GFA World Newsletter

September 2021, Vol. 18, No. 6

At 20 years old, Raddford’s entire world revolved around the catching, taming, training and raising of snakes for snake charming. Nearly every member of Raddford’s remote village depended on wooing snakes to dance in front of an audience for their livelihood.

Around 200 children lived in Raddford’s village, and none attended school. They hadn’t ever seen a school before. Raddford probably hadn’t either. Outsiders rarely set foot within the village, not wanting to associate with those who caught snakes for a living. The only way parents could make money and provide for their families was to travel outside the village and ply their trade, which paid barely enough to sustain themselves.

One day, several GFA workers entered the village, handing out literature and inviting people to see a movie that night. It was a rare occasion for outsiders to visit, and even rarer for them to show a film.

Almost every villager showed up to watch, including Raddford. A story unfolded on the screen before their eyes, the story of a Man called Jesus. They saw how Jesus uplifted the broken and the needy and granted them new life in Him.

After the film, villagers approached the workers, pleading with them to return—pleading with them to help their children.

“We do not have any relationships with outsiders due to our culture,” Raddford said. “I am suffocating in this culture. I do not want to live here. I want to become like you people, … living a respectable life.”

The workers went back to their leaders and shared the story of the village. Extreme poverty smothered the villagers, they explained, and their children possessed few prospects. What could they do to help?

A few months later, teachers from GFA World’s sponsorship program made their way to the village to provide the children with the guidance they needed to reach a better future. Through the children, the village could be lifted out of poverty.

The entire community thanked the workers for visiting them and for not being blind to their needs. Raddford, inspired by the workers’ example and encouragement, desired to achieve a better life for himself. Thanks to the team showing a film, a village’s fate could be altered, and an entire generation’s future could be ensured.

May 2020, Vol. 17, No. 4

For the first time in 25 years, a village gathered to see life-changing scenes scroll before their eyes. Afterward, the projector screen went blank, but the story of Jesus story remained stamped on the hearts of the audience—a story most could not have read, as 90 percent of the villagers were illiterate. The GFA mobile team that had organized the show started packing up the film equipment. Suddenly, a frightened woman suddenly rushed over to them.

From Anger to Curiosity

The mobile team had encountered this woman, Lekha, earlier in the day, as they were walking through the village to invite people to the film.

When they came to Lekha’s home, she and her kids said they wanted to come to the film. But Lekha’s husband, Dhir, emerged from his room with his face set in an angry grimace. He stated that his family wouldn’t watch the film and told the missionaries to leave.

Despite Dhir’s anger, Lekha and the children went to the film show. An hour later, Dhir showed up to bring them back home, but when he saw the large crowd, he decided to stay. He left with images of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection fresh in his mind.

A Life-changing Miracle

When Dhir and his family got home, Lekha realized something was wrong. Dhir suddenly began acting violent and breaking things. Lekha rushed to find the mobile team and asked them to come pray.

As the mobile team and local pastor approached the gate of Lekha’s home, Dhir immediately calmed down. Dhir didn’t understand what had happened to him, but the believers knew God had intervened. They shared with Dhir about the power of Christ, prayed for him and invited the family to visit the local church.

The rare excitement of watching a film—in this case, about the life of Jesus—gathers large crowds. Even those who would not be open to hearing about Jesus are often eager to join the movie audience.

The following Sunday, Dhir went to church. He and his family began attending worship services regularly, and after some time, Dhir decided to follow Jesus.

God used a mobile team to give Dhir’s village the opportunity to learn about His Son. Now, more people are getting to hear good news as Dhir tells others about Jesus, the God who delivered him.

May 2019, Vol. 15, No. 4

A large gathering of about 200 people crowded to get a good view. It was a film, quite the rare sight in this rural community. This film, however, was a particularly special one.

God’s Love Is for Them

GFA-supported mobile teams travel to the most remote of villages. Some of these isolated communities, hidden away from the world, have never heard the name of Jesus. One mobile team, led by Pastor Kovida, visited a similar village where GFA-supported pastor Abhinay was serving.

