Pull Cart Received at Gospel for Asia Gift Distribution Provides Father with Way to Feed His Family

April 20, 2021 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by K.P. Yohannan, has been the model for numerous charities like Gospel for Asia Canada, to help the poor and deprived worldwide – Discussing Santon, the struggles of his family in the midst of generational poverty, and the pull cart received from Gospel for Asia Gift Distribution that provides a way to feed his family.

Yet another customer had cheated him his pay, and there was nothing Santon could do but continue working, selling his wares. This was not the first time Santon had not received money for the fruit and vegetables he sold, nor would it be the last. All the man wanted was to provide for his wife and four children. Being frauded out of his earnings made it almost impossible—and frustrating.

A Life Without Peace

Discussing Santon, the struggles of poverty, and the pull cart received from Gospel for Asia Gift Distribution that provides a way to feed his family. — Santon and his wife and son, pictured here, stand with the pull cart Santon received at a Gospel for Asia gift distribution. The cart helped Santon earn enough money to ensure his family is taken care of.

Santon was familiar with hardship; he had known it for most of his life. Born into a poor family, Santon was forced to drop out of school in fifth grade because his parents could no longer afford to send him to school. Santon joined his father working daily labor jobs.

When he was old enough, Santon left home with one desire: to provide for his parents. For the next 14 years, Santon applied for job after job. Each application was rejected because of his lack of education. The only option left to him was returning to daily labor.

Eventually, Santon married and, with the birth of his children, had more mouths to feed. To better provide for his growing family, Santon decided to sell fruits and vegetables door to door. Hopefully, it would be better than daily labor. Hopefully, he could send some money to his parents.

But Santon quickly discovered it wasn’t that simple. Customers cheated him daily, not paying him the proper amount for his wares. Also, Santon had nowhere to safely and properly store his fruits and vegetables. The money Santon had invested into this venture was not returning. On top of that, their baby daughter had been diagnosed with polio. Everything was going wrong, and Santon didn’t know what to do but quit.

Relief for a Father’s Burdens

Santon was on the verge of giving up his dreams. Maybe he should just return to daily labor. It wasn’t much, but at least it was a living. And he didn’t have to deal with cheating customers.

Then Santon heard of a place that might be able to help him and got in touch with Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers at the local Bridge of Hope.

After the Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers listened to Santon share the burdens weighing on him, they knew what to do. They invited him to a gift distribution, where they provided him with a cart for selling a variety of cosmetic items. Through the cart, Santon made money to provide for his family, and even earned enough to send back to his parents—a dream at long last realized. Santon thanked the staff, grateful he finally had a decent source of income and could provide for his family.

The Bridge of Hope staff also asked if Santon would like to enroll one of his sons at the center, where he could obtain what Santon himself had never completed: an education.

Santon heartily agreed, thankful that his family’s survival had been ensured through the cart, and its future had been cemented in Santon’s son attending the center. The schooling Santon’s son received would enable him to get jobs Santon was turned away from, ending the hold poverty had over their family.

Read a story of how piglets chased poverty away from a family.

*Names of people and places may have been changed for privacy and security reasons. Images are Gospel for Asia World stock photos used for representation purposes and are not the actual person/location, unless otherwise noted.

Source: Gospel for Asia Field Reports & Updates, Pull Cart Provides Father with Way to Feed His Family

Learn more about how generosity can change lives. Through Gospel for Asia (GFA World) and its Christmas Gift Catalog, gifts like pigs, bicycles and sewing machines break the cycle of poverty and show Christ’s love to impoverished families in Asia. One gift can have a far-reaching impact, touching families and rippling out to transform entire communities.

Learn more by reading these Special Reports from Gospel for Asia:

Fighting Global Poverty with Ideas – Uprooting poverty requires education that transmits values
Poverty: Public Enemy #1 – Eliminating Extreme Poverty Worldwide is Possible, But Not Inevitable

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Family Finds Hope and Healing Through Gospel for Asia’s Helping Hands

April 12, 2021 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by K.P. Yohannan, has been the model for numerous charities like Gospel for Asia Canada, to help the poor and deprived worldwide – Discussing Sezia and her family, desperate for helping hands – physically, financially and emotionally – and the life transforming hope and healing used by God through Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope Center.

Discussing a family desperate for helping hands - physically, financially & emotionally - & hope & healing from God through Gospel for Asia bridge of hope — Sezia (pictured) is grateful for the Bridge of Hope center’s impact on her life.

Sezia and her sister returned to their small tea-estate house tired, hungry and soaking wet. After their father had walked out on the family, they were left with only their mother’s meager income from working in the tea fields. Unable to afford bus fare, the girls walked two-and-a-half miles to their school, often fighting rain and cold winds.

After drying herself and checking on her sickly younger sister Kachina, who was born with a hole in her heart, 10-year-old Sezia went to the kitchen to reheat the small amount of food their mother left for them on the clay stove and to boil some water for tea, as there was no money to buy powdered milk. Sezia wiped her tired eyes as she sat down to her dinner, knowing the meager fare would not stop the hunger pangs from following her to school the next morning.

Her young heart was heavy with the burdens of her family: from her father’s reckless, cruel, adulterous behavior to her sister’s worrisome health condition. Sezia and her family were desperate for help and support—physically, financially and emotionally.

