Video Summary
Li Hua, an elderly Chinese convert on Java, worshipped alone after hearing the gospel from a traveling bookseller.
She faithfully tithed despite having no church, walking three days through jungle to deliver her offering to a mission.
A 1919 volcanic eruption sent a river of boiling mud toward her village; villagers begged her to pray.
Her prayer coincided with the mudflow splitting and flowing around the village, leaving homes intact.
The event strengthened local respect for her faith and became a lasting testimony about divine protection.
Li Hua was an elderly Chinese woman living on a Javan volcano slope who met a traveling bookseller, Chen Ru, who shared Bible stories with her; moved by those stories she converted despite having no church or fellow believers nearby.
She walked three days to Surabaya to personally deliver her tithe to the mission director because there was no local church and she refused to let others handle what she considered sacred.
A river of boiling mud swept down the mountain; according to the account, as it neared Li Hua's village she prayed, and the mud split and flowed around the village, leaving homes intact.
Those who had mocked her faith begged Li Hua to pray for them; after the event they were left in awe and their attitude toward her faith changed, treating her and her testimony with new respect.
The story is compared to biblical deliverances like the parting of the Red Sea and is framed as evidence of God's protection over a faithful remnant, citing Psalm 34:7 about the angel of the LORD encamping around those who fear Him.
"In this village lived an elderly Chinese woman named Lihua. She was shy and quiet, the kind of woman who kept her head down and her hands busy."
Lihua lived in a small, unnamed village on the island of Java, which was nestled in the lush surroundings of a volcanic mountain.
She cultivated sweet potatoes and squash in her modest garden and was recognized as a kind neighbor, always ready to help those in need.
The village had a rich agricultural soil due to centuries of volcanic eruptions, and the residents lived their lives without fear of the mountain, which intermittently released smoke but never caused harm.
"He told her about a God who made the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh."
A traveling bookseller named Chen Ru introduced Lihua to Christianity, sharing stories from the Bible that captivated her heart and mind.
He spoke of God's power, including miracles like parting the Red Sea and providing sustenance to His people, which deeply resonated with Lihua.
Overcome with emotion, she experienced a profound inner peace and recognized the reality of God, ultimately deciding to follow Jesus and embrace the Christian faith despite having no church or fellow believers in her village.
"Imagine discovering the most beautiful truth you have ever known... and having no one to share it with."
Lihua's newfound faith isolated her within a community that continued to adhere to traditional animist beliefs, worshiping spirits and ancestors.
Despite her solitude in faith, she expressed her devotion by praising God weekly, singing during her prayer time, creating an unearthly calm that unsettled her neighbors.
Her deepening spiritual life, filled with prayer, stood in stark contrast to the fear and superstitions that dominated the village culture.
"How can you refuse to worship the spirits? Don't you remember the power they have over us?"
The villagers grew increasingly uneasy with Lihua's refusal to participate in their traditional rituals, leading to confrontations about her new beliefs.
Lihua, however, stood firmly in her faith, asserting, "They cannot hurt me. God can protect me from them and all they would do to harm me."
Her courage to reject the old ways brought fear to villagers, who were accustomed to relying on a local witch doctor and the spirits they believed controlled their lives.
"Chen Ru had taught Lihua something that changed the way she looked at everything she owned."
Lihua learned about the concept of tithing from Chen Ru, understanding that she should give one-tenth of her earnings to God, which further deepened her commitment to her faith.
Despite her resolve, she faced a dilemma because there was no church or pastor in her vicinity to whom she could give her tithe, leading her to distrust her neighbors with God’s money.
Lihua was determined not to let anyone else handle what she considered sacred, which demonstrated her personal conviction and sense of responsibility in her spiritual journey.
"She would carry the tithe herself, walking from the mountain through the jungle to the coastal city of Surabaya."
Lihua made a courageous decision to personally deliver her tithe to the mission director, demonstrating her unwavering faith.
At her age, this plan was both bold and dangerous, as she was determined to fulfill her commitment to God regardless of the challenges she might face.
Setting out before sunrise, Lihua began her journey equipped only with a small pack containing a bag of copper coins, which held significant spiritual value for her.
"There is a kind of faith that theologians write about in books, and then there is the kind that puts on worn-out sandals and walks into a jungle alone."
Lihua faced numerous obstacles during her trek through the jungle, including navigating fallen logs and fording streams.
Despite the presence of dangerous wildlife and harsh conditions, she persevered with a steadfast faith, praying for guidance and protection as she journeyed.
Her faith was tangible; she was dedicated to her mission, manifesting a deep trust in God as she continued her trek to the mission station.
"She closed his fingers around it as if he were holding something precious, and he was."
Upon reaching Surabaya, Lihua presented her bag of coppers to the mission director, symbolically emphasizing the immense value of her sacrifice.
This act sparked a moment of prayerful gratitude for her faithfulness and the divine protection she experienced during her perilous journey.
The mission director, along with other missionaries, recognized the profound significance of Lihua's offering, not just in its monetary value, but in light of the personal cost she endured to bring it.
"But she carried something else too, a story so extraordinary that no one who heard it could ever forget it."
As a volcanic eruption devastated the area, the missionaries at the mission feared for Lihua’s safety and wondered if she had survived the calamity.
When she returned a month later, it was evident that she not only survived but had an incredible story of resilience to share.
Lihua revealed how, despite the chaos, the vulnerable people left behind in the village found her, demonstrating compassion and allowing her to be a beacon of hope amidst the destruction.
"Pray to your God or we will all surely die."
"The river of mud had reached the upper edge of her village... and it parted."
"Their homes were standing. The mud had flowed around them on both sides."
"She came to be faithful."
"Sometimes we wait for perfect conditions before we step out in faith."
