Rejoice!

Tides rise and tides fall. Sometimes the sea gives, and sometimes it takes away.

The sea provides many things needed to sustain life. Yet, when provoked by cyclones or earthquakes, the sea can also destroy life in a matter of minutes, and this destructive change isn’t predictable like the tides. For Aalay’s coastal village, the sea yielded fish—the primary source of income. But on December 26, 2004, the sea’s blessings turned into a terrible curse for Aalay, who was not even 2 years old, and thousands of others.

That day, the Indian Ocean tsunami killed more than 200,000 people in Asia and Africa. Aalay and his mother were at church when waves poured into their home. The waters swept away his father’s fishing boat and nets and almost took the lives of Aalay’s grandparents, who were submerged in the floodwaters but managed to survive.

A Lifeline After Disaster

With the family’s home severely damaged and their fishing equipment destroyed, Aalay’s family had years of recovery ahead, as did their entire village.

As people returned home to ruins, GFA-supported workers saw the need to provide long-term assistance for the community. The tsunami had taken away the livelihoods of Aalay’s community, thrusting families into great financial hardship that could easily jeopardize their children’s future.

Amidst the wreckage, the Lord gave a gift. GFA-supported workers opened six Bridge of Hope centres in the region, including one in Aalay’s village, to serve the children by providing education and care.

Bridge of Hope would later offer Aalay a lifeline during a crucial time. Against the backdrop of devastation, Aalay watched his father abuse alcohol and drugs, and life’s hardships weighed on the boy. He often lashed out in anger at people, and his mother foresaw him becoming wayward. Then, around age 7, Aalay joined the Bridge of Hope program.

When Aalay set foot in the Bridge of Hope centre, he entered a loving, supportive community. He gained a quality education through the tutoring sessions. He also engaged in positive activities with other children, and he received nutritious meals, school supplies and clothes. Aalay was most impacted, however, by the dedicated staff members, who instructed him patiently and showed him the importance of education. After one of the tutors opened Aalay’s eyes to many different career options, the boy glimpsed a promising future on the horizon.

When Aalay (pictured) joined Bridge of Hope, he struggled with anger and had little hope for the future.

A Different Forecast

This new hope propelled Aalay to a life of purpose. With newfound discipline, Aalay implemented the advice his Bridge of Hope tutors gave about study skills and organization. Although he still played with his friends, he went home in the evenings to spend an hour studying and then say his prayers before bed. He also grew in kindness. He showed more respect to his parents, and instead of lashing out in anger toward friends, he treated them with love.

Soon the changes in Aalay’s life rippled to his family. At Bridge of Hope, Aalay learned about the dangers of substance abuse, and he shared this information with his father. Aalay’s father listened as his son told him that his addictions were destroying their family’s happiness and stability. A few months later, Aalay’s father began to overcome these addictions.

“My father’s life is so happy,” Aalay says, “and we live a peaceful and better life in my home. … [In] such a way, Bridge of Hope is helping my family and has [played] a significant role in my life.”

Today, Aalay and his family see a different forecast on their horizon than what seemed plausible 15 years ago. Equipped with the skills and drive he’s gained through Bridge of Hope, Aalay plans to pursue higher education and become an accountant. He dreams of providing well for his family one day.

Through the love and counsel of Bridge of Hope staff, Aalay (pictured) has the education he needs to break out of poverty, and he has peace and a sense of purpose.

Through Bridge of Hope, Aalay and his family have found a new beginning in God’s love. The sea swept away their livelihood in the tsunami, but God gave them a gift that keeps on giving.

Vedansh (left) finally found enduring peace when he read about Jesus in a New Testament he received from Pastor Vikranta (right)

Faithful and hardworking were two words that could be used to describe Vedansh. Married with two children, Vedansh did all he could to provide for his family. Yet there was something missing from Vedansh’s life.

Vedansh worked as a daily labourer to feed his family—yet despite his efforts and his faithfulness to his beliefs, Vedansh was unhappy. It was as if there were a void dwelling in his heart. Vedansh’s outside appearance was one of happiness, but the turmoil within him grew and grew.

An Encounter with God’s Love

One day, as Vedansh was returning home from work, he happened to meet GFA-supported pastor Vikranta. The two struck up a conversation, and Pastor Vikranta shared of God’s love. As they continued talking, Vedansh explained his struggles and the discontentment roiling in his heart. He detailed the many rites he performed in hopes peace would come.

The pastor listened and offered to pray for Vedansh.

