"Ona" smiled as she looked over the priceless parcels ready for shipment. Her contacts in a neighboring country would pay her well for them, and she thanked her luck for the thriving export business she and her husband "Gai" had established.

She couldn’t thank God. All she knew was the communistic atheism of her homeland. Her parents, her friends, her teachers, her government—all convinced her that religion was a hoax. Her pride and her trust rested solely on the wealth she and Gai were able to earn. They bought a new car, and life was sweet.

A former university classmate called and invited her to an evening event. Only after arriving did Ona discover she was with a group of people studying the Bible. “Oh no,” she groaned, “I’ve fallen into a bunch of weirdos.”

Bible study held no appeal. Instead she and Gai continued to buy and sell and prosper—until a dreadful accident demolished their new car and almost took their lives. Feeling her vulnerability, she reconnected with her former classmate and returned to the Bible study. After seven months of spiritual and intellectual struggle, she surrendered her life to Christ. Gai examined the person and claims of Christ, and within four days he also became a believer.

A New Focus

Christ has shifted the focus of their lives. Now their passion is to offer the good news of hope and salvation to the 88,000 people living in their apartment complex. (As in all Asian cities, the numbers of people massed close together are almost overwhelming.) They know that nearly all their neighbors would like to learn English, which is now the second national language of their country. They are praying that Christians from English-speaking countries will come to their city and invest themselves (for weeks or years) in sharing language and life with those 88,000 neighbors.

Is God calling you? Contact your local SIM Sending Office.