“I Will Give You Rest”
For one Tanzanian woman, life offered little relief. Neema constantly fought with her husband over his alcohol abuse. Often the family could barely afford to buy food, but she always managed to keep a small reserve of corn in the house so they would have something to eat.
Following a particularly intense fight, she went to a friend’s home and waited for her husband’s anger to subside. When Neema finally returned, her husband had gone – taking the family’s supply of corn with him. Devastated by the loss, she decided that the situation was hopeless and gave up. The last coins she had saved would buy the poison she needed to kill herself.
On her way to the store, Neema passed near the church where people were gathering to attend an Audio Bible listening group. A friend urged her to come, but she refused, insisting that she was in a big hurry. When the friend begged her to come, Neema finally agreed to join them.
Neema opened her hand, revealing the coins she was planning to use for the fatal poison
The group was listening to Matthew that day. During the question and answer time, the leader repeated the words of Jesus, “Come to me all you who are weak and heavy laden, I will give you rest.” When she heard this for the second time, Neema opened her hand, revealing the coins she was planning to use for the fatal poison. Tearfully, she confessed her plan to the group.
They assured her that Jesus cared and could give her the rest she needed. That afternoon, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Then the listening group took a collection and sent Neema home – rejoicing and praising God – with extra money and two bags of corn.
Along with attending church and the listening program, Neema began praying every morning and evening. The transformation in her life has even touched her husband. His life is changing as well – he even surprised the whole village by going to church!
