GFA World Newsletter

August 2019, Vol. 16, No. 6

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.

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.

“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!

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.

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!

January 2019, Vol. 15, No. 1

Pranita looked at her discouraging surroundings. Crowded houses, wailing children and hopeless adults greeted her tired eyes. She and her family live in one of Asia’s largest slums.

Fallen on Hard Times

Pranita’s family had moved to this slum because her father, a construction labourer, had struggled to find work in their previous village. But after years in the slum, every day was still a struggle. Despite their woes, Pranita and her siblings were able to attend a local school, even though this put a financial strain on their parents.

Pranita and her younger siblings needed to perform well at school, and this pressure to excel ate away at Pranita. Her fears of failure grew so much that she could barely study.

Fears Alleviated

GFA-supported pastor Tuya ministered in Pranita’s slum. As he saw the impoverished children, compassion filled his heart, and he started a Sunday School. Pranita joined not long after.

Within months, a change took place in Pranita. Pastor Tuya told stories of a God who could give peace to the anxious and comfort the brokenhearted. Taking these truths to heart, Pranita confided in the pastor about the fears she had about school. Pastor Tuya and the believers encouraged and prayed for her. For the first time, Pranita began to feel at peace.

Blessing After Blessing

God had answered the faithful’s prayers for Pranita. But another difficulty arose. As soon as Pranita entered 11th grade, she had to walk to school. Walking a long distance alone was not a desirable situation, especially for a young woman. Pastor Tuya noticed this and decided to do something.

A few months later, the local church distributed gifts. Much to her surprise, Pranita heard her name called. She had been chosen to receive a brand-new bicycle.

Now, Pranita has no trouble getting to and from school. Her future is bright, thanks to the Lord’s compassion shown by Pastor Tuya and the believers.

Like Pranita’s family, millions around the world live in slums, but many have been touched by the love of pastors like Tuya. Stories like Pranita’s are made possible through believers, like you, who give to the ministry. Thank you!

January 2018, Vol. 14, No. 1

GFA-supported pastor Bhupad had a long way to go. He wanted to meet the people in his village, and that meant walking. He wanted to pray with them and encourage the believers he knew, and that meant walking. A few miles here and there really added up, and even for a healthy 34-year-old father of three, all that walking wasn’t easy—and it took time.

On rare occasions, Pastor Bhupad would hire transportation if the distances were too far to travel on foot, but that always cost more, so most of the time, he walked.

Still, Pastor Bhupad faithfully served others and ministered to everyone he could. Then, in August 2014, he received a bicycle through the generosity of Christians around the world—people like you.

Bike Blesses Pastor so He Can Bless Others

With his new bicycle, Pastor Bhupad visits even more people without using up so much time or getting so worn out by all the walking. He is even able to conduct a regular prayer meeting with the believers in a village that is more than 18 miles away! To walk there and back would have taken almost his entire day, but now he is able to cut his travel time significantly and have more time to bless those in need.

Not only that, the bicycle has also enabled him to travel more at night, when transportation isn’t available, so he can visit families when they call him for prayer. And with his bicycle, Pastor Bhupad can bring his wife along for ministry, so the two of them, together, are more effectively bringing hope to those they meet.

In one place, Pastor Bhupad and his wife started hosting a Sunday school for local kids. Among those youngsters were the children of a poor labourer named Nishat, whom you can read about in the next story.

January 2018, Vol. 14, No. 1

Nishat struggled to provide for his family. He worked hard every day he could, but as a day labourer, he struggled to find consistent work. That meant he often wasted precious time and energy walking around his community, just looking for someone to hire him. When Nishat did find someone, he’d often have to walk even farther to the job site. The more time he spent walking, the less time he spent working, and the more tired he was by the time he got to work as well, but what could a poor labourer do?

Meanwhile, Pastor Bhupad, along with his wife, had started a Sunday school not far from where Nishat lived, so Nishat and his wife decided to start sending two of their three children there. Nishat’s children started learning stories from the Bible, singing action songs and even memorizing some Scripture verses, all of which they enjoyed very much.

Pastor Blesses Labourer with Bicycle

Over the next year, Pastor Bhupad and Nishat developed a good relationship. Pastor Bhupad saw how hard Nishat worked and how, despite his efforts and labour, his family continued to struggle financially. As Pastor Bhupad remembered his own days without a bicycle, he realized a bicycle would be a tremendous blessing for Nishat as well. That’s why, when the pastor had the opportunity to host a Christmas gift distribution in his area, he wanted to give a bicycle to Nishat, a gift that could change this father’s life.

“I was in dire need of a bicycle,” Nishat says. “How kind you people are who considered me worthy of getting this gift. Thanks a lot.”

Thank You!

Bicycles given through GFA go to pastors, missionaries and others who could benefit from such a gift. Just like other Christmas gifts, bicycles have changed the lives of many recipients over the years and pointed many to the greatest gift Christ offers.

