send!

1 first quarter 2011 | volume 31 | number 1

{GOSPEL FOR ASIA NEWS MAGAZINE}

A Light
Has
Dawned
{ FI L M T EA M S BR E A K T H R OUG H
T HE DA R K N E S S I N A SI A }

+ GFA Radio Transforms Lives—and a Marriage {www.gfa.org}

 e from the editor-in-chief

I must tell you, I have always been fascinated

by technology and impressed at how much
information is available to us at the touch
of a fingertip. But I am far more grateful
for how technology is helping spread the
Gospel in Asia.
In this issue of SEND!, you will read about how one

team of young men is carrying the story of Jesus on film

into remote villages. And in some areas where missionaries

have not yet gone, the message of salvation is going ahead

of them through radio. When technology helps make an

eternal impact, that is the best use I can imagine!

Please turn to page 6 to read how two young

missionaries are bringing God’s love to thousands of
villagers—and being used by Him to transform lives.

K.P. YOHANNAN [Editor-in-Chief ]

send!
®
{GOSPEL FOR ASIA
NEWS MAGAZINE}
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF K.P. Yohannan
MANAGING EDITOR Heidi Chupp
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Shelly Moon,
Gisela Yohannan
WRITERS Terri Beers, Michelle Jiménez,
Rachel Kornman, Sally Robbins
PROOFREADER Tricia Bennett
DESIGN DOXA
PRODUCTION Michele Alexander
SEND!® VOLUME 31, NUMBER 1
SEND! is published four times per year by
Gospel for Asia, Inc., 1800 Golden Trail Court,
Carrollton, Texas 75010. ©2011 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 field. 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: info@gfa.org.
In Australia: P.O. Box 3587, Village Fair,
Toowoomba QLD 4350. Phone: 1300 889 339.
In New Zealand: PO Box 302580,
North Harbour 0751. Phone: 0508-918-918.
In South Africa: P.O. Box 28880, Sunridge Park,
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 effective 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
insend!
first quarter 2011 | volume 31 | number 1

How One departments:

Broadcast Helped 4 gospel for asia + you
Save a Marriage You can impact the mission fields of Asia.

pg 12
16
16 in focus
How your partnership is changing lives.
In this issue, we highlight our Christmas
Gift Catalog and Bible colleges.

20 short reports
18 Brief glimpses of what God is doing
all across Asia.

20
featured:

6 a light has dawned 22 profile

A paralyzed woman, the village witch doctor, a rebellious Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift Catalog
teenager, a dying old man—all these people once lived in 22 touched the heart of a second grader, and
darkness. But today, because of Gospel for Asia’s film team as a result, she made a decision to make
ministry, they have seen the light. a difference.

12 reunited by radio 23 five minutes with K.P.

Janesh and Juhi had been separated for four years. It seemed Each of us has a mission to fulfill in
that nothing could save their tumultuous marriage—that is, winning the lost world and building
23
until the day they turned on their radios. God’s kingdom. What should we do
when distractions come up and we are
tempted to lose our focus? We follow
Jesus’ example.
ON THE COVER
When a GFA film team came to her village, this woman had
the opportunity to learn about Jesus' love for her through a
movie about His life, death and resurrection.
first quarter 2011 | send! | 3
 + gospel for asia + you {You can impact the mission fields of Asia}

The Joy of Giving

Telling It
Like It Is
v J.P., Clemmons, North Carolina
My sister sent me
the link to get
your book Revolution in World
Missions. I have read 3/4 of the
book and cannot wait to finish
reading it. It has truly impacted the
way I think about missions. God
has been dealing with me about
getting more involved with missions,
and I had been praying for His
guidance when I received the link
for your book. Praise God, someone
is not afraid to tell it like it is.
R.J., Euless, Texas
Helping Bring Healing
v 14 or so children lived, with one
As a physician, I have compassion
for those suffering from illness and
want to be a part of the missionary
health care workers that bring hope
and healing through Christ’s love.
M.W., Baytown, Texas
v
I love the catalog—being able to
see and choose from among gifts
for my donations.
I remember when I was homeless
and cold with no blanket, I couldn’t
stand thinking about a person
freezing at night. Thank God I can
at least give someone warmth.
Thank you, Gospel for Asia.
G.M., Baraboo, Wisconsin
Making A Difference
v
While in Chennai, India, on
business, I would pass by a large
dump every day to the office. In
that dump was a small “village”
of thatched huts. In this “village”
woman who watched over them.
Every day I would see them living
among the trash heaps and burning
fires and ask God how I could
make a difference. I thank God for
GFA and the outreach it is doing.

x( )
G.M., Matthews, North Carolina

Multiply Your Love

You have a love for the lost. Now you can multiply
your ability to reach them—in your workplace! Many
employers will match donations to Gospel for Asia.
> If you’re a retiree, spouse or board member, your gifts may also qualify.
> Some companies even match the value of volunteer hours and non-cash gifts too.
> Contact your company’s human resources department to find out.

