Simple Faith, Steady Growth: Send! Magazine

8/4/2019 Simple Faith, Steady Growth: Send! Magazine

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send!

third quarter 2010 | volume 30 | number 3

{GOSPEL FOR ASIA NEWS MAGAZINE }

3

{www.gfa.org

+ Water Filters: Helping the Harvest

Simple Faith,Steady Growth{A PASTORS ORDINARY LIFE ENERGIZES HIS CONGREGATION}
http://www.gfa.org/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 Shelly Moon,

Gisela Yohannan

WRITERS Terri Beers, Bethany DuVal,

Michelle Jimnez, Rachel Kornman,

Ellen McConnell, Shelly Moon

PROOFREADER Tricia Bennett

DESIGN DOXA

PRODUCTION Michele Alexander

send! SEND! VOLUME 30, NUMBER 3SEND!is published four times per year byGospel for Asia, Inc., 1800 Golden Trail Court,

Carrollton, Texas 75010. 2010 Gospel for Asia, Inc.

No part of this periodical may be reproduced

without permission. Unless otherwise noted,

Scripture taken from the New King James Version.

Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by

permission. All rights reserved.

Many of the names and places in the stories have

been changed for security reasons.

One hundred percent of all missionary support

is sent to the mission eld. Please visit us:

www.gfa.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 Canada: 245 King Street E, Stoney Creek,

ON L8G 1L9. Phone: 905-662-2101.

Fax: 905-662-8447. Canadian publications

agreement number 40978007.

In New Zealand: PO Box 302580,

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

Port Elizabeth 6008. Phone: 041 360-0198.

In the United Kingdom: PO Box 166,

York, YO10 5WA. Phone: 01904 643 233.

Gospel for Asia is an evangelical mission

organization that trains and equips national

missionaries to share the love of Jesus Christ

across southern Asia with those who have never

before heard His name. These missionaries have

proven extremely eective because they are

already familiar with the language and culture,

and they live at the level of 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-Chief]

When that young Jewish boy left his home

in the morning with ve loaves and two sh,

he had no idea that by the end of the day

his simple meal would have multiplied

enough to feed a crowd of 5,000plus

leftovers! And the miracle began when he

oered what he had to Jesus.In this issue oSEND!, I invite you to get to know

a missionary who has done just thatoered his lie and

his energies to the Lord. His story is a lesson to all o us

who hunger or true signifcance: When we simply do

what God has set beore us, we will fnd the eternal value

we seek or our lives.

Please turn to page 6 to read how Gospel for

Asia-supported missionary Manu is being used

by the Lord to expand His kingdom in Sri Lanka.
http://www.gfa.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.gfa.org/


3/24

insend!departments:4gospel or asia + youYou can impact the mission felds o Asia.16in ocusHow your partnership is changing lives.In this issue, we highlight our Vacation

Bible School programs, GFA Radio and

Gospel literature.

20short reportsBrie glimpses o what God is doing

all across Asia.

third quarter 2010 | send! | 3

third quarter 2010 | volume 30 | number 3

22profleSantosh Khan knows you dont have to be

a missionary in a remote village to serve

the Lord with passion. For him, it includes

cleaning an ofce and preparing tea.

23fve minutes with K.P.How are we going to survive emotionally

and spiritually in the long run? Here

are two important instructions to ensure

that we do.

6 simple aith, steady growthTheres nothing spectacular about Manu Rangarajan

nothing that, by Western standards, would draw a crowd or

grow a church. He simply does what he knows God has

called him to do. And Manus congregation is healthy and

continues to multiply.

12 helping the harvestTarun Malhotra cultivates soil and plants seeds . . . but not

in felds. His work takes place in small, cramped homes and

along dusty streets. His harvest is not ruit or grainits souls.

And now, Tarun has a special tool: a BioSand water flter.

O N T H E C O V E R

This lady is just one o many believers in Sri Lanka who aregrowing spiritually because o Manus obedience to Gods call.

eatured:

22

23

19

16

18

Water FiltersSoten Hard Soil

pg 12


4/24

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

Those Airline Miles WontHelp You Reach Heaven.

(But they might help others.)

If your airline miles are accumulatingand in danger of expiration, heres a

great way to spend them. Gospel for

Asia can use your miles to serve the

mission eld and bring many others

into Gods kingdom.

Learn how by visiting

www.gfa.org/airmilesor call

1800WINASIA (9462742).

CatalogGitsKeepGivingv

I received your Christmas Gift

Catalogthis past December andwas initially excited about the

many ways in which I could impact

other believers across the world.

However, I set the catalog aside.

When my National Homeschool

Honor Society (o which I am

vice president) decided to donate

letover unds to a charity, I

immediately thought o GFA. Ater

presenting my ideas to the group,

we voted to purchase animals or

Christians in Asia. It is exciting to

think that we are making a very

tangible dierence in the lives o

our brothers and sisters in Christ!

R.V., Bulverde, Texas

I Never Knewv

I read a ree copy oRevolution inWorld Missions and was really

touched by the tremendous need

or the Gospel in this part o the

world. I never knew there were so

many people who had never heard

the name o Jesus Christ and was

impressed with the eectiveness

o the national missionaries in

reaching those people. God has

truly blessed me and is blessing

urther by giving me thisopportunity to share in His work

o reaching souls or Christ.

