“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard. It was an expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the sweet aroma of the perfume.” John 12:3
When I think about who God has called us to be as women of faith, I am reminded of both the women who followed Jesus in the Bible, as well as those today in Eastern Europe and beyond, who have inspired me — in audacity, humility, action, empathy, and sacrifice.
Through my work in international Bible distribution, I’ve witnessed women radically transform their communities through their devotion to the simple Gospel. In nations and situations where God’s Word is highly sought after, I’ve seen the most surrender and obedience to Christ.
For these women, the Bible isn’t just a nice book on a shelf that gets dusted off each Sunday for church. It’s a lifeline. It’s everything to them.
A Muslim’s Wife’s Gentle Boldness (Greece)
This utter devotion is reflected in Zara’s story.
One day, during our Bible distribution in Greece, an Afghani refugee (Zara) picked up one of our Bibles, brought it home, and began reading it. Her husband, Yasser, got home later that evening to find the Bible on their table. He picked up the book, and as any Afghani Muslim would do, he told her, “You need to get rid of this, or I’m going to have to kill you or, at the very least, divorce you.”
Either option, murder or divorce (resulting in life on the streets as a foreign refugee), meant a death sentence for Zara.
“I can’t,” she responded. “I can’t put it down. It’s impossible for me not to read this.”
Rather than acting out in defiance or giving up on the truth she had just discovered in God’s Word, Zara stood as a bold, loving example to her own husband in that very moment. Yasser responded by backing off.
One day, Yasser got home and picked up the Bible with the intent to read through it and find every error. Yet, Yasser has shared with us that as he read God’s Word, “It consumed me. The words within absolutely consumed me.”
Today, this transformed couple follows Jesus, sharing their story and serving as witnesses to other Muslims in Greece and India — all because of a faithful wife’s dauntless stance of truth and love.
Nadia’s House of Hope (Moscow)
A second story of inspiration comes from the capital of Russia, Moscow.
Nadia was working as a highly successful city architect there. One Sunday, her church announced they were starting a ministry for abused women and looking for someone to run it; the name of the ministry would be “House of Hope.” The name Nadia means “hope,” so the ministry is literally named “House of Nadia.” In that moment, Nadia believed this divine call to action was meant for her, that she needed to quit her job and lead this ministry, a calling that had been on her heart for a while.
I just love Nadia’s heart and instant obedience – and her husband’s, too. She was making three times the income he was making at the time, and his response was, “Okay, I think this is great!”
It was blind faith and sheer sacrifice. What authentic discipleship to Jesus!
Today, Nadia and her husband operate this beautiful mission, providing free housing, clothes, food, Bibles, support resources, and spiritual healing to women and children who have escaped domestic violence, lost their homes, are alone, pregnant, or have just given birth. Their focus remains on the restoration of women’s personalities and lives through the provision of material assistance and psychological and spiritual support.
This beautiful avenue of hope – of Nadia – is the fruit of one woman’s bold obedience and costly offering.
A Woman’s Risk for the Reward of the Gypsy People (Slovenia)
Toncka’s story is a resounding call to risk.
Roma (Gypsy) communities can be found in many European countries, often living in poverty, facing violence and suffering from deep marginalization. They are frequently ostracized because their neighborhoods are quite dangerous; many churches and ministries are hesitant to reach out, for fear of safety. This was the case for the churches of Slovenia. Yet, one courageous woman, Toncka, refused to let fear stand in the way of hope. Despite the dangers, she chose to risk her life to bring God’s Word to the Roma children. With a friend by her side, she began visiting the community to teach Bible lessons to the Roma kids. Eventually, the Roma people warmed to these new visitors, offering sincere hospitality and a willingness to learn more.
Toncka’s persistence ultimately helped to bridge the gap and opened doors for others to become involved, too. Soon, various Christian church groups were serving in these Roma communities, reaching not only the children but their parents as well.
Risking her very life to reach society’s “least of these,” a woman and her friend were able to create deep community connections and enrich the lives of the Gypsy people with the Gospel message — transforming these souls for eternity.
The Cost of Life’s Lavish Outpouring
Women are inherently and divinely gifted with deep compassion, dedicated service to others, and bold spiritual and emotional intuitions that stand incomparable. It’s from each of these characteristics that God can use us to uniquely impact the Kingdom.
Just as Mary of Bethany lavished her expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, an action that didn’t make sense to the eyes of the world, these women have counted the cost and chosen to follow Jesus unceasingly, lavishing Him with the oil of their lives. Each woman’s bold obedience to Christ has served as a radical example of love to others, leaving a holy, sweet aroma wherever they go, and leading numerous souls to the cross.
Written by Brooke Kehl
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Carol McLeod Ministries
Featured Image by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
