Asia

Mongolia

Three Testamonies on FamilyLife's Preparing for Marriage resource

1. Before we got married, my wife and I completed the “Preparing for Marriage” course.  At first, we did not know how to effectively prepare for marriage.  We did not even know what to discuss.  We were not sure what we knew and what we did not know either.  This course helped us a lot to discuss and decide very important things—things that should be solved before our marriage, and to build a strong foundation from the very beginning of our life as a couple.
 
The most important thing that we learned was to receive each other as we are, as the life-time partner that God has provided.  Thanks to this course we understood this truth and applied it in our life.  There are other young couples that need to study this course and get real help.

2. Now we would like to help other young couples who are dating and considering marriage.  We really want to share the lessons and the blessings that we have received with others.  So, we have already started to train as a mentor couple for this course.  We really appreciate God providing us with this wonderful opportunity.”

3. Young people in Mongolia do not have such carefully, thoroughly designed materials available to prepare for their marriage.  We can only ask our parents’ advice and follow it—for good or for bad.   We really need Biblically based resources about marriage and family life.  So, I am really thankful and truly believe it will bless many young Mongolian couples.  I and my wife are really happy to become one of the first couples to study this material in Mongolian.    

 Hong Kong

God continues to open doors for FamilyLife in Hong Kong to spread the good news through building a family God's way.  They have launched FamilyLife Parenting Seminar, in addition to theirHomeBuilders Couples Series studies, and marriage seminars.  They also have begun using Passport 2 Purity to help parents and preteens.

Iron and jennie Pun's example in their own marriage and how they parent their four children have deeply impressed everyone who knows them.  One lady said they seemed to have a "secret recipe" in managing their life.

A HomeBuilders testamony:

"My husband is not yet a Christian, I wanted so much to invite him to join the HomeBuilders Sunday School class with me.  One day, I finally found my courage from the Lord and ask him if he is willing to join the class as a gift for me to celebrate our 13th anniversay.  We had little communication in our marriage and he was always busy about his own life.  Our common topic usually is about our children.  However, by attending the HomeBuilders Sunday School, I have learned that the foundation of building a strong family is building our 'marriage" first.

After each HomeBuilders class, we have a project called "Make a Date." We have not dated each other for a long time but this class helped us pick up this new habit ever since."

The FamilyLIfe seminars bring in a lot of Bible teaching and help non-believers to get the concept of Christianity which facilitates the future work of gospel sharing.

Melaka, Malaysia

Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.
John 4:35

A Double Harvest
Before a conference, staff members are reminded they face a spiritual battle for the souls and marriages they hope to harvest. This FamilyLife conference was no exception.

The mother of the hosting church’s pastor fell ill two weeks before the event. She could not do any promotions. Another organizer was involved in a serious car accident and everyone was stressed out.

But the Lord of the harvest was at work in a mighty way. The organizers prepared for 20 people (10 couples). Forty people attended—double the number expected! He is able to do far beyond what we ask. Here are the results of the outpouring of His Spirit:

• Number who prayed to receive Christ: 6
• Number who prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit: 25
• Number who rededicated their life and marriage: 21

Comments from conferees:

“This conference made us think through more about marriage and how it will be, especially the responsibilities of husband and wife.” 
                              —a couple to be married in three months

“It helped me view my husband as a perfect gift from God and helped me to respect him even when he does not meet my expectations.” 
                              —full-time CCC staff member

“I was very skeptical when I was told to sign up for the conference. I wish I had attended such a conference years ago! I wouldn’t have needed to knock my head against the wall so much earlier in my marriage.” 
                              —IT consultant, married 26 years

“It has made me realize that I have to start right. I really do want to build a heritage of God’s will.” 
                              —nutritional executive married one year

“It has given me hope and new directions to rebuild my marriage.” 
                              —businessman married 20 years

“I shall definitely work hard to save my marriage. I wish I’d attended a seminar like this years ago when I was newly married. It would have saved my husband and me a great deal of pain. Separation plans are definitely out of the question now. Instead, we are going to make our marriage an exemplary one in our neighborhood.” 
                              —teacher married 15 years