A Forgotten Bible and a Gospel for Asia Missionary Bring Hope

July 24, 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 Madira and her suffering brought by a mysterious illness, the search for healing found in a forgotten Bible, and a Gospel for Asia (GFA) a missionary and the believers who shared God’s love, life and hope.

Discussing Madira, a mysterious illness, the search for healing found in a Bible, and a Gospel for Asia missionary & believers who shared God's love & hope. — A Bible and a Gospel for Asia (GFA) Missionary bring God’s hope into a desperate situation.

Madira lay bedridden and hopeless. The witch doctors had given up. The medical treatments didn’t work. And now, six years of pain marked her life. Her thoughts yearned and searched for some ray of hope—something that would bring her healing. Then her thoughts turned to an event that happened 16 years ago.

She called her son over. “Now listen to me clearly,” she told him, “and do what I say.”

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Madira and her family lived happy lives until she began suffering with an unknown illness that left her unable to move her body with ease. She did everything the witch doctors told her to do, but after six years, the witch doctors gave up hope of her ever recovering. — Madira (pictured) and her family lived happy lives until she began suffering with an unknown illness that left her unable to move her body with ease. She did everything the witch doctors told her to do, but after six years, the witch doctors gave up hope of her ever recovering.

When the Witch Doctors Gave Up

Madira’s family life wasn’t perfect, but they pressed on through the hard times. They grew more financially stable over the years, especially after her husband, Chakor, got a job as a police officer. With his new income, they were even able to build a better house for their family of five.

Madira learned in her childhood to honor, respect and adore her traditional religion. She was devoted to her gods and goddesses and turned to them for help in times of need. Such a time came for Madira when she experienced a peculiar, unknown sickness. Pain wracked her body, and normal movements brought deep discomfort.

Chakor gave his wife the best medical help he could, hoping she would recover quickly. But months dragged on to years, and her condition remained unchanged. They had no peace. Chakor and Madira did everything the witch doctors prescribed in hopes of finding relief from what was attacking Madira’s body. After six years, even the witch doctors gave up. They said her sickness was beyond their control.

Discovering the Hidden Treasure of God’s Word

In desperation, Madira’s mind turned to the day, many years ago, when her brother had given her a special gift. It was time to unveil the hidden treasure and try something new.

Now she wondered, with a new sense of courage,
who was this Jesus?

Pulling her son aside, she said, “My son, we have done everything we could, but nothing is working. Now, listen to me clearly and do what I say. Bring the Bible, which was given by my brother, and read it for me. I would like to listen to it.”

As her son took the old, neglected book in his hands and read the holy words of God something happened: The moment Madira heard what her son read aloud, pain left her aching body. Madira slept through the night, and she could move without struggle or discomfort. Madira now had a peace she hadn’t felt before. The words brought healing to her weary body. Now she wondered, with a new sense of courage, who was this Jesus?

After that day, Madira and her family searched for a church where they could learn more about God, whose written Word caused such an immediate change in Madira’s condition. Maybe this God would completely heal her?

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: After reading the Bible that Madira’s brother had given them 16 years prior, Madira felt better. After this, Madira’s family wanted to know more about the God they had read about. — After reading the Bible that Madira’s brother had given them 16 years prior, Madira felt better. After this, Madira’s family wanted to know more about the God they had read about.

Learning About the Healer

One day they met Seth, one of our national missionaries serving in their area. When they explained their problems, he shared about the love of Jesus and told them how Jesus is the Great Healer and Restorer.

“If you believe in the name of Jesus Christ, you will be healed,” he told them.

Discouraged after years of disappointing treatments, they responded, “We have done everything, but nothing is working out.”

GFA World founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan — When Seth, a national missionary, introduced the family to his pastor, they all were encouraged, and the congregation began to pray for Madira earnestly. Soon, the Lord healed her completely!

Seth encouraged them not to worry, because God is able to make impossible things possible for those who believe in His name. After finding no hope elsewhere, the family decided they wanted to go to church to learn about the love of God.

