Who in their lifetime hasn’t heard that question or asked that question. The responses children give… it’s like the entire world is at their fingertips. To them, there’s nothing they can’t be, there’s nothing but their age that’s holding them back.
“An astronaut.”
“A farmer.”
“An intercontinental airplane pilot.” (Oh yes, I have heard that one.)
“A police officer.”
“A mom.”
“A missionary.”
“A pirate.”
Whatever they can think of that is the most exciting, most adventurous thing…that is what they want to become. And who would tell a 5-year-old, “Well, I think that’s just a bit out there. Why don’t we sit down and think about some more realistic things you can do when you grow up?”
We give children the freedom to dream. They’re supposed to dream.
But you know what? There are millions of children in Asia who don’t even know how to dream. You want to know why? Because for generations before them, who they will be when they grow up has already been dictated by their social status.
For many children in Asia, their futures are dictated by their social statues and the past of the generations before them.
If your parents cleaned the sewers with their bare hands, you will clean the sewers with your bare hands. If your parents and grandparents cremated dead bodies, you will cremate dead bodies. If you were born poor, you will always be poor.
But things are changing!
Young boys and girls are dreaming. They’re growing up and chasing after those dreams—even if there are hurdles and challenges. They’re not giving up. They’re changing their destinies.
The following story is about a fisherman’s son who wanted to be a doctor.
An Unusual Catch for a Fisherman’s Son
In 2005, Ishayu entered a newly opened Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported Bridge of Hope center near his home.
Like millions of other children in South Asia, Ishayu grew up in poverty with no way of escape. But he had a dream.
This is Ishayu, a fisherman’s son who dreamed of becoming a doctor. Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported Bridge of Hope gave him the opportunity to realize his dream.
When Ishayu graduated from the program in 2012, more than 60,000 other children filled Bridge of Hope centers across South Asia, receiving the same opportunity Ishayu had received—the opportunity to study and grow in their God-given skills and talents.
His Greatest Catch
By the time Ishayu graduated from Bridge of Hope, he was the best student in his school. His dreams of becoming a doctor seemed to be within his grasp. He took his final high school exams with a focus on biology and scored 97.5 percent. Ishayu might actually become a doctor.
But there was a problem: He didn’t make it into college. He applied again and still didn’t make it. He was told he would need to pay 2 million rupees if he wanted a seat.
The son of a poor fisherman could never pay such a large fee. And yet, against all odds, hope burned in Ishayu’s heart.
The 19-year-old approached the staff of his childhood Bridge of Hope center. These were the men and women who had helped him study and grow for seven years of his life, who had continually prayed for and encouraged him. Ishayu shared with them the situation he now faced, and they, like they had always done, responded with prayer.
Afterward, Ishayu tried one more time, and finally he was able to enter college without paying the exorbitant fee!
“God heard our prayers,” he said, overwhelmed with joy.
Against all odds, the son of a poor fisherman had found the opportunity tobecome a surgeon.
Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported Bridge of Hope is giving children a chance to live out better futures!
We at Gospel for Asia (GFA) give glory to God for the changes He is bringing about in this generation of young people. We believe in and pray for Ishayu to see his childhood dream come true. I, for one, believe that was something the Lord placed inside him, and He will see it accomplished. We’re thankful for Bridge of Hope and how the staff helped that young man overcome the hurdles and challenges he faced. Our hearts are united with him and the thousands of others who have learned to dream and chase after those dreams!
Bridge of Hope centers all across Asia are providing impoverished children opportunities to become whatever they want to be when they grow up… Well, except for a pirate.
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