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Articles with tag National Missionaries
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 …
November 2020
Cares of the World Choke Boy’s Heart
Once again, Aman walked out of the house, furious. He was tired of hearing the same response from his mother whenever he asked her for something. He just wanted what his …
July 2020
Three Pastors, One City, One Pandemic
Pastor Marut’s phone kept ringing. The prime minister had declared a lockdown over the whole nation, and a chorus of voices echoed from Pastor Marut’s phone, one-by-one, each with a similar …
June 2020
Rejected Family Finds {% trans 'Honor' %}, Joy
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 …
June 2020
Ask almost any villager about Pastor Trupal, and the first thing they will mention is his politeness. Positively amiable, upstanding and friendly, Pastor Trupal holds a reputation of good-nature and kindness …
June 2020
As a teenager, Sual lived a reckless life and refused to listen to his parents. His friends were addicted to alcohol and drugs, and eventually he abused alcohol too. Sual even …
May 2020
Market Friend Breaks the Silence
Torun ignored his wife, Foolan, as he walked out of their home in silence. It had been four months since their last big fight—and since their last real conversation together. Refusing …
April 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 …
January 2020
Who was the real God? The question gnawed at Phyu Myaing’s mind. She had worshipped her god faithfully, but tragedy threw her life into a state of confusion. …
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 …
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 {% link "pair of …
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 …
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. …
November 2019
Mission Support Team Carries Vision Between Supporters and National Workers
When Grace first visited GFA’s U.S. headquarters in Texas, something caught her eye: a box filled with hundreds of sheets of purple, pink, green and white papers waiting to be processed. …
June 2019
Through God’s anointing, Mala, a GFA-supported worker, has been instrumental in seeing one church and three smaller fellowships established in an area where following Jesus has a steep cost. As Mala …
June 2019
Pastoral Advice Leads to Needed Medical Attention
Ajay, weak and helpless, could no longer tend his rice field. His health had been deteriorating for a year. Apala, concerned for her husband and the future of their family, sacrificed …
May 2019
Daughter Healed, Family Comforted
A woman and her daughter walked into the medical camp. Stress and anxiety lined the mother’s face, while pain lingered in the daughter’s. Beulah hoped that her daughter would finally be …
April 2019
Father Finds Himself Blessed, Not Burdened
It was a day that for most parents would have been joyful: Sushil’s wife, Rajika, was ready to deliver their baby. But when she gave birth to a daughter, disappointment filled …
April 2019
Pastor Braiden and his wife, Phebe, have been serving the Lord for more than 10 years in the same place. Ministry was difficult at first, but God was faithful. Within a …
September 2018
The Sickness that Seemed to Never End
Aahan read the promise from God’s Word, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). These …
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 …
June 2018
Opposition at Wedding Leads to Jesus Well
Before Jesus Wells are drilled, people in many communities gather water from ponds and rivers because they have no access to a clean, safe water source. For Christians in Muralee’s village, their …
April 2018
The Building by Grandma’s House
They had heard singing and laughter from young souls. The noises came from the building where GFA-supported pastor Taruntapan hosted Sunday school for …
April 2018
God is using GFA-supported film ministry to show thousands of people His love and sacrifice for them. Over the years, many have come to embrace Christ as Lord after watching a film …
April 2018
"We do not have mosquito nets, and during the night, many mosquitoes would bite us,” shares 22-year-old Babita, the eldest daughter in a family of six. But worse than the itch …
April 2018
Restless Wanderer Points the Way
“Soon after the birth of my sister, family problems started between my parents,” Jaiman, a GFA-supported pastor, recalls. “My father had affairs with other women.” Because of …
April 2018
It was 10:00 on Sunday morning. A crowd stood outside Htay Pyi’s house—fathers, mothers and bored-looking children, all wearing their Sunday best. They were waiting for Htay Pyi and his family …
February 2018
Janvijay lived a pretty pampered and relaxed life. As the youngest of his siblings, he was well taken care of, even though his father died when he was a young boy. …
February 2018
“You try to please your god, but he is angry with you,” Sahasya’s community mocked. These words cut deep into Sahasya’s heart. He had been trying all he could with his …
January 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 {% …
January 2018
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 …
January 2018
... and a Bike for a {% trans 'labor'|capfirst %}er
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 …
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 …