Finding Comfort Through the Body of Christ

Their new friend introduced them to Gospel for Asia (GFA) pastors and believers, and many prayers rose up on Madira’s behalf. From that day, Madira felt great relief. The believers prayed for her and her family regularly, and within a few weeks, Madira received complete healing! God had answered their prayers.

Now Madira is a testimony of God’s might and of His Word, which remains living and powerful. After 16 years of keeping a treasure, they finally understood its precious value. God waited patiently for them to realize His awesome love for them, and now they are living in His life and hope.

Give Unfading Treasures

Just like Madira and her family, many families in Asia are being impacted by the greatest treasure that shall never perish—God’s Word. But many others still wait to receive this gift. You can be part of putting this precious treasure in the hands of more families in Asia!

A Bible and a Gospel for Asia missionary brought God’s love to a hopeless woman. 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.

*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, Uncovering a Treasure After 16 Years

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.

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 Supported Woman Missionary Brings Healing for a Broken Home

May 6, 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 Gospel for Asia supported woman missionary Sabita, who, through her friendship and ministry, God brought healing, strength, and peace to Hema and her once broken home.

Shouts disrupted the worship service. The neighbors were at it again. It seemed the married couple was always fighting. Peace looked like a complete stranger to the household, and joy a forgotten virtue. Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported woman missionary Sabita didn’t see this as an annoyance to the meetings she helped conduct, however. She saw it as an opportunity to share the peace of Jesus, the One who could restore and heal.

Gospel for Asia Supported Woman Missionary Visits Broken Home

Hoping to help, Sabita visited Hema and shared with her the compassion of God. Hema was a little suspicious of Sabita at first, but she didn’t turn her away. She even took some literature that Sabita offered. Sabita could tell Hema needed encouragement and hope because of this, and she felt compelled by God to invest in Hema’s forlorn and sorrowful life.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Discussing the Gospel for Asia supported woman missionary Sabita, who, through her, God brought healing and peace to Hema and her once broken home. — Hema’s (pictured) life was full of strife. Her husband, who was often intoxicated, beat her, and they quarreled often. During prayer meetings which were held nearby, people could hear their constant fighting.

Sabita continued to visit Hema, believing her time spent in sharing God’s precious promises would lighten Hema’s struggling, heavy heart. As they got to know each other, Hema’s suspicions of the missionary melted, and she opened up. She told Sabita about their constant quarreling, her husband, Talat’s, drunkenness and how he would often beat her if he felt angry. She was worried about their children, as they too were being led by this constant example.

Finding Strength in God’s Word

Through her visits, Sabita faithfully brought words of comfort to Hema’s love-longing heart, and when she was especially discouraged, Sabita prayed for her. Whenever Sabita prayed, Hema felt at ease and happy.

As Hema continued to see the love of God through Sabita, she was filled with faith to trust Jesus as the One who brings peace and hope, the One who could answer prayer, even for her drunken husband. But she was afraid to tell her husband about the hope she found, so she kept silent.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Women Missionaries sharing the hope of Christ with other women — Over time, a friendship between the two women bloomed. Sabita continued to visit Hema at her home to encourage her through God’s Word, like these women are doing.

Through Her Quiet Spirit

Continuing to be a constant and true friend to Hema as she shared her fears, Sabita had some advice to give her from God’s Word. Taking Sabita’s advice, Hema began to pray for Talat to stop his destructive habit of drinking. She cried out to the Lord and sometimes spent time fasting for her husband. Many times, Hema thought it would be impossible for Talat to ever be released from the grasp of his strong addiction, but Hema continued to pray in her weakness, asking the Lord to give her strength to believe and press on.

Meanwhile, there was a change in Hema’s life. When Talat did things she didn’t like, Hema didn’t flare back as she once had. The fighting ceased and peace started to make its home among the chaos that once held its ground. Instead of acting out in anger or returning evil for evil, Hema responded in love and kindness as God gave her strength to tolerate the harsh things done to her. God was changing her through His Word and working through her prayers. Although Hema wasn’t aware, God was moving in Talat’s heart through her gentle spirit.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Hema's life had changed, and her husband, (pictured), Talat saw the changing power of Jesus. Because of her example, he too found for himself the hope of God and stopped drinking. — Hema’s life had changed, and her husband, (pictured), Talat saw the changing power of Jesus. Because of her example, he too found for himself the hope of God and stopped drinking.

