GFA pastor Bhaskar hung up the phone after talking to yet another one of the 270 people who regularly attended his church. Coordinating a distribution program during the COVID-19 pandemic took an even greater amount of planning and care than usual, due to the precautions needed. There were definitely people in the area where he served who needed help.
Pastor Bhaskar with two women blessed with food packages.
When the COVID-19 lockdown first went into place, Pastor Bhaskar urged his congregation to look for any ways to help needy families around them. The majority of villagers farm for a living; whether or not they went to bed hungry depended on if they could sell their crops at the market—but the lockdown kept them home. Food was in major demand; rice, tomatoes, potatoes and bottle gourds would be perfect items to distribute.
Pastor Bhaskar and his congregation helped 25 families by providing groceries.
Mohisha, a 48-year-old mother, received a bag of the much-needed groceries.
“I was thinking to whom I shall share my agony that I and my family members are going through,” she said.
“We do not have money to purchase anything that we need. … But today, in the right time, the church provided us vegetables and some other food items. As a family we are deeply grateful to the church pastor and believers for their love and care that they have shown us.”
*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.
The mask-wearing woman grasped the package of food, smiled and thanked the workers. As she moved on, another took her place in line. Dozens of men and women, keeping six feet apart, patiently waited their turn to receive a package of food.
Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers and volunteers prepare to hand out ration packs to struggling men and women.
Before this, Gospel for Asia (GFA) pastor Alik had seen families going to bed hungry. People were starving, and Pastor Alik knew how to help. After visiting the local authorities and obtaining their permission, the pastor immediately set about organizing and planning a food distribution.
Volunteers from the local church along with some civic workers carefully bundled together hundreds of pounds of rice, beans, biscuits, oil, soap and masks. Once ready, the team spent nearly five hours handing out the packages to those who had come from families in five nearby villages.
Pranjeeta, a 32-year-old widow with two sons under the age of 6, normally works as a maid. She thanked the team for the ration kit, saying,
“I am deeply happy and thankful to [the church] for providing us with the ration kits during this time of crisis.”
*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.
WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Bindhiya, her ministry in the slums alongside her husband, GFA pastor Sachitan, amid the Coronavirus lockdown.
Bindhiya leads a busy life serving Christ in partnership with her husband, Gospel for Asia (GFA) pastor Sachitan. When the COVID-19 pandemic kept Bindhiya at home, she felt powerless—but not for long.
Bindhiya gave face masks to children in a nearby slum.
Bindhiya obtained a degree in nursing, but since marrying her husband, she takes care of people in very different ways. She faithfully serves the women of her congregation and community and leads the local Women’s Fellowship group. As an accomplished tailor, Bindhiya teaches girls in her church and women in her village how to sew. Many can now sew their own clothes.
This girl told Bindhiya, “Thank you, didi [older sister], for this mask.”During the lockdown, compassion filled Bindhiya’s heart as she watched children wandering in her village and in the nearby slum. They played together without face masks, and she knew they risked transmitting the virus. Concern prompted her to action.
Bindhiya gathered all the cotton scraps she could find and sewed 100 face masks. Then she went to her village and the nearby slum and handed out the masks to children in need. She gave each child an extra mask to give to a friend. Soon, when other children saw their friends receiving face masks, they came and asked for masks too.
The children covered their mouths with the face masks right away, but Bindhiya could still hear grateful words spilling from their lips.
“Thank you for this mask,” said one boy. “I wanted one, but my parents could not buy it for me. Surely, I will wear a mask when I go out.”
*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.
Sadgati trudged down the road. She stopped in front of a building. She was tired—tired of having constant turmoil in her heart, tired of her endless search for answers. Sadgati had exhausted every option she knew, yet her gods and goddesses seemed silent to her tears. But as Sadgati stepped inside this building, she was surprised. Maybe her 20-year quest for peace had finally come to an end.
Sadgati and the woman shown in this photo are two of Asia’s 57 million widows. Sadgati was rejected and despised by her neighbors and had to raise her small children by herself.