December 2017
Her doctors couldn’t understand. Harsika should have been dead. Her kidneys were diseased. They failed to function. Yet the widow was still alive ... barely. As disease ravaged Harsika’s body, worries …
December 2017
Fifty-year-old Jagrav stood before the silent crowd. “I do not know how many people here believe in what they have heard or seen,” he said. “But I believe in God ...” …
December 2017
Tilak and his wife were happy again; no one could deny that. But some people in the village were anything but happy about the transformation in their lives. Villagers blamed the …
October 2017
Akhila’s mouth had uttered lies and half-truths. It had passed on things her ears heard, things that weren’t meant to be shared with others. It had spoken with manipulative intent, poking, …
August 2017
Sweat dripped down Ekansh’s body as he dug a shovel into the ground. Earth begrudgingly gave way to his labours. But despite the difficulty, Ekansh and several others …
August 2017
Neeharika doubled over, retched, sputtered and watched in horror as blood came out. Over the next several days, the pain and the stress of her illness made it difficult for her …
August 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; …
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 …
June 2017
‘I Can’t Live Without Drinking’
Jaihayal heard that his uncle, Kulvir, had fallen into a bad way. His uncle formerly held a good reputation as a humble and gentle man, but now a steadily growing bondage …
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 …
April 2017
Short Stories About Jesus Wells
Jesus Wells have the ability to transform villages, providing not only clean, fresh water but also the opportunity for people to find clean hearts and a fresh start at life in Jesus. …
April 2017
There were so many Christians. They couldn’t fit. The small house was packed already, and it was only getting worse as more people experienced the Lord’s grace and power. When Ramani …
April 2017
Prison, Praise, Persistent Love
When Taral’s first child became seriously ill, Taral didn’t call upon the gods of his wife’s religion—he immediately called Pastor Havish and asked him to pray. Pastor Havish hung up the phone. …
February 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, …
February 2017
Faith Stands Firm Despite Illness
Four siblings crowded together over their mother’s sick bed, crying out to Jesus on her behalf. She could hardly move, and she couldn’t speak. No one knew what was wrong, but …
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! …
December 2016
While many impoverished people in Asia seek provision for their physical needs, their hunger for spiritual answers is often even greater. Manal (not pictured) searched for years before finding answers in God’s …
December 2016
Even when no one wants to listen to them, pastors like Kundan are eager to help their communities with their daily problems, such as the lack of clean water. This well, like …
December 2016
God’s Word in the Hands of His Servant
Congregations like Pastor Lomash’s, and like this one pictured, engage in corporate prayer and intercession for the needs of people in their community. “Come to me, all you who {% trans 'labor' …
December 2016
No Room for Worship in the Bamboo Hut
Many congregations, such as the one pictured, suffer for lack of a church building. This one has to meet under a large tree. Pastor Syon clapped his hands and kept on singing. …
October 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 …
October 2016
Even with young children, Gospel For Asia-supported pastors, such as Chetan and the one pictured here, are willing to go wherever the Lord leads them in order to share His love where …
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 …
October 2016
Forsaken Mother Loved by the Church
Receiving a blanket once seemed impossible for women like Nidhyana, or this woman pictured who suffers from leprosy. Nidhyana couldn’t stop shivering. With no blanket to retain her body heat, the 65-year-old …
September 2016
Short Stories about National Missionaries
Every day, our brothers and sisters in Asia are crying out to God on behalf of needy people around them. Interceding for those who have various physical ailments is just one of …
September 2016
In areas with short water supplies, people often have to choose between walking for miles to find clean water or settling for contaminated sources. The young father of four lowered his vessel …
August 2016
Water Filter Removes Stomach Pain
“I would take medicine for my stomach pain,” Bakul shares. “However, in spite of continuous treatment, I continued to struggle from unbearable pain in my stomach.” A {% link "Gospel for …
August 2016
Finding Help in a Bucket of Milk
Just one year ago, life was different for the young woman. Gina could feel the daily ache in her muscles from her hard labour. Dust from the quarry where …
August 2016
Meeting the God Who Loves Widows
If there is a god, she thought, Why does he not care for me? Why did he let me face such a sorrowful life? The civil war changed …
June 2016
When the prayers of a GFA-supported pastor and the local congregation freed Mirgakshi’s father from his strange behaviour and inexplicable health issues, Mirgakshi and …
June 2016
‘What Difference Did It Make?’