Two hundred men and women lived in this specific village and worked as daily wage labourer and gatherers. Some walk five miles just to find work. Poverty reigned. Furthermore, out of the 200 residents, only two had passed 10th grade.

Truly, the brothers saw that these people needed God’s love. As they mingled with the villagers, they offered Christian literature and invited them to the film showing later that night.

The Power of God’s Love

That night the villagers gathered. Pastor Kovida and his team started the film. For the first time, many not only heard of Jesus but also saw His life and ministry. This Man, who loved them so much, died on the cross.

After the movie ended, the villagers were so curious and fascinated with what they had seen, they couldn’t stop talking about it! Pastor Abhinay also talked to many of the villagers who had seen the film. Several desired to know more, so an open-air meeting was arranged for a later date.

Among those villagers were Syum and his wife, Pravina. The elderly couple was childless and alone, but after seeing the film and hearing of Jesus and His great love, their hearts were moved.

The night of the film, they opened their hearts to Christ and later attended a local fellowship. Two additional families decided to reignite their faith that night.

Through film, mobile teams like Pastor Kovida’s are able to not just share Jesus’ love but also show it.

September 2018, Vol. 14, No. 7

Sushil’s heart ached as he looked upon his grandmother for the last time. Her time to embrace Jesus had passed. He mourned for her, who had not only rejected Jesus’ love but also slandered him for his faith.

Sushil was the only believer in his family. When he began following Jesus in college, his parents were not concerned. But his grandmother was deeply offended. She constantly pressured her son, Sushil’s father, to turn her grandson away from this new God.

Then, just like that, she passed away. Sushil felt the urgency of sharing Jesus’ love with his family; he didn’t want what happened to his grandmother to happen to them.

Sushil encouraged them through God’s Word, and soon his father, Arman, began attending worship services with him.

Burden Grows to Include Village

As Sushil prayed for his family, the Lord enlarged the burden of his heart to include his village. But how could so many people hear about Jesus all at once? Sushil was only one person.

Sushil continued to faithfully pray for his family and his village, asking God to open a way for them to know the hope that brought him so much peace. Then Sushil had the idea to ask if the church could arrange a film show in his village. Excitement filled his heart at the prospect of everyone hearing the amazing story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

God answered Sushil’s prayers when a GFA-supported film team came to his village.

Together in Eternity

Arman attended Christian worship services, but did not yet trust the Lord. When he watched a film on the life of Jesus, he understood Christ’s sacrifice and chose to embrace Him.

On the day of the film show, many people from the village gathered to watch, including Arman. After the film, Arman was deeply convicted in his heart.

“I have lived my life refusing to believe in the Word of God, but now I have seen with my eyes the agony and suffering of Christ for a sinful person like me,” he confessed. “I do believe in the Word of God.”

The Lord answered Sushil’s prayers that day: His village heard of Jesus’ love and his father embraced Christ. Now, Sushil had the joy of knowing that in life he may say goodbye to his father, but it will not be goodbye forever. They will meet again in eternity, basking in the love of Jesus, side by side, never to be parted again.

June 2018, Vol. 14, No. 5

Following are a couple of stories highlighting various tools given to GFA-supported workers, which equip them for ministry where God has called them to serve. Tools like winter clothing and film equipment are crucial for thriving ministries in bringing the hope of Christ to people. Through faithful donors, these stories are made possible.

More than Winter Comfort

It was Christmas in 2008. Pastor Etash shivered as he stood underneath the roof of a cow shed. A group of Sunday School children was about to arrive. This was his first Christmas in the village where God had called him to serve.

The cold weather didn’t stop Etash from doing the work the Lord had given him to do. In this region, where even the summertime nights call for a blanket to keep warm, the winters can become fierce and harsh.

But over the years, as Etash has served faithfully in this frigid village, he has been blessed with a simple gift that keeps him effective in serving the Lord: a blanket. Because of giving donors like you, Etash has been able to be the hands and feet of Christ to those around him all year round.

Today, Pastor Etash has a beautiful church building replacing the humble cow shed he used for worship gatherings. The Lord has blessed his endurance, and fruit has come from his committed labour.

