Gospel for Asia

Death and sickness where two things Abhijun was familiar with. Including him and his family, many in his village and the surrounding area contracted serious illnesses such as typhoid from their drinking water. “We suffered from many sicknesses,” Abhijun said. “When our relatives come to visit us from the city, looking at the color of the water, they did not want to drink. Sometimes they managed to drink it, but they suffered from cold, cough and headache.” Gospel for Asia (GFA) is working toward the improvement of situations like Abhijun’s with its two major clean-water initiatives: Jesus Wells and BioSand water filters. In places where the water sources are almost completely contaminated, such as Lhepar, BioSand water filters are the best option. An Answer for the Thirsty: BioSand Water Filters For Abhijun and his family, a BioSand water filter, which purifies water up to 98 percent, was the perfect solution to their water crisis. Fortunately for them, Gospel for Asia (GFA) -supporte...

Rita traveled more than seven miles to attend the medical camp, which she heard about through Pastor Ganesh’s flyers. She had suffered numbness in her hands and legs for more than a month, forcing her to abandon her work in the fields. Even household chores such as cleaning and cooking became impossible. Desperate to see a doctor, Rita made a difficult journey. On the morning of the medical camp, a brightly colored tent covered the courtyard of Pastor Ganesh’s church. A throng of people gathered under it. Sisters of Compassion patiently checked in fathers, mothers and small children wanting to see the doctors. Pastor Ganesh went from group to group helping volunteers and ministering to the sick. That day, Dr. Aarpit Nipun and his colleague saw more than 200 patients and gave out free medication to those in need. When it was Rita’s turn to see the doctor, she told him the history of her symptoms. Dr. Nipun asked many questions and prescribed medications for her pain. He counseled her t...

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA) – Discussing what national workers do daily to spread God’s love across Asia. “They need to think about what is needed, not what is possible because possible can change. A major problem I see . . . is not having visionary leaders.” —R.D. Thulasiraj, Director of Operations, Aravind Eye Care System Mr. Thulasirai’s sage observation, although having nothing directly to do with missions, might be worthy of our consideration of what it really means for indigenous, national workers to be supported by Gospel for Asia (GFA) and its generous donors.It is difficult for us to imagine the role of pastors and other national workers in Asia because we have not seen what they have seen, nor have we experienced what they have. One thing is for certain, these pastors and workers do not have the same routine that most Western pastors do. Gospel for Asia (GFA) -supported pastor Marty grew up in an Asian slum where, as a young boy, he often dug for food in the bo...

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA) – In his account of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Mark shares the story of a rich young ruler who had inquired of Jesus, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life” (Mark 10:17). Jesus essentially told him that he needed to live a perfect life, reciting several of the Ten Commandments to him. The young man replied that he had faithfully followed the commandments all of his life. Mark then records that Jesus looked at him lovingly and said that he needed to do one more thing. He needed to “sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mark 10:21). Jesus invited him, once he had given all that he had to the poor, to “come, take up thy cross, and follow Me” (vv. 21). Do you wonder what you would have done had you been that rich young man? The truth is, I wonder what I would have done? We spend so much time thinking about what we are able to accumulate in pleasures and treasure that we fail to measure what t...

“The poor do not need our compassion or our pity, they need our help.” — Mother Theresa It is almost impossible for us to understand the magnitude of the needs of the children of South Asia and their families needing the assistance and intervention of Gospel for Asia (GFA) and others. How bad can their life be? Frankly, their lives are much worse than most of us can even begin to imagine. Oh, you’ve heard the appeals over and over again from Gospel for Asia (GFA) , Save the Children, Compassion International, World Vision, and a seemingly endless number of NGOs who are committed to reaching out to those living in extreme poverty who are considered the lowest of the low in their home countries. But there are literally millions of precious, innocent children suffering indignities at levels we fail to comprehend. So, let us explain a few reasons these children need our help. 1. They are considered outcasts. Our national missionaries go into the urban slums and remote villages where the ...

Every part of God’s creation is distinct. Every person, every animal, every tree is unique and different than all others of their kind. The same can be said of every church, every business and every organization. Something about each is distinctively different. Often, it is not one thing that makes something distinct and different. It may be a combination of distinctives that makes that entity unique in its own right. Gospel for Asia (GFA) cites five Gospel for Asia (GFA) distinctives that describe its function as a faith-based organization (FBO). 1) Focusing on the “Least of These” Like so many faith-based organizations (FBOs), Gospel for Asia (GFA) distinctives focuses its mission on ministering to people Jesus referred to as “the least of these”—the approximately 3 billion people who are disadvantaged, disabled, uneducated and often disenfranchised and ostracized. Gospel for Asia (GFA) ministers to the physical needs of slum dwellers and people living in abject poverty in remote...

