On the night before the devastating earthquakes of February 6, 2023, a mother of two experienced something that would change her life forever.
She lived with her husband and two young children in Antakya. That evening, after suffering physical abuse at the hands of her husband, she was forced out of her home. Injured and frightened, she found herself standing outside their apartment building with her children, uncertain of where to go.
According to her testimony, a man dressed in white appeared before her and told her to save her life by going up into the mountains.
Deeply moved by this unexpected encounter, she took her children and crossed the city in the middle of the night, heading toward the mountainous area east of Antakya, near the historic site associated with the early Christian church of Antioch.
By the time she reached higher ground, the devastating earthquake struck. The apartment building she had left only hours earlier collapsed. She and her children survived.
In the days that followed, amid the destruction and suffering, she searched for answers. Who was the man in white who had warned her?
Our team met her in a camp for earthquake survivors, where we were serving through our humanitarian relief efforts, including our mobile kitchen and laundry facilities.
As she shared her remarkable experience with us, we had the opportunity to speak to her about Jesus Christ. The encounter that had left her searching for answers now took on a new meaning. She came to believe that it was Jesus who had revealed Himself to her and guided her to safety.
In the midst of unimaginable tragedy, a mother and her children found not only safety, but also a new understanding of God's love. Her testimony remains a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, God can bring hope, reveal His presence, and open hearts to the Gospel.