Some Receive, Others Reject

Frigid temperatures and harsh climates can’t stop Jesus’ love from flowing out of national pastors. But a simple gift of a blanket helps the “hands and feet of Christ” stay warm and protected so they can minister to people around them!

Film teams are far more than simple projectors, screens and labourers. Film teams are all about demonstrating the hope of Jesus to the hopeless through tools that help bring the reality of Christ to life.

Often a simple film about Jesus can impact an entire village. After a film showing, teams are able to direct the crowd to the local pastor, which helps open the door for him to build new relationships in his area of ministry.

One film team, led by GFA-supported worker Citrya, has experienced a lot in its members’ years of ministry. Here is a peak at what happened in two villages they visited over the span of one month.

Welcomed and Received

In one village the film team was welcomed with open arms as a group of 160 villagers gathered to watch the movies they had brought. After the show, three youth asked the local pastor, who had invited the film team to come to his village, to tell them more about Jesus. As a result of this showing, the pastor was able to conduct a prayer meeting, and many seeds of hope were planted in the villagers’ hearts.

Drunken Disruptions

In another village a few days after this event, the film team began a screening that was kindly hosted in a villager’s home. However, as the film was still going on, a few intoxicated men disrupted the gathering of 50 people. They shouted and told the national team to stop the film.

In faith, the brothers continued the film, but the drunken men responded by throwing stones at them from a distance. The owner of the house told the agitators to stop.

“This film show is conducted according to my will,” he said. “If you are not willing to watch, then go. Why are you disturbing others?”

The men quit opposing the film team, but they had caused enough distraction to keep people from openly receiving the truth of Christ.

Citrya and the other film team members know that even when things don’t go as hoped, God is still at work! And they, too, will continue their work.

Thank you for being part of seeing more people come to understand the love of Jesus, the risen Lord, in villages such as these.

April 2018, Vol. 14, No. 3

God is using GFA-supported film ministry to show thousands of people His love and sacrifice for them. Over the years, many have come to embrace Christ as Lord after watching a film on Jesus’ life.

GFA-supported film ministry is making a huge impact in many villages and individual lives. For your encouragement, below are a few stories of God’s faithfulness through this area of ministry. Thank you for being part of these stories through your prayers and support.

Film Team Enables Two Believers to Go to Church

Ikshan and Panmoli left their hometown in search of work, and while they were away, they met the Living God. When they came home, however, they didn’t have anywhere to worship—that is, until a GFA-supported film team came to their area.

As people in these men’s village watched movies about the life of Jesus, God touched the hearts of eight other men and women. Ikshan and Panmoli, along with the other new believers, happily gathered to worship Jesus together every week, and it didn’t take long for more people to join them. Praise the Lord!

His Search for Peace Came to an End

Balan could feel a sense of calm enter his restless soul as he watched the film unfold. Christ giving up His life for mankind touched Balan’s heart so deeply, and he wanted to find out more. He had been restless in his heart for true peace. Maybe this was the answer?

He asked for prayer from one of the film team members. The next day, Balan decided to give his heart to the Lord who had given him peace—peace he had long been searching for.

Today, Balan and his family attend church faithfully and are growing deeper in love with Jesus every day.

A Troubled Life Is Now Forever Changed

Devapi left his troubled home one morning in search of work. His father took to the bottle far too often. There wasn’t a day that went by where there wasn’t quarreling and fighting within the walls of his home because of his father’s alcohol addiction.

But as Devapi walked through his village, he found something unexpected. Someone told him the latest news: A film was going to be shown that evening! With interest, Devapi attended the film show and grew attentive as he saw how greatly Jesus had suffered for him. The sacrifice and compassion of God drew him in.

Because of this film, Devapi now has new life in Christ! After discovering the story of the loving God, Devapi eagerly shares it with those he meets.

Committing Their Lives to Jesus—Again

A villager named Saju stood up among the crowd. After watching the film about Jesus, he was deeply moved.

“I am very happy that you have come all the way to our village with a real burden for our spiritual lives,” Saju told the film ministry team. “I had neglected the Word of God and neglected even worshipping Him. But from now on, I shall be serious in my personal relationship with Him, and I will do my best to overcome my habit of taking intoxicating things.”