Widow Receives Slander, Not Comfort
Sadgati became a widow at the young age of 29, left to be a single mom of a little girl and boy, without comfort or sympathy from anyone. Instead of condolences, Sadgati was shattered by the slanderous words of her neighbors. They mocked her as they watched her struggle to care for her small family. Because of their abuse, Sangati let her mind continually play with her solitary hope of escape: suicide. It looked like that was the only answer to end her agony-paved existence.
Life as a Widow: Rejected and Despised
Being a widow is never easy, but being a widow in Asia is especially difficult. In a culture where many widows are believed to be the cause of their husband’s death, due to her “sin,” widows are often shunned by society. This is how Sadgati was viewed and treated by her neighbors and others in the village. Day after day, this painful reality jaded every part of Sadgati’s life.
Sadgati wrestled through life alone and rejected. No one looked out for her or offered her any aid. Taking on the full responsibility of bringing up her children, Sadgati often resorted to borrowing money to keep her family alive. As the gossip pushed her spirits down, she felt she couldn’t go on any more. There was not an inkling of peace in her life, but she was desperate to find it.
Just like this woman is offering items to worship her gods, Sadgati served and worshiped many gods in order to find peace. She visited many holy sites, but always left without peace.
Sadgati began a frantic search for truth and peace. She visited every holy site she knew about, only to come out of each one empty handed and brokenhearted. She cried out to gods and goddesses, but she heard no response to her cries for help and her longing for love and acceptance. She was dejected and at the end of her rope. But God knew Sadgati’s story. He loved her and would bring her to a place where she could find out who He was and what He had done for her.
One day, during her search for peace, Sadgati stepped inside a Gospel for Asia (GFA) church, much like this one, where believers meet to worship. For the first time, she experienced the peace she had long been searching for!
A Gospel for Asia Church Changed Everything
One Sunday morning, Sadgati got up and walked out of her house. Continuing her quest to find a place of peace for her miserable heart, she came to a Gospel for Asia (GFA)church lead by one of our pastors. She found herself sitting inside, surrounded by a group of believers who were worshiping Jesus. As the service went on, Sadgati felt something she hadn’t felt in many years: peace. A peace stronger than she ever knew before.
The next week, Sadgati attended the church service again, and soon she became a regular attender. It wasn’t long before her daughter and son joined her too. Sadgati began to see the love of Jesus transform her fragmented life. He was mending the places where she was broken and filling her emptiness with His peace.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7
Finding Never-ending Peace
As she grew under the nurture and teaching of God’s Word, soon Sadgati realized Jesus heard her cries and is the giver of peace and comfort—comfort she never received from anyone else. The church family loved her and cared for her. She was not scorned or rejected; she was welcomed and loved.
Today, Sadgati is no longer weighed down by the remarks of the villagers. Though they haven’t changed, she has. She knows her worth and is secure in Christ. She holds on to the peace Jesus has given her heart.
Show Her She Is Priceless
Widows, like Sadgati, need hope. This hope is found in the arms of Christ. Brothers and sisters, both in Asia and individuals like you, are showing love to these precious women through their prayers, time and resources. You can show them they are loved today through your prayers and support!
*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.
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.
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.”
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?
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.”
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.
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.
WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Kvanh, the loneliness and darkness of his sinful living, and the Gospel for Asia Radio that changed his life forever.
Kvanh grew up in a harsh mountain climate, toiling away alongside his family to cultivate land for their livelihood. Unable to go to school, Kvanh spent his time studying religious books with his father.
A Gospel for Asia (GFA) radio program about Jesus reached the lonely Kvanh as he sat in his shop waiting for customers. He found hope in the message, and when he met a national missionary, Kvanh felt he was meeting a friend.
When Kvanh was 20, his family pressured him to marry—something he knew he wasn’t ready for, but it was impossible for him to fight against the tradition of marrying young. The fear of not being able to provide for a wife and build a happy home gnawed at his heart. As a young husband, Kvanh worked day and night in the fields to support his wife. He even picked up additional labor jobs when he could find them, but his wife often complained that he didn’t do enough. Her criticism made Kvanh despair of their marriage ever being happy, though he loved his wife dearly. One day, Kvanh’s wife left him for another man, and his nightmare became reality.
