SEND! magazine Second Half 2008: Short Reports

Himachal Pradesh

Finding Two Kinds of Healing

Just as Rajeev and Sunitha were losing all hope that medicine could cure their jaundice, they met the Great Physician. In their desperate situation, the couple visited a local church. The Gospel for Asia missionary there had compassion on the couple and shared the Gospel with much love. As they heard about this powerful God, Rajeev and Sunitha began to believe He could heal them where medicine had been powerless. They put their trust in Jesus for spiritual healing as well, choosing to respond to His offer of salvation. God answered their prayers and took away their jaundice. Today they are living out their days with joy as they grow in Christ, regularly attending church for Bible teaching and fellowship.

Bhutan

Film Ministry in Bhutan

Bhutan poses many challenges for Christian missionaries, but God is moving through His people there. Gospel for Asia missionaries Amil and Dileshwar showed a film on the life of Jesus in a number of villages recently, but they faced numerous obstacles. First, certain regions were so heavily guarded that they were unable to enter with their equipment. Then they tried to enter by crossing rivers, but heavy rainfall in the area had raised water levels, making it dangerous to transport their film, projector and generator. But Christians were praying, and Amil and Dileshwar were finally able to bring every piece of equipment safely to their destination. Their perseverance was worth it: Many people who saw the film responded positively to the Gospel, with at least two families choosing to receive Christ.

Nagaland

Healed of Malaria

When his father came down with malaria, Nirmal's friends invited him to join them for a puja (prayer ceremony to seek the blessing of deities). Feeling reluctant to take part, Nirmal chose instead to attend a Christian meeting where a GFA missionary was speaking. He couldn't help but feel there was more to life than what the deities of his village tradition seemed to offer.

God touched Nirmal's heart at the gathering, and he began to pray for his father's healing. He arrived back home to discover his father completely healed! Awed by this miracle of God, Nirmal and his father both gave their lives to Christ. They began to attend church to learn from the Scriptures—and later gave public testimony of their new faith.

Karnataka

A Family Finds Salvation

Dhanpat had an alcohol addiction. Not a day went by that he didn't consume liquor. If that weren't enough, Dhanpat's wife, Basanti, was bedridden with illness. The trauma of their home situation drove their oldest daughter, Alishiba, to mental illness.

But then Paresh, a Gospel for Asia missionary, visited this family. Hearing of their situation, he began to pray fervently for them. He frequently stopped by, sharing the Gospel and showing Christ's love. Through these visits, their hearts began to open to the Gospel message.

A month later, Basanti was healed completely from her debilitating illness. Dhanpat was even able to stop drinking alcohol. And their daughter began to experience healing from her mental illness. The whole family received Christ as Savior, and today they worship the Lord together at the local church.

Madhya Pradesh

What No Hospital Could Do

Binay suffered from a troubling physical ailment for six months: He regularly vomited blood. Then one day, he couldn't stop. His family took him to a number of hospitals, where doctors gave Binay hope of being cured soon. But though he spent a good deal of money on treatment, all these efforts proved futile: Binay was still sick.

Then a neighbor suggested that Binay visit a local church for prayer, assuring him that Jesus could heal him. So Binay went, asking Gospel for Asia missionary Susheel to pray for him. Susheel gladly prayed for Binay and in faith gave him a glass of water to drink.

To Binay's joy, the water stayed down, and he realized he had been completely healed. Today he knows Jesus and regularly attends church—and others in his family have received Christ as well.

Assam

Three New Sunday Schools

Through the faithful outreach of some young women from a Gospel for Asia Bible college in Assam, North India, three Sunday schools were started in the span of four months. Today, a total of about 60 children are now learning about Jesus!

All the children came together recently for a special program. They studied the Bible, worked on memory verses and enjoyed skits, action songs and games. Around 150 people attended this program—including the children's parents.

It was a meaningful time that has paved the way for further ministry. And now the parents are very supportive of the Sunday schools and encourage the Bible college students to continue their outreach.

Delhi

United in Prayer

Arvind was deeply troubled by his mother's strange illness. Prasela would be fine most of the week but then become severely ill on Saturday. This had taken place for several weeks. Prasela's illness baffled a number of doctors, none of whom could properly diagnose it.

But then Arvind met Jeyasingh, a member of a church pastored by a Gospel for Asia missionary. Jeyasingh listened to Arvind's concerns for his mother and encouraged them both to trust in Jesus. He also invited them to attend church.

Arvind and Prasela visited Jeyasingh's church, and the congregation united in prayer for Prasela's healing. Through their prayers, she was immediately healed. The church is continuing to pray for this family's salvation.