Learn more: Email us: strategicgiving@gfa.org Visit: www.gfa.org/matching-gifts

 www.gfa.org/videos In Memory of
>>Amber Pelzer from William and
Gerry Northey
>>Barbara Eddings from Mary and
Todd Wilhite
>>Darrel Eakin from Kay Seivert,
Arnold and Georgia Stender
>>Delbert W. Bontrager from
John Cummins
>>Donna Brumley from Julius and
June Kornman
New: >>Doreen Esau from Kenneth Clay,
www.gfa.org/videos Tim and Janet Van Natter, Wayne
and Joan Thompson
Now on Our Website >>Ed Abbot from Dr. and Mrs. Jerry
New videos from the mission fields of Asia! Keep reading, or Dickson
visit: www.gfa.org/videos >>Ernest from Jacqueline Smith
>>Ethan Young from Carol Storm,
When Kanga turned from her unhearing gods to the true and Scott and Rebecca Young, Paul
living God, He healed her from cancer, and she found peace and Sheryl Pilling, Richard and
and strength. Though she was shunned by her family and Rachel Ann Aalbers, Ibarra and
neighbors, she was compelled to share this Good News with Shiela Jaculbe, Anna M. Burns,
others—even “adopting” a nearby village! Click on “One Phyllis C. Deyo
Woman’s Journey – Part 1” to watch Kanga’s story. >>Everett Salsberry from
Fred and Luci Schaphorst
What else you can find here: >>Gary Hopwood from
> Timeless messages from K.P. Yohannan Mrs. Judith Reilley
> Interviews with Manja, a missionary who was wrongfully >>Glen Penner from Bill and
imprisoned for nearly a decade Shirley Portingale
> Sessions from GFA’s “Renewing Your Passion” conferences >>Jack Burke from Forest and
> Many more videos from the mission field Dorothy Carnine
>>Jacob Rempel from Gertrude
)
News and Features Rempel, Mary Anne Schuster,
In 2008, Sharada Tamo was so angry at the Christian Jewel Bacon, Amy Buckley,
church in his village that he joined a mob that tried to destroy Catherine Busche, Adeline Kelly
the church’s building. Sharada personally climbed on the roof of >>Jay Musselman from Jean
the building and broke its telltale cross. Gordon
Today, Sharada visits the church every week. But now he >>John Cummins from John and
is there to worship Jesus in the same building that he once tried Jennifer Tritch, Kirk and Lynne
to destroy. Perkins, Vera Bontrager, George
Sharada was part of the violent mobs that tore through and Dianne Noss
Orissa, India, in August 2008, burning down churches, >>Juanita Parks Mullins from
attacking Christians and setting their homes on fire. When the Sharon Barger
attackers were finished, 75 Christians were dead, and at least
{ }
75,000 were left homeless. . . . This list is a partial representation of many generous friends who have
Visit www.gfa.org/news/articles/orissa-persecutor- given to Gospel for Asia in memory or in honor of loved ones. If you wish
turned-worshiper to read the rest of the story! And subscribe to make a donation, please contact GFA in your country (see back cover).
at www.gfa.org/latestnews to receive more exciting news from
Asia in your inbox.
>>Judy Diehl from Forest and
Dorothy Carnine
>>Margaret Partlow from
Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Dickson
>>Mel Peel from Neil and
Eefje Sedore
>>Mr. and Mrs. James B. King
from Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Dickson
>>Mrs. Betty Heath from
Mrs. Mary Bell
>>N.A. Chacko from Cory and
Debbie Traver
>>Peray Bromley from Bill and
Onalee Oakes
>>Robert Eddy from Arthur and
Katherine Ellickson, Isabelle
Merlin, Earl and Hazel Barnes
>>Ruth Jantzi from Mrs. Eleanor
Smith
>>Sherman Wheat from Jack
and Arlena Wheat
In Honor of
>>Bethany, Matt, Christopher,
Heidi from Ed and Myra
Herrmann
>>Carolyn McEacherin from
Janet Stephens
>>Chris and Sarah from Rebecca
Hertwig
>>Ernst Stucke from Forest and
Dorothy Carnine
>>Gloria Dulany from Janet
Stephens
>>Greg Blackwell from Robert
and Monica Hart
>>Halla Aitken from Ashlee Aitken
>>Mary King from Gloria Dulany,
Janet Stephens
>>Rachel Cana from Matthew and
Denise Saltz, Paul and Kelly
McCants
first quarter 2011 | send! | 5
 A Light
Has Dawned
“ T he p e o p l e dw e l l ing in darkn ess hav e s een a g reat
l i g h t, a n d f o r t h ose dw elling in t he reg ion an d
sh a d ow o f d e at h , on t hem a lig ht has daw n ed.”
—Matthew 4:16, ESV

6 | send! | www.gfa.org
F I LM T E A M S BR EA K TH RO UGH TH E DA RKNE SS IN ASIA
India’s world-famous Bollywood
industry has captured the attention
of people across the globe. But it
is another on-screen phenomenon
that is sweeping the villages of
South Asia. It’s not a craze made
up of starlets and paparazzi,
but a movement of hard-working
men and women with one goal:
sharing hope with the hopeless.
When it comes to packing, there are some things you
can’t leave out: a clean shirt, a toothbrush, spare
cash . . . and a DVD player—for Gospel for Asia film
team members, at least. Their film equipment goes
everywhere with them and is as vital to remember as
clothing or money.
With a heart to share Jesus’ love throughout their
home countries, these committed men and women
carry out long, tiring schedules to show God’s love
on-screen to people who don’t know Him yet. Come
with Alok and Balaji, members of a GFA film team.
first quarter 2011 | send! | 7
 It Started with a Prayer
From the beginning of Gospel for Asia’s ministry, Founder and
President K.P. Yohannan saw the unique potential of film shows
to give large groups of people a way to personally experience
the story of Jesus’ sacrifice for them. It was his earnest prayer
that the Lord would provide 100 films and projector sets, and
God answered. Today there are hundreds of film teams
throughout South Asia showing this great story, and thousands
of lives are changing every year.

