send

GOSPEL FOR ASIA’S

{ Connecting Our Global Community }

November 2012

Our Community Celebrates!Christmas Joy in Asia—and around the World

Giving EverythingTwo children changing lives // p.14

Investments for EternityBlessings from GFA’s

Christmas Gift Catalog // p.16

Faith in Every SeasonOne missionary’s adventures

In trusting God // p.10

2 | Gospel for Asia | gfa.org

From the Editor

HEIDI CHUPP Managing Editor

A s we prepare to celebrate our Lord’s birth with fellowship and gifts that show our love, Gospel for Asia missionaries in Asia are preparing to celebrate, too. They have

the privilege of distributing life-changing gifts to people in need. Last year, more than 76,000 families were blessed through our Christmas Gift Catalog as GFA friends around the world got involved and made a difference. In this issue, we have stories to share with you about those who gave, those who distributed the gifts and those who received them. It has been a huge encouragement for me personally to see the love of God in action, and I am excited for you to read these stories for yourself!

P.S. You can read this issue of SEND! online, too: www.gfa.org/send

Editor-in-Chief K.P. YohannanManaging Editor Heidi ChuppContributing Editors Rich Lodi, Gisela YohannanWriters Matt Braley, Terri Castellanos, Bethany DuVal, Anna Hart, Susan LawsonProofreader Tricia BennettDesign DOXAProduction Michele Alexander, Gwendolyn CrossPrinting The John Roberts Company

SEND!® Volume 32, Number 3

SEND! is published three times per year by Gospel for Asia, Inc., 1800 Golden Trail Court, Carrollton, Texas 75010. ©2012 Gospel for Asia, Inc. Each issue costs about 70 cents per copy to produce. Please contact us for permission to reproduce any part of this magazine.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

For security reasons, many names of people and places in our stories have been changed.

The name for SEND! magazine comes from the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 10—“And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” (v. 15).

Administrative Offices

In the United States:1800 Golden Trail CourtCarrollton, Texas 75010Phone: 972-300-7777Email: [email protected]

In Australia:P.O. Box 3587, Village FairToowoomba QLD 4350Phone: 1300 889 339Email: [email protected]

In New Zealand:PO Box 302580North Harbour 0751Phone: 0508-918-918Email: [email protected]

In South Africa:P.O. Box 28880Sunridge Park 6008Phone: 041 360-0198Email: [email protected]

In the United Kingdom:PO Box 166York YO10 5WAPhone: 01904 64 32 33Email: [email protected]

About Gospel for Asia: We are committed as a family of believers to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with lost men, women and children throughout Asia who still have not heard His precious name. Our ministry is about changing lives—both for this life and for eternity.

One hundred percent of all contributions for use on the mission field are sent to the nations we serve.

Please visit us: www.gfa.org

Please turn to page 16 to read how a goat and some chickens

brought great joy to two families in Asia.

November 2012 | Send! | 3

Features

Faith in Every Season / 10God’s faithfulness has kept Pastor Ruben encouraged—

even when 35 armed men planned to end his life.

Giving Everything / 14A brother and a sister had their own ideas about transforming

lives through GFA’s Christmas Gift Catalog.

Investments for Eternity / 16Two women have received what they considered impossible

blessings, thanks to others’ generosity at Christmastime.

ON THE COVERSimple, ordinary Christmas gifts—like this goat—can offer hope to impoverished Asian communities.

Departments

Conversations / 4

Our Community / 6

Resources / 20

Pray / 21

Profile / 22

Five Minutes with K.P. / 23

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Gospel for Asia’s

Christmas Gift Catalog

Q!How long has GFA been producing the Christmas

Gift Catalog? // We sent out our first catalog in 2006.

Q!What was the response you received that first year? //

So many people responded enthusiastically! As a ministry

with a laser-beam focus on sharing the Good News of Jesus

in South Asia, we are very careful to not get distracted with

activities that take us away from the call of God on our lives.

What the Christmas Gift Catalog did was give our brothers and

sisters in the West an opportunity to give practical, down-to-

earth things such as chickens and wells and water buffalo that

make a huge difference in people’s daily lives—and make an

eternal difference at the same time. And remember, Jesus cared

for the physical needs of people around Him, and at the same

time never missed an opportunity to teach the Word.

Q!Talk about the benefit one of these items has for an

Asian family. // One gift can mean the difference between

hope and despair—and even life and death—for these people. Let

me tell you a couple of stories I’ve heard recently.

One young woman named Lakshmi was born into a poor

family in India. Her elderly father was unable to do the work he

used to do in the paddy fields, so the responsibility for her

family’s livelihood fell on her shoulders. She knew how to sew,

but could not afford the sewing machine she needed to set up a

small business. When GFA provided her with one, she could not

contain her joy.

“Tears came to my eyes,” she told us. “I am now able to

meet all my needs, and my family is functioning smoothly. I

always acknowledge the goodness of Jesus in my life.”

