GFA World Newsletter

November 2022, Vol. 19, No. 6

“… 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 42-year-old Elyse. The harsh temperatures and bitter winds bit through her old clothes and threadbare blankets. Her village, nestled in a mountain range, faced low temperatures year-round, even in the summer. Elyse needed to wear warm clothes throughout the year. But during the winter? The cold was even worse.

A Mother’s Burden

While Elyse’s husband was out of the country working, the mother of two was responsible for providing for their sons. To supplement what money her husband made, Elyse raised goats, chickens and pigs. She also grew potatoes, hoping to add to the family’s income. But farming was difficult with the constant low temperatures.

“Nothing grows here except for potatoes and apples,” Elyse explains, “but then these are seasonal fruit—only once a year we cultivate them.”

What earnings Elyse could scrape together, combined with her husband’s income, were barely enough to provide for her and her boys. The money went to their daily survival. Saving for anything extra, such as a blanket, required time.

“I would be able to save some money and then buy a blanket not in a day or two or in a week or a month,” Elyse explains. “It would take me quite a long time to save money.”

The lower temperatures constantly hounded Elyse and her family, and illnesses were common. With no hospital nearby—the nearest one around five hours away—and little money to afford treatment anyway, there was not much Elyse or anyone else who fell ill could do but endure. But what if they could stay warm and keep from getting sick?

The Warmth They Needed

The blanket given to Elyse (pictured) protects her and her sons from the cold.

Elyse’s local church, which was led by a GFA missionary, held an event to distribute about 60 warm blankets to families in need—including Elyse and her children. The gift was perfect for warding off winter’s chill.

“I will not suffer due to cold climate at night,” Elyse says. “… If I [can] sleep properly at night, [in the] morning I will be able to get up on time and maybe go for work and do all my household chores. Everything I will be able to do because I had enough sleep at night because of this blanket.”

Without having to save money for a new, thick blanket, Elyse can spend money on whatever else she and her children may need.

“I also believe that because of this blanket … I will be able to save myself from any kind of sickness due to the cold weather,” she states. “… 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.”

What did Petria dream about as she studied by the light of a kerosene lamp? The young girl didn’t envision much for herself beyond a life like her mother’s—a life of hard work, of toiling to put food on the table.

Petria and her family lived in a village that didn’t even have electricity until she was 10 years old. Her father worked as a carpenter, and her mother took care of the home. They struggled to make ends meet. Even if Petria had dreamed of going to college or aspiring to a certain career, it was unlikely she would achieve those things.

But when Petria got the chance to join GFA World’s Child Sponsorship Program, things changed. The program helped provide for Petria’s education and basic needs; she received academic support, school supplies and a nutritious daily meal. She developed an appetite for learning and writing. She enthusiastically participated in activities offered by the program, from athletics to art. One year, she won an award for practicing good hygiene. The next, she won an award in the Colors of Hope art competition. The girl was thriving, and her future looked brighter each day.

The child sponsorship program has changed thousands of kids’ lives by providing practical care, often in the form of school supplies, tutoring and nutritious food.

An Unexpected Challenge

Then the unexpected happened. In 2017, when Petria was in 10th grade, Petria’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. The active student now needed to help her mother, even though she had important exams approaching. Still, Petria patiently cared for her mom, believing Jesus would heal her. Though Petria struggled to balance home responsibilities with schoolwork, she excelled in her exams. And Petria’s faith was not in vain—her mother’s health improved.

Petria and her family are grateful to the child sponsorship program and to its sponsors for all the help and encouragement they have received. Now, the girl who once studied by a kerosene lamp can dream of a life beyond poverty—a life full of promise and hope in Christ.

“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 are glad that the church is there to take care of us.”

Near Bodin’s house, a stench assaulted passersby. Bodin’s septic tank had burst, and the smell of feces lingered.

Due to a lack of sanitation facilities in Bodin’s village, about 15 families had been using the toilet in Bodin’s small backyard bathroom. They had waited in line each morning just to do so. But this wasn’t the sturdiest toilet, and eventually the demand overloaded its capabilities. After the septic tank burst, these 15 families were left without a toilet. How could they relieve themselves cleanly and safely?

For some time, they couldn’t. People had to relieve themselves outside, and children sometimes just went by the roadside, close to houses. People got sick from the lack of sanitation. Women, especially, suffered due to the lack of privacy.

“It was quite embarrassing to have any family or friends or relatives to come and visit us because of the stench that displays here,” Bodin recalls.

The toilet GFA World installed near Bodin’s house (pictured) serves about 25 people a day.

This was one challenge of many Bodin and the other residents of his village faced. It seemed the village was destined to remain in an underdeveloped, impoverished state. It was known for being a place where alcoholism, gambling and drunken brawls abounded.

Because there is no source of industry in the village, many people live in poverty, earning only about $2.50 to $4 a day working as trash collectors, construction workers, vegetable sellers, snack shop owners or rice beer brewers. Sometimes fathers spend their small wages on liquor, leaving their wives and children to go without necessities. Many families have more than three children, so it’s difficult for them to put food on the table—and nearly impossible for them to provide well for their children’s education.

