Poor Fisherman’s Son Finds Opportunity to Become a Surgeon Reports Gospel for Asia

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Who in their lifetime hasn’t heard that question or asked that question. The responses children give… it’s like the entire world is at their fingertips. To them, there’s nothing they can’t be, there’s nothing but their age that’s holding them back.

“An astronaut.”

“A farmer.”

“An intercontinental airplane pilot.” (Oh yes, I have heard that one.)

“A police officer.”

“A mom.”

“A missionary.”

“A pirate.”

Whatever they can think of that is the most exciting, most adventurous thing…that is what they want to become. And who would tell a 5-year-old, “Well, I think that’s just a bit out there. Why don’t we sit down and think about some more realistic things you can do when you grow up?”

We give children the freedom to dream. They’re supposed to dream.

But you know what? There are millions of children in Asia who don’t even know how to dream. You want to know why? Because for generations before them, who they will be when they grow up has already been dictated by their social status.

For many children in Asia, their futures are dictated by their social statues and the past of the generations before them.

If your parents cleaned the sewers with their bare hands, you will clean the sewers with your bare hands. If your parents and grandparents cremated dead bodies, you will cremate dead bodies. If you were born poor, you will always be poor.

But things are changing!

Young boys and girls are dreaming. They’re growing up and chasing after those dreams—even if there are hurdles and challenges. They’re not giving up. They’re changing their destinies.

The following story is about a fisherman’s son who wanted to be a doctor.

An Unusual Catch for a Fisherman’s Son

In 2005, Ishayu entered a newly opened Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported Bridge of Hope center near his home.

Like millions of other children in South Asia, Ishayu grew up in poverty with no way of escape. But he had a dream.


When Ishayu graduated from the program in 2012, more than 60,000 other children filled Bridge of Hope centers across South Asia, receiving the same opportunity Ishayu had received—the opportunity to study and grow in their God-given skills and talents.


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