Loneliness, anger and mental anguish consumed Kvanh. Afraid the young man might go insane, Kvanh’s family scraped together enough money to send him abroad to escape the memories that haunted him.
Kvanh found himself in a bustling city with millions of people—yet still alone. He found work in the construction industry and abandoned himself to a hedonistic life, satisfying the urges of today in exchange for a peaceful future.
Moving Home, yet Loneliness Followed
After 25 years of wasting his life one day at a time, Kvanh wearied of carrying on in this way. He decided to go back home. With the small amount he had managed to save, Kvanh opened a small shop in his childhood village. His shop, not very popular, left Kvanh sitting alone with a lot of time to think. He often turned on the radio for company, spending hours with the radio hosts of various shows.
One day, while switching the radio dial, he heard someone say the name “Jesus.” He paused his scrolling and listened intently about remission of sins through the sacrifice of Jesus. His heart burned within him as the radio host taught about the very questions that Kvanh had been struggling with for so long. He learned that cleansing of sin was possible and peace with God attainable, the very things that had always eluded Kvanh.
As the preacher kept sharing, he quoted a verse that burst within Kvanh like a shower of fireworks: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Kvanh felt tears streaming down his face as he realized God loved him and made a way for his sins to be forgiven through His Son.
Companions for the Journey
Kvanh wanted to know more about Jesus who did so much for him, but he wasn’t sure how. Then, one day when he was sitting at his shop waiting for the customers who seldom came, a man approached him and introduced himself as Pastor Milit from the nearby church. Kvanh, recognizing the name of the church, asked the man if he knew the radio speaker who had impacted his life so much. Indeed, Pastor Milit did know him!
Kvanh felt an instant connection to the friend of the radio preacher, and he shared his life story with Pastor Milit, detailing the ups and downs and the valleys of darkness he had walked through all alone. Pastor Milit’s heart grew tender for this man who had lived his life seeking pleasure but always had found loneliness instead.
Kvanh and Pastor Milit became fast friends and talked about God and His path for Kvanh’s life.
Kvanh, now living in the reality of God’s love and forgiveness, has become an active member in Pastor Milit’s church. The church members have become a family for Kvanh. What a blessing for a man who lived in the dark cave of loneliness for most of his life, who now has a Father in heaven, a brother in Jesus and brothers and sisters in the church walking with him day by day.
*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.
Not too long ago, there was a village characterized by a desperate struggle for survival. People lived in poverty and at risk of disease. But there was an even more pressing problem: In the hot, dry desert, there were not enough water sources to go around. The villagers depended on dirty ponds and rivers. Sometimes, it was difficult to find water at all.
Pastor Dalapathi ministered in this village and was deeply concerned about the people’s situation. While he worked hard to share Christ’s love with the people, it was difficult to break through, and he could see they desperately needed clean water.
Providing Clean Water, Hope Through a Well
By God’s grace, Gospel for Asia Pastor Dalapathi and the believers did not lose hope. Instead, they prayed and something changed: God provided a Jesus Well for their village. It was an amazing answer to prayer. Suddenly, the villagers had clean, safe water ready and accessible. But this gift had a far greater impact.
“The non-believers of the village were astonished by the good work that has been done by the church,” said one field report.
And this tangible act of love warmed hearts to learning more.
This story started far away in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. It’s the story of a woman who loved Jesus more than the things of this world and left a legacy that is changing the lives of thousands . . . perhaps forever.
Very kind. Funny. A little eccentric. These are all words used to describe Mae Coulter. A woman with a passionate witness for Jesus, who loved Him “beyond reason.” A remarkable “wee woman” (as they say in Northern Ireland), only around 5 feet and 1 inch in stature. But her life touched literally thousands of people whom she never even met.
When a House Was Born Again
Born in Northern Ireland, Mae’s life was checkered with tragedy. She moved to England with her husband, Les, and had been married only a short while when he died suddenly and unexpectedly. He went outside to get Mae’s birthday present, and she never got to speak to him again.
After that tragedy, Mae found Christ. Soon afterwards, she returned to Northern Ireland, where she bought a house.
Then disaster struck again. A house fire destroyed all of Mae’s possessions. Family photographs. Household treasures. Everything was gone in a matter of minutes.
