Ayi

We love ayi (auntie), otherwise known as Xiao Chen or Chen Ayi.  She certainly makes my life much easier with all she helps me with, but she also is becoming a good friend.  The boys love her and will eat almost anything she cooks.  Her husband and two teenage daughters moved her this fall, after living apart for almost 10 years.  They stayed in her hometown, where they have a house and cheap education and access to medical care, things they would not have in the big city as non-residents.  But we were all excited for her to be able to be together with her family again. 

However, it has been challenging.  There are some different family dynamics after living apart and she and her husband have especially had some challenges, though her daughters are thrilled to be with their mom again.  They had to move this summer because her old housing was being torn down.  Now, their current living space is also scheduled to be torn down sometime in the near future.  She is even contemplating moving back to her hometown, though that is not her desire.

 We had them all over for dinner the other night

In the midst of these challenges, we have been encouraging them to attend a local marriage conference this weekend.  Her husband at first did not want to go and refused several times, but finally on Tuesday (perhaps a bit pressured by Chris) agreed to go.  Chris drove them there tonight.  We are really praying it will encourage them and help them...please join with us tonight and tomorrow.