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Articles with tag Christmas Gifts
Tears of Joy Supplant Tears of Sorrow
Tahiya’s house was silent. Perhaps tears rolled down the widow’s cheeks. She had no one to talk to, no one to care for her. Her days were full of sorrow and toil. Tahiya’s husband had …
December 2022
“… Whoever thought about me and about people like us who live in very cold places and without many resources … I thank them from the bottom of my heart.” Winter brought no joy to …
November 2022
Toilets Bring Sanitation, Hope to Village
“We feel loved, although we are very poor and a neglected sort of people, but then the church has always stood on our side ...When we need it, the church has helped us. … We …
November 2022
“I thank God for taking care of us and providing our needs, ...I am also grateful to Him for transforming my husband’s life.” Kajsa had little protection from the cold. She worked hard as a …
November 2022
After Their Chances Collapsed, Family Finds Stability
Drop by drop, water leaked into Basti’s home. Drop by drop, hope had trickled out of his life. A few years before, living in a leaky hut would have seemed unthinkable. But the comfortable life …
December 2021
Family’s Despair Lifted Through Healing, Cow
Caelan froze—it was happening again. His leg had gone stiff; he couldn’t move it. The 40-year-old man suffered from intermittent, unexplained paralysis a few times a month. Caelan didn’t know how he could live like …
December 2021
Couple Receives Blanket, Hope for Tomorrow
Winter had fallen on Benecia and Danyn’s village. The young couple struggled to stay warm in their home, its mud walls doing little to shield them from the cold winds. As a farmer, Danyn made …
November 2021
Sharing God’s Love in Every Season
In GFA worker Kees’ remote village, everyone traveled by foot. With winter upon them, nighttime temperatures dipped below freezing; Kees was ill-equipped to travel in the cold, but he was willing. People needed the warmth …
November 2021
Sisters Gain Relief from the Cold
At the tender age of 6, Sarena lost her mother to tuberculosis. Though her father was alive, she had essentially lost him to the bottle. An alcoholic, he wasted his earnings on drink and neglected …
November 2021
Missionary Prays for Warm Coat
After graduating from Bible college, Kagen served the Lord where harsh cold fronts rush across the winter landscape. Sudden cold snaps threatened the poor, who were not able to afford adequate shelter, warm clothes or …
January 2021
Handcart Empowers Abandoned Mother
Maret remembered when her family was happy. Her husband, Sorin, wanted to provide well for her and their three children, so he moved the family to the city. He found a good job that paid …
January 2021
When Rahas walked home from a GFA Christmas gift distribution, he had no clue his gift—a hairy, bleating creature—would one day help him and his wife in one of their most desperate moments. Rahas, his …
December 2020
Sahoj’s cow mooed quietly beside her as they made the journey home from the gift distribution ceremony. Sahoj knew this cow would be another turning point in her life, much like when she met GFA …
December 2020
Homemade Quilts Insufficient for Family of Seven
Rachana sat in the room that served as kitchen, living room and bedroom for her family of seven. She picked up an old garment from a small pile. Her mind organized the garment’s shape into …
November 2020
A Gift from Someone They Almost Abandoned
After years of desperate struggle and heartbreak, Hasan and his family learned about the love of Jesus, and He did a miracle for them. But their happiness and faith flickered under outside pressure to return …
November 2020
Protecting Health by Giving Toilets
Gifts can come in many shapes and sizes. In one region of Asia, 500 families received gifts that were especially unique: toilets. One of the biggest struggles for impoverished families is hygiene. Many have not …
July 2020
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Pastor Sachin’s heart broke for the many people in his village who lacked education and lived in poverty. Worse, most didn’t know Jesus, even though they came from families that professed faith in Him. Pastor …
June 2020
When Hope Met Their Hardships and Hard Work
Daya’s life turned upside down the day her husband, a labourer, fell off a roof and died. Daya, a stay-at-home mom, had to find work to feed her three children. Unfortunately, the …
May 2020
Prison Gifted with Sewing Machines
Pastor Jaitra prayed out loud, surrounded by a group of prisoners. Eight voices echoed Jaitra’s “amen.” The small prayer meeting broke up. Walking out the prison doors, Jaitra held one prayer in his heart: that …
May 2020
How a Piglet Transformed a Family