Drastic Change Not Unseen

One day, Talat asked Hema what had happened. She had become loving and kind towards him, and he wanted to know how and why. Since he was in a good mood, Hema jumped at the opportunity to speak words of truth and love to her husband.

She told him how his drinking had hurt their family and was a bad influence on their children. She shared how happy she would be to have a husband who took good care of her and the children. Her words, spoken with love and kindness, won Talat’s heart over. Little by little, through Hema’s prayers, love, encouragement and the power of God, Talat quit drinking.

During one of Sabita’s visits, Talat heard God’s Word and was moved. As time went on, he began to realize for himself that Jesus is the One who had changed his wife so drastically. He wanted this same transformation in his own life.

Today Hema and Talat no longer fight during worship services but attend them joyfully. Hema loves to tell her story, how nothing is impossible with God . . . not even a drunken husband.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Women missionaries are dedicated to sharing the hope of Jesus's love with women in need and want of love. — Women missionaries are dedicated to sharing the hope of Jesus’s love with women in need and want of love.

Send a Voice of Hope

A woman missionary can bring hope to hopeless women, like Sabita did. She can speak into a woman’s life and sympathize with her emotions and needs well. You can be part of touching lives of women in Asia, too! Prayerfully consider supporting the work of a Gospel for Asia-supported women missionaries today, and make an impact that lasts into eternity!

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.

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, Healing for a Broken Home

Learn more about the Women Missionaries and their heroic efforts, dedicating their lives to bringing hope and God’s love to the women of Asia.

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

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

Called for a Special Purpose: Women National Workers

October 19, 2018 By GFA Staff Writer

Wills Point, Texas – Gospel for Asia (GFA) – Discussing the importance of women national workers in Asia cannot be overemphasized. Millions of Asian women face unimaginable pain, misery and degradation.

In Acts chapter 16, the Apostle Paul tells of visiting the city of Philippi for a number of days. On a Saturday, he and those with him retired to a river bank where believers customarily gathered for Sabbath prayers.

It was there that he met Lydia, an entrepreneur (centuries before entrepreneur was even a word) from the city of Thyatira. Both Paul and Lydia were a long way from their respective homes. They were in Philippi, a city in Macedonia named for its former king Philip, the father of Alexander the Great. When Paul met Lydia, the city was under Roman rule and was, in fact, planned to be converted into a miniature version of Rome.

Thyatira, Lydia’s hometown and base of operations, was located in Asia Minor, nearly 600 miles away by land.

Lydia, like the Ethiopian eunuch, was a follower of the one true God, but she apparently was not yet aware that He had come in the flesh to redeem us. She and her husband opened their hearts to the Lord after listening to Paul. Not much else is said of her in the Bible except that Paul and Silas stayed at her house after their release from prison (Acts 16:40).

Lydia was revered in both Philippi and Thyatira. Some scholars believe that she and her husband may have been instrumental in establishing the body of believers that became the church in Thyatira to which Christ directed a communique in Revelation chapter 2. Their assumptions are based on the fact that Paul never visited the city, at least not that history records.

The point is that not only did Lydia become a follower of Jesus, but it is almost certain that she also became a missionary for Him in her homeland.

The Case for National Workers

One of the advantages of national workers, i.e., those who, rather than going to a foreign country, remain in place and share the love of Christ with their own people, is that they are not strangers to be scrutinized, but they are one with the people.

If that is true from a cultural perspective, would it not also be true from a gender perspective?

If Tibetans understand Tibetans better than a stranger could, would it not also be true that Tibetan women understand other Tibetan women even better than Tibetan men do? The same question applies within any cultural context in any country.

The Case for Women National Workers

With all of the study and research conducted over the centuries, no one understands women as well as other women. Many jokes have been made about it, unfortunately, usually to the denigration of either the men or the women.

The fact is that women who commit their lives to Christ have, among their many blessings, the ability to better communicate with and understand other women—their hopes and dreams and problems and pains.

