Rejoice!

Pastor Jahansuz (pictured) ministered in six different villages, but since he had no means of transportation, his effectiveness was limited to however far he could walk each day.

Pastor Jahansuz was the pastor of six fellowships in six different villages. The GFA-supported pastor tried to visit every believer, but the villages were in some of the most remote regions. As such, there was no form of modern transportation. Pastor Jahansuz had to walk almost everywhere. The pastor felt burdened when believers asked him to visit their home for prayer and encouragement but couldn’t make the journey.

Although Pastor Jahansuz tried to encourage every believer, it was impossible at times. One particular village was located five and a half miles away from his home. The pastor began to pray for the Lord’s provision.

The Great Provider

The Lord listened, and He provided. Pastor Jahansuz’s prayers were answered when he received a heavy-duty bicycle. Finally, the pastor was able to do what he wanted: minister to his flocks.

Now equipped with a bicycle, he can minister to each of his congregations–and his area of ministry has nearly doubled!

“Since the pastor did not own a bicycle, he struggled a lot,” Abarja, one of the believers said. “We live in far places, and due to that, he could not visit us. But now, by God’s grace, the pastor is able to visit us and is encouraging us to grow in the Lord.”

Pastor Jahansuz’s bicycle brought immediate blessing, both to his ministry and life. Before, the pastor was only able to visit those within a six-mile radius, but now that range has almost doubled!

Not only does he provide transportation for any in need, but Pastor Jahansuz has also been able to visit and minister in five additional villages with the bicycle’s help. Now, many more people are hearing of God’s love.

Through this bicycle, Pastor Jahansuz can more easily minister to the believers in his area and bring the love of God to so many more. Supporters like you made this story and countless others like it possible. Thank you!

19-year-old Hanita (pictured) understood her need for a saviour through a one-week Vacation Bible School program.

Unlike most children in Asia, Hanita grew up in a Christian home. Her parents worshipped Jesus wholeheartedly and taught their children from God’s Word. From a very young age, Hanita understood Christ was the only Saviour, but she didn’t understand that she also was a sinner in need of His grace. The 19-year-old developed an unhealthy mentality of self-righteousness; and even though she read the Bible daily, Hanita did not understand the truth behind it.

One summer, GFA-supported pastor Kiritmani and the regional Sunday School leader organized a Vacation Bible School in Hanita’s area. The young woman attended the five-day program, and by the end, her proud and stubborn heart had softened.

During the week, Hanita realized that she, too, was a sinner in need of redemption. Merely reading and attending prayer meeting and worship services couldn’t save her. She decided to acknowledge her sin and trust in Jesus as her Saviour.

Now, Hanita rejoices in her transformed heart. With her heart of pride now replaced by a heart of gratitude, Hanita looks forward to a life serving the Lord.

Manmohan, (pictured) has traveled place to place in a lifelong pursuit of peace

Manmohan traveled from place to place performing rituals to gain divine favour. He devoted himself to practices that promised peace. But peace eluded the 18-year-old. His constant companion was restlessness.

Often, Manmohan mulled over all the places he visited and the religious tasks he performed. But uncertainty constantly gnawed at him. Despite his faithfulness, he was missing something.

One day, Manmohan walked down the road, pensive, when melodic voices seeped through his thoughts. He stopped to listen. The music pierced through the clouds of Manmohan’s troubled mind. He looked around to see where the music was coming from. There was a tall building nearby, crowned with a cross. The words of the song were so lovely, Manmohan could not stop himself from going in the building.

Manmohan's search for peace ended after he heard music wafting from a church building and decided to join the worship service.

Doors Open to New Life

As he sat worshiping the Lord, GFA-supported pastor Dhevan did not notice the young man enter the church. At the end of the last song, Pastor Dhevan stood up to encourage his congregation from God’s Word.

When the prayer meeting concluded, Pastor Dhevan saw Manmohan in the back, his face filled with emotion. He approached the young man, asking if he was OK and what brought him there.

Manmohan told the pastor of his lifelong pursuit of peace. During this prayer meeting, for the first time, he felt the peace and comfort that had always eluded him. But the biggest impact, Manmohan stated, was when Pastor Dhevan spoke God’s Word. It touched a deep place inside the young man.