That event changed Mae’s perspective completely. As a close friend, Marilyn, explained, “She decided that never again would she store up anything. It could just be gone. Anything she had would go into something that was lasting, that was kingdom building.”
Mae’s house had to be reconstructed inside. That was when Mae erected a plaque outside it that simply said, “Born Again.”
“She used to say that she had been born again, and so had her house,” Marilyn reflects. “It gave her opportunities to share the Gospel with people who visited her.”
Choosing to Live Differently
From then on, Mae’s focus was on eternity. She saw no need for accumulating things in this world.
“Always invest in something that’s going to be long lasting,” Marilyn recalls Mae saying.
Mae threw herself into serving others. She sent shoeboxes of presents to disadvantaged children and went daily to make meals for a friend who couldn’t make them herself. Every Christmas, she bought gifts for desperate people in Asia, in honor of her friends. Mae believed deeply in providing clean water. “If people had clean water,” she would say, “then sickness would be eliminated.” And she thought of a way to provide thousands with just that.
A Legacy that Will Last
As Mae got older, she made preparations for her departure from this world and into the presence of Christ. To Marilyn, Mae explained clearly what she wanted: a simple black stone upon the coffin that said, “Mae Coulter, with the Lord.” Nothing else was needed. That said it all.
Mae gave the money in faith, with no idea what it could accomplish.
“She was just doing what she could,” Marilyn says. “She would be astounded if she knew the number of people who have benefited from that. Her generosity will benefit many who never knew her or her them.”
And they really are benefiting. Now, in 110 villages, downtrodden villagers who once trekked to filthy water sources have access to clean, safe water . . . and a signpost to the Water of Life. It’s changing their lives forever.
*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.
WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing the difficulties to reach villages with the Gospel, whether because of location, tradition, illiteracy, and the transformative impact Gospel for Asia (GFA) film team ministry bring to the mission field.
Paritosh excitedly sat down with his wife and other members of his community. They were about to enjoy a special treat that evening: a movie.
As the film progressed, however, Paritosh’s mood changed from that of seeking entertainment to one of deep contemplation. This movie was not what he expected, but he was far from disappointed.
When Pastor Biswas (left) and Paritosh (right) first met, Paritosh had little interest in the God Pastor Biswas loved and served. Years later, however, that changed when Paritosh attended a film show.
Unwanted Hope
Paritosh had heard of Jesus before. Our pastor in his area, Biswas, had first come to Paritosh’s village more than 12 years earlier and brought news of Jesus to Paritosh’s community. Even so, Paritosh had no interest in Jesus and didn’t understand the significance of His life.
Paritosh’s reaction to Pastor Biswas’s ministry was typical in his region. The majority of people in his mountainous area either ignored what workers like Pastor Biswas shared or responded with firm—sometimes forceful—rebukes. Pieces of literature about Christ frequently ended up as torn fragments on the ground, and bruises marked the bodies of many who tried to help villagers learn about Jesus. Traditions ran deep, and these communities wanted nothing that their ancestors didn’t have, especially regarding whom they worshiped. Some villages were so determined to keep themselves at status quo that any outsiders were required to obtain permission to even enter their area.
“The ministry here … is not easy,” Pastor Biswas says. “An ordinary person without a deep commitment to serve the Lord cannot come here and stay and do ministry.”
In addition to villagers’ resistance to Christ, he names other challenges to ministry: extreme winter cold, lack of electricity, high living costs, very few roads, forests filled with bears and tigers, low literacy rates and homes scattered across far distances.
In the midst of these obstacles, Pastor Biswas and other Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers cry out to God to enable them to serve and love the communities and people who, at the moment, do not especially want them around.
Understanding Grows Through Films
Since 1988, dedicated national workers have traveled as film teams to remote regions to share special movies with communities. These culturally relevant films help people in all walks of life grasp the greatness of God’s gift through Christ.
As an answer to those prayers, God sent small groups of men and women to this region—our film team that were ready to help communities understand, through movies, the truth of who Jesus is.
When one such team came to Pastor Biswas’s area, they worked together to organize a special movie night for Paritosh’s village.
