Called to Healing & Hope: Send! Magazine

8/4/2019 Called to Healing & Hope: Send! Magazine

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third quarter 2011 | volume 31 | number 3

{GOSPEL FOR ASIA NEWS MAGAZINE}

3

{www.ga.org

+ Two Friendships Lasting or Eternity

CALLED TO

HEALING&HOPEOne Womans Love for Her People
http://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/


2/24

{GOSPEL FOR ASIANEWS MAGAZINE}

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFK.P. Yohannan

MANAGING EDITOR Heidi Chupp

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Rich Lodi,

Gisela Yohannan

WRITERS Terri Castellanos, Michelle Jimnez,

Susan Lawson, Shelly Moon

PROOFREADER Tricia Bennett

DESIGN DOXA

PRODUCTION Michele Alexander

send! SEND! VOLUME 31, NUMBER 3SEND!is published our times per year byGospel or Asia, Inc., 1800 Golden Trail Court,

Carrollton, Texas 75010. 2011 Gospel or Asia, Inc.

No part o this periodical may be reproduced

without permission. Unless otherwise noted,

Scripture taken rom the New King James Version.

Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by

permission. All rights reserved.

Many o the names and places in the stories have

been changed or security reasons.

One hundred percent o all missionary support

is sent to the mission eld. Please visit us:

www.ga.org

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

In the United States: 1800 Golden Trail Court,

Carrollton, Texas 75010. Phone: 972-300-7777.

Fax: 972-300-7778. Email: [email protected].

In Australia: P.O. Box 3587, Village Fair,

Toowoomba QLD 4350. Phone: 1300 889 339.

In New Zealand: PO Box 302580,

North Harbour 0751. Phone: 0508 -918-918.

In South Arica: P.O. Box 28880, Sunridge Park,

6008. Phone: 041 360-0198.

In the United Kingdom: PO Box 166,

York, YO10 5WA. Phone: 01904 64 32 33.

Gospel or Asia is an evangelical mission

organization that trains and equips national

missionaries to share the love o Jesus Christ

across southern Asia with those who have never

beore heard His name. These missionaries have

proven extremely eective because they are

already amiliar with the language and culture,

and they live at the level o the people they

serve, thus removing many social barriers.

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT K.P. Yohannan

rom the editor-in-chiee

K.P. YOHANNAN [Editor-in-Chie]Please turn to page 10 to read how the Lord is

using Mary, a simple village woman, to touch

and transorm her communityboth physically

and spiritually.

In this day and age when we hear

multiple reports o spiritual-sounding

salesmen peddling their religious

messages like so many good-luck

charms, it is no wonder that we

develop a little skepticism. Thats why its

rereshing to me to hear Marys story and to see her simple

yet solid aith. She has no ambitions or power or ame or

prother only desire is to see the Lord gloried. What an

honor to serve her and the thousands o our brothers and

sisters just like her!
http://www.gfa.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.gfa.org/


3/24

insend!departments:4gospel or asia + youYou are impacting the mission eldso Asia.16in ocusHow your partnership is changing lives. Inthis issue, we highlight ministry to those

aficted with leprosy and Sunday schools

or children.

20short reportsBrie glimpses o what God is doing all

across South Asia.

third quarter 2011 | send! | 3

third quarter 2011 | volume 31 | number 3

22profleEven though she has served the Lord at

Gospel or Asias home oce or nearly

24 yearsand had her air share o trials

tooClaudia is still going strong.

23fve minutes with K.P.When we meditate on the Scriptures, put

our aith in Jesus and believe like little

children, we will discover that with Him,

nothing is impossible.

6 like a brotherBoth Samuel and Tanushri have discovered that their

commitment to sharing the love o Jesus has brought

them the unexpected blessing o close riendshipsand

ruitul partnerships or the Gospels sake.

10 called to healing and hopeMary spends a good deal o her time traveling rom

village to village, visiting homes, sharing the hope o

Jesus and praying or the sick. She has become a

beacon o hope in her community.

O N T H E C O V E R

When a mother brings her son or prayer, Mary holds

the little boy on her lap while she prays.

eatured:

22

23

20

16

18

Two FriendshipsLasting or Eternity

pg 6


4/24

gospel or asia + you {You can impact the mission elds o Asia}+

Jesus Wells: Blessing Babiesv

In January, I lost a baby at 20

weeks. We trusted Jesus that this

was a good thing because

something was really wrong, but

we were so grieved by the loss. In

April, I received a large inheritance.

Ive given a lot o thought where to

use my tithe portion, mostly

wondering, What would have thegreatest impact on the most babies

or the best use o these dollars? I

chose Jesus Wells or the ollowing

reasons:

> Clean water leads to health, saer

pregnancies, healthier babies,

strong children and a healthier

community.

> Available water means that

pregnant women do not have to

endanger themselves walking long

distances and drink whenever

they are thirsty.

> Jesus Wells mean that pregnant

Christian women wont be denied

water by hostile neighbors.

> Jesus Wells bring a antastic

opportunity to share the Gospel

with the community.Thank you or helping so many

people. God has already blessed

you richly, and He will continue to

do so.

C.B., Rochester, Minnesota

Visitwww.ga.org/jesuswells to

learn how you can help provide

clean waterand Jesus loveto

thirsty souls.

An Eternal Gitv

This git is rom Judy or the Bridge

o Hope program or the children.

