Going to the Happy Land

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’” Revelation 21:3-4, NIV.

Mor, a 27-year-old Hmong woman, remembers listening to a Christian who told her that following Jesus would make her happy. She wanted to be happy, for she knew her life was not happy. From her Hmong culture she had learned that a land of darkness with suffering and hunger awaited her when she died. She also knew that her relationship with her husband and daughters was not good.

Mor had a violent temper. She used to get so angry that she would hit her husband and children. “If Jesus can make me happy instead of angry,” thought Mor, “then I want to follow Him.”

When she shared with her family that she wanted to follow Jesus, one of her sisters told her, “If you become a Christian, I will kill myself.” Her parents did not oppose the idea of Mor being Christian, because they had moved to another village and her decision would not affect them. Mor was torn between hurting her sister and desiring to follow Jesus. She decided that Jesus was her only hope to find true happiness, so she committed herself to following Him. Her sister backed down and is still alive.

As Mor followed Jesus a remarkable change came over her. She didn’t get as angry when things went wrong. She no longer hit her family members. She smiled more, and in response her relationships with her husband and children improved.

The change in her life over the past two years was so amazing that her husband decided to follow Jesus. Mor’s oldest daughter, Cookie, also decided to follow the Lord.

“That woman was right,” said Mor. “I am so much happier, and life is better since I made the decision to follow Jesus.” Mor’s neighbors and family are watching to see what the spirits will do to her, but so far all they see is blessings.

Pray that:

God will continue to bless Mor and Sug’s marriage.

Many of Mor’s neighbors and family will become followers of Jesus.

God will protect Mor’s home from spiritual attacks.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.