Gospel for Asia Helping Hands, a Listening Ear

One Saturday, Gospel for Asia (GFA) worker Adahy visited Sezia, her sisters, and her mother, who was home sick that day. Adahy shared words of hope and encouragement with the family and told them about the love of Jesus. He listened intently to the family’s sad story as Sezia’s mother, Riko, poured out her heart’s pain. Touched by Riko’s obvious agony, Adahy prayed for God’s blessing and protection for the family, and that God would heal Kachina of her heart problem.

Before leaving, Brother Adahy told Riko about the Bridge of Hope center near their home, which would provide free tuition for school and would help tremendously to ease the financial burdens of the family.

Hopeful New Beginnings

The next day, Sezia eagerly went with her mother to the Bridge of Hope center, where staff welcomed them and enrolled Sezia immediately. Sezia began her studies the next day, with all her materials provided free of charge by the center. Though at first she struggled, Sezia picked up on her lessons quickly and improved in her studies, thanks to the excellent care provided by the Bridge of Hope teachers.

Sezia also joined Brother Adaya in praying for her young sister’s complete healing. Two months later, Kachina began eating more and showing signs of improved health; her breathing difficulty had ceased, and she was growing! Sezia was overjoyed to see this improvement in her younger sister and was encouraged to know God had heard her innocent prayers.

Sezia is filled with gratitude for Bridge of Hope, and to God, for providing for her family’s needs.

“I was sad before going to the Bridge of Hope center that I could not study well, and that my mother could not afford to pay for our education,” Sezia said. “I am now studying in grade 6 and have gotten good results for my grade 5 exam, which is because of God’s help and the guidance of the Bridge of Hope center teachers. … I thank Jesus and the Bridge of Hope center teachers for loving me and giving me a good education.”

Read how Bridge of Hope helped Bhagya in both school and life.

Source: Gospel for Asia Field Reports & Updates, Family Finds Hope, Healing Through Helping Hands

Learn more about the Sisters of Compassion – those who are specially trained woman missionary with a deep burden for showing Christ’s love by physically serving the needy, underprivileged and poor.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Failing Kidneys and Answered Prayer: How Gospel for Asia Ministered to a Family in Need

December 7, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by K.P. Yohannan, whose heart to love and help the poor has inspired numerous charities like Gospel for Asia Canada – Discussing Rajasi, the sorrow and loss that invaded her life, the hope of Jesus that sustained her through widowhood, and God’s love and compassion shared as Gospel for Asia ministered to her family.

Rajasi’s relatives blamed her for the death of her husband. “All these [problems] happened in your life only because of your faith in Jesus,” they said. These wounding words stung Rajasi’s lonely, grieving heart. How different they were from the soothing words spoken by her neighbor about her Savior months earlier. But now who could she turn to? With her husband dead and her own relatives and community speaking against her—who would help her?

No Stranger to Sorrow

Even though Rajasi was only a young woman of 25, sorrow and difficulties were no strangers to her. Before she met Jesus, she and her husband, Mahasvin, were in anguish. Mahasvin worked faithfully as a laborer to provide for his two children and wife, until both his kidneys failed to function properly. At this devastating news, peace left the household, making room for fear to enter the young couple’s hearts.

Rajasi cried out in despair to all her gods, pleading with them to heal her husband. Mahasvin went to many hospitals and underwent treatments. But soon all their money was spent, and they had lost hope of him ever recovering. They heard no answers from their gods, and they were deeply discouraged. They had no one else to turn to.

They heard no answers from their gods, and they were deeply discouraged. They had no one else to turn too.

With Jesus, Everything Changes

The Lord used Pastor Victor (not pictured) and other believers to help Rajasi and encourage her husband during their times of struggle and heartache.

It was at this moment God sent a faithful believer to their home one day. She saw their grave condition and encouraged them with the Word of the Lord. Her gentle words of truth were like a healing balm to their wounded hearts, and they asked her to pray for them. After she prayed, she assured them of her continued prayers. Concerned for the couple, she brought their need to the attention of her Gospel for Asia (GFA) pastor, Victor.

With compassion, Pastor Victor visited Mahasvin and Rajasi often, bringing words of encouragement to the couple. As time went by, Rajasi and her husband realized Jesus was the answer to all their problems. Together, they decided they wanted the everlasting love of Jesus to fill their lives.

But life did not grow easier when they made their decision to follow Christ. In anger, Mahasvin’s father turned against them and began to oppose them. But this never swayed their resolve to live in the hope and peace of Christ.

The Agony of Loss

After a few months, Mahasvin and Rajasi grew strong in their faith. But Mahasvin’s health continued to deteriorate due to his failing kidneys. Rajasi listened closely as her dying husband shared his last requests with her: Never forsake Jesus, but go to the worship place at any cost.

After Mahasvin’s death, Rajasi was heartbroken. She suffered through severe mental agony and pain, and to make matters worse, everyone placed the blame of her husband’s death on her shoulders.

Even though so many had forsaken her, Rajasi was not alone. Her church family stood with her during her bleak hours. They visited their sister in Christ and encouraged her to follow Jesus. Rajasi was strengthened by their words and upheld the plea of her husband to continue steadfast in the faith, even in the midst of opposition.

Gospel for Asia Ministered in Midst of Worry for Children’s Future

After Mahasvin’s passing, Rajasi was completely dependent on the income of her father-in-law, Farhat, to meet her and her young children’s needs—but so was the rest of the family. He worked in a small grocery shop, and many of her relatives became dependent on the income Farhat brought in.