Eat, Sleep, Play a Movie
“First we sit down and pray for God’s guidance,”
Alok says. With so many villages close by, they need the
Lord’s direction for where to go first, and they need the
Holy Spirit to prepare hearts.
Carrying heavy equipment over
miles and miles of rough ground,
the team will normally stay with a
GFA-supported pastor for a week
or so at a time.
“Sometimes we have to go to places where we can’t
take our bicycles,” Balaji notes. “We have to carry all our
equipment on our shoulders.”
While they are staying in a village, they help the pastor
with his ministry work. During the day, they go from house
to house, distributing Gospel tracts and inviting villagers to
come to the film show that night. Before it gets dark, the
team must find a place to set up their film equipment. There
is usually no electricity, but that’s no problem—they always
bring a generator.
As darkness falls, people gather to see what this show
is all about. Then, Alok and Balaji wait to see what the
Lord will do through the movie’s message. Over the next
couple of hours, Alok and Balaji have the privilege of
watching a whole crowd of people discover the story of
Jesus’ life for the very first time.
But the men know that opposition could come at any
time, including interruptions, damage to the equipment or
even physical beatings.
“Often people who are drunk will come and try to
create problems for us and disrupt the film show,” Balaji
says. When this happens, the men do their best to calm the
agitators and continue on.
When the film ends, they pray with anyone interested
and faithfully gather contact information. At last, late into
the night, they take down the equipment and carry it back
to the pastor’s home.
The next day, the men make sure to visit each person
whom they met the night before.
“We’ll begin to go from house to house to all of the
people who watched the movie,” Alok explains. “If they
were not able to understand the film, we’ll spend our time
sharing with them to clarify the message.”
These are the times when they begin to reap the fruit.
People with questions get to talk one-on-one with the men
who brought this brand-new message to their village.
People who need prayer encounter, for perhaps the very
first time, the God who made them. Some are healed. Many
receive Christ.
“We are happy to see that many people have really been
impacted with the ministry that we are doing,” says Balaji.
Light for Eternity
But how much can one movie really impact lives? Meet
Pastor Samir, the GFA-supported missionary who is
delighted with the results from when Alok and Balaji came
to his village just last year.
People don’t easily come and go in Pastor Samir’s
village. He serves the Lord in a rural area with extremely
limited transportation. Just to buy tea to make a cup of

8 | send! | www.gfa.org
 Images: Elias, Balaji and Alok (center three in image above) and their co-workers have seen the impact one
"night at the movies" can make in a village. The seeds are planted through flyers (opposite page, right)
announcing the film show that night (opposite page, right) and follow-up in the days afterward (this page,
left). Pastors like Samir (inset below) see growth in their churches as a result.

beloved chai, he has to travel When a national missionary first comes to an

hours to the nearest town.
Before Pastor Samir came, no
one had heard of Jesus. Samir
knew that the villagers wouldn’t
encounter Him by traveling to
towns and cities where they might
meet Christians—believers would
have to come to them. So Pastor Samir moved to the village
for that very purpose, but he knows he is just one man.
With the ability of a film team to share the Gospel with
large crowds all at once, he saw that the message of the
Gospel could be brought before people so much faster.
Alok and Balaji made the rough trip and came to work
with Pastor Samir. During the time immediately following
their film showings, six families chose Christ.
“The people we are ministering to do not know
anything about Jesus Christ,” Alok comments. “Most of
them said that it was the first time they heard that such a
person existed.”
And God blessed the film team’s visit. Even though it
was rainy season and a few drops were beginning to fall at
the beginning of one film showing, the team prayed. God
held off the rain until just after the show was over, making
a way for the people to hear of Him.
unreached village, he faces a multitude of potential
challenges. As an outsider, it may be hard to win the
people’s trust. Sometimes there are pre-existing
misconceptions that Christianity is a foreign religion for
low-caste or poor people. Aside from these obstacles, the
dense population in many villages means it could take the
missionary months of visiting homes to meet each family.
Gospel tracts can play a great role in reaching a village,
especially when someone reads a tract and passes it on. But
in many remote areas of Asia, the illiteracy rate is high.
Many never learned to read because they had to work to
sustain their families rather than go to school.
A film team breaks through barriers like these. The
movie delivers a clear message for those who can’t read.
Those prejudiced against Christianity are still drawn to see
a film because movies are so rare in rural areas. Then,
watching what Jesus did for them, hearts soften. Often,
someone who formerly led opposition to Christian ministry
embraces Jesus.

Helping in the Harvest

For missionaries like Samir working hard to follow the
Lord’s call, having a film team’s help provides a valuable
opportunity to share the Gospel.

