"Teacher, how do I pray?"

The question seemed to stop time. While more than 20 children sat around the room, playing, laughing, or intently watching an Easter video, God had knocked on the heart of a nine-year-old girl.

Holding the gospel booklet we had handed out moments before, Fay* was ready to respond to the invitation to pray on the last page. The teacher, Bea,* looked nervously at me and said, "Lisa, I've never prayed with a child to receive Christ before. What should I do?"

We did the only thing we knew to do—we prayed. That was Easter Sunday two years ago. Later that week, Fay's best friend, Pon,* followed her example, praying the same prayer with Bea. But that was only the beginning.

How does a child without a Christian background learn to love and follow Jesus?

God had heard the girls' prayers long before they were spoken and had placed a burden on the hearts of three laywomen a year earlier. We met regularly to pray for God to open doors for us to plant a church in a neighborhood where no churches existed.

Adults never found their way to our door, but from the first week, children were eager to hear about Jesus.

As Pon led the way, God was confirming His purpose by opening our way into this neighborhood. A couple months after praying to receive Christ's forgiveness, Fay moved away. Perhaps Pon began seeking out other children as comfort for her own loss, but she soon became the friend of everyone—even the neighborhood bully.

Pon befriended Tai* despite his uncontrollable temper that seemed to rage at the slightest glance from another child. For weeks we wondered if we were shining Christ's light at all. Tai's behavior worsened. His guardians did not know what to do. Finally, they declared that he could not come to our Sunday Bible lessons any longer. So, Pon and I visited him at home.

Tai and his family willingly listened to the gospel message, allowing me to pray for them. Finally, Tai's grandmother said, "Lisa, Tai can keep coming to your class. You can teach him anything. You can teach him to become a Christian if you want to!"

Pon and I left with Tai, praising God for hope of transformed lives. Though Tai has not yet received Christ's grace, he is learning about God's love and his behavior has vastly improved.

Whether memorizing scripture verses, retelling the Bible stories, or asking to pass out the tracts when we take neighborhood walks, Pon is always eager to learn about Jesus and to share His love with others. When new children visit, she is the first to welcome them. It's common to see Pon sitting beside a newcomer holding the Evangecube, turning it in all directions. As they show interest in the pictures, she asks, "Would you like me to tell you the story?" Pon continues to point others to God's transforming love.

Even a child shall lead them.

*Names have been changed.

Lisa Lehman serves as Southeast Asia Field communications coordinator.

Holiness Today

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.