Rajasi grew concerned about her children. She wanted them to have a good education, but her father-in-law would not give her extra money to send them to a good school. This troubled her deeply. Rajasi brought her worries before the Lord and the believers. Together, they all prayed for her need.

By God’s grace, Rajasi’s prayer was answered through a Gospel for Asia (GFA) gift distribution. On the happy distribution day Rajasi received a shiny, new sewing machine! The gift was such an incredible blessing in Rajasi’s life. She quickly began work by setting up a personal tailoring shop.

Gospel for Asia (GFA) ministered to Rajasi and she was so blessed to receive a sewing machine through a Christmas gift distribution. Through the help of believers around the world, women like Rajasi have the chance to earn a better income and experience the love of Jesus in a tangible way.

Within a few months, Rajasi was doing so well and received such a good income that she was able to buy a second machine to expand her business. Rajasi found a good school for her beloved children and is able to provide for their future.

Rajasi and her children weren’t the only ones blessed by the machine; her mother-in-law was also touched by the kindness of the believers. Although she was bedridden and unable to go to services, she longed to hear more about the God of love and compassion who provided for her daughter-in-law. God also worked in Farhat’s heart. While he still wants nothing to do with Jesus, he no longer opposes Rajasi for her faith.

Help ‘Sew’ into the Kingdom this Christmas!

God used a simple sewing machine and the love of His children to uplift Rajasi in her hour of need. Not only has it helped provide a way for her children to have a brighter future, but it also planted a seed of hope in her mother-in-law.

You can be part of answering a brother’s or sister’s prayer for God’s provision by choosing an income-generating gift in Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift Catalog! This year, make Christmas about ‘sewing’ into God’s kingdom, and spread the joy and hope of Christ!

Learn more about how Gospel for Asia has ministered through the national workers who carry a burning desire for people to know the love of God. Through their prayers, dedication and sacrificial love, thousands of men and women have found new life in Christ.

*Names of people and places may have been changed for privacy and security reasons. Images are Gospel for Asia stock photos used for representation purposes and are not the actual person/location, unless otherwise noted.

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, Failing Kidneys, Opposition and Answered Prayer

Learn more by reading the Gospel for Asia Special Report: Widows Worldwide Face Tragedy, Discrimination – Some Find Hope to Overcome the Challenges of Widowhood

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope Provides for Family in Need

August 22, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Nabhi, her sickness and suffering, the poverty and hardship her family faced, and Gospel for Asia (GFA) Bridge of Hope that provides in their time of need.

By the time Nabhi was 8 years old, she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, a blood disorder and a genetic defect causing a hole in her heart. Nabhi had experienced much physical suffering in her young life. Her parents, Jayanti and Padmai, worried about their daughter and feared they would not be able to afford her medical treatments. But the family put their faith in Jesus.

Gospel for Asia Providing Help Through Hardship & Need

Discussing Nabhi, her sickness, the poverty & hardship her family faced, & Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope that provides in their time of need — Bridge of Hope helped 8-year-old Nabhi with medical care and an education.

Jayanti and Padmai worked hard to care for their daughter. Through their very meager incomes as a hotel cook and a homemaker, they did their best to support their family, attend to Nabhi’s health needs and prioritize her education.

Despite Nabhi’s health difficulties, frequent sickness and hospitalizations, her family enrolled her in school, as well as one of our Bridge of Hope centers. In addition to giving Nabhi school lessons, the Bridge of Hope program provided her with medical care, food, clothing and school supplies.

Nabhi’s parents were blessed by the love of Christ they experienced through the Bridge of Hope staff and were very grateful. Jayanti did not expect to receive so much help from others when he enrolled his daughter in the program, but he knew to put his trust in Jesus, who always meets their needs.

“Bridge of Hope decreases some of my burdens and fulfills my daughter’s needs from time to time,” Jayanti said. “If the Bridge of Hope center would not have been there, then I would not have educated my daughter well. Thank you, Bridge of Hope!”

Read how Bridge of Hope provides relief

Learn more about the Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope program and how you can make an incredible difference in the lives of children, bringing hope to their lives and their families, transforming communities.

Source: Gospel for Asia Field Report, Bridge of Hope Provides for Family in Need

Learn more about the Discarded, Abandoned and Abused Children, and how, through partnership with Gospel for Asia you can help them and be a part of changing their lives forever.

Learn more by reading the Gospel for Asia Special Report on Child Labor: Not Gone, but Forgotten – Millions of Children Trapped between Extreme Poverty and the Profits of Others

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

A Gospel for Asia Jesus Well Transforms Salil’s Family

August 21, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Salil’s family and their village, the chronic illnesses and grinding poverty due to contaminated water, and the Gospel for Asia supported Jesus Well that brought healing and transformation.

In one northeastern region of South Asia, just beneath the Himalaya Mountains, a river flows, and heavy monsoon rains often cause flooding.

It’s difficult to imagine that the residents of this lush land would lack clean drinking water. But it’s true.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Salil lives in a northeastern region of South Asia with his wife and three children. — Salil (pictured) lives in a northeastern region of South Asia with his wife and three children.

This is where Salil lives with his wife and three children. Like most of his fellow villagers, Salil makes his living as a laborer. Until recently, all of the villagers drank, bathed in and washed their clothes in water from a local pond. Whenever the river flooded, the pond would fill with sand. When that would happen, they’d have to dig to find the water they needed.