Gospel for Asia (GFA World), Wills Point, Texas – Discussing the challenge to change minds on open defecation in Asia. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” —Galatians 6:9 If all your friends are doing it, would you jump off a cliff? That sounds like something your mom might have said. But what if the cliff is really just a big rock on a bank, and there’s a beautiful, clear swimming hole down below? Perspective changes everything, doesn’t it? Peer pressure can sometimes be great. In parts of Asia where open defecation is still widely practiced, tradition says that’s how things are done. But times are changing. Education is spreading. Nudges from the community to break with tradition and use a latrine can save lives. It takes a village to change a mind, and that’s happening throughout rural Asia right now. Proactive Communities Make Open Defecation Less Socially Acceptable In the hours after dusk and before dawn, a ritual as ol...

Education for young girls in Asia is often sacrificed for family roles like fetching clean drinking water for their families . Tens of thousands of young girls in Asia drop out of school every year. Half of them stop attending at the primary school level, and The Times of India says the number is rising. Several factors affect the likelihood of girls graduating. But the drinking water crisis remains a constant threat . According to the United Nations, women and girls in rural Asia bear the overwhelming majority of responsibilities for finding and carrying clean drinking water. It’s not a minor chore, not like walking a few steps to a well and carrying it back inside the home. Clean, disease-free water is often miles away. Fetching safe drinking water is a necessary full-time job that comes at the expense of education, among other serious risks . GFA’s clean water initiatives does more than give families better access to water that’s safe to drink. It gives girls the freedom to focus o...

Children attending any GFA Bridge of Hope program learn to read and write, gain positive study habits, are provided with a healthy meal, receive medical care as needed, are shown God’s loving-kindness, and develop the HOPE that their education will one day help them shake off the weight of poverty. One of our Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported pastors said something both sad and ironic several years ago: “ Nobody cares about the children of this village .” While, in his eyes, his statement seemed to be true, the irony is that it was not entirely so. The mere fact that he said it indicated that he cared . In fact, he admitted, “I have a great burden for this village.” The reason he cared is that he knew that Jesus cares . The village of which he spoke is home to 2,000 impoverished families whose daily need is survival. Their entire life is consumed with laboring to feed themselves and their families. Their fight for survival means their children are forced to work in laborious and tedious ...

Is Cleanliness Next to Godliness? That’s a good question. It may not be in Scripture, as many people believe, but it does have an element of truth. John Wesley is generally cited as the originator of the phrase in his sermon, “Cleanliness Is, Indeed, Next to Godliness.” It is certain that he was not the creator of the concept. Similar statements have been recorded in ancient literature. While the Bible may not specifically say that cleanliness is next to godliness, it does, however, associate the two. Those stricken with leprosy in Biblical times were required by ritual law to announce that they were unclean should they appear in public. Jesus described the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, saying that they were more concerned about outwardly cleanliness than internal cleanliness where they were “full of extortion and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25, 26). Job described himself as “pure, without transgression” (Job 33:9). The Psalmist similarly used cleanliness to describe his ne...

“So what does Christianity have to do with the defecation problems of the world?” That’s a question posed in Gospel for Asia ( GFA ) special report “Saving Lives at Risk from Open Defecation: Using Outdoor Toilets to Improve Sanitation.” The report, written by bestselling author and speaker Karen Burton Mains , takes an in-depth—and, at times, personal—view concerning open defecation problems around the world and those specific to Asia. In this part of the slums in Asia, many people live in close proximity to unhygienic surroundings—lacking facilities like toilets and proper drainage. Here’s an excerpt: Talking Openly About Open Defecation Another key dilemma in this discussion— open defecation , hardly a dinner-table topic or a mission committee agenda item—is the fact that accessibility to toilets does not always indicate usage. Changing habits is mostly a matter of changing mindsets in the face of the stranglehold of deeply entrenched beliefs. Elizabeth Royte, in a comprehensive Aug...

One of the first questions that real estate agents broach upon meeting a potential buyer or seller is “How many bathrooms do you need” or “… do you have,” as the case may be. As commonplace as that may be for most reading this article, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4.5 billion people “either have no toilet at home or (have) one that doesn’t safely manage excreta.” Think for a moment. Let that number sink in. That is about 60% of the total global population. While Americans and most of the western world are flush with adequate, even fancy commodes and sanitary wastewater systems, nearly two-thirds of the people on this planet do not have access to the convenience of a proper toilet facility. It is estimated that nearly a billion of those with limited or no access to private or public toilet facilities practice open defecation. That is, they must find a place to go, whether it is in an open field, near a bush, along roadsides and railways, or in some corner away fr...

