Leslie, Erica, Emery and Jordan are a few friends who live in China, and they’ve noticed that young college ladies in China are usually very busy. When the weekend comes, however, these ladies don’t often feel like studying any more; they much prefer to get together and have fun, which is great for His workers, because they like to have fun, too. One of the ways this particular group of friends has been able to share the Truth is by spending some of those weekend hours practicing henna art with these college ladies. Henna art draws (no pun intended) attention fairly quickly and is an excellent way to tell stories. And after a bit of practice, Erica’s henna drawing skills have become pretty legit.

Before we discuss henna design, though, let me point out that hospitality is key with reaching the Hui. Sometimes workers coming to this side of the world feel as if they need to be able to explain their critiques of evolution in Chinese before they can be effective among the Hui. Although those language skills would be pretty epic, it would most likely be way more beneficial if you learned how to make people feel welcome in your home. The Hui are not apologetically motivated debaters. They’re usually very kind, non-confrontational, and hard-working people. Many of them come from poor homes, and many of them have had their faith and their practices criticized by others since birth. So hospitality, not confrontation and debate, are key.

So with hospitality in mind, Leslie and Erica invited their friends over along with Emery and Jordan, who know a bit more of the language. As these young ladies sat together, they were able to discuss the meaning of a new design they wanted to try. Erica started the drawing; she drew a decorative-looking apple, then several intricate lines, ending a few minutes later with a spiraling ram’s horn.

Naturally their Hui friend asked, “What’s the meaning of this design?” Jordan explained the Adam and Eve story: how Sin entered the world, how people disobeyed God and how God killed an animal to cover Adam and Eve’s shame. The Hui girl, of course, had heard this story before; it’s in the Quran as well. Jordan and Emery, however, continued telling the part of the story that she had not heard: that all people, like Adam and Eve, sin, and that Jesus, like this animal, was slain by God to cover our shame.

The ladies talked about this story a bit more, and since that night, contact has been kept with many of them – This is just one of the many occasions His workers have been able to simply use their gifts to share deep truths with the Hui in this city.

Please pray for these Hui ladies as they continue hearing stories from the Word, and continue to pray for our four friends, that they will find fun ways to share the Good News with the young ladies they meet.

Because the Hui seem to enjoy and desire genuine friendships as opposed to great theological truths, please pray all Christ-followers will love and genuinely care for the practical and relational needs of the Hui around them. And perhaps consider coming to China for a few weeks, a summer or maybe a few years to love on the Hui!