Judy went home to Jesus last

month, and this is her Social

Security check and some money

given at her service. Judy loves

children so much, I know she will

be happy her money went to help

clothe and eed them, and especially

to teach them about Jesus, our Lord

and King. God bless you all or

your wonderul work in ullling

the Great Commission.

J.D., Bayonet Point, Florida

Helping Halwayaround the World

vEach Sunday, members o our teens

Sunday school class divide their

oering in two parts. One part goes

to a mission project. Looking

through your catalog, we decided

on a bicycle. Weve seen pictures in

SEND! magazine o missionaries

heading or the villages on bikes

loaded with enough equipment to

ll the trunk o a car. We dont have

a very big class, just ten members.Were happy to be able to help a

missionary halway around the

world rom us.

C.W. and B.W., Kincardine, Ontario

How has God connected your

lie with Gospel or Asia?

Wed love to hear your story.

Please email us:[email protected]

Or write: Managing Editor

SEND!Magazine

1800 Golden Trail Court

Carrollton, TX 75010

A Handful of Seeds . . . A Herd of Cattle . . .

A Harvest for Asia.

Allow your arm or ranch toproduce ruit or God's kingdom!Visit: www.ga.org/steer

Or call us: 1-800-WIN-ASIA (1-800-946-2742)
http://www.gfa.org/jesuswellsmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.gfa.org/steerhttp://www.gfa.org/steermailto:[email protected]://www.gfa.org/jesuswells


5/24


Now on Our WebsiteJoin with us as we lit the people o Asia and their needs in

prayer. You will nd a multitude o areas to pray or

throughout this web page.

Highlights include:

> Helpul resources or prayer, including a

ree download o K.P. Yohannans booklet,

Learning to Pray

> Opportunities to receive emergency prayer

needs rom Asia via email

> A new prayer ocus every month

News and Features

Basanta Kanher grew up in a traditionally religious home, but

he didnt put much aith in his amilys religion. Instead, he

wanted to learn more about the other religions o the world,

and he did that by spending a lot o time listening to dierent

religious programs on the radio.

Basanta lived in a remote area where radio was the latest

technology, so he listened quite requently when he wasnt out

in the felds working to take care o his wie and three children.

One day, a Gospel or Asia-supported radio program came

on the air. He listened as the pastor preached Gods Word inhis own language. Intrigued, Basanta began listening to the

program every day . . .

Visit www.ga.org/news/articles/wheretherewasno

missionary to read the rest o the story! And sign up at

www.ga.org/latestnewsto receive more exciting news rom

the mission elds o Asia.

www.ga.orgIn Memory o

> Alma Parsons rom Fred and

Luci Schaphorst, Garland and

Phyllis Murphy

> Baby Jack Jones rom Dr. and

Mrs. Jerry Dickson

> Christian Callan Popofrom

Henry and Judy Klassen

> Christianne Warda rom

Elizabeth Lawryk

> Dr. Ron C. Merrill rom Douglas

and Ronda Wyler

> George Stilwell rom

Annunziata Blandini

> Geri Pate rom Fred and Luci

Schaphorst

> Gladys Bathke rom Dr. and

Mrs. Jerry Dickson> Grace Gates rom Fred and Luci

Schaphorst

> Harold Raverty rom James and

Bettelou Heil

>Jan Jouett rom Claudia

Edwards

>Jim Funke rom John Mcleod

> Katherine Micki Faucon rom

Henry and Cheryl Miltenberger,

Kean Miller Hawthorne

DArmond McCowan & Jarman

LLP, Antioch Partnership

Initiative, Doris Clement,

Harrington Hoists, Inc., Shannon

Hardware

> Kathy A. McMahon rom Joe

Tom McMahon

> Lucy Humber rom Henry and

Christine Lingley

> Margherita Mannina rom

Fernand Sr. and Aline Mireault

> Mel Evans rom Dr. and Mrs.

Jerry Dickson

> Mr. Bob Kruger rom Fellowship

o Huntsville

> Norma Carmon rom Forest and

Dorothy Carnine> Pat Avery rom Jim Avery

> Richard Jackson rom Buck and

Char Levis, Carol Oaks, Harry and

Elaine Fredrickson

> Roger H. Shaer rom Hunterseld

Christian Training Center

> Ruth Jochman rom Elizabeth

Ebben

> Verla Suess rom Betty Shannon

In Honor o

> Becky Lipe rom Anita Dolash

> Carolyn Imhofrom Mahlon

and Cheryl Householter

> Doris Nikkel rom Jean Polet

> Dorothy Hudson rom

Geraldyne Irons Johnson

> Ellen Williams rom Beth Elohim

Ministries

> Gary Tibbetts rom Kenneth

and Janice Rockwell

>James and Evelyn Camburn

rom Mr. Joseph Skalak

>Joannas birthday rom

Rebecca Hertwig

> Karen Kultgen rom Shirley Hall

> Krista Donecker rom Terry

Clemens

> MJ rom Mrs. Tracy Craig

> Mr. and Mrs. Randy Yoder rom

Ronald and Nettie Walter

> Mr. Rob Marco rom Bill and

Gibbie Petrie

> Mrs. Mary Carter rom Don and

Lydia Stevens

> Peter and Karen Leyenaar rom

Zollinger Farms & CustomServices

> Randall and Tammy Yoder

rom David Irvine, Sharon H.

