Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises – Psalm 98:4
Praising God is something that should be as natural as breathing. It’s hard to do so, however, when facing trials, problems or challenges, but that is the time when we really need to do it. I have had an experience when I was feeling down about something and it came to me, no doubt it was the Holy Spirit’s prompting, that instead of focusing on what I was going through, to focus on God instead. So, I began to praise Him. I began to sing songs of praise to Him and after a while, I felt so light and upbeat. The problem which had seemed like a mountain became minuscule until with God’s help, I was able to resolve it.
The apostle Paul is a good example of someone who praised God regardless of what the circumstances were. Who could forget when Silas and he were in jail and instead of suffering in silence, they began to sing? Acts 16:25 says But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. God used that moment as an opportunity to reveal Himself.
Suddenly, there was an earthquake, shaking the foundations of the prison and the doors to the jail cells were opened and the chains broken, the prisoners could have escaped but no one moved. The jailer thought that they had broken out and was about to take his life out of fear of reprisal but Paul assured him that all of the prisoners were there. And that led the jailer to ask the question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Verse 30). God used Paul’s and Silas’ attitude toward their circumstances to bring about the salvation of the jailer and his family. And who knows if any of the other prisoners didn’t change too as a result of what they heard and witnessed.
How we deal with adversity will not only affect us but those around us. Instead of looking down or around, we look up and whatever song the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, puts in our hearts, we lift our voices and sing to our God, Who “is our refuge and strength, A very presenthelp in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). It will lift our burdens up to Him and bring His comfort down to us.
Imagine this is your daughter fetching water in the container on top of her head. It’s heavy and who knows how long she had to travel to find it. This is the reality of girls in Africa and Asia.
Today is World Water Day and this year’s theme is: Nature for Water – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.
According to the World Water Day Organization, “damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption. Today, 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home; affecting their health, education and livelihoods. Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits the world to ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by 2030, and includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution.”
Preserving nature will keep our water clean and that will benefit us. Polluted environment leads to polluted water which leads to poor health or death. Water is something that many of us take for granted which is a shame in some countries, many people face a water crisis. For them, clean water would be their talisman because it would protect them from diseases which could lead to death.
Water connects every aspect of life. Access to safe water and sanitation can quickly turn problems into potential – unlocking education, work opportunities, and improved health for women, children and families across the world.
Today, 1 in 9 people lack access to safe water; 1 in 3 people lack access to a toilet. More people have a mobile phone than a toilet. We can change this.
Check out this video.
I cringe when I see how people waste water. One of my relatives lets the kitchen pipe run while she is busy doing other things. Once when we were visiting her and my husband saw her doing that, he turned off the tap. All that wasted water going down the sink and there are families who don’t have any running water for bathing, washing or cooking. Tap water is better than no water and it can always be boiled.
The water crisis is a women’s crisis. And here’s why:
Photo: Getty Images
Women are disproportionately affected by the water crisis, as they are often responsible for collecting water. This takes time away from work, school and caring for family. Lack of water and sanitation lock women in a cycle of poverty.
Empowering women is critical to solving the water crisis. Involving women can make water projects 6 to 7 more times effective. When women have access to safe water, they can pursue skills outside of their traditional roles and experience greater autonomy and independence.
Women and girls spend up to six hours collecting water. They travel long distances to find it and then have to retrace their steps back home, carrying heavy containers.
It is a health crisis because many don’t have access to safe, clean water and as a result, many die from water, sanitation and hygiene related diseases. Having access to safe water will reduce child and maternal mortality rates, improved health, reduced physical injuries from constantly carrying heavy loads of water and reduce the risk of rape, assault and danger and increased safety for women and girls face when they have no choice but to go to remote and dangerous places to relieve themselves.
The water crisis is an education crisis because it is the responsibility of the children to collect water for their families. It reduces their time in class and being able to play. And 1/3 of schools lack access to basic water and sanitation. Can you imagine this happening in your child’s school?
It is an economic crisis. Without access to safe water, families are unable to pursue education and work opportunities that would break the cycle of poverty. The loss of money due to lack of basic water and sanitation is staggering. It is simply amazing how much of a difference access to clean water would make in the lives of so many people.
