See God’s amazing power through GFA’s reports from the mission field. Several field reporters cover multiple countries in South Asia to bring you news, inspirational stories and prayer requests that will enrich your life.
Bir’s village was located in rural fields. Villagers diligently worked the land, which relinquished just enough crops to feed hungry bellies. Chicken farmers even took on a summer crop to supplement their income. Life was difficult there; the word “abundant” was scarcely known. Six-year-old Bir scavenged for usable plastic bags. His parents used them to tote home-grown vegetables to sell […] Read more »
Naija’s family lived in a small remote village that was Christian in name only. She did not know Jesus personally, nor did her family attend church. “Christian” was just a word without meaning to Naija. Sunday School, VBS and Bible stories—so familiar to most Christian kids—were completely foreign to Naija. Naija grumbled as she worked in the field. All her […] Read more »
Two worlds collided when Murali and Pranay played together. Although neighbors, the 12-year-old boys lived completely different lives. As their friendship grew, Pranay learned of the struggles Murali’s family faced—struggles Pranay had never known. Pranay had known love and care from his father, a GFA-supported pastor, from the earliest age. Hope and purpose permeated Pranay’s family life and he enjoyed […] Read more »
“Why was I born into this world?” That’s a question most children don’t find themselves asking, but Sariah was no ordinary child. The young girl had been unable to walk since birth, and she felt isolated—different. Consumed by Loneliness While her family members were followers of the local traditions, Sariah was especially devout. Often the young girl rebuked her siblings […] Read more »
“Do not be deceived, ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’” —1 Corinthians 15:33 For Rikhil, this Bible verse epitomized most of his teenage years. The Allure of Drink Growing up, Rikhil was a humble and obedient son at home and at school. He exemplified good character and morals—until he fell into the wrong crowd. At the tender age of 12, Rikhil […] Read more »
Naina was much like any other young girl in her village, but there was one life-long struggle that set Naina apart: She was speech impaired. Multiple times, the other children at school laughed and made fun of Naina for her speech impediment. Girls would giggle at her when she tried to answer a question in class. Teachers Worry About Naina’s […] Read more »
Aabha’s dad, Edom, came home every evening from work drunk, miserable that he could only make a meager amount of money. In desperation to get more money, Edom also gambled. Because Edom got drunk, he would abuse his family to get his way, so Aabha’s mother and three sisters lived in fear. Though they wanted to beg Edom to stop […] Read more »
Aayush didn’t study. How could he when his father disrupted the entire household in his drunken state? He watched as his mother endured continual verbal abuse and beatings executed by his intoxicated dad. School just didn’t seem important to distraught Aayush or to his troubled family. Besides—they couldn’t afford it. Aayush was a distressed little boy. The tussles and unrest […] Read more »
Hamsa had a choice between pursuing the pleasures of the world and going to church. As she grew older, she invited negative influences into her life and gradually stopped attending Sunday School. Would she discover joy in Christ? Diligence Wears Off When Hamsa was a child, she diligently attended Sunday School. Although her parents attended church on Sundays, they never […] Read more »
6-year-old Akmal didn’t know where the train was heading, but he was sure of one thing: He was never going back. Why did his uncle beat him? Why did his father have to kill his mother? Now he was alone and unsure of his future. As the train’s wheels turned on the tracks, Akmal’s life took a turn of its […] Read more »
Tears of compassion rolled down Dayalu’s face. He saw her. The skinny, frail body of a little girl, no more than 2 years old, sitting alone near a thorny bush. Ants covered her. She cried out in pain as they bit her innocent, little face. Swooping her up in his fatherly arms, Dayalu took her home with him. She was […] Read more »
It burned. Ashmita hurled her exhausted young body into the kitchen. Her eyes stung as she cried out in agony. Chili powder washed off her small cheeks in a red stream as she anxiously tried to recover from the new form of abuse. But the pain in her eyes couldn’t compare to the pain and confusion found in her young, […] Read more »
Theeran and Aatmaja fell in love. Aatmaja came from a poor family, but they married anyway, much to the displeasure of Theeran’s parents. Though they faced opposition from their family members, they began to live a happy life together. Soon they had a beautiful little girl and named her Vahini. Everything looked picture perfect. Perfect … until alcohol entered the […] Read more »
Eight-year-old Aahva sat strangely silent among nine other children from the slum who had gathered for Sunday School. His unusual behavior didn’t go unnoticed by the GFA-supported Sisters of Compassion. When they asked Aahva what was wrong, he complained of a headache. They felt his forehead and quickly found it was aflame. The sisters tenderly prayed for him and sent […] Read more »
Talika was partially deaf. She could barely make out anything of the Bible stories her teachers shared during a GFA-supported Vacation Bible School. But somehow, though she couldn’t hear the majority of what was being said, she felt the joy of Jesus through the activities she and many other children participated in. Answered Prayer Fading Her Gloom Talika and her […] Read more »