SEND! magazine Fourth Quarter 2005: Finding God’s Love through the Airwaves

Finding God’s Love through the Air

Prior to her father’s addiction to alcohol, Latha’s family was respected in the community. But then her father’s job required them to move to another state. This new city was strongly influenced by liquor, and eventually alcohol’s grasp on Latha’s father was stronger than he could shake.

Latha and her mother became accustomed to public humiliation during those days. On more than one occasion, Latha’s father interrupted her mother at work, ordering her to buy more liquor. When she refused, his anger and physical beatings were excruciating and shameful. Many in the community blamed Latha’s mother for the situation, which only intensified her stress.More than once Latha’s father came to her school drunk,embarrassing her in front of fellow students and teachers.

Latha, her husband and her mother continue to cling to the hope found only in Jesus—a hope they originally heard about through GFA Radio.

"I only want to die," Latha often thought, for death seemed to be the only way she could escape her miserable existence.

Then Latha’s mother heard a Gospel for Asia radio broadcast. Suddenly, the darkness of their lives was pierced by a ray of hope. As a result of what they heard, Latha and her mother began attending church.

Initially, they had many doubts about God, but as they listened, their eyes were opened to the truth. They both received Jesus as Savior of their lives, and slowly received healing for their broken hearts. Though their outward circumstances did not improve—they actually grew worse when Latha’s father deserted them—their inner lives were transformed.

The effects of alcoholism on Latha’s once-moral father and their family are still painfully evident 14 years later, but Latha and her mother have chosen to cast their cares upon Jesus. Now, because of a GFA Radio broadcast, they personally know a loving God who will never leave them nor forsake them.

Pastor Rajan is the GFA leader who produces the Telegu-language program that Latha and her mother hear. During one of his broadcasts, he explained how the Lord can use life’s struggles to draw His children closer to Himself. Latha now clings to that hope.

Throughout the years, Latha and her mother have seen the Lord provide for all of their needs. Latha has received a good education and job; a wonderful, godly husband; and now a new baby boy as well. The family continues to listen to theradio broadcast, taking notes on each message and growing in the knowledge of the Lord. And still they pray for Latha’s father to return and that his life will be transformed by the love of Christ.

Thousands of people like Latha and her mother have found the Lord by listening to GFA Radio. Each year our GFA offices receive approximately 1 million responses from people hungering to learn more about Jesus. Each letter or email is prayerfully read, and a personal reply is sent.

But there are still thousands who have yet to hear. That’s why GFA Radio continues to carry Jesus’ love to the lost and hurting, many of whom may have no other way to hear about Him. Currently GFA broadcasts the Gospel in 92 Asian languages, with a goal of producing broadcasts in 200 languages.