Faithful Ministry Leaves Fragrant Aroma

GFA pastor Jacob came to the area in 2008. He witnessed the difficult conditions people lived in. As he shepherded the local church, he didn’t just care about people’s souls; he also cared about their everyday physical struggles. When a bad hailstorm hit the village, he arranged for more than 300 families to receive new tin roofing sheets. Given the high prevalence of malaria in the forested area, he distributed mosquito nets to people in need. And he also observed the village’s sanitation problem. He knew it wasn’t hygienic or safe for people to go into the jungle to relieve themselves.

This woman from Bodin’s village is grateful the church helped meet her community’s basic need for sanitation.

He arranged for the village to receive two toilets, one at Bodin’s house and one elsewhere. Now, seven families—about 25 people—use the toilet at Bodin’s house each day. The children no longer relieve themselves outside, and the village stays clean.

“The area is clean now,” Bodin says. “There is no bad stench or odor … because this [toilet] is installed very well. And we have maintained it clean and neat. So, we are all happy now that our people don’t have to struggle.”

What’s more, Bodin and the other village residents have been introduced to a different fragrance—the sweet aroma of Christ’s love. As Pastor Jacob and the church have worked tirelessly to bring hope and help to this community, people have realized that God cares about them.

“We feel loved, although we are very poor and a neglected sort of people, but then the church has always stood on our side,” explains Bodin. “When we need it, the church has helped us. … We are glad that the church is there to take care of us.”

As people experience this love, more people like Bodin are finding new life. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Perhaps Naim was bored. Perhaps he was curious. But one spontaneous decision to tag along with his friends would transform his whole life.

Naim had experienced much sadness and difficulty. He grew up with an alcoholic father, whose addiction and resulting illness burdened the family. With Naim’s father unable to work, they rarely had sufficient groceries or enough funds to pay basic bills. The father was also indebted to many people, further straining the family’s finances. Stress and anxiety filled their home.

One day, Naim happened to join some friends who were going to help set up for a GFA gift distribution. His friends greeted Pastor Rafael by saying, “Praise the Lord!” Naim was puzzled by this phrase and pondered its meaning.

Two days later, Naim attended the gift distribution program, where widows received clothing and impoverished people received income-generating gifts such as hand carts and goats. The display of love, care and good works he witnessed refreshed his spirit and impacted his heart.

His curiosity sparked, Naim spoke to Pastor Rafael, who explained the phrase “Praise the Lord.” Something drew the young man to the pastor, and Naim returned for multiple visits, sharing about his family situation and struggles. The pastor encouraged Naim, counseled him from God’s Word and prayed for him diligently.

After seeing the church’s good works and befriending Pastor Rafael (pictured), Naim (pictured) decided to follow Christ.

On Good Friday, Naim attended a program at Pastor Rafael’s church. When he walked through the doors, Naim was overwhelmed by God’s presence, and peace flooded his soul. The message about the cross, its power and Jesus’ love spoke directly to Naim’s heart, bringing peace and wholeness.

Pastor Rafael continued to offer Naim spiritual guidance and pray for him and his family. The Lord began to work in Naim’s life. Naim got a job as a coal worker, which enabled him to provide for his family and pay off their outstanding debts. Naim and his mother joyfully acknowledged God’s blessings in their lives. A huge burden had been lifted, and Naim rejoiced in a deep sense of comfort and belonging as he put his trust in Christ.

“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 domestic worker just to put one meager meal on the table every day. With seven mouths to feed and her husband, Jadon, using precious income to feed his alcohol addiction, there were no funds for warm clothing or a decent blanket. Instead, Kajsa and her children were left to shiver.

Day in and day out, Kajsa labored in other people’s houses. She washed. She swept. She mopped. All for paltry wages in hopes to provide for her family. There seemed to be no hope in sight.

A Blanket of Change

One day, GFA pastor Madoc visited Kajsa’s village. Everywhere he looked, Pastor Madoc saw signs of destitution. The people were illiterate. Very few people owned land. Instead, they toiled as daily wage laborers and struggled to meet their families’ needs. Pastor Madoc pondered what he could do to relieve their burden.

Perhaps he saw people shivering. Perhaps it was divine insight. But Pastor Madoc knew one way to help this community—blankets. Pastor Madoc returned with stacks of blankets to distribute to those in need.

Kajsa was one of those who received a blanket. The beautiful blanket filled her heart with joy. Happily, she carried her gift home and shared the good news with her family, including Jadon.

Warm blankets can help protect the lives of families living in poverty.

As Pastor Madoc continued to visit the village and meet various needs, the pastor’s kindness impressed Jadon’s heart. It also brought conviction.

Jadon confessed to Pastor Madoc his shame: “You are a very good person who takes care of your family and helps others. … I have now realized how irresponsible I was, that I did not take care of my family properly, but you have opened my eyes. I need your help in overcoming my alcohol addiction.”

Pastor Madoc prayed for the father and encouraged him from God’s Word. With God’s help and the pastor’s counsel, Jadon overcame his alcohol addiction. He got a job and began providing for his family. He and Kajsa began attending church.

“I thank God for taking care of us and providing our needs,” Kajsa says. “I am also grateful to Him for transforming my husband’s life.”

Their family life has been completely changed, and it all started with the gift of a blanket—a gift of God’s love.