Boone

> Rebecca Sigaus rom Alvin and

Phyllis Sigaus

> Ryan Swale rom Ryan and

Beth Swale

> Susan Edwards rom August

Colosimo

> The Charles Carr Family rom

Erik Schmidgal

> Urban Kultgen rom Shirley Hall

> Wally and Gladys Krueger rom

Earl and Martha McMorran

> Werner Zabel rom Sheanna

L. Hizmi

> Zekaria Hayes rom Earl and

Michelle Hayes

{ }This list is a partial representation o many generous riends who havegiven to Gospel or Asia in memory or in honor o loved ones. I you wishto make a donation, please contact GFA in your country (see back cover).

Visit:www.ga.org/pray
http://www.gfa.org/news/articles/where-there-was-no-missionaryhttp://www.gfa.org/news/articles/where-there-was-no-missionaryhttp://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/prayhttp://www.gfa.org/news/articles/where-there-was-no-missionaryhttp://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/news/articles/where-there-was-no-missionaryhttp://www.gfa.org/prayhttp://www.gfa.org/


6/24

6 | send! | www.ga.org


7/24


Growing up in the same village, Samuel played, fought and ate together with his friend,

Baradwaj. In those days, he didnt know that they would one day be brothers in Christ

too.//Tanushri doesnt let blindness get in the way of her passion to spread the Good

News, but she is still glad for Jaidayals help to navigate the village streetsand for his

friendship. They didnt always have this close bond, but now they are like sister and

brother.// Over the years, both Samuels and Tanushris friendships have grown to take

on a new dimension they never expected: fruitful partnerships for the Gospels sake. >>


8/24


SAMUEL+BARADWAJImages: Baradwaj has been a

source of encouragement and

companionship to Samuel (above,at right) as well as a partner in

sharing Gods love (right).

THE FRIEND WHO WOULDNT GIVE UP

As schoolmates and neighbors in a ormer tea

plantation, Samuel and Baradwaj endured hardships

together. Both their athers drank excessively, and when

either boy temporarily ran away to escape drunken rages,

he would stay at the others house.

When the two riends reached the age o 12, they

began smoking and drinking, embarking upon the same

path their alcoholic athers trod.

But God gave Samuel one riend in high school who

was a believer and who aithully pointed Samuel to Jesus.

At rst, Samuel told no one about his new aith. He

was the rst believer in his community and he eared

negative reactions rom his parents. Ater he enrolled in a

Gospel or Asia-supported Bible college and began studying

Gods Word, he realized the importance o sharing the

Gospel with his loved ones. He developed a passion to

intercede or his amily and riendsincluding Baradwaj.Samuel graduated and continued serving in ministry.

He shared the Good News with Baradwaj through letters

and Gospel literature, and whenever he visited home, he

told Baradwaj more about Jesus.

Whenever I shared the Gospel with Baradwaj, he

never mocked me; rather, he was interested in listening to

what I had to say, recalls Samuel. I knew that one day

Baradwaj would receive Jesus.

Then Samuels leaders gave him permission to transer

back home.

Although Baradwaj was excited or Samuels return,

he elt somewhat uncomortable being riends with a

pastor and didnt want to talk about Jesus. However, he

knew he needed Samuels positive infuence.

Baradwaj, who had dropped out o school, also

needed help learning English, so he visited Samuel every

day. As Baradwaj read the English-language Christian

literature that Samuel gave him and heard Samuels

witness, God sotened his heart, and he chose to surrender

his lie to Christ.

Ater pondering over all those teachings, I

understood that Jesus Christ has died on the cross just

or my sins, Baradwaj remembers.

SYMPATHY, FRIENDSHIP, SALVATION

Tanushri and Jaidayal also grew up and went to

school together, but their riendship began years later.

Tanushri, who has been blind since inancy, sueredgreat despair during childhood. Her religion dictated that

she must be disabled because shed sinned in a past lie.

Even Tanushris mother said it would have been better i

she had never been born, and her schoolmates mocked and

ostracized her. Tired o being rejected and neglected,

Tanushri seriously contemplated suicide.

But one day a Gospel or Asia-supported pastor met

Tanushri. He assured her o Gods love and care or her.

Tanushri took his message to heart and chose to believe in

Christand or the rst time in her lie, she knew joy.


9/24


Tanushri grew spiritually, learning songs praising her

Savior and overfowing with inectious hope. She started

telling her neighbors the Good News and praying or them.

Meanwhile, her schoolmate, Jaidayal, started

accompanying her to and rom school. He elt badly about

how their peers treated Tanushri.

She doesnt have eyes to see, but they have everything.

Why are they talking to her like that? Jaidayal wondered

to himsel.

As they walked together, Tanushri would share what

she had learned rom Gods Word. When Tanushri told him

she appreciated singing with believers at prayer and

worship gatherings, Jaidayal, who enjoyed music, became

interested in attending.

When Jaidayal helped Tanushri recite verses and learn

songs o aith, his own desire or God increased. And one

day, Jaidayal decided to ollow Jesus too.

Tanushri helped me grow in the Lord, he remembers.

FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Today, when Samuel visits believers in the hospital or

rides his bike to nearby tea plantations to spread the

message o Christ, Baradwaj oten joins him and helps him

with his ministry. And Samuel is tutoring Baradwaj so he

can complete his education. As Baradwajs older brother in

the Lord, Samuel also teaches him about the Bible and gives

him counsel. They pray or each other and or their unsaved

amily membersand have seen miraculous answers.