In another part of Asia, a young boy named Deepak and his

elderly mother had been drinking contaminated water for a long

time. When the pastor of our local church learned this, he

arranged for the family to receive a BioSand water filter. Deepak

and his mother were so blessed by this gift. But Deepak’s mother

couldn’t quite figure out why these believers would give them

such a valuable item for free.

“Because these Christians know God’s love, which

He gives freely,” Deepak explained to her, “they are

providing these gifts to the people.”

“Then I want to know more about the love of God,”

his mother responded.

Q!You often say that donors experience benefits,

too. What do you mean by that? // For one thing, it’s

an amazing opportunity for our children to understand and

participate in bringing hope to the poorest of the poor and

the suffering in Asia. It’s such a practical way they can

understand God’s love and join with the Lord in showing His

care and compassion.

Conversations { DIS CUS SIONS W I T H K . P. YOH A N NA N }

In this conversation with K.P. Yohannan, we learn how practical items from GFA’s Christmas Gi! Catalog can have eternal value.

And the wonderful thing about the Christmas Gift Catalog is that there's something for just about everyone to participate in . And people get very creative! I heard about one young woman who gave catalog gifts in honor of her family members based on each one's interests and talents . She gave farming tools in honor of her grandpa who gardened; for her mother who loved music, she gave instruments for missionaries, and so on.

There are so many ways we can show our love-to our loved ones, to the poor in Asia and ultimately to our Lord. That's really what it's all about, isn't it: loving Jesus with our whole lives in daily, practical ways. I see this catalog as something the Lord is using to draw His Body together-as we join with Him in His purposes, we become unified.

Q What are some of the more unusual Christmas Gift Catalog items? II This year, for the first time, we are

including an outdoor toilet in our catalog! In remote areas where sanitation services are not available, this is essential for health and safety. As a matter of fact, there are regions where 80 percent of the people don't have access to toilet facilities . You can see how disease can spread quickly in these places.

And believe it or not, we distribute pay telephones, too. These are actually cell phones that people in poor nations can use to develop a small business to sustain their families.

Some items are more regional-a camel for the desert regions, or mosquito nets in malaria-prone areas. Each helps meet critical needs and brings God's love to men, women and children in personal ways .

Q Talk about the favorite items in the catalog that people love to give. II Chickens are on the top of the

list, along with Bibles, rabbits, blankets, Christian literature and water filters.

Share Christmas Joy!

What are some of the greatest necessities people have in South Asia that still need to be met? II Clean

water is a huge need . Millions of people die each year from diseases related to impure water.

Anything that helps give families a way to earn a living is significant, whether it's a sewing machine, a pull cart to sell goods or a fishing net. Just imagine if you had hope for the first time that your family wouldn't starve!

And of course, the greatest need we see every day is what every soul in this world needs-to find forgiveness and a relationship with God. Equipping our missionaries to demonstrate God's greatest gift is something that's on my heart all the time.

Q Tell us about one of your favorite Christmas Gift Catalog items, and why. II The water

buffalo is my favorite catalog gift. I have heard so many stories of how a water buffalo helped break the cycle of poverty for a poor Asian family, providing milk to drink and to sell, hauling and plowing . We have seen entire joint families-up to 15 or 20 people!-respond to the love of God because of a single water buffalo.

Q There are so many gifts to choose from! How do I know what to give? II I would encourage you to go

through the catalog prayerfully and seek the Lord's direction . He will be faithful to show you. If you are doing this with your family or small group or Sunday school class, pray together. It is a wonderful experience to share. And remember, as you give, whatever the items chosen, you are doing it for our Lord Jesus.

Q Are catalog gifts distributed only at Christmas? II No, we actually distribute gifts throughout the year. When it

comes to catalog items, any time is Christmastime in Asia!

To order your copy of this year's Christmas Gift Catalog or give online: Visit www.gfa .orglgift Call us at 1-800-WIN-ASIA (1-800-946-2742) Mail your request using the envelope included in this magazine

You can order extra copies to share the joy with family, friends and your church, too! Visit www.gfa.org/gift/order to find out how, or contact us at the number above.

2012 I Send! I 5


How can I read these amazing stories of what these national missionaries are doing and not respond? I see the love and joy of the Lord on their

faces and how they are bringing Jesus to a hurting world.

I’m a single mom with three children, but I still have more

resources than most of the people in this world and I

want to share my blessings with your ministry.

Patricia, Greeneville, Tennessee, USA

Our VBS program allows for a missions project every year, so we decided to have a contest between

the boys and the girls. The boys were raising money for

chickens and the girls for rabbits. The kids had so much

fun and were amazed at how giving chickens and rabbits

to a family can provide a livelihood.

Jeanne, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, USA

OURCOMMUNITY{ W H AT G OD IS D OING T H ROUGHOU T OU R GLOBA L FA MILY }

Blessings in (Medical) Disguise

“It was amazing and breathtaking to see ministry done in such a loving way.”

When Sonali, a GFA Bridge of Hope staff member, was asked to serve at a one-day medical camp for a local Bridge of Hope center, it was a new experience for her.

“I t was the first time that I witnessed a medical camp,” she remembers.

