The Peril of Internet
Romance
She is early 30s, Vietnamese, single. Born into
unfortunate circumstances she had to fend for herself
from an early age so, though bright, never got advanced
education. Having also no capital, she seems condemned
to low-paid work, and marriage prospects by now also
seem slim. He is American, mid-50s, a divorcee, rich but
lonely. They meet on the Internet. After some time he
comes to visit Vietnam. Her poor English hinders
communication but her mind soon seems made up –
particularly after he produces a large diamond ring.
Thus they begin the long process of paperwork toward
marriage and her emigrating to the U.S.
So far the story is surely
commonplace. But let’s continue. For they met on a
Christian website. Brought to the Lord as a child, she
has a vibrant faith, now teaches Sunday school and is
active in bringing others to the Lord. He is an
occasional churchgoer but shows no evidence of true
faith. She senses this but still sees the marriage as a
God-given opportunity – for once abroad surely she can
get a good job and send lots of money back to Vietnam to
help poor relatives and friends.
Vietnamese are no longer leaving
the country in droves but a steady trickle continues,
especially of young women. Some make it to the West,
many others marry Taiwanese and other Asians. And
Christians are among them. A Christian mother who
supported her talented daughter recently going abroad
explained that she wants her daughter to enjoy better
education and job prospects and to avoid the burdens of
marriage to a Vietnamese husband and family. To these
women of course add the gifted young men and women who
go for theological training abroad … and somehow never
return. While praying for more laborers to come to work
the harvest fields of Vietnam, do also pray for those
born and bred here to stay!
Praise God:
- For the many
Vietnamese Christians who are dedicating their lives
to serving the Lord in their homeland
Pray that:
- Vietnamese
Christians will not be tempted by the lure of
greener grass on the other side, and seek material
benefits rather than the will of God
- Christian ladies, in
particular, would make wise decisions so that they
marry believers who truly share their faith in the
Lord