first quarter 2011 | send! | 9


“It has really been a blessing for me and for our
ministry here, because now it has become easier to share
the Gospel,” says Pastor Samir. “What I’ve been trying to
explain to people has been more clearly explained through
the film. It’s a great blessing for us.”
The number of people who gather for
a film means that suddenly, in one night, a
GFA large portion of the community has heard
Film Teams . . . the message. Some may choose Jesus
> are most often made up immediately; many request prayer.
of two or sometimes three Although the team members are there
missionaries. with the pastor for a relatively short time
> serve in every country where and then move on, they leave behind great
GFA supports missionaries. potential. The pastor can reap more fruit
> play DVDs on LCD projector and help new believers grow into disciples
units to show the film. of Jesus Christ, who will in turn share the
message with even more people!
Light in Darkest Hours
For people who have worshiped demanding yet
unresponsive gods their entire life, the message in this
movie is transforming: There is a God who loves. And He
loves you.
This point is most clear when Christ’s crucifixion is
portrayed.
“Such a kind of scene they never see,” says Elias, Alok
and Balaji’s supervisor. “One day, God may remind their
hearts, ‘One Man died because of my sin.’ It is very difficult
to forget that scene.”
People come to the film shows with their burdens, guilt
and pain. When they leave, they have been introduced to
Jesus, the Way to freedom and to living the life that God
meant for them.
“They are going to find peace; they are going to find
hope in Jesus Christ,” Pastor Samir notes. “That is the
result I see from the film team’s efforts.”
For many people in rural villages, their most
immediate difficulties are often debilitating health
10 | send! | www.gfa.org
Images: While showing a film is usually a mass event, the ministry
that surrounds each screening is very personal, including praying
for the sick (left) and visiting villagers in their homes (right).
problems. Because of the lack of professional medical care
in rural villages, there is usually little hope for recovery.
“In their religions, their gods never do healings like
how Jesus healed the blind man or raised the dead,” Elias
comments. “These kind of miracles they never see! But
seeing this movie, they understand for the first time that
God can heal them.”
For the villagers, the simple act of asking for prayer is
a big step of faith. They are acknowledging that the God
they saw in the film can help their situation today—
problems for which they never had any hope before.
A man named Mohan found that message to be
amazing. Paralyzed after a motorcycle crash on the
treacherous village roads, Mohan was left in an extremely
isolated area with little regard or accommodation for
handicapped people.
As weeks and then months went by, he had nowhere to
go for help. But when Alok and Balaji visited his village,
Mohan heard of the God who could heal. Mohan sent for
Pastor Samir, then shared his story with tears and pain. For
the first time, he had hope. He is now praying with Pastor
Samir that the Lord will heal him.
Mohan’s story is replicated in thousands of lives across
Asia. And Pastor Samir is among the many pastors and
leaders whose ministries have been greatly helped through a
film team. The encouragement in their hearts is echoed by
Elias.
“I can work till my death, because by seeing this
result, I am so happy!” he says. “It is not us who are
showing the film, but God who is changing their hearts.
That’s what we are seeing with our own eyes. God is
working in the film ministry, even through us.”
More on the Web: Visit www.gfa.org/film to learn
more about how you can be involved in helping a film
team like Alok and Balaji’s.
Rays
in Dark
Places
A lady who was paralyzed can walk. The
village witch doctor now worships Jesus.
A teenager follows in the footsteps of his older
brother—to church. An old man knows that
soon, rather than being reincarnated for
another life of trials, he will be with Jesus.
These are all transformed lives . . . lives
that were once living in darkness. But today,
because of Gospel for Asia’s film team ministry,
they have seen the light.
Outside of Pastor Samir’s village,
hundreds of GFA-supported film teams are
making their way into dark, hurting areas,
including these:
A Brand-New Church
In one village, after a film team visited,
22 people gave their lives to the Lord and
chose to follow Him. Soon they were
worshiping together in a brand-new church
where before, there was none.
400 People See God’s Power
The story on the screen came to life in
front of 400 people in one South Asian village.
During a film show one night, a man named
Danyal started screaming, then suddenly fell
unconscious. The GFA-supported missionaries
present recognized the demonic attack and
prayed for him—and in front of the entire
crowd, Danyal was delivered from an evil spirit.
The majority of the crowd believed that Jesus
is the one true God and put their trust in Him.
The fruit multiplied even more when 10
additional families, relatives of Danyal’s, heard
of his deliverance and also chose to follow Christ.
Village Transformed
Within Months
Taking their treasured film equipment
with them, the members of one team visited
an unreached village.
Within three months, 50 people had
chosen to give their lives to Christ. The new
believers didn’t keep quiet—the Gospel, truly
the Good News in this area, quickly spread to
surrounding villages.
A Women’s Fellowship group has sprung
up, nurturing women in their faith and
giving them tools to be powerful witnesses
themselves. Two new Sunday schools are giving
children the chance to grow up knowing that
Jesus loves them. And a pastor and a Bible
college student have moved to the area to
disciple the young, fast-growing congregation.
Lies Dispelled
When one GFA film team first started
distributing tracts and letting people know
about their upcoming film show, few people
responded positively. The team learned that
the villagers were heavily devoted to worshiping
idols. In addition, nearly all the villagers were
from a high caste and believed that it would be
degrading to change their faith.
But when the first scene of the film
beamed onto the screen that night, things
began to change. The movie started with a
crowd of less than 20 people, but a half hour
later, nearly 150 people had gathered. The
story of Jesus playing on the screen before
them touched hearts, and by the end of the
show, five people chose right there to believe.
Others were interested, and a GFA-supported
pastor has begun holding a prayer meeting
in this place where before, Christians were
not welcome.
Help for an Addict
Two brothers came up to a GFA-
supported missionary at the end of a film
show. They were amazed at the story they had
just seen, and they wanted to receive Christ.
This decision drastically altered the path they
were following.
Older brother Javed was addicted to both
alcohol and tobacco. Instead of continuing
with that life, he made a commitment to serve
the Lord in outreach alongside the other
Christian youth of the missionary’s church. And
rather than negatively influencing Ranjan, his
younger brother, Javed now brings him along
to church. They both want to help others their
age come to know Jesus.
first quarter 2011 | send! | 11
 Reun
By Ra How
Broadcas
Save a M

As Janesh Kabir and his wife,

Juhi, worked side by side in
the kitchen, their happiness
overflowed. Being together
brought them both joy now,
but their marriage hadn’t
always been the picture of
love and unity. Things had
changed—thankfully—
because if they hadn’t, Juhi
might not have been around
to live her newly joyful life.

