Page 23 - Believing Families

When Asif became a believer, he shared everything with his new wife, Salma, who was only thirteen years old.  Family members found out.  They called in the local mullah, who tried for three days to convince Salma to divorce Asif, depriving her of sleep.  Death threats and rejection followed.  Many times over the next several years, Asif and Salma, along with their small children, had to move house, as neighbors discovered the “apostates”.  Somehow they held on.  Today they have found stability, their home bears the fragrance of Christ, and salvation has also come to several extended family members. 

Because of strict purdah (seclusion of women) and female illiteracy, it is men who usually hear and accept the gospel first. Fear often hinders them from sharing their faith with their wives. Most believing parents are afraid to say much to younger children who attend public school, for fear the children will not have enough sense to keep quiet. 

There is a small but growing number of children of believing families who are reaching marriageable age and need to find believing mates. When believing families become related through marriage, the Body of Christ will grow. Their interaction will be socially acceptable. It will even be their social obligation to visit each other regularly!

 

Pray that: 

• Men will have the faith and courage to share with their wives; parents will know how to wisely impart faith to their children.
• Believing young people will meet, and be allowed by their families to marry.
• Each precious believing family will be protected from evil and grow spiritually. They are indeed the seed of the church.

 

Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.