The importance of women national workers in Asia cannot be overemphasized. Millions of Asian women face unimaginable pain, misery and degradation. Suicide death rates among young women in Asia are among the highest in the world, according to a study released September 1, 2018.

In some Asian cultures, only women can minister to other women. If a woman wants to share something on their heart with someone else, they will seek out another woman whom they hope will listen and empathize. GFA-supported women national workers commit to coming alongside other women, willing to listen, to pray and to help share their burdens, demonstrating the love of Jesus. Many women willingly inquire about Jesus and choose to embrace His love simply because of the dedication and commitment of women national workers.

Please prayerfully watch this brief video (2:46) and allow the Lord to touch your heart for the women of Asia and the Asian believers who are committed to sharing the peace, joy, love, and hope for which so many are seeking.

Learn how to pray for Asia’s Women Missionaries

Learn how you can help to support a woman missionary like Bhagyawati, Tial, Sita or others.

May the Lord bless and encourage you as you pray.

To learn more about Women Missionaries, visit this page on the GFA website.

To read more posts on Patheos on National Missionaries, go here.

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

Go here to know more about Gospel for Asia: Youtube | Twitter | GFA Reports | GFA.net

Sources:

The Guardian, Nearly 40% of female suicides occur in India
The Lancet, Gender differentials and state variations in suicide deaths in India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2016

Bicycles Still Game Changers for Workers in Asia Says Gospel for Asia

October 19, 2017 By GFA Staff Writer

It’s Throwback Thursday, y’all! So Gospel for Asia is going to take you back to the ‘80s now—without the acid-wash jeans or VCR.

Ready for it?

Check it out.

I believe that beneath that stoic face and stately posture lived a passion to see lives changed by the love of Jesus. This brother in Christ, like every other Gospel for Asia-supported missionary, most likely made it his life’s purpose to serve the people God placed in his life. That included the people in neighboring communities.

I don’t know how many miles this national worker had to travel. I don’t know if he experienced long journeys walking in the scorching sun, trying to visit the nearest village. But I do know that bicycle he’s holding on to most likely made it possible for him to do more ministry than before. I believe that’s true because, besides people’s ages, not much has changed in 30 years.

Gospel for Asia still gives away nearly identical bicycles to national workers. Those bikes are simple but sturdy, built to endure the tough terrain of Asia. They’re quality. They’re dependable—just their like owners.

Often, national workers request bicycles so they can minister in the neighboring villages. They know people are waiting to hear the good news of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them. But their feet can only take them so far. In cases like these, bicycles are still game changers for those who receive them!

These are the words of one Gospel for Asia-supported missionary after receiving a bicycle in 2013:

“Every single outing I used to ask to borrow a bicycle from my believers. I have been praying to have a bicycle of my own for the work of God … But after a long-awaited prayer, God answered my prayers, and now I [have] a bicycle in my hands. My problem is solved now because I got the needed equipment from the Almighty God.”

We’re thankful that for more than 30 years, the Lord has given us the privilege of equipping our brothers and sisters in the Lord with the tools they need to serve and to serve well.

If you’d like to see some more throwback photos of Gospel for Asia’s ministry, check out Dr. David Mains’ post about the day he met a young KP Yohannan who had a wild dream.

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

Go here to know more about Gospel for Asia: GFA.net | GFA Wiki | GFA Flickr

GFA World Jesus Well Provides Easy Access to Clean Water

April 24, 2023 By GFA Staff Writer

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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 Kylan and his village’s struggle with unclean water, and the access to clean water through newly installed GFA World Jesus Wells.

Ten times each day, 20 minutes each way—Kylan and his wife, Esmai, spent cumulative hours on one task. Back and forth, the parents of two performed the same errand. They had to keep doing it for their survival.

Needing Water Every Day

Every day, Kylan and Esmae made the 20-minute journey to their village’s nearest water source. Nearly 10 times a day, depending on how much water they needed, the husband and wife trekked to the waterhole. There, they filled up their water cans as full as they could. Unfortunately, the road to the waterhole curved downhill. Trekking uphill with full jugs several times a day was taxing for Kylan and Esmae and it was even worse during the rainy seasons.