With his new bicycle, Nishat can find work faster, which saves him time and energy he would have wasted walking before. His children are happy to be able to attend the Sunday school, where they are memorizing Scripture and experiencing Jesus’ love, a love they are sharing with their parents, as is Pastor Bhupad.

January 2016, Vol. 12, No. 1

Feet kick up clouds of dust along the road. The hot sun beats down, causing foreheads to shine with sweat. Some people walk miles for the exercise, but Gospel for Asia- supported missionaries walk miles out of love.

Walking the Miles

Missionaries, both men and women, sometimes have to walk long distances to tell others about the redeeming love of Jesus. Sahila, a Gospel for Asia-supported Sister of Compassion, is one of these travellers.

“We are serving the Lord in [one village] among [tribal] people,” Sahila says. “We call the women and teach them from the Word of God and help them to stay neat and clean. But every Monday we go to another village, which is three kilometers away from where we are, to visit the people.”

Two other missionaries, Pakhi and her friend Kajri, minister to surrounding villages, which are anywhere from one to three miles away. But like many other missionaries, they face obstacles other than distance.

“It’s very difficult to visit these villages on foot in the scorching heat of the sun,” Pakhi explains.

In South Asia, April and May are often the hottest months of the year. The oppressive temperatures climb well above 100 degrees on a regular basis, making it difficult and sometimes dangerous to travel very far on foot.

Pastor Borrows Bicycle for Travels

Sahila, Pakhi, Kajri and 102 other missionaries received bicycles of their Bicycles/Compassion Services own at a Christmas gift distribution event in 2014. These bikes help our brothers and sisters share the love of Jesus in distant locations. Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Aayu also received a bicycle at this event. It was impossible for Aayu to travel long distances by foot in the summer heat before he received this gift.

“I travel at least 10 kilometers for . . . house visits,” Pastor Aayu says. “Since I did not have any means to travel, I used to borrow a bicycle from my neighbour to travel long distances. If I had to visit nearby villages, I never used the bicycle; rather, I travelled on foot because it’s not good to always use others’ things.”

Bicycles Help Change Lives

Now, with his new gift, Pastor Aayu can redeem both time and energy by riding his bicycle to places both near and far, even when it’s hot. Within just a few months after he received the gift, 10 people came to know the Lord as a result of Aayu’s encouragement and visits with them.

“I am very thankful to Gospel for Asia that I could receive a bicycle, which is very useful and helpful to my ministry,” Aayu states.

We thank God for your heart to equip our brothers and sisters with the needed tools so they may make His name known among the nations. Thank you!

January 2016, Vol. 12, No. 1

In every issue of Harvest, we want to help you see what you are part of through your prayers and support. We hope these short reports from the field give you quick glimpses into the lives of several men and women whom we, together, have been able to touch through Christmas gifts. Thank you for your heart to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this way!

Pig Sends Girl to School

When Firaki’s husband died, the poor widow struggled to provide for her two children. A physical handicap made walking difficult, and work was a daily struggle. But she knew the love of Jesus and looked to Him to take care of her.

One year, she received a piglet through Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift catalogue. Over time, the piglet grew into a healthy adult pig, and when Firaki sold it, the profits provided enough to care for her needs and send her daughter to a training course to help her get a good job. Grateful, Firaki gave some of the profits as a thank-offering to the Lord.

Bicycle Removes Pastor’s Burden

Goral’s feet thudded on the ground under the heavy weight of a projector, generator and the other equipment he carried with him. He was on his way to a film showing in a remote village in South Asia. Goral loved sharing the movie about Jesus’ life and ministry on earth, but carrying more than 75 pounds of equipment tired him out. Goral often prayed for a bicycle to help him in his ministry, and one day, through a donation to Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift catalogue, Goral received one!

Goral uses his bike as a push-cart to carry the equipment to more than 15 villages each month, and he rides it to visit Christians in the area and pray with them.

New Roof, Softened Heart

The thatched roof on Kamana’s mud-and- bamboo hut provided little shelter from the storms outside, while every day, a different type of storm raged inside. For three years, Kamana’s husband opposed her faith in Jesus. She often prayed Jesus would change his heart. Meanwhile, Kamana’s pastor found out her roof needed some help. Thanks to a donation through Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift catalogue, he was able to give her some tin sheets that would make a stronger covering.

Kamana’s husband was surprised at God’s provision and the generosity of His people. Because of this, he has stopped opposing his wife’s faith in Christ.

Gift Answers Father’s Prayer

Ruchir’s wife often fell sick, and trying to care for her and their 2-year-old daughter on less than $2 per day was a tremendous challenge for the 28-year-old carpenter.

