“Friends, places, work—they filled my days, but God had no part in my life. My spirit was imprisoned behind black walls adorned with wealth and beauty. Then, suddenly, light broke through my darkness.”
Lourde Sayeh grew up in a Christian family in Palestine, attending church each Sunday with her aunt. She served in the church’s children’s ministry and choir, yet as she grew older, she strayed from the Lord. At eighteen, she ran away from school to Jerusalem, where she learned the art of tattooing and opened her own shop.
“I turned away from education and thought only of worldly pursuits,” Lourde says. “My path grew dark. Darkness enveloped me, and for years, my mind refused to acknowledge God.”
Yet even in the depths of that darkness, Lourde’s story was not over. In 2021, her aunt invited her to consider attending Bethlehem Bible College, a seminary in Palestine. Just days later, Lourde experienced a profound encounter with God—one that marked the beginning of a new chapter and the rebuilding of a relationship with her Creator.
“After that day, I became a part of Bethlehem Bible College. I had to choose between education and my tattoo work, and I left my shop to follow His call. I broke and was rebuilt, I belonged to the church and the community, and I devoted myself to service.”
Lourde on a service trip in South Africa
Now in her final year of earning her bachelor’s degree at Bethlehem Bible College, Lourde has learned to connect theology to everyday life—especially through spiritual formation ministry and pastoral care. She serves with the seminary’s ministry called Aniyah Baydehi—meaning A Pot in His Hand—which helps women students grow toward emotional maturity, supports leadership development, and empowers them to find their place in society. It is here that Lourde has discovered a deep sense of purpose: helping other women uncover their God-given potential. This calling has shaped her next goal—to pursue a master’s degree in pastoral care and counseling after graduation.
Lourde credits much of her journey to the scholarship assistance she received through Mesa Global. Through this support, she is able to invest what she has learned back into her community, particularly among women and youth who have had limited access to formal theological education. Her vision is to raise up leaders whose lives and service will contribute to the transformation of the wider community in Palestine.
“My training has given me a foundation to build on,” Lourde says, “and I will continue to use it to serve with humility, creativity, and love—trusting that God will continue to shape my journey and use it for His purpose.”
Like clay shaped by the hands of the potter, Lourde’s life continues to be formed—not erased by its brokenness, but transformed by grace into a vessel of healing, leadership, and hope.
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8
Stories from the Field
