Editor's note: CCD published [Interview] A Post-85s Preacher's Family Facing Struggles in Living and Ministry this March. Sister Liu used to be a preacher from a local church of Jiangsu and is now a full-time housewife looking after her two children. Her husband suffers from epilepsy but still he serves in the church. The article talks about the recent grace God has given to her family despite their financial struggle and being treated badly in the church. She also claims that she will return to work in the church after her children go to primary school.
This year is a year of grace for us! First of all, I received several donations after publishing two articles (about my family's financial difficulty and my husband's disease) at Gospel Times. I was very moved. I intended to earn some contribution fees, share my story, and call on financial support for preachers, never thinking that I would receive donations.
I also received Chinese herbs from a sister and children books from a brother for my kids. I was greatly touched. Soon after that, I got a joint donation from an elderly woman and a middle-aged woman. The latter called me and I asked for her name. She refused to tell me who she was, saying that it was enough that the Lord knew them.
Then we looked at ourselves again and knew God a bit more. Grace fell down on us like the Bible says: "All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: ... Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out... The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. (Deuteronomy 28:2, 5- 6, 8)
This February a friend invited me to work in his kindergarten. Since it was a little far away from our house, a mini car that could protect my children from wind and rain was needed. It would cost over ten thousand yuan to pay the tuition fees of the two children and buy a rickshaw. However, we could not afford them and we have to refuse the beautiful invitation.
A month later, another brother wanted me to work in his nursery school. I didn't reply, but I was intrigued. After all, my monthly salary of 2,000 yuan would be enough to cover the tuition fees if I said yes. When he issued the last invitation, we prayed about needing an affordable car. The next day we really bought a small used car from a Christian.
After a month, I started the work in the kindergarten. I met a Christian sister and we got along well. Knowing my situation, she gave me tonics and a fund of 1,000 yuan donated by another person. I felt that grace came upon me too fast.
I worried about my husband's health. The disease attacked him several times when he preached in the pulpit. That the congregation saw the occurrence added to his pain. It was more painful for him that he was blamed rather than comforted. However, he refused to receive treatment, so I had to pray for him.
Since his disease flared up several times, which was a blow for him, he became more diligent, getting up at 5 a.m. to pray, read the Bible and material about healing. He also took time to read books in the evening even though he was tired.
We were grateful that he didn't fall ill for more than two months when he didn't take any pills. The unprecedented situation was really a miracle to us!
I cannot express my gratitude to God for all the grace he has given me this year. Actually we were really weak, suffering, and desperate in the face of financial struggles, epilepsy, and verbal attacks. We even doubted God who seemingly had left us. When I had doubts, there always came a verse to remind me:
"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you! (Isaiah 49:15)
When I came, why was there no one?
When I called, why was there no one to answer?
Was my arm too short to deliver you?
Do I lack the strength to rescue you?
By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea,
I turn rivers into a desert;
their fish rot for lack of water
and die of thirst.
(Isaiah 50:2)
After having experienced the grace, I realize that these verses are so powerful.
-Translated by Karen Luo