12 | send! | www.gfa.org
nited
adio
One
st Helped
Marriage

I
t was only a few years ago that their
marriage was shredded into a
thousand painful pieces. As Juhi’s
heavy heart pounded with grief, she even
contemplated taking her own life.
Her marriage to Janesh had always
been a rocky one. And now it was
spiraling completely out of control. His
losing battle with alcoholism and bursts of
violent rage terrified Juhi. When he came
stumbling through the door each night, she
never knew whether he’d just go to bed or
beat her mercilessly. Finally, out of fear for
her safety, Juhi fled to her parents’ home.
As the next four years passed, Janesh
fell further under the dark control of his
drinking binges, and he spewed anger when
bothered by even the slightest irritations.
It seemed that nothing could save Janesh—
let alone his tumultuous marriage. That is,
until the day he turned on his radio.

first quarter 2011 | send! | 13

 Healing Words
Still agonizing over their torn relationship and
destructive past, Juhi didn’t know if she would ever
feel whole again. Although she was out of harm’s way
at her parents’ home, she still bore deep emotional
wounds from the alcoholism, abuse and separation
from Janesh. She longed for her husband to change,
but she knew it would take a miracle. Hoping for
some answers, Juhi clicked on her radio—and she
couldn’t believe what she heard.
Flowing out of the speakers like a healing balm
were gentle words of hope and direction. Hardly
believing her ears, Juhi listened intently. For the first
time, she felt a measure of peace—and hope.
About GFA Radio
> Gospel for Asia has produced and aired
radio programs in South Asia since 1986.
> GFA Radio receives more than 1 million
responses from listeners each year, many
of whom have chosen to follow Christ
after hearing a broadcast.
> Programs in more than 100 languages
are broadcast every week.
14 | send! | www.gfa.org
“Perhaps there is an answer to my problem,”
she thought. The message, which was a GFA Radio
broadcast, addressed the devastating effects of marital
separation and severed relationships.
After sharing the Good News that Jesus can save
and heal any person in any situation, the speaker closed
the message with a tender prayer that each broken
family would receive Christ’s restoration and healing.
Clinging to this promise, Juhi placed her trust in Jesus.
Exactly the Same Broadcast
As the weeks passed, Juhi grew in her new
relationship with the Lord, and her peace deepened.
And then she received amazing news: Janesh’s life had
completely changed. He had turned away from his
old ways and was a different man. When he showed
up to ask for her forgiveness, she knew it was true.
Janesh recounted the past weeks and the
transformation that had come about in his life—and
how it all started with a radio broadcast. He
explained that while listening to a GFA Radio
message, he had heard a life-changing challenge. He
then wrote the radio program, and they responded
with a letter telling him that they were praying for
him. This impacted him so much that he surrendered
his life to Christ and was completely freed from the
control of alcohol and anger.
 As Janesh continued to share the details of his
incredible experience, Juhi was shocked. Could it be
the very radio broadcast that changed her life too? It
was! Both husband and wife had been listening to the
same message at exactly the same time, and both
turned their lives and struggles over to the one true
God who could heal their pain—and their relationship.
Their joyful reunion brought a renewed future
for the reconciled couple. Today, Janesh and Juhi
live happily together in a supportive and loving
environment.
“We go to church regularly and attend all of the
functions for married couples,” Janesh says.
“And my husband leads the family in daily
prayer times too,” Juhi adds.
And yes, they still listen to the GFA Radio
program that brought them back together.
“The radio programs encourage me to stay away
from bad influences,” Janesh observes. “They also
remind me to always love everyone, including my
family members, friends and neighbors.”
receive teaching from God’s Word and biblical
counseling for their struggles and problems.
Since 1986, thousands of men, women and Images: Janesh and
children have been deeply impacted in their greatest Juhi continue to listen
time of need by GFA Radio broadcasts. Carrying the to the daily radio
love of Jesus across the vast airwaves of South Asia, broadcast that
these special messages of hope and counsel travel saved their marriage
ahead of many GFA-supported missionaries, paving (opposite page) and
the way with the Good News. brought joy to their
For Janesh and Juhi, the simple act of turning on whole family (center).
the radio may have been a life-or-death decision. And They still attend the
GFA Radio continues to be there—ready and waiting— Bible study (right)
to share the Gospel and save a life the next time a started by Pastor
desperate person turns a dial in a time of decision. Tilak (left).
More on the Web: Visit www.gfa.org/radio to
learn more about GFA Radio’s 100-plus broadcasts,
listen to sample broadcasts and view a schedule of
when programs are aired.

Carrying Jesus’ Love

The couple also attends a Bible study led by
Gospel for Asia-supported missionary Ranjan Tilak.
In fact, many people who have been impacted by the
GFA Radio programs attend the study.
“There are so many needy families here who
struggle with alcoholism and divorce,” Pastor Tilak
explains. “We thought it was important to have a
fellowship in this area, so we sent out a letter to all
the GFA Radio listeners.”
The response was overwhelming. Nearly 300
people like Janesh and Juhi showed up for a special
GFA Radio listeners’ retreat, and there has been
steady attendance at the weekly Bible study ever
since. Through this personal connection, listeners

first quarter 2011 | send! | 15

 f in focus {How your partnership is changing lives}

CHRISTMAS GIFT DISTRIBUTION

CELEBRATE
CHRIST,
TRANSFORM
LIVES

F
or some, Christmastime
means family feasts, joyful
music and an overflow of gifts—
but for many in South Asia who
live in both physical and spiritual
poverty, it is just another season
on the edge of existence. Yet, last
year, the faithful prayers and gifts
from friends like you impacted
thousands of lives in Asia with
the love of Christ and hope for
Photographs on these pages are GFA Stock Photos.

the future.