Exhaustion hung over Aamaal like a dark cloud. The 35-year-old woman felt nothing but fatigue, frustration and disappointment in herself and her beliefs. Aamaal’s husband, Rajkumar, regularly fell sick. As he was unable to work …
January 2020
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 …
December 2019
All He Wants for Christmas Is a Cart
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 …
December 2019
When God Uses Goats to Answer Prayer
Sometimes, God decides to answer prayer supernaturally. Other times, He uses a natural solution, such as a goat. For Nand and his family, the gift of a pair of goats was …
November 2019
Gift of a Cow Leads to a Double Blessing
When a church led by a GFA-supported pastor had the opportunity to bless several families with Christmas gifts, Pulak’s family received a much-needed cow. The family was so grateful for the gift that when their …
November 2019
Chills of Winter Give Way to Warmth
Sinhal’s childhood was marred by poverty and trauma. He and his family struggled to survive, staving off hunger and illness any way they could. Yet, above all else, there was one problem that never seemed …
November 2019
When Pastor Luhit first started visiting Shalini’s village, he faced a skeptical environment. Many people didn’t trust him because they didn’t like Christians. But Pastor Luhit’s heart of compassion didn’t waver. He knew that many …
November 2019
New Friend’s Compassion Impacts Family
Sometimes a single compassionate act can change the course of someone’s life—or even a family. Reva and her husband, Saju, had four grown children. Saju worked as a labourer to provide, but …
May 2019
What is the greatest burden a family in Asia can face? For Lajvati’s family, it was sickness—and the resulting starvation. Lajvati and Teman attended a church led by GFA-supported pastor Kevan. Teman worked as a …
January 2019
Wind whipped through the plastic sheets, lifting them to the sky as they strained against the bamboo frame. Huddled inside the small, sparsely thatched structure, Kajri shielded herself from the sharp wind as her plastic …
January 2019
Debt and Death Leave a Wake of Despair
Debt crippled Navita’s husband. As drought destroyed their harvest, all hope of paying off their loan vanished with the crops. Collection notices mounted, and Navita’s husband could only see one way out: suicide. Now, Navita …
September 2018
The One Who Knew a Widow’s Pain
Saci’s life was not easy. As a girl, she forwent an education in order to work alongside her parents as a labourer in the tea gardens. With the little money she earned, …
August 2018
Following are a couple of stories highlighting various tools given to GFA-supported workers, which equip them for ministry where God has called them to serve. Tools like winter clothing and film equipment are crucial for …
June 2018
A Warm Reminder of Christ’s Love
In many areas, it is still a very cold winter. There are many living in severe conditions without proper clothing or blankets to protect them from the harsh elements. This discomfort is expressly felt especially …
February 2018
Short Stories about the Impact of Christmas Gifts
Many people throughout the world have the skills they need to provide for themselves, but they lack the means to purchase required tools. Without these necessary resources, many become daily labourers, depending …
January 2018
Rickshaw Driver Shares About His Life
Tragedy, poverty and hardship plagued Bakool and his family for years. In the following account, Bakool relates how God intervened in his life and brought peace and practical aid to combat the poverty he faced. …
December 2017
One hundred and ten women gathered together, invited by the local GFA-supported pastor and workers. Some were young; some were old. Some were Christians; others were not. Some had young children; others were bereft. Each …
June 2017
The Onion that Changed Her Life
Fruit and vegetable vendors littered the sides of the road. GFA-supported pastor Varin approached a woman whose pile of root vegetables looked promising. The papery skin of an onion crinkled as he picked it up, …
June 2017
When God Healed the Witch Doctor’s Son
People in the village could hear the sounds of a man’s screams as the rickshaw passed. It stopped near the building where the Christians met, and a desperate and haggard-looking family stepped out. They brought …
April 2017
It was hot. Summers always were. Sweat beaded on Hasan’s brow and mingled with the dust from the street. The smells of human feces, unwashed bodies and rotting garbage filled the air, blending into a …
February 2017
Abandoned Mother Blessed by a Toilet
Through the donations of people like you, GFA and its field partners have provided thousands of toilets, like this one, to impoverished families in Asia. Sneaking out early to avoid prying eyes, constantly fearful of …