W.H.,Jeferson City, Tennessee

Shopping or Missionsv

A little glass jar sits on our shel,

extra cash goes into it and every two

weeks we go shopping or

missions. We loudly discuss and

debate the merits o dierent gits

until we fnally decide. Its a whole

amily aair; even the smallest

children get a vote. We wouldnt

trade it or the world.

B.M., Canora, Saskatchewan

Trustworthyv

I have been sponsoring a missionaryor several years and receiving

SEND! magazine. I perceive that

your organization is truly dedicated

to helping people to know the Lord

by also helping them physically and

spiritually. I just trust you.

P.C., Lynn, Massachusetts

A Bible Buys a Bicyclev

I sold a Bible on ebay or $105that was just sitting in my bookshel.

I fgured a Bible on my shel (when I

already have so many) doesnt compare

in eternal value to a bicycle that will

be used by a missionary to share

the Gospel with countless people.

A.S., Sarasota, Florida

How has God connected your

life with Gospel for 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
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5/24


Now on Our WebsiteHelp break the cycle o poverty and share Jesus loveby

investing in the lie o a little boy or girl! Keep reading here

or visit:www.ga.org/child

Sponsor a child who shares your birthday!

> Search at: www.ga.org/child/browse

Theyve probably never held a toothbrush . . .

> or a bar o soapthings these boys and girls may

never have seen beore.

> Learn who these children are:www.ga.org/child/the-dalits

What do you provide?

> A quality education, a daily meal, medical care

and Jesus love.

> A riendship with your child as you write back and orth.

> A oundation o prayer or your sponsored child.

> Learn more: www.ga.org/child/benefts

News and Features

Jaidev Mehta works among the shermen. He watches as

they toil daily to catch sh and sell them at the markets for

barely any prot. He knows their children are smart and able to

excel in classwork, but theres just not enough money to send

them to school.Their living conditions are sad; they dont have even the

most basic amenities as everyone else. Yet as wretched as these

circumstances are, Jaidev, a Gospel for Asia-supported pastor,

sees hope in their faces.

Thats because these shermen now believe in the Lord

Jesus Christ. They yearn to hear Gods Word and attend weekly

worship services with their families

Visitwww.ga.org/news/articles/pastor-catches-fshermen

to read the rest o the story! And subscribe atwww.ga.org/

latestnewsto receive more exciting news rom Asia in your inbox.

www.ga.org/child In Memory of> Alvin Hohmann, from Mrs. AlvinHohmann

> Charlie Nicol, from Claudia

Edwards

> Debbie Farmer, from Oleg and

Sylvia Zakusilov

> Emma Hope Maxson, from Chris

and Christine May, Linda L. Maxson,

Thomas and Marilyn Peterson,

Thomas and Susan Peterson, Jr.,

Eric and Kirsten Grubb, Gordon

and Brenda Musser, Leendert and

Judith Verkaik

> Frieda Hildebrand, from Bruceand Debbie Sawatsky, Peter Dueck

> Gerald Allen, from Betty Alvarado

> Herbert Ives, from June Ives

>Judy Browne, from Andrew and

Jill Wang

> Kaye Behymer, from Marlene

Blomberg

> Lloyd Benecke, from John Benecke

> Mendel Gragg, from Fred and

Luci Schaphorst

> Noah Cox, from Mrs. Tammy Cox

> Rex Reardon, from Betty Alvarado

> Shirley Hoover, from Joseph and

Marian Malda

> Violet Campbell, from Ernest

and Jean Reeve

> Willis Bontrager, from Aaron

Wister, Allen Wishew, Carol

Hostetler, Suzanne Slabach,

Jason and Cyndy Davenport,

John and Jennifer Tritch, John

and Sue Clifton, Kirk and Lynne

Perkins, Nathan and Jodi Wisler,

Philip and Rowena Miller, Roger

and Lillian Krugh, Scott and

Doreen Mahlstedt

> Young Ae Shim, from

Sung Yon Hong

In Honor of

> Andrew Whatley, from Samuel

and Debra Whatley

> Becky Finkle, from Paul Grant

> Brandon and Diane Mauldin,

from Olivia Godfrey

> Carlos and Maria Araujo, from

Butch and Mary Lou Cope

> Glenn and Jolene Skort, from

Lyndal Coats

> Henry and Elsie Harms, from

Frieda Duerksen

>Jack and Yeong Thomas, from

Harold and Mary Weyand,

Gilbert and Suellen Hawkins>Joel and Angela Meyers, from

Elmer and Esther Breneman,

Lyndon and Kara Martin,

Mervin H. Breneman, James and

Marianne Oberholtzer

> Laifon Foster, from Jane

Chawinga

> Luz Amelia Hurtado, from

Julio E. Hurtado

> Lynda McGee, from Janet

Stephens

> Marc and Barbara Hodson,

from Butch and Mary Lou Cope

> Morgan Sigafus, from Alvin

and Phyllis Sigafus

> Nancy Thorpe, from Curtis and

Terri Soden, Georganne Dorr

> Oral R. Roset, from Joyce Roset

> Rob and Kristin Fenwick,

from Stan C. Emery, Travis and

Faith Neidert

> Sharon Crane, from Dr Joe and

Sharon Crane

> Shirley Welch, from David and

Lisa Welch

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

New:www.ga.org/child
http://www.gfa.org/childhttp://www.gfa.org/childhttp://www.gfa.org/child/browsehttp://www.gfa.org/child/the-dalitshttp://www.gfa.org/child/the-dalitshttp://www.gfa.org/child/benefitshttp://www.gfa.org/news/articles/pastor-catches-fishermenhttp://www.gfa.org/news/articles/pastor-catches-fishermenhttp://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/childhttp://www.gfa.org/childhttp://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/child/benefitshttp://www.gfa.org/child/the-dalitshttp://www.gfa.org/child/browsehttp://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/news/articles/pastor-catches-fishermenhttp://www.gfa.org/childhttp://www.gfa.org/childhttp://www.gfa.org/child


