sowed the seed. I am so thankful to you all! This seed sprouted 21 years later ... it took a while, but I believe that every single step in my life was meant for preparation!«
My name is Salome and this is my story … Before I was even one year old, I already sat in the first airplane, heading off to Mongolia for a three-month-outreach.

Sag niemals nie 04 

A country that was at that time undeveloped, hygienically suspicious, and for a small child like me rather unsafe. Who would have thought that only two years later my parents and I would be sitting in an airplane again with nothing but a one-way-ticket to Mongolia? In winter 1998 at -43°C we arrived in Ulaanbaatar (the capital of Mongolia). I had the privilege to grow up as a missionary child.

Sag niemals nie 08

»Lord, here I am, send me!«

Already as a child I was decided to follow Jesus and was baptized at the age of sic. For me it was clear: I will go to mssions one day! A normal life, in the sense of getting married, buying a house and having children was not an option for me. One question I kept asking God was: »Why do I have to go to school?« I had heard a story of a man who was used by God in mighty ways without being able to read nor write. I was convinced that God could use me without me graduating school. I am still convinced that God is not dependent on our skills and knowledge ... Hallelujah!

Sag niemals nie 05

The feeling of having to wait for so long, even though there was this deep desire to go to missions made me frustrated. I was determined to follow Jesus but especially during my teenager years this decision was tested. Yes, I wanted to follow Jesus, but on the other side the world seemed to have more adventure to offer.

Sag niemals nie 09

Jesus or the world?

After finishing high school in Mongolia, I went to Switzerland to get a high school degree that is accepted in Europe. So I moved to Switzerland at the age of 16 without my parents and my younger sister. A complete new life started - new friends, new culture, new school system. I felt like a complete foreigner in my own country. Where was God in all of this? Had he left me as well?

Sag niemals nie 10

I started asking myself if God really existed or if it was just a nice fairytale my parents had told me? I was pulled back and forth. I knew I had heard the voice of God as a child, however, I was now standing in front of making a  decision: Jesus or the World? How was I supposed to know if Jesus was really alive and the only true God if I never tried out anything else? I started going my own way, started drinking alcohol, smoking and going to parties with friends. There was such an emptiness in me. I tried to fill it but fact was that it got worse and worse. I had lost hope and all vision, but I didn’t want to come running back to Jesus only because I didn’t feel well. No, I couldn’t continue the way I was living with one foot in the world and trying to believe in Jesus.

Sag niemals nie 11

I decided that I didn’t want anything to do with Jesus anymore, at least I thought so. I decided to tell my parents my decision after Christmas (2013), since I didn’t want to ruin the peaceful Christmas time. However, it never came to that point. During the Christmas service at church I encountered God and he gave me such a deep peace. I knew that God was not a fairytale but that he was real and that I wanted to follow him radically and without compromise. Jesus gave me new life, life that only he can give, life that comes from the inside out.

Sag niemals nie 07

»Never say never again!«

A year later I came to Lüdenscheid to join the Revival School. My plan was to stay for three month, however, I ended up staying two years. During that time God started speaking about nations and missions again. At a certain point the Holy Spirit asked me: »Salome, do you really believe that I have called you to go the nations or is it just a phrase for you?« I had to admitted that I didn’t really have faith that I would ever go to missiona, it all felt so far away. I told God my issue and was able to experience how he changed my heart. Today I can say full of faith that I know that God has called me to go to the nations, to bring hope to those who have no hope, to be a light in the darkest places of this earth.

Yes, you and I are called to go to the ends of the earth. We are called to be people who bring hope. We are the hands and feet of Jesus to a hungry and broken world.

Sag niemals nie 12


During my time at the Revival School, God stared speaking about Thailand, a place I never wanted to go. But God gave me a heart and love for the Thai people. Right now, I am still in Germany. I have started studying »Social Work«, something I never would have chosen to do. »Never say never again«, because when God comes into your life, he turns our planes and ideas upside down. My focus hasn’t changed, I see this time as a time of preparation to go to Thailand.
     
Go To Top