16 | send! | www.gfa.org
 One Gift
Can Share Christ;
One Gift
Can Save a Life!
GFA provides essential gifts
to families in poverty all across
Asia. These gifts include:
sewing machines // rabbits //
blankets // cows // water filters //
goats // vocational training

Sewing and Sharing
As Pritha ran her hands over the shiny new sewing machine, she
knew her family would not have to go hungry any more.
Although her husband toiled as a day laborer, working hard
to make ends meet, he still could not supply enough income for
their children’s education. But with the money Pritha made from
her tailoring business, she was able to significantly contribute to
her family’s needs—and now their children can go to school.
Pritha even earned enough to buy another sewing machine and
start a small tailoring center to teach other needy women the
trade. And when she’s showing students how to sew, she also
shares the Good News of Jesus with each one.
As the only believer in his family, Nabin is thankful to the
Lord for this wonderful gift. And today, his pig is a testimony of
God’s provision to his family members, who are so excited about
the pig that they have named her Moonlight.
An Eternal Impact
Through your generosity, kindness and prayers, many souls—like
Pritha, Nabin and their family and friends—have been deeply
and forever impacted by tangible expressions of Christ’s love.
Thank you for reaching out with compassion at Christmas—and
throughout the year!

God’s Provision through a Piglet Visit www.gfa.org/gift to learn more about how these special
Nabin works long hours on a tea estate, but he has always gifts are transforming the lives of some of the most downtrodden
struggled to make enough money to provide for his family’s people on earth—and how you can help all year round!
needs. To add to his difficulties, his wife left him—so he and his
daughter live with his parents.
But recently, Nabin received a piglet through the generosity
of a Gospel for Asia friend. Pigs can live about 15 years, and
sows like Nabin’s will have a litter with up to nine piglets every
year, which can then be raised for food and income.
“I have wanted to buy a pig for 15 years but could never
afford one,” Nabin explains.

first quarter 2011 | send! | 17

 f in focus {How your partnership is changing lives}
BIBLE COLLEGES
Staying in Shape to
Share God’s Love
Graduates from Gospel for Asia-supported Bible
colleges who go on to the mission field know that
serving the Lord requires physical stamina. Many will
work in areas where driving is not practical. These men
and women will have to walk—or cycle—considerable
distances each week in order to reach precious souls.
A
dd to the mix hot weather during the summer months,
frigid winter temperatures in the higher altitudes and
seasonal monsoon rains, and you’ll see why it’s important
for these laborers to stay in optimal physical shape, wherever their
place of ministry.
A sports program at one Bible college in South Asia gave
students the opportunity to do just that. Divided up into four teams,
the entire student body and staff took part in the multi-day event.
GFA Stock Photo
18 | send! | www.gfa.org
The games were held just after the students had gone
through the rigors of their first-semester exams, so everyone was
free to relax and participate enthusiastically and energetically.
The games were inaugurated with an opening prayer,
followed by some instruction in good sportsmanship. Then the
fun began with a volleyball match.
The teams also competed in cricket, foot races, musical
chairs and kabaddi (a team sport, popular in many Asian
nations, that combines aspects of rugby and wrestling). They also
participated in mental challenges with carrom (a tabletop game)
and chess. Staff families came out to cheer for their teams.
This special event fostered unity and community among the
students and staff, who wholeheartedly cheered on their
teammates as well as competitors.
“Everyone enjoyed the events so thoroughly that they
eagerly asked for more activities like this in the future to keep
their bodies fit,” one GFA staff member comments.
“These things develop us spiritually, mentally and physically
to face life challenges that lie ahead.”
More on the Web: Visit www.gfa.org/biblecolleges to learn
more—and find out how you can help provide a scholarship to a
Bible college student!
Did you know?
Ninety-eight percent of GFA-supported Bible college
graduates minister in places where the Gospel has never
been preached before.
WHAT
WOULD
JESUS
REALLY
DO?
The Jesus Style by Gayle Erwin answers that question.
Get ready for a wake-up call to your heart, gain a new
understanding of who Jesus is, and discover practical ways to
live out your relationship with Him! Suggested donation: $10

About Gayle Erwin: Gayle Erwin

travels around the globe playing, as he puts it, “Decades after first reading
“the one string on my guitar.” That “one string” this book, it still continues
is the Nature of Jesus, a message developed to impact me in my journey
over a lifetime of study and experience— a
with Christ. When you
simple message of servant lifestyle for this complex age.
He is a father and grandfather, a writer and editor, a talker
read The Jesus Style, you’ll
and listener. He has created five magazines and served 6 years discover something so
as a college teacher and 20 years as a pastor. Now, as the significant—you’ll never be
director of a ministry called Servant Quarters, he spends his
time speaking at conferences and retreats and writing.
the same!” – K.P. Yohannan

There are three easy ways to order: 2. C

1. U
 se the order form in the center of this magazine. Choose your
quantity, indicate your method of payment and drop the order
form in the mail. We'll do the rest.
 all us at 1-800-WIN-ASIA (1-800-946-2742) and a GFA
representative will take your order over the phone.
(Phone orders will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.)
3. Order online: www.gfa.org/jesus-style
 r short reports {Brief glimpses of what God is doing all across Asia}

{ Read more news online:

www.gfa.org/latestnews

“…two missionaries had the opportunity to share the love of Christ

in a village. After the meeting, 16 people made a decision to follow Christ.”

His Gods Didn’t Answer Her Son Came Back

v v
Chandan Powar and his family were deeply religious. But the
gods his family worshiped did not answer their desperate pleas
for help in a time of great financial need—and Chandan
wondered why.
Then one day, Chandan heard about a local church led by
Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Vikrant Tambe. He decided
to visit Vikrant and ask him for prayer.
Vikrant used the opportunity to tell this troubled young
man about the love of Christ. By the end of their conversation,
Chandan realized that Christ was the true and living God, and
he chose to trust in Him as Savior. Today Chandan is still
growing in his faith under Pastor Vikrant’s discipleship.
A group had gathered in a South Asian village to watch a movie
on the life of Jesus. Afterward, Preeti Sarin walked up to the
Gospel for Asia film team members and shared her sad story.
Preeti’s husband had abandoned her 11 years earlier. Ever
since, she had worked hard as a day laborer to feed her children.
Then one day her oldest son ran away from home, leaving
her heartbroken.
The two missionaries listened to Preeti’s story and prayed
for her. They also invited her to the local church led by GFA-
supported pastor Vijay Malik.
As Preeti attended the prayer meetings, she experienced
peace and comfort. Vijay and his congregation prayed
continually that Preeti’s son would come home—and
miraculously, he did! Today, Preeti and all her children are
following Christ.

