Aug

This is a picture of a recent marriage between two young Christians who have been leaders in starting new churches in a county of NongBua Lamphu Province where there previously were no churches. The groom’s name is Deng and his wife’s name is Yupa. One of the customs in Isaan is the payment of a “bride price” to the parents of the bride. Often this custom places a heavy debt (sometimes a year or more worth of earnings) upon the new couple and the parents of the groom of these poor rice farmers to pay back. Since Yupa’s parents asked for a heavy “bride price,” this new couple are now heavily in debt and working hard to pay off this debt as they begin their family. As a result, they are tired and have less time for ministry. Please pray for Deng and Yupa and other Isaan marriages that are experiencing tremendous pressures and difficulties.

Prayer requests:

1) Pray that Deng and Yupa will seek God’s provision and direction in resolving their debt problem while finding the strength and vision to serve God in ministry (this is not an appeal for stateside funding).

2) Pray especially for Yupa as she adjusts to living away from her parents and a difficult farm life that she is struggling to adjust to. Pray that she would seek God’s strength and direction in finding His way to use the gifts and experience He has gifted her with.

3) Pray for Isaan marriages/families that are undergoing tremendous pressures as often one or both parents move to other cities and overseas for extended periods of time looking for work. Many of these parents leave their children with other family (often grandparents) while they work away from home for years at a time. Pray that God would give the small Christian community strong marriages and a heart to minister to this tremendous need among the Isaan people.