January 2017
Parmeet once struggled to provide for his family because he couldn’t work in the extremely harsh weather. Now, because of his new jacket, he can work even when it is very cold! “I have many …
December 2016
Sewing Machines, Tin Sheets and Smiles
This man also received a sewing machine at the same Christmas gift distribution as Asin. Contagious smiles and joyous hearts filled the open-air gathering. Bicycles, sewing machines, blankets and a host of other practical gifts …
December 2016
Tin Sheets Provide Peaceful Sleep
Ohas and his family are so thankful for a waterproof home, made possible by a gift of tin sheets. Ohas had taken on extra work in the coal mines to take care of his family. …
October 2016
Good Shepherd Takes Care of Goat Herder
Ujendra rounded up the goats and cows after they had grazed, leading them back to their homes with a wooden stick. Villagers hired him to care for their livestock, even though he didn’t have any …
October 2016
Like these men, Narottam carried heavy loads of firewood. Now a bicycle helps him support his family without overstraining his body. Beads of sweat formed on Narottam’s forehead as he walked the long road to …
September 2016
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 …
January 2016
Out of the Pit and Onto the Waters
February 2015
Cow Helps Man Build Home Addition—and the Kingdom
January 2015
Pull Cart Leads Many to the Provider
January 2015
Woman Insults Missionary, Then Ponders His Words
Mita lashed Pastor Jameson with her words, but he simply smiled. Her reaction wasn’t surprising—most of the people in Pastor Jameson’s community didn’t listen to him, convinced he worshipped a foreign God. What Gospel for …
October 2014
An Alcoholic Man Finds Peace and Income
Maaran’s new lifestyle was tearing his family apart. He had fallen into a deep depression while struggling to earn enough income to provide for his wife and four children who still lived at home. He …
October 2014
Just What They Needed: Goat Milk
Providing for a family can be hard enough on a normal salary, but on a daily wage labourer’s, it is nearly impossible. Add in the expenses of multiple families living together, and survival becomes a …
October 2014
The Gift No One Else Ever Gave
After having three children, Tapti faced sudden tragedy: Her husband died, leaving the four of them alone. The young widow, a believer, couldn’t provide for her children. The family was destitute. Laalamani also became a …
June 2014
Even though Minati was 45 years old, receiving a Christmas gift was still the highlight of her year. When Gospel for Asia presented her with a sewing machine, a very specific dream of hers finally …
May 2014
A Piglet Brings Dignity to a Family of Eight
Apurva and her seven children shared a small house consisting of a common room, a kitchen and one bedroom. The family of eight lived in poverty because Apurva, a widow, earned only a meager income …
January 2014
‘Thank You’ from a Christmas Gift Recipient
My name is Sadhri. I was born and brought up in a non-Christian family. My husband, Champak, farms to support my family. I have one son named Udit. As the days went by, my husband …
January 2014
Sanitation and Sanctification: Couple Receives Outdoor Toilet
Nabarun and Adishree Paavan didn’t have a bathroom with a tile floor, vanity and mirror. They didn’t even have indoor plumbing. Instead, they walked about half a mile from their home to relieve themselves. On …
September 2013
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 …
June 2013
A New Roof and an Eternal Shelter
Sahasra’s life as a single mother and sole breadwinner for three sons was difficult enough. Now that her tiny, one-room house had collapsed, she didn’t know what to do. When a week-long deluge of rain …
April 2013
As a single woman of 29, Lakshmi bore a burden few young South Asian women have to shoulder: working as the sole provider for her family. Lakshmi’s family had always been poor, and when her …
April 2013
At 23, Talleen could hardly have been a better son: He helped support the household, was kind to his parents and faithfully prayed to his traditional deity. Yet for all that, Talleen’s family was struggling …
January 2013
He worked two jobs and was one of the most educated people in the village, but that didn’t keep Haamid and his family from the grip of poverty. They barely had enough food to eat, …
January 2013
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 …
January 2013
Jaideep, 27, lived a lonely existence for nine years, toiling to provide for himself. He shares how God changed his life: “I was born and brought up in a poor family. . . Though I …
December 2012