20 | send! | www.gfa.org
 He Couldn’t
Find a Cure
v v
Kundan Pillai had suffered from
tuberculosis for four years. Although
he went to many doctors for treatment,
the 40-year-old man found no relief.
Sunil Rangan, a Gospel for Asia-
supported pastor, was serving the Lord in
this area. One day, Sunil’s wife and other
women from their church’s Women’s
Fellowship were visiting homes when they
met Kundan and his family.
When these women heard about his
painful disease and his helplessness to
find a cure, they knew what to do. They
shared the Gospel with Kundan and his
family, assuring them that the Almighty
God loved them and would work on
their behalf.
The family was encouraged and
comforted by these words and asked the
women to pray. The team members gladly
agreed and prayed earnestly for Kundan,
then continued on their way.
By evening, Kundan was completely
healed. As a result of this miracle,
Kundan and his family gratefully placed
their trust in Christ.
Not Milk,
but Prayer
One chilly winter day, Gospel for
Asia-supported Pastor Dhanjoy and his
ministry team were invited by a family
to show a film on the life of Jesus in
their home.
While they were watching the movie,
a neighbor woman arrived with her
crying child, asking for some milk. Her
son had been suffering from ear pain for
three days, and someone had told her that
his pain would be relieved if she put a
little milk in his ear.
The family did not have milk either,
but Dhanjoy realized God was providing
an opportunity to show His power.
“We do not have milk,” he told the
desperate mother, “but we will pray for
your son.”
When the team prayed, the Lord
healed the boy immediately, and he
calmed down.
The child’s mother was amazed, and
she stayed to watch the entire film along
with the family. The realization of God’s
love so moved her heart that she put her
trust in Christ and opened her home for
Pastor Dhanjoy and his team to hold
worship services.
Prayers Dissolve
a Kidney Stone
v
Geeta Yadav, 40, had suffered
from severe abdominal pain for a
month. A medical exam revealed
a large kidney stone. The doctor
recommended immediate surgery,
but Geeta’s family could not
afford it.
Then Ranjit Khan, a Gospel for
Asia-supported missionary, visited
Geeta’s village. Hearing of her
desperate condition, Ranjit visited
her house and found her lying on her
bed, her pain so severe that she was
in tears. Her husband sat beside her,
trying to comfort her.
Ranjit spoke to them of the
love and power of Jesus to free them
from their sins—and to heal.
Hearing his words, both
husband and wife decided to give
their lives to Christ, and prayed with
tears for Geeta’s healing as well.
Within a few days, Geeta was healed
completely. She and her husband now
attend Ranjit’s local prayer meetings
in their village.

A Hard Heart Finding God’s Love

v
The Good News of Jesus came to one village in South Asia through a on Valentine’s Day
Bridge of Hope center, but not everyone has been enthusiastic about v
Christianity. One man in particular had an intense dislike for Christians. On February 14, two missionaries had the
In fact, he would make fun of the Bible and deliberately misrepresent opportunity to share the love of Christ in a village.
God’s Word. The men invited people to a special program to
Photographs on these pages are GFA Stock Photos.

One day, he tore out several pages from a Bible and used them to
make a cigarette, which he smoked, continuing to ridicule the Scriptures
as he did so.
But after a while, the man’s mouth became crooked and disfigured
on one side. This caused quite a stir in the community. Even nonbelievers—
who respected the Bible as a sacred book—saw his disfigured countenance
as a punishment. Yet he still has denied it and remains hard-hearted.
Gospel for Asia workers in this area request prayer that this man
would realize his need of a Savior.
hear from God’s Word.
Twenty-five people showed up, and after a
tasty meal, a local pastor carefully explained the
distinctives of Christianity using the Scriptures.
The audience listened attentively, and some asked
questions. After the meeting, 16 people made a
decision to follow Christ.
“Pray that these people will stand firm and grow
in the Lord,” requests a GFA field correspondent.

first quarter 2011 | send! | 21

 p profile
From a Child’s Heart
to the World
Last December, 7-year-old Mackenzie received
Gospel for Asia’s Christmas Gift Catalog during a
Sunday school class and was enraptured.
NAME:
Mackenzie
GFA FRIEND
L O C AT I O N :
California
USA
“S
“That little he came home from church and poured over
that thing for days,” her mother, Katie,
catalog filled remembers. “That was her nighttime
reading material!”
with Christmas Mackenzie would lie in bed, her eyes fixed on
pages filled with photos of cows, goats, bicycles and
wishes touched many other items provided to poor families in
southern Asia.
the heart of a Each picture produced questions.
“But why would they need a goat?” Mackenzie
7-year-old girl.” would ask.
So Katie would read the photo’s description and
explain to her youngest daughter the impact a pair of
goats would have.
“Oh, wow! And what about this?”
With each photo, Mackenzie’s fascination grew,
and she decided she would do something to help.
She picked out all the things she wanted to give,
but her allowance wasn’t enough to cover everything.
So her mother encouraged her to come up with a
plan to raise the funds, which she did: Katie would
email all their friends and family about helping buy
gifts to send to those in need, and Mackenzie would
talk with her teacher and classmates.
22 | send! | www.gfa.org
Give Christmas gifts
all year round!
How about a rickshaw?
Or a camel? Check out GFA’s
Christmas Gift Catalog online:
www.gfa.org/gift
Katie wasn’t sure about the outcome; so many
people were already facing economic hardship, and
this was the Christmas season. But they gave, and
Mackenzie was able to raise more than $400—
everything she needed for all her gifts, which included
a goat, chickens, blankets, a water filter and a lot of
Bibles and Gospel literature.
When Mackenzie received a “Thank You” video
from GFA, she was elated to see how her contribution
was making a difference.
“There’s my goat!” she exclaimed as she watched
one man and his family standing, smiling, next to
their gift of livestock. “There’s my water!”
Katie says the catalog was a huge eye-opener for
Mackenzie to learn how she could share God’s love
with the world.
“To have this simple tool—it’s something
children can understand and say, ‘Here’s something
I can do,’ ” she comments.
“That little catalog filled with Christmas wishes
touched the heart of a 7-year-old girl, and she made
a choice to do something about it.”

