Rejoice!

Many women in remote places work manual labor jobs since their childhood to provide for their families.

Saci’s life was not easy. As a girl, she forwent an education in order to work alongside her parents as a laborer in the tea gardens. With the little money she earned, she helped ease the financial burden of her parents.

Saci eventually married and had four daughters, but her struggles just increased. Her husband abused her, often coming home drunk and picking fights with Saci. Then, one day, he left the village to start a new life with another woman, abandoning Saci and their four children.

After her husband left, Saci lived with the shame widows often bear in her region. Many women in remote places are seen as the cause of their own misfortune, and they are ostracized from society. The added responsibility of caring for their four daughters by herself rested heavily on her shoulders. She worked hard in the tea gardens to provide for her and her daughters because there was no one else to take care of them. The community did not show any compassion for her difficult situation.

Two Widows’ Lives Intersect

In Saci’s village lived another widow, Latha, a GFA-supported worker. Latha would often visit Saci to support and encourage the abandoned woman. Although Saci welcomed Latha into her home, she was not interested in hearing about the One Latha served. Saci was devout in her traditional religious practices. But one day, something changed.

Saci’s sister-in-law was afflicted by an evil spirit. She heard strange whispers in her ears and became very distraught. Latha heard about the girl’s distress and went to pray for her relief. After Latha prayed in Jesus’ name, the troubled girl was delivered from the evil spirit. Saci knew that it was the power of Jesus that helped her sister-in-law—and something shifted inside her.

Shortly after that, Saci got sick, and she immediately went to Sister Latha to share about her illness. Latha encouraged her friend to trust Jesus to heal her. Saci’s faith grew little by little. As the believers prayed for Saci’s health, she felt a peace that had never been there before. Her heart was comforted as she experienced the care and concern of these followers of Jesus. She was blessed even further at a gift distribution organized by the local church where she received a cow, which eased her financial burden.

Fellowship with believers at a local church builds up and strengthens struggling people like Saci (not shown).

Love Relieves the Burdens of the Heart

Saci, now healed in body and spirit, attends services regularly at the local church and tithes a portion of the milk she receives from her cow. She has embraced the love of Jesus and publicly testified of her faith. The love of Jesus, which was so tangibly displayed through the prayers of Sister Latha and the local church, has given Saci’s life new hope and purpose.

As Raju helped to build this worship place, he learned more about Christ. After God miraculously healed his son, Raju began to worship God for himself—in the building he helped construct!

Raju rushed to Chinnam’s house with his 3-year-old son’s feverish body heavy in his arms. When this crisis came, he knew exactly where to go.

The village had known for years that God had healed Chinnam’s wife when she was afflicted by an evil spirit. A GFA-supported worker had prayed for her, and she was completely restored.

Just recently, Raju had been hired to work on the construction of a worship place for the congregation that was birthed from this miracle. He heard other stories of God’s great power, too. Maybe this God would heal his son. As he approached Chinnam’s house, fear and hope wrestled in his heart.

Chinnam and his family gathered around the small, restless body burning with fever. They cried out to the Lord for His healing hand to visit once again. The boy grew quiet. He drifted into a deep sleep as his fever broke. What started for Raju as just another construction job to support his family ended in seeing God’s healing hand. Today he worships in the very church he helped to build.

Hansini looked incredulously at her husband. How could he want to kill their infant son? She refused to support his decision, which only caused more tension in the house and in their marriage.

Because Hansini chose to protect the life of her ill son, her husband abandoned her. Now providing for her family alone, she found great comfort when she learned Jesus values her and her son.

Joy Turned to Sorrow

Hansini married Gautam when she was only 14, and their family grew to include two daughters. Hansini and Gautam both worked as laborers, but income was scarce, especially when Gautam squandered all his earnings on alcohol. His addiction caused many problems at home, and he abused Hansini.

Finally, Hansini found some relief after she bore Gautam a son. The delighted family named him Alhad, which means “joy”. Gautam’s behavior changed substantially, and he began to care for his wife and children.

