SEND! magazine First Quarter 2008: Families Are Finding Hope

Families Are Finding Hope

Life started changing for two families in Chhattisgarh, India, after a Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope center was established in their village. The center provided a way to meet their children's physical needs, while also creating an opportunity for them to know the eternal God.

Kala Ruchi, a kindergartener, came to the center from a traditional religious family. She loved participating in all of the Bridge of Hope activities and sharing with her parents about what she learned. Eventually, she started attending a Sunday school class at the center with her older sister and learned all of the Bible songs by heart.

Kala's mother continually suffered from attacks by evil spirits. Missionary Sudeep Uttam, pastor of a GFA-related church, felt the Lord's leading to take the Bridge of Hope staff with him to visit and fervently pray for her. Soon she was delivered from her bondage, and the family began attending church on a regular basis. Excited to share their newfound hope, Kala's family brought two other families with them to church. Now Kala's mother and father invite friends and family to their house for prayer meetings.

Pavan Ishan is also in kindergarten. The Bridge of Hope center pays for his tuition so he can attend a local school. After school, he goes to the center to get help with his homework. In addition, he learns about personal hygiene, manners and the Bible. Impressed with the improvement in Pavan's behavior, his parents have begun attending Pastor Sudeep's church, and now they are learning about Jesus' love for their family.

Such expressions of love are the backbone of GFA's Bridge of Hope centers. As the students share what they are learning with their families, a unique opportunity arises for the parents to hear about Jesus. Through Bridge of Hope, these children and their families are finding hope for a bright future—and for eternity.

• Children enrolled in Gospel for Asia’s Bridge of Hope program: 42,000
• Children still waiting for a sponsor: 11,000
• Monthly sponsorship for a Bridge of Hope child: $28
• Make an eternal difference in their lives!