The global sanitation crisis demands more than just quick fixes. While immediate relief efforts are essential, achieving lasting change requires a shift towards sustainable solutions. Let us explore the critical aspect of ensuring that sanitation improvements endure over time. By examining sustainable sanitation solutions and the role of behavior change, we aim to shed light on the path towards a healthier and more hygienic future. Sustainability of Sanitation Efforts and the Importance of Behavior Change Sustainability is at the heart of any successful sanitation initiative. A clean and safe environment today should remain so for generations to come. Achieving this involves not only constructing toilets and sanitation facilities but also ensuring they are maintained and used correctly. Communities must take ownership of these facilities and understand their role in maintaining their sanitation infrastructure. [1] Sustainability also entails safeguarding the environment. Proper waste d...

In the quest for improved sanitation, it is essential to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked consequences that vulnerable populations face when deprived of proper sanitation facilities. Vulnerable communities around the world, from South Asia to urban centers, bear a heavy burden due to the sanitation crisis impact. We will delve into how the absence of sanitation facilities directly affects the lives of these marginalized individuals and communities. Stories of Struggle and Resilience To truly understand the gravity of the sanitation crisis for vulnerable populations, we need to explore the real stories of those who endure these hardships daily. In South Asia, countless families residing in poverty-stricken areas grapple with the absence of clean, accessible toilets. Imagine the plight of a young girl in a remote South Asian village who risks her safety every time nature calls because there’s no private, sanitary facility available. This is a harsh reality for many. [1] In urban...

In the battle against open defecation and unsanitary conditions, communities play a pivotal role. We will shine a spotlight on the significance of community-led sanitation solutions. While governments and organizations are crucial, local pastors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often take the lead in initiating change at the grassroots level. Here, we explore how these community-led efforts are driving meaningful progress. Local Pastors and NGOs Taking the Lead Local leaders, including national missionaries and dedicated NGOs, often possess an intimate understanding of their communities’ unique challenges. Their passion and commitment have led to remarkable changes in sanitation practices. Here are some inspiring examples: National Missionaries Fostering Change: National missionaries in South Asia, where sanitation challenges are particularly prevalent, have become advocates for change. [1] They recognize the importance of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in improving the...

Sanitation issues are a pressing concern in various regions across the globe, and South Asia is no exception. Let us explore the specific challenges amidst the South Asia sanitation crisis. The dire consequences of inadequate sanitation practices not only impact health but also education and community well-being. In this extended exploration, we will examine the multifaceted nature of these challenges, their widespread implications, and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. Open Defecation Rates and Health Hazards In South Asia, home to nearly a quarter of the world’s population, sanitation challenges are starkly evident. A significant issue in the region is the prevalence of open defecation. Shockingly, millions of people in South Asia continue to defecate in the open, primarily due to a lack of access to proper toilet facilities. [1] This practice contaminates water sources and leads to a host of waterborne diseases, including cholera, dysentery, and diarrhea. [2] The statist...

In the discussion of sanitation challenges, it’s vital to recognize that the consequences of inadequate sanitation extend far beyond localized issues. Inadequate sanitation has a profound global impact, affecting economies, public health, and perpetuating a cycle of poverty that stifles development. We will shed light on the global sanitation crisis impact, and it’s wide-reaching effects to communities worldwide. The Economic and Health Costs The economic and health costs associated with inadequate sanitation are staggering. While often overlooked, these costs touch every aspect of human life and well-being. In economic terms, the toll is immense. The World Bank estimated that in 2019, inadequate sanitation cost the global economy a staggering $260 billion. This financial burden arises from healthcare expenditures, lost productivity, and the expenses related to treating waterborne diseases. Industries lose productive workforce hours due to illness, and governments divert substantial re...

While we often associate sanitation issues with developing nations, it’s important to recognize that even in developed countries, there are segments of the population facing significant sanitation challenges. Among the most vulnerable are homeless individuals, who grapple with a hidden crisis related to the lack of access to basic sanitation facilities. The Lack of Access to Sanitation Facilities and Its Impact on Public Health Homelessness is a complex issue with multifaceted challenges, one of which is the dire lack of access to sanitation facilities. For those living on the streets or in makeshift shelters, the absence of public restrooms and clean water sources is a daily struggle. Here are some key aspects of this problem: Public Restrooms as a Rarity: In many urban areas, public restrooms are few and far between. Even when available, they may not be easily accessible to homeless individuals due to location or restricted hours of operation. [1] Impact on Health: The absence of p...