The film team made it to Saju’s village—a village many refused to travel to because the roads were so terribly rugged. But God had a plan for this village and for the many believers living there who had grown stagnant in their faith. Through the showing of the film, they were encouraged to set their hearts afresh on the Living God. As a result, many gave their hearts fully to Christ.

These kind of stories happen daily. God is doing so much through your prayers and support. It is our hope at GFA that these small stories give you a window into what God is doing across the globe. Thank you for standing with us!

December 2017, Vol. 13, No. 8

Fifty-year-old Jagrav stood before the silent crowd.

“I do not know how many people here believe in what they have heard or seen,” he said. “But I believe in God ...”

His words were clear, but none of his neighbours responded to his declaration.

Jagrav walked over to the two GFA-supported workers and told them he wanted to know more about the Christ. Could Jesus be the answer he had been looking for all his life?

Restless Despite Rituals

Jagrav grew up as a devout follower of his ancestral religion, and he was familiar with all the proper rituals and practices he needed to perform. But despite his diligence, Jagrav could never find fullness of joy or true peace in his heart.

Life continued on, decade after decade, but no answer came. Eventually he and his wife had three children, two girls and one boy, but their little ones didn’t bring the peace Jagrav longed for, either. It didn’t help that he and his wife continually fought over petty things. He didn’t know what to do.

Movie Shows Man the Way

When a GFA-supported film team arrived in Jagrav’s village, most people didn’t want to hear what the two men had to say. The team members, Pranit and Kharanshu, prayed God would go before them, and soon several men and women, including Jagrav, said they were eager to watch a movie about the life of Jesus.

As the projector displayed the love of Jesus on a portable screen, the crowd watched enthusiastically. When the film was over, the team showed another one called “New Life.” At the end of the night, many people exclaimed how amazing it was.

“It is amazing how much God loves us,” several villagers said. “We have never seen such a movie and have never heard such a story.”

However, despite their overall enthusiasm, most people didn’t want to change their lives in the light of this news—except Jagrav.

He stood before the crowd and made a bold declaration; then he invited the GFA-supported workers to his home so he could learn more about Jesus. Something had stirred his heart: hints of peace and joy he had never known before.

Many people throughout Asia never have the opportunity to know they are loved by the Creator until a film team shows them Christ’s miracles, sacrifice and resurrection.

The Only One in His Village

As Jagrav talked with Pranit and Kharanshu the next evening, he encountered the power of the Holy Spirit. God revealed how Jagrav could find lasting joy—and Jagrav leapt at the opportunity. He walked away from that evening a changed man. He took a copy of the New Testament, which he began reading every day.

His wife didn’t try to stop him, but she made her disapproval clear. She told him how their relatives and the other villagers would look down on him for his decision. But Jagrav responded with an unexpected joyfulness to her disparaging remarks.

“I do not care what others choose to believe,” he said. “I believe in the Word of God, and I encourage you to believe also.”

Although his relatives have scolded him severely, even threatening to take away his wife and children, Jagrav is firmly in love with Jesus. Because there are no other Christians nearby, Jagrav travels to the neighbouring village to worship Jesus in fellowship with other believers. Despite the challenges he now faces, the joy and peace Jagrav experiences far exceed any hardship, and he is delighted to know Jesus the way he does. Praise the Lord!

October 2016, Vol. 12, No. 7

Ujendra rounded up the goats and cows after they had grazed, leading them back to their homes with a wooden stick. Villagers hired him to care for their livestock, even though he didn’t have any of his own.

At the end of the day, the amount of pay Ujendra received for his work was insufficient to provide for the needs of his wife and five children. He had to make sure they had a home to live in, food to eat and decent clothes to wear. Two of his children were old enough to attend school, so Ujendra had to stretch his income to also provide for their tuition and the notebooks, uniforms and supplies needed to keep attending—or his children would have to drop out.

Herding the villagers’ goats and cows didn’t always take care of his family’s essential needs, but it was Ujendra’s job, and he made the most of it.

