SOUTH ASIA (ANS) -- When a group of Gospel for Asia-supported Bible college students and a staff member arrived at the home where they had been invited to hold a prayer meeting,
 | | These children are enjoying learning from the Bible and singing songs! | SOUTH ASIA (ANS) -- When a group of Gospel for Asia-supported Bible college students and a staff member arrived at the home where they had been invited to hold a prayer meeting, they found that the family was remembering a loved one who had died. So the team took this opportunity to minister to them and share the love of Christ, and even this somber occasion led to the hope of new spiritual life for the villagers who attended. The team had been reaching out among local children for two months, building rapport with the community. They began a Sunday school for the children, who enthusiastically responded and loved learning the action songs they taught them. Noticing the students' faithfulness, some youth encouraged them to start a Sunday prayer meeting in their village. When these young people mentioned that mornings and afternoons were not good times for them, the students gave it some thought and decided to hold services for the community at 8:30 on Sunday evenings. The night they came out for the first service, they arrived there later than intended. But it was all in God's hands. As they walked in, they saw that the villagers were mourning the death of a loved one. | 'The students can see an illuminating candle of hope in the eyes of the parents.' | The team sang a few songs and began to comfort the family with passages from the Scriptures. Everyone gave full attention to the reading of God's Word. Finally, the workers prayed for the family and the dozens of others at the service that evening. The prayer meeting was the beautiful start of weekly gatherings in which the Lord has been working. Approximately 10 children have been flocking in regularly for Sunday school, and 10 people have been faithfully attending the worship services. People are very attentive to God's Word, and the children eagerly sing the songs and listen to the Bible stories the students teach them. "The children learn so fast and they sing beautifully," remarked a field correspondent. "Therefore, our missionaries decided to start teaching them Bible verses, too." The children's parents respect the workers and often come and sit to take in and observe what is happening in the Sunday school. Sometimes they have specially asked the missionaries to teach Bible truths to their children. "The students can see an illuminating candle of hope in the eyes of the parents," the correspondent said.  | | Hearing the redemptive love of Christ proclaimed among them has made these villagers joyful. | The students often walk distances close to 22 miles over the course of a weekend to lead the worship services and Sunday schools in several neighboring villages where the people hunger for God's Word. At the same time, their ministry has not gone unnoticed by those who oppose their work and accuse them of trying to convert people. "We are not here to convert anyone," team members responded, "but to reveal the truth that would set them free." They are doing their ministry carefully and wisely in these areas. Please pray for the love of Jesus to take root and grow in the heart of each person who is hearing about Him. Pray, too, for divine protection and wisdom for the team as they minister in these areas. Source: Assist News |
