Halima sits on the small stool in front of the gas stove and stares at the dancing gas flame. Today, once again, there is only rice with a little dhal (lentils) to eat. It has been a while since her husband brought home fish or chicken. Although she has a good job at an NGO and her husband, Soyot, also earns money here and there doing odd jobs, there is still not enough.
Halima and Soyot have been married for six years but have been unable to have children. One year ago, Soyot’s mother was pressuring him to divorce her and marry another woman. But Soyot loves his wife. He has spent all his money on doctors and fertility treatments, even selling his wife’s gold to pay for it.
One day, one of Soyot’s friends showed him how to make a lot of money quickly on a mobile phone game. He only had to bet a small amount of money and could then win three, five or even ten times that amount. Halima had a bad feeling about this way of getting money, since, after all, gambling is a sin. But after Soyot won double his stake the first two times, he was convinced that this was a good way to go. He borrowed a larger sum from someone, but lost all the money. Hoping he would win the next round, he borrowed more and more money. When he couldn’t repay his creditors, he stole his mother’s gold. Although their situation is continuing to escalate, Soyot cannot stop gambling. Yesterday, Halima overheard Soyot telling one of his gaming buddies that he is considering fleeing to Malaysia to escape his creditors and the shame.
- In the refugee camp, many Rohingya suffer from gambling addiction. It is commonplace to have a friend or family member struggling with it. Please pray that awareness about the addictive nature of gambling will increase.
- Families are desperate and often do not know how to help their addicted loved ones. Please pray for support and programs that help those struggling with addiction to be set free.
- Please pray that those who are desperate and broken will turn to God and experience Him as their refuge and help. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and He has come to heal the sick.