Nov.

20, 2012

His Name to All Nations

A Gospel for Asia (and Bethany) Update
Dear friends,
After a couple months living in my apartment, I realized that I can afford to lower my support goal! I am 59 percent of the way to my new monthly goal of $1700. Thank you for helping me get this far, through your prayers and pledges. Please continue to pray for me as I continue to talk with contacts in Ohio and as I begin to visit churches in Texas. And if you have friends, family, colleagues or neighbors (or anyone else) who would be excited to help reach 2 billion who havent heard the Gospel yet, give me a call! Thanks for your partnership! Love,

Anna is Back from Asia

Last time I wrote, my web partner, Anna, was leaving for a vision tour in South Asia, and I asked for prayer as I took on some of her responsibilities. It was a busy two weeks, but God brought it all together for me. Because Anna will be graduating from the School of Discipleship in December, it was actually good practice for when all these responsibilities will become my own, until we get more writers. Thank you for praying! Meanwhile, Anna had a wonderful time on the field. Its been great hearing stories from her and the rest of the team during prayer meetings and just one-on-one. I can hardly believe it, but its been more than seven years since I saw the field myself. Its excitingand educationalto hear about what they saw just a few weeks ago. Please pray that as the team gets back to regular life, the trip will stay fresh in their minds, and that their passion will refresh the rest of us in the office. At GFA, Christmas starts long before department stores pull out their holiday decorations (which is to say, a very long time). Now that its November, though, we actually get to talk about it!

To celebrate my 24th birthday, Susan and Corie Anna took me to the Dallas Arboretum and we got to see their pumpkin village.

A group of us went camping twice this fall. L-R: me, Amy, Susan, Jenny.

The Most Wonderful Time

Every year, we put together our Christmas Gift Catalog, where you can buy items that help impoverished families make livings (sewing machines, sheep, fishing nets), protect themselves from harm (blankets, mosquito nets, tin roofing) and hear the Gospel (Bibles, Gospel tracts, VBS sponsorships). In societies where being poor is seen as something earned through sins in this or a previous life, these gifts are a powerful demonstration of Jesus love. People simply dont understand why the
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Christmas (continued)
church is so generous, but then the pastors get say, We love you because Jesus loves us all! I wish I could show you all the reports we get on how lives have been eternally changed through this part of the ministry but I hope the story below at least gives you a taste. And if you want more, check out our blog at gospelforasia-reports.org!

Begging Was Taralas Religion

Taralas religion determined that she and her family would be beggars. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, whether rain or shine, they begged for their livelihood. There was no discussion, no pleading their case to a higher authority. This was their lot and there were no other options. Asking for money three days a week barely fed Taralas family. When her parents became seriously ill, Tarala knew that, as the oldest daughter, she must do something. Money had run out. Despair was growing. Starvation was coming. A Normal Job Didnt Help With nowhere else to turn, Tarala found a job in a factory. She worked on the days she wasnt assigned to beg, but her co-workers didnt approve of her presence because of her low caste. They harassed and humiliated Tarala, constantly reminding her of her place in the world. The abuse grew so intense, she had to leave the job and lose the income it provided. Christmas Gift Offers Her Hope Then a miracle happened. A pastor in the area met Tarala, and she shared with him all her troubles. He offered to enroll her in a sewing class, and she learned the trade quickly. There was just one problem: Tarala couldnt afford a sewing machine. Thats when someone donated a sewing machine through GFAs Christmas Gift Catalog. Upon receiving the gift, Tarala was amazed that someone cared enough about her to provide her with a means for a livelihood. Sewing Machine Transforms an Entire Village Tarala opened a dress shop, and business boomed! From the income she earned, she was able to purchase a second sewing machine and teach her younger sister to help. Now Tarala can work from home and take care of her sick parents. Tarala is now teaching others in her village how to sew. One small gift has literally changed the lives of an entire village. But best of all, they are learning about Christ and His amazing grace.
A gift like a sewing machine, fishing net or cow gives someone the ability to make a livingand to see and understand the reality of Jesus love for them.

Praise God . . . .
I bought my ticket to come home
for the week of Christmas. I hope to see some of you while Im there!

Ask God . . . .
My roommate Corie Anna is going
back to Asia in January. Please ask God to bring us the right person to fill her place.

I need wisdom and favor as I continue raising support. Pray for new connections and Gods leading. Anna graduates in December. Please pray for the department as we prepare to have one less writer. Pray that God sends a replacement soon!

1152 Indian Run Dr. Apt. 1115 Carrollton, TX 75010 (513) 519-4540 bethanygduval@gmail.com