But that pond water was contaminated. The villagers suffered from typhoid, jaundice and a variety of horrible skin diseases. They lived daily with nausea, high fevers, diarrhea and general weakness. Their chronic illnesses made it difficult for them to work. So they languished in grinding poverty.

It seemed the very water they depended on for life was cursed.

The water in this pond was contaminated and caused many of the villagers to get sick.

One man’s anguish—and a difficult journey

Salil watched his family members get sick. He was soon spending most of his meager income on medicine. There wasn’t enough left over to meet their basic needs. Salil needed to make more money, so he traveled to the river valley to collect and sell one thing there was plenty of—sand.

Lacking the government permits he needed, Salil worried he might be caught and punished. But he knew he had to provide for his ailing family, so he took the risk.

Whenever he could, Salil returned home to take care of his wife and children. But no matter how hard he worked, how much money he made or how often he came home, he couldn’t change the hard facts: Their water was still contaminated, and they were still sick.**

God was already at work . . .

Unbeknownst to Salil, a nearby pastor named Dayakara had also begun making regular visits to his village. As Dayakara befriended the villagers, he became aware of their water crisis. So he and other Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers decided to help. They began drilling a well, right in the center of the village where everyone could access it.

That was the beginning of a transformation for Salil’s family and their entire village.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Salil’s wife and children pumping water from the Jesus Well. — Salil’s wife and children pumping water from the Gospel for Asia (GFA) Jesus Well.

Salil’s shock—and relief

When Salil came home for one of his visits, he was astonished to find his wife and children no longer sick. How had this happened?

He learned there was a new well in the community, and his wife and children were using it for their daily water needs. He was overjoyed, but he had no idea who was responsible for this wonderful innovation.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Pastor Dayakara shares with Salil from the Bible. — Pastor Dayakara shares with Salil from the Bible.

One day Salil met Gospel for Asia (GFA) Pastor Dayakara. As they talked, Salil realized it was this man and his fellow laborers who had brought the well to his people. Salil marveled at their kindness and compassion. He decided he wanted to know this God who could put such love in men’s hearts.

“Our family is blessed both physically and spiritually. We are free from problems and sickness. We also met the Living God in due time. It is because of the people who have spent their money to drill Jesus Well in my place. I have never seen them, but I’m always praying for them. Thank you very much.” —Salil

A Gospel for Asia Jesus Well Opens the Door for God’s Love

Through the generosity of the Christians who provided their new well, Salil and his fellow villagers came to understand the love of Jesus Christ. Others in their village began having similar experiences.

Baldev was one of them. A young man with a family to support, Baldev had also gotten sick from the contaminated pond water. He couldn’t work, and like so many others, he and his family suffered. But when he began using water from the new well, his sickness went away. Salil shared the wonderful news of Jesus’ love with him—the news he had recently come to know—and Baldev and his family embraced the Lord in their lives. Now they host regular prayer meetings in their home, led by Salil.

This is how a village can be transformed—and the people can discover the promise of Revelation 22:17: “And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Pray for Salil and his village

Intercede for Salil’s family, that they will stay strong in the Lord and that remaining members will find hope in Jesus.
Ask God to continue to bless and guide Baldev and his family in their walk.
Ask God to protect and strengthen Pastor Dayakara and continue to bless his ministry.
Pray God will enable many more Jesus Wells to be provided for people across Asia.
Pray for the villagers to realize Christ’s sacrifice and compassion for them.

Your gift today can bring lasting change to hundreds or even thousands of people.

**No wonder they were sick!

In 2016, UNICEF examined the water in Salil’s region and found arsenic contamination in 18 districts. Fluoride contamination was also found in five districts.*

A person with arsenic poisoning may experience headaches, confusion, stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea. Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause a variety of skin diseases, cancer and—if not treated—coma and death.

Fluoride is helpful in low concentrations, but larger amounts can cause stomach pains and hinder bone formation.

It’s no wonder the people of Salil’s village suffered so. Now, things are different—thanks to a well provided by Gospel for Asia-supported workers.

A Jesus Well can literally save lives—while showing people the love of God.

* Source: Assam Tribune, May 7, 2016

Learn more about how to provide pure, clean water to families and villages through Jesus Wells and BioSand Water Filters.

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, A Jesus Well Transforms Salil’s Family

Learn more about the GFA national missionaries who carry a burning desire for people to know the love of God. Through their prayers, dedication and sacrificial love, thousands of men and women have found new life in Christ.

Read the Solving the World Water Crisis for Good special report — Lasting Solutions Can Defeat an Age-old Problem.

Learn more by reading The Global Clean Water Crisis special report — Finding Solutions to Humanity’s Need for Pure, Safe Water.

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Getting to Know the ‘Crazy’ Woman – Gospel for Asia Church Becomes Family

August 20, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing the difficult life of Mysie, a widow, despised, rejected and alone, and the Gospel for Asia (GFA) church that offered food, encouragement, acceptance, hope.

Pastor Surin noticed a woman sitting among the congregation as he led the Sunday worship service—the same woman who had been wandering around the village for some time. She was crazy, people said.

Now, for the second week in a row, she had come to Pastor Surin’s church. He decided he needed to meet her.

