Harvest Bridge 2020 Impact Report

Harvest Bridge Impact Report

2020

“COVID-19 has increased the interest in the Gospel. There is a growing desire to know who God is. I do not believe we are in the end of days, we are in a time of revival.” —Pastor Jagan*, Bhutan country leader At least once a year, I read through all five chapters of Lamentations in one sitting. Unsurprisingly, 2020 found me there a few more times than in the past.

I have found that the full power of the book’s most famous verses can only be felt when reading the passages that come before and after.

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’” Lamentations 3:22-24 Abject horror and pain and despair are on either side of this beautiful truth. In the midst of the lament and devastation, however, come these verses of mercy and compassion and hope. It is not a promise of a far-off peace or an escape

from harm—it is a promise of God’s faithfulness in the midst of suffering.

His mercies are new every morning of an ongoing crisis. He is our portion during every day of grief. Great is His faithfulness during devastation.

Many of the hundreds of pastors and missionaries we support have become sick with Covid-19. Nearly every one of them has lost relatives, church members, and community members to the virus. Lockdowns have led to economic collapse, starvation, children being forced to leave school, rising drug use, increased domestic abuse, and more.

South Asia also saw its worst flooding in 30 years in some areas.

Within all of this, and not despite it, the majority of the pastors and missionaries we come alongside would say 2020 was their most fruitful year of ministry, both with people’s openness and their acceptance of the Gospel. This outcome was not a foregone conclusion. I believe that through having a robust theology of suffering and lament, our South Asian brothers and sisters were well prepared

to build God’s Kingdom in 2020. Many of our partners have long had their faith forged in persecution and financial poverty, among other challenges. They have learned to love when it is hard, to serve when it is inconvenient, and to turn to God as their portion in the midst of suffering.

People had questions in 2020, and Christians acting like Christ—putting others first, feeding the hungry regardless of caste or religion, praying for the sick and teaching hygiene lessons to prevent spread of the virus, clothing people by providing masks, caring for those overlooked by society, comforting the bereaved—were the ones they could turn to.

Their response challenged me in 2020, and I hope it does the same for you.

As you read the stories in the following pages, I pray you are reminded of God’s faithfulness, not only at the end of suffering, but in the midst of it.

In Christ, Kate Therese, Executive Director

CONTENTS KASHMIR TIBET

BHUTAN

PAKISTAN

NEPAL

INDIA MYANMAR (Burma)

BANGLADESH

ANDAMAN ISLANDS

01

Bangladesh

05

Bhutan

09

India

13

Andaman Islands

15

Kashmir

17

Myanmar (Burma)

21

Nepal & Tibet

25

Pakistan

27

Expenditures

29

Your Support in 2020

*Partner names changed for safety.

Bangladesh

“We found that a lot of ministries suffered a lot of crucial moments, but Harvest Bridge has been able to support.”

1

—Pastor Darpan*

LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE

$101,974 51

1,190

& MAKE DISCIPLES

Total 2020 Ministry Expenditures

New Believers

Bangladesh, a country bordered by India on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on its southern coast, is a country rarely discussed on the world stage. However, with over 160 million people, it is the eighth-most populous country in the world, the most densely populated noncity state, and the fourth most populous Muslim country. We come alongside 51 Bangladeshi men and women who are reaching their country with the love of Jesus. They focus on child protection, anti-human trafficking work, education programs, disaster relief, evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.

Pastor Darpan*, our country director, candidly describes his year: “Massive changes have happened because of COVID-19, and still it has been changing the pastors’ and missionaries’ lives. Life is at risk and people have

become hopeless. Due to the continuous changes, the commodity prices have been jumping up. Unemployment has increased. People are suffering so much frustration. Lockdown of all educational institutions has been continuing. People have become idle and reluctant to work, as they may be attacked by the virus. His Kingdom work has become impeded, as His soldiers are forced to stay at home idly. Generally, people are avoiding visitation and crowds, or being in other houses. Missionaries and pastors lost their earning sources, as they could not cultivate their own land as much as they needed. This caused family trials to increase, and in some cases, Satan has taken the chance to make pandemonium.