We are encouraged to take action because everyone should be entitled to safe water.
ADRA Canada is changing lives by providing people with new ways to access, conserve, purify and use water. With your partnership ADRA is able to provide families with life-giving water. You can help provide water to those without.
Watch this video and think about how you would like to help ADRA Canada to give the gift of water.
The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlastinglove;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you – Jeremiah 31:3
Imagine you are a South Asian woman. Every day is a struggle and a challenge to survive. All you know is oppression from the day you were born until the day you die. As a girl child, your birth is not celebrated. You feel unwanted and are constantly reminded that you should have been born a boy. You are neglected, mistreated, abused or abandoned. As a young girl, you are abducted and forced into a life of prostitution which increases your risk of dying from AIDS.
If you are a widow, you are blamed for your husband’s death. His family and your community shun you and you are forced to fend for yourself. You are forced into an inhumane existence. You are completely alone, with no one to support or care for you. Life is too hard. There is no help. There is no hope. Only despair, misery and pain. What’s the use? Tens of thousands of widows end their lives just to end the pain.
If your dowry is not enough, your husband can douse you with kerosene and set you on fire. I have read horror stories of women being set on fire by their husbands or in-laws because of their dowries. A woman’s life is not worth anything. It’s hard to believe that there are countries where it’s not safe to be a woman. It can even be fatal. Women who survive infanticide because of gender are forced to live in a society which denies them rights to equality, respect, education, etc.
Being a woman in South Asia is unimaginable and unbearable for many and it is not surprising that the suicide rate is up to 21 times higher than the world’s average. Life for these women is a never-ending cycle of misery, hopelessness, degradation and rejection. These women need to know that there is hope. They need to know that there is a God who values them. To Him they are precious. They were fearfully and wonderfully made in His image.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you – Jeremiah 1:5
Imagine the joy these women will have when they hear about Jesus for the first time through Gospel for Asia’s ministries. Help them find hope and joy in a Savior who loved them so much that He gave His life for them so that one day they could spend eternity with Him. They need to know that they are worth a price far above rubies. They need to know that although there might have been silence in their homes on the days they were born, there was a joyful noise in heaven.
Women missionaries have been bringing the message of love and hope to the women of Asia. It is crucial that women minister to women because of the Asian culture. Women are more comfortable around other women. Gospel for Asia has trained, dedicated women missionaries who are willing to risk their lives to share the love of Jesus Christ with millions of women who still need to hear the Good News. These heroic women missionaries are willing to risk persecution, beatings and imprisonment because they are passionate about giving hope to women who have lived in despair for so long. They want to offer hurting women healing and encouragement. They want to bring the Savior’s light and love into their dark and uncaring world. Many Asian woman have had their lives transformed but there are still so many who are still waiting.
Weeping may endure for a night, But joycomes in the morning – Psalm 30:5
Help Gospel for Asia send more missionaries to those who are perishing without knowing about Jesus and His love. Find out how at this link. Help bring joy to a woman in Asia.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need – Hebrews 4:16
The power of prayer is remarkable. We have a God whom we can go to and ask for grace, mercy and help for others or ourselves and He will be more than happy to help us. Jesus was always encouraging people to pray. He told the story of the persistent widow who wearied the unjust judge until he granted her request. Jesus made it clear that if an unjust judge could grant this woman her request, how much more wouldn’t our loving Father grant ours.
When Santinu, a young boy from a poor village was diagnosed with a brain tumor, it must have seemed hopeless to his family and neighbors. However, with God nothing is hopeless or impossible. Through the prayers of Santinu’s friend, Sagan and a group of children from the Bridge of Hope Center, God demonstrated His awesome power.
Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayermade in this place – 2 Chronicles 6:40
I watched this incredible video and saw how God moves mightily in what might seem like insurmountable situations.