But that joy was soon endangered—and so was Alhad. A year passed, and their beloved baby had not grown properly or learned even to sit. A doctor visit produced a shocking diagnosis: Alhad had a hole in his heart. Unable to afford the needed surgery, the family returned home.

The Cost of Love

Soon, Gautam announced he wanted to kill Alhad because there was no way to heal him. Hansini courageously opposed him. The tension in the home built. Finally, Gautam gave her an ultimatum: “You have to throw your son somewhere; otherwise I am not going to stay with you.”

Hansini sternly told her husband that at any cost, she would not kill her son.

After that, Gautam disappeared. Abandoned, Hansini struggled to care for her children. Each day, she faced the consequences of her decision to protect her son. But God, rich in mercy, sent some women missionaries to her to affirm His love for her and her son.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

One day, two GFA-supported Sisters of Compassion came to Hansini’s home. Hansini sensed she could trust these new friends, and she shared openly about her problems. Alhad was now 4 years old, and he still had not grown stronger.

The sisters comforted Hansini and reassured her of Jesus’ love for her and her child. Words from Scripture brought Hansini hope that one day, her son would be healed by Christ.

She asked the women to come to her home regularly to pray for Alhad, and she joined them in faith.

The Sisters of Compassion continued investing in Hansini’s life and in the lives of many others in her area. They visited Hansini every week to keep encouraging her and to worship Jesus together.

Although she is still without her husband, Hansini has discovered the One who never leaves us nor forsakes us. She has hope for her son and holds the knowledge that her Maker loves her.

Tragically, many women are abandoned by their husbands. These women endure many hardships and live much like widows. Thank you for enabling women missionaries to minister to women like Hansini!

Countless children around the world live in constant lack of basic necessities. Their parents or grandparents may do their best to provide, but without even basic education, their futures look dim.

Manisha’s family lived in a dangerous place filled with gangs and drug lords, but it was home—until her father disappeared into custody under suspicions of gang involvement. Her mother frantically sought his release, but tragically, he was never seen again. She eventually suffered a mental breakdown in her grief and was sent to a rehab center. Home would never be the same.

Grandparents in Place of Parents

Manisha and her brother grew up with their grandparents instead of their mother and father. The elderly couple worked long days in tea-packaging factories to provide for the family. They did their best, but missing even one day of work jeopardized that day’s meal.

Education came and went sporadically from Manisha’s life. Limited resources often hindered her and her brother from attending school, and they could never afford the tutoring they needed to truly succeed in their studies. It seemed they would spend their childhood—and possibly their adult life— hoping for food and financial breakthrough, unless some miracle occurred to give them a future beyond low education and daily labor jobs.

Generosity, Compassion Change Everything

One day, Manisha happened to meet a woman who taught at a nearby Bridge of Hope center—one supported by GFA friends like you. The little girl told the teacher, Shobi, how her grandparents began raising her and her brother and how difficult it was to get any education.

Shobi grew sad as she listened to the girl’s story. Manisha’s childhood was not one anyone would wish upon a child. Many others around the world have felt Shobi’s same compassion for needy children and have donated toward GFA’s Bridge of Hope Program—which meant Shobi could invite Manisha to come to the Bridge of Hope center and receive free tutoring.

Thrilled by this generous offer, Manisha went home and recounted everything to her hardworking grandparents. This turn of events was beyond their imagination! If Manisha could receive free tutoring, she would be equipped to thrive in school. And beyond that, Bridge of Hope would give her books, a bag, shoes, stationery, medical care and a daily nutritious meal. Each of those gifts would ease her grandparents’ financial burden and greatly impact the entire family.

New Hope for Life

When Manisha started attending the Bridge of Hope center, she was woefully behind on her studies. She had missed so many school days in the past, and she found it difficult to adjust to consistent schooling. But her tutors at Bridge of Hope encouraged her, and with diligent study, she slowly caught up on all of her subjects.

Children who attend Bridge of Hope centers across Asia receive the tools they need to excel in life. Their futures are bright!

“The Bridge of Hope center gives me education, food, medicines and school supplies all for free, which is a great blessing,” Manisha said. “Through the care and teachings given here, I have improved a lot in my studies, which would have not been possible without the teachers at the center.”