Two doctors and a nurse provided medical checkups and treatment for the Bridge of Hope children and their families, along with anyone else in the community who had health needs. And GFA missionaries and church members helped keep everything running smoothly.

“It was amazing and breathtaking to see ministry done in such a loving way,” Sonali reflects.

The villagers found relief that day from digestive ailments, fevers, malaria and typhoid. They returned to their homes “extremely thankful,” as one person put it, for the medical camp.

“It was a great opportunity to share the love of Christ,” adds Sonali. “If I could share one statement about this medical camp, it would be ‘Christ’s presence and blessings in disguise.’ ”

LETTERSS

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Our Community

The VBS That Kept GrowingIt was the first day of Akshay’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, and the Gospel for Asia missionary was happy to see about 40 boys and girls in attendance. But that number was about to increase several times.

T en-year-old Ishwarya had been walking by and heard singing. Curious, she came in to see what was going

on. Pastor Akshay welcomed Ishwarya, and invited her to come back every day of the program.

The next day, Akshay noticed that Ishwarya had returned—with five friends! They all had fun participating in the songs, crafts, games and Bible stories.

On the third day, Ishwarya brought her parents. Akshay greeted them and explained the reason behind all the VBS activities their daughter had enjoyed. When Ishwarya’s parents heard the message of God’s love, their hearts were touched. That day, Ishwarya and her entire family decided to follow Jesus.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

Join Gospel for Asia’s home team staff!The nearly 100 people who serve full-time at GFA’s U.S. headquarters

near Dallas, Texas, help make it possible for missionaries in Asia to bring

the hope of Jesus Christ to thousands. Is God calling you to help reach

some of the most unreached with God’s love? Gospel for Asia may be

the place for you. Visit www.gfa.org/send/joinstaff to learn more.

“You don’t have to go to Asia to reach thousands with the love of Jesus. Your life can make a difference right here!” —David, GFA home team staff member

Paul thought his cycling trip plans were challenging already: to ride a 273-kilometer (170-mile) trail across Prince Edward Island in Canada— all in one day. But God gave him an even greater task: while cycling, raise funds to equip Gospel for Asia missionaries with bicycles.

T hat first trip generated enough donations to

send 24 bicycles to the mission field—and it also gave Paul a vision to start Pedal for

Souls, a grassroots movement that would give other believers the opportunity to join him. In 2012, he organized two additional rides with 46 total cyclists—one in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and one outside of Nashville, Tennessee—and as a result, 100 more missionaries received bicycles!

But the positive impact from Pedal for Souls wasn’t felt just overseas. God worked in Paul’s heart, too.

“The Lord used it to bring me to a place of actively serving Him,” he reflects.

Now Paul is looking forward to seeing what God will do in 2013.

“Our goal is to provide all the bicycles GFA currently requires,” Paul explains.

Follow Pedal for Souls on Facebook to learn more.

Visit www.gfa.org/pedal to learn how

you can help children’s groups raise funds for

missionary bicycles.

Pedaling for Souls

gfa. org

http://www.gfa.org/pedal


Our Community

Little-known facts about … the toilet.+ More people in India own a mobile phone than own a toilet.

+ It has saved more lives than any other invention.

+ Billions in the world still don’t have one.

+ A family without one is exposed to millions of viruses,

bacteria and parasites each day.

+ If everyone in the world had access to one, about

2.4 million deaths per year could be prevented.

+ In remote areas, it provides dignity, privacy and safety—

especially for women.

Sources: Public Library of Science, United Nations University, water.org

A common Asian squat toilet. Whatever shape they take, toilets drastically reduce the risk of diseases in Asian nations.

AMillion

ChickensFor the first 14 years of her life, Xiaoyun (Shou-yeen) learned not to take anything—shelter, family or even food—for granted. Born in China and orphaned at a young age, she brought those values with her to the United States when an American couple adopted her.

T hen Xiaoyun learned that $11 would provide a pair of chickens to an Asian

family through Gospel for Asia. She and her parents heard about myGFA, a program that gives GFA friends a way to start their

own giving campaigns to bless the lives of people in Asia—so Xiaoyun started “Chicks for Children.”

“God says we are supposed to help people in need,” Xiaoyun writes on her campaign page. “How often do people go and buy new clothes? $11 is not a big deal.”

Xiaoyun has already raised enough funds to provide almost 7,500 chickens. But she’s got her sights set much higher.

“I want to raise enough money to buy one million chickens for the children in Asia,” she declares.

“Through our efforts, many in Asia will hear the Good News of Christ’s love.”

Visit www.mygfa.org to learn more about how

you can launch your own campaign. And go to

www.mygfa.org/chicksforchildren to visit Xiaoyun’s

campaign page.

You can help Gospel for Asia share Jesus’ love with

those who have never heard His name, and it won’t cost you

a penny! Learn how you can support GFA’s work by doing

things you already do anyway.

Visit: www.gfa.org/costfree

Or call: 1-800-946-2742 (1-800-WIN-ASIA)

It’s amazing what your

old cell phone

online searches / shopping

airline miles

can do for Jesus!