A Gift for This Life and the Next

A few years ago, Ujendra learned to trust the Good Shepherd for his and his family’s survival. He had discovered the depths of God’s love while watching a movie about Jesus, which was hosted by a Gospel for Asia-supported film team. The movie touched Ujendra’s heart, and that night he was adopted into the family of God.

The next year, when his pastor, Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Patoj, saw the family’s financial condition and their great need, he requested a pair of goats be given to Ujendra at a Christmas gift distribution.

Ujendra and his family

Within six years, that pair of goats increased to 14! Now Ujendra is making enough to take care of his family well by herding both the villagers’ livestock and his own. Seeing God’s people care for those in need also helped the community understand the Good Shepherd’s love, and now 65 people have received hope for eternity.

Thank you for helping struggling families overcome their poverty through your prayers and support.

Ujendra and his family

September 2015, Vol. 11, No. 6

No matter how hard he tried, Sundrit couldn’t free himself on his own.

As an alcoholic and a drug addict, Sundrit experienced the effects of his habits on a daily basis. He tried to quit in the hopes of creating a better life for himself and his wife, but severe withdrawal symptoms prevented success. Without drugs, Sundrit felt like he would die.

In desperation, he asked a medical doctor for help. Sundrit took the medicine the doctor prescribed but soon realized that, although the medicine could treat the symptoms, it could not free him from his addictions. Whenever Sundrit tried to stop taking the treatments, his cravings returned.

Film Team Visits Village

Then one day, a woman in Sundrit’s village introduced him to her nephew, Dhir, who belonged to a Gospel for Asia-supported film team, and Pastor Raahi. The men invited Sundrit to watch a movie about Jesus that they planned to show in the village that evening.

After the film showing that night, Dhir and Pastor Raahi offered to pray for the villagers who had gathered there. Sundrit approached the two men and told them about his troubles and addictions. They listened earnestly and prayed for Sundrit.

Man Freed in Two Weeks

Soon after, Sundrit started to attend the church where Pastor Raahi served. He came to understand the great love Jesus has for him and noticed a peace and joy in his own heart that had not been there before he knew about the Saviour.

Only 15 days after the men first prayed for him, God turned Sundrit’s life completely around. Unlike the occasions before when he had searched for freedom, Sundrit stopped drinking and taking drugs—this time for good.

“God delivered me from all the addiction,” Sundrit says.

New Life in Christ

In a matter of days, God’s love transformed Sundrit into a new man. When Sundrit’s wife noticed the complete difference in his character, she also decided to trust in the love of Jesus. Together, the couple is now growing in their love of the One who frees people.

“I am so thankful to God . . . and the fim ministry team,” Sundrit says. “God changed my life and has given me a new life.”

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of people like Sundrit. Through your prayers and financial support of Gospel for Asia ministries, many people across South Asia are hearing about the love of Christ for the fist time.

April 2015, Vol. 11, No. 3

Ever since Reshika saw a film about Jesus in 2012, she wanted to know more about Him. Who was this man who bore so much pain for other people’s sins?

When two women handed her a booklet one day, excitement filled Reshika’s heart as she saw that the literature was about Jesus and that the two women, Gospel for Asia missionaries Aasha and Chandira, were Christians. Reshika seized the chance to find out more about Jesus.

“How can I know more about Jesus?” she asked. “How did Jesus come to this earth?”

Aasha and Chandira told her more about Christ and His mission to give new life to the world. Reshika listened attentively.

Seeing how interested Reshika was in learning about Jesus, Aasha and Chandira began visiting and chatting with her and answering her questions.

‘I Took a Step of Faith’

One day in 2013, the Gospel for Asia film team came to Reshika’s village again to show a movie about Christ, and Aasha and Chandira invited Reshika to come watch. Excited, Reshika brought her sister with her.

As Reshika watched the scene of Jesus suffering on the cross in agony, she began weeping, filled with remorse that He had endured pain and death for her. Reshika realized she needed His mercy.

The next day, when Aasha, Chandira and the film team paid her a visit, Reshika told them she wanted to live for Christ.

