New Wine Overflowing, life transformed
I was born in a Muslim family. My name Denok means “big girl”, Wiwit means “beginning and Wijayanti means “victory”. There was a Catholic church in Dilli, just behind my house in Villa Verde. Every Sunday, I played in the church yard and listened to the songs they sang. I found the songs beautiful and peaceful. My family moved to Kediri in 1992 after the bombardment incident in my primary school and I could no longer play in the church.
In my junior high school, I met a Catholic friend who was very religious, and he let me read his Bible. I liked reading but, for me, at that time, it was just a book. I have a strange feeling that “there’s something I need to dig” but I just ignored the feelings of my curiosity. I was still a Muslim and did prayer and fasting etc. as stated in Islam.
Until one day, I read one verse of Al Maidah in Quran that said …”And We sent, following in their footsteps,1 Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.” I realized I have been fooled all this time. I studied about Quran more and more, read many hadiths, and I failed to understand. Even when I salah (take a prayer in Islam) the only words I said is “in the name of Jesus”. I know what I was doing was wrong, I was “murtad” (that’s what Moslem called someone who is out from Islam). But that’s what I felt. It was Jesus that I remembered in everything I was doing.
In 2017, I really left Islam but was still a Christian in hiding. I had no guts to tell people that I was a Christian, not even to my family. I started listening to worship songs and praying the way Christian does. In April 2021, it was the first time I went to church in 611. The last session when Pastor Joshua and Pastor Ruby welcomed new comers to come and stand close the stage, I just walked to the front like something was whispering in my ears and moved my heart to just stand there. Jesus!!!! I cried, cried and I cried. I couldn’t even stop it. When they prayed for me, Jesus!!! I know and I feel that Jesus was there.
It is not because I am in 611 church that makes me to write my life testimony of being a Christian, but that’s true. I meet amazing people inside this church.
I want to thank Cece Afry, from her I learn about PATIENCE, she is always encouraging me.
I want to thank Bu Kim, she teaches me about FORGIVENESS, which I am still learning.
I want to thank Pastor Edwin for his wise words that I will always have in my mind “no one is ready”, this words really nailed me!
I want to thank Pastor Stella, from her I learn about FAITH & STEADFASTNESS, she is such an amazing woman (indeed).
Thank you 611, from here I have guts to tell others that I am a Christian. I am blessed and filled with gratitude! I am not a Christian because I am strong and have it all together, I am a Christian because I am weak and admit I need a SAVIOR! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Sister Denok Wiwit Wijayanti