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Our Community

We Remember & Honor

IN MEMORY OF

+ Alfonso Spinelli Jr. from Mrs. Mary Ellen Berg

+ Carole Powell from Richard and Barbara Herring

+ John and Anna DeVincenzo from Walt and

Mary Rogers

+ Mitsuko Frykman from Joe and Rebecca Brogan

+ Olufemi Olagbaju from Wemimo F. Olagbaju

+ Robert M. Mitchell from Butch and Mary Lou Cope

+ Shirley Gesink from Sandra Faber

IN HONOR OF

+ Heather Raysor from Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Johnson

+ John and Pat Sawyer from Randall and

Stephanie Newland

+ Kelly Sullivan from Mark and Lisa Snively

+ Mike and Caroline Slocum from Paul Fletcher

+ Raeleigh Jones from David and Joy Lovett

+ Terry and Mariana Walker from Arthur and

Sandra Duran

This list is a partial representation of many generous

friends who have given to Gospel for Asia in memory

or in honor of loved ones. Visit www.gfa.org/

memoryhonor to view the complete list. If you wish to

make a donation, please contact GFA in your country

(see back cover).

Five Years of ConversationsKamal had lived a set-apart life, completely devoted to his faith. He’d abandoned earthly pleasures and the comforts of his home. But still he searched for forgiveness of his sins.

Kamal built a temple in the jungle and spent his days meditating on the sacred writings of his religion, believing that this would

someday bring him complete salvation and eternal peace.During his quest for a sinless life, Kamal met Mansoor, a Gospel for

Asia-supported missionary who regularly traveled by Kamal’s temple to visit nearby villages. Mansoor would stop to say hello, and the two men would often discuss each other’s beliefs.

Kamal continued his faithful meditations, and Mansoor continued his faithful visits. Their discussions went on for five years.

Then one day when Mansoor visited, the conversation continued for hours. Mansoor shared with Kamal how Jesus’ death and resurrection made a way for every person to receive salvation and stand blameless before God. Kamal realized in his heart that what he was hearing was the truth, and he chose to trust and follow Jesus.

Today, when Mansoor travels to share the love of Christ, Kamal often joins him. And wherever they go, Kamal tells the story of what God has done in his life.


Whether he is holding prayer meetings

in believers’ homes, traveling to visit

nearby communities or leading Sunday

worship services in his church, Ruben is

aware of God’s faithful provision for all

his labors of love.

R uben had no idea he was headed into an ambush. He was leading a team of Bible college students for home visits and prayer that day, and the plan was to travel to a nearby

village on a path Ruben had taken many times before. However, a group of 35 men planning an attack knew the route well, too. They waited with weapons in their hands and bloodshed on their minds. Ruben’s life hasn’t always been filled with danger. There was a time when he was rejected and even ignored.

Pain, Prayer and Perseverance Beneath Pastor Ruben's gentle disposition and kind,

frequent smile is a heart that has endured hardship. He is familiar with despair and no stranger to abandonment.

When he decided to serve the Lord full-time, his unbelieving family couldn't understand why their son would not only abandon his traditional religion, but also devote his entire future to follow a faith they considered foreign and strange.

"My parents were very unhappy with me," Ruben remembers. "They said, 'You no longer belong to us.' "

Ruben broke down and wept in front of his parents that day.

"I was so hurt," he expresses. "I knew my parents loved me, but they didn't like my becoming a Christian."

Then his parents attempted to brainwash him, so Ruben fled to nearby hills and slept out in the open for two days, drenched by seasonal rainstorms.

"Only one thing came to my mind," Ruben says. "I could pray for my parents." And he did, often in tears.

After some persuasion from villagers, his family took him back. They didn't completely come to terms with their son's decision, but they let him stay at home in peace again.

It wouldn't be the last time the Lord intervened on Ruben's behalf.

'Simply Because of God's Grace' During the entire first year of Ruben's ministry, not a

single person embraced the love of Christ. It was a time of growth and perseverance-a time of waiting. Ruben continued to travel to villages, visit homes and, most important of all, pray for a breakthrough.

One day, he met a young woman in a remote village who was very ill. When Ruben prayed for her, the Lord completely healed her. Word spread quickly in the community.

12 I Gospel for Asia I gfa.org

'I Never Cornprorn1 e' Pastor Ruben is a busy man. His schedule is usually full and varies from day to day. So how does he keep up with the pace? By setting aside time every day to spend with the Lord.

"Every morning I spend at least half an hour in prayer and another half hour for reading and meditating on God's Word. Every day I spend that time in the presence of the Lord. I never compromise with that time."

"Because she was healed, it opened doors for my ministry," Ruben remembers. "I started my first fellowship in that village."

A group of about six people began to meet for prayer and Bible study-and that was only the beginning.

Ever since that day, Ruben has borne witness to a recurring theme in his ministry: People come to him for prayer, and the Lord touches their lives. It's a story Ruben has seen play out over and over, and he never tires of it.

Ruben's church has now grown to several hundred members, not including several mission stations in surrounding villages. In a region where Ruben was once disregarded and rejected, the transformation has been remarkable.