Due to the absence of fellowship, they felt so lonely at times.

COVID-19 has been attacking human life and killing a lot of people. But I and

Pastors & Missionaries

my wife, along with the missionaries and pastors, wanted to see God’s glory through it. We found that a lot of ministries suffered at a lot of crucial moments, but Harvest Bridge has been able to support. I, including my wife and all the missionaries, want to give thanks to all who are linked up for the godly work through Harvest Bridge.”

With such a dense population, COVID-19 spread rapidly throughout the country.

To compound the suffering, Bangladesh’s monsoon rains were unusually severe in 2020—the worst in 30 years. Flash floods ravaged houses, farmland, and

BANGLADESH IMPACT REPORT 2020 roads. In some districts, this came on top of damage caused by Cyclone Amphan, which struck in May. Pastor Darpan and his team, having carried out many relief projects over the years, were superbly well-positioned to respond to these disasters. Through their work, 1,022 families—about 4,600 men, women, and children—received two weeks of life-saving food, as well as personal protective supplies. Pastor Darpan explains our partners’ approach in carrying out this vital work: “We are a tiny ministry in Bangladesh, and have been trying to run it like this: ‘Love God, Love People and Make Disciples’.

So, love is not in mouth only, but love is shown in our activities. Our ministry’s characteristics are seen through sharing godly love; sometimes this is through facing natural disasters like a super cyclone or a pandemic. We prioritize loving the whole person and all people as He commanded us. We prioritized our work among the indigenous people who

are ‘untouchable’, from Tribal and Dalit (low-caste) groups. Holistically, COVID-19 has taken a lot of souls physically - but

by His blessing and love, in 2020 we were able to get a lot of new souls who are now His sons and daughters, providing the guarantee of eternal peace.”

As relief work went on, pastors and missionaries were adapting their ministry in light of COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions all over the country. An elderly and experienced missionary, Paalavi*, explains how her work shifted: “In this pandemic situation, I could not go out among the crowds because of the Coronavirus. Though I have confidence in Jesus, I am keeping safe, as the Bible says to be wise. I could not go out for outreach work, but I tried to move around where I live. In my slum area, there are a lot of neighbors who do not yet know Jesus. My ministry partner and I tried to share the Gospel with my neighbors, and 10 to 12 women began attending my

class. Every week I sowed His Word and found that some have changed through their daily work and love for Jesus. They confessed they were sinners and dedicated their lives to the Lord. Two women became daughters of God, and now they have also become my close friends. They are also taking His word to those who do not yet know Jesus. As 2 Timothy 2:2 says, ‘And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.’ So, I see the Lord Almighty working through His sons and daughters who are accomplishing His work.”

For a small group of missionaries who rescue children from human trafficking in the capital city, Dhaka, their efforts were needed more than ever in 2020.

Chara* shares one of many ways she saw God work through them this year: “In this duration, I rescued three girls and one boy from the mouth of the human traffickers who had a very bad plan for these kids. The leader of these traffickers also had a bad plan to destroy me on my way to and from the train and bus stations. They threatened me several times. This threat is always on our shoulders and keeping our life risky. But it is the happiest news that the Lord has called me to serve His Kingdom through rescuing children. When we rescue the child, we then meet their guardian or parent to recover the child. When the family hears about how we serve the children in Christian love, showing and sharing about Jesus Christ—they become astonished. Usually, the whole village becomes thankful. I met a family this

way recently and shared the Gospel about the love of God—what He has done for us by rescuing us from sin. Due to sharing all about Jesus, this family surrendered their lives to Him. After this, they were rejoicing in His name. Very quietly at first, they have now begun living under His name in their village, like a lighthouse.”

In 2020, in addition to over 1,000 families receiving life-saving aid, 22 children were sponsored so they could continue living with their parents or grandparents instead of being forced by poverty into an orphanage. Seven widows received micro-investments to help them provide for themselves during the economic crisis. Seven pastors were equipped with motorbikes, and many others received ministry tools. 1,190 men and women began following Jesus, 383 were baptized, and five churches were planted.