The rain made the roads difficult to traverse, and both husband and wife had fallen multiple times due to the slippery, muddy trails. Sometimes, the rain fell so hard that the road itself flooded, cutting off access to the waterhole. Adding to their misery, during the rainy season the quality of the water was even worse than normal.

“When the water level rises,” Kylan said, “the water from outside actually gets into the well … and the water becomes dirty … but we didn’t have any choice, we had to collect that water and bring it home.”

The water they gathered already was already dirty and untreated on a good day. The family tried to filter the water as best they could, but they could not remove all the pathogens.

“Because of consuming water from that well … we had problems like upset stomachs and even fevers,” Kylan said. “And also, we had skin diseases because of bathing in that water.”

Easily Drawing Clean Water

Discussing Kylan & his village's struggle with unclean water, the access to clean water through newly installed Gospel for Asia Jesus Wells — Thanks, the new Jesus Well, like the one pictured, Kylan’s village now has easy access to clean, pure water.

But then, the Gospel for Asia (GFA World) pastor of Kylan and Esmae’s church broke the news to their congregation: A Jesus Well was going to be installed! They would finally have easy access to the clean water they needed. Upon the well’s completion, the entire community felt the benefits almost immediately.

“We don’t have to go and fetch water from that [old] water source which is time consuming,” Kylan said. “Moreover, the water from the open source was not clean … it was very unhygienic and impure to drink.”

However, the water from the newly installed Jesus Well was clean and pure.

“We didn’t have to filter the water,” Kylan remarked on the Jesus Well, “because the well was dug very deep.”

Nearly everybody in the community uses the Jesus Well now. Kylan said, “The Jesus Well water is more [than] enough for all the villagers here in this village.”

See how you can help more villages in need get access to pure, clean water.

*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, Jesus Well Provides Easy Access to Clean Water

Provide a Village with Access to Clean Water. GFA’s clean water program is supplying safe, disease-free water to families across Asia through Jesus Wells. Each Jesus Well offers clean drinking water to roughly 300 people at a cost of less than $5 per person.

Learn more about the GFA World national missionary 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.

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

GFA World | Lighting up Stoney Creek Through Christmas Trees

January 16, 2023 By GFA Staff Writer

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STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO — Every year GFA World and their mission partner, St Cyprian BEC, work together to bring beauty and light to their neighbourhood. One of the ways we do this is by turning three large evergreens into Christmas trees! On November 27 we held a Christmas Tree Lighting. At this event, the Christmas trees were official turned on. They will continue to shine their glorious light all night long until January 6, 2023.

Light and Warmth for All

Every year GFA World and their mission partner, St Cyprian BEC, work together to bring beauty and light to their neighbourhood. — St. Cyprian BEC begins the Advent season by hosting a community event to help bring light to our neighbourhood this Christmas.

Despite the rainy weather, everyone really enjoyed the event. Warm fellowship, friendly smiles, and hot drinks helped to bring joy to the evening. By working together with Gospel for Asia (GFA World), we seek to bring warmth and light to communities in many different nations. Recently, a local pastor and his wife were able to help bring warmth to those rag picking in their community. Through giving the simple gift of blankets to slum dwellers, they are also spreading the Light of Christmas.

Dark nights, different coloured lights, bright stars, and a simple manger scene all come together to bring beauty, joy, and light to the Stoney Creek community. At the Christmas tree lighting Homemade treats were served, hot apple cider and hot chocolate. We sang classic Christmas carols such as “Joy to the World”, “O Christmas Tree”, and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. The event was free for all, and we were happy to welcome nearly 50 guests from our community!

Public Servant Flips the Switch

Along with other community members, we were pleased to welcome Todd White and his family. Todd White is the School Board Trustee for Wards 5 and 10, Stoney Creek, and he spoke at the event. Also, he had the honour of pushing the button to officially turn on the Christmas trees. It was very exciting to see the dark night light up when they were turned on!

You can be a part of our mission to transform communities through God’s love too! By providing gifts for those in need, you can equip churches around the world to host events to bless their communities. Together, we can bring light to our communities, celebrating Christ and transforming!