My friends and I started praying together because I believe in Jesus and I believe He can heal – Sagan
I was moved by the persistent prayer of these children. They went every day to Santinu’s home to pray for him. Jesus instructed us to, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). These children didn’t pray once and thought that was enough. No, they prayed daily until God answered. Their faith and trust in Him and their persistence impacted not only the sick boy’s life but the lives of others who needed healing too.
As I watched Santinu writhing in pain, I knew that God would intervene because He can’t stand to see anyone suffering. It was His will to heal Santinu. When I saw Santinu giving his testimony of how prayer had healed him, I couldn’t believe that it was the same boy. He looked completely different. He was no longer in pain. He was no longer facing death. God had blessed him with a new life, future and hope.
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place – 2 Chronicles 7:15
It is God’s will to do so much for us. All we have to do is ask. God could have healed Santinu on His own but He chose to involve the children. The children had seen the power of prayer in the lives of their teachers and as a result they followed their example. I thought it was great how God decided to show Sagan and his prayer group that He will answer their prayers too in a mighty way. Like their teachers, they got to see the power of prayer demonstrated in their own lives and in the life of Santinu. People came to know the God who heals through children.
Have you seen the power of prayer in action? My husband has! Just the other day, he prayed to God about the pain in his leg. The very day he prayed about it, God answered. He can get in and out of the car without experiencing any pain. Yesterday morning we spoke about it. I said that God is just waiting to give us what we need. All we have to do is ask.
God uses anyone to impact the lives of others. He used Sagan and a group of children to show His love and mercy to those who didn’t know Him. He used the meek. These children acted in faith and humility, trusting in the power of the God they had learned about from their teachers at the Bridge of Hope.
This video showed me that as parents, teachers, we are to be godly examples to our children, training them up in the way they are to go so that when they are older they will not depart but will in turn teach the next generations by their example.
I will share this video with my seven year old son. I want him to see that no matter how old or how young you are, God can use you to help others and that prayer is a very powerful tool. Through prayer, God can use you to change lives, work miracles, move mountains and do the impossible. It is important for children to know that as long as their prayers are from the heart, God will hear them and respond. Encourage them to pray every day.
If you are interested in learning more about the Bridge of Hope, visit this link.
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive – Matthew 21:22
Help Missionaries go farther, faster with bicycles. Help them to reach more people in one day for Jesus.
As much as I like walking, I don’t relish the thought of walking everywhere–not even for one day. I have access to buses, trains, streetcars and taxis. It’s not a problem for me to go to several places in one day to share the Gospel. However, this is not the case for a South Asian missionary.
Transportation can be a real burden for many Gospel for Asia supported missionaries who spend grueling hours walking from one village to another. Check out this video to get an idea of what it’s like not to have reliable transportation like a bicycle and consider how having one would be a tremendous blessing not only to the missionary but to those whom he or she would minister to.
Here are the reasons why having a bicycle would greatly benefit a missionary:
Bicycles offer reliable transportation with little cost. You can donate a bicycle for just $110.
Missionaries won’t have to waste precious time walking from village to village. By riding a bike, they can minister to more people.
Bicycles are easy to repair,making travel consistent and reliable. Parts are readily available and the cost of maintenance is low.
When you donate a bicycle, you help take the Gospel to more unreached villages.
Just put yourself in the missionary’s shoes. Wouldn’t you prefer to travel to three times as many villages to share the love of Jesus? Two wheels are faster than two feet! Consider donating a bicycle.
Thanksgiving has come and gone in Canada and the United States. Many of us enjoyed delicious turkey dinners with our families and reflected on all that we were thankful for. We were thankful that we have shelter, jobs, families and friends. Just recently many people got laid off from their jobs. Those of us who still have jobs are very thankful especially as the Christmas season is fast approaching.
As Christmas draws near, we think about the gifts we will get for our loved ones and friends and plan our menus. It’s a fun and a stressful time. We decorate our homes and set aside one evening just to wrap presents to put under the Christmas tree. We are thankful for the most wonderful time of the year. We are thankful for God’s greatest Gift to us–His beloved Son, Jesus.
