WHY? WHY? WHY?

WITH TEARS streaming down her wrinkled face, the 100-year-old woman watched, heartbroken, as flames consumed the funeral pyre holding the body of the last and dearest of her friends. A few months later, as the only one left of her generation, she saw the first team of native missionaries reach her remote village. One night she eagerly sat among the other villagers to watch a film on the life of Jesus and to listen with astonishment to a simple Gospel message. For the very first time she and the other villagers heard that through Jesus their sins could be forgiven. Overwhelmed with the wonderful news about the Saviour and His love for her, the old woman joyfully received Jesus. But through her tears of joy, she was gripped with/by? one question: "Why had no one come sooner with this message? If only my friends and family could have heard the Gospel at least once before they died, they might not have been lost forever." After 2000 years of Christianity how can it be that… nearly a billion souls perform rituals and bring sacrifices to more than 330 million deities… sun worshippers sit on the beach staring into the rising sun until they eventually go blind… thousands of devout Buddhists renounce everything in life, leave their families and become monks, owning nothing but a saffron robe and a begging bowl? WHY? Because they sincerely seek forgiveness of sins. And because they are part of nearly three billion people living in the 10/40 Window today who are waiting to hear the Gospel. Most of these multitudes have yet to hear the Name of Jesus for the very first time. Unless they have an opportunity during their lifetime to find salvation in Him, they will die without hope. 80 000 people die daily in Asia without ever hearing the Gospel! Dear friend, our lives are often so busy and full of our own dreams and pursuits that eternity, all the joys of heaven and the cry of the lost world, seem far away. But the harsh reality is that nearly three billion people of our generation are still unreached with the Gospel. What answers are we prepared to give to the living God when He asks about these multitudes who are perishing? Today we are given the greatest privilege - to let them hear about Jesus - if we choose to make a commitment to live for those things that are eternal. I sincerely pray that Gospel for Asia will become a bridge, giving you the opportunity to walk away from your own preoccupations to the harvest fields of Asia, and see the perishing multitudes through the eyes of Jesus. May you allow God to use your life to change the destiny of millions through your prayers and partnership. K P Yohannan, Founder and President of Gospel for Asia www.gfa.org