Sisters of Compassion Share God’s Love with Forsaken Kaling, Reports Gospel for Asia

In Luke chapter 15 we find the parable about the prodigal younger son, who comes to his senses once he loses everything, and returns back home to a loving, gracious father. Kaling’s life is similar to the story Jesus shared with tax collectors, sinners, scribes and Pharisees.

The heart of our Heavenly Father remains the same through the ages. Even though we may wander far from home, God desires to redeem the past, and draw us close to Himself. And sometimes He may go to great lengths to show us that grace. Just like he did for Kaling through Gospel for Asia-supported Sisters of Compassion.

Gospel for Asia-supported Sisters of Compassion minister to the least of the least in society.

The Redemption of a Dying Man

Kaling never listened to his father’s instructions, even as a little boy. His father tried to teach him how to live a good life, but despite all the guidance he received, Kaling had a disobedient and unchanging heart. Eventually, his father would no longer endure his son’s shameful behavior.

Kaling was only a boy of 14 when his father disowned him. Because of his father’s rejection, Kaling decided he would run away forever. He moved to another country where he eventually married and settled down to raise a family of his own.

After nearly 30 years of residing in one area, Kaling sent his wife and children back to his own country, while he moved alone to a remote village several hours away. For eight years, Kaling earned a good income cutting wood from the jungle and selling it for house construction.

Even though Kaling prospered in material things and was strong and physically healthy, his life hadn’t changed from that of his rebellious teenage years. He wasted his income every week by gathering his friends to eat and drink with him. But just like the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable, Kaling would eventually face the emptiness of his pursuits.

Some time later, Kaling contracted a breathing problem after suffering from malaria. Kaling spent an enormous amount of money on medication and doctors, but nothing brought him relief or healing. And when he needed help the most, none his friends troubled themselves to be there for him. Kaling felt forsaken.


Click here, to read more about this article.

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Generational Poverty: A Cycle Not Worth Repeating

Image
The cycle of generational poverty can seem impossible to break. Children inherit what their parents teach and show them. a joint report from Ascend: The Aspen Institute and Bernard van Leer Foundation affirms this. “What young children learn from the adults who raise and care for them lays the foundation for future social, emotional, language, and cognitive growth,” the report says. 1 Children raised in a generational poverty mindset often lack the tools they need to succeed or achieve a better life than that of their parents. As adults, these individuals often then raise their children in poverty similar to that of their own childhoods, and the cycle perpetuates. It’s a cycle not worth repeating, yet it does time and time again. For the 736 million people worldwide living below the poverty line, earning $1.90 a day or less, the focus is frequently on mere survival. 2 Children are disproportionately affected by extreme poverty, says UNICEF, as “children who grow up impoverished often...
Read more

What Is the Poverty Cycle?

Image
The question, “What is the poverty cycle, or cycle of poverty?” is one that must be answered to address and end poverty across the globe. Put simply, the term refers to the trend where the vicious effects of poverty and deprivation pass from one generation to the next, with no seeming way out. [1] Someone born into poverty has fewer opportunities than their wealthier peers. They must focus on survival above all, leaving little room for anything else. One illness can wipe out a family’s savings, but the unclean water sources and lack of protection available to them invite sickness. Walking to retrieve water can be time-consuming yet must be a daily priority, and many children must work alongside their parents for the family to afford food. Thus, school is often a far-off dream. Having had few opportunities to acquire skills, the kids grow up to repeat the cycle of poverty with their own children. This story was all too familiar for Nalah. His father worked in the tea fields, trying to e...
Read more

What Do I Need to Know about the Global Poverty Rate?

Image
Statisticians are getting better at measuring the global poverty rate every year. The World Bank is one group working hard to accurately measure it so that the extent of the problem is fully known and so that progress can be measured. [1] Through governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), we can more clearly see the last decade of progress and the most recent effects driving poverty rates. Sub-Saharan Africa has been one area difficult to measure, but new data shows an overall reduction in the percentage of those in poverty. Unfortunately, there is an increase in total number of people living at or below the official poverty rate of $1.90 per day. [2] That doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. With good statistics and a clear view of the problem, countries and organizations can use the proven methods to regain any ground lost. Additionally, valuable lessons have been learned about how to protect the most vulnerable and how to prevent some of the worst effects. GFA World is un...
Read more