Gospel for Asia Update - Sponsor a Child:
http://www.gfa.org/sponsorchild
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August 3, 2004  -  Vol. IV  Issue 26 -  150,000 Subscribed
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:::From the Desk of K.P. -- A Special Announcement about Child
Sponsorship

Dear Aalie,
Thank you for praying for the abducted missionaries last week. We
praise God for their release. Though the enemy seeks to hinder the work of
the Father, our God is faithful and mighty to save. I would like to tell
you about a new children's outreach, Bridge of Hope, started after two
years of carefully seeking the Lord. Already it is bearing much fruit!
Read more in my letter online or sponsor a child today at
http://www.gfa.org/gfa/bridgeofhope/letterfromKP .

Yours for the unreached millions,
K.P. Yohannan
President - Gospel for Asia



::: NEWS: Whole Man, Whole Family - 08/02/04
Pandaram knelt on the floor of his Sri Lankan home, just as he had
daily for the last three years. How much longer, he wondered, until the
Lord answers my prayer? It was painful to think of the events that had
brought him to where he was. He had hurt so many people, including
himself. Several years earlier, before Jesus changed him, he had been addicted
to alcohol.

Because of Pandaram's drunkenness, chaos had constantly filled his
home. Unable to bear the trauma any longer, Pandaram's wife left him,
taking with her any sense of family Pandaram still had. His wife refused to
be persuaded by his humble requests for her return. She knew it would
be no different: Pandaram still hadn't changed. The unrelenting refusal
from his wife plunged Pandaram into even deeper despair. Now, he turned
to alcohol for consolation. But the alcohol Pandaram tried to befriend
did nothing for him: It only destroyed what little he had left. Yet he
didn't know where else to look for comfort.

Then Pandaram met missionary Raju. After hearing the desperate man's
troubles, Raju knew he could do nothing to make him whole. But he knew
who could. Raju told Pandaram of a God who soothes His children. Pandaram
was incredulous. What sort of God could this be? he wondered. He had
followed many gods and goddesses, but they never provided the slightest
comfort.

As Raju shared the Gospel, Pandaram was filled with hunger to know the
living God. Pandaram received Christ as his Savior and experienced the
love and refuge he so desperately craved. Finding solace in Christ
alone, Pandaram turned his back on the one thing he had embraced--his
addiction to alcohol. By God's grace, he no longer came home drunk. If only
his wife could see him now!

But his wife was gone. He had no family. When he came home at night as
a sober, changed man, he had no one to talk to. No one but Jesus. So he
talked to Him and grew to know Him more. And every day, he would ask
his Friend to return to him the family he had lost. Pastor Raju and the
rest of the Believers Church agreed in faith with Pandaram, asking for a
reunion of husband and wife. They knew God would one day make it
possible. It was just a matter of being patient and waiting for His timing.

After three long, hard years, God was ready. When Pandaram's wife
finally came home, she couldn't believe the difference she saw in her
husband. No longer shattered, he was a whole man, resting in Christ Jesus.
Amazed at what God had done in Pandaram's life, she too asked Jesus into
her heart. And now Pandaram, his wife and family happily worship their
Savior together. 
*Post prayer or praise: http://www.gfa.org/viewaprayer 
*Sponsor a missionary: http://www.gfa.org/sponsor


::: NEWS: Steadfast in Faith - 07/30/04 
Jasurath couldn't believe it. This is absurd, he thought. Why does
Father keep holding these prayer meetings? What he really needs to do is go
to the hospital.

Though his parents were Christians, Jasurath chose to go his own way.
His lifestyle often brought shame to the family. Now his father was
ill--very weak physically, yet steadfast in faith. When Jasurath asked
about seeking treatment, his father replied that Jesus would heal him.

But as time went on, his condition only grew worse. One day he became
so frail he was unable even to sip a cup of water his wife brought him.
The pastor and believers from the church he attended gathered around
his bed to pray. Standing there, Jasurath burst into tears--and began to
cry out to Almighty God for his father's healing.

To his amazement, God heard and answered his prayer--his father was
restored to health. "I was filled with joy and happiness," Jasurath
relates. "I realized the great love the Lord had for me, even when I was a
sinner." Asking Jesus to save him, he embraced this love.

Jasurath no longer thought prayer was fruitless. He fasted and
petitioned his heavenly Father, seeking His guidance. Hearing God's call to
ministry, he joined a Gospel for Asia Bible college. Pray for Jasurath,
that he may be a willing vessel to spread the love of Christ among the
unreached.
*Post prayer or praise: http://www.gfa.org/viewaprayer
*Sponsor a missionary: http://www.gfa.org/sponsor


> NEWS: GFA Film Team Badly Beaten! - 07/29/04
God in His mercy is opening up exciting doors for film outreach in a
community of Andhra Pradesh, India. But spreading the Gospel in this dark
region has not come without a price. Hostility from anti-Christian
elements has spurred persecution, with GFA missionaries suffering severe
beatings in recent years.

GFA native evangelist Victor is one of these workers. Before coming to
the Savior, he was a known illusionist. Now he serves in Christ's
kingdom. More than a year ago, knowing he could face opposition, he chose to
stay in the area and bring the love of Jesus to hungry souls. And the
Lord blessed his faithfulness.

Evangelizing one day in a part of town considered dangerous for
Christians, Victor met Mercy. As he shared Christ with her, the woman eagerly
received the Lord. Her salvation paved the way for outreach in this
difficult place.

This month, at Mercy's invitation, Victor and his wife--along with two
other GFA missionaries, Ajit and Satish--returned to show a film on the
life of Jesus. In preparation for the screening, the team went
throughout the community extending invitations to attend. That night, while two
of the brothers prepared for the viewing, Victor and his wife held an
open-air meeting with songs for the families.

Then, without warning, a group of opposers from anti-Christian groups
arrived, armed with swords and sticks. They severely beat the men on the
team, tore the film screen and threw equipment to the ground. Some of
the brothers hid the projector to protect it. Using vulgar language, the
opposers verbally harassed Victor and his wife.

By God's provision, Mercy rescued the team from danger. Due to her
pleas on their behalf, they were released. Ajit's face swelled from the
beatings, and Victor's and Satish's bodies were bruised.

Despite such persecution in India and neighboring countries, so many
missionaries are willing to pay the price to reach their people. All
glory to God.

A GFA field correspondent writes, "Please pray Pastor Victor and his
wife will continue the ministry fearlessly, depending on the Lord who has
given His angels charge over them." He also asks that we pray for more
open doors for evangelism in the community.
*Post prayer or praise: http://www.gfa.org/viewaprayer
*Sponsor a missionary: http://www.gfa.org/sponsor



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