6/24

6 | send! | www.ga.org
http://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/


7/24


Manu Rangarajan climbs up the steep, homemade

bamboo ladder that leads to his personal

sanctuary up in the trees. Morning sunlight

streams in through the woven palm-lea walls

that enclose part o his space. He sits on his mat, the only

thing in this simple, quiet place, and opens his Bible to read.

Its early in the morning, but Manu has already been up or

two hours, storing up strength and aith to go through the

dayand now he spends a ew more moments in Gods Word

beore his day begins. // Manu serves in a village nestled in

the humid interior jungle lands o Sri Lankathe same

village where he grew up. Theres nothing spectacular about

this Gospel or Asia-supported pastor, nothing that, by

Western standards, would draw a crowd or grow a church.

His aith is simple; his demeanor is humble. Yet Manus

congregation is healthy and continues to multiply.

{A PASTORS ORDINARY LIFE ENERGIZES HIS CONGREGATION }


8/24


Lal Vanderwall, Gospel or

Asias leader in Sri Lanka, knows

very well why Manus ministry has

been successul or the past 10 years.

His personal walk with the

Lord makes the dierence, Lal

says. For God to use a person, it

doesnt have to be a charismaticpersonality. . . . I hes doing the things the Lord

wants him to do, then God can use him.

Lal knows there is no such thing as a perect

church, and Manus ellowship is no dierent. The

believers continue to develop in their spiritual walks

with the Lord on a daily basis. Even so, their aith in

God and love or Him are pure, and this in large part

is due to Manus steadastness and his passion to see

lives radically changed or Christ.

A Healed Heart, a Changed HeartManus own lie changed ater beingmiraculously healed rom a heart problem. His

physical condition brought on bouts o dizziness and

ainting, which caused him to temporarily lose his job

as a welder. He thought he was going to die. He tried

all sorts o medical treatments or his sickness, and he

even went to temples and prayed to his gods or a

cure, but nothing helped.

Then he noticed that some people in his village

were going to prayer meetings devoted to a God

whom he knew nothing about named Jesus Christ.

Desperate or healing, he started attending the

meetings every day, and one day, Manu asked the

Christians to pray or him.

During their prayer, he suddenly elt something

change within him. Manu knew Jesus had

miraculously answered the prayers o these

Christians, and he surrendered his lie to the Lord.

Later, when he went to the doctors or a checkup,

they told him he was completely well.

Joy ooded into his lie, and a deep yearning to

know more about the God who had healed him began

to develop. Soon, a desire to take Gods Word to

others who were unhappy and living despairing

liveslike he had beenstirred in his soul. He

enrolled in a Bible college and, ater graduation, went

back to his home village to start sharing the Gospel.

God Has Given Me the StrengthKnowing he is just an ordinary man with no

special abilities, Manu relies on Gods grace to helphim as he ministers to people.

I was not a person who could look at someone

and sit and speak to them, Manu recalls. But God

has given me the strength and ability to speak to a

person and understand them. So because this ministry

is Gods will or me, I am happy to go and do it.

His method o preaching the Gospel is simple.

Manu travels to surrounding villages and homes and

talks to people about the love o Christsomething

he knows he couldnt do i he werent dependent upon

the Holy Spirit or help and guidance. He gets toknow people and develops riendships. Ater a while,

he encourages them to have prayer meetings in their

village where they can get to know the Lord better.

Manu knows that those he encounters live

without a hope or their uture. He oten asks them,

What is your goal tomorrow? What is your uture

tomorrow? But no one can give him an answer.

Thats when he is able to share with them the hope

ound in Christ and how they can look orward to

eternity with Him.

He knows without a doubt that the Lord is using

him as an instrument to touch the lives o those

around him.

God has chosen me and given me this thing to

do. This is my duty and my job to preach the Gospel

to each and every one who doesnt know, Manu

says. So i I dont go, there will be no one to do this.

Not that Im unable to work as a welder and earn

a ew rupees and live a better lie, he explains. But I

can eel within me that through the Holy Spirit, God

has given me the strength to continue in this ministry.

And with his heart in tune to the Lords will,

Manu presses on.

Lal Vanderwall


9/24


Only through the BelieversBut Manu isnt the only one taking an active role

in reaching the lost. The believers o his congregation

have a deep desire to know the Lord more ully and

to see others know Him too. Manu says they are thereason why his church keeps ourishing.

My believers are coming to church to spread the

Gospel and teach the Gospel to others, Manu

expresses. Only through the believers have I come to

this place where I am now in my ministry.

Just as they are committed to seeing lives touched

by the redemptive power o Christ, the members o

Manus church are also committed to prayer. They

spend hours interceding or him and the church body.