In a similar way, Jaidayal and Tanushri work together

to impact their community with the love o Christ. As

Tanushri visits homes every day to share Gods Word,

Jaidayal stands by her side, singing with her and helping

her explain Bible passages. When she experiences

opposition, he comorts and encourages her. Their close-

knit riendship is uncommon in South Asian culture, where

single men and women rarely interact as riends.

Samuels lie has changed drastically since he decided

to surrender his lie to Christ. He is now a husband, ather,

pastor andby the grace o Goda longtime riend to

Baradwaj.

For Tanushri, Jaidayal is no longer just someone who

elt sorry or her. He is like my brother, she says.

And through Samuel and Tanushris commitment to

sharing the love o Jesus in their communities, they have

discovered the unexpected blessing o close riendships that

they will take with them into eternity.

TANUSHRI+JAIDAYALImages: Most everyone in

Tanushris neighborhood and the

nearby slum (below) knows

herbut she couldnt do her work

without the help of her dear

friend, Jaidayal (left).

More on the Web:

Visitwww.sendmagazine

digital.comto read and

download the digital version

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10/24



11/24

CALLED TO

HEALING&HOPE

One Womans Love for Her People


12/24


Beautifuland Dangerous

Mary lives with her husband, Bishar, and their

three children in a remote region o South Asia. Its a

beautiul land, with lush, green hills and clear rivers

running through the valleys. People here live a simple,

agrarian way o lie.

But the beauty o this place belies its danger and

darkness. Within thick orests live wild elephants,

tigers and venomous snakes. No prudent person will

travel ater dark.

Malaria and other evers run rampant, and even

the most rudimentary medical care is hours away.

Even more prevalent are the worship o spirits and

the use o witchcratboth to appease the deities and

to take revenge on an enemy. When someone gets

mysteriously ill, it is usually due to some incurable

disease, or black magic, or both. No wonder ear,

superstition and despair dominate peoples hearts.

Thats why Maryand the git o healing God

has given herhas become a beacon o hope in this

area. People like Ashas amily nd their way to her

door, searching or promises when all theyve ound

are impossibilities.

Calling on Everybodys God

Another reason why Marys lie is so eective is

because she has been there, too, in the place o desolation.

Ater her marriage to Bishar, she began to suer

rom terrible abdominal pain.

I was not able to walk; I was not able to eat

anything, Mary remembers. I suered a lot.Mary and Bishar later learned that angry

relatives had placed a curse on her. But in the

meantime, they could not gure out the source o her

pain. In Marys search or relie, she visited temples

and consulted with priests rom her traditional

religion. But nothing changed. She tried hospitals and

mosques too.

I began to call upon the name o everybodys

god, she says, but still I did not get any healing.

Mary had lost all hope, and the only way she

could think o to end her suering was to end her lie.

But the God o the universe had other plans.

One night, as she was planning her suicide, she

had a vision. A light appeared in her room, and she

saw Someone standing in the light.

My name is Jesus, He told her. I am the Lord

God, and I will completely heal you; and you must

testiy o these things wherever you go.

Mary had heard about Jesus beore, but she

gured He was just one o many other gods. But now

she realized that He was the one true God, and she

gave her lie to Him at that moment. At the same

time, she elt something leave her abdomen.That night I really experienced the power o

God, Mary states. It was the rst time I knew Jesus

in my lie.

The next day when I got up in the morning, I

realized that the pain I had been eeling was gone and

that there was not any sickness in my body.

Images: Marys goal is

to spend time with the

Lord every morning

(this page, right) beore

He directs her to people

in need (opposite page).

Both she and Bishar

know that God has

called them as a amily

(this page, let).


13/24


Everybody Knew

How Much I SufferedAs Mary began to spend time in prayer, once again

the Lord spoke to her, instructing her to share the Good

News wherever she went and to pray or the sick.

Then I slowly started my work, Mary recalls.

I was not able to read a Bible because I was

illiterate, but slowly I learned. And through the Word

o God, the Spirit increased my aith and gave me the

power to go and tell about Jesus.

I would go and visit people and share my

testimony, about how Jesus healed me. Everybody

knew how much I suered, so my testimony strongly

helped people to understand about the living Jesus.

When Mary prayed or the sick, the Lord

answered powerully, healing those who were

suering and transorming their lives. Mary, too, was

learning and growing in her understanding o what

God was doing through her.

I understood that the Lord has given me the git

o healing to touch peoples lives, so that I can reach

out to the many, many areas where the Gospel is not

heard. People are living in sickness just like I was. The

Lord has given this git o healing or them, so thatmany will be able to come to know Jesus.

Today, Mary spends a good deal o her time

traveling rom village to village, visiting homes,

sharing the hope o Jesus and praying or the sick.

Throughout the region, word has spread about her

ministry and she also gets dozens o visitors each day

when shes at home.

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, o men, women and children who

can now testiy to knowing the living God because o how they experienced

His touch on their lives through Marys prayer on their behal. Here are just

two o their stories.

Jesus Is Loving Me So Much

Devanand had skin cancer that was eating away

at his esh. Doctors had given him a slim hope

or survivaland only i they amputated his

aected leg and arm. When Mary visited his home

and saw his condition, she wept or him.

This is possible with Jesus, she encouraged

Devanand. Do you believe?

I am believing, he responded.

Mary prayed, and soon aterward, Devanand began to eel relie

rom his pain. He was brought to Marys prayer center, and she

continued to visit him daily, praying or him and cleaning his open

wounds. Over a period o a ew weeks, Devanand was completelyhealed and has been ree o cancer ever since.

