Oct 20, 2021 Runaway Bride Sings a New Song

The storm raged on the dark sea, and the little boat began to fill with each crashing wave. Soaked and scared, Mahalia feared she might lose her life. She cried out the short prayer, Allah ayapat me toi!Ñthanks to the mercy of God. Again and again, Mahalia sang this phrase as she paddled and struggled staying afloat. Hour by hour, the night seemed to last forever; she thought about everything that had caused her to steal this boat and run away from home. Would she survive this storm? Would her parents forgive her?

Mahalia was born into a conservative Muslim family. She had just turned 15, and her mother wanted her to get married. Wanting to be a good daughter and please her parents, Mahalia said yes, but, she didn’t want to marry a man she did not genuinely love. So as the day of her wedding approached, she decided to run away. And now, here she was desperately struggling in a storm. Mahalia thought, “is God angry at me for running away?”

Finally as the day was breaking, and Mahalia could see land! Rowing ashore, exhausted, Mahalia found that she had arrived at Zamboanga City. She was filled with joy knowing that she had reached her destination over 25 miles across the sea!

Desperate to survive, Mahalia tried to find ways to make a living. Since she loved singing, she participated in every singing contest she could find. Later, she was able to join a band and sing full time. She traveled with her group to many different places and countries.

But, Mahalia struggled with health problems. As her health worsened and she spent all her money for treatments, Mahalia reached out again to God in prayer. She made a promise that if He would heal her, she would serve God. The answer came through a friend, Wilma, a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, who helped with her medical bills. Without God’s provision, Mahalia would not have been able to survive. To fulfill her promise to the Lord, Mahalia was determined to find a church.

Mahalia attended services at the Catholic church, the Born Again church, and others, but none of them felt right. There was a Seventh-day Adventist Church near her home, and she thought about visiting. One day, her friend Wilma invited her to seminars at that church, sponsored by Quiet Hour Ministries.

She accepted and was excited, even though she struggled with feelings about her past. Mahalia was deeply moved by the messages; they were different from the other churches. Answers to her questions were becoming clear. She cried, thinking about her past and how God had answered her prayers years ago. With conviction, Mahalia decided to be baptized the next day.

This sudden decision alarmed Mahalia’s sister, who asked Mahalia to think twice because of her job. Mahalia was a full-time singer in a rock band, and one of the topics covered during the seminars was how rock music can create challenges in a Christian life. Mahalia faced a real dilemma, should she stay with her group or surrender her life to the Savior? Crying, she whispered a prayer, Lord, do I need to let go of my job? If I do this God, how will I survive? Please do not leave me. Help me make the right decision.

The next day was Sabbath and Mahalia’s baptism. She was hesitant, but, unexpectedly, her prayers were answered through the sermon of Pastor Jovanny Tero. He prayed with her and answered the questions she had from the previous night. Her fears soothed, Mahalia decided to choose Jesus and be baptized.

Mahalia shares that despite our past, it is never too late to come to the Lord. If we fully accept Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him in all our ways, we can indeed find the light of life. When challenges come, remember three things: God has been with you, He is still with you, and will always be with you.

Mahalia has now found her partner in ministry, and they were recently married. Now, together, they use their talents of voice and song for the Lord.

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

Will you pray for those seeking God’s truth around the world?

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