GFA World Newsletter

March 2022, Vol. 19, No. 3

Miron, a farmer and daily labourer, needed to stay healthy to provide for his family. Yet, once again, his body was swollen and refused to function properly. Miron’s wife and three children also suffered from various illnesses, many of them from the same cause: unclean water.

Family Seeks Health

Living in a remote area, the only water source for Miron’s family was an open well, unprotected from contaminants that might cause illness. Neighbours suggested the family visit witch doctors to seek a cure for their sickness, but the visits only drained their few resources and pushed them into poverty.

Still, Miron sought a solution. He asked GFA pastor Parley, who served in his sister’s village, to visit his home for prayer.

As Pastor Parley shared from God’s Word, light began to pierce the darkness of Miron’s life. As Pastor Parley prayed, the clutches of sickness loosened. Pastor Parley continued to visit Miron and his family and pray for them, and over time, they recovered from their sicknesses. The entire family embraced Christ’s light and love in their lives. They also welcomed Pastor Parley to lead a prayer meeting in their home every week.

But a potent need remained. Seeing the dirty water the family drank, Pastor Parley was burdened by their need for clean water. They needed a Jesus Well.

Well Springs Joy, Change

Jesus Wells bring joy to entire communities.

In awe of the well’s installation, Miron’s faith increased, and he joyfully shared the news of this miracle with his neighbours. Joy spread with the news as 75 families who had previously struggled for water gained access to an ample supply of clean water.

The prayer meeting led by Pastor Parley grew, and so did the number of miracles as people were healed from various ailments. The Jesus Well became a resource for the community that drew many to also drink of the Living Water, transforming lives.

Thanks to donors like you, Jesus Wells are transforming lives as they provide life-giving water and point to the Living Water of Christ.

Sabin looked at the muddy water. Perhaps he hesitated before taking a gulp. It was the only water he had, and he needed water to survive. What option did he have?

No Simple Solution

A contaminated open well was the only water source in Sabin’s village. Some people in the village occasionally bought purified water, but most of them were poor labourers who couldn’t afford to continually buy water. Sabin couldn’t afford it at all. Instead, he and his family of six drank solely from the open well.

For months, Sabin and his wife suffered with stomachaches. The doctor prescribed medication, but it brought little relief. The doctor then recommended they drink pure water. It was a simple solution, but one they couldn’t afford. They were left to suffer the ill-effects of their muddy drinking water.

A Lasting Solution

But GFA pastor Keenen was working on a solution for Sabin’s family and others. Serving in Sabin’s village, Pastor Keenen recognized the community’s need for clean water. He arranged for a BioSand water filter distribution, and Sabin’s family was among the 200 families that received one.

Removing 95 percent of biological impurities, the water filter turns Sabin’s muddy water into clear, clean, refreshing water for drinking and cooking. Sabin and his wife no longer suffer from stomachaches. As Sabin invites neighbours to use their filter, this one filter benefits multiple families.

“I am so thankful to [the church] for providing our family a water filter,” Sabin says. “Really it was an urgent need. Thank you for helping us in times of need.”

When GFA World sponsorship workers met Bolivar one day, he was playing along the dusty village streets with his friends. Dirt flew from his hands and curses from his mouth. Somehow, the staff members knew that one day this unruly, foul-mouthed boy could be something more, and that hope would change Bolivar’s life forever.

A Bright Future Once Unlikely

Poverty kept Bolivar’s family from affording basic necessities, including nutritious food. Bolivar was malnourished, and he frequently got sick. Completing his education was likely the furthest thing from Bolivar’s mind. He spent much of his time running around the streets with his friends and being a nuisance.

When staff from GFA World’s Child Sponsorship Program happened to meet Bolivar in the streets, they approached his parents. It seemed Bolivar rarely attended school, if at all.

The staff offered to enroll Bolivar in the sponsorship program, where he’d get the guidance and care he needed to continue his education.

Bolivar went from running around the dusty streets to sitting in a classroom. It was a drastic change, but the program staff eased the transition through their love and nurture. He received nutritious food, school supplies and uniforms. The staff also visited his home regularly to encourage his family. Gradually, Bolivar began to change. He took his studies seriously, and he began to excel. Multiple years, he received high grades on his exams.

First Steps to a Better Tomorrow

Because of God’s help through GFA World’s Child Sponsorship Program, Bolivar (pictured) overcame poverty to achieve an education.

Bolivar’s high grades meant he could attend a university—for free. Now, while working hard to help provide for his family, Bolivar looks ahead toward a bright future: He hopes to attend graduate school to earn his master’s degree.

“Today,” Bolivar says, “I am who I am because of [the child sponsorship program staff], who found me while I was playing in the streets and made me study and helped me to stand great.”

“If the [child sponsorship program] did not support [us], my son would have discontinued his studies.” Bolivar’s mother said. “But with the guidance, prayers and encouragement of the staff, my son could continue his studies again and reach up to where he is now.”

Genai sat among other women, much like her, all awaiting the start of something new. They may have had different stories or situations, but they all bore the same burden: None could read or write. But that was about to change.

Searching for Peace

Home had been no place of peace or comfort for Genai. Her father would return home from work drunk—and angry. Arguments were commonplace; hateful words flung about frequently. Genai’s younger brother, however, was showered with love and affection, while Genai felt neglected. Why was Genai treated with less care, simply because she was a girl?