“In most of the remote villages, there are no other means of entertainment like television and other things,” Pastor Biswas explains. “When there is a film show, people are interested, and they come.”
After obtaining permission from local authorities, Pastor Biswas and the film team members announced the details of the event to the community. They set up their projector screen and prepared for the sunset event.
Paritosh and the others watching the film saw Jesus in a new way that night. After years of disinterest in Christ, Paritosh finally understood what Jesus did for him.
“It really touched my heart,” Paritosh says. “Through this film show, I could understand that Jesus Christ came to this world to save me; He came and gave His life. … Our body will die one day, but our soul will be saved if I believe in Jesus Christ. Through His death I am saved. And it was for my sins that He died and rose again.”
People of all ages in villages like Paritosh’s have discovered those same things about Christ after watching a film about His life, ministry, death and resurrection. For some, the evening event is their first time to ever hear of Jesus. Others who grew up as cultural Christians realize through the film that they never started their own personal relationship with Christ. Still others journey from a place of spiritual criticism to faith during those few hours—or they start the journey.
Malini (right) carries some of her team’s gear in a basket as they make their way to the next village. Gospel for Asia (GFA) film teams members’ love for God strengthens them as they give their all each day to serve communities in need of hope.
Giving Their All for Communities, for Christ
Film ministry has proven one of the most effective ways of conveying God’s love to communities, especially those with high illiteracy rates. But serving in film ministry is not easy, as Malini knows firsthand.
Malini served on a team with three other women in Pastor Biswas’ region. At the start of her ministry, Malini knew she wanted to serve on a film team. Since then, she helped many people understand the truth about Christ. Her passion for using film to convey hope and God’s promise of new life undergirded her during times of intense difficulty.
“I know Christ selected me for this ministry, and Christ will help me,” Malini declares confidently.
As an all-women team, Malini’s group had special opportunities to minister to the women in the villages they visited. The culturally imposed behavioral boundaries in their area meant they did not receive the same level of opposition a team of men would experience—male missionaries commonly receive beatings, for example—and communities were often more willing to welcome unknown women than male strangers.
But the young women also had their own set of unique challenges. Some villagers misunderstood the traveling women’s intentions and passed shameful remarks. The mountainous region they ministered in had very little access to transportation, so they had to carry their equipment long miles up and down steep slopes. Local believers often assisted the women, but even so, the journeys between villages were grueling for all the film teams, especially for the women teams.
“Sometimes we are so tired physically,” Malini confides. “When we are discouraged … we pray our God will inspire us and give us more strength to do the ministry.”
But amid the challenges, Malini and all the other film team members, male or female, know their labor is not in vain. They meet people like Paritosh, whose lives are forever changed because others gave of themselves to bring hope to remote places.
“It is through the film ministry team that came to my village [that] I was able to watch the film and understand the love of God in my life,” Paritosh testifies.
He and his wife now both participate in their local fellowship and are growing in their walks with Christ.
Change Lives Through Film Ministry
Malini desired to spend her days helping others learn of God’s redemptive love, and through Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported film ministry, she and many others are doing just that. In addition, these teams empower communities to grow stronger by hosting double-feature shows. They play one film telling Christ’s story and a second film promoting awareness of societal issues, such as hygiene, smoking, alcohol and drugs. Scattered across diverse areas of Asia, film teams visit hundreds—even thousands—of communities each year, but more teams are needed to help all the people of Asia understand God’s gift of mercy.
Paritosh and his family (pictured) found Jesus through a film team, and their lives will never be the same. Countless more families still need to hear of Christ, and sending film teams is one of the most effective ways of helping them do so.
Today, you have the opportunity to be part of a film team ministry through your prayers and gift. God has chosen individuals to serve in this effective but challenging ministry, and He can work through you to equip those teams with all the tools they need. Send news of His love to more people like Paritosh by donating toward film ministry!
Learn more about Film Team Ministry in Asia, as films on the life of Jesus have proven to be one of the best ways to let people in Asia know about the sacrificial love and deliverance of God.
*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.
Pastor Babala was a family man who had nine children. So when he happened to meet a man whose children were going hungry, compassion stirred his heart.