Unraveling a Painful Story

Discussing the difficult life of Mysie, a widow, rejected & alone, & the Gospel for Asia Church that offered encouragement, acceptance, hope — After suffering many hardships, Mysie (pictured) now knows peace in Christ. This all was made possible after a visit to the Gospel for Asia (GFA) church nearby.

As Pastor Surin carefully listened, he learned this woman, Mysie, wasn’t crazy; she just lived a difficult life. Mysie explained she was a widow and had no friends or family nearby. Filled with compassion, Pastor Surin encouraged her with the promise that God cares for the poor and brokenhearted. She had come to the right place, he told her. But Pastor Surin still didn’t know the extent of Mysie’s hardships.

Over the next few weeks, Pastor Surin continued to see Mysie wandering the village. When he asked Mysie where she lived, she unraveled more of her painful story: Her husband’s family had despised her, and after he died, they chased her out of the house. She had a daughter, but Mysie lost contact with her after the young woman ran away to elope.

Mysie had no place to live; she slept wherever she could. She earned a little money by finding daily labor work, and when she couldn’t find work, she begged for food.

The tragedies Mysie had experienced stunned Pastor Surin. He began to pray for the woman to know and understand her Creator’s love for her. He also prayed for a way to help her.

Widow Finds Friendship, Transformation

Pastor Surin often offered Mysie food, and he encouraged her with the words of Scripture. Soon, when members of his congregation learned about Mysie’s situation, they also looked for ways to help her.

Mysie’s story of being disowned by her family burdened the heart of Pastor Surin’s brother, Mahruy, and drove him to action. He built a two-room mud house for Mysie on his land. Now, after months of wandering, this widow had a place to rest, a place to call home! The love and compassion shown by Pastor Surin, Mahruy and the other believers overwhelmed Mysie. Although her own family had rejected her, she was now treated as a family member by the believers.

She wanted to know more about the God who displayed such kindness and acceptance through His children; she spent time with the women of the church and joined them for prayer and Bible study.

Through all of this, the love of Christ transformed Mysie’s heart. Now she knows His perfect peace and love, and she rejoices in Him as an active member of the church. Because Christ showed her compassion through His Body, this widow’s story is now a story of hope. Mysie has decided to worship Jesus, the God who redeemed her life, for the rest of her days.

Read how God saved another widow from death through a believer’s prayer.

Learn more about the national workers who carry a burning desire for people to know the love of God. Through their prayers, dedication and sacrificial love, thousands of men and women have found new life in Christ.

Source: Gospel for Asia Field Report, Getting to Know the ‘Crazy’ Woman

Learn more about how you can help alleviate the many struggles widows face through Gospel for Asia’s Widows Ministry, providing them with basic essentials, sources of income and opportunities to find peace in Christ.

The Gospel for Asia church Mysie visited had a huge impact on her life. Learn how you can become a part of building another church for a community in need.

Learn more by reading the GFA special report titled “An Imaginative Exercise in Empathetic Fear: Think About Living in a Community with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women”

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Family Healing Begins When the Alcoholic’s Son Prayed

May 15, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing a Geet and his family bereft of peace and harmony, the alcoholism of his father, God’s Word shared through Gospel for Asia-supported pastor, the power of prayer and the abounding grace of Jesus.

Geet didn’t know what to do. He watched helplessly as his mother cowered before his abusive, intoxicated father, day after day.

“I would visit temples and pray to gods and goddesses,” Geet said, “but nothing changed in my life.”

Who could help his family when even his gods remained silent?

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Discussing a Geet and his family bereft of peace and harmony, the alcoholism of his father, and God's Word shared through Gospel for Asia-supported pastor — Many people in Asia turn to alcohol to try to smother their hurts and sorrows, not knowing Jesus provides true healing and hope.

Teenager Troubled by Alcoholic Father

Both Geet’s parents held steady jobs, and the family faithfully worshiped their deities, yet they never found the happiness or prosperity they hoped for. Geet’s father, Kumal, slowly turned to alcohol as his source of comfort. Geet’s mother worked hard to support her four children, assuming more and more family responsibility as Kumal spiraled deeper into his alcohol addiction.

Over time, Kumal’s frequent arguments with his family intensified, and he even caused trouble for his neighbors. As a teenager, Geet felt helpless against his father’s alcoholism, so he isolated himself, aching with loneliness and longing for peace.

Friend Introduces Teen to Prince of Peace

In the midst of these heartaches, Geet met Bidur, another teenager in his village, and the two youths gradually built a strong friendship. Eventually, Geet confided in Bidur and told him all about his family’s problems.

Bidur responded by sharing how his own family experienced tremendous peace, but it was only because of Jesus Christ and the joy He brings. Bidur invited Geet to attend church with him so he could hear for himself about the peace Jesus gives so freely to those who call on Him.

The very next Sunday, Geet accompanied Bidur to a worship service led by Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported pastor Sadhan. Geet had never experienced a worship service like it before, but he listened closely to the words of the pastor.

After the service, Pastor Sadhan shared more about God’s Word with Geet. As Geet listened, many questions about Jesus formed in his mind, but flickers of peace also began rising within him.

Geet went home and told his mother all about the amazing things he learned at the service that day, but she wasn’t interested. Undeterred, Geet turned to the precious gift Pastor Sadhan had given him: a New Testament.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: through Gospel for Asia-supported pastor many youths gather for corporate worship and are growing in their knowledge of God — Like Geet and Bidur, these youths gather for corporate worship with a Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported pastor and are growing in their knowledge of God.