“I am delighted because the Lord has filled my life with His peace,” she later declared. There was no joy, no peace and no assurance of salvation before I knew Christ. I often wondered what I was living for, and I felt as if my life had no meaning at all. But as I took a step of faith, . . . my life was transformed. I am glad that the Lord is working on me. I have understood the secret of finding joy, which comes from knowing the Lord intimately.”

Finding the Secret

Now Reshika is growing in the Lord and is actively involved in the local church and Women’s Fellowship, and she tells many others the secret of finding joy. She found this joy because God sent two women missionaries to answer her questions and invite her to a film show. Through your support of national missionaries, the Lord is continuing to change the lives of men and women like Reshika throughout South Asia.

April 2015, Vol. 11, No. 3

Like Prajin, many people in Asia who have never heard the Good News view believers with suspicion.

Prajin was the last person Kambojand Bhupal expected to see on their doorstep. A visit from him could only mean bad news, couldn’t it? Kamboj and Bhupal were frightened. The GFA missionaries didn’t know what to think when Prajin invited them to his home to spend time with him and his family. Was Prajin trying to lure them to his house so he and his family could beat them?

Family Continually Harasses Missionaries

For the past month, Kamboj and Bhupal, who served together as a film team, had been ministering in Prajin’s village and the surrounding villages. They prayed for people, visited families in their homes, offered Gospel literature and showed films about Jesus.

But as they faithfully shared the love of Christ, some persecuted them—especially Prajin and his family. Whenever the missionaries passed by Prajin’s house with their film equipment, the family would start yelling at them and verbally abusing them. “They are disgracing our religion!” they shouted.

Yet Kamboj and Bhupal didn’t stop showing the films about Jesus. They knew how important it was to give these villagers a chance to hear the message of hope and new life. Meanwhile, the missionaries fasted and prayed for Prajin and his family to understand this message.

A few weeks later, when Prajin came to their door, they didn’t know if this was an answer to prayer or another trial. But trusting the Lord and praying silently, they followed Prajin to his home.

Missionaries Enter Persecutors’ Home

When Kamboj and Bhupal entered the house, a welcoming atmosphere startled them. Prajin and his family members spoke kindly to the missionaries. After other villagers had told the family about the film and explained that Jesus died for their sins, Prajin and his wife realized they had been wrong. They apologized to the missionaries for the ways they’d harassed them.

“We have understood Jesus is the real God,” they said. “We want to [know] Jesus. Show us the way for that.”

Amazed, Kamboj and Bhupal thanked God for answering their prayer. They and the local pastor, Deepit, spent time sharing about Jesus and the new life He offers. Then they prayed for the family and gave them a New Testament so they could learn more about Christ each day.

Grateful for the missionaries’ visit and for the opportunity to read God’s Word, Prajin and his family not only stopped opposing the Christians but also began attending the local church, and finally, they watched the film about Jesus for themselves. Kamboj, Bhupal and Pastor Deepit continued to encourage and counsel the family. After a month, Prajin, his wife and two of their sons announced their faith in Christ publicly, and now they tell others how Jesus transformed their hearts.

Love and Labour Yield Open Hearts

Prajin and his family represent just a few of the thousands of lives touched through the love and labour of Gospel for Asia film teams. Your support and prayers enable film teams to continue sharing Christ’s love in villages throughout South Asia. Thank you for helping these faithful brothers and sisters reach families like Prajin’s!

September 2014, Vol. 10, No. 6

Manindra had lost all hope—hope his father would ever get better, hope he could find a wife and hope his family could ever have joy or peace again.

Even though his family members faithfully followed their religion and all the customs and rituals that went along with it, nothing changed and they had no peace. Because of this, Manindra was no longer interested in following their religion.

Years ago, Manindra’s father’s asthma became so bad he couldn’t work. He went to a number of hospitals for medication, but nothing helped.

Although Manindra’s parents had planned to put all three of their children through school, his father’s sickness meant Manindra had to work instead of study. Because he was the oldest child, the responsibility to provide for the family fell solely on him.

Manindra didn’t make very much money as a daily labourer, but he earned whatever he could to provide for his family’s needs. His hard work meant his siblings could stay in school.