Today, his church is often called the "Miracle Church." Ruben could never have imagined that his ministry would be so blessed.

"God is doing miracles, and great things are happening," he says. "It is simply because of God's grace. When we pray, He hears our prayers."

And when Ruben says “we,” he includes the congregation he pastors. Once a person chooses to follow Jesus, he or she becomes a missionary too, Ruben believes. It is a vision his congregation has embraced wholeheartedly. Now, ministering to the villages is no longer a solo effort. Loneliness is a thing of the past.

“I never thought that He could use me so greatly,” Ruben states. “I’m just so happy and thankful to God for using me for His purpose.”

An Adventure of Faith On the day he decided to visit a village with a group of

Bible college students, Ruben was unaware that 35 armed men lay in wait for them.

But God knew. He told Ruben to go a different way, and although Ruben didn’t understand why, he simply obeyed. He and his team entered the village by another route, and the ambush was foiled.

It wasn’t until later that Ruben learned of the plot. “God saved us,” he says. “They planned to kill us that

day, but God had other thoughts.”For Ruben, each day means he may meet someone new

who needs the hope of Jesus. It is an adventure he embraces. When asked about prayer needs, Ruben’s first request is for the 30-plus villages that surround his church. It is his heart’s desire that each one would be reached with God’s love.

As Ruben ponders the future, he first remembers God’s faithfulness in his life. He has learned to trust God in every season of his life—through difficult times, dangers and blessings alike. And he is ready for whatever the Lord has in store.

“Our God is so great, and He is the One who divided the Red Sea,” Ruben remarks. “He’s still alive and He’s with us.”

More missionaries like Ruben are ready to be

sent out—and all they need are sponsors to stand with

them! Is God asking you to join with a missionary?

Visit www.gfa.org/send/sponsor to learn more.

gfa. org

As Ruben cares for his family (top), his

growing congregation (middle) and the

families living in the neighboring villages

(bottom), he is amazed at what God is

doing and thankful for the strength to

serve. “God is doing miracles and great

things are happening,” he says. “It is

simply because of God’s grace.”

Giving EverythingTwo Children Changing Lives

Greg and Kerrie paged through Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift Catalog,

discussing which item they could give to a poor family in Asia. Perhaps a

goat or a sheep, they thought. Their children—Dylan, 9, and Isabella, 7—joined

the conversation, but they had an idea of their own. “Why are you getting only

one thing?” one of them asked. “Couldn’t we get everything?”



The 2010 Christmas Gift Catalog had arrived at their home in Australia as an insert in their local Christian bookstore’s catalog, but even as an abbreviated version, “everything” added up to more than AU$2,000 (about US$2,000 at the time).

“I have to admit,” Kerrie says, “my first response to them was, ‘It’s too much, too expensive—we can’t.’ ”

Creativity, Determination, Persistence

But Dylan and Isabella persisted. They wanted to collect enough funds to give each item in the catalog. So Greg and Kerrie chose to support them and offer as much encouragement and help as possible.

“One of the ways they decided they could raise the money,” remembers Kerrie, “was that they would give up most of their Christmas presents from family. Instead of presents, the family gave them money toward their goal.”

The children found other creative ways to fund their project as well. Dylan sold his old bicycle, and both he and Isabella did extra chores at home to earn money. When they held a “coffee and muffin morning” at church, the congregation caught their vision and gave AU$500 to help. The children also sold cold drinks at their school Christmas concert, and Greg and Kerrie were moved to contribute, too.

About four months later, all of the needed funds were raised.

“They were so very grateful and proud to have the opportunity to help lots of people,” Kerrie recalls.

A Growing Impact

Since then, the family has also decided to sponsor a GFA Bridge of Hope child.

“For our family to make this work,” describes Kerrie, “we invented ‘Rice Night,’ where we trade the money we would have spent on a dinner, and this pays for our sponsored child. Instead, we have a bowl of rice, and we talk about how blessed we are and what life is like for other families around the world. We sometimes will read a story out of Even Donkeys Speak, and we have a special prayer time.

What started as a few simple questions from their children has become an adventure for Greg and Kerrie’s family. Not only have their gifts blessed families in Asia, but this experience has made positive changes in their lives as well.

“We have been challenged to be more generous with our resources,” Kerrie reflects, “not just with GFA, but with the many charities that we support.

“It has changed my view on things. My two children looked at something I thought was too big, too hard—and they did it. And if they can do something that big, then why can’t we?”

Want to learn more about our catalog? Visit

www.gfa.org/send/gift to discover the joyous

adventure of helping change lives in Asia!

gfa. org

Order your own copy!

Even Donkeys Speak is a

collection of stories for

children taken straight from

the mission fields of South

Asia. It’s great reading,

no matter what your age!

Visit www.gfa.org/store to

order your copy or contact

GFA in your country

(see back cover).

What did Dylan and Isabella give?

