Drying the Tears Behind Her Smile

Drying the Tears Behind Her Smile

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

WILLS POINT, TX (ANS – January 24, 2017) -- Madura smiled when she was in the company of others. From the outside, she pretended everything was ok—but it wasn’t. Loneliness and rejection filled her aching heart. Madura hadn’t experienced what every child longs for: to be loved by a mom and dad.

Worried and Alone

Madura was just a little girl when her mother died. Her father, who often gave himself over to the influence of alcohol, also beat her for no apparent reason. Thankfully, Madura’s aunt and uncle intervened and arranged for Madura to enroll in a GFA-supported Bridge of Hope center. When she was in eighth grade, Madura attended the program daily, while living with her brother and sister-in-law.

Madura held a buried hurt deep within her heart. When she was around her friends, she hid the tears she wanted to cry. She felt alone but put on a brave face, masking her sorrow with a smile. She longed for love but felt deep inside that no one truly cared for her.

One day, Madura asked her brother to come to the Bridge of Hope center with her. They were having a parent’s meeting and all the other student's parents were planning to attend. It deepened Madura's sorrow when her brother never showed up. This became too much for poor Madura. She couldn't keep back the tears any longer.

Accepted by the Rejected One

When the staff noticed Madura’s broken floodgate of tears, her sorrowful words tumbled out: “I don't have any relatives who can love me.” Madura shared her feelings, through her sobs, to the attentive staff at the Bridge of Hope center. She told them how she was not getting enough food at her brother's house and had to do much of the housework.

With compassion, the staff comforted Madura. They shared from John 1:11, how Jesus, too, was rejected by His own people, and His love toward others was denied.

“God has given you this project center to take care of you in every area,” they assured her.

Knowing the young girl’s deep anguish, the staff met with Madura's brother and asked him to be proactive in helping Madura with her studies and life. They shared the love of Jesus with him and showed they truly cared for his sister. Madura's brother responded positively to their words and encouragement.

Coming Closer to Her Vision

Today, Madura is growing in her talents and is doing so with happiness. Now Madura knows she is loved by God and that He cares enough for her to bring her into a community of those who genuinely love her well. She even leads prayer and devotion time at the Bridge of Hope center.

Madura now has a dream for her future. After she graduates, she wants to become a teacher to help the underprivileged children around the world.

“I'm coming closer to my vision, and I believe that God is helping me towards my vision,” she says. “It stops my tears . . .”

No longer does Madura have to hide her tears, because she knows if she is sad or disheartened she has people and a loving God who care for her.

“I thank God and the project staff for their encouragement, motivation and blessing through their teaching,” Madura says.

Bring Them Love

You can play a crucial role in showing a child, like Madura, the love of Jesus through GFA's Bridge of Hope Program. Sponsor a child today and help them understand they are loved and never alone! Please go to: http://www.gfa.org/sponsorachild/filter/#chooseachild.

Note: Gospel for Asia (www.gfa.org) has -- for more than 30 years -- provided humanitarian assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially among those who have yet to hear the Good News. This has included more than 75,000 sponsored children, free medical services for more than 180,000 people, 6,000 wells drilled, 11,000 water filters installed, Christmas presents for more than 400,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry.

To schedule an interview with a Gospel for Asia representative, please contact pressrelations@gfa.org .

*Names of people and places may have been changed for privacy and security reasons. Images are GFA stock photos used for representation purposes and are not the actual person/location, unless otherwise noted.

Photo captions: 1) Madura never experienced the love of parents. As a way of coping with her sorrow, Madura hid her tears behind a smile. (GFA). 2) Loving staff members at GFA-supported Bridge of Hope centers like these men and women, dedicate their time to love and care for children like Madura. They play a very influential role in their lives. (GFA). 3) “I am coming closer to my vision,” Madura (not pictured) shares. Through the success of her hard work and the nurturing love and care of the Bridge of Hope staff, Madura is doing well in her studies. (GFA). 4) Children, like Madura [not pictured], discover the unbending love of Jesus in their own lives through Bridge of Hope. (GFA)

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