Ruchir had met Jesus through a Gospel for Asia-supported pastor and continually prayed for a better job to care for his family. His greatest hope was to have a rickshaw.

When his pastor gave gifts to bless 20 people in Ruchir’s village, Ruchir’s prayers were answered! The rickshaw increased his income, helping ease the family’s financial burdens. Today, he joyfully contributes back to the Lord’s work because of what God has done for him.

Sewing Hope for a Widow

In Pastor Ramra’s church was a poor widow named Panini, who spent her days earning meagre wages to care for her four children. She washed other people’s dishes, swept their floors and cleaned their homes.

Then Panini, who already knew how to sew, was overjoyed when pastor Ramra was able to give her a sewing machine through Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift catalogue. She began stitching clothes for herself, her children and others in her village. Her income quickly increased, and now she can better provide for her family.

January 2015, Vol. 11, No. 1

When Gospel for Asia pastor Vikranta arrived in the small village, he knew where he was going and what to expect.

The family he was about to visit, however, had no idea he was coming or how much their lives were about to change.

Someone had told Vikranta about a family in desperate need of help. With faith in his heart, he hopped onto his bicycle and travelled five miles to visit them. When he arrived, he introduced himself and told them why he’d come: He was there because of their buffalo.

Family’s Buffalo Becomes Sick

Garima and her family depended on their water buffalo. They were devastated when the creature fell ill, unable to produce its life-sustaining milk—milk the children needed to drink. Garima and her husband did all they could to heal the buffalo, but nothing helped. Their situation grew so desperate that one neighbour, a follower of Jesus, called the pastor on their behalf.

When Vikranta arrived, Garima told him of their plight: “We have taken our buffalo to the [veterinarian], but . . . its health is getting worse,” she said.

Vikranta encouraged her family to put their trust in Jesus and offered to pray for their water buffalo.

For many days, he travelled the miles between their villages on his trusty code bicycle to visit and pray for Garima and the family’s buffalo. And God honoured Vikranta’s persistence. Garima’s buffalo started producing milk! At the same time, God produced faith in Garima’s family: They each decided to walk with Jesus.

Now they meet with Pastor Vikranta every Friday, opening their home so he can minister to a small fellowship of believers.

Granddaughter Falls Ill

With a healthy buffalo and a new hope in her heart, Garima could hardly have been happier—that is, until her granddaughter fell ill. This time, sickness threatened to rob them of far more than milk.

The sickness became so severe that Balik, their son-in-law, blamed his daughter’s illness on the newfound faith of his in-laws. His opposition was so strong, it ripped his family apart.

Following Pastor Vikranta’s example, Garima and her family didn’t give up hope and continued to pray. Soon the little girl began to laugh and play, and even Balik recognized God’s hand at work.

Because of a Bicycle

“Because of this [bicycle], I could start ministry in this village,” Vikranta shares. And he can do much more than that. Pastor Vikranta can travel several miles to neighbouring villages to share this same message of hope and love found in Christ and reach out to those in need of prayer. The fellowship that meets in Garima’s home is one of eight he is able to minister to. Thank you for standing with him.

January 2015, Vol. 11, No. 1

January 2014, Vol. 10, No. 1

Gospel for Asia pastor Pavan ministers in multiple villages in a mountainous region of South Asia.The only reason he can do what he does is because of his bicycle.

One village he ministers in is made up mostly of people who adhere to a traditional religion. Damini, a young woman in the village, was a devout follower of her gods. She was sure they would take care of her and get her into heaven. She even played a prominent role in the local religious festivals.

God gave Pastor Pavan opportunities to share Christ’s love with Damini’s family. But they always rejected Him. They had no reason to question their gods—until Damini fell sick.

The 19-year-old developed a fever,and it wouldn't go away, even with medication. She grew pale and began to lose weight, and slowly, she realized her gods weren't going to help her.

Pastor Bikes to Reach Village

Pastor Pavan lives relatively faraway from Damini’s village. Because the region is mountainous, the only way to get to Damini’s village is by biking there. Each time he goes, he crosses five miles of mountainous terrain, and then, when he comes to the river, he lifts up his bike and wades through the water.

Pastor Pavan had crossed the river to share Christ’s love before and had been rejected by Damini’s family. But as Damini continued to suffer from her sickness, she remembered hearing about God’s power to heal the sick—and her heart began softening toward the Lord.

Pastor Prays for Sick Woman

Pastor Pavan again made the trek to Damini’s village, and when he found out she was sick, he went to her family’s house to pray for her.

With the family’s permission, Pastor Pavan began to pray, and the Lord healed Damini immediately! As she experienced Jesus’ power, she decided to put her trust in Him.

Healed Woman Joins Pastor’s Fellowship

Damini began joining other believers, many of whom travel long distances, to worship the Lord in a village near hers. Pastor Pavan looks after this fellowship, and he gets thereby riding his bicycle.