+ Two chickens

+ A goat

+ Two rabbits

+ Two lambs

+ Two pigs

+ A cow

+ A BioSand

water filter

+ A blanket

+ A Jesus Well

+ A sewing

machine

+ 200 Gospel

tracts

+ Nine Bibles

W hen scraping by on a minimal income, most moms would track every cent, but Imani is happy to watch her savings

cluck and run in every direction. Roaming her yard and eating what they please, Imani knows, is the best way for her stock to mature and hatch dividends of their own. And, after all, when her pastor presented her with chickens, she wasn’t looking for temporary relief. She wanted an investment.

Imani’s family already knew about saving for the future. Her husband and two sons worked in the vineyards, reaping a

combined income of only $1.64 each day. To make matters worse, the vineyard season only lasted six months, and work afterward was scarce.

To support their family of six, they saved half their wages for the rest of the year—enough to survive on, but not much else.

But at least in one area Imani was fortunate: She had a husband to support her. In a nearby village lived a woman who didn’t even have that.

God’s love came to Imani (below, left) in the form of chickens. When Pastor Balaji (above, right)

brought Aadhaya (below, right) a new goat, she saw it as a gift from God. Both women are grateful

for these investments that will yield returns for years to come.



Hardships—and MiraclesTears still stream down Aadhaya’s face when

she talks about the death of her husband, Sachit, who suffered a fatal accident at work. Her only relief was a janitorial job at the hospital, offered when the staff saw how well she cared for her dying spouse.

Leaving her three young children at home, Aadhaya worked 12-hour shifts for little more than a dollar a day. She hoped to send her children to school, but there was nothing left for tuition. And, like Imani, the question of how she would pay for an emergency continually loomed over her head.

For years, Aadhaya struggled alone. But thankfully, hardship was not all she had in common with Imani. Both experienced Jesus’ love in their lives, too.

“I had severe chest pain,” Imani recalls, “so to get rid of it, I consulted a lot of doctors, but no one could help me with my problem.”

Then Imani talked to a local pastor who prayed with her for healing. As Imani continued to pray, encouraged by the pastor, the pain left.

Years earlier, as a little girl, Aadhaya also had been miraculously healed from an incurable illness as well. Both women chose to follow Jesus after experiencing His love and power.

Gifts that GrowNow, in the midst of their trials, both Imani and

Aadhaya trusted Him to provide. When Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Balaji

came to town, Aadhaya found an answer to her prayers. The widow told the pastor about her plight, and

he began looking for ways to help. Each day, Balaji visited the family, sometimes bringing food or clothes, always ready to encourage and pray with the family.

“He would tell us that we should not get discouraged or brokenhearted, and he comforted us with the Living Word,” Aadhaya remembers.

Then one day, Pastor Balaji had a big idea. Aadhaya had two goats that she hoped to grow

into a herd. Once that herd grew large enough, she would sell goats to cover the needs her hospital salary couldn’t. It would be a long time before the goats were profitable, but Pastor Balaji cut years off her wait when he presented her with another goat as part of Gospel for Asia’s Christmas gift distribution.

“I was very happy because I thought, It’s a gift from God!” Aadhaya exclaims.

Back in her own village, Imani thought the same thing. Presented with a hen and rooster, she is now growing them into a flock to sell the meat—and just one chicken would be worth more than her family members’ combined daily wages.

“Keeping chickens is like a minimum guarantee that anytime, if any problem arises, we don’t need to borrow money because we already have money in the form of a chicken,” Imani says.

Doing unto OthersNow, when Aadhaya sees families in need of

food, clothing or rent money, she gives what she can—just like Pastor Balaji did for her. And Imani has taken the same initiative someone else once took for her. Out of her growing flock, she has given two more chickens back to the church.

“Because someone helped me,” Imani explains, “I am also able to help someone who is in need.”

After so fully experiencing the love of Christ, Imani and Aadhaya simply see no other way to respond. Each was blessed through a gift, and now they will do their part to spread this blessing so others will know that theirs is a God who provides.

“Because someone helped me,

I am also able to help someone who is in need.”

—Imani, Christmas Gift Catalog recipient (and donor!)

When you give {chickens, blankets, goats, . . . }you do more than rescue a family from poverty.

You show a love that can’t help but be shared.Through Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift Catalog, thousands of impoverished families have been transformed when they practically experienced Jesus’ love and mercy. Given tools to make a living, avoid disease and

build their futures, they see a God who cares for them when society scorns them—and they are happy

to spread the Good News! This Christmas, give what will be passed on to friends, villages and future

generations. Find chickens, mosquito nets, water buffalo, sewing machines, water filters and more at

www.gfa.org/send/gift


Wort h R e a di ng

A few titles we recommend . . . + The Calvary Road | Roy Hession

+ Before You Hit the Wall | Danny Lehmann

+ The Grace Awakening | Chuck Swindoll

+ The Screwtape Letters | C.S. Lewis

You can find these books at your local Christian bookstore or from various online retailers.

F r ee Dow n l oa d

Kidnapped, Then Freed This summer, terrorists

kidnapped Pastor Ponnachan

and demanded money

for his safe release. Visit

www.gfa.org/send/mission-

leader-kidnapped to learn how

God miraculously freed him.

