July 2 MING

Thursday:  I want to tell you about my friend, Ming. She has blessed our small group of ladies for the past two years now at Bible study. Ming does not attend Calvary. I totally forget how she and her husband (Job) began coming to Bible study--perhaps their smaller church did not have a study available.

Ming was born in Indonesia, where she lived most of her life. She was part of a family where "arranged" marriages were the custom, and her parents had already made promises to the other family about Ming. However, she barely knew this older gentleman she was supposed to marry. I forget how she met Job, but he was of a "lower standing" than her family financially and her mother was horrified at the idea of Ming marrying "beneath herself." I won't tell you the whole long story, but God had His own arrangements and worked it out so that Job and Ming could be married. Both are faithful followers of Christ. In fact, I can honestly say that I have never met more faithful lovers of Jesus since way, way back in my life when I first met Grandpa Jim (July 31, 1974). 

In Indonesia, Job worked very hard and became a successful businessman. He and Ming's financial status became well established. Another very long story is what happened with Job's business. He had a business partner who was, unknown to Job, a crook and a fraudster. This man stole a huge amount of money from quite a few influential people and was discovered. When the arrests came, both this man and Job were indicted and convicted to many years in prison. On top of that, the Indonesian "mob" was not satisfied to just have Job punished, but sought to harm many of his family members there in Indonesia.

How Ming and Job arrived in America, I have some idea but I'm confused about the details--so I won't attempt to fill in the blanks. I only remember that they came here in 2021 with temporary Visas. However, Job was picked up by immigration over 400 days ago and detained. Long story short--after all of these days and nights with many people praying, and many lawyers working, INTERPOL has finally reviewed Job's case and has expunged his criminal record in Indonesia--it can never be reversed. Job will be freed from detention very soon and reunited with his family. He will not be deported! 

This is Job (below). He is called "Papa Job" in the prison where he is being held. He is the oldest of the men that are held at that facility, and many of the others have come to depend on him for wise counsel and help adjusting to being locked up. He has studied online and earned dozens of educational and other skill certificates while locked up. In over 40 years of marriage, he and Ming had only been separated four other days. 

Thursday evening, Wisely (their son) gave his testimony at a prayer gathering at Calvary. Next to Wisely is his wife and their son (Reu). 

I'm really thankful I have been able to get to know this dear family. They have never given up. In fact, they have been such an encouragement to everyone around them. Sincere, genuine people whose faith has really been challenged by this trial in their lives. I love these guys. 

Thank you, Lord, for true justice and mercy!