ASIA — Mrs. Li’s voice broke down on the other end of the phone.

“How about you come over this afternoon,” Crossworld worker Sandy said. “I’d like to hear what’s going on.”

Later, as the two women sat across from each other in Sandy’s living room, Mrs. Li’s pent-up emotions tumbled out.

“When my husband died, I was left with so many responsibilities! I work seven days a week, I care for my entire family, and I’m trying to repay my loan from the bank. I make sure my son gets most of the food and I eat what is left. He is asking for new things and I have to say no and I feel so sad! I am so confused about what to do. Sandy, I am alone in raising my son!”

As Mrs. Li’s soft cries turned into loud sobs, Sandy remembered her own tear-filled days when she, too, was a single mom. In fact, that was when she came to know Jesus! Sandy got to her knees and held Mrs. Li close, thinking about how to point her friend to the place she found comfort and wisdom — in Christ.

“I understand, and I know how hard it is! Can I pray for you?” Sandy asked. Mrs. Li nodded, and their first prayer together turned into a tradition, often at Mrs. Li’s request. They pray, and Mrs. Li later texts Sandy to tell her how God answers!

But still Sandy prays for the day when Mrs. Li will not want a middleman to talk to God — the day when she will pray to Him directly and realize what He has done for her.

You might not know how to fix a friend’s problem, but rest assured that God certainly does!

Italicized names were changed to protect identities.