11/01/2006: The Gospel in their Corner of the World

The Gospel in their Corner of the World

In one of North India's slums, a few dozen men, women and children crowd into their small church building—little more than a tin roof secured to a few brick pillars. Their faces are radiant with the joy of Christ. A cross stands atop the simple structure, telling all in their community of the hope He gives them.

In the slum where they live, their homes are also simple, assembled from rags, sticks, tarps and any other materials they can find. Such shelter offers little protection from the sweltering heat of summer. And in the winter they huddle around little charcoal fires, trying to keep warm. Their lives-working hard just to survive each day—are far from easy.

Before a reached out to these families with the message of Christ's hope, they had little to live for. Now, in Jesus, they have hope and meaning—and a purpose that sustains them and gives them inexpressible joy in the midst of their hard circumstances. They know that one day they will be in heaven with their Savior and will suffer no more hardship and no more pain.

As the service begins and they start singing the Savior's praises, they enter into His presence and their worries start to fade away.

Church congregations such as this one are deeply grateful for the caring support and prayers of GFA friends around the world who helped bring a native missionary—and the Gospel-to their corner of the world.