Three key Christian couples, young Bouyei believers, have faced various trials.
LJ and her husband Mr. L have had major stress on their marriage through his intermittent dabbling in mahjong and their debts. One day in December, LJ was so discouraged she was even despairing of life. Since that time, they have bounced back. They continue to minister to the Bouyei around them. Mr. L has begun to teach at a small school for Bouyei kids.
- Please pray for their financial needs. Because they borrowed from their employer to pay off an old debt, the repayment of that debt is coming out of their paycheck and what is left is not enough to live on. The cost of many everyday items like pork and cooking oil has doubled in the past year.
WF and her husband XL have also had their share of difficulties. He bought a 3 wheeled motorized vehicle about 3-4 months ago which is used as a cheap taxi around town. These vehicles, which are found all over the city, are basically illegal. Police will pull these cars over at random and fine the owners or confiscate the vehicles. XL knew it was risky business but while he had the vehicle it made a decent income. Recently the vehicle was impounded by the police. We had warned him from the start about this vehicle but he had to learn the hard way.
Today, with the loss of a 1800 Yuan vehicle, he knows it was not God’s will for him to have that vehicle. He told me today that though it gave him income, he could also see how the money would slip through his fingers. Today, both WF and XL said they have struggled with their faith recently but won’t give up. He has continued to pray and go to a weekly Sunday fellowship. He is often there a half hour before the main service begins. He participates in the pre-worship prayer time and helps set up for the service
They both share their faith actively with many extended relatives and friends. Their hometown is having some kind of large gathering near the end of January, probably as part of the Chinese New Year observance. He would like to go and share the good news with them.
- Please pray that God would open this door for him. Please pray that this young couple would grow in their trust for His provision and learn to walk more and more in conformity to His will.
WF’s parents had another spiritual attack after Christmas. They felt it was related to the woman in their courtyard who has a strong evil spirit that they say curses people and harms them. WF’s mother was sick for several days with unusual symptoms. The most obvious sign for them of demonic oppression is terrible nightmares that disrupted her sleep. We did pray with them and all these symptoms have resolved. We had a special time of communion with them last week, affirming together Christ’s victory for us through his death and suffering.
- Please pray that this couple would see that they are able, in their own childlike faith in Jesus, to resist Satan and all his forces. Pray also for their witness in their courtyard, that they might be powerful lights in that darkness.
