Rejoice!

Anxiety chilled Mare’s heart. About one year after cancer took her husband, Mare noticed the same symptoms he had experienced—severe headaches and blurred vision. Mare already struggled to provide for herself and her two daughters. What would happen to her girls if she had brain cancer?

Fear Overshadowed by Faith

Mare prayed fervently to her deities, but she knew there was no cure. She was too scared to go to the doctor, and she hid her pain from her daughters for months. When she finally told them, her daughters were scared, but Pina, the older daughter, had an idea. There was a church in the village. “People go for prayer there,” Pina said.

Desperate for healing, Mare and her daughters visited the church. GFA pastor Serek and his wife, Bande, warmly welcomed the family. When Mare shared her concerning health symptoms, the entire church prayed earnestly for God’s healing. Mare trusted Jesus to heal her, and He didn’t disappoint. Mare sensed her pain shrinking; after two months, the Lord had completely healed her!

With strengthened faith, Mare and her daughters chose to follow Christ. Life, however, was still difficult. Mare’s job at the pencil factory provided for the family’s basic needs, but Pina had stopped school after 10th grade to reduce their financial burden and take care of the home. Would they ever have a life beyond poverty?

An Opportunity and a Gift

One day, Bande, who was an accomplished seamstress, offered to teach Pina to sew. Motivated to seize this opportunity, Pina diligently learned from Bande each day. Her skills grew, and so did her chance to help her family financially!

One obstacle remained, however. Pina didn’t own a sewing machine, and she couldn’t afford to buy one. Knowing the family’s challenges and the young woman’s diligence, Pastor Serek planned an event to help widows in the area, including Mare. Nearly 60 women received a sewing machine. Mare’s face beamed as she brought the sewing machine home, knowing the potential this tool had to change her family’s situation.

Pina began to sew clothes for the family, reducing their expenses. As she grew in her skills, she planned to one day sew clothes for others, too, so she could earn income.

Now, as Mare watches her daughter stitch away on the sewing machine, she knows it’s a gift from the same God who healed her and who wants to give her and her daughters a hope and a future.

With the support of Bridge of Hope, Kadi (pictured) gained new motivation to pursue her dreams and goals.

Kadi, a small girl with big brown eyes, didn’t know she had abilities or talents—and there was little chance she would get to reach for exciting goals or aspirations, either. Her parents owned a small shop, and although they sent Kadi to school, they didn’t earn enough to buy her school supplies.

When Kadi was in first grade, she had the opportunity to join GFA World’s Bridge of Hope Program. Kadi received school supplies, a nutritious daily meal and academic tutoring, but the best gift was the love of the tutors and staff. They saw potential in Kadi, and their encouragement motivated the girl to dream for her future. She even pursued a new skill: martial arts.

Kadi participated in martial arts competitions and won an award for taking part in a world-record-breaking taekwondo display.

“I am happy to be part of [Bridge of Hope], which has been a motivating factor for me to practice and participate in the events,” Kadi says.

Kadi is not learning skills just for her own interest; she is planning for a future career of serving others. She dreams of becoming a doctor so she can help people in poverty. Kadi thanks Jesus and Bridge of Hope for giving her the drive to pursue dreams she didn’t know she had.

Many people in Basea's community (pictured) experienced a new sense of joy and peace after encountering Jesus.

Nightmares. Unexplained health problems. Marital conflict. For months, these burdens had piled onto Basea (pictured), robbing the young mother of sleep. To top it off, a haze of unspoken words and suspicious thoughts had clouded Basea’s marriage, edging her and her husband, Sandor, close to divorce. Where could Basea find deliverance and healing?

The couple lived on a rural, hard-to-reach chain of islands where life was already incredibly difficult. But in 2014, GFA workers received a unique resource to bring help to these islands: a boat. With it, a group of workers set sail to show love and compassion to as many islands as they could.

One day, these GFA workers met Basea. As she chatted with them, she was curious about Jesus, who had the compassion and power to change any bad situation.

Basea started to continually pray, longing to experience more of Christ’s love. After a few weeks, she experienced a miracle: God healed her body!

After months of health and marriage problems, Basea (pictured) and her husband found deliverance and peace through Christ.

Not only did the couple gain more peaceful sleep and a more peaceful marriage, but they gained a new relationship with the Lord and a new community in Christ.

“The Lord has changed our hearts,” Basea and Sandor said, “and we value each other now.”

