Seeking Death but Finding Life

Seeking Death but Finding Life

Gospel for Asia (www.gfa.org) News Release – For Immediate Release

WILLS POINT, TX (ANS – July 27, 2016) -- Jinsy stared at the container of liquid fertilizer. It had failed her—she was still breathing, still living in shame and anguish, still looking for a way of escape. Her mind rolled through her options. Hanging herself seemed a guaranteed method of suicide, but could she steel her nerves enough to make a second attempt?

Abused Girl Tries to End Life

Jinsy’s family shared a house with her uncle’s family. Although she was the youngest of three children, she was far from being the doted-on baby of the family. By the time Jinsy was in her early 20s, she carried a heart filled with pain and agony.

For one year, Jinsy had repeatedly suffered sexual abuse from a relative. Filled with shame and humiliation, she hid the terrible fact from the rest of her family, too mortified to talk to anyone about her situation. In her helplessness, she tried to handle the problem herself, and she decided to end the overwhelming shame she felt by drinking liquid fertilizer. Somehow she survived—it seemed even death would not grant her plea for escape.

But Jinsy would later realize that a compassionate God was watching over her during her attempted suicide and offered her the true path to healing.

Hope Instead of Suicide

In the midst of her agony, Jinsy still found enjoyment in listening to the radio, a favorite pastime of many in Asia.

One particular day, the loving God who saved Jinsy from the effects of poison also led her to a radio program she had not heard before. The radio speaker, Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Harichandra, spoke about the purpose of life. His words brought deep encouragement to Jinsy’s raw heart, and she felt God was speaking specifically to her. The light of hope pierced the darkness she was living in, driving out the thoughts of suicide that had plagued her so persistently.

Escaping Her Shame

At the end of each program, Pastor Harichandra gave a phone number for any listener who wanted to contact him in response to the program. Gospel for Asia-supported radio broadcasters commonly share a phone number to provide people with an opportunity to request more information. As listeners narrate their heartbreaking situations, Gospel for Asia-supported radio staff do everything they can to help each person, whether that means praying for them, offering encouragement and counsel, or connecting them with pastors in their area who can meet with the listeners and pour into their lives.

As the program Jinsy listened to came to a close, she was unable to write down the contact number, so she tuned in another day to hear the next broadcast from Pastor Harichandra. That message was just as encouraging as the first broadcast she heard. This time, Jinsy excitedly dialed the number and talked with Pastor Harichandra.

After Pastor Harichandra prayed for her and offered more encouragement, Jinsy felt as though a heavy burden had rolled away. She kept in touch with the Gospel for Asia-supported radio staff, and Jesus did His transforming work in her heart.

Jinsy’s shame melted away, and she found courage to talk about her situation. Moreover, Jinsy read literature and a New Testament she received from the radio staff, and her heart soon urged her to welcome Jesus as her Savior.

Transformation for the Family

Jinsy’s parents noticed the change in their daughter’s life. They wondered why she spent so much time listening to that specific radio program and talking on the phone. Jinsy introduced them to the radio program that ministered to her in her time of deep need, and soon her other relatives joined her in listening to the broadcasts. Through the radio messages, her relatives learned how they could start their own journeys of transformation.

Radio Team Provides Fellowship and Support

Like many villages in Asia, Jinsy’s village lacked a local fellowship of believers. No one who knew Jesus was present to comfort Jinsy during her time of anguish, but Christ’s love healed her heart through a Gospel for Asia-supported radio program.

Even though she had no mature believers nearby to speak into her life, Jinsy was equipped to grow in her knowledge of God through the broadcasts she and her family listened to and through her New Testament, which was given to her by the radio correspondents. The new friends at the radio station knew her story and helped her overcome shame and speak up about her abuse. The radio staff were always there for her, as was her compassionate Savior.

While Jinsy’s life story could have ended in tragic death, it is still being written today as she lives her life unto the Lord, free from shame and filled with hope. She knows she is valued in God’s eyes and rejoices in being called His daughter.

Radio Ministers to Millions

Each year, Gospel for Asia-supported radio teams receive more than 2 million pieces of correspondence from listeners like Jinsy, many of whom share about their struggles with suicidal thoughts or deep despair. Through your prayers and support, you can help provide life-giving programming for those needing hope in their darkest hour!

For more information about Gospel for Asia, please go to www.gfa.org .

Photo captions: 1) This woman failed in her attempt of suicide, just like Jinsy did. Tragically, every year in Asia thousands of other women succeed in committing suicide. (GFA). 2) Gospel for Asia-supported radio staff personally reply to communications received from radio listeners and help listeners in any way they can. (GFA). 3) Uninhibited by social or geographical barriers, radio programs enable millions of people across Asia to hear of God’s love. (GFA)

** You may republish this news release with attribution to the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net). Please also tell your friends that they can receive a complimentary subscription to ANS by going to the above website and signing up there.