Stay Focused!
W hile Jesus was on earth, He could have done all sorts of
fantastic things.
He could have built buildings that would have made the
engineers and architects of the Roman Empire look stupid.
He could have opened a university and taught science to the
smartest scholars from every nation.
He could have conducted the largest Gospel crusade the world
had ever seen.
He could have healed all the sick people on earth and cleared out
every hospital.
He could have sent out 12,000 apostles instead of 12 to build
His Church.
Why did Jesus refrain from doing these and a million other
wonderful things that were within His power? The simple answer is this:
Jesus knew His mission—the one task for which He came.
He stated it very clearly: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and
to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
Although He was well aware that He would die for the sins of the
whole world, He also knew that He needed to accomplish His mission
within the tiny nation of Israel. Jesus lived daily to fulfill His mission
and never allowed Himself to be distracted by anything or anyone.
When His journey came to an end, He simply said to His Father, “I have
finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). And on the
cross, He looked at humanity past, present and future and proclaimed,
“It is finished” (John 19:30).
Jesus was surrounded by distractions just like we are. Right
before He began His ministry, the devil attempted to cause Jesus to
use His embodied spiritual powers in a selfish way and without the
authorization of His Father. Jesus could have indeed turned stones
into bread, jumped off the tower and survived, or walked away from
the cross, but He refused.
Even when the devil used Peter and later the Greeks to try to
prevent Him from completing His mission, Jesus still didn’t give in to
distractions. Instead, He explained why He was keeping His focus:
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone;
but if it dies, it produces much grain [fruit]” (John 12:24).
And then in the last few hours of His life, when Judas betrayed
Him, Peter denied Him and all of His disciples ran away, Jesus could
have easily given up and said, “It’s all been a mistake. They betrayed
everything I showed and lived before them. It’s not worth it”—and
walked away from the cross. Thank God He didn’t.
five minutes with K.P.
5
Paul and Nehemiah also didn’t give in to distractions. One of
the secrets behind the Apostle Paul’s achievements in life was his
absolute focus. His statement, “None of these things move me” (Acts
20:24) meant that none of the difficulties, persecutions and problems
he faced could persuade him to walk away.
Nehemiah had the same determination when he was building
the wall of Jerusalem. Although his enemies used every tactic in the
book to frighten him into quitting, he kept right on building and
answered, “Should such a man as I flee?” (Nehemiah 6:11).
Others gave in—and forfeited the most incredible
possibilities they could have achieved in their lives. Baalam the
prophet was handpicked by God. Gehazi was in line to inherit Elisha’s
mantle and a double portion of his master’s ministry. Demas could
have possibly been the one to receive the torch from Paul. Yet all three
got distracted by the love of this world and money and hence were
sidetracked from their mission.
We are asked to follow Jesus’ example in handling
distractions. Each of us has a mission to fulfill in winning the lost
world and building God’s kingdom. The writer of Hebrews gives us
precise instructions about what we must do to keep our focus: “Let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the
author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross . . .” (Hebrews 12:1–2).
Christ, our example, is the One who has gone before us in the
race. We are not asked to look at the spectators in the arena or at the
other runners, but to keep our eyes on Jesus and imitate Him. Jesus
Himself said, “Follow Me,” because He knew that staying focused
would be one of the most difficult things for us to do.
I remember well when, during the early days of our ministry,
someone offered me all the financial assistance in the world if I would
give up my calling and commit myself to advance his cause overseas.
The thing that helped me walk away from this distraction was
when my wife asked me, “When the journey comes to an end and you
look back, what will you answer? If for the sake of money you
compromise your calling and your walk with the Lord, how will you
explain this to the people who are following you?”
My dear brothers and sisters, let us faithfully encourage each
other daily to stay focused and to say no to distractions.
K.P. Yohannan is founder and president of Gospel for Asia.
Visit www.gfa.org/5minutes to read more “Five Minutes
with K.P.” articles.

Sponsor a child today!
Sponsor online: www.gfa.org/child
Or contact us: Gospel for Asia
1800 Golden Trail Court, Carrollton, TX 75010
1-800-WIN-ASIA (1-800-946-2742)
SHE’S
SAFE
NOW.
She lost both parents before she was five years old. In a
place where many children end up in bonded labor or
human trafficking, she was extremely vulnerable. But
Jesus gave this little girl security. Now she has a future
of love and care because of her Bridge of Hope center.
For only $28 each month,
you can make this same difference in the
life of a forgotten, cast-aside child of Asia.
Show Jesus’ love with a sponsorship that
provides food, medical care, clothing
and an education. It will change a child’s
future more than you know.
100 percent of your support will go to the mission field for
your Bridge of Hope sponsorship; nothing is taken out for
administrative expenses. For each child you support, you will
receive a sponsorship packet that includes your child’s photo,
correspondence information and biography.