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.
Rabia got married when she was only 12 years old. She and her husband, and—years later—their two children, lived relatively happy lives, following their traditional Asian religion. But when Rabia turned 30, she developed the symptoms of leprosy. Her husband kicked her out of the house because of it. In one fell swoop, the divorcee lost her husband of 18 […] Read more »
Around the world, October 15th is recognized as Global Handwashing Day. In recognition of the annual occasion, Gospel for Asia-supported churches, Bridge of Hope centers and Women’s Fellowships are doing their part to bring awareness about disease prevention to the people of South Asia. “In many parts of our society, awareness of hygiene is still poor and lacking,” said one […] Read more »
Today dry, cracked ground and barren fields cover the landscape of Maharashtra. The farmer’s crops are dying, and with shortages of water supplies, people’s lives waver in the balance. Clouds hover over the fields, bringing gentle drizzles instead of the usual torrential monsoons, which Northeast India is currently experiencing. How to survive stands at the forefront of many minds in […] Read more »
Heavy monsoon rains, intensified in some places by Cyclone Komen’s landfall in late July, flooded several regions of India and Myanmar, destroyed thousands of acres of crops, affected millions, left thousands homeless and killed hundreds. In Myanmar alone, more than 100 people perished. As affected regions struggle to rebuild, Gospel for Asia-supported Compassion Services teams are doing their best to […] Read more »
Charumati’s husband lay dead. Her son, Devan, clung to her, too young to fully understand what had happened. A dark pall settled over their future, and Charumati struggled to provide food and shelter for him. Through her years of labor, she didn’t notice the day the bacteria entered her flesh. It wasn’t until her son reached adulthood that Charumati recognized […] Read more »
Nabha was born into a family familiar with disappointment. Years ago, they had arrived in the city, hoping to make a decent salary. Instead, they roamed the dirty streets, collecting garbage for meager wages. When Nabha grew up, she married and contracted tuberculosis. Between the births of her two children, Nabha’s husband, Padman, took her to the hospital and bought […] Read more »
As a farmer in South Asia, Bakhtawar had spent his life working hard and getting dust in his eyes—so much dust that, over time, it damaged his vision. Unfortunately, the hard work didn’t give him enough money to fix his eyes. Knowing the area was full of people in the same predicament, Gospel for Asia pastors and their churches organized […] Read more »
The message was short and should have been common knowledge, but by the end of the speech, people had begun to cry. “Earlier, the lepers were considered as untouchables, but in this generation and time, there is no such discrimination . . .” GFA-supported pastor Vagish had said. “Our Creator, the Lord Jesus, loved all the sick people, including lepers.” […] Read more »
Gospel for Asia staff members made every effort to reach out to and educate their communities on World AIDS Day on December 1. Bible college students, ladies from Women’s Fellowships and even Bridge of Hope children and their families gathered together to raise awareness about the disease. Their efforts included rallies, conversations about disease prevention, personal counseling and distribution of […] Read more »
After traveling 16 hours along treacherous roads, half of Pastor Baha Udeen’s 11-member Compassion Services team arrived June 26 to serve families in one of the areas hit hardest by the flooding in North India. While they waited for the second vehicle, which broke down due to the combination of steep climbs and a heavy load of supplies, team members […] Read more »
Already viewed as a burden and even a curse in her culture because she is a widow, Aditri also suffers from the physical pain and social dejection of having leprosy. She lives in a center for leprosy patients where Gospel for Asia staff members recently distributed food packets and blankets. Although the center is run by a group of people […] Read more »
BioSand Water Filters Millions of people in South Asia live without access to an adequate, safe and clean water supply. They are among the many that rely on muddy pond water for all their needs. Introduce Biosand water filters! These all-natural filtration devices remove harmful substances and produce clear, clean drinking water. They don’t need electricity so they’re perfect […] Read more »
Anyone would have expected complaints from Edha, always working long days and nights so her children would have a better future. But she was the epitome of motherly devotion, and besides that, she had a dream to keep her going. . . . When she collapsed into bed with exhaustion, she thought about her own future, and how, naturally, her […] Read more »
It isn’t your typical church. The believers are society’s greatest rejects, cast out by their employers, friends and even families—all because of the disease they carry. But as Pastor Jiva looks out on the leprosy patients’ faces, he sees people covered in love and acceptance. When Pastor Jiva first arrived at the leprosy colony, the patients desperately needed help in […] Read more »
As rain continues to fall over much of Sri Lanka, the country’s death toll from floods and landslides has reached 43 people, and more than 300,000 have been affected by the damage. Adding to the island nation’s problems, which began nearly a month ago, the minister of health announced an outbreak of leptospirosis, or rat fever, a potentially deadly disease […] Read more »