On Ou r Websit e

www.gfa.org/ ambassadorSpeakers, authors, radio hosts and music artists: Empower your audience to reach the most oppressed women in Asia with Jesus’ love.

As part of the Gospel for Asia Women’s

Ambassador Program, you will:

+ Bring hope to oppressed women in Asia.

+ Multiply the impact of your ministry to the

far reaches of the world.

+ Touch lives in regions of Asia where no one

has yet heard of God’s love.

As you help uplift the lives of these women, you will

significantly transform families and communities for Christ!

Resources { G O SPE L F OR A SI A M AT E R I A L S & IN F OR M AT ION— J UST F OR YOU }

A Life of Balance Remember when you learned how to ride a bike? It was all a

matter of balance. And that’s the key to your life as well.

K.P. Yohannan’s booklet helps you learn to develop that balance,

thrive in your walk with God and honor Him. Softcover, 76 pages.

Suggested donation: $3.

There are three easy ways to order:

1. Call us at 1-800-WIN-ASIA (800-946-2742) between

9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time.

2. Visit www.gfa.org/send/life-of-balance to order online.

3. Use the order form in the center of this magazine to

mail your request.

FeaturedBOOKLET


Pray { IN T E RC E DING F OR A L O ST WOR L D —T O GE T H E R }

Pray for South Asia’s Widows

When an Asian woman’s husband dies, she is often blamed for his death. For some widows, the

humiliation starts when she is stripped of her colorful clothing and forced to wear a white sari, signifying

her new status as a widow. Her glass bangles, which previously let the world know of her marital status,

are smashed into thousands of tiny shards. Her life will now be controlled by her eldest son. If she is

lucky, she’ll get a corner of his house in which to sleep. More often, though, she is sent out of the family

home and ends up working for a few cents a day at a temple or begging on the streets. Many widows live

lives of poverty and utter hopelessness. They yearn to know that someone loves them. Here are a few

ways you can pray for the widows of South Asia.

+ The deepest need of a widow is to know that she is

still loved. That’s why Gospel for Asia-supported

missionaries spend time listening to widows tell

their stories and sharing the story of Christ with

them. Pray that each widow would experience the

love of Christ, realizing that she is cherished by

the Lord.

+ Most widows in South Asia do not have the skills or

tools they need to earn a living for themselves. Yet

our missionaries are finding ways to help them.

Gifts from the Gospel for Asia Christmas Gift

Catalog are some of the most fruitful tools—such as

sewing machines—to help widows earn a living.

Pray that God would empower these women to

provide for themselves and their families. Pray

that each gift would multiply in impact and that

these women would then be enabled to reach out

to others in need.

+ Millions of children in South Asia are being raised by

their widowed mothers. Society does not provide a

means to care for them, and their mothers often

cannot afford to. As a result, many of these children

are forced to work instead of going to school. Others

are abused or taken advantage of by unscrupulous

adults. Pray for the protection of South Asia’s next

generation and that they would come to embrace

their loving Heavenly Father, who will never leave

or forsake them. Pray that they would be able to

attend school and that their physical, emotional

and spiritual needs would be met.

Visit www.gfa.org/pray to learn about more

areas of ministry that need your prayers.

Want to grow in your prayer life? Here’s a free resource that will help.

Whether you realize it or not, your prayers change things!

Read Learning to Pray and begin to see for yourself how God

still does the impossible through prayer.

Visit www.gfa.org/send/learning-to-pray and download

your free copy!

gfa. org

gfa. org


A Life- Changing Journey

“We couldn’t leave without doing something,” says Becky. “It was the Holy Spirit.”

The year was 1996. Becky and her husband, Pat, sat in silence after hearing K.P. Yohannan speak at their church about the need for national missionaries in Asia. Without saying a word, each knew the other had been impacted.

Standing up, they took their first steps toward a life-changing journey. Becky went to the Gospel for Asia book table and picked up a copy of K.P.’s book Living in the Light of Eternity. Although finances were tight and they had four children under age 13, they decided to sponsor a national missionary.

As Pat and Becky continued following God’s call, He led them next on a road heading south. In 1999, they moved

to Texas to join GFA’s U.S. home-team staff. Then, in 2008, Pat and Becky’s journey took another turn when they were asked to move to Canada to lead GFA’s office there.

“I had personally been praying for the staff and work in Canada for some time,” Pat recalls. “I was both struck with wonder that I would even be considered and glad to take up the opportunity to help, knowing the leadership and the Lord had arranged it.”

Exciting as it was, this move involved separation for their family. Pat, Becky and their two younger children made the move to Canada, while their two oldest daughters stayed in Texas—one of whom was married and expecting Pat and Becky’s first grandchild.

“That was hard,” Becky remembers, “but right at the get-go, the Lord had abundant grace. He gave me peace.”

Pat says that his main role is to “strengthen and build up the staff”—whether this means cutting the grass outside the office, encouraging his co-workers, training new staff members or representing Gospel for Asia at an event.

Becky has also served in various capacities, from working in the Donor Services department to leading ladies’ meetings for the GFA women.

Even before moving, Pat and Becky were connected to the Canadian staff through prayer.

