A play on words has become a popular quote: “No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.” For Anja, this is more than a saying; it is a statement of truth. During a Christmas program at a church led by a Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported pastor, Anja learned about the One who brings the peace her family so desperately needed.
Anja lived with her husband and their two adult sons, Hetu and Dash. Her husband and Dash struggled with an addiction to alcohol. As a result, the family often lived in turmoil. Anja’s husband did not work. Dash fought with his older brother, Hetu, and they did not speak to one another for months.
A Plea for Change
Devastated by the discord in her family, Anja visited local temples and asked her gods to change her husband and younger son. Unfortunately, she saw no difference in their behavior, and peace continued to allude the family.
One day, Anja’s neighbor invited her to a Christmas program at the local church. When the program ended, Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported pastor Madhu prayed for the people in attendance. Anja, along with several other people visiting for the first time, welcomed Pastor Madhu’s prayer.
An Unexpected Answer
Following the example Pastor Madhu set the day of the Christmas program, Anja began to pray for her sons. Soon, she was rewarded with seeing Hetu and Dash resolve their conflict, and Hetu began attending church with her.
As they attended the local church, Anja and Hetu learned more about God and the hope and peace He provides. Like his mother, Hetu began to pray to God, asking for a wife. It wasn’t long before he met a woman who also attended church, and they were soon married.
A Hope for the Future
Together, Anja, Hetu and his new wife continued to grow in their faith and knowledge of God. Occasionally, Pastor Madhu visited them at home, encouraging them from God’s Word. Eventually, they each decided to start a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus. Anja even began to see changes in the behavior of her husband and younger son, Dash.
What began with a neighbor’s invitation to a Christmas program became the answer to Anja’s desperate prayers for her family. Peace was no longer a distant hope. It was a reality in her heart.