There was no love for Genai, so she left.

Genai eloped and married a local carpenter—her way of escaping her family. As the years passed, and Genai gave birth to two children, the young mother still lacked the love she wanted. Through her situation was different, it seemed peace still was out of Genai’s reach.

Literacy Class Opens Door

A cause of the turmoil in Genai’s life was her lack of education. Like many in her community, Genai did not possess much schooling. Having been pulled out of school at a young age, Genai lacked the prospects to earn a better life. For every extra year of schooling, there is a 9-percent increase in hourly earnings.

To that end, GFA missionaries raise awareness of the power of education and organize literacy programs in their areas, inviting those they know would benefit the most—such as Genai.

GFA missionary Rianon organized a literacy program in Genai’s village. When Genai learned there was an opportunity for her to read and write, she joined the program. Excitement filled her as the missionary and other GFA workers handed her a book to help her read and write. Thoughts of finally being able to read and write danced in Genai’s mind. Rianon’s encouragement only fueled the young mother’s excitement. Finally, things seemed to be brightening. Maybe Genai had a chance at peace in her life after all.

Reading of God’s Love Herself

Genai delved into her literacy lessons, joining her son as he worked on his homework. From time to time, Rianon visited Genai to provide the young mother with direction and encouragement. With each visit, Rianon offered Christ’s love; she wanted Genai to experience His care.

One day, Genai took some small booklets from Rianon. Still in the beginning of her literacy journey, Genai was excited to read them, eager to put her newfound skills to the test.

As the mother opened the booklets, she realized they held the same message of hope and love Rianon had shared with her numerous times before. She felt noticeably lighter in spirit as she read. In the past, whenever Rianon had shared of Christ’s love, Genai hadn’t fully believed what Rianon was sharing. She paid rapt attention, but never fully committed it to heart.

What Genai read confirmed that, indeed, God loved the world so much that He sent His Son to die for all people—for her.

Newfound Faith, Hope

A literacy class like the one Genai attended

With Rianon’s continued visits, Genai slowly realized the truth behind what she had read and heard. God loved her, and despite whatever may come her way, she could put her trust in Him. Perhaps this was the peace Genai had long desired.

Through Rianon’s friendship and through her newly possessed power to read and write, Genai knew she was cherished by God. Now she follows Him and teaches her children about Him.

Because of GFA World’s literacy program, women like Genai are gaining an opportunity long denied them. Thank you for helping these women to gain skills they can pass on to the next generation.

Pain shot through Mahina’s eye. A piece of the wood she was cutting had splintered, flying into her eye. Though the wound did not bleed, the pain lingered, as did the effects. In the days to come, Mahina discovered her vision had been impaired by the injury. With no money for medical treatment, Mahina suffered helplessly. Would she ever regain full sight?

Unexpected Care

Mahina and her husband, Yuma, lived in a small village largely dependent on agriculture. Years of physical labour as farmers had taken its toll on their bodies. The couple could no longer work as hard as they once did, but work they must. With no children, they had no one to care for them. They had no one to help them when Mahina needed medical care for her eye.

Then GFA pastor Teran came to their door. Many times before, Pastor Teran had visited the couple, encouraging them and inviting them to church. Years earlier, Mahina and Yuma had attended church regularly. Now, they lived as they pleased and paid no heed to the pastor’s words.

When Pastor Teran learned of Mahina’s condition and their inability to acquire medical care, compassion swelled in his heart. The pastor comforted them and prayed for Mahina’s complete recovery. But his compassion extended beyond words. Pastor Teran also helped them financially, buying medicine for Mahina’s eye. He continued to visit, praying and encouraging. Slowly, Mahina recovered in full!

Pastor Teran’s acts of love stirred Mahina and Yuma’s hearts. Perhaps they found it difficult to believe someone would care so much for them. The couple began attending church again. There, they became reacquainted with the greatest Love of all.

Thanks to donors like you, GFA missionaries like Pastor Teran can impact lives with Christ’s love and compassion.

If there is one verse in the entire Bible that speaks volumes of what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit or to experience the fullness of the Lord and have His rivers of living water flow out of us unhindered, it is Galatians 2:20:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” …

The measure in which we will allow the cross to operate in our lives, to bring death to our own selfish ambitions, our ways, our rights, our reputation, our interests, in the same measure only will Christ manifest His life through us. …

If we want to see Him and have His beauty and love seen in us, we must die. We must be that grain of wheat that falls to the ground, broken and crushed, to see greater life produced (see John 12:24–25).

But, oh, how you and I try so hard, even in Christian service, to preserve our own lives, even when Jesus clearly said that if we hold on to our lives we would lose them. Fifty years we can live and study the Bible and become an expert, and still, we will not see Him. …

Second Corinthians 3:18 tells us, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” That transformation, that change, can only take place when our hearts are pure. In one of Jesus’ first sermons, He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). …

A pure heart has no soulish life in it, no selfish ambition for itself because that “I” has been crucified. With the pure heart, there is no hindrance to Christ within coming forth because there is no contamination from the self-life.

In these pages are stories of lives that have been changed because of the sacrifices of our national missionaries, who are only able to serve and manifest Christ’s love because of the sacrificial giving of donors like you. As you read these accounts, I pray you will be encouraged but also challenged to examine your own heart as you seek to become more like the Saviour.