About Gospel for Asia – GFA World

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping national missionaries bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in Asia and Africa, and sharing the love of God. In GFA World’s latest yearly report, this included thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families and their children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and teaching providing hope and encouragement available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. GFA World has launched programs in Africa, starting with compassion projects in Rwanda. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://gfanews.org/news/.

Media interested in interviews with Gospel for Asia should contact Gregg Wooding at InChrist Communications @ 972-567-7660 or gwooding@inchristcommuications.com

Source: GFA World Digital Media Room, Lighting Up Stoney Creek

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

GFA World Celebrated 38 Years of Serving Alongside Local Churches

January 9, 2023 By GFA Staff Writer

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STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO — November 14-20 marked this year’s National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoeboxes. St. Cyprian Believers Eastern Church (BEC) was proud to once more serve as an OCC collection centre for Stoney Creek. Also, GFA World Canada celebrated their 38^th anniversary on November 19^th.

Every year during National Collection Week, churches across Canada partner with Samaritan’s Purse. During this week, gift filled shoeboxes that have been packed as a part of Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child, are gathered at churches serving as collection centres. At the end of the week, the boxes are taken to regional collection centres to be shipped to Calgary, AB. There, they are processed before being sent to needy children around the world.

As St. Cyprian BEC shares a building with the Gospel for Asia (GFA World) office, we were proud to work together to serve as an OCC collection centre. This is the fifth year that we have worked with Samaritan’s Purse in this capacity, and we were excited to receive our largest number of boxes yet! Through the generosity of our community, we were able to send over 1050 shoeboxes to be processed and sent to children in need! This is a 30% increase from last year, and a 17% increase from our previous record!

Several local churches brought the boxes they had collected, and many individuals came by as well. The OCC drop-off coordinator expressed his joy in being able to volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse. “It’s wonderful to greet donors while helping with Operation Christmas Child” He said. “People are so often enthusiastic and happy to help these children.” For some, participation in OCC would have been impossible without our drop-off location.

GFA World Canada celebrates 38 years of serving God and humanity alongside local churches serving as a collection centre for OCC shoeboxes — Gospel for Asia (GFA World) Canada celebrates 38 years of serving God and humanity while their field partner St. Cyprian serves as a collection centre for OCC shoeboxes (https://www.bechurch.ca/).

Bringing extra joy to collection week, Gospel for Asia (GFA World) Canada celebrated their 38^th year of service on November 19! We praise God for the many different opportunities He has given us to serve. Working with local believers in 18 different countries, we have helped provide 39 million people with safe, clean drinking water. Also, 142,000 children have been helped through our child sponsorship program. And, in 2021 alone, no less than 163,300 families were helped through income-generating or quality-of-life gifts. A staff photo was taken to commemorate the anniversary.

For the last 38 years we have been working with passionate, faithful, and generous people across Canada. With their help, we have assisted local churches in needy areas with the resources they need to share God’s love. Thank you for being a part of it all!

About Gospel for Asia – GFA World

Media interested in interviews with Gospel for Asia should contact Gregg Wooding at InChrist Communications @ 972-567-7660 or gwooding@inchristcommuications.com

Source: GFA World Digital Media News Room, GFA World Celebrates 38 Years of Serving Alongside Local Churches

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

Gospel for Asia Shares How Family Believes in Christ After Son’s Healing

December 11, 2022 By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by K.P. Yohannan, which inspired numerous charities like Gospel for Asia Canada, to assist the poor and deprived worldwide, discussing Saeran, his injuries, the healing God wrought through prayer and Gospel for Asia (GFA World) Vacation Bible School.

Saeran woozily noted his surroundings. He was in the hospital. Something had happened to him, but the memory of what eluded him. Why did everything hurt? The 15-year-old boy had been climbing a tamarind tree, trying to pick fruit, and fell 50 feet. He had been knocked unconscious from the impact, and his body sustained deep injuries that needed immediate treatment. But there was a problem: Saeran’s family couldn’t afford to pay for the treatment.

Important Teachings at VBS

GFA World (Gospel for Asia), discussing Saeran, his injuries, the healing God wrought through prayer and GFA World VBS. — After Saeran’s miraculous healing, he attended a Sunday school class like the one pictured, where he could learn more about Jesus.