I really understood that Jesus is loving me so much, he muses. So

I am thankul to Jesus or His healing. The rest o my lie I just want to

live or Him. And Sister Mary really showed me the love o Jesus.

Spreading the News o His Healer

While walking to a village one day, Jashun Kuthrapally ell into ahidden well and severely injured his knee. Then a raginginection set in, destroying skin, muscles and nerves. His responsibilities

as a local government ofcial gave him access to the best doctors and

hospitals in the region, but no one could help him. The best thing they

could recommend was amputation.

His amily heard o Mary and asked her to come and pray or him.

She told Jashun she was absolutely convinced that God could heal him.

But Jashun wouldnt accept her words.

Even our nest doctors have done their best, he retorted. Please,

just go away. I dont believe.

There is a living God, Mary persisted. He has healed worse

conditions than yours.

Finally, Jashun grudgingly agreed, and Mary began to intercede.

The next day, Jashun started to notice a dierence: He elt pain as hisdestroyed nerves were being restored. Mary asted or a week and

continued to pray or Jashun. As the healing progressed, Jashuns pain

diminishedand his aith increased. By the time a month was up,

Jashun was completely healed, and he had decided to ollow Jesus.

Because o his inuence in the community, Jashun has had the

opportunity to spread the news o his healingand his Healer

ar and wide.

Only Jesus completely healed me, he tells people wherever

he goes. I want to give all the glory and honor to the name o the

Lord Jesus.


14/24


Called as a Family

Mary and Bishar both came to know the Lord

and heard His call to ministry at about the same time.

Today, Bishar is a Gospel or Asia-supported pastor,

so he and Mary ace quite a challenge when it comes

to juggling their busy schedules while running the

household and raising their children. But it has been

this way since they began ollowing Jesus, and they

know it takes learning and adapting. They share

household chores, and one lls in or the other when

he or she is traveling.

God called us as a amily, Bishar says. And I

am very thankul to the Lord or what He is doing

with our amily.

As a pastor and missionary in this region, Bishar

clearly sees the value o his wies spiritual git.

As I have gone through villages, I have seen

many people in need and aected by black magic.

Many are very deeply woundednot only physically,but spiritually even.

I am excited to see what the Lord is doing in

this area, and I am so thankul that God has given me

such a wonderul wie whom He is using.

Bishars regional leader, Dayal, agrees.

Sister Mary is very humble, even though God

has given this git to her. She has a good

understanding o the Word o God. She analyzes

everything in the light o the Word o God, and only

then will she go orward. She is a very good example

or all the people to ollow.

Ready to Follow Jesus

The prayer center where Mary sent Asha is the

closest thing to a hospital in this region o South Asia,

especially or people who have little or no unds or

medical needs. Its a simple two-room, mud-walled

building with a tin rooenough or shelter and rest

as people wait on God and grow in their aith and

understanding. Patients will live in the prayer center

or a ew days to a ew months. Mary visits every

morning, as is her daily custom, to pray with each

person, to clean or dress any wounds and to study the

Bible with everyone.

The small group that Asha and her amily joined

is also experiencing the touch o God on their lives.

One mother had brought her little 9-year-old boy tothe center with a spine so distorted that he couldnt

walk or even sitand now he is nearly well. A man

who has set up his sleeping mat in one corner is

recovering rom a demonic attack he suered when

enemies poisoned his ood and put a curse on him. He

wandered the region as a madman or two years until

some Christians brought him to Mary. A woman with

a skin disease arrived ve months ago. She suered

Images: Mary visits the

patients in the prayer

center (this page, let)

every day, but she oten

encourages other

pastors wives (this

page, right) and helpsher husband with his

congregation (opposite

page) as well.


15/24


He is despised, and let o men,A man o pains, and acquainted with sickness,And as one hiding the ace rom us,He is despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely our sicknesses he hath borne,And our painshe hath carried them,And wewe have esteemed him plagued,Smitten o God, and aficted.

And he is pierced or our transgressions,Bruised or our iniquities,The chastisement o our peace is on him,And by his bruise there is healing to us.

Isaiah 53:35, Youngs Literal Translation

rom a rash that would swell, itch and then ooze

prousely. Now all that is let are some scars, but her

pain and swelling are gone.

When Mary visited Asha later in the day, she

spent time praying or the young girl. She also read

Scripture portions to her and her parents, explaining

Gods promises.

I began to teach them the Word o God and

what the Bible says the Lord Jesus can do with your

lie, Mary recalls.

And Ashas parents began to notice an

improvement. Within two days, their daughter could

move her arms and legs again. When anyone asked

her a question, she would respond.

As Asha slowly woke rom the sleep that had

chained and oppressed her, she and her parents knew

that Jesus had done something or her that no one

elsenot doctors, not priests, not even other gods

could do. They were ready to serve and ollow Him

alone, and ather, mother and daughter all receivedJesus as Lord.

Soon Asha was well enough to leave the prayer

center and return home. Mary continued to visit her

regularly and check on her progress, even assisting

Asha with some physical therapy to help her regain

the ull use o her legs.

We are so happy to see her good condition,

Ashas ather says.

A Greater Purpose

Marys ministry has resulted in more than just

healed bodies. The men, women and children who

experience physical restoration are reed rom the

bondage o ear and desolation or the rst time in

their lives. They have had an encounter with the God

o the universe, who cared enough to touch them

personally. And as they return to their homes and

villages, they share how this God has changed their

lives and that He can do the same or anyone.

