Last summer when we returned home from the US, I found my orchid plant almost dead . . . I wondered for days if I should keep it or tossit. A friend came by and suggested I add more soil and immerse it in water once every week, for one hour, and then wait to see if it gets better. Well, for weeks it did not seem to improve much, but I kept watering and waiting. Then one day a new leaf sprung out and I was so happy! A month or so after this, from one of the two initial stems, a new one sprung out, and by the end of March we could see it budding. Looking at the plant, I was happy and intrigued at the same time: both of those two stems received the same care and attention, but only one bloomed, which was a wonderful reminder of the truth that we are all loved by God, Who sent His Son to die for us, yet while many choose to respond to His love, obey His commands and “bloom” for His glory, some don’t, remaining stubbornly fruitless, or, to be more accurate to the story, “flowerless.”
Recently, one of the couples we mentor shared with us how much they appreciate the time we spend with them. When we got to talk about difficult periods in their marriage and how they handled them, they mentioned they went through a financial crisis in their first year of marriage, and how instead of tearing them apart, it brought them closer together. Also, being part of the Young Couples Fellowship Group meant they received emotional support as well as encouragement through prayer. It is so amazing to hear testimonies like this! God honors those who honor Him!
Also, see Ana and Mihai’s story, and their discipleship process through the Young Couples’ Fellowship featured in a recent ITMI Monthly.
This is the reason for the Young Couples Fellowship – couples who might otherwise fall prey to fruitlessness and “flowerless-ness” in the mire of personal and cultural difficulties can lean on community, grow stronger in Christ through prayer and emerge healthy families in position to disciple others.
In June, Adi was invited to preach at a village church near Oradea, and the Young Couples Fellowship came along to sing and share, one aspect of their opportunities to disciple others.

Young Couples’ Fellowship Singing at a village church near Oradea, Romania.