The money Saeran’s parents made was not enough to pay for the treatment he needed, and there was no one to help them. The most the family could do was wait, which, given Saeran’s injuries, was excruciating.

While they waited, the family received a visit from GFA pastor Hallan. A couple of months before Saeran’s fall, the boy had attended Sunday school at Pastor Hallan’s church. It was there that Saeran first learned of Jesus and of His great love for him. Then came an event that would change Saeran’s life.

Through the Sunday school, the boy was invited to a Vacation Bible School event held for the children. Every song and story revolved around a singular theme: connecting with God. The teachers and volunteers impressed upon every child, including Saeran, that they can live in the love of God every day. One verse stood out to Saeran: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Saeran had truly seen how much God loved him—and he had decided to live in that love.

So when the young boy spent a week in the hospital after his fall, and went home without the treatment he really needed, he didn’t seem worried. Much to his parents’ surprise, Saeran was calm about the current dilemma. Jesus would heal him, he told his parents, and he urged them to pray for him in Jesus’ name. It was part of what he had learned at VBS, after all. If he believed and prayed God would heal him, He would. They would just have to wait.

Faithful Prayer Brings Healing, Love

Pastor Hallan visited Saeran at home every day to pray for the hurt boy and anoint him with oil. After a month of prayer, the pain caused by Saeran’s fall was gone. Despite the depth of his injuries, Saeran could walk as if no accident had ever happened. He had been completely healed of any lasting effects.

It was a miracle—one Saeran’s parents couldn’t ignore. The family began attending Pastor Hallan’s church together, and Saeran’s parents decided to put their trust in the One who had healed their son. It was the same faith, the same love that Saeran had found at VBS. And now, his parents had found it, too.

Read how another child found direction in his life through VBS.

Source: Gospel for Asia Field Reports & Updates, Family Believes in Christ After Son’s Healing

Learn more about how you can give toward Gospel for Asia VBS scholarships, where the gift of VBS materials for one of these precious children will guarantee that he or she will hear about Jesus’ love again and again through skits, Bible songs and teaching and will have colorful Gospel literature to take home.

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Gospel for Asia: Stealing a Second Chance

December 1, 2022 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, to serve the deprived and downcast worldwide, discussing Ragnar, his thieving and negative influence, and the change God wrought through a Gospel for Asia (GFA) worker.

Ragnar’s village was a poor one. Most of the families relied on farming for their livelihood, but they struggled to attain anything beyond survival. Without resources, most couldn’t afford to give their children a proper education.

discussing Ragnar, his thieving and negative influence, and the change God wrought through a Gospel for Asia (GFA) worker — Once a troublemaker nearly ousted from his village, Ragnar (pictured) is now a positive influence on the community’s youth.

With little hope for a better life, many teens turned to worldly, and sometimes criminal, pleasures. It was common for boys and young men to sneak around under the cover of night to steal neighbors’ hens and ducks, then enjoy a clandestine barbecue with friends.

Ragnar was a natural leader, but he used his powers for evil, encouraging younger boys in these criminal activities and causing trouble in his village. He got away with it for a time, but soon the other villagers found out.

At first Ragnar claimed innocence. He was not involved, he said. He had scolded the younger boys for those bad practices, he testified. But Ragnar’s accomplices came forward with fingers pointed, insisting he was not only involved but the ringleader.

With a severe warning, village authorities released him. Ragnar’s thievery momentarily subsided, but soon his criminal activities resumed.

Now he stood before the village council again. His parents pleaded with the authorities to give Ragnar another chance.

“If he will not change his bad habit, you can do whatever you want to do to him,” Ragnar’s parents told the council.

To their relief, the council relented. But Ragnar’s father, Kagan, knew that a different outcome required different action this time. This could be his son’s last chance to turn his life around, and it needed to count.

A Different Direction

Desperate, Kagan sought out Gospel for Asia (GFA) pastor Manu. The pastor was a good man; perhaps he could do something with the boy.

Pastor Manu became a mentor for Ragnar, counseling and guiding him, and sharing Christ’s love. The pastor also prayed for Ragnar. One day, as tears flowed from Pastor Manu’s eyes during his prayer, Ragnar was deeply touched by the man’s love.

