The Shaman of a village in northwest China has shared how she embraced Christianity after dreaming of a man dressed in a "brilliant white robe" while on her deathbed.
Persecution watchdog Open Doors USA shares the story of Ting, a Shaman widely respected for her ability to connect with demons of the spiritual world. Villagers in the surrounding area would seek her out for her wisdom, asking her questions like, "Who should I marry? What must I do to be successful? What does my future hold? Have I offended the spirits?"
However, Ting's talents and involvement with dark spirits came with a price. Her health began to rapidly deteriorate, and in just a few days, she was bedridden and completely paralyzed.
Doctors were unable to diagnose Ting or explain her mysterious illness. Aware that every moment could be her last, the elderly woman felt terrified, unsure of what faced her after death.
She fell into a deep sleep. And in the midst of her slumber, she heard a voice summoning her in her dreams. She recalled to Open Doors:
"I was in the back seat of a taxi as my brother drove me towards an endless darkness. But then three men, who were wearing brilliant white robes, approached. But their light was so bright, I couldn't see their faces. They told me I must make a choice. And as they spoke, two other men wearing black robes invited me to follow them. I knew in my heart one of the men wearing a white robe was Jesus. So I followed Him."
When Ting woke up, she found she could move, and her body miraculously worked again. As she felt her strength returning, Ting remembered her dream, and she knew she'd made the right choice when she followed the man in white.
She understood that He was the power behind her restored body - and He was the reason she was alive. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ting immediately gave her heart to Jesus.
According to Open Doors, believers in Ting's area of China face the most severe persecution, as conversion to Christianity is an utter disgrace and considered a treasonous act to the community. Often, if Christians are discovered, they will be disowned by their loved ones and banished into exile.
The organization notes that Ting's story is a powerful reminder that nobody lives outside of the reach of Jesus.
"Whether He appears through a dream or vision or through any other means He feels necessary to communicate His eternal love," says Open Doors. "That's why, when our partners on the ground in these far-removed pockets of China request Bibles and Christian resources, there's a sense of urgency. It's important. And it's an incredible opportunity to join with God in His miraculous work."
Around the world, many who have converted to Christianity claim to have been compelled to do so after dreaming of a person who they believe is Jesus Christ.
Gina Fadely, the director of Youth With A Mission Frontier Missions (YWAM), told The Voice of the Martyrs Radio Network one of their workers met a former ISIS fighter who murdered Christians, but converted after a dream:
"He told this YWAM leader that he had begun having dreams of this man in white who came to him and said, 'You are killing my people.' And he started to feel really sick and uneasy about what he was doing," Fadely continued. "The fighter said just before he killed one Christian, the man said, 'I know you will kill me, but I give to you my Bible.' The Christian was killed, and this ISIS fighter actually took the Bible and began to read it. In another dream, Jesus asked him to follow him, and he was now asking to become a follower of Christ and to be discipled."
Christian Aid Mission similarly shared the story of a young Muslim woman who for years harbored a deep hatred of Christians. However, she converted to Christianity after Jesus appeared to her in a dream and told her to visit a local church.
"In my dream, Jesus led me to the church, telling me, "What are you still waiting for? Follow my way,'" she told the pastor after visiting his church. "And I saw all of you in there waiting for me, smiling at me. Before I met you, I saw you in my dream. Thanks be to God."