Hungry Heart Feeds on God’s Word

Geet pored over his New Testament, and as he read about Jesus’ life and the miracles He performed, he realized transformation is only possible through Jesus. A longing arose in his heart for his family to experience a miraculous change.

“How can I experience His miracle in my life?” Geet asked Pastor Sadhan one day. “How can I follow this Jesus?”

Pastor Sadhan explained how God desires to have a personal relationship with His children, and he helped Geet understand the many things he had read. Touched by God’s great mercy, Geet bowed his head in prayer. He told Jesus about the wrongs he had committed throughout his life and asked Him to work healing and transformation into his heart.

Opening his eyes, Geet entered a new life—a life filled with inner joy and peace from the Lord, despite his home environment. He began spending time in prayer for his family, both privately and also with other believers at worship services. But not everyone was happy with his decision.

Steadfast in the Face of Opposition

Geet earnestly desired to worship Jesus and fellowship with his new family in Christ, but Kumal was furious when he discovered Geet’s new life. He pressured Geet to abandon Jesus and kept his son from attending worship services.

His father’s displeasure intimidated and grieved Geet. He wanted to honor his father’s authority, but after two painful weeks of reading and praying, Geet determined that he must obey the Lord above all, no matter the cost.

Geet began gathering again with the other believers and prayed faithfully for his father, asking the Lord to work transformation in his heart.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Geet recognized the grace of Jesus, just as this young believer also did, and Geet dedicated hours to reading God's Word and praying for his family. — Geet recognized the grace of Jesus, just as this young believer also did, and Geet dedicated hours to reading God’s Word and praying for his family.

The Power of Prayer

“Every day, at 5 in the morning, I get up, read the Bible and pray,” Geet shared.

Soon, God answered Geet’s prayers—Kumal’s heart made a drastic turn. After seeing his son’s devotion to Jesus and fervent prayer life, Kumal stopped opposing Geet. He even allowed Geet to share with the family the new things Geet learned from Scripture, and soon, the entire family agreed to visit a worship service.

Geet’s relationship with Jesus grew strong, and peace and trust in God replaced the anxiousness and loneliness that once filled his heart.

“Now I am not worried about any problem, because in Jesus, I find the solution to all my trouble.” —Geet

Although his family has not yet fully understood the transforming love of Jesus, Geet’s fervent prayer is that one day, they too will personally know the Prince of Peace who now carries all his burdens.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: These believers cherish their Bibles and read Scripture to strengthen themselves in the Lord, yet many other people in Asia do not have access to God's Word or know what promises it contains. — These believers cherish their Bibles and read Scripture to strengthen themselves in the Lord, yet many other people in Asia do not have access to God’s Word or know what promises it contains.

Send Peace to Searching Hearts

Hearing the Word of God helped Geet first understand Jesus’ power and grace, and by reading his New Testament, he later found courage and strength to endure opposition.

Through Gospel for Asia, you can provide copies of God’s Word for people who are longing for a source of peace, like Geet. Donate today to help people in Asia build a relationship with the Prince of Peace.

Learn more how you can share the Word of God with the millions of people in Asia — either as complete Bibles or New Testaments — which will enable many to grow and learn more about Jesus.

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, When the Alcoholic’s Son Prayed

Learn more about the GFA-supported national workers who carry a burning desire for people to know the love of God. Through their prayers, dedication and sacrificial love, thousands of men and women have found new life in Christ.

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

‘I Will Be Their Daughter’ Gospel for Asia-Supported Missionary Becomes Like Family to People Suffering from Leprosy

May 13, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Sakshi, the pain and suffering she went through from contracting leprosy as a teenager, and the calling she now lives in sharing healing and compassion for leprosy patients as a Gospel for Asia-supported Missionary.

“Don’t open my bandage!” the leprosy patient cried out. For years the patient believed it was because of their sin that the destructive disease controlled their body. Now, they thought they must suffer and settle with bearing it alone.

With love and deep understanding, Sakshi, a Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported missionary, revealed her own hands and feet to the patient, deformity clearly marking what leprosy’s nerve killing illness left behind.

“No, no, this is not some sin,” Sakshi said. “I myself have gone through this.”

The unique compassion for leprosy patients came from Sakshi’s own storehouse of experience. She too had wrestled with the same hurts, rejection and suffering from this disease. It came the hard way, but God used leprosy for Sakshi’s good and for the healing of many broken and lonely people.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: When Sakshi was only a young girl, she found out she had leprosy. After others heard about it, they kept their distance, and she endured rejection — When Sakshi was only a young girl, she found out she had leprosy. After others heard about it, they kept their distance, and she endured rejection—even among her own family members.

Contracting the Feared Disease

As a teenager, Sakshi found out she had leprosy. Being the oldest child, it was a sudden shock when her brothers and sisters, who usually looked up to her, abruptly pulled away and wanted nothing to do with her. It was a harsh transition she had no control over.

Many thoughts of what life would be like from now on flooded Sakshi’s mind. Now she wouldn’t be able to visit neighboring homes, and no one would want to be her friend anymore. The sorrow of rejection enveloped her and put her in a place of deep depression. She began to wonder why she should live any more. Who would love her and care for her now?

In her hopelessness, Sakshi tried to hang herself. Thankfully, her father saved her and spoke words of life into her weary soul. He told Sakshi she was a precious child and urged her to strengthen her heart through the pain and hardship.