“God is the Peace-giver, and He gives peace which is perennial,” the pastor encouraged. Before he left, Pastor Vikranta offered the troubled man a New Testament and suggested he read the Gospel of John.

The very next day, Vedansh called Pastor Vikranta and said he felt peace he had never felt before. Pastor Vikranta rejoiced with Vedansh and invited him to attend the upcoming worship services at the local church.

Everlasting Peace

Over the next month and a half, Vedansh read the New Testament. One verse stood out to him in particular: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 powerfully touched Vedansh, filling his heart immediately with peace. Over the next months, Vedansh and his entire family attended services, learning more about God and His never-ending love. Vedansh also finished reading the New Testament. And as he did, the peace he felt stayed permanently.

“Once, I lived without peace,” Vedansh says. “But when I found the living God and read His Word, my heart was filled with peace.”

Imagine growing up without a father and being belittled and jeered at for it. Imagine growing up knowing nothing but hard, backbreaking work just to eat. Imagine never escaping the choking cycle of poverty from childhood to adulthood. Tavish doesn’t have to imagine—he lived this life.

Bereft of a Father

Tavish’s father passed away when he was only 3 years old, leaving his mother and older sister to fend for the family.

“I have absolutely no memories of my father,” Tavish says. “I don’t know what he looked like, and even my mother hasn’t told me much about him.”

The role of breadwinner fell to Tavish’s mother, Jamini, who took cleaning and daily labor jobs to earn what little money she could. When he was old enough, Tavish also helped, laboring alongside his mother and sister in the fields. From morning till evening, they worked, making only $1 (USD) a day.

The years passed, and Tavish married and had two children. He wanted to give his children a future of their own—one he never had—but he didn’t know how. Tavish’s father hadn’t been around to guide him, and Tavish hadn’t gone to school, which would have provided some direction.

A Meeting of Providence

GFA-supported pastor Naimish served in Tavish’s village for several years. During his ministry, Pastor Naimish saw God’s love touch many lives, and oversaw the small congregation that gathered.

One day, Pastor Naimish was walking in the village when he passed Tavish’s worn house made of bamboo. After striking up a conversation, Pastor Naimish learned of Tavish’s struggles. Every year just to provide, Tavish took his family to another state in hopes of finding a decent income. For four to six months out of the year, Tavish and his family joined hundreds of others harvesting sugarcane. Even his children, Pavitra and Danvir, helped in the fields, instead of attending school as Tavish wanted.

However, they only earned the equivalent of $100 (USD) in those months—barely enough for the family to survive.

Tavish told the pastor about his childhood, about the tragedy and turmoil surrounding his early years. He worried for his children’s future; if they couldn’t go to school, they would remain trapped in the same cycle of poverty he was in. As Pastor Naimish listened, sadness filled his heart—this was a family that desperately needed help.

A Changed Family

Pastor Naimish invited Tavish and his family to attend worship services for encouragement and prayer. Tavish accepted, and for the next few months, Tavish and his family sat with the other believers every Sunday.

For many months, the pastor and believers prayed asking the Lord for guidance on how to bless Tavish and his family. The answer came in the form of a cow.

When Tavish (pictured) received a cow at a GFAsupported gift distribution, which later gave them a calf, the future of his family changed. Selling milk each day has provided Tavish a steady income—enough to send his children to school

Tavish wasn’t the only one in the village who received a life-changing gift. Naimish and the believers also helped provide income-generating gifts to four other families.

“We, as a church, are trying to address the problem of unemployment by giving away these gifts,” Pastor Naimish says. “We are trying to transform the lives of those individuals and help them find a source of income.”

The cow Tavish and his family received provides milk every day, which Tavish sells. With his earnings, he has enough money to send his children to school with every book and supply they need—which he has always wanted to do.

“I don’t need to worry about their future,” Tavish says. “I can be settled here, and I can be with my family.”

Yani (pictured) was desperately ill when Pastor Qadir met her one Christmas and told her about Jesus’ power and love. Yani started attending worship services at a church, like the one pictured on right, and as she grew in her faith, she also found healing in Jesus

After yet another doctor’s appointment and a round of unsuccessful medical treatments, Yani began to lose hope of ever being free. For three long years, she struggled to live everyday life because she was harassed by an evil spirit. Her health continued to worsen, and nothing seemed able to conquer the evil spirit that plagued her.

Yani’s husband took her to see many doctors in hopes that medical advice would heal her. Unfortunately, nothing helped, and Yani’s condition became critical.

One December, GFA-supported pastor Qadir and a group of believers from the local church where he ministered journeyed through Yani’s neighbourhood to share the joy of Christmas. They prayed for the sick and offered literature about hope.