At one of the fellowship’s meetings,Damini met and became good friends with another young lady, Gajra. The girls spent time praying and reading Scripture together, and the Lord strengthened them in Him.

Although Damini’s family opposed her, she stood firm in her faith, and eventually her mother came to know the Lord. She is now growing in Him, too.

‘I Have Reached Many with the Good News by Using the Bicycle’

Damini and her mother, along with many others, have come to know the Lord and be discipled through Pastor Pavan, but he couldn't have ministered to many of them if he hadn't received his bicycle.

“I have reached many with the Good News of Jesus by using the bicycle,” Pavan says, “and I don’t know what would be of Damini and others if I were not given a bicycle.”

Thank you for helping pastors like Pavan reach more villages by providing for bicycles.

June 2013, Vol. 9, No. 4

Rasul had such a burden to share the love of Christ with the people of that village, but obstacles stood in his way.

It’s difficult when you feel a calling in your heart from the Lord, but you see no way to accomplish it. You know the exact tool you need, in fact, but have no way to acquire it. This is the dilemma that Gospel for Asia pastor Rasul faced.

Rasul, along with his wife and four children, had been serving the Lord faithfully in his village. But this wasn’t the only village the Lord had given him a burden for. He knew of one village 31 miles from his own where nobody had ever heard the Gospel. Rasul had such a burden to share the love of Christ with the people of that village, but obstacles stood in his way.

This village had only recently been settled and was still surrounded by a lot of jungle vegetation. Travelling there also involved the threat of being attacked by wild animals or militant groups. The paths leading to the village are not large enough for buses or other vehicles to travel.

Certain the Lord had placed a call on his heart for this village, Rasul began to pray. He asked God for a way to reach the village and share the love of Jesus with the people there. As months stretched into years, Rasul never gave up hope that the Lord would answer. So he continued to pray.

Going Farther, Reaching More

Four years after Rasul began praying, he received the perfect solution—the gift of a bicycle. Rasul was so excited because he knew the Lord had answered his prayer.

It has been five years since Rasul first reached the village with the Gospel. Since then, 10 families have chosen to follow Christ and are now worshipping the Lord together. Without the gift of a bicycle, this congregation may not have ever been started.

“How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:14–15 asks. Rasul needed a bicycle to share the Good News with those who had never heard. Because of friends like you who gave toward bicycles, he was able to go much farther to share Christ’s love with others.

January 2013, Vol. 9, No. 1

Gospel for Asia pastor Dhumal Tambe is ready to do whatever it takes to shine the light of Christ among the unreached in his region. As he shares the Word of God and lives it out, he watches God transform people’s hearts.

Just ask Devak, who embraced Jesus’ love after seeing it shine through Dhumal.

When Dhumal helped Devak get a rickshaw through Gospel for Asia’s Christmas gift distribution, Devak’s parents, who had opposed their son’s new faith, opened their hearts to Jesus too.

Jaya can also attest to the Christlike compassion Dhumal displays. At first, she wouldn’t listen to Dhumal, but when he prayed for her sick daughter, the girl was healed. Jaya softened to the message of the Gospel and eventually chose to follow Jesus.

Determined but Limited

Dhumal lives a busy life serving people like these. In addition to leading his own congregation, Pastor Dhumal serves as an area supervisor, overseeing other Gospel for Asia pastors in his district. He always has work to do, whether leading worship for his congregation, visiting believers, praying for villagers, distributing literature or visiting the other churches in his area.

A few years ago, though, an obstacle stood in Pastor Dhumal’s way. Because he didn’t have reliable transportation, he usually had to depend on public transportation to reach the villages he needed to visit. Waiting for the public buses or jeeps delayed him. When members of his congregation or people in his village asked for urgent help, such as prayer for the sick or demon-possessed, Pastor Dhumal had to borrow bicycles from other people.

Ministry Multiplied

A few years ago, however, Dhumal received a tool to solve his problem. Blessed with a bike from Gospel for Asia’s Christmas gift distribution program, Dhumal’s ministry has stretched beyond the borders of what was once possible for him. He has established three fellowships in nearby villages. Whenever there is a strike and people are not allowed to travel by car, Dhumal can continue riding his bike to various places to share the message of hope, because no one bothers to stop bicycles.

The bike also makes it much easier for him to spend time with the other pastors and congregations he oversees. On Sundays, he can visit three churches in his district—not including his own. During the week, he can travel in one day to all three villages where he pastors new fellowships. Before he had a bike, this was impossible.

Dhumal had longed for a bicycle to make his ministry more effective. Now he praises God for answering his prayers.

As friends like you give generously in obedience to God, the borders of His kingdom are advancing beyond imagination. Bicycles are helping missionaries go places they never thought they’d be able to reach before, and more people like Devak and Jaya are finding new life as they learn about the Saviour.