Eager to know more, Manmohan asked about Jesus. Pastor Dhevan told Manmohan about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. He also explained the purpose of human life in this world.

Hearing this message, Manmohan knew he finally found what he had been searching for his whole life. He had finally come home to rest.

Monmohan doesn’t travel from place to place seeking a god anymore. He now has God’s Spirit living inside him, and he worships in the very same building where he first encountered the God named Jesus.

Once again, Naviya left her sister’s house with harsh words ringing in her ears, rolling around in her head on repeat.

“You do not live a proper life.”

“The gods and goddesses are mad at you.”

Despite the abuse, Naviya knew she would be back. She had no choice. There were many days when she could not feed her children. Her sister would help by giving cooked food or dry rations—at the high price of verbal attacks and condemnation.

Naviya’s 10-year-old son, Harshal, knew how hard his mother worked to care for him and his sister. Witnessing his aunt scold his mother broke Harshal’s heart.

This family’s life had never been easy. Before Harshal’s father abandoned the family, they were already destitute, because the primary breadwinner gambled and drank away the meagre family earnings. For many years, Naviya tried to provide clothing and food for her children by cleaning and cooking in other people’s homes. But she never earned enough. Her sister was the only person Naviya could turn to.

Poverty Steals Food, Clothes and Hope

With food and clothing in constant jeopardy, it was impossible for Naviya to provide the basic supplies needed for her kids to attend school. Therefore, Harshal and his sister often missed classes. When he did go, he didn’t even have pencils and notebooks. How would he ever succeed? Often, when their mother went to work in the morning, Harshal and his sister would just stay home and sleep.

One day, when Harshal had skipped class once again, he met a GFA-supported worker, Misel. Concerned, Misel asked the kids why they were not in school and where their parents were. Harshal shared about their family hardships. Hearing their desperate struggles stirred compassion in Misel’s heart. He wanted to help.

Harshal (pictured) was welcomed into Bridge of Hope, where he received nourishing food, school supplies, tutoring and encouragement to reach his full potential.

The next day, Misel returned to Harshal’s home to speak to Naviya. As she poured out her heart to Misel, he knew that Bridge of Hope would offer this family what it needed: hope.

Mom Finds Success

When Naviya heard about the Bridge of Hope program, she immediately enrolled Harshal. She was so relieved that he would get a wholesome, nutritious meal every day. Even days when Naviya could not provide any food for her family, her son would get at least one hearty meal.

Not only that, but Bridge of Hope gave Harshal a uniform and shoes to wear to school, along with a backpack, notebooks and pencils. He now had all the tools necessary to participate in class.

But there was still a problem. Harshal had missed so much school, he was far behind the other kids in class. Because he had habitually skipped school to sleep or wander all day, Harshal now struggled to apply himself.

Naviya watched as the Bridge of Hope staff patiently and lovingly helped Harshal overcome these obstacles. They faithfully tutored him so he could catch up with his classmates. Through their persistence, and Misel’s encouragement whenever he visited the family, Harshal gradually improved. A month after enrolling in Bridge of Hope, Harshal had caught up to his classmates. He worked hard in school and diligently attended the Bridge of Hope centre.

Naviya’s family now has hope for the future. With Harshal working hard at school, he will have the opportunity to get a good job to help Naviya support the family one day. In the meantime, with the support of Bridge of Hope, Naviya no longer begs from her sister. She can now stand on her own two feet. Joy now fills her heart knowing her children have a bright future.

In the midst of an agonizing illness, Raj, (pictured) heard a radio broadcast about God's healing of Job. His life changed as he continued listening to more broadcasts and later developed a friendship with a missionary.

A provocative question tumbled out of Raj’s mouth: “If there is healing in Jesus, why should I not believe in Him?”

While the answer to this rhetorical question was obvious to Raj, it would soon drive a wedge into his closest relationships, making him a disappointment to people who had always stood by him.

