A literacy class like the one Genai attended

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.

Reading a simple New Testament or tract is often a person’s first step toward discovering truth and new hope.

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. In 2009 her husband died from tuberculosis, leaving Phyu Myaing alone to care for three children. Three years later, Phyu Myaing’s oldest daughter died while giving birth.

Still reeling from these tragedies, Phyu Myaing met a pastor one day.

“There is a real God, whose name is Jesus,” he told her. “He gave His life to die on the cross and rose again on the third day to give eternal life to those who believe in Him.”

Phyu Myaing felt some distrust and hostility toward Christianity, but she pondered these words, wondering if Jesus was the real God.

Her questions intensified after she fell severely ill and was hospitalized for two weeks. She recovered, but a doubt lingered in her heart: “If I die today, where will I spend eternity?”

Inescapable Truth

Phyu Myaing couldn’t stop asking herself that alarming question. With no answer, her mind was enveloped by a fog of confusion and a fear of death. She wasn’t interested in Christian beliefs, though: Whenever Christians offered her literature about Jesus, she threw it away in front of them.

Phyu Myaing had a similar reaction when GFA-supported pastor Thet Moe visited her home. They talked, and Phyu Myaing took a copy of the Gospel of Matthew from him. After she opened it, she saw it was a Christian book and threw it away, angry. But before she tossed it, a verse had jumped out to her: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

Phyu Myaing couldn’t stop thinking about those words. As the verse played on repeat in her mind, Phyu Myaing’s heart changed. She wanted to know more about Jesus.

When Pastor Thet Moe’s church held an event for people interested in learning about Christ, Phyu Myaing attended. There, the pastor described how God had changed his life, and he shared key passages from Romans: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Those words pierced Phyu Myaing’s heart. As images of past sins flashed through her mind like a slideshow, she knew she needed God’s grace through Christ.

Reading a simple New Testament or tract is often a person’s first step toward discovering truth and new hope.

A Burden Removed

Phyu Myaing came back to the program the next day. When it ended, she knelt down, tears streaming down her face. She asked God to forgive her and welcomed Him into her life.

Reading a simple New Testament or tract is often a person’s first step toward discovering truth and new hope.

Phyu Myaing later joined Pastor Thet Moe’s church and became actively involved in the Women’s Fellowship ministry. Now, with the burden of fear lifted from her heart, Phyu Myaing’s life is filled with peace and assurance. This journey of transformation started after she got to read one single verse from a copy of God’s Word. Even when she was angry and afraid, Scripture spoke to her.

Thank you for partnering with GFA-supported workers so they can continue sharing Bibles and New Testaments with those hungry for good news! Through partners like you, more people like Phyu Myaing are finding new life through the transformative words of Scripture.

Through literacy classes, women who had never before had the opportunity to be educated are learning to read and write.

At age 34, Pival had a husband and five children, but she was missing something that most people gain during childhood. With her days spent labouring tirelessly in the fields to provide for her family, it seemed she was too busy to learn something new.

But when two GFA-supported Sisters of Compassion told her they were teaching literacy classes for women, the words tumbled out.

“I do not know how to read and write,” Pival said.

Struggling for Subsistence

Without education and with no land of their own, Pival and her husband struggled to provide for their children through slash-and-burn agriculture (clearing forest to cultivate crops) and through daily labour jobs.

They were desperate to please their gods. Every Wednesday, Pival fasted, performed rituals and sought her god’s blessing, but that didn’t give her prosperity.

Two Sisters of Compassion, Jiya and Shari, lived nearby. One day, as they were visiting ladies in Pival’s village who attended their literacy class, they met Pival. As they talked, Jiya and Shari told Pival of God’s love. They also explained they taught a class to help women who couldn’t read or write. Pival asked to join.

Through literacy classes, women who had never before had the opportunity to be educated are learning to read and write.

New Skill, New Hope

Glad for Pival’s interest, the sisters welcomed her to the class, which included about five other women. As they taught Pival how to read and write, their friendship grew. They continued to visit Pival, encourage her and pray for her.

Attending the literacy classes faithfully and eagerly, Pival soon could write her own name. Excitement and gratitude filled her heart.

“With the help of Sisters of Compassion team, I am learning to read and write,” she said.

Not only did she learn to read and write, but she also was impacted by Jiya’s and Shari’s friendship. Seeing their commitment to Jesus, Pival desired to know Him and placed her trust in Him. She got involved in the local church and began growing in her faith.

Because Jesus sent two friends to demonstrate His love, Pival gained the valuable skill she longed for—and a gift even more precious.

“I have found hope in the Lord,” Pival says.

After learning about Jesus, many women, like these two pictured, choose to use their words to bring God glory.

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, prodding and provoking others.

But today her mouth did something different: It read aloud the Word of God.

God’s Word in the Mouth of a Whispering Wife

Akhila had spent most of her 23 years as a gossip and busybody, always seeking to get something from people. She wasted her life on the idle, fleeting pleasures offered by the world.

But when she met a GFA-supported pastor, she learned about Jesus, prayer meetings and God’s Word. She took a copy home to read, and her mouth found something new to do.

Reading the Word aloud became a daily habit. The more Akhila read, the more God moved in her heart. She also attended prayer meetings with the pastor and other believers.

‘At the Door’

One day, Akhila’s eyes lingered on the words she had just read aloud: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”

Something stirred within her. Her eyes reverently traced the letters, and she continued, “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

She had never heard anything like it.

