August 18, 2002
Dear Silan,
We have been (my whole family..all 16 including grandchildren) at the beach for an annual vacation. It was good for me to be able to take time with each of my family members. I take every chance I can to put a few seeds of faith into each of my grandchildren.
I do not know if I told you that my daughter, whose husband had left her, has remarried a very nice man. This looks like a rich country but the price of living is so high here that young couples have a hard time making enough salary to live on. Many people are out of work. My daughter and her husband both work but cannot pay all their bills. We have to help them. Together their income barely covers their house rent, daycare for their little son, school clothes and supplies for the two girls, food, etc. She gets so discouraged and looks at the worries instead of God's blessings. She tries very hard to walk in faith.
I still worry about the Children who live in this country where the voice whispers peace, peace.........but there is no peace. Pray that our children have the fear of God and experience His sweet, irresistable love. This generation is attacked on all sides. I would appreciate your prayers.
Yesterday and today I have read all of yours and my letters we have written since Oct. 14, 1998.
I was so blessed and amazed at the love in our letters. It is wonderful to have a sister who I can't even see, who lives on the other side of the world, and she prays for me. My husband has been reading some of your letters to our small group and they have been encouraged and strengthened.
On the internet I found an address for Mr. Zheng's phone number he gave you. It is listed below:
__________
I thought to write a letter there or call. Then I wondered if they spoke English. Do you want me to contact them or do you want to write a letter?
I must ask you to forgive me for waiting so long to do anything about it. I actually forgot I had found his address.
I also should have written you sooner. I think about you alot. Do you remember when you wrote, "May the cold wind bring my warm heart from afar." It was Christmas, 1998. Many things have happened in our lives since then. I still pray for your mother. Have you tried again to let her know you love her still? I am a mother and I cannot stop thinking of how much she misses you even tho you have defied and dishonored their false standards. She does not understand, I know. Or has she become a believer over these past years? When we pray for you, we pray for your family also.
I am up very late tonight but I was very much wanting to write to you.
May the cold winds blow my warm heart to you also, dear Silan.
All my love,
Mary
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