SIM USA Workers in North Africa: Joel and Linda’s Story
Joel and Linda serve with SIM USA in North Africa. God led them to this region by opening their eyes to the deep spiritual need for Christ among its predominantly Muslim communities.
“Our first exposure to the Muslim world was when we did Arabic language study in the area. We were impressed by the need for light in the Muslim region of North Africa,” Linda said.
As they seek to be a reflection of Christ’s love to their Muslim neighbors, Linda offers trauma healing ministry to the community. Through this ministry, she walks alongside women who have experienced deep pain, loss, or hardship, creating safe spaces for healing and restoration. By combining biblical truth with mental health principles for emotional recovery, she helps individuals discover hope and wholeness through Jesus the Healer.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Trauma Healing in North Africa: Faith, Healing, and Hope
A key part of the trauma healing program is the “healing groups,” where women gather in a safe space to share their stories, support one another, and bring their pain before the Lord for comfort and restoration.
“We strive to build a community of trust,” Linda said. “Together we embark on a journey to go through the process of trauma healing and finally bringing our burdens of pain to God.”
Mariam was one of the first women to join a healing group, which she desperately needed. Years of mistreatment from her alcoholic husband had left deep wounds, and she longed for hope and healing.
What she found there changed everything. In this community of trust, Mariam found she was not alone. As she listened, shared, and opened her heart, Mariam courageously came face to face with her pain, and released this heavy burden to Jesus the Healer. After journeying through this healing group process, Mariam surrendered her life to Christ and chose to follow Him with her whole heart.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6
Mariam soon joined a small group of new believers in the area. Together, they gathered to read God’s Word, ask questions, and grow in their faith alongside one another. What started as a search for healing grew into a redeemed life of hope in Christ, surrounded by a new family – the family of faith.
When Joel and Linda later moved to another part of the country for Joel’s consulting work with transformational businesses, Linda could no longer see Mariam regularly. Still, she was encouraged knowing that Mariam remained connected to the local Body of believers and was faithfully walking with Jesus.
What happened next was completely unexpected, but a beautiful testimony of how Jesus can redeem all situations for good. After another relocation, Joel and Linda crossed paths with Mariam in their new town, known for its reputable doctors and medical care.
A Living Testimony of Grace: Mariam’s Journey from Pain to Forgiveness
When Joel and Linda settled into their new home, they reconnected once again with Mariam. Her husband, the very man who caused her years of pain and mistreatment, was diagnosed with cancer. Mariam had brought him to this area, known for its hospitals and medical services, so he could receive the treatment he needed.
It was a striking picture of God’s redemption. The wounds from her marriage had once led her to the healing group, where she first encountered the love of Christ. Now, years later, that same love was flowing through her in a way no one could have imagined. Instead of turning her back on her husband in his time of need, Mariam chose to walk beside him, caring for him with tenderness and faithfulness.
“I want to show him the love of Christ,” Mariam told Linda. “Any other person in my shoes might not care for him after what he did to me. But I’m doing this because I want him to see the love of Christ.”
Linda was deeply moved. “For her to show him such care during his illness speaks volumes,” she said. “That reflects a huge transformation of forgiveness and healing that has happened in her heart.”
Mariam’s story became a living testimony of grace and a picture of the transformation only Christ can bring, turning brokenness into compassion and pain into a witness of His redeeming love.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28
Trauma Healing with SIM USA: Join Us!
God continues to touch lives in remarkable ways through SIM USA’s trauma healing ministry. Women like Mariam, once carrying deep wounds from years of pain and mistreatment, are finding hope, restoration, and being transformed by the love of Christ.
In the safe spaces of healing groups, participants share their stories, support one another, and learn to bring their pain before the Lord. Over time, this ministry helps hearts to soften, allows forgiveness to take root, and broken relationships can begin to mend.
Mariam’s story stands as a living testament to God’s mercy and grace. Through these trauma healing groups, God not only restores individuals but also equips them to show His love to others, creating ripples of hope that reach families and entire communities. His light shines into places of darkness, proving that no situation is beyond His redemption.
Are you interested in trauma healing ministry? You can pray to support trauma healing, plus help send more trauma healing workers to countries around the world. Connect with a coach here to learn more about current opportunities to join SIM USA trauma healing teams serving overseas!
Trauma healing is one way to be a loving witness for Jesus in least-reached communities, but there are many other possibilities and alternate pathways. Learn more about how you can use your career and skills to be a light in countries where traditional ministry is restricted.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1
Names have been changed for the privacy and safety of our workers, ministry partners, and those we serve.
Maggie Watts
Content Creator
I am a Content Creator with SIM USA. It is a joy to use writing and multimedia to glorify God and tell stories about how He is working around the world.