As God began working in Ragnar’s life, the young man’s heart began to change. Curious about the man investing so much time in his life, Ragnar visited Pastor Manu’s church, where he learned more about the man’s faith and encountered God’s love.

Ragnar’s life transformed. He put aside his thieving ways and began using his powers of leadership for good.

“I will surely stop the young boys from stealing others’ hens and ducks,” Ragnar said. “I will tell them about the good news that Jesus loves them, too, as He loves me. I will tell them individually.”

The villagers perceived the drastic change in Ragnar. Once ready to expel him from the village, his neighbors now appreciate his presence. Ragnar’s life, and its trajectory, is forever changed because a Gospel for Asia (GFA) worker lovingly invested in him.

Read about a 16-year-old girl whose life was changed after observing a peculiar family during a village-wide excursion into the forest.

Source: Gospel for Asia Field Reports & Updates, Stealing a Second Chance

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Gospel for Asia Helps Build Walls to Alleviate Family’s Burden

November 30, 2022 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 Nevan and Kairah and their struggle in poverty to care for their disabled son, Jimi, and workers that help alleviate their burdens.

Though Nevan and Kairah’s son, Jimi, was 42 years old, they still provided basic care for him, such as feeding, clothing and bathing him. They loved their son, but his condition required constant hands-on care, keeping Nevan and Kairah from working regular jobs. It drained their energy and their resources, but what else could they do? He was their son.

Burdened by Care

The house Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers built for Jimi is on high ground to keep it safe from flood waters and has a ramp for Jimi’s wheelchair.

Jimi was born with physical and mental disabilities. He couldn’t talk, walk or do anything by himself.

In a society where such impairment often brings discrimination and shame, Nevan and Kairah did the best they could for Jimi. Still, managing all of Jimi’s care brought daily challenges. Navigating the wheelchair around their small house was difficult. The medications he needed were expensive.

Many nights, they couldn’t even sleep. Jimi would sometimes disturb others at night by shouting and spitting, forcing his parents to watch over him and attempt to calm their son. Sometimes Jimi soiled his clothes and Nevan and Kairah had to change his clothes in the presence of others, leading to everyone’s discomfort.

The couple’s two younger children, now married, helped financially support their parents and older brother, but it wasn’t enough. Then their riverside house was submerged in more than four feet of floodwater, adding to the family’s troubles. Fortunately, they had shifted their valuables to higher ground, but life was still difficult.

The burdens of these challenges pushed Nevan and Kairah to the brink of despair. Though weary, they held on to hope, praying for help. They loved their son, but as they aged it became only more challenging to care for him. Their small shanty was overcrowded, but it was all they could afford.

A Room of His Own

GFA World discussing Nevan and Kairah, their struggle in poverty to care for their son, and the workers that help alleviate their burdens. — Jimi, pictured with his parents, is very happy to be in his new home provided by Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers.

Unbeknownst to Nevan and Kairah, local Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers had seen their struggle and sought to help. They requested financial support from church leadership to build an annex to the family’s existing house for Jimi. They even specified the structure should be at least three feet above ground level to protect it from flooding.

Soon, a 10’x16’ adjoining structure was constructed, complete with a ramp for Jimi’s wheelchair and passage to the bathroom. With the separate living quarters for Jimi, the family’s difficulties were alleviated. Joy abounded for Jimi and the entire family.

“We are very happy that we were able to build this house for our disabled son,” Kairah said. “After 42 years, we will take care of him in a new, safe and clean environment. We owe all our gratitude and thankfulness to [the church] for this wonderful gift.”

Through this gift, Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers demonstrated Christ’s love for people with disabilities—people whom society may disregard—and those who care for them. The burden Nevan and Kairah bear has been eased by caring neighbors willing to share the load in Christ’s name, and Jimi can live with greater dignity in his own space.

Click here to read how Sisters of Compassion cared for Chablis, a leprosy patient who couldn’t even leave her bed.

Source: Gospel for Asia Field Reports & Updates, Walls Alleviate Family’s Burden

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