Each Saturday, a group o women travel into the

orest near the church building. Laying mats down on

the ground, they sit and begin their own time o

worship. Soon, sounds o melodious singing mixed

with prayer rise among the trees as these womens

hearts and voices seek the Lord, asking Him to bless

the Sunday church service and all the preparations

that come with it.

During Sundays service, the believers continue to

pray and worship beore and ater Pastor Manu

teaches rom the Word. When the service ends, some

people approach the pastor or private prayer while

the believers gather together in a circle around them

and join hands. Bonded together in unity, the grouplits their voices in ervent prayer or the ones seeking

a personal touch, while Pastor Manu lays his hands

on each individual.

His personalwalk with theLord makes

the diference.

Photos: Manu established this mission station (top),

located in a believers home, a few years ago, and he goes

there once a week to hold services. Through his outreach to

the nearby villages (bottom and center), these fellowships

continue to grow.


10/24


But the Christians

dont just pray; some

also go with Manu on

his outreach to nearby

homes. They pile on a

trailer attached to a hand

tractortheir normal

mode o transportation in this rural, inland

regionand begin the journey o reaching out

to their lost neighbors. With Gospel tracts in

hand, they stop at each house scattered along

the dirt road between the paddy felds, banana

groves and coconut trees, visiting with villagers

and inviting them to prayer meetings and church.

The believers o Manus congregation

have also taken an active role in assisting the

construction o their church building. Manu

never needed to ask or help. These men and

women wanted a beautiul building, a place thatwould demonstrate the permanency o their

aith to their community. And so they willingly

dedicated their time, eorts and unds.

Whatever materials they had on hand, they gave.

When you look at this

building, its impossible or one

person to put up a building like

this, Lal comments. I can tell

you that these poor believers over

here, they have contributed.

Nothing StrangeAll who attend Manus church are frst-

generation Christians who still endure

harassment because they gave up their traditional

religion to ollow Jesus. Neighbors taunt and

criticize them each week as they make their way

to the church building to worship.

Then there are those who have experienced

a healing touch rom God in their lives and long

to worship their Savior, but other villagers try

and stop them rom attending church. Theyre

surrounded by people who speak against

Christ and the church, discouraging them rom

ollowing Jesus.

Although the believers hear these biting

words every day, their pastor hardly ever hears

anything rom these accusers.

They dont scold me to my ace or try to

oend me, Manu says. When they meet me,they smile and they speak to me.

But Manus lie is not completely without

opposition. When he frst started his ministry,

people in the area gave him a difcult time.

Anti-Christians came to one prayer

meeting he was leading and attacked

the house where the believers were

gathered, throwing stones and severely

damaging the building. They even

physically attacked the Christians.

Bloodshed,Tears andHope forSri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been called many names over

the centuries, including Island of Gems,

Isle of Delight, and Land without Sorrow

a name that rings with irony in light of its long,

bloody civil war.

Two main people groups live on this

teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean.

The Sinhalese, mostly Buddhists, account for

74 percent of the population. Tamils, a mostly

Hindu minority, make up 18 percent. Sinhala

and Tamil are the ocial languages, with

English widely spoken and understood.

After 450 years of colonial rule, Sri Lanka

won its independence from Britain in 1948.

Tourism was a major industry for the new

nation, with its ancient art, beautiful beaches

and rare wildlife.

In the ensuing decades, ethnic tension

between the Sinhalese and Tamils grew,

fueling the dream for a separate Tamil

homeland. From 1983 to 2009, civil war

raged between government troops and

the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)

separatists. More than two decades of ghting

claimed the lives of more than 80,000 people

and drove millions from their homes.

Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries

working in the country were also aected

by the ghting. Some had to seek safety

in refugee camps. One GFA Bible college

came under attack after it was falsely

accused of being a training camp for the

insurgent Tigers.

In December 2004, a massive tsunami

swept across a large part of Sri Lanka, leaving

tens of thousands dead and more than a

half-million people homeless, orphaned or

without jobs.

Recent ooding caused by Cyclone Laila

devastated regions of the island nation, killing

dozens and displacing hundreds of thousands.

Whatever the challenge, GFA-supported

missionaries continue to faithfully minister to

the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of

the people of Sri Lanka. The churches they

pastor, which number more than 100, are

beacons of hope for those who have faced

suering and despair.

Visitwww.gfa.org/countryproles/

srilankafor more information.

Sources: World Factbook, United Nations
http://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/countryprofiles/srilankahttp://www.gfa.org/countryprofiles/srilankahttp://www.gfa.org/countryprofiles/srilankahttp://www.gfa.org/countryprofiles/srilankahttp://www.gfa.org/countryprofiles/srilankahttp://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/countryprofiles/srilanka


11/24


And today, people still watch him as he

walks to the various places he does ministry,

waiting to disturb and sometimes assault him.

This kind o thing goes onphysical

harassment, verbal abuse and even assaults.

Even now so many people say accusations

against the pastor, Lal says.

But Manu doesnt think much o it, even

downplaying the maltreatment he endures.

This is nothing new or him, Lal notes.

Hes a serious student o the Word o God. He

knows persecution is part o his lie and its

nothing new. He doesnt have to mention it.

Its a day-to-day happening in this part o

the world. It is nothing strange or a missionary

in Sri Lanka to ace persecution.