4

Bhutan

5

A YEAR OF RESTORATION

$45,735

27

125

Total 2020 Ministry Expenditures

Pastors & Missionaries

New Believers

In this small, mostly mountainous to trace cases. With this response, there Buddhist kingdom of about one million has only been one death from COVID-19. people in the Himalayas, we join hands However, restrictions severely limited with 27 pastors and missionaries. The ministry and caused economic hardship men and women we support focus on for many. Pastor Jagan*, our country sharing the Gospel in their own villages director, explains how this year shifted and cities, as well as traveling to even their ministry: more remote parts of their country to share the Good News. There is a signif“2020 was a year of restoration. Believers icant emphasis on counseling, sports had time to sit at the feet of God and ministry with young people, and drug and pray and fast. COVID-19 has brought a alcohol rehabilitation. During COVID-19, drastic change in pastors’ and believBhutan was one of the earliest countries ers’ lives. I found that we were all busy, to close its borders. They did so in Janbusy, busy doing ministry. We were not uary 2020, and used significant testing spending as much time in prayer and scripture reading. This year, family prayer has really increased. The pastors and the missionaries share that they have spent more time with their families. This season was a recharging season for all the believers and especially the pastors. There were very restrictive rules so everything happened online. Believers

used to have excuses to miss prayer and worship meetings, and now they have no excuse because they are all at home!

More people were on the Zoom meetings than before in physical church. Those who used to not come as often to church now come regularly. There was fear of what was going on in the world, so suddenly there was a great interest in the Gospel.

Some hard questions were asked to the pastors about suffering and other things that they needed to grow in wisdom to answer. Gospel seeds that were planted in other ways and days sprouted in 2020.”

Pastor Rigzin* shares how his ministry was able to expand: “The prayer lives of our fellowship members increased, as we could time after time have online meetings. My personal prayer life and Bible reading increased.

It was so difficult in the initial stage of

BHUTAN IMPACT REPORT 2020 lockdown as I was clueless, and there “During the last months there were so were so many fears that haunted me— many challenges due to COVID-19, but as what am I going to do in terms of minisI visited homes I was able to develop a try? My sincere prayer was that the devil close relationship with the kids. The chilshould not take away the believers. We dren were expressing themselves more as a family were praying, and the LORD openly in a very friendly way. They were God has made our smaller congregation opening up their hearts and raising their strong. The believers were strengthened doubts about God and questions about to strengthen each other, so we could life. God gave me wisdom to clear those pray for the world on a daily basis. As questions and doubts in a simple way we were praying sincerely for our fellowthat they could understand. That helped ship members, God has strengthened the most of the children to become strong believers to a great level. They always in the Lord. During this period, rapport used to look to us for each and every among the parents was also well estabprayer activity, but now they have learned lished. This is a new experience and a to pray as a group and strengthen others. new turn for a bright future of ministry.”

Now we can confidently move on to focus on other ministry fields. The tremendous Pastor Tobgay* shares how COVID-19 led change in the believers’ prayer lives and to the answering of his prayers: leading the group themselves is Awesome.

I thank God for His strengthening hand.

“Many hopeless people found hope in the Now we are very much focusing in a new Lord as I prayed and preached in the onministry field.” line platform. In this period many young people who were addicted to drugs were Jigme* explains how her children’s struggling when they were not getting ministry deepened: drug supply due to the lockdown. I was

praying for years for God to open up doors to reach out to these people. God gave a wonderful opportunity to spend time in counseling and prayer with a few such young ones. Initially, they were too arrogant to listen to anything in our group; I motivated all our fellowship people to pray for this particular need.

After continuous attempts, these young men (a group of eight) slowly started to accept the teaching and counseling. Now these young men are in the process of accepting the Lord. I feel so excited in the way that the LORD God does wonders.”

In addition to the modest monthly support our pastors and missionaries receive to carry out their ministry, 130 families—about 520 individuals—received a month’s worth of emergency food supplies after intense flooding destroyed their livelihoods. Four pastors received motorbikes so they could expand their ministry field. Ultimately, 125 men and women began following Jesus. Although lockdown made it