Men, women and children living in the slums scoured the piles of refuse looking for plastic sacks. Winter was upon them, and they needed to prepare. They had no down-filled jackets or flannel sweaters to wear. They had no electric heaters to fill their shacks with hot air. And they definitely didn’t have any blankets. If they were lucky, they found enough plastic sacks that could shield their bodies from the cold.
Without the basic necessities to keep warm in frigid temperatures, those dwelling in the slums and on roadsides suffer the most.
“They do not have proper homes and warm clothes to protect themselves from the cold,” reported a Gospel for Asia-supported field correspondent. “People are compelled to collect garbage, plastics, poly bags and waste material from every nook and corner to protect themselves from the shivering cold and chattering teeth.”
But on this particular winter, men, women and children of the slum were rescued from sleeping in refuse as Gospel for Asia-supported workers went from shack to shack carrying gifts: warm blankets.
Those who received blankets were surprised by such generosity. One man said, “I am thankful to the church for providing a blanket for me in this winter season. I am married and I have children. We are suffering from severe cold. I have nothing in my home. We were struggling due to severe cold in the nighttime. But thanks to the church for providing us a blanket.”
The Church. That’s GFA-supported workers. That’s you. That’s me. That’s us.
As national workers distribute blankets to fathers longing to keep their children warm, to wives abandoned by drug-addicted husbands and to countless others suffering under the cold weight of winter, we’re seeing lives transformed by the grace and mercy of God.
Throughout the year, GFA-supported workers conduct Christmas gift distribution programs to provide needy individuals and families with gifts that will alleviate their poverty or improve their quality of life, like blankets.
At one recent distribution, national workers gave out 840 blankets to poor and needy families from five different districts. The chief guest at the distribution appreciated the church for taking initiative in lifting up the poor and underprivileged families.
“Through this distribution program,” he said, “the society is developing, and I thank you for building up our society and appreciate you all.”
As winter nears and people begin to search for ways to stay warm, national workers plan to give out more blankets. It’s a simple gift. It’s a simple gesture. But it’s a powerful message that tells recipients they are valuable, they’re not forgotten, and they are loved.
We, the Church, thank our Lord that more and more men, women and children no longer have to scour the refuse piles looking for materials to keep away the cold. They have warm, thick blankets waiting for them at home that were provided by loving brothers and sisters in Christ all around the world who genuinely care about their well being.
Gospel for Asia in Wills Point, TX, USA – Founder Dr. KP Yohannan
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