The man, Mihirkiran, had been working hard labor from morning to night to provide for his family until the excruciating effort took its toll on his body, leaving him sick, weak and unable to work. Mihirkiran’s wife had to care for their three young children and couldn’t help provide for the family. With the breadwinner sick, the family found themselves in desperate need.
Visiting Pastor Provides Rice
Our pastor Babala visited Mihirkiran one day and learned of the family’s struggles. When the pastor and his wife came back the next day, they realized the family had no food to eat and their children were going hungry. Moved with compassion, Pastor Babala and his wife gave the family enough money to buy rice for their children. Mihirkiran was very happy for the help.
Surprised by God’s Answers
Over the next several days, Pastor Babala encouraged Mihirkiran and his family, sharing from the Word of God and praying for Mihirkiran’s healing. Before long, Mihirkiran’s health was completely restored! Surprised by this miracle, Mihirkiran and his wife came to understand Jesus as God, the One who died on a cross and heals the sick.
Today, Mihirkiran and his wife are learning more about the Jeusus they love by attending the church Pastor Babala leads.
Thank You
Every day, pastors like Babala reach out to those in their communities, actively sharing the love of Jesus with people, whether that means praying for them or helping provide a meal. God is making their ministry possible as people like you stand with them through prayer and financial support. Thank you.
*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.
WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Gafur and his wife, Dishita, the isolation they experienced due to their faith in Jesus, the struggle of walking 4 miles daily to fetch clean water, and Gospel for Asia (GFA) providing Jesus Wells to these communities in need.
Discussing Gafur & Dishita, the struggle of walking 4 miles daily to fetch clean water, & Gospel for Asia (GFA) providing Jesus Wells to communities in need
What would you do if the people in your community forbid you from using the local water to drink, take showers or wash your clothes? You would have to immediately find another water source for your family and livestock to survive.
This happened to Gafur and his wife, Dishita, a couple living in Asia. One of their sons was seriously ill when they requested a visiting pastor to pray for him. God answered in a wonderful way and healed the boy completely. This miracle led the boy’s grateful parents to put their trust in Jesus! However, as the family started to take part in church activities, the villagers opposed them and the other believers.
The villagers stopped talking to them, didn’t invite them to any social functions and no longer allowed them to draw water from any source in their community.
The believers then had no choice but to walk two miles—one way—to a hand pump installed on government premises and carry water back to their homes in large pots every single day.
Walking 4 miles every day
for 7 years adds up to 10,220 miles.
Imagine how many trips Dishita and her family had to make over the next seven years to fetch enough water for drinking, taking baths, cooking and washing dishes and clothes for their seven-member household!
Yet in spite of all these hardships, Gafur, Dishita and the believers in this village remained faithful to the Lord and trusted Him to meet their needs.
A Jesus Well like this one now provides clean water for Gafur, Dishita and their whole village.
And He did! In January of 2016, thanks to the generosity of our Gospel for Asia (GFA) family, a Jesus Well was drilled in this village for the Christians and all the other people in their community to use. When the believers freely shared their clean water with the villagers, the people’s attitude changed. Now the villagers talk with the believers and are interested in hearing about the love of God. Some even ask for prayer and visit house prayer meetings.
The struggle for access to clean water this group of Christians faced is shared by millions of poor people. Often because of extreme poverty, discrimination or drought, their only water sources are polluted, stagnant ponds. They have no other option but to use that filthy, disease-ridden water for drinking and every other human need, as well as for watering and cleaning their livestock. Consequently, people suffer much sickness, and tragically, many children die as a result.
We can change the suffering of such a community in need by providing them with a Jesus Well. Or you can help a family by giving a BioSand water filter, which turns polluted water into clean, safe drinking water.
This plaque by a Jesus Well displays John 4:13-14.
Both are truly life-saving gifts that remind people of the love and care of their heavenly Father. Jesus Wells even have an inscription that says, “Jesus said, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst’ ” (John 4:13–14).
*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.
![Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: This girl told Bindhiya, “Thank you, didi [older sister], for this mask.”](https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/792/2020/07/INF-JM-20-PH0052.jpg)
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