December 3, 2025

Hope Delivered in a Package

By Crossworld

West Asia Story Disciple-making

WEST ASIA — Liliya collected the packages that had arrived at her house: Christmas presents she had ordered for Crossworld worker Tessa’s family. But Liliya was not in a holiday mood.

Just a few weeks earlier she had left her husband because of physical abuse. Her husband’s family then publicly shamed her for being a prostitute, which wasn’t true but no one believed her. Only she and God knew the full story, and that wasn’t enough for Liliya.

Liliya grew up hearing about God from her Orthodox Christian grandmother. She came to faith in Christ when she heard the true gospel as an adult, and she had been growing in her relationship with Jesus. But the events of the last few weeks had shaken her.

In her heart, Liliya was angry. She hated her in-laws for treating her unjustly, and she hated that her reputation was being destroyed. She wanted revenge.

With these feelings brewing in her heart, Liliya opened the first package: a shirt for Tessa’s five-year-old daughter. How cute! she thought, and she moved to put it aside when the words on the shirt caught her eye.

Loved

John 3:16

Liliya recognized the number 3:16 but couldn’t remember the verse, so she looked it up in her Bible. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Liliya reread the verse and sat back. Tears began to fill her eyes as the Holy Spirit stirred in her heart.

Why do I want revenge on someone else when Jesus was murdered for me?

The anger in her heart melted away as she pondered Jesus’ sacrifice — the abuse, the injustice, and the shame he had willingly endured for her. A Christmas gift for someone else changed Liliya’s heart and gave her renewed faith.

Will you pray she continues to stand strong in the Lord no matter how she’s treated?

The people in this story are real, but some names have been changed to protect their privacy.