Many ask me, “Helen, I hear you say that God doesn’t want us to be satisfied with just the extracts out of a family (individuals) following him, but that whole families can learn to follow Jesus together.  How have you seen this happen?”  I’ve shared before about Dan’s family making a decision to remove their idol shelf as a whole family to follow Jesus.

This summer, I’ve also had the privilege of walking with my friend Leah to see the deliverance of her Dad.  Our family was thrilled to see the transformation of Leah’s Mom after she became a believer a few months before she passed away. Leah’s Dad has been grieving the loss of his wife for 2 years and turned to smoking and drinking. His actions began to really hurt himself and his family.  When this family hit rock bottom a few months ago, God came to the rescue.  I was able to visit him at the hospital with Leah and after long talks, he made a decision to choose God’s way.  "I can't keep on living like this.  I want to change," he admitted.  We talked in Taiwanese, prayed for Jesus to be his Savior, and sang together the old hymn, "It is well with my soul."  Leah said it was the first time she has ever heard him sing.

Since then, it is amazing to see the transformation and joy restored in his life and family.  He is on a journey of reconciliation with his sons.  So, pray together with us as we seek God’s wisdom for how to continue discipleship with families like Leah’s.  We know that in the Bible, Cornelius and his household, Lydia and her household, and the Philippian jailer and his whole household followed God as a family unit.  So many people honor the family and older people here, that God can really be praised even more when people see the effect on a whole family changing their ways to follow Jesus.

Nathan's Magic Show for Kindergartners