Rejoice!

Manindra had lost all hope—hope his father would ever get better, hope he could find a wife and hope his family could ever have joy or peace again.

Even though his family members faithfully followed their religion and all the customs and rituals that went along with it, nothing changed and they had no peace. Because of this, Manindra was no longer interested in following their religion.

Years ago, Manindra’s father’s asthma became so bad he couldn’t work. He went to a number of hospitals for medication, but nothing helped.

Although Manindra’s parents had planned to put all three of their children through school, his father’s sickness meant Manindra had to work instead of study. Because he was the oldest child, the responsibility to provide for the family fell solely on him.

Manindra didn’t make very much money as a daily labourer, but he earned whatever he could to provide for his family’s needs. His hard work meant his siblings could stay in school.

Eventually, Manindra felt he was ready for marriage. He began looking for a wife, but time after time, the woman or her parents would throw his marriage proposal back in his face. Unable to handle this rejection, Manindra became depressed.

Message of Hope Overpowers Depression

It was at this time in his life that Manindra met Turvasu and Badri, members of a Gospel for Asia mobile team. Upon hearing of all Manindra’s struggles, the missionaries encouraged and prayed for him. Their sincere prayers touched Manindra, and he invited them to his house. There, Turvasu and Badri were able to tell him and his family about Christ’s power to transform lives.

Later that day, the missionaries showed a film about Jesus for the entire village, and Manindra and his family came. The Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts throughout the movie.

When the film ended, Manindra went to talk and pray with the missionaries. He confessed his sins and chose to put his trust in Jesus Christ.

From there, God’s love transformed Manindra’s life. He began going to the local Gospel for Asia church. As his new faith grew, his devotion brought opposition from some of the villagers, who would ask, “Why are you going to church? Jesus is not our God. He is a foreign God.”

Unfazed by their disapproval, Manindra stood strong. Now Manindra’s entire family believes in Jesus, and his father’s health is improving.

Turvasu and Badri ministered to Manindra at just the right time, and they were able to reach him because generous friends like you donated to equip mobile teams. Thank you!

Kishori married when she was only 7 years old, not knowing her in-laws had a life-altering secret.

When Kishori began living with her new family, she found out her mother-in-law and father-in-law had leprosy—a disease physically devastating to those without access to treatment, as well as socially stigmatizing.

Instead of despising her in-laws, as the rest of her society would, Kishori took care of them, shouldering most of the household chores.

At 15, she gave birth to her first child; it was her second pregnancy, however, that impacted her life in an even more marked way.

Isolated by Disease

During the pregnancy, Kishori’s legs started to swell, and boils appeared. At the hospital, doctors confirmed her suspicion: She had leprosy.

Because Kishori was pregnant, she couldn’t begin treatment. After her son’s birth, she started taking medication, but in the following years, three more pregnancies disrupted her treatment, and the disease spread.

After her last child was born, Kishori resumed her medicine regimen, but leprosy had already taken its toll on her hands, legs—and soul. Afraid others would hate her because of the disease, Kishori stopped going to the market, attending social functions and spending time with friends. People even asked her husband why he didn’t kick her out of the house, but he insisted he loved her and refused to abandon her.

Leprosy made Kishori’s life painful and more difficult. She spent all day begging in order to feed her family. She couldn’t afford to hire a rickshaw, so when she needed to go to the hospital for treatment, she walked more than three hours on marred feet.

Shocked by Love

Finally, those long journeys stopped one day—the day Gospel for Asia missionaries came to Kishori’s home. They asked if they could clean her wounds. Shocked, Kishori couldn’t fathom why someone would freely offer a service most people wouldn’t do even for money. While cleaning Kishori’s wounds, the missionaries prayed for her and told her of the Healer.

Every week, Kishori excitedly welcomed the missionaries into her home, and her family heard them share about Christ’s love. Even more people got to share in the blessing as Kishori invited neighbours with leprosy to come have their wounds cleaned and hear the Good News.

Through the missionaries’ sacrificial lifestyle, Kishori realized God actually loved her and could heal her. As her wounds gradually began to heal, Kishori put her faith in Christ, and soon her husband and two of her children followed.

Now Kishori knows God not only as Healer but also as Provider. In 2012, Gospel for Asia opened a medical clinic near Kishori’s village. In addition to medical care, Kishori and many others in her leprosy colony get a nutritious meal each day. They also receive items like mosquito nets, shawls and special shoes for leprosy patients.

“God is providing so many things. ... I feel that God is my only father and mother,” Kishori says.

She knows that without His grace, she may have lost her fingers and legs. Instead, she has now almost completely recovered from leprosy, and she and her family worship Christ along with many others in the leprosy colony.

Thet Myaing had never fully recovered from a bout of malaria that paralyzed his left leg. Now, because Thet’s parents couldn’t afford to take him to a hospital, the boy was languishing from the lingering disease.

Staff Member Determined to Help

When this news reached Win Shein, the coordinator of the GFA Bridge of Hope centre where Thet studies, Win borrowed money so he could take Thet to the hospital.

After one week at the hospital, Thet’s condition only grew worse, so his parents took him home. Win didn’t give up hope, though. Along with some other believers, he asked Thet’s parents if he could pray for Thet. At first they refused.

But their hearts softened when Thet said, “In [the Bridge of Hope] centre, we have been taught always that Jesus is Healer. If they pray for me, I believe Jesus can heal my sickness.”

Hearing this, Thet’s parents allowed Win and the other believers to pray for the boy. The believers interceded for Thet at his home, and they kept praying for him over the next week. Gradually, Thet was able to eat and walk. After one month, God had completely healed him of malaria!

Hope for the Future

Now free from sickness, Thet attends the Bridge of Hope centre regularly to learn from the teaching and guidance of Win and the other staff members.

In addition to restoring Thet’s health, the Lord also filled his parents with a desire to learn about Christ. They started going to church on special occasions, and Thet has been attending Sunday school and worship services occasionally for the past two years. He enjoys learning songs and Bible lessons.

Having experienced Christ’s love through the Bridge of Hope staff, Thet says, “When I grow up, I want to help and work with children who are in need like me.”

By supporting Gospel for Asia’s Bridge of Hope, you are helping Thet and thousands more children receive education and physical provision. Even better, you are also pointing them to the God of healing and restoration. Thank you!