Good News from Surabaya - Ayong

The life story of Ayong, a sister from the Precious Women ministry in Surabaya, has truly inspired the people around her.

When she was baptized in high school, Ayong entrusted her future to God. She believed that God always held her hand and guided her steps—until at last she married a brother, and was blessed with two sons.

Her four-year marriage fell apart after her husband left Ayong and their two children. At that time their first son was only three years old, and the second was still a baby. Not only did the husband leave his family, but he also left God.

Ayong’s world was turned completely upside down. To her, God was not only unfair, but had also abandoned and forgotten her. Ayong wanted to rebel, resist, and protest to God. Why did He allow something bad to happen to her and her children? Every day Ayong asked God to review the book of her life, because she was sure this was a mistake. It was impossible for her life to become this bad. Often before sleeping, Ayong hoped this was only a nightmare that would end when she woke up.

Sad and broken, Ayong wondered whether she was able to care for and raise her two little children. Could she provide a proper education for them? How could they grow up without the figure of a father?

Ayong went through that difficult period with the strength of prayer. She made time with her children, held family devotions, prayed together, and raised them with values that were in line with God’s word. In seasons when her two sons became moody, quiet, and insecure, Ayong emphasized that they were not alone. They had a faithful Father who always loved them.

Besides persevering in prayer, Ayong also asked many questions and shared with other single parents who were more mature and experienced. In her effort to rise from life’s lowest point over fourteen years, Ayong kept growing in faith and service. She was active in the Precious Women and Singles ministries, and also became a KKK teacher.

Praise God, her eldest son Richard was baptized two years ago and is now studying at one of Surabaya’s well-known universities. Richard has become a disciple of Jesus who serves in the music ministry in Youth worship. Her second son Arthur has entered the Teens level and is studying the Bible. They have grown into remarkable children in the Lord.

After going through all of that, Ayong said, “God is faithful; He has sustained my life and the lives of my two children. Everything is beautiful in His time!” God brought her through the storms of life to green pastures in His own way. Together with God, Ayong was able to rise again, stronger than before, to carry out the role of both mother and father for her two children.

Until now, in her 25-year journey as a disciple of Jesus, Ayong remains passionate in serving in Precious Women and KKK. She does everything for the glory of God.