WILLS POINT, TX — Mission agency GFA World (www.gfa.org) has launched an appeal to help thousands of “ostracized widows” around the globe at risk of starvation and abuse after being abandoned by their family and neighbors. “Millions of widows live in societies where they are blamed for their husband’s death, regardless of the illness, accident… Continue reading GFA World Launches Appeal As ‘Ostracized Widows’ Face Life of Begging
Tag: Challenges of Widowhood
Jumagul’s Story: Overcoming Persecution in Central Asia
CENTRAL ASIA — Jumagul’s* story is one of amazing redemption: after becoming a Christian, she was beaten and abused by her husband. But God heard Jumagul’s prayers and transformed her husband – and her marriage. After her husband’s death, Jumagul continues to follow Jesus – despite persecution from her local community. Jumagul* lives in a… Continue reading Jumagul’s Story: Overcoming Persecution in Central Asia
Serving the Widow: Helpful Tips for the Local Church
Crissy Sanchez-Cochran, Executive Director of Communications of City Serve discusses The Widow — A Compassion Initiative — a biblical template for how the local church can care for the widow in their sadness and loss. It is often the case that ministries are led most effectively by those who have a heart for a particular… Continue reading Serving the Widow: Helpful Tips for the Local Church
60 Impoverished Widows in Guatemala Receive Homes
PUEBLO, CO — International ministry World Challenge recently helped build houses for 60 impoverished widows in Guatemala, reported Christian Post.[1] As part of World Challenge’s widow ministry program, which seeks to fulfill the biblical directive to care for widows, local partners meet practical, daily needs of widows, such as food, medicine and shelter. Partners also… Continue reading 60 Impoverished Widows in Guatemala Receive Homes
Christian Lawyer’s Legal Clinic for Persecuted Iraqi Believers
IRAQ — Iraqi law forbids a person from changing their religion from ‘Muslim’ to ‘Christian on their official ID. Believers who find themselves in this situation can be extremely isolated, treated with suspicion by the Christian community while also rejected by Muslims. Mr Youhanna* gives legal counsel to Christians like Matti* who suffers this discrimination.… Continue reading Christian Lawyer’s Legal Clinic for Persecuted Iraqi Believers
Nigerian Widow Experiences Power of Forgiveness
NIGERIA – In Nigeria persecution is on the increase and so the trauma believers suffer is increasing. However through Open Doors partners working in trauma care, Christians are receiving hope and healing. Anuhu* (name changed for security reasons) who leads the trauma care programme shares the story of how a Nigerian widow, one of the… Continue reading Nigerian Widow Experiences Power of Forgiveness
Israel: Caring for Orphans and Widows
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – The premature death of a spouse threatens the stability of a family and leaves a gaping emotional hole for the surviving wife or husband. An Israeli organization is reaching out to families, widows, and orphans using the Bible as their guide. Chris Mitchell, CBN News: Once a week this home is filled… Continue reading Israel: Caring for Orphans and Widows
Rescuing Children from Slavery in Pakistan: One Organization’s Fight to Give Housing and Hope to Girls Rescued from Bonded Labor
NASHVILLE – In May 2019, One by One – a UK-based global missions organization with a heart for the poor and broken across the Third World – opened King’s Children’s Home, near Lahore in Pakistan, to rehouse and give hope to children rescued from brick factory bonded labor in that country. The home opened with… Continue reading Rescuing Children from Slavery in Pakistan: One Organization’s Fight to Give Housing and Hope to Girls Rescued from Bonded Labor
Sewing Machine from Gospel for Asia Was Truly a Gift from God
SOUTH ASIA – Lalita is a widow who was struggling to make ends meet after her husband passed away. Through its Christmas Gift Catalog GFA World (Gospel for Asia) gave her a sewing machine which enabled her to earn a living through tailoring work. How one simple tool provided income for a family in desperate… Continue reading Sewing Machine from Gospel for Asia Was Truly a Gift from God
Open Doors Revisits Nigerian Widow Rose
NIGERIA – Last summer, Open Doors shared the story of Rose from Nigeria. Her husband, a pastor, had been murdered by Fulani militants. Their partners recently visited her again and she told them, despite her troubles: “The Lord has not forsaken me.” When Open Doors met Rose in June 2020, we found a woman who… Continue reading Open Doors Revisits Nigerian Widow Rose
Gospel for Asia Cites Growing Tragedy of COVID ‘Widow-Maker’
WILLS POINT, TX — COVID-19 is making a heart-wrenching situation even worse for abused and outcast widows around the world, says a new report released surrounding International Widows Day, June 23, an annual awareness event. The pandemic is a widow-maker for thousands of the world’s most vulnerable women, causing them an “unbearable level” of sorrow… Continue reading Gospel for Asia Cites Growing Tragedy of COVID ‘Widow-Maker’
Ethiopian Widow Receives Vital COVID-19 Support
ETHIOPIA — When Abebu’s husband was killed in Ethiopia for his faith in 2013 Christian charity Open Doors stepped in to support her family. But seven years later when Covid-19 restrictions again left her unable to feed her children, the charity provided vital help to her as well as thousands of other families across Africa… Continue reading Ethiopian Widow Receives Vital COVID-19 Support
What Matters
COLORADO SPRINGS – “What Matters” is an interesting phrase. Devoid of punctuation, it could be a statement, a question, or an exclamation. Regardless, it is important that we all know what matters . . . what really matters. What Matters Ministries and Missions is the faith-based organization founded by Ivan and Kim Tait in 1997.… Continue reading What Matters
Millions of Widows in ‘Crisis of Survival’ Says Gospel for Asia
WILLS POINT, TX — One of the world’s biggest poverty-alleviating organizations spotlights the huge “uphill battle” facing many of the world’s 258 million widows in a recently-released report. Treatment of widows is often startlingly unfair and cruel, catapulting them into a crisis of survival, says the new global report by Texas-based Gospel for Asia (GFA… Continue reading Millions of Widows in ‘Crisis of Survival’ Says Gospel for Asia
Widowhood Leadership Topic of New Book
ENUMCLAW, WA — When a woman loses her husband to death, the situation is permanent, often unforeseen, and disorienting. A widow finds herself in an unfamiliar situation of aloneness. She suddenly becomes the decision-maker, the one who is solely responsible for her and her family’s future. Mary Bruce found herself in this very circumstance the… Continue reading Widowhood Leadership Topic of New Book
Gospel for Asia Says ‘Horror Story’ of Violence Against Women Must End
Missions Agency Confronts Violence Against Women During International Observance, Nov. 25 WILLS POINT, TX — A staggering one-third of women and girls around the world will suffer physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, missions agency Gospel for Asia (GFA) reports, as the organization marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women… Continue reading Gospel for Asia Says ‘Horror Story’ of Violence Against Women Must End