It is Sunday, and the weather outside is getting colder and colder. It is snowing for the fourth time already this Winter. In their small but warm apartment, Li and Yi begin worshipping God together. They sing beautiful songs of praise. They open the Word and seek God. They pray and call out for the salvation of the Hui people. When they finish, they prepare a meal and eat quietly together.
Li and Yi moved from their hometown to the Northwest more than a year ago. They left behind stable jobs and families. Their parents actually are furious they left a comfortable life to move to the West to proclaim the Gospel. Unfortunately, their parents do not follow Jesus. They cannot fathom why their kids are forsaking everything that is important in this world to live among the Hui.
Li and Yi were sent out alone. For over a year now, they have lived among the Hui and sought to develop relationships, learn the culture and proclaim the Gospel. They even have opened a little business. It has not been very profitable, but their hope is that it will provide for their needs.
Already, they have seen God provide when they did not know how much longer they would be able to survive. Friends have sent money to them at just the right moment even though they did not know Li and Yi’s desperate circumstances. Li and Yi have faith that God will provide. They take all their concerns to him in prayer and have witnessed God’s faithfulness.
In their new city, the ground is hard. Hui are not very receptive to the Gospel or very open to talking with Han believers. They trust God and share the Gospel, but they are still alone. They have no Christian community to support them and lift them up.
Yi is pregnant. Soon a little one will join the family. Chinese custom is for the in-laws to show up for at least a month to care for the baby and family. However, because the in-laws do not approve of the decisions Li and Yi have made that probably will not happen. Li and Yi do not desire to endure a month or more of verbal persecution because they chose to follow Jesus’ call to go and proclaim the Gospel to those who have never heard.
Li and Yi despite their loneliness and few resources continue to trust God. Pray for God to provide for them. May God bless their business and their relationships. May God provide them with Christian community. May they see a church form in their neighborhood among the Hui.
Prayer Requests
- Pray Li and Yi will experience God’s faithfulness and presence during this Christmas season.
- Pray God will bless Li and Yi’s business and their relationships.
- Pray Li and Yi will see a church form among the Hui.
- Pray Li and Yi will be able to meet other Jesus followers and find community.