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.
Mahiya found herself sitting inside a church building, surrounded by a huge crowd of people worshiping Jesus. Something stirred within her pursuing heart. Ever since her husband’s death, she was seeking an answer to her turmoil—maybe this was the answer she was searching for? Maybe this would stop her worrying about her fatherless children? Maybe here she could find hope […] Read more »
Women listened intently to the speaker in front of them. New ideas and thoughts whirled through their heads, and a sense of deep gratitude and hope filled some of their anxious hearts. As they left the class, the women carried home precious information that could impact many future generations. Life-changing Advice GFA-supported Women’s Fellowships all across Asia conducted health care […] Read more »
On New Year’s Day in Asia, much like in the United States, many people celebrate by throwing parties, watching fireworks, singing, dancing and enjoying one another’s company. But not all people are able to celebrate the new year. Women who are widows may be rejected and alone, and extra gifts and treats are out of reach for many impoverished […] Read more »
Sapna left the witch doctors, frustrated and disappointed to again be met with failure. Doctors were unsuccessful in treating her severe pain, and now even witch doctors couldn’t find a cure. Sapna wondered why faithfully obeying her religious customs for so many years hadn’t brought her the blessings she expected. As part of the local priest’s family, she had diligently […] Read more »
Tourists flocked to Shanti’s city year after year, enchanted by the snowcapped mountains reflected in a glassy lake. But while visitors dreamt of living in her beautiful city, Shanti lived in a fog of depression and frustration, weary of suppressing her lifelong desire. Girl Kept Home from School During Shanti’s childhood, most parents in her community believed sending girls to […] Read more »
Reena will likely never forget the day the terrible news came. Her second child, still growing within her womb, would never meet his father. “Daddy” would become a distant memory in the mind of her 5-year-old firstborn. The rains that normally brought nourishment to Reena’s community had instead brought devastation. Flooding swept the young mother’s house away, along with all […] Read more »
Lajja once lived alone in unrest. She looked for any value in her life, instead finding only bleakness and misery. But if you talked to Lajja today, she would tell you she is a precious child of God and is loved both in heaven and on earth. Her eyes might even sparkle! Widow Struggles Alone Lajja’s four children were in […] Read more »
When Anhithi and Yuktha, two Gospel for Asia-supported Sisters of Compassion, felt burdened to minister to the needy people in their nation, they determined to show love through any opportunity that came their way. One day, it meant helping 101-year-old Unami tidy her appearance and clean her time-worn body, and helping Rakhi, another elderly widow, level the uneven floor of […] Read more »
One woman named Saparna shares how God healed her from a life-threatening disease when the gods her family adored couldn’t bring her relief. I am Saparna. I am 35 years old. … I have a husband and four children. … I and my husband take care of the family through farming. Since I grew up in a [religious] family, I […] Read more »
Madina cursed life. She wanted an escape—she wanted to die. The thought of leaving behind her younger brother, Makul, was the only thing that kept her from suicide. Madina, who had never married, and Makul, who had an intellectual handicap, lived with their older brother and his wife. Though it should have been a refuge for them, this home was […] Read more »
After two years, it seemed Keya could no longer bear the pain these severe headaches inflicted. She had given up expectation of ever getting better, and she was continually discouraged about her condition. In agony, Keya’s husband watched his bride suffer. As a daily wage laborer, he didn’t make enough money for sufficient treatments, and he had already spent much […] Read more »
Two problems robbed Gunita of happiness: For 14 years, she hadn’t been able to have a baby, and for many of those years, she also suffered from constant bleeding that weakened her body. Gunita started worshiping idols zealously and trying out witch doctors’ remedies. After several months, she gave birth to a daughter. She finally felt happy—for a time. Gunita’s […] Read more »
Marmi rushed through her chores, excited for an afternoon meeting. With five children and a house to take care of, she didn’t have much spare time, but to Marmi, the meeting was well worth the sacrifice. Never a Chance to Learn The firstborn of 10 children, Marmi never had an opportunity to learn how to read. Instead of going to […] Read more »
Sahaj couldn’t walk properly. Her joints were giving her trouble, and she was in constant pain. She held out for hope of relief, so she traveled a few villages away, to her mother’s home, to receive treatment. But the treatments proved to be of no help; in fact, she became worse. Genuine Care and Healing Sahaj’s mother, Banht, was a […] Read more »
When Durjaya left for work one morning more than 20 years ago, Sahoj never expected it would be the last time she’d see her husband alive. Along with his regular job, Durjaya often trekked into the forest to collect firewood to support his family. It was one of these times, as he and two men were loading the wood onto […] Read more »