Seeing the Lostness

Even with the harassment, Manu and thebelievers continue to reach out to those who

persecute them. Theyve distributed more than

10,000 Gospel tracts already, and Manu has

spoken the message o salvation to more than

15,000 people in this region.

But there is still much more work to be done.

There are a lot o men addicted to drugs

and women having immoral relations with

men, Manu says. There is a lot o idol

worship in this area.

It is because they are uneducated that they

are doing these things. I there is a big tree

somewhere above a place, they will build a statue

there and will start idol worship in that place.

I pray they will be delivered rom this

wrong liestyle, he adds

When he sees this lostness around him,

Manu is motivated to continue.

So tomorrow, like every other morning, he

will start his simple daily routine, one that

keeps him rooted and grounded in Jesus, the

source o his strength and eectiveness. In the

early morning stillness, broken only by the

sound o crickets and rogs, he will rise early,

the sun still hidden. He will light a little oil

lamp and bring out a tambourine and a small

drum to begin his day with worship and prayer

to his King.

And then, when hes done, Manu will putout the light, pick up his Bible and head to his

personal sanctuary up in the trees, where hell

continue to prepare himsel or the day ahead to

reach the lost.

More on the Web: Visitwww.gfa.org/

sponsorto learn how you can link your life

with a missionary like Manu.

Photos: In the face of

war, natural disasters

and other trials their

nation has endured,

these believers now

have Gods presence

and His Word to

guide them.
http://www.gfa.org/sponsorhttp://www.gfa.org/sponsorhttp://www.gfa.org/sponsorhttp://www.gfa.org/sponsorhttp://www.gfa.org/sponsorhttp://www.gfa.org/sponsor


12/24


HelpingtheHarvest

Water Filters Soften Hard Soil


13/24



14/24


Pbysical and Spiritual ThirstLike everyone else in Taruns

neighborhood, Navin and Chitra Malik

had no running water and were orced to

buy it rom tanker trucks.

But this water was dirty and not

really suitable or drinkingand worst o

all, it was creating health problems or

Sujin, their little boy.

Our baby used to always all sick,

Chitra remembers.

Sujin would get boils all over his

body, he requently ran a ever, and he

also suered rom digestive issues.

Watching their baby suer like this was

painul or Navin and Chitra, but they

had no way to get water that wouldnt

make Sujin sick.

All the while, Tarun was going about

his ministry in their neighborhood, always

looking or ways to point people to thehope ound in Christ. Navin and Chitra

were amiliar with Tarun. But because

they werent interested in his messageor

his Godthey virtually ignored him.

Opening Their HeartsTarun knew about their struggles and

ound a way to show them Christs love:

He provided them with a BioSand water

flter. They not only enjoyed the taste o

the pure, rereshing water, but they also

started to notice that their babys health

was steadily improving.

Their hearts were touched, and they

were so happy that Sujin was no longer

suering. And the kind gesture o the

missionary whom they had once

disregarded now opened their hearts to

Tarun and his message.

It was just the opportunity Tarun

had been waiting or. Navin and Chitra

now welcomed his visits, and they began

to discuss with him the Gospel tracts and

booklets that he would leave with them.

Tarun aithully continued to share the

Good News, and one day they chose to

put their trust in Christ.

Meanwhile, Navin and Chitras

new water flter had created quite a buzz

among their neighbors and riends.

The women came by most requently,so Chitra began holding meetings at her

home where she would share the Gospel.

Two amilies came to aith in Christ

through these gatherings. Then the Maliks

began to host prayer meetings in their

home, and the number o believers grew

even more.

The meetings are still going strong

today, and these Christians reely give

oerings to help the church Tarun pastors.

A Closer Lookat BioSandWater Filters

Many of the areas where Gospel

for Asia-supported missionaries

are serving lack a good source of

healthy water. A BioSand water

lter meets this basic need by

providing an entire family with

safe drinking water.

BioSand water lters use layers

of sand and gravel to remove

impurities, providing water for

drinking and cooking that is

98 percent pure. They are easy

to build, dont require electricity

and are made from locally

available materials.

oncrete

diuserplate

ne sand

coarsesand

gravel

Photos: Tarun and his wife, Suri

(far right), are glad to distribute the

BioSand water lters; they are not

only simple to use (this image) but

help demonstrate Gods love to

their neighbors (center).


15/24

Its their way o spreading the Good News

even arther.

I want to go to everybody and share

about Jesus Christ, Chitra says.

The Greatest BlessingTarun knows that it takes

considerable patience to be a spiritual

armer, especially in soil that is hard and

dry. But in due season, as living water

soaks into the soil, the seeds sprout and

eventually bear ruit.

Navin and Chitras lives are evidence

o this, and today, they too sow seeds o

the Gospel into the lives o others, joining

their pastor in his harvest feld.

It all started with a simple water

flter . . . and a couples relie that their

baby boy no longer had to suer. But

Chitra is quick to point out the best thing.

Through this water flter, we cameto know about Jesus Christ, she

expresses. That is the greatest blessing

we received.

More on the Web: Visit

www.gfa.org/purewaterto learn more

about how you can make an eternal

impact through a BioSand water lter!

Would you

like a glass ofthis water?What if this wereyour only choice?

This amily lives in a poor,remote Asian village.They had no source o saedrinking water nearby

until someone gavethem a unique git theyllnever orget.

