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When a week-long deluge of rain overflowed the rivers and canals around Sahasra’s village, flooding wreaked havoc, destroying homes and halting transportation and communication lines for days. Sahasra’s life as a single mother and sole breadwinner for three sons was difficult enough. Now that her tiny, one-room house had collapsed, she didn’t know what to do.
After hearing from a local pastor about the plight of the flood victims, Gospel for Asia leaders in the region visited the affected villages. As they went from house to house, they found out what needs people had and comforted them, assuring them they would assist them. During this visit they met Sahasra.
“I am a daily labourer,” she told them. “I barely survive with my children. Now I have lost my house, and no one is there to help me.”
The GFA workers promised Sahasra they would help meet her needs.
Not long afterward, they hosted a Christmas gift distribution program for the flood victims, blessing 54 families with much-needed gifts like tin roofing sheets, blankets, bags of rice, goats and bicycles. They didn’t forget their promise to Sahasra: She received a blanket, a bag of rice and some tin roofing sheets.
Given More than a New Home
One month later, the local GFA pastor, Ghalib, followed up with the gift recipients, visiting them to see how they had been able to use their gifts. When he came to Sahasra’s house, he saw that she and her sons had rebuilt their house with the roofing sheets.
Sahasra opened up to Pastor Ghalib about her struggles and expressed interest in learning about Jesus.
“He came to earth and rescued sinners and the needy,” he said. “Because of Jesus’ teaching, the church has been helping society.”
Hungry for the kind of care and help Christ and His children offered, she replied, “I alone work and care for my children. The people of my community refused to help me. Because of my continuous work, I am suffering from joint pain but am unable to seek treatment.”
Pastor Ghalib consoled her with the promises of Scripture, and she asked him to pray for her. After interceding earnestly on her behalf, he invited her to attend church services. As Sahasra started coming to church, God healed her of her pain. She chose to follow Jesus and has been faithfully attending worship services, even though members of her community are trying to stop her.
Sahasra says, “In Jesus I have found an eternal shelter, which cannot be taken away.”
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