Rujul grew up following the traditional religion of his ancestors. He believed that every village, tribe and community had their own personal gods, but they all led to the same destiny …
June 2016
Ekanga was worried about his wife. Though Pallavini took local remedies for healing, nothing helped. Many of the so-called treatments only made her worse. For more than a year, her bleeding continued, …
April 2016
Gospel for Asia-supported pastors pray for and encourage those who are sick. Many people like Mihirkiran are completely healed as a result! Pastor Babala was a family man who had nine children. …
April 2016
New church buildings are inaugurated every year in South Asia through the prayers, support and generous donations of men and women like you. In this issue of Harvest, we want to share …
April 2016
Satwik felt someone grab his arms and pull him away from the fight. It wasn’t the first time the authorities had arrested him, and it wouldn’t be the last. The drunken …
February 2016
Kyine Kyi had his first swig of alcohol when he was 14 years old. Drugs were added, and before long, these two substances dominated the mind of the young man. Eight …
January 2016
Free for Life and for Eternity
No matter how hard he tried, Sundrit couldn’t free himself on his own. As an alcoholic and a drug addict, Sundrit experienced the effects of his habits on a daily basis. He …
September 2015
Flooded with anguish and grief after his father’s death, little Baucha dropped out of school and withdrew from society. From then on, whenever someone even glanced at him while laughing, he …
September 2015
Finding Peace After Death and Addiction
Ellis felt a strange sense of peace come over him. The pastor had only spoken a few words to him, but they were enough. He hadn’t experienced such peace in what seemed …
August 2015
Robbers’ Den Gains New Reputation
Shaurav walked into Pastor Jacob’s office and invited him to come minister in his village, Parinat Khera. For the Gospel for Asia district pastor, Shaurav’s request was an answer to prayer. …
August 2015
Light, Confidence in the Shadow of Death
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The words …
June 2015
Priyala, 7, lay bedridden, unable to open her eyes. Her motionless body looked dead. But her father, Ganesh, couldn’t—wouldn’t—help her. When he should have been there for his daughter the most, Ganesh …
June 2015
Peter tumbled through the river’s raging current, head and limbs cresting above the waters, while his friends frantically ran after him along the riverbank, seeking some way to rescue him. When Peter …
June 2015
A Church Building for Those Who Don’t Come
As the believers arrived, they sat down and filled the small room. More families came, looked inside and realized there was no room for them, so they took their seats outside …
April 2015
Man Receives Water Filter and Mercy
Each day, Kaamil’s family drank contaminated water because they didn’t have a pure water source. Then GFA pastor Padman invited them to an event where they would receive a BioSand water …
April 2015
A Terrifying Invitation From Their Persecutors
Like Prajin, many people in Asia who have never heard the Good News view believers with suspicion. Prajin was the last person Kambojand Bhupal expected to see on their doorstep. A visit …
April 2015
‘I Was a Beggar; Now I Am a Believer’
Sarbani, 18, lived the life of a beggar. She’d watched her parents go door to door, begging for one meal a day, and now she followed in their footsteps. She didn’t …
April 2015
Young Woman Flees Drug Addiction
February 2015
‘Chance’ Meeting Fulfills TwoWomen’s Longings
Smita immediately recognized the booklet two women handed her. Did these ladies have answers to her questions?
February 2015
Out of the Pit and Onto the Waters
February 2015
Saving a Child—and a Buffalo— With a Bicycle
When Gospel for Asia pastor Vikranta arrived in the small village, he knew where he was going and what to expect.
