The Word says that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5).
From this verse, Christians are assured that even the darkest days are not lived in vain but will ultimately be overcome by the goodness that is found in a holy Heavenly Father.
Still, in this world where darkness abounds, how does faith survive?
Over the span of 15 years, HHI staff members and volunteers have heard countless stories of God’s faithfulness in South Asia amidst unbelievable hardship and unfathomable circumstances. Through suffering, hunger, and homelessness, God’s people in South Asia have continued to respond to the Father’s gentle beckoning and faithful promises.
Hearing stories of faith in hardship makes a thought arise in my spirit: perhaps God uses the darkness around us to illuminate the warm beckoning of his merciful light.
In this post, we want to share a short testimony from one of our ministry partners in South Asia. His life is a true witness to God’s power shining through the darkness of earthly circumstances.
*Note: For the safety of our ministry partner, we have obscured names and locations.
My name is A.C. and I come from [Southeast Asia]. I was born in a family of Hindu farmers. Before coming to Christ, my life was very dark and hopeless.
My mother passed away when I was just 6 years old, and my father, in the search of a better life, left me and my older brother and sister and went to [another region] to earn money, but just disappeared.
My brother was 15 years old, my sister was 13, and me just a child. We started our journey in finding a job to earn money to survive. In this way, we became slaves at some rich people’s houses. We were washing dishes, cleaning clothes, (and) cooking food just to earn a plate of rice.
A short time later my brother got a job in [another region], and I was left alone to work as a slave, and after some years he took me with him as well.
In [this new region], some people shared about Christ to my brother and he gave his life to Jesus, and the next Saturday he took me also to the church.
I was 12 years old when I sat on a bench in the Sunday school class. I heard the Gospel and saw the love of Christ in believers. The love that as a child I needed so much filled my heart and I gave my life to Jesus. God became my Father. I was so very happy.
I was 12 at that time but without any education. By God’s grace, I got the chance to attend evening school and I graduated high school and college. In the daytime, I was sharing the Gospel, working on the church building, helping with the orphans from the children home and in the evening, I was in school.
My life got a purpose and I loved what I was doing. God’s love and knowing how it is to be without parents motivated me to dedicate 10 years of my life to 30 orphans with whom I did not only play and wash and fed, but I taught them the Bible.
At the right time, God brought in my life a suitable helper. We have been married for 10 years and at the wedding, my father came back. God has wiped away all my sorrow, and pain and anger that I had against him and replaced it with His love, and I believe my father will also know Jesus one day.
Together with my wife we work for the Lord in [Southeast Asia], doing children’s camp, teaching classes for poor children, teaching Bible study classes, seminars, programs with youth, and training pastors and leaders. We have together 2 wonderful daughters.
To find out how you can support the ministry work of pastors like A.C. in South Asia, visit our sponsorship tab.