You can show Jesus love to a family

like this one with a BioSand water

lter. This hardy lter will remove 98

percent of impurities and will last for

years to come. Give the gift of hope

and good health in a glass of clean

water for just $30.
http://www.gfa.org/purewaterhttp://www.gfa.org/purewaterhttp://www.gfa.org/purewaterhttp://www.gfa.org/purewater


16/24


in ocus {How your partnership is changing lives}

Not Just or Kids

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

Young Shankar Singh couldnt believe his ears.

How could his Vacation Bible School (VBS)

teacher know so much about his amily?

Shankar was attending a VBS led by Gospel or

Asia-supported missionary Sukarta Kapur. His

teacher, Sukartas wie, Hansini, was telling the

students a story about an alcoholic ather who beat

his wie every day and caused a multitude oproblems in the amily. The children were scared o

their ather and hid themselves under the bed to

escape his wrath. Miraculously, the ather ound out

about salvation through Jesus, which led to a

dramatic change in his lie.

Shankar was only 9 years old, but he really

understood the story. Thats because his own ather

was a raging alcoholic. Shankar, his mother and his

siblings knew what it was like to cower in ear when

their ather was home. They longed to see this kind o

change in their home too.

When Shankar let VBS that day, he told his

mother, Jhasmina, about the ather in the story who

changed ater he met Jesus.

A ew days later, Jhasmina appeared in the

church Sukarta pastored. The troubled woman

poured out her heart, sharing her amilys tragic lie.Sukarta was moved by the amilys plight and prayed

ervently or Jhasmina and Shankar.

In a stunningly quick answer to Sukartas

prayers, the Singhs home lie was dramatically

changed. Shankar no longer cowers in ear rom his

ather, because his ather stopped drinking and chose

to ollow Jesus too. Now the entire amily ollows

Jesus and can be ound worshiping every Sunday at

the church in their village.


17/24


Changing a Village,One Family at a Time

More than 145,000 children attended Vacation

Bible School programs at churches led by Gospel or

Asia-supported missionaries in 2009, and several

thousand made decisions during VBS to ollow Christ.

The Christians in these churches recognize the

transormational impact that a simple week-long

program o Bible stories, songs and games can have

on a amily. Thats why they are eager to pitch in and

provide everything rom snacks and juice to teachingmaterials. In these churches, VBS is a time o

celebration when everyone, rom senior adults on

down to teenagers, volunteers to work.

The goal o VBS is twoold. First, it is a way to

disciple children in their walk with the Lord. Second,

VBS provides an opportunity to introduce Jesus to

those who have yet to hear His name. Each year,

thousands o children hear about Christ or the frst

time at VBS programs throughout Asia.

The ocus at VBS is on children, but in one church

last year, it was two grownups who had lie-changing

experiences.

A VBS RebirthVijay and Deepaka Jaswanti were having a good

time watching the neighborhood children enjoying

their week o VBS activities. The sight o the children

playing, running and jumping and the sound o their

joyul voices delighted them. But Vijay and Deepaka

could only watch so long beore they had to turn

away. The couple had been married or fve years

and still had no child o their own. They longed or a

child to love. They went to the various temples in thecity where they lived, oering sacrifces in hopes that

their gods would smile on them. But they had to be

content watching the kids enjoy themselves at VBS.

But one day they looked outside and the children

werent there. They asked Gospel or Asia-supported

missionary Kavi Selk what happened and learned that

the VBS program had been shut down ater some

people complained that it was being conducted too

close to a local temple.

Vijay and Deepaka immediately oered up their

home or the program to continue.

So or two days, the Jaswantis home was flled

with the laughter o children enjoying the love o

Jesus. As the program concluded on that fnal day, the

couple was talking to a VBS leader when Deepaka

suddenly burst into tears. Shocked by her sudden

outburst, the entire team came to her side, asking

what was wrong. It was then that she told the team

their sad story o inertility and the shame it brought.

The leaders consoled them and told them theBible story about Hannah and the Lords provision

or her. They also prayed and asked the Lord to give

this young couple a child.

Vijay and Deepaka then told the VBS workers

that they wanted to know more about the Jesus they

had just heard about during the childrens lessons.

Today Vijay and Deepaka are ardent and serious

worshipers o Christ. They both come to every service

and prayer meeting at Kavis church. Although they

still do not have a child, they never pass up the

opportunity to testiy about the peace and assurance

the Lord has brought into their lives. And i the Lord

does bless them with a baby, they will be able to tell

that child how they met their Savior at a childrens

Vacation Bible School program.

Visitwww.gfa.org/vbsto learn more about how

boys and girlsand men and women!are nding

Gods love through our childrens outreach.
http://www.gfa.org/vbshttp://www.gfa.org/vbshttp://www.gfa.org/vbshttp://www.gfa.org/vbs


18/24


in ocus {How your partnership is changing lives}

G F A R A D I O

Did you know?> The cost to produce a 15-minute

GFA Radio program: $45

> The cost to produce a

1-hour program: $185
http://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/radio


19/24

Aloks wife and sons were the rst in his family to come

to know Jesus, and their decision infuriated him. When

he found out who had led them to the Lord, he forbade

this pastor from ever visiting his house againthat is,

until he found a tiny piece of paper that would forever

change his heart toward his familys decision.

It had been a gradual journey or Aloks amily.

They had heard o Jesus previously rom some

Christians who had visited their home. Aloks

amily began to believe what they heard, but they

only integrated Christianity with their current aith.

