Gospel for Asia (GFA World), Wills Point, Texas
Loneliness is a companion of poverty. The despair in which many poor find themselves in is not the lack of resources as much as it is the loneliness of feeling unwanted and unloved. The only cure for loneliness is knowing that someone genuinely cares about you, regardless of your circumstances.
Somedev was lonely because his father was never at home. In fact, his father had deserted Somedev and his mother. Somedev was lonely and his mother, Jerusha, was heartbroken as she had lost her husband to another woman and now faced the prospect of having to raise her son on her own.
One day, Jerusha heard some women talking about a Bridge of Hope center in a nearby village where children could receive free education, food and medical care. Knowing this could be the answer to her needs and her son’s loneliness, she asked the ladies to come to her home.
When the women, who were Bridge of Hope staff, went and shared the love of God with her, Jerusha broke down in tears. She had never heard of such hope before. When Jerusha shared about her own life, the other women were brought to tears. The staff immediately enrolled Somdev and began praying for him and his mother consistently.
The staff not only fed and trained Somdev, they also visited and prayed with his mother on a regular basis. They encouraged her with the Word of God and prayed that the Lord would bring her husband back home.
Once again, the Lord answered prayer. Somdev and his mother are no longer lonely because they know that Jesus cares. His father not only returned but also came to trust Jesus as well.
Dinar and his mother Lalita suffered from loneliness and heartbreak after the premature death of his father. This put them in a dangerous position as Asian widows are typically scorned and virtually helpless.
A close relative graciously opened his home to Lalita, Dinar and his sister. The relative had already become a Christian, so he used the otherwise sad situation to introduce them to “the Man of Sorrows,” who is acquainted with our grief and is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He explained to her that “Our God is living, and in Him everything is possible.”
Many people trapped in the tragedy of loneliness want help but don’t want to hear about Jesus. Lalita was one of those people who was caught in the downward spiral of loneliness.
But God was speaking to her. She later shared that she had clearly heard a voice repeating to her, “My daughter, I am with you always. Cast your burdens on Me, as I care for you.” Through all of her challenges, she kept hearing that voice.
Things began to change as she saw God’s grace demonstrated through GFA-supported workers. The continual outflow of grace and mercy, the love of others in the name of Christ, and that still, small voice eventually broke through the loneliness until she could resist no longer. She became a child of God who would never be lonely again.
These lives were touched by God because of the Christ-like care that can conquer loneliness forever. These families now rejoice in their relationship with Jesus who promised that He is always with us and that He will never leave us or forsake us.
As you pray for the GFA-supported workers, please pray that families burdened with grief, despair and loneliness will experience the love and grace of God as these three have.
For more blogs on loneliness among the poor in Asia, go here.
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