Eventually, Manindra felt he was ready for marriage. He began looking for a wife, but time after time, the woman or her parents would throw his marriage proposal back in his face. Unable to handle this rejection, Manindra became depressed.

Message of Hope Overpowers Depression

It was at this time in his life that Manindra met Turvasu and Badri, members of a Gospel for Asia mobile team. Upon hearing of all Manindra’s struggles, the missionaries encouraged and prayed for him. Their sincere prayers touched Manindra, and he invited them to his house. There, Turvasu and Badri were able to tell him and his family about Christ’s power to transform lives.

Later that day, the missionaries showed a film about Jesus for the entire village, and Manindra and his family came. The Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts throughout the movie.

When the film ended, Manindra went to talk and pray with the missionaries. He confessed his sins and chose to put his trust in Jesus Christ.

From there, God’s love transformed Manindra’s life. He began going to the local Gospel for Asia church. As his new faith grew, his devotion brought opposition from some of the villagers, who would ask, “Why are you going to church? Jesus is not our God. He is a foreign God.”

Unfazed by their disapproval, Manindra stood strong. Now Manindra’s entire family believes in Jesus, and his father’s health is improving.

Turvasu and Badri ministered to Manindra at just the right time, and they were able to reach him because generous friends like you donated to equip mobile teams. Thank you!

February 2014, Vol. 10, No. 2

September 2013, Vol. 9, No. 6

Emaan had been ready for a good argument when Pastor Kavith showed up. As planned, Emaan began barraging Kavith with questions. But Emaan’s motivations were different than he had originally intended.

An Unlikely Friendship

When Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Kavith began ministering in Emaan’s village, he faced great opposition. The people of this community adhered to their ancestral faith and viewed Christianity as a dishonorable, “tribal” religion.

“Aren’t you ashamed to forsake your own deity and worship the tribal god?” the elders chastised. “Keep your religion to yourself and stop spreading it here in this village. You are not at all welcome among us.”

Undeterred by their harsh words, Kavith knew God deeply cared for these people and continued sharing Jesus’ love with them. One day, while visiting people’s homes, he met Emaan. Like the other villagers, Emaan ardently worshipped his ancestral deity and thought each community should follow their own religion.

Despite their different beliefs, a friendship blossomed between Kavith and Emaan. As they grew closer, Kavith began to tell Emaan the Good News and give him Christian literature, but Emaan usually just tried changing the subject.

Foiled Plans

Eventually, Emaan decided he’d had enough. He thought that if he read the booklets Kavith had given him, he could argue with Kavith and shut him up once and for all.

But as Emaan started reading the literature, he began to appreciate the teachings of Christ. His heart started opening to God’s Word, and his mind filled with questions about things in the booklets he didn’t understand. Many times his wife noticed he was lost in contemplation.

Sometime later, Emaan saw Kavith again. He started debating with Kavith—but with a different motivation than he had originally planned. Instead of trying to debunk Kavith’s beliefs, Emaan asked questions to understand what he had read in the booklets and find out if it were true.

Pastor Kavith explained God’s Word to him, and Emaan’s mind continued opening to God’s love.

From Film to Transformation

In July 2012, Kavith asked a GFA film team to show a film about Jesus in the village and invited Emaan. As Emaan watched the film, he saw the sacrifice Jesus made, and God softened his heart even further.

“I had been hearing the Word of God, but today was the first time I watched this film on the life of Jesus,” he declared after the show. “I had been thinking that Christ was only for tribal people, but now I realize I was so wrong.”

Emaan made a decision to follow Jesus, and since then, he’s been sharing the Good News with his wife and his co-workers. Even though his friends mock him, he continues to pray that they, too, will embrace Christ’s love.

If Pastor Kavith hadn’t had Gospel literature, Emaan may not be walking with Christ today. Because Kavith did give those booklets to Emaan, though, God transformed Emaan’s heart, and this man now lives as a testimony of the power of God’s Word.

April 2013, Vol. 9, No. 3

December 2012, Vol. 8, No. 8

Slowly he realized there was truth to what the believers had been telling him. This Jesus really did love everyone enough to die for their sins.