As Akhila meditated on the Messiah’s words from Revelation 3:20, passages like John 3:16 came to her heart as well—a verse familiar to many but new to her: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

As God’s Word caressed her soul, Akhila made a decision: She opened the door of her heart to Christ, and she’s never been the same.

Using Her Mouth for God’s Glory

Akhila doesn’t strive to find satisfaction through gossip anymore—she has found that which satisfies her soul. And today, the mouth that once worked to hurt and malign others now seeks to build them up through prayer. Akhila’s life has been transformed, and it’s all by the power of God working through His Word, just as He said He would.

Raised in a hostile environment, Raashi was touched by the kindness and care of the Women’s Fellowship team.

Born into a slum, Raashi knew no other life besides the one lived in a shanty with no private rooms, electricity or toilets. Her father and mother joined the other 29 families of the slum in picking through the garbage piles, collecting trash to sell. It was their source of livelihood. As Raashi grew older, the vices of slum life clawed at her. Under a neighbour’s influence, she began drinking and pursuing worldly desires that gave her momentary joy. She did what was right in her own eyes, while her family struggled under the heavy weight of poverty.

Seeing God’s Love in Action

Then a local Gospel for Asia-supported Women’s Fellowship group began to visit Raashi’s community. The group of women spent time getting to know the ladies of the slum and loving their children. They even taught about proper hygiene so the ladies and their families could stay healthy.

Raashi, 20, was especially moved by the Women’s Fellowship’s genuine love and care for her and the people in her community.

“[People] don’t even come near to us because they feel that we are dirty and smelly,” she said. “But you people are coming to us, talking lovingly and carrying our children. Really, it impressed me a lot, and I do see that Jesus loves us through you.”

Whenever the Women’s Fellowship group came to visit, Raashi spent time with them, learning of and being comforted by God’s Word. The seeds of Christ’s love took CURRENT_USER deep in her heart, and now she experiences the joy of eternal peace.

Today, Raashi and 11 other ladies attend a small fellowship in their slum, where they can grow in the knowledge of God.

Pieces of literature help answer questions that people like Niriksh (not pictured) often have about Jesus.

Niriksh was impressed by what he saw.

The elderly man sat at a distance, watching a group of 50 women who had gathered in an open space below. At the front of the crowd stood the women from a local Women’s Fellowship group who had organized the meeting. It was September 8, World Literacy Day.

They shared about the significance and importance of education, and several women from the village came forward at the end, eager to participate in a Gospel for Asia - supported literacy class. The Women’s Fellowship sisters had seen Niriksh, and after the event, they went over to speak with him.

What the Old Man Said

“You are doing a very good work,” Niriksh said to the women shortly after they approached.

As the conversation continued, one of the women offered Niriksh a piece of literature.

“I am illiterate,” Niriksh said in reply. “Please tell me what is written in it.”

The women explained the piece of literature, and the conversation turned to the church and Jesus. Seeking more information, Niriksh learned about Jesus’ miraculous birth, death and resurrection.

As Niriksh heard the story, excitement stirred within him. He joyfully took hold of Jesus’ offer of eternal life and begged the Women’s Fellowship team to visit his wife and tell her the same thing they had told him.

At his request, the sisters visited Niriksh’s wife later that day and told her the message of great joy as well. She, too, chose to take hold of the Saviour’s hand.

Within a couple years after that day, Niriksh and his wife both passed away. Today, they’re enjoying fellowship with Christ, face to face.

Just like Niriksh’s, our lives on earth will come to a close someday. Thank you for investing yourself into seeing more people like Niriksh understand the grace of our Saviour.

Women in situations like Prutha’s find hope when a Women’s Fellowship group tangibly demonstrates Christ’s love.

Prutha could still hardly believe her eyes. The woman, Lavangi, whom she had just met a few weeks earlier, was sweeping her floor. The woman helped Prutha with the dishes, the laundry . . . whatever Prutha needed. And Prutha didn’t pay her—Lavangi worked for free. Her kindness baffled Prutha, but she was grateful. Lavangi brought life and joy to the sorrowful woman’s heart, and they soon became fast friends.

Losing Hope in the Face of Pain

Before Prutha met Lavangi, the 26-year-old and her husband, Rutajit, lived a peaceful life with their three young children. Rutajit earned a steady and sufficient income for the family by selling vegetables. Then one day Prutha felt a sharp pain in her side that wouldn’t go away. When she made it to the hospital, Prutha discovered she had a severe kidney stone. Five visits, medication and a minor surgery quickly drained the family’s finances but didn’t bring a cure. Eventually, the doctor recommended a major surgery that the family couldn’t afford.

They needed financial help, encouragement and comfort, but no one gave it, not family, friends nor the gods they worshipped. Overwhelming sorrow and pain left Prutha unable to maintain her home or even sleep properly. What’s worse, she feared everyone hated her and her husband.

But she was wrong.

Practical Demonstrations

One Saturday, as Prutha sat at home feeling dejected and alone, Jesus sent His servants, a Women’s Fellowship group from a local church, to meet with Prutha. These women, including Gospel for Asia-supported woman missionary Lavangi, encouraged Prutha, and when she told them of her struggles, they prayed for her healing and told her of the peace and hope found in Jesus.

After that day, Lavangi started helping Prutha with her housework. As the two became friends, Prutha wanted to know more about Jesus—someone she had never heard about in her life—and even started reading about Him from the Word. Before long, she decided she wanted to commit her life to the One who sent His love to her in the form of a servant.

Thank You!

Your prayers and contributions help sustain women like Lavangi as they serve the needy in their communities, following the example of the One who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (see Matthew 20:28). Thank you for making a difference.