Through the holistic care she received at the center, Manisha’s confidence and character also improved. She began taking initiative at home, helping her grandparents with cooking and cleaning. She embraced character traits such as diligence and respect, and she tried to set a good example for her family.

“I want my other friends also to experience the joy I have found,” Manisha said.

Today, Manisha’s grandparents rejoice to see their 11-year-old girl blooming into a capable, kindhearted young lady. Although trials at home remain—Manisha’s mother is still gone and hard work is necessary to care for the family—there is a new presence of joy and hope in their home. Once again, home would never be the same.

Aahan read the promise from God’s Word, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). These words went deep into his heart. It was a word from God that Aahan needed as he laid in bed, too sick to get out.

Aahan (man on right) was once bedridden from debilitating diseases. When he began to read a New Testament he received from GFA-supported pastor Dakshi (man on left), his faith grew to believe God would heal him.

Why Was He Not Getting Better?

Years ago, Aahan had become mysteriously sick and weak in both legs. He couldn’t move out of his bed because he had lost so much strength. Then there was the severe pain in his stomach and chest and the unusual swelling. Aahan’s health was at risk— and so was his family’s survival.

Because Aahan couldn’t work, which meant no money was coming in, his family was on the brink of starvation. Aashi, Aahan’s wife, took up the mantle of family breadwinner and began working in the fields for her family. But it was not easy to look after Aahan and their three young children—the youngest of whom was only 1 year old— and also earn enough to put food on the table.

What Is Wrong with Him?

Aashi took her husband to multiple medical facilities to see if doctors could figure out what had happened to her husband, but the diagnoses had the doctors boggled: They found Aahan had multiple illnesses. Even though the doctors gave him medicine, nothing seemed to bring Aahan healing. Then one villager recommended Aashi take her husband to the church led by GFA-supported pastor Dakshi, which she did.

Will He Ever Find Healing?

Pastor Dakshi started visiting Aahan in his home and praying for his healing. Knowing that God’s Word is powerful and His promises bring encouragement, the pastor offered Aahan a New Testament for him to read. This gift of God’s Word was made possible because of supporters like you.

The Word of God deeply touched Aahan during his time of sickness. He firmly believed God would answer his prayers for healing—and He did!

After that day, Aahan read the New Testament and was greatly encouraged by what he read. He determined then to persevere in prayer because he believed God would hear his prayers and grant his request. Seven months later, Aahan was miraculously able to walk again, having been given strength and healing in his legs and body by God.

Aahan also bought complete Bibles for all the members of his family so they could grow in their newfound faith. Because of a New Testament, one family’s life was transformed forever. Aahan was healed of sickness both physically and spiritually.

“I was inspired greatly from the Bible verse, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you’ from Matthew 7:7,” Aahan explained. “I clung to that promise of God, and I experienced the touch of God in my life. Thus I am alive today and able to live a normal life.”

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
—Matthew 11:28–30

Those are some of the most comforting verses in the Bible, if you think about it. How often we can grow weary and tired of the things happening in our lives. No matter how many vitamins we take, how many hours we sleep and how much muscle strength we have, if we don’t have the emotional strength, we really can’t make it.

Anyone who has worked in ministry or interacts with people regularly has experienced this, I’m sure. But the Lord promises that His burden is light. So why am I feeling so crushed, depressed and full of self-pity? Then it’s not the Lord’s burden. It is God’s work maybe, but I am doing it in my own energy, not following the Scripture as Paul said to Timothy, “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1).

The Lord reminded me of the words of Nehemiah: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (chapter 8 verse 10). Not the work, not the result of the work, not the amount of money that is raised, not the number of people laboring on the field. It is the “joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nothing else is going to sustain you.

I think about Hansini, whom you read about on page 3, and the burden she carried of fighting for her son’s life against her husband’s will. What a tremendous load this woman had to endure, until she came to know Christ’s love and was able to let Him carry it and her. What joy this abandoned mother experienced because of Christ’s strength in her!

We will never know until we get to heaven the enormous impact that our lives are making—even with the burdens we carry, our struggles and weaknesses and whatever else—both here and around the world.