They didnt turn rom their old religion to serve Jesus

until they understood the message more ully rom

Gospel or Asia-supported pastor Darsan. That was

when they gave up all their old religious practices and

believed in Christ alone.

When Alok learned that Darsan had led his wie

and sons to Christ, he was enraged. He made it

difcult or his amily, doing all he could to discouragetheir new aith. But his newly-saved amily clung to

the Lord and prayed aithully with other believers or

Alok to see the truth o Gods love or him, even

though it looked as i it would be impossible or Alok

to turn rom the religion he held on to so fercely.

But then Alok ound a small Gospel tract lying in

his house, literature let behind by Pastor Darsan. For

some reason, this little non-threatening paper began

to impact his mind and his heart. And Alok kept

reading, even going through some o the Christian

books the missionary had let or the amily.

God was answering the amilys prayers, and the

literature sotened Aloks heart. In just a ew days, the

tracts he readwhich cost less than one penny to

printopened his heart, eventually leading him to see

his sin and his need or Jesus help in his lie. He

turned to ollow Him.

Today, instead o opposing his amilys aith,

Alok joins them at the church where Darsan is pastor.

The amily is growing together in the Lord and

desires to share their decision with their neighbors.

Visitwww.gfa.org/tractsto learn more about

the impact of GFAs literature ministry.

Half a PennyChangedHis Life

G O S P E L L I T E R A T U R E


Did you know? Just one dollar will print 200 Gospel tracts. In 2009, Gospelfor Asia published more than 45 million pieces of Gospel literature like the tract

that changed Aloks heart. These little booklets are distributed by GFA-supported

missionaries, Bible college students and believers throughout Asia.
http://www.gfa.org/tractshttp://www.gfa.org/tractshttp://www.gfa.org/tractshttp://www.gfa.org/tracts


20/24


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

Sakshi went to a nearby village and asked Laal to pray or her arm.

When he fnished, Sakshis pain had ended at last.

Now Sakshis entire amily is growing in their aith

Read more news online:

www.gfa.org/latestnews

Patience and Faithv

Sakshi prayed, trusting that her petition would bring healing to

her arm. It didnt.

The excruciating pain had driven Sakshi to hospital ater

hospital searching or relie, but the doctors all gave her the same

answer: They didnt know what was causing the pain, much less

how to get rid o it. For most, visiting a witch doctor would be thenext step, but Sakshi believed in Jesus and knew any deliverance

would come rom Him. As she continued praying without relie,

however, she began to wonder i healing was His plan or her.

Then one day, Sakshi heard that God was doing miracles

through Pastor Laal Oommens ministry. With renewed hope,

Sakshi went to a nearby village and asked Laal to pray or her

arm. When he fnished, Sakshis pain had ended at last. Now

Sakshis entire amily is growing in their aith and desire to share

about the power o God with their neighbors.

Relie rom Spiritsv

The evil spirits were always tormenting an Asian amily and

making lie a daily struggle. I they believed in Jesus, Pastor

Tarun told the amily, the demons would have to leave. The

amily listened as he shared the Gospel, and together they

expressed their desire to trust in God. Tarun and another

missionary began to pray or the amily.As they prayed, the daughter, Unnati, was attacked by an

evil spirit and began jumping. The pastors cried to the Lord,

asking or her deliverance, but the spirit let her only to attack

Unnatis brother. The missionaries prayed or him and he was

delivered, but then the spirit attacked Unnatis mother. The

Gospel workers were steadast in their prayers, and the attack

ended at last. The whole amily was amazed, and everyone put

their aith in Jesus. The spirits havent been back since that day,

and the amily is growing in the Lord.
http://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/latestnewshttp://www.gfa.org/http://www.gfa.org/latestnews


21/24



22/24


proflep

GFAFIELDST

AFF

Every day at the ofce, Santosh blesses his

co-workers by perorming many small

yet vital tasks. Among other things, he is

responsible or preparing meals and keeping the

ofce clean. He even makes tea to keep his

riends alert throughout the day.

I asked why he chooses to serve others this

way, Santosh would probably explain the

incredible ways God has blessed his lie.

Not long ago, Santosh was at his wits end.

His wie, Hita, was suering rom tuberculosis

and demonic attacks. Santosh tried everything

to help her: He consulted several doctors and

prayed at temples and shrines. He even prayedto the gods o other religions.

But Hita remained sick. In act, her health

began eroding even aster. Her whole amily

grew very concerned as they watched her ade.

In his distress, Santosh didnt think to call

on his neighbor, who was a ollower o Christ.

But one day, the Lord moved this neighbor to tell

Santosh about Jesus and His power. Remembering

how all other gods had ailed, Santosh wasted

no time in taking his wie to a local church.

The pastor prayed or Hita, and gradually

she was completely healed. Both Santosh and

Hita were convinced: Jesus was the only God

powerul enough to be Lord o their lives. They

got rid o their old idols and chose to ollow Him.

As a result o their decision, they initially

aced much persecution rom the rest o their

amily, but the Lord helped them to withstand it

all. And today, by Gods grace, the Khans no

longer ace such opposition.

Now Santosh ollows the Apostle Pauls

example by serving Godand his co-workers

rom behind the scenes. Two o his daughters

have also heard Gods call to service and havechosen to study at a Bible college.