January 2015
Alcoholic Brewer Infused with New Life
January 2015
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 …
October 2014
‘I Don’t Have Extraordinary Power to Heal’
Pastor Payas lived in a region where most people, entrenched in their own religions, didn't want to hear about Jesus. Pastor Payas had been sharing the Good News for about six …
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, …
October 2014
Truth Finds Man at His Lowest Point
Manindra had lost all hope—hope his father would ever get better, hope he could find a wife and hope his family could ever have joy or peace again. Even though his family …
September 2014
Young Girl’s Healing Leads to Jesus Well, Restores Village
Typhoid, jaundice and malaria ravaged first-grader Pranati’s little body all at once. She had become the victim of a harsh climate—and of drinking contaminated water. She was on the cusp of death …
August 2014
11-Year-Old Believer Knows God Listens
As she grew closer to Him, she often told the Lord her most secret desires. Eleven-year-old Oja’s parents did everything they could to provide for her and her two brothers, but their …
August 2014
Miracles Shake City of Poverty, Hostility
As Gospel for Asia pastor Rajdeep ministers in a South Asian city, he is witnessing many remarkable events. Before Pastor Rajdeep and his wife moved to this city in November 2012, many …
August 2014
Pastor’s Question Leaves Young Man Stunned
One Sunday, Dhruvesh went to church as usual, but after the service, Pastor Tarak pulled him aside. Dhruvesh fervently prayed for a bicycle. The young man had no hope of reaching his …
August 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 …
June 2014
Tract Results in Life-Changing Phone Call
Seva, a wife and mother of four, shares the impact of one little piece of paper: “I had been suffering with typhoid for five years. For my treatment we had gone to …
June 2014
Being Left to Die Saved His Life
Nandi doesn’t remember why he left home as a young boy, but he can’t forget how much his life has changed since then. Several years ago, Nandi got on a train and …
June 2014
Infection, Rejection Overtake Man’s Life
The flesh in his legs began to decay, and although doctors said his leprosy was curable, he couldn’t afford the necessary treatment. Manpreet thought it was just a sting from a caterpillar, …
June 2014
No matter the age of a child, most parents will stay up all night waiting for them to return home. This was definitely true for Himesh’s parents. They waited for 11-year-old Himesh …
June 2014
Beacon of Peace Draws Man from Train
As the train pulled to a stop, Arvinda made his decision: He was getting off. All his life, Arvinda had devoutly followed all the teachings and observed all the rituals of his …
May 2014
Single Mother Turned Prostitute Given New Life
With no one to turn to, Mayuri began selling her body, using the little she earned to feed her daughters. Mayuri’s father was a drunkard. Mayuri and her mother worked each day, …
May 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 …
May 2014
Baby Nears Death, Family Watches Helplessly
The doctors discharged Abhiraj from the medical facility, giving his mother, Bahula, little hope for his survival. Pastor Santua picked up the phone. The person on the other end of the line …
May 2014
Saved from the Fate of Her 14 Siblings
Although Navina had survived through her teen years, it seemed she would never recover. Would Navina’s story end the same way her older siblings’ had? All 14 of Navina’s older siblings had …
February 2014
‘I Have Reached Many with the Good News by Using the Bicycle’
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 …
January 2014
A Modern-Day Joseph Reaches Hardened Criminals
Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Samuel doesn't have a coat of many colors, but in many other ways he can identify with the Old Testament figure Joseph. Like Joseph, Samuel …
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 …
January 2014
How an Argument Led to Salvation
Emaan had been ready for a good argument when Pastor Kavith showed up. As planned, Emaan began barraging Kavith with questions. But Emaan’s motivations were different than he had originally intended. When …
September 2013
Delivered from Darkness to Light
Harish didn’t know what to do anymore. His son, Abhay, had become ill so suddenly. It started when Abhay couldn’t sleep one night. It’s fairly common for people to have sleepless nights …
September 2013
‘My Life Is in Christ’: One Man’s Journey from Depression to Hope
One minute he had possessed nearly everything he could want; the next he was undone by tragedy. Married to a woman he loved and blessed with two children, Hammad enjoyed his life. …