In a family of 12, there are bound to be disagreements, but Sahar’s family could always come together on one thing: religion.

Sahar’s parents had raised their 10 children with a strong devotion to their gods. As Sahar grew older, he became a fierce defender of his faith, especially opposing those who followed Jesus.

He fought with everyone who tried to tell him about Jesus and had a whole supply of arguments to use against them—but he never imagined he’d have to use the arguments with his own family.

When Sahar found out that his mother and younger brother had decided to follow Christ, he became furious. He did all he could to change their minds, but his words were meaningless to them. Neither one even wavered, and Sahar’s anger grew.

Unable to control his feelings of rage and despair, he tried hanging himself from a tree, but one of his siblings rescued him in the nick of time.

A Second Betrayal

Defeated, Sahar let life settle to a livable tension, but soon his wife, Yamura, began talking about Jesus too. She didn’t mention the Jesus-followers often, but when she did, Sahar firmly warned her against mingling with them.

Soon, though, she began sneaking out of the house to attend prayer meetings and worship services, unbeknownst to Sahar.

One day, Sahar walked into a neighbor’s home and found Yamura actually praying with the very people he had warned her against.

Without a word, he dragged her out of the house and began beating her without mercy. Then, leaving her half dead, he stormed home.

Some believers from the prayer meeting followed Sahar. When they caught up with him, they saw him dangling from the same tree where he had previously tried to hang himself. Before he could breathe his last, they pulled him down from the tree.

He Truly Saw Jesus

For the next year, the believers continued to tell Sahar about Christ’s love, but he remained adamant that he wanted nothing to do with it. When they invited him to watch a movie about Jesus, though, he went, grudgingly.

At first, Sahar watched the film as unflinchingly as a rock, but he slowly realized there was truth to what the believers had been telling him. This Jesus really did love everyone enough to die for their sins.

As the crucifixion scene played, tears rolled down Sahar’s face. And when the members of the film team told the crowd how they could follow Jesus, Sahar, Yamura and their three children were first in line. Together, the family embraced Jesus wholeheartedly.

Now, Sahar has stopped fighting, and the anger that consumed him is gone. Instead, he and his wife share their experience of grace with all their neighbors. They long for everyone in the village to know Jesus as they do.

December 2012, Vol. 8, No. 8

August 2012, Vol. 8, No. 5

A film team consists of two missionaries, traveling each morning to a new village.

They minister to people during the day and then show a movie on the life of Christ in the evening. And a film team’s day is often full of surprises.

Trouble for a Young Woman

One such surprise came in the form of a young lady named Dhriti. For some time, Dhriti had been suffering with health problems. It got to the point at which she was no longer able to eat and, as a result, became extremely sick. In addition, Dhriti’s behavior was erratic, causing tension in her family. It turned out this was no ordinary illness. An evil spirit was afflicting Dhriti.

Her husband took her to various doctors and temples in an effort to heal her, but nothing seemed to help. Her behavior only worsened as time went on. Frustration was mounting, and Dhriti’s husband had reached his breaking point. Not knowing where to turn or what to do, he was ready to leave her.

But the Lord had other plans.

A Timely Meeting

That day, film-team members Nirav and Udyan met Dhriti and her husband. They told the couple about the love of Jesus and invited them to watch the movie later that evening.

Dhriti’s family decided to attend, but Dhriti had no interest in going. In spite of her angry protestations, however, the family somehow convinced her to come along.

She may have agreed to go with them, but she didn’t go quietly. Dhriti shouted disruptively throughout the film. After the movie, our film team prayed for Dhriti’s deliverance, and her family couldn’t believe what they saw. She was immediately freed from her bondage, and the demon was gone. That very evening, Dhriti and her parents received Jesus into their lives.

A Village in Awe

The village was well aware of Dhriti’s troubles, so to see her transformation was a shock to many. Dhriti’s healing has opened many of the villagers’ hearts. Dhriti’s husband also changed his mind about leaving his wife. Praise the Lord for sending the film team at the right time and for healing this broken family!