As a result, villages that were once resistant to

the Good News are now receptive. Missionaries who

once aced hostility are now welcome. And

ellowships o new believers are springing up in areas

that had never heard the name o Jesus beore.

Ever since God healed her, saved her and called

her, Mary has been rmly convinced that the git she

has rom God is or a ar greater purpose than simply

the relie o physical healing.This is my conviction, she says, that God has

called me to deliver the people rom the bondage o

sin and sickness, so that wherever the Lord sends me,

the Gospel can reach out in our region.

More on the Web: Visitwww.sendmagazine

digital.comto read and download the digital

version oSEND!
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16/24


Over the next ew months, Ajay and Neelam

learned that truth by seeing Gods love in

action through Vineet, a Gospel or

Asia-supported missionary. Vineet recognized Ajay and

Neelams disease immediately and understood that

their lives were incredibly dicult. Although leprosy is

completely curable, it is dicult to obtain treatment in

the country where Ajay and Neelam livesothousands simply live with the devastating, disguring

eects o the disease.

Its not just the physical aspects o the disease that

made Ajay and Neelams lie dicult. In their society,

leprosy is considered a curse, so people aected by the

disease are routinely kicked out o their homes and cut

o rom their loved ones. This severing o relationships

causes deep hurt in a society in which the amily is the

oundation and center.

Medical Treatment

and Gods LoveVineet and his wie, Rebika, regularly visited the

two men, bringing medicine to treat their disease.

They lovingly tended to Ajay and Neelams open

wounds and administered the lie-saving medications

these men could not aord any other way.

The couple also prayed or Ajay and Neelam,

while telling them more about Jesus and how He loves

them. Soon the leprosy virus was cleared rom their

bodies, and their outward wounds were healed. The

men were washed clean on the inside too, as they both

decided to ollow Christ.Because they chose Jesus, Ajay and Neelam

ound even more ostracism than their leprosy had

previously caused them. The two men were orced out

o their village because they reused to turn their back

on Christ and the Christians who helped them.

When the whole village did not care or us, it

was only the Christians who came and helped us, and

our wounds were healed by the Lord Jesus Christ,

Ajay remembers.

in ocus {How your partnership is changing lives}

Caring orBody & Soul


17/24


With the help o Vineet and other GFA-

supported missionaries, Ajay and Neelam were

able to build a new house and start working

again to support themselves. Today the men are

ree o leprosy and alive in Christ.

We received peace in our lie too. So how

can we deny our aith in Jesus? Neelam says.

Just Two o ThousandsAjay and Neelam are just two o the

thousands o leprosy patients among whom

GFA-supported workers actively minister. These

missionaries travel into slums and ar-fung

villages to seek out those with leprosy and treat

their wounds and to provide or basic needssuch as ood, clothing and special shoes made to

t the oten-deormed eet caused by the disease.

Perhaps the most important thing they take

to these suering people is love. In South Asian

society, leprosy still carries a earul social

stigma, and each year, thousands who contract

the disease are sent to live in slum settlements

with other leprosy patients. There are an

estimated 1,000 such colonies in India alone.

Because the leprosy patients are ostracized by

their amilies and cut o rom their livelihoods,

most resort to begging just to eed themselves.

Gospel or Asia-supported missionaries

have deliberately identied several o these

settlements and are actively ministering to the

people who live in them. They treat their

wounds and provide medication to knock out

the leprosy virus. The missionaries also deliver

practical needs, such as ood, clothing and

household items. In some areas, they have even

started Bridge o Hope centers or the children.

In many o these settlements, small churches

have sprung up where leprosy patients can

reely worship the God who loves them.Time and again, GFA-supported

missionaries hear the leprosy patients echo the

words o Ajay and Neelamsimple statements

o astonishment that someone actually cared

about their physical needs and loved them

enough to ll their empty, hurting hearts with

the Gospel o Jesus Christ.

...it was onlythe Christianswho came and

helped us.

What is leprosy?Leprosy, also called Hansens disease, is caused by a germ called

Mycobacterium leprae that attacks nerve endings, which prevents the

brain rom signaling pain or injury. Without these sensations, injuries

and inections abound, resulting in tissue loss. Fingers, toes, eet and

hands sustain the most damage.

Is leprosy contagious?The disease is passed through water droplets, such as a sneeze.

However, 95 percent o people have a natural immunity.

Is leprosy treatable?Yes, leprosy can be completely cured. However, damage and

deormation to the body by leprosy remains.

How is leprosy cured?A multi-drug therapy taken over the course o several months usually

eliminates the leprosy germ that causes the disease. Many leprosy

patients, especially those in South Asia, require long-term care or thedisabilities that result rom the disease going untreated.

Did You Know?

> 166,115 new cases oleprosy were diagnosed in

Southeast Asia during 2009.

> 133,717people in Indiawere diagnosed with leprosy

during 2009, the most o any

country in the world.

> 244,796 cases o leprosywere diagnosed worldwide

during 2009.

More on the Web: Go towww.ga.org/cs/leprosyministryto learn more

about how you can help GFA missionaries reach out with Gods love.
http://www.gfa.org/cs/leprosy-ministryhttp://www.gfa.org/cs/leprosy-ministryhttp://www.gfa.org/cs/leprosy-ministryhttp://www.gfa.org/cs/leprosy-ministry


18/24


C H I L D R E N S O U T R E A C H



Did You Know?Sunday schools provide spiritual

growth or many young children,

but sometimes parents attend the

classes, too, ater they witness the

positive changes in their own children.