“So my papa was becoming so much a comforter to me and he comforted me and even my brother and sister, they used to hate me, and they don’t want to talk with me, they were not in home at that time when I was doing all these things,” Sakshi shared. “So my father, he saw me and he pulled me from there, and he made me understand everything, and after that I became ok.”

After the conversation with her father, Sakshi gave up trying to end her own life, but she still felt alone and worried. Others said it was her fault she contracted the disease, and Sakshi began to believe it.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: When Sakshi experienced complete healing from leprosy, she dedicated her life to serving the Lord and helping others. She attended Bible college and served in leprosy ministry after graduation. — When Sakshi experienced complete healing from leprosy, she dedicated her life to serving the Lord and helping others. She attended Bible college and served in leprosy ministry after graduation.

Finding Healing and Ministry

As days, months and years went by, the leprosy in her body grew worse. One of Sakshi’s fingers bent in an awkward position, and she had terrible pain in her leg. Doctors encouraged her to go through with amputating her leg, but that frightened Sakshi. It was this time in her life when she met a few Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported missionaries who encouraged her and prayed for her. They shared about the love of the Healer, and Sakshi began to pray in faith and ask Jesus to heal her own body. By God’s power and grace, a miracle happened and Sakshi was healed from leprosy!

Immediately after she was healed, Sakshi decided to serve the Lord full time. She attended a Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported Bible college, and after graduation, her heart’s desire was to serve in the leprosy ministry.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: With Christ’s compassion and love, and with true understanding received from her own experience with leprosy, Sakshi served the patients as though they were her own relatives. She touched those whom others would dismiss away in fear. — With Christ’s compassion and love, and with true understanding received from her own experience with leprosy, Sakshi served the patients as though they were her own relatives. She touched those whom others would dismiss away in fear.

Touching the Untouchable and Despised

“Nobody is there to comfort [the leprosy patients] and to give any kind of encouragement,” Sakshi explained. “Nobody wants to love them, hug them or to come near to them to dress them.

“…They have so many inner pains in their heart, because they also are human beings. They also need love, care and encouragement from other people.”

With Christ’s compassion and love and with true understanding from her own experiences, Sakshi served the patients as though they were her own relatives.

“By seeing them, I am thinking that I will fill the gap,” Sakshi said. “I will give that love, which they are not getting from their grandchildren and daughters… I will become their daughter, I will become their grandchildren, and I will help them and encourage them and I will love them.”

The Lord healed the wound of rejection that had cut into Sakshi’s heart as a teenager. She suffered pain and hardship, but she could later tell her story to those who are walking in shoes she once walked in.

By helping them with housework, giving hugs, washing clothes and combing hair, Sakshi helped these precious patients see they are not forgotten by God and are created in His image. These simple acts of kindness mean the world to these who are often forgotten or thought of as being void of emotions and feelings. Sakshi understood this, and God has used her testimony to display the hope and true unchanging love of Jesus to the unloved.

“I know that God will love them,” Sakshi said. “As God loved me and He healed me, in the same way I want to love them.”

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Jesus’s compassion for those with leprosy is found clearly in Scripture. Together we can be the hands and feet of Jesus and show the unloved they are indeed loved by the Healer! — Jesus’s compassion for those with leprosy is found clearly in Scripture. Together we can be the hands and feet of Jesus and show the unloved they are indeed loved by the Healer!

Display the Compassion of Christ

In Mark 1:41, Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand to a man with leprosy and healed him. You too can be part of ministering to these precious people who will hear, some of them for the first time, that Jesus loves them and is not afraid to touch and hold them. Show Christ’s compassion through Gospel for Asia’s leprosy ministry!

Learn more about the GFA-supported leprosy ministry, or the Reaching Friends Ministry, helping remind people affected by leprosy that, despite the stigma of leprosy, they have dignity and are valued by God.

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, I Will Be Their Daughter

Read the GFA special report update on the leprosy problem where global leprosy-elimination leaders are making exciting advances both medically and socially that are worth noting: Progress in the Fight Against Leprosy: Leprosy Prevention is Key to Elimination

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Boycotted Family Finds Peace

September 20, 2019 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA) – Discussing the isolation Panmoli and his family experienced, the comfort God’s Word provides, and the national missionaries who serve to bring unity and peace to local communities.

Panmoli tried to get the attention of a villager—Panmoli was struggling alone. A wall of isolation met him because envy and hatred kept anyone from talking to Panmoli and his family members. No one wanted anything to do with them. No matter how many pleas for help, silence was the only answer they received.

Rumors Changed Everything

Panmoli, his wife and five children lived in harmony with their neighbors before jealousy ruined the peace they once shared. They lived happily with their own little paddy field and worked hard each day to survive. They enjoyed their life, but one day life completely changed for Panmoli and his family.

The villagers grew envious of Panmoli due to some misunderstanding and began to spread rumors that his family was possessed by evil spirits. After word got around in the village, the once-accepted family was hated, and no one dared talk to the family. Panmoli, his wife, his daughters and his sons and their wives were ostracized. Now they faced struggles alone with no outside help. They were desperate for peace they now lacked.

Panmoli and his family [pictured] experienced the peace of Jesus in their lives, even when everyone in their village had turned against them. God used the prayers of Jaipirya and Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Madani to help make peace with the people in their village when the villagers boycotted Panmoli. — Panmoli and his family [pictured] experienced the peace of Jesus in their lives, even when everyone in their village had turned against them. God used the prayers of Jaipirya and Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported pastor Madani to help make peace with the people in their village when the villagers boycotted Panmoli.