Meanwhile, the GFA workers continue sailing to island communities so more families can find life-transforming hope.

Pastor Kagan, pictured with his wife and daughter

Shame seared Kailea’s heart. The shopkeeper’s mistrust was clear, as well as his message: Kailea could no longer buy groceries on credit, even though she had always been faithful to pay her bill.

Kailea’s life had not always been full of scorn and suspicion. She had once walked about the village with dignity, with the respect of friends and neighbors. Now neighbors turned away in disgust, their rejection scathing.

A Spiral of Debt and Deception

Kailea and her husband, Rainer, had lived a stable life with the income he earned selling various goods. They had even put their daughter, Peony, through secondary school.

But then the family fell on hard times. Desperate to earn a living and pay back lenders, Rainer joined a group selling illegal items. For his fraudulent activities, Rainer was arrested and sentenced to two years in jail, leaving his wife and daughter to bear the shame and financial burden of his actions.

Disgraced and Scorned

Left to provide for herself and her daughter, Kailea began cleaning and cooking to earn an income. Though she made a respectable living, the stigma of her husband’s unscrupulous business dealings haunted her.

While most neighbors scorned her, some even tried to take advantage of her and Peony. Kailea managed to protect herself and her daughter from these assaults, but she could not protect them from the rumors. People said she was having illicit relationships while her husband was in jail, which only further tarnished her reputation. The disgrace was unbearable.

Kailea also worried about her daughter. Peony had halted her studies indefinitely, her future placed on hold because of their lack of funds. What could Kailea do? She felt helpless to alter their situation. She could only hope that Rainer would be released early and they could put their lives back together.

The mother’s mental agony swelled, but she bottled up her emotions; she had no one to talk to—until GFA pastor Kagan visited her and Peony one day.

Kailea and Peony experienced a warm welcome and a long-awaited relief when they visited this church, where Pastor Kagan ministers.

Finding Love and Acceptance

Pastor Kagan listened compassionately as Kailea shared her story. Relief rushed over Kailea as she released her sorrows and cares. The pastor prayed for the family and invited them to church. Kailea’s lonely heart leapt; she ached for companionship. Kailea went to church with great expectation. She entered the presence of God in prayer and worship, pouring her troubles at the feet of Jesus. Immediately, relief and peace flooded her soul.

Afterward, the pastor and his wife, Callia, took time to counsel Kailea and invited her and Peony to stay for a fellowship lunch. Kailea had been rejected so long by others; the welcome and acceptance she experienced at the church was a soothing balm to her wounded heart. Did they truly not see the mud on her name? Did they truly care about her?

Kailea and Peony went home with full hearts, full stomachs and full pockets. Pastor Kagan fulfilled his promise to help find a solution for their dilemma. He and Callia gave them food as well as funds to help with overdue bills, and they continued to help Kailea and Peony in their difficult time. The financial assistance enabled Peony to continue her studies.

Overwhelmed by the display of love and acceptance, Kailea and Peony returned to the church and eventually became active participants. Kailea has joined the Women’s Fellowship and attends Bible studies in addition to the weekly services on Sunday. With a light heart, Kailea is trusting God to take care of her problems.

Kailea and Peony (pictured) still experience difficulties, but Jesus has given them joy and strength to overcome the shame that once burdened them.

“I am so glad that God saw my difficulty and problems and gave me peace and joy of salvation,” says Kailea. “I especially thank God for Pastor Kagan and Sister Callia, who continue to minister and help me in my time of distress, which is a great strength when all around was negative.”

There is a new light in Kailea’s eyes, a new spring in her step. She no longer hangs her head in shame. Neighbors who previously scorned her have noticed the change in Kailea’s life and have ceased spreading rumors. Her life has been truly transformed by the love of Christ.

Thanks to your support, women like Kailea are being impacted by national missionaries across Asia with the unconditional love and acceptance of Christ.

Pastor Kilan, pictured with his family

The lockdown had been going for some days when Radinka heard a knock at her door. When she opened it, there stood a masked man and woman, holding a package of food to help keep Radinka and her family from going hungry. Radinka’s heart soared as a great weight lifted.

A God-given Meeting

Radinka and her husband, Padrai, lived with their 16-year-old son in South Asia, while their two eldest children were both married and out of the house. Radinka suffered from high blood pressure, and a significant portion of Padrai’s modest income as a salesman funded her medical treatment.

