April 17, 2020
More than 2,300 People Helped in Five Days
Between April 2 and April 6, GFA-supported workers across India and Sri Lanka provided groceries, meals and essential supplies to around 2,334 people and families.
The recipients included leprosy patients, men and women living in slums, widows, rickshaw drivers, factory workers, migrant laborers, construction workers and many other laborers who are dependent upon daily work for their and their family’s survival.
In Sri Lanka, GFA-supported workers received special permission from local authorities to distribute dry-ration packets to 200 families during a nationwide curfew. They worked alongside local government representatives and religious leaders of other faiths to identify families with three to five children that were in most need.
“I am privileged to have the support of … Christian leaders to come to our temple for the first time to help our village’s poorest families,” said the chief priest of the local Buddhist temple. “This is a true representation of Jesus Christ. The love has been shown practically to our villagers, and they received a good dry ration package with all essential things.”
Meanwhile, in India, GFA-supported workers, including office staff, Bridge of Hope staff, pastors and women missionaries, delivered meal packets, grocery items, soaps and toothpaste to men and women who have been unable to buy food for their families because they no longer have a means to earn an income.
In Maharashtra, a pastor’s friend donated enough money to buy rations for 35 families that will last 15 days.
One recipient, who has been diagnosed with HIV and lost his job because of it, lives in a small hut with his mother. His father passed away a few years ago, and he has been unable to adequately take care of his mother.
“I thank you for helping me when there was no hope,” he said after receiving grocery items.
Another recipient, Raghbir, works as a taxi driver. After receiving much-needed grocery items, he said with tears in his eyes, “I do not have any work for the last few days and did not have any money left to buy food for my family. My wife is sick and bedridden and at such a time, your help has become a great blessing to us. God bless you abundantly.”
Workers in Maharashtra hope to help 300 children living a slum colony in the coming days.
In one area of Andhra Pradesh, 10 GFA-supported pastors combined their own resources to purchase grocery items for 40 families. In another area of Andhra Pradesh, 690 families received vegetables while another 200 people received cooked meals.
In Chhattisgarh, 64 families received grocery items in their time of need. Forty of those were migrant laborers who are unable to return home and are currently staying in the local community hall or middle school.
In Assam, 30 poor families received grocery items, and in West Bengal, 40 leprosy patients who depend on begging for their survival received rice, lentils, potatoes, onions and salt.
Please keep praying for GFA-supported workers as they do all they can to help those in need. During this crisis, ministry is continuing.
Please pray for:
- Pray the Lord provides the necessary resources to help thousands more people in the coming days.
- Pray for God’s protection over national workers and those they serve.
- Pray many people in Asia will discover and embrace God’s love and redemption as they see His servants ministering with care.