September 2013
They were running low on water again. Gaurav didn’t want to walk all the way to the hospital to get more, but that was the only option. Water was scarce, and it …
August 2013
Jesus Loves Snake-Catchers Too
As usual, people in the bustling city marketplace hustled past Pradip, trying to avoid him. A snake-catcher, Pradip was disdained by almost everyone. His people are a nomadic group at the bottom …
August 2013
Seventeen-year-old Parni did not need the ability to see into the future in order to guess what hers might soon look like. If her life turned out similar to the lives …
August 2013
Each time he entered the jungle, Hashmat didn’t know if it would be his last trip there. Then one day his fears became reality when a tiger pounced on him. Like many …
June 2013
He returned home, unable to move from his bed, but his focus remained on God. Siraj’s life changed in an instant. As he travelled home from college to visit his family, a …
June 2013
“Ramila is abnormal,” Malini, Ramila’s mother, told the staff. “She could be attacked by an evil spirit at any time.” It’s not uncommon for children to have nightmares when they are young. …
June 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 …
June 2013
As Bahubali watched, he felt a strange sensation, as if Jesus were touching him and healing him, too. Intense pain gripped Bahubali’s stomach, but he was determined to stay for the entire …
April 2013
Murderous Soldier Saved for a Purpose
Crime was an everyday event in the area where missionary couple Arun and Maina lived. Each week, the couple heard reports of women raped and thieves caught. Women faced a lot of …
April 2013
“This is our weapon,” Sunil told the inspector. “By this we kill evil—not men.” The police gave no explanation as they took Sunil to the station. Another pastor, Tahir, had also been …
February 2013
Pavani Chopra, another missionary who was familiar with the area’s religion, spoke clearly to people’s hearts as he presented the Gospel and answered the many questions. By the end of the meeting, …
February 2013
'Will Jesus Help Me Stop Using Alcohol?'
“Now they are talking to me and caring for me,” Shaunak says. “I thank the Lord Jesus for that.” Shaunak’s life revolved around working and drinking. Only 18 years old, the quiet …
February 2013
Mother of Nine at the Brink of Death
When Sneha asked Rajeshri about her past life, Rajeshri’s face darkened. Sneha, a Gospel for Asia woman missionary, had reached out to Rajeshri at her lowest point, near death, but Rajeshri had …
February 2013
Fifteen Minutes, Changed Forever
Even when he was sober, it seemed he could never find a way for his family to be happy. One day, though, he heard something on the radio that changed everything. The …
February 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 …
January 2013
Loving and Leading in the Slums
When Akshay Sharma moved away from home 14 years ago, he couldn’t imagine the impact he’d make on his new city. A Bridge of Hope project director, Akshay has a unique life …
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 …
January 2013
A hospital is welcomed in all parts of the world. As the inauguration of Gospel for Asia’s new medical centre took place, the hundreds of people gathered saw it as a beacon …
January 2013
Pastor Champak has a vision for his ministry. His mission field: a local prison. Champak has had this prison on his heart for many years. He prayed and fasted and then approached …
January 2013
Slowly he realized there was truth to what the believers had been telling him. This Jesus really did love everyone enough to die for their sins. In a family of 12, there …
December 2012
Watching Films, Growing in Christ
December 2012
Pastor Sachh waited patiently. The ministry in this village had progressed slowly, and he longed to see a breakthrough in people’s hearts. Sachh knew God would be faithful to bring it …
December 2012
The proprietor of a successful business, Nandak gave all the credit to his gods. There used to be little hope in Nandak’s life: his father had died when he was in the …
December 2012
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. …
December 2012
Pastor Birbal had no intention of stopping in this particular village. He was just passing through to minister in a different area that day. But when he saw a man lying in …
August 2012
Lankesh had a secure job as a bus conductor in the city. He was responsible for the safe transportation of hundreds of Sri Lankans every day. With the income from his job, …
August 2012
Gaura has grown up her entire life in a village that is aggressively hostile to Christianity. Her father works as a farmer and her mother is a housewife, but they do not …
August 2012