The nation of India is full of children who will never know anything other than poverty. They were born into the Hindu caste system, beneath the lowest caste. They are less than human, untouchable, unwanted. They are forced to work in fields and factories so they might be able to eat one meal each day. Many are kidnapped or sold into child labor or sex trafficking. These are the slumdogs, living in the slum villages throughout the country. For thousands of years these people, the Dalits and Other Backward Castes, have believed that they deserve this life because of the Hindu beliefs of karma and reincarnation. They barely survive each day, and some don’t. Children die when the resort to eating toxic mud to fill their empty stomachs.
But there is hope! That’s what this book is about. K. P. Yohannan describes the work done through Gospel for Asia’s Bridge of Hope program. Through these centers children all over India have an opportunity to get an education, nutrition, love, support, and most importantly the knowledge of Jesus. In this book, Yohannan share stories of a few of the children who have come to the Bridge of Hope centers. Some of the stories are told in the words of the child, or a parent. The Bridge of Hope program is helping these children break out of a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and oppression. They are learning that they are precious children of a loving God. The children take this knowledge back to their families and villages and the transformations are incredible! I could go on and on about this book, but you should really read it for yourself because it has the potential to change your heart and your life. Read these words by K. P. Yohannan:
The need is almost overwhelming. The sheer numbers drive us to our knees. But don’t be daunted by the size of the task; you can make a difference in the life of a child… Let’s not let what we can’t do stop us from doing what we can do.
The point? It’s this: sometimes we feel like if we can’t save them all, why bother? Why help one when millions more will still be in danger? But what if everyone thought that way? The children who have been saved by the Bridge of Hope would most likely not be alive, or they would be in bondage as laborers or sex slaves. But you can help one child get out of this life. You can help one child break this horrible cycle. That one child will touch others. The impact of helping that one child has no limits. There are currently tens of thousands of children enrolled in Bridge of Hope centers throughout India. Can you make it one more?
Please visit the section of GFA’s website dedicated to this book. There, you can watch videos of some of the stories told in the book and see a video from the author, and GFA founder, K. P. Yohannan. You can also purchase the book for only $5.
If you’re still hesitant, you can request the book for free by visiting this site. That’s totally free. No shipping charges, no further obligations.
If you’re interested in sponsoring a child through Bridge of Hope, please go to the GFA Bridge of Hope website. Remember that with Gospel for Asia 100% of your donations go into the field. You can read about how they are able to do this on their website.