Santosh requests prayer or wisdom and

understanding or his three daughters and or

his son, who is struggling with his aith. He also

asks or Gods special grace and salvation or

those in the community where he lives.

I have

made myself

a servant to

all, that I

might win

the more.

1 Corinthians 9:19

N A M E :

Santosh Khan

L O C A T I O N :

South Asia


23/24

5fve minutes with K.P.

Keep Filling the Tank!PART TWO

In our journey as Christians, it is vital that we ll our hearts daily

with the encouragement of Gods Word. And though God has given

us, in His Word, everything we need to overcome all discouragements,

weaknesses, sin, obstacles and Satans attacks along the way, we

ourselves must take the responsibility to apply them. Like the car we

drive, we must keep lling our tank by following each instruction;

otherwise, we will not be able to survive emotionally and spiritually in

the long run. Lets look at two of these important instructions.

Give thanks in all circumstances.

First Thessalonians 5:18 contains one of the most powerful

instructions for staying alive in our spiritual journey amidst adverse

circumstances: In everything give thanks; for this is the will of

God in Christ Jesus for you.

A Christian counselor helped his clients apply this Scripture

to their dicult situations. And in each case, the positive

changes were amazing. It s worth following his application:

Take a 3 x 5 card and write down 10 things you are

grateful for in your dicultiesperhaps in your workplace

where your boss treats you unfairly; your service in a ministry

or church where you are not given the important position

you wanted; your marriage partner who has deeply hurt or

disappointed you; the son or daughter who gives you so

much trouble.

Even if you nd it dicult, try hard. For example: I am grateful that

I have a job; I am grateful that I have the privilege to serve the Lord in at

least a small fashion and help win souls for His kingdom; I am grateful

that my spouse didnt walk away from our marriage; I am grateful that

my son is not on drugs.

Put this card somewhere visiblein your Bible or your shirt

pocket, on the dashboard of your car or near your computer screen.

Thank God twice daily for each of these 10 things, as you beginyour day and before you go to bed. Say out loud: Lord, I thank you for . . .

Every time you think of something critical, replace it with a

thanksgiving item from the list. Make sure that you dont mention any

of the negative things you are struggling with. Our mind automatically

dwells on negative things, blows small problems out of proportion and

nds something critical in even the good that is happening. Thats why

we need to have our list ready, so we can immediately replace each

discouraging thought with a thankful one.

Continue to practice your giving of thanks for 21 days until it

becomes a habit. You will nd that incredible changes will take place in

your heart and your life as a result.

Run the race with endurance.

The writer of Hebrews said, Let us run with endurance the race that

is set before us(Hebrews 12:1). He was very much aware that we are

enlisted in a marathon race that can only be won if we have sucient

stamina to last the entire long distance.

As Westerners, we suer from lack of endurance. Our society is very

uidpeople move frequently and surveys show that 50 percent of

engaged couples think at least once that if their marriage doesnt work

out, they will have a chance on a second one.It is much easier for us to change, walk away, close our hearts,

become bitter or give up instead of enduring for the long haul. It is an

uncommon thing to ndin our society and in the Churchthe stickability,

permanency, endurance and commitment in the face of diculty

that the Bible talks about when it comes to following Jesus.

Especially if you are a young person, I encourage

you to embrace the word endurance. Paul wrote to

his young disciple Timothy, You therefore must

endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2

Timothy 2:3). In other words, Although enduring

hardship is dicult, hold onto it, because through

this you will grow and improve on the inside.

The best years of my life in terms of developing

as a leader, and the most valuable lessons I learned,

happened when I worked with a mission organization

in northern India. One of my leaders was next to impossible to deal with.

No matter what I did, he found fault with it. It was not easy at all to endure.

I felt like I died a thousand deaths. But somehow my upbringing and my

instruction about discipleship called for staying on and not giving up.

Imagine the moment when you will cross the nish line.

I encourage you to think often about how its all going to end in 15,

20 or 50 years from now, when your race is over. You should be able tosay, I ran the race well.

Is it possible? Yes, it is! We have plenty of examples of those who

endured until the end.

Whatever discouragements and diculties we face right now are not

the end of the world. They are just temporary aictions. And God already

has given us His grace to win the victory. Dont stop; keep running the race!

K.P. Yohannan is founder and president of Gospel for Asia.

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

with K.P. articles.

it isvital that well our hearts

daily with the

encouragement

of Gods Word.
http://www.gfa.org/5minuteshttp://www.gfa.org/5minuteshttp://www.gfa.org/5minuteshttp://www.gfa.org/5minutes


24/24

100 percent of your support goes to provide for missionary

work on the mission eld; nothing is taken out for administrative

expenses. For each national missionary you help support, you

No worries. Gospel for Asia-supported national missionaries

can already speak uently about Christ in languages like

Marathi and Punjabi. Not only that, they are comfortable

among the traditions, customs and quirks of the people

they serve. The message of Gods redeeming grace is often

more powerful coming from a neighbor than a foreign

visitor. So before you buy an Urdu-English dictionary,

consider the advantages of supporting a national missionary

through Gospel for Asiayou can bet your zindagi(thats

Urdu for life) that the eternal rewards will be great!

For just $30 a month, you can be aninstrument o Gods provision and love

in the lie o a missionaryand in eacho the lives that he touches!

Could you share

Jesus lovewith herin her native tongue?
http://www.gfa.org/sponsor

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