The believers prayed ervently or young Sameen, and the

Lord revived him rom the snakes poisonous bite.

Experiencing this miracle, Sameen and his entire amily

publicly surrendered their lives to the Lordand it all began with

a Sunday school ministry.

Although Sameen and his amily had ollowed their

traditional religion, he learned about Jesus ater attending a

Gospel or Asia-supported Sunday school program.Sunday schools are part o Gospel or Asias Childrens

Ministry, and they play a big part in the overall outreach eorts

o GFA-supported churches. In some cases, a Sunday school will

actually open doors to share the Good News in villages that

would otherwise be resistant. A Sunday school can also

strengthen the existing church by providing opportunities or

children, like Sameen, to learn about the Lord, who then bring

the Gospel back home to their amilies.

And Sunday school teachers are receiving training so they

can be better equipped to teach the little ones about Christand

help urther Gods kingdom.

In one restricted Asian nation, 18 Sunday school teachers

attended a training program to learn how they could be more

ruitul in reaching out to their community through Sunday schools.

I never thought Sunday school was a vital part o church

growth, one teacher commented aterward, but now I

understand their importance.

Now even more amilies like Sameens get to experience the

transorming love o Christ through their churchs Sunday school.

More on the Web: Check outwww.ga.org/childrento learn

more about GFAs ministry to children.
http://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/childrenhttp://www.gfa.org/childrenhttp://www.gfa.org/childrenhttp://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/children


19/24

Hope is growing in the hearts o those whonever knew such a thing existed. In thisgripping narrative, K.P. Yohannan sharestheir storiesstories o lives transormed,o amilies learning to love, o wholecommunities ourishing with new lie.

Order your copy oNo Longer a Slumdog today!

176 pages. Suggested donation: $5// introductory ofer

There are three easy ways to order:1. Call us at 1800WINASIA

between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

2.Visitwww.ga.org/storeto order online.

3. Use the order orm in the center

o this magazine, or mail your request to:

Gospel or Asia



NO LONGER A SLUMDOG

You girls stay here. Im going to get

something to drink . . .

Ater a ew minutes, the train started

moving again, and Mom still wasnt back!

Our hearts were racing.

The train kept going aster and aster.Where was Mom?

Children abandoned at train stations . . .

sold into servitude . . .

exploited in unspeakable ways . . .

because no one cared.

But a new day is dawning forchildren in some of the darkest

corners of the world

no longer rejected . . .alone . . .

despised . . .
http://www.gfa.org/storehttp://www.gfa.org/storehttp://www.gfa.org/storehttp://www.gfa.org/store


20/24


short reports {Brie glimpses o what God is doing all across Asia}r

"Nearly 35 Bhutanese women can now read Gods Word

or the rst time in their lives."

Read more news online:

www.ga.org/latestnews

Babys Constant Sicknessv

Sixteen-month-old Ayanna had constant diarrhea and vomiting.

She couldnt keep down anything her mother ed her. Worried,

her parents took her to a hospital or treatment, but the medicine

the doctor prescribed didnt help the small girls condition.

They then approached Gospel or Asia-supported pastor

Hirla with much hope and asked him to pray or their youngdaughters healing. He did, and also brought them to another

GFA-supported pastor Hasan, so he could pray too. These

pastors laid their hands on little Ayanna and petitioned the Lord

or her bodys healing.

As days passed, Ayannas parents realized that her health

had improved and that she was able to digest her ood without

any complications aterward. Ayannas parents gave glory to God

when they saw their daughters miraculous healing.

Delivered rom Insanityv

For an entire month, Balbir Das had lost his desire to eat. He tried all

kinds o herbal medicines in his remote village to get his appetite

back, but nothing workedood just did not appeal to him.

He was taken to a hospital to gure out what was happening

within his body. The doctors, however, incorrectly diagnosed Balbirs

condition and prescribed the wrong treatment. Thats when thingstook a turn or the worse.

Balbir suddenly became insane. His behavior was erratic and

uncontrollable. His parents, eeling helpless, learned o a prayer

center where Gospel or Asia-supported missionaries served, and they

decided to seek the missionaries help.

They bound Balbirs legs and arms to protect himand

themselvesrom injury and brought him to the prayer center. The

team there prayed or Balbir or a week until God delivered him rom

his condition. Now Balbir and his parents serve the Lord, and

through his healing, two other amilies have also come to know the

saving grace o Jesus.
http://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/latestnews


21/24



22/24


proflep

GFA

MISSIONAR

Y

Seven years later, Claudia and her husband, Bob,

elt an unmistakable, mutual call to serve at GFA.

Claudia never imagined that she would leave her

home and large amilythe couple has 11 children

and dozens o grandchildrento move to Texas.

Bob always said, Claudia has her urniture

nailed to the foor, so it was only God who got me to

Texas! Claudia explains.

You might expect that ater submitting to serve

God in a mission organization, lie would be smooth

sailing or Claudia and Bob. Not so, says Claudia.

Satan did not give up on us!

Instead, they were hit with one devastating eventater another.

They lost their Wisconsin home to oreclosure

and watched helplessly as parents and siblings died.