Sadly, it’s during this time of the year when we are reminded that not everyone is as blessed as we are or has much to be thankful for. Imagine that it’s Christmas time but you are not in the holiday spirit because you are overworked and it’s a constant struggle every day to provide meals for your family. You’re working hard but have nothing to really show for it. You can’t give your children education or clothes. This is how life is for many people in South Asia. Each day is a struggle for them. They don’t live–they just exist.
Imagine how thankful you would be if you were to receive a simple gift that would help you and your family. Gospel for Asia offers lots of wonderful gifts in their Christmas Gift Catalog. Gifts like chickens, sewing machines, rickshaws and Bibles are not only a great source of income for people who are living in poverty but they are a means by which the love of Christ can be demonstrated in tangible ways. Since 2007, the gifts from GFA’s Christmas Gift Catalog have helped over 736,000 impoverished families in South Asia.
I thought of which gift I would be thankful to receive and came up with two. The pull cart and a bicycle.
With a pull cart I can sell fruits, vegetables, clothing or handcrafted items so that I can provide for my family. This is a legitimate way for a poor person to make a living. I would be able to give my child an education and give faithfully to the church. I can even share the Good News about Jesus with people as they buy the goods I am selling. I don’t have to worry about renting a cart. Having my own cart saves me time and I can take home all of what I earn. Having my own cart will be a testimony to my neighbors and relatives that God takes care of those who put their faith and trust in Him.
I love to ride. In Guyana I used to ride a lot. It was a fun way to get around. Good exercise too. If I were living in South Asia, I would love to own a bicycle. If I received one as a Christmas gift, I would use it to reach more villages and tell them about Jesus. The Bible talks about how “beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15). Imagine how much faster I can share the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things if I had a bicycle!
This Christmas think of the many lives in South Asia that will be changed through the Christmas Gift Catalog. Think of how thankful you would be to receive one of these gifts. Take a look at the Catalog here and prayerfully consider each gift.
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Literacy brings an incredible freedom to women in South Asia; helping them to take care of their families, not be cheated at the marketplace, and be able to read the Bible for themselves – Gospel for Asia
As an avid reader, I can’t imagine not being able to read. It is one of my favorite things to do. I loved reading since I was a child. It led to my other favorite thing–writing. Being able to read and write can really make a difference. You can read books, study the Bible, write letters, read recipes, directions, the labels on products in the grocery store and write checks. These are things that most of us can do but in South Asia, more than 30% of the women are unable to because of illiteracy.
Imagine that you are illiterate and have no opportunity for an education. Imagine the struggles you face as you try to make ends meet while your husband spends your earnings on alcohol. This was Dayita’s reality. She came from a village where few girls received an education. Being illiterate left her with very few options. She began sewing clothing to ease her family’s financial situation. Her husband Kaamil deposited her earnings in the bank but she was horrified when she found out that he was withdrawing her money so that he could buy alcohol. Desperate, Dayita found someone to help her to open her own bank account but managing it proved to be very difficult because she couldn’t read or write. She was unable to fill out the deposit and withdrawal forms. She had to rely on others to help her.
God is our refuge and strength, a very presenthelp in trouble – Psalm 46:1
God saw that Dayita needed help and He intervened. He sent Ashna and Neha, believers from the local Women’s Fellowship to start a literacy class in Dayita’s area. Dayita began attending the sessions because she was determined to keep her hard-earned money safe. To her surprise, Kaamil supported her. Ashna taught two hour classes on reading and writing from a Bible based curriculum. Within two months, Dayita could read and write enough to fill out her bank forms. She is able to deposit and withdraw money on her own now. She is able to get around because she can read the names of buses and bus stations. Thanks to the ministry of Ashna and Neha, Dayita is learning about Jesus and starting to believe in Him.
Thanks be to God, who sees all and knows all and is every ready to help those who are in need, Dayita can enjoy the freedom that literacy brings. Knowing how to read and write, she doesn’t have to depend on others for help. She can go to the bank and do a transaction any time she wants. She can travel without worrying about getting lost. She can also enjoy the freedom that knowing Jesus brings.
If you are interested in helping other women like Dayita, find out how at this link. Help to free the women of South Asia from the yoke of illiteracy.