When they arrived at Yani’s home, they quickly learned of her declining health. Pastor Qadir shared with her about Jesus’ love for her and His power to heal.

“Jesus is the author of everything. He can release you from every disease, and He can give you a new life,” the pastor explained. “He also has power over all the evil spirits. … He can even protect you from all kinds of spiritual and physical disorders.”

A Decision to Make

While Yani heard Pastor Qadir’s words, she wasn’t ready to believe them and meet the Jesus of whom he spoke.

Unfortunately, Yani’s condition worsened. A year later, she recalled the words of Pastor Qadir and regretted dismissing them. She decided to meet with him to learn more about Jesus. Pastor Qadir happily spoke with Yani and encouraged her to attend the church’s worship service.

Yani visited the church and became a faithful attendee. She later made the decision to start a personal relationship with Jesus. Since that time, Yani’s health began to improve every day. She is growing stronger physically and spiritually as she continues to attend church with her children.

Thank you for your support of national workers like Pastor Qadir and their ministries, which help change the lives of many like Yani.

A simple pull cart enables a farmer or vendor to drastically increase their profits, helping them meet their families’ daily needs.

When Lai moved his wife and son to a village in the valley, he had high hopes of finding a job that earned more than his father’s job as a blacksmith. Instead of following in the family trade, Lai chose to work in agriculture because of its potential for higher wages. However, three years after moving his family, it did not seem his hard work was paying off.

Lai worked various jobs during that time. Sometimes he worked as a porter and other times as a daily wage laborer. Regardless of the job, Lai grew discouraged by the lack of income he earned for his family. “Some nights we slept without food,” Lai admits. “I prayed to God and cried for His help.”

Hope in the Trial

Thankfully, Lai, his wife and their son each had a personal relationship with Jesus. When money was tight and it was difficult to buy food, they knew they could turn to Jesus with their burdens. They also knew they could talk to their pastor.

Their local church was led by GFA-supported pastor Hasu. When Lai told Pastor Hasu of his family’s needs, he was encouraged by the pastor’s prayers and support. But Pastor Hasu didn’t stop there. He explained Lai’s situation to the church leadership.

Soon, Lai’s family received a pull cart as part of the church’s Christmas gift distribution. The cart enabled Lai to earn income by selling the fruit of the land. “I thank [the church] and its leaders; they provided me a cart. It is very useful for me. I am selling fruits, maize and vegetables in this cart,” Lai rejoices.

Lai’s son had planned to leave the country in search of better job opportunities. Seeing his father’s success, he canceled his plans and decided to stay.

As a result of the cart, Lai now makes a stable income and is able to support his family. His story is just one example of many who have benefited from the gifts donated through Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift Catalog.

Thank you for your generosity that makes giving Christmas gifts like these possible!

During my early days of serving God, I remember being asked to share my testimony for the first time. This was one of the very first ministry assignments I ever had. I was hardly 17 years old. I walked up to the podium and just stood there. I don’t know what exactly I said, but it was only about three or four words, and then I ran back and sat down. I had prepared in advance what I wanted to say, but once I was actually up there, I was so scared. It was a long time before I could overcome this fear.

I’m sure all of us have had some experience like this where we’ve felt inadequate and have had these thoughts of “I don’t measure up.” … Even if we have 25 years of experience in our job or ministry, we still face feelings of unworthiness or lack confidence. Sometimes it has to do with something in the past: our childhood, our teachers or our friends calling us names. Regardless of where it came from, it affects us deeply and seems to follow us wherever we go.

We can so easily be discouraged when we look at others and compare ourselves with them. We don’t realize our acceptance and usefulness to God has nothing to do with our abilities. We can only see where we fall short.

When we feel like we don’t measure up, the answer is not to try to compensate by covering it up one way or another. It’s just to honestly say, as Moses did, “Lord, all I’ve got is a stammering tongue.” Then God can reply by saying, “The weak, fragile, dry stick in your hand, that is good enough. I will make you strong.”

It is when we come to the end of ourselves that God can work. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

Whatever the Lord has called us to do, I pray we will understand that our weakness plus Christ’s sufficiency equals absolute victory.

May the Lord encourage you in your support of the work in Asia—it is a blessing and joy to see God move mightily through His people. May God bless you!

Some of this material appeared on Dr. K.P. Yohannan’s blog on July 18, 2019. You can find the entire post at https://kpyohannan.org/2019/07/18/dont-measure-up-what-is-in-your-hand/