Our workers, armed with the shield of the Lord, bravely enter the unreached areas of the world in search of those who have yet to hear of Christ’s transforming and saving grace. Even while facing the devil himself, these workers know that each person matters to God, that they must press on in search of one more person who needs His healing love.

One of these workers carried the love of God to just such a person, a woman named Warda (a pseudonym) who was rumored to become a snake and eat people who crossed her. She was accused of having special powers from Iblis (Satan) to kill and cast spells. Everyone feared her, and she was asked not to come to the mosque for prayers.

Warda began telling people to avoid any interaction with Sabbath-keeping members as they were kaffir (nonbelievers). Soon our members were ostracized during prayers, and no one would talk to them lest they be caught by an evil omen.

Our worker, deciding to confront Warda, spent three days in total fasting and prayer, preparing for the difficult visit. On the appointed day she asked a fellow believer to accompany her to Warda’s home, but as they began to talk in the sitting room, Warda started shouting that she could see evil in them. She pronounced curses on them.

A small crowd formed in the house to watch. The two believers began praying for Allah’s deliverance. Warda excused herself and went to her bedroom while shouting and cursing. Suddenly a huge cobra came slithering out of the bedroom, its mouth open, shouting and cursing in Warda’s voice.

Our worker immediately pleaded in a loud voice with Allah, reminding Him that He has powers over Iblis. Furthermore, as messengers of Allah, Iblis had no power over them.

Would Allah rescue them and deliver Warda? Would He show who was in charge?

With a wave of her hand, the worker struck at the hissing cobra’s head. The cobra dodged the strike. Then it turned around and slithered back to the bedroom, still cursing and shouting obscenities to Allah.
After a moment of total silence, the sound of a person dying in agony, crying for help, came from the bedroom, followed by a thud and more silence.

Still praying and pleading with Allah, the worker entered the bedroom. The snake rose up, fell to the bed and, before the worker’s very eyes, transformed into Warda, convulsing and foaming from the mouth.

The worker continued praying for Warda’s deliverance and laid her hand on Warda’s apparently lifeless body. Slowly Warda opened her eyes, smiled, sat up and asked for water. She stood and, hand-in-hand with the worker, walked outside to face the huge crowd that had gathered out of curiosity.

Restored to her normal self, Warda explained that our worker was a servant of the Most High and described how she had been controlled by unseen powers of evil for several years. Warda had been powerless to leave the demons, but now she was a new person. She thanked our worker for helping her.

People gathered to listen to God’s servant, who started by saying she was only a normal human being like them, serving the Most High. She explained that she had no special powers of her own, but Allah whom she served had supreme power over evil forces.

During the next three hours, she delivered an abridged version of the Great Controversy. Warda was delivered, and the people stopped troubling our members.

Our new members are now busy conducting studies with many others in the community. The end of this story and so many others has yet to be written as our workers continue to seek yet one more person, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV).

Reprinted from Adventures in Mission,  Gospel Outreach