Silence Broken

In Panmoli’s search for answers and help, he and his family reached out to a woman named Jaipriya. She was known as a woman of prayer and of great faith in Jesus. Panmoli and his family shared their problems with Jaipriya. As Jaipriya heard this family’s sad story, she encouraged their hearts from God’s Word and prayed for them. This touched the isolated family’s hearts so deeply that they, too, wanted to embrace Jesus and receive His acceptance.

After this meeting, Jaipriya shared about Panmoli’s situation with Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported pastor Madani. Together, with members of his congregation, Pastor Madani visited outcast Panmoli and his family to encourage and pray for them.

Seeking to make peace in Panmoli’s village, Pastor Madani and a few other church leaders met with the village headmen and authorities to speak on Panmoli’s behalf. After discussing the accusations against Panmoli, they resolved that it was just a misunderstanding and jealousy among the villagers. Slowly the villagers began to rebuild their relationship with Pamoli and his family, whom they had boycotted for four months.

Today, this village lives in unity.

International Day of Peace

September 21 is International Day of Peace, a day created by the UN to help strengthen the broken peace of mankind. Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers, like Pastor Madani, try their best to bring peace to disgruntled villages and carry hope and unity wherever God calls them.

Read how Bindal found peace in the midst of his troubled heart.

Source: Gospel for Asia Reports, Boycotted Family Finds Peace

Learn more about the National Missionaries and their passion to help the people in their nations understand Christ’s love through various ways.

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

“You Are the Curse of Our Family”, she was told.

August 30, 2018 By GFA Staff Writer

You Are the Curse of Our Family - KP Yohannan - Gospel for Asia — Aaliya was fortunate. She survived her prenatal condition and her birth. Nonetheless, her life as a child was miserable, primarily because she was – through no fault of her own – a girl.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World), Wills Point, Texas – Discussing when girls are considered to be a curse to their families.

There’s just something about a brand new baby girl that can put a twinkle in her father’s eyes and a smile on her mother’s face.

It’s a joyful scene when the new addition to the family arrives and is soon cradle in her mother’s arms. In just a few minutes, baby will be adorned in pink, and family members will be taking pictures of the newborn. Minutes later, those photos will be delivered to a myriad of family friends over social media. Those friends will post congratulations and add emojis, digital stickers and all other manners of online artwork to celebrate the occasion.

Not so much in India, China and other Asian countries. To the contrary, in many Eastern cultures, women are regarded as a burden. In some, they are even considered a curse.

The University of Chicago Press Journals carried an article in 2013 reviewing a film about female gendercide in India and China entitled “It’s a Girl” – the Three Deadliest Words in the World.

On page 649 of that journal, the authors cited Chinese and Indian sayings about daughters, including:

“It is more profitable to raise geese than a girl.”

“A daughter is a burden on her father’s head.”

Little did Aaliya know when she was born that her grandparents were not doting on her. They called her a curse on the family, and they urged the parents to throw her away.

Aaliya was fortunate. She survived her prenatal condition and her birth. Her family did not follow the grandparent’s admonition. Nonetheless, her life as a child was miserable, primarily because she was – through no fault of her own – a girl.

Growing up, she was constantly reminded, “You are the curse of our family.” Not exactly the kind of encouragement and love a child wants and needs from her parents. She was identified as the cause for all sorts of harm and misfortune that anyone in the family might suffer. It was not uncommon for Aaliya to suffer beatings for adversities affecting family members – situations that she could not have caused any more than she had a choice in being born a girl.

By the time she was 12 years old, Aaliya was already considering suicide.

Before deciding to take that final step, she encountered a Christian friend from her school. After she brokenheartedly told her friend of her despair, her classmate reminded her of Jesus and His love. She recounted how He gave His life for her so that she could have eternal life. She repeated that Jesus’ love is unconditional and that He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

At the moment, Aaliya chose to believe and to live her life in the love and courage that only Christ can give. She spent the night at her friend’s house, then returned home the next day, born again from above.

Her father had been ill for quite some time (which she was blamed for) and laid on a cot unable to move when she arrived. To everyone’s surprise “the family curse” laid herself over her father’s paralyzed body and prayed for the Lord to help. To their further amazement, he moved his hands!

Aaliya continued to fast and pray for her father for six months. Imagine how puzzled he was at the love that “this burden on his head” was demonstrating toward him – especially as his condition continued to improve.

When she told him about Jesus and that it was Jesus who was answering her prayers for his healing, he, too, opened his heart to the Lord. Not long afterward, her mother also decided to trust in Christ.

The “curse on the family” had become the family’s greatest blessing as they are wrapped in the everlasting love of God. And her parents are especially happy that their blessed child chose to attend Bible college and become a national worker trained to help others understand the love of Jesus who died for them that they might live.

=====

To learn more about gendercide on Patheos, go here.

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Go here to know more about Gospel for Asia: GFA.org | Wiki | GFA| Facebook

Sources:

GFA World 2015, Profile: One Life, Making a Difference
The University of Chicago Press Journals, Exposing Gendercide in India and China
The Independent, The full extent of India’s ‘gendercide’

Image Source:

Gospel for Asia, Photo of the Day