Sisters of Compassion working in Asian slums bring hopeful light into what are otherwise deeply depressing places. Lonely, hurting people are uplifted and renewed by friendship with the sisters and with the Friend who heals their hearts.

Two of her children were gone. Missing. Where were they? What had happened? Where had they gone?

It was her husband. He had taken them. Taken them and left again without telling her a word.

Panic and fear washed over Amlika. What would she do? Who could she turn to?

She had no one.

Locked in Fear

After getting married at an early age, Amlika, now 29, and her husband had five children. They crowded into a single-room shanty in the middle of a slum on the outskirts of a major city.

Her husband started drinking. He stopped working. He began chasing after other women.

And then he left, leaving Amlika with the responsibility of caring for their children, ages 9 to 3.

Loneliness. Agony. Fear. Shame. Worry. Hunger. This was her life.

Amlika cleaned people’s homes, but despite her daily labors, she scarcely earned enough to feed her family.

And then two of them went missing.

Amlika’s husband had come by a few times through the years, bringing a little bit of money for his children, but he had never stayed long. Then one day, he suddenly vanished with two of the kids. A few days passed before he showed up again to bring them home, but it was enough to fill Amlika with fear that she could lose them forever. After that day, she locked the door with her children inside whenever she went out to work.

A Compassionate Hand

Some GFA-supported Sisters of Compassion served in the slum where Amlika and her children lived. One day, Amlika decided to attend a special Mother’s Day event at the local Bridge of Hope center—the center her eldest daughter had been enrolled in soon after Amlika began cleaning homes.

The young mother saw the Sisters of Compassion sharing kind words with other women, and something made Amlika want to talk with them. She asked them to visit her home, and they did.

They came to Amlika’s home with eternal love in their hearts. The women talked, and tears flowed down the young mother’s face as she shared about her plight. The Sisters of Compassion comforted her and shared about the One who never leaves us. The women introduced her to a local GFA-supported pastor, who also visited Amlika. Through their faithful companionship and prayers, peace penetrated her fear, truth replaced anxiety, and dignity overcame shame.

“I am experiencing [Jesus’] guidance and love in my life,” Amlika shares. “I have nobody to trust or to support me in times of troubles. I have no idea what the future holds, but now I have found hope in Jesus. I am confident that Jesus will give me strength to overcome all the adverse situations of life.”

Meeting a Practical Need

Sisters of Compassion working in Asian slums bring hopeful light into what are otherwise deeply depressing places. Lonely, hurting people are uplifted and renewed by friendship with the sisters and with the Friend who heals their hearts.

Amlika found a peace that surpasses understanding and circumstances, but she still struggled to provide for her youngest children. Thankfully, Bridge of Hope was taking care of her eldest daughter’s need by providing a daily meal and other necessities.

Knowing Amlika could still use some help, GFA-supported workers collaborated to bring her aid. On International Widows’ Day, Amlika received a sewing machine!

Gifts like sewing machines, provided through the donations of men and women like you, have changed the lives of thousands upon thousands throughout the years, and Amlika is one of them.

Amlika started learning how to use her machine and became confident this gift would enable her to earn more money to provide for her children’s needs.

A sewing machine was a perfect fit for Amlika because now she will be able to run a tailoring shop from her own home. That means Amlika won’t need to worry about coming home to find her children missing again. She can spend more time with them, help them grow and love them well.

These two widowed women, and more than 100 others, received life-changing gifts through a special program held in their honor.

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 one was a widow. Each one was loved.

It was June 23, International Widows’ Day, and this church—along with countless others across Asia—planned to do something to honor them.

Some widows received goats. Others, cows. Some were given tin sheets to help build better homes. Others received sewing machines. Each one was blessed. Each one was helped.

‘God Loves All Human Beings’

In many areas of Asia, widowhood brings with it a terrible stigma. Widows, blamed for the deaths of their husbands, are frequently abandoned, mistreated and even exploited—sometimes by the ones who should care for them most.

But God hears the cry of the widow, and He has enabled us to minister to many such needy women.

“Widows, no need to worry, because you are not alone,” they heard from GFA-supported pastor Sonit during the program. “The church is with you. You have lost your dear one from your life, but God loves you all. This is the reason why we are here.”

These two widowed women, and more than 100 others, received life-changing gifts through a special program held in their honor.

Malvika gratefully received a sewing machine. “This sewing machine will become a great blessing for the survival of my family,” she said.

Bindu received tin sheets. “This is given by my loving Lord,” she shared.

At the event, another pastor shared: “We want to help our society. ... Take this small gift, and go with a cheerful heart, so that you may know that God loves all human beings.”

One of the widows, who attends the local church, said, “I am very much thankful to my God because He has given a church for us that has great concerns for the poor, orphan, widow and needy community.”

Thank you for standing with us to share that great love.

As a single mother, Gina is able to provide for her daughter’s education by selling milk from the cow she received on International Widows’ Day last year.

Just one year ago, life was different for the young woman.

Gina could feel the daily ache in her muscles from her hard labor. Dust from the quarry where she worked mingled with the sweat on her brow; she wiped it away before it could drip into her eyes.

Just one year ago, life was different for the young woman. One year ago, Gina was happily married and cared for. Then she lost her husband and made the heart-wrenching transition from being a housewife to working in a quarry as the sole provider for her and her 9-year-old daughter.

The work was backbreaking and money was tight, but somehow she managed to meet all of their needs— all but one. Gina couldn’t send her daughter, Prithika, to school, and it broke her heart.

Widow Finds Hope

When Gina happened to meet a group of women from the local church a few years ago, she unloaded her struggles and heartache on their attentive ears. They told her about Jesus, the God who can help anyone in their troubles. Curious to know more, Gina talked with GFA-supported pastor Ekanpreet. When Pastor Ekanpreet further explained Jesus’ grace, she soon embraced His love.

The Gift of a Cow

The church Gina attends, like many other churches GFA is privileged to stand with, hosted a special outreach for widows on International Widows Day last year. At this event, Gina received a cow— and this gift has transformed her life.

When the cow gave birth, Gina was able to start selling milk in her neighborhood. Through the proceeds, God provided for Prithika’s education, much to the mother and daughter’s delight. Today, Gina cheerfully gives a portion of her profits to the local church.

Thank you so much for standing with GFA through your prayers, donations and encouragement. We are so blessed to witness God move in the lives of His children around the globe, and it is our joy and privilege to share their stories.

You are making a difference. Thank you!