“The joy we have now to work with them, growing together and experiencing Him, is unspeakable,” Pat says.

As their journey with GFA continues, Pat and Becky continue to labor faithfully. And they definitely see God’s faithfulness along each step of the way.

Interested in joining GFA’s home-team staff?

Visit www.gfa.org/send/joinstaff to learn more.

Profile { ON E L I F E , M A K ING A DI F F E R ENC E }

gfa. org

Order your own copy!

Order your own copy of

Living in the Light of Eternity

at www.gfa.org/store/books


Jesus’ obedience to the Father didn’t start on earth. It was there from eternity past. He was willing to wait 4,000 years,

watching the desperate plight of the people He had created, until the Father said it was time for Him to go and redeem them.

And then, in human flesh, Jesus waited again for 30 years, working as a carpenter and learning obedience, before He could begin the ministry the Father had sent Him to undertake.

Finally, He had three-and-a-half years to accomplish everything He came for. And every step of the way, He did nothing on His own, but only what the Father told Him to do.

If I were in Jesus’ place, I imagine I would have asked myself, “What must I do to make sure all this waiting, agony, sacrifice and suffering will result in getting the Good News to every nation of the world in the fastest and most understandable way?”

The most effective wayReading through the Gospels, I eagerly looked for Christ’s

blueprint for this question, but I found none. Then I stumbled upon Scripture portions like this one:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35).

In other words, the most effective way for people to understand the Gospel is through relationship. “Love one another” is the greatest of all mysteries that ushers in God’s kingdom.

We don’t really like this answer, because no matter where we live in the world, our biggest challenge is the people we live with. However, Jesus never altered His plan just because we find it hard to love others.

Rules, regulations, procedures and leadership skills are good within any family, organization or body of believers. But in the end, nothing really works unless we understand about loving and caring for one another—and put it into practice.

Two wings to flyBut then we run into the problem of finding balance. We

often deal with people who exasperate us and test our patience. At what point do we tell them enough is enough? Do we love

The Two Wings of a Bird

them until the end, like Jesus did with the disciples, taking upon Himself suffering and agony?

As a leader, I have sometimes made decisions on the side of my responsibility, stewardship, morality, ethics and radical commitment to evangelical faith—only to find out a few years later that I was wrong and that I should have loved a little longer. This awareness is one of the most difficult things I now live with.

It’s important for us to remember that a bird cannot fly with one wing! It needs two.

Often you hear or read radical messages from me that challenge you to total commitment and extreme sacrifice, asking you to give up everything for the sake of the Gospel and walk away from everyone who holds you back from embracing the cross.

My dear friend, this is all accurate, but it is only one wing of the bird.

The other wing is what God said to Moses when he asked to see God’s glory:

“The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, . . . forgiving . . . ” (Exodus 34:6–7).

If we want to be His children, we too need to love others just as He loves us.

There is not one of us who has not sinned. But I want you to know that love, grace and mercy become authentic only when we fail.

We’re all on a journeyThat was the experience of the woman who was caught in

adultery and brought to Jesus so He could judge her according to the Law. He was the only person who ever walked on earth who was qualified to say, “Go ahead and stone her.” But He didn’t. Instead, He showed mercy and sent her away in peace, calling her to sin no more.

We so often demand spiritual perfection from our fellow Christians, forgetting that each of us is on a journey to become more like Jesus. This journey takes time, and people will frequently fall short. But instead of showing love and compassion, we judge them. Those whom God has pulled out of the deepest pit and shown the most mercy often become harsh, unbending and merciless toward their children or younger believers.

My dear friend, please don’t let your discipleship and militancy drown out kindness and mercy.

Let us remember to fly with two wings: total commitment and unconditional love. Then the world will understand the Gospel and come to know the Savior.

K.P. Yohannan Founder & President

Gospel for AsiaFive Minutes with K.P.

gfa. org Visit www.gfa.org/5minutes to read more “Five Minutes” articles.

Gospel for Asia 1800 Go lden Trail Court Ca rro llto n, TX 75010 www.gfa.org

SPONSOR ONLINE:

www.gfa.org/send/sponsor

OR CONTACT GFA IN YOUR COUNTRY:

Australia P.O. Box 3587 Village Fair Toowoomba, QLD 4350 1300 889 339 07 4632 4131 info@gospe lforasia.org.au [email protected] www.gospelforasia.org.au

Canada 245 King St. East Stoney Creek, ON L8G 1L9 1-888-WIN-ASIA

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South Africa P.O. Box 28880 Sun ridge Park 6008 041-360-0198 [email protected] www.gfa.org/southafrica

South Korea Seok-Am Building , 5th Fir. 6-9 Tereran-ro, Yeoksam-dong Gangnam-gu Seoul 135-080 (080) 801-0191 02-6279-7798 or 02-6279-7799 [email protected] www.gfa.or.kr

United Kingdom P.O. Box 166 York YOlO SWA 01904 643 233 [email protected] www.gfauk.org

United States 1800 Golden Trail Court Carrollton, TX 75010 1-800-WIN-ASIA

(946-2742) 972-300-7777

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