Power to Heal and Protect, and a New Challenge

These stories are featured in our recently released SIU 2025 Annual Report. We also have a new challenge from one of our supporting foundations:

She Touched His Robe

During our Bridges for Women trainings, women receive much-needed camaraderie and support. The training equips them to reach those in their communities through accurate Bible storytelling. Gathering as women allows specific issues to be addressed that might otherwise go unspoken in a mixed group of men and women. We explore Scripture stories that best address unique challenges and ultimately draw women to know Jesus. Below is the story of Asha, a mother living in a Kenyan village, who attended a Bridges training and is now sharing Bible stories in her community.

Asha never attended formal schooling; however, she has memorized Bible stories through the Bridges for Women program. She says her favorite is the story of the woman with the issue of blood who touched Jesus’s robe. Asha belongs to a women’s community group, and naturally weaves Scripture stories into her conversations with other women in the group. When the women gather, she retells the stories exactly as she learned them and dialogues through the story with simple questions. She shares how these stories have strengthened her faith, helped her face fear and anxiety, and given her confidence to speak, even among older women.

Trading Fingers for Souls

A pastor regularly visited local villages known for their extreme Muslim beliefs and shared Bible stories with them. One of the men in a village listened to the stories but had yet to be convinced of what he heard.

One day, that man was alone in the jungle collecting honey when he was attacked by a huge tiger. The man put his hand up to protect himself. During the struggle with the tiger, he suddenly remembered the story of Jesus calming the storm and how Jesus has power over nature. He prayed, “Jesus, if you save me, I will follow you and tell everyone in the surrounding villages about you.” Jesus rescued him, but the man lost all the fingers on one hand.

He returned to his village and started sharing the testimony of how Jesus saved him, showing his hand, and telling the story of Jesus calming the storm. The people were amazed at his story. In only three months, 25 people followed Jesus and were baptized.

A New Challenge for 2026

We are truly blessed to be associated with some faithful, generous foundations. One of them has just challenged us with a $30,000 matching grant for every new donor to SIU!
Historically and conservatively, each group of 20 trained leaders who receive our Bridges training has led to 60 new believers and 12 new house churches within the first year alone!
Please share/forward this opportunity with those you know who might be interested in joining our efforts to reach and engage the lost living in oral cultures. They can give here: Matching Grant Challenge 2026.

Finishing the Task

Our God is on the move! He is advancing His Kingdom among oral cultures. Thank you for being a part of finishing the task of the Great Commission that He has called us to.