Overcoming Adversity—Then Finding More

Raj’s parents could have seen their firstborn son as a disappointment many years before, when he was just a baby. Before Raj was born, they had great plans for him, but as their infant son grew, they discovered he was blind. In a culture where people with disabilities often face stigma and lack access to needed resources, Raj’s blindness shattered his parents’ expectations—and aroused scorn from their neighbours. People gossiped that Raj’s condition might have resulted from his parents’ sin.

Raj overcame adversity to arrive at 12th grade—a feat for any student in his region. Then illness interrupted what should have been a joyful final year of school. Beset with a high fever and scabies, Raj scratched himself in agony for two months. A doctor prescribed medicine, but Raj’s condition didn’t improve. He began to despair.

From Hope to Faith

Early one morning, Raj was listening to music on the radio. In the program following the music, a broadcaster talked about the incredible suffering faced by a man named Job. Raj kept listening as the speaker shared about the healing and grace Job found in God. From that day on, Raj listened regularly to the GFA-supported radio program, hungry to know more about Jesus Christ.

Although Raj desired deeper knowledge of God, there was no church in his village. But one day, a GFA-supported pastor, Nandan, visited Raj’s village and met the young man. Hearing about Raj’s sickness, Pastor Nandan encouraged him.

“In the Bible there were many people who were suffering from various diseases,” the pastor explained, “but when they believed and prayed in Jesus’ name, they were completely healed.”

Raj told Pastor Nandan about what he had already been learning from the radio broadcasts. That’s when he asked the questions that would change his life: “If there is healing in Jesus, why should I not believe in Him? … Tell me: What do I need to do?”

Brushing off Rejection, Embracing Joy

Pastor Nandan explained that Raj could enter a relationship with Christ by believing in Him and calling upon Him. The pastor continued visiting and praying for Raj. Eventually, the Lord completely healed Raj of his fever and scabies.

Grateful to the One who healed him, Raj decided to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

That’s when Raj began to face rejection from his own family. Though they had supported him even when others mocked them because of his blindness, his new faith was a source of shame they refused to bear. They began verbally harassing him and stopped financially supporting his education. Some days Raj went hungry in the hostile home. His family tried to stop him from going to church, but he attended worship services secretly. Raj’s parents chastised Pastor Nandan too, but he continued to visit, encourage and pray for his new brother in Christ.

Despite the opposition Raj has faced, he radiates joy and peace, thanking the God who healed him miraculously.

“I used to be sad all the time whenever people mocked at me,” Raj said, “but now I am so happy. … Let people say whatever they want. I have got the living God, who is my internal eyes.”

Founder and Director of GFA

If you and I have truly understood the love of Jesus for those who don’t know Him, then we will sometimes feel like Elijah did: left all alone with our concern for the world. We call out and urge believers to invest their lives so that others can hear about Christ, but our voices are so often drowned out by all the other activities going on in the Christian realm.

Most of these activities are designed to make life on earth more enjoyable and comfortable. … Sacrifice, suffering and intercession are largely unpopular in many of our churches, because they involve hard work and giving up comfort, time and money.

When we look at the world situation, we can hear Jesus say loud and clear in His Word: “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21, KJV). Jesus is asking us to be in His place, to walk in His shoes, to become deeply concerned about all people and their eternal state.

I believe God’s heart is greatly touched by the cry of people on their way to an eternity apart from Him. Think of Ezekiel 22:30: “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none”(KJV).

There are people whom He is calling to stand in the gap and who are willing to pay the price. If you have answered His call, don’t get discouraged feeling that the job is so huge and that there are only a handful of people who share your burden. Remember, Jesus had only 12 disciples, yet they impacted the entire world.

We must never lose the freshness of the privilege the Lord has given us to share His heart and be concerned about those who don’t know Him. We are given the opportunity to pray, to give, to go, to send national workers and to make a huge difference for countless people for all eternity.

Thank you for joining us on this journey to make sacrifices for a world desperate to know the Lord. I hope the stories you have read in this issue of Rejoice! show you how God is impacting lives through gifts like yours. He is using you more than you can imagine!

Some of this material appeared on K.P. Yohannan’s blog on March 19, 2019. You can find the entire post at https://kpyohannan.org/2019/03/19/walk-jesus-shoes-prayer-unreached/..