A few months before the lockdown and before the pandemic was in full swing, Radinka rose early for her routine doctor’s appointment to check on her high blood pressure. The early time meant she could not eat breakfast. The clinic sometimes provided food, but it was at a cost Radinka couldn’t afford.

When Radinka walked into the clinic that day, she noticed something different. Three women mingled among the patients, offering tea and snacks. One of the women, Binta, came to Radinka with her hands filled with refreshments.

How much for a cup of tea, Radinka asked.

The food and tea were free, Binta responded, and encouraged Radinka to let her know if she wanted more.

Hearing the kind words and seeing unconditional love, Radinka knew there was something special about these women who were giving willingly of their own resources. After Radinka visited with the doctor, she walked toward Binta. Why were these women doing such a kind act, Radinka asked. She discovered Binta was the wife of the local GFA pastor, Kilan, and she had a monthly ministry to serve the people at the medical clinic.

Binta promised to visit Radinka at her home. True to her word, Binta visited Radinka later that week. Question after question, Radinka asked and Binta answered. Binta also shared that the Lord can heal all sicknesses because he cares for all people and their well-being.

Radinka paused at that. Hearing those words had somehow strengthened her and brought encouragement. Could this Jesus heal her of her high blood pressure? Binta seemed to think so. Radinka decided to visit Binta’s church. After much prayer from the congregation, Radinka received the healing she had longed for.

Radinka (pictured) was overjoyed to receive much-needed groceries from Pastor Kilan during the pandemic

Providing for the Family

In March 2020, a month after Radinka began attending the church and rejoicing in Christ’s love, COVID-19 lockdowns went into effect across Asia. For two months, the pandemic kept them stuck in a day-to-day survival. The family’s finances thinned, and their food supply diminished by the day. Radinka grew ever more worried.

But despite her fear, Radinka had faith. Over the phone, Radinka joined in prayer meetings, staying encouraged through fellowship with other believers. Even Radinka’s husband and son joined the times of prayer.

Then came the day Radinka heard that knock at her door. It was Binta and Pastor Kilan, holding a bag filled with fresh vegetables and dry goods. She thanked the pastor and his wife profusely. Nobody else had checked in on them or offered them food.

As the lockdown continued, Radinka received food packages two more times to help her family survive. Radinka doesn’t know what would have happened if she hadn’t met Binta during that doctor’s appointment. She is thankful she did.

“God has blessed me and provided all our needs in a miraculous way,” Radinka said. “I thank Sister Binta and Pastor Kilan for their love and kindness towards us, which made me believe and trust that God cares for all people.”

K.P. Yohannan

Evangelist and Bible teacher Dr. John Haggai was not a household name in America. But when he passed away at the age of 96, this kindest and most gracious of men left a giant legacy for the kingdom of God.

A small part of that legacy was me.

As a skinny, 20-year-old student from India attending a seminary course in Singapore, I was transfixed as this passionate, bold American shot a burning arrow into my quivering faith: “Only what you do for Jesus Christ is eternal. Think of the one thing you will do with your life to glorify God.” …

Fast forward 50 years, and it’s a question I believe every follower of Jesus must contemplate and ultimately answer: “What is the one thing I will do for God?”

Coming from a small hamlet in India, I had no money to pay for the month-long leadership course. Dr. Haggai’s organization paid my expenses. When he saw me—a young man barely out of my teenage years—he confessed, “I don’t know why we invited you to come. … We never invite anyone under 30. Obviously, God must have a plan for your life.”…

Just over four decades ago, with this one thing burning in my heart and a seed donation of $50, I started Gospel for Asia (GFA World, www.gfa.org). Many people said to me, “This is a great dream, but it won’t work. You’re talking about doing things that are impossible.” Today, by God’s grace, GFA World is a global movement and one of the largest mission organizations in the world, serving millions of the poorest and most marginalized people and showing them the love of God. …

I can hear Dr. Haggai now: “Take courage. Press on. Die to yourself. Live for Jesus. Do that one thing for God’s glory.”

Men and women across Asia, like Pastor Serek or Sister Binta, have risen to the challenge and found that one thing to do for God’s glory: bringing His love to the broken and needy. Thank you for aiding them as they touch lives with Christ’s redeeming love.

Some of this material appeared on K.P. Yohannan’s blog on December 15, 2020. You can find the entire post at https://kpyohannan.org/2020/12/15/world-turmoil-do-one-thing-god-says-kp-yohannan/.