Bob and Claudia each suered multiple, severe

health problems. Their children and grandchildren

went through a multitude o problems. But people

were praying.

The prayers o the saints brought us through it

all. We never once elt that we should not have come

or elt that we should leave, Claudia says.

Instead, they clung to Philippians 4:7 and claimed

the peace o God that surpasses all understanding.

Their trials continued, and in 2001, Bob was

diagnosed with cancer and died 12 days later. The

grie was overwhelming, but again, Claudia knew

where to turn or help.

God promised that He would take care o me,

and He has been aithul, she says.

Then, just our years ater losing her husband,

Claudia endured two brain surgeries.

My amily decided that i the Lord let me live

and heal, that I was not done with His work.

Otherwise, they would move me back to Wisconsin,she recalls.

I healed! she exclaims.

Although age has brought more health problems,

Claudia reuses to give up. She still serves ull-time at

the GFA oce in Carrollton.

My desire is to know Him, love Him and serve

Him until He calls me home, says Claudia. When

anybody nds the word retirement in the Bible,

they can let us old ogies know. As long as He keeps

me able, Im going to do this!

N A M E :

Claudia

L O C A T I O N :

Texas

My desire is to

know Him, love

Him and serve

Him until He

calls me home...

More on

the Web: Is God

calling you to

be part o GFAs

home team?

Visitwww.ga.

org/joinstaf

to learn more!
http://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/joinstaffhttp://www.gfa.org/joinstaffhttp://www.gfa.org/joinstaffhttp://www.gfa.org/joinstaffhttp://www.gfa.org/joinstaffhttp://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/joinstaff


23/24

5fve minutes with K.P.

Believe Jesus

When You PrayW

e can have all our doctrines right and be experts in the

Scriptures like the Pharisees, but it will be o no use

unless we apply it to our lives by aith.

This was the reason why those Israelites whom God delivered out

o Egypt could not enter their promised land: For indeed the gospel was

preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not

proft them, not being mixed with aith in those who heard it (Hebrews 4:2).

For the same reason, God cannot answer our prayers unless we

pray in aith: But let him ask in aith, with no doubting, or he who doubtsis like a wave o the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man

suppose that he will receive anything rom the Lord (James 1:67).

Can you believe?Two blind men came to Jesus and said to Him, Son o David, have

mercy on us! (Matthew 9:27).

Why did they phrase their petition or healing in this way?

According to tradition, being blind was a punishment and curse or

something terrible they or their oreathers must have done. So the

men actually were saying to Jesus, You know that we are not worthy o

getting anything rom You. I You would do this or us, it is Your choice

and mercy.

And the Lord answered them, According to your aith let it be to

you (Matthew 9:29).

With this Jesus was saying, The question is not whether I am

willing to show mercyI am always willingbut can you believe?

They could, and they immediately received their sight.

We must hold ontothe Word that is sowninto our hearts.

The aith we need to see our

prayers answered only comes anddevelops rom Gods Word: So then

aith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word o God (Romans 10:17).

Yet so much o the Bible teaching we hear and the Scripture we

study or memorize is taken away by the enemy, either through our

unbelie or because we dont hold on to it and meditate on it.

Joshua was instructed by God not to let the book o the Law

depart rom his mouth, but to meditate on it day and night in order to

have success (see Joshua 1:8).

Continuously meditating on Gods Word drives it deep into our

hearts and develops aith.

Our faith must be in Jesus.Abraham believed God when it was impossible or him to have a

son. The blind men believed in Jesus to get their sight.

Likewise, our aith does not rest on our aith, or in some

imaginations we cook up on eelings. Instead, our aith is in the person

o Jesus Christ.

When we pray or a need, let us deliberately say, Jesus, You are

more than able to do this. I believe You can do it and I trust You to do it.

It takes a childlike heartto believe.

I heard the story o a ather who was

rantically trying to rescue his little son

rom their burning two-story house.

The child was alone upstairs, and the ather

couldnt get to him because o the ames and smoke.

Standing downstairs in an open area, he called out to his son.

Daddy, I cant see you! I cant see you! the boy answered.

Son, jump! the ather shouted.

I cant see you, Daddy, the boy hesitated.

Can you hear my voice? the ather asked.

Yes! the child cried.

Then jump in the direction o my voice, his ather responded.

Dont worry; I will catch you. The child jumped, and his ather caught

him in his arms and carried him to saety.

We may nd ourselves in the midst o conusion that eels like

thick smoke and ames, where our rational thinking and reason dont

work. Thats when we need to respond and pray like a little child: I

dont understand, Lord, but I will jump at Your Word and trust You to

ulll Your promise.

Nothing is impossible with God.Whatever your need may be today, Jesus is able and willing to

help you. There is nothing impossible with Him.

Fill your heart with Gods Word, meditate on it and put your aith

in Jesus. And then, when you pray, believe like a little child and you will

see your Heavenly Father meet your need.

K.P. Yohannan is ounder and president o Gospel or Asia.

Visitwww.ga.org/5minutesto read more Five Minutes

with K.P. articles.
http://www.gfa.org/5minuteshttp://www.gfa.org/5minuteshttp://www.gfa.org/5minuteshttp://www.gfa.org/5minutes


24/24

Sponsor aBridge oHope childtoday!

Sponsor online:

www.ga.org/child

Or contact us:

Gospel or Asia



1-800-WIN-ASIA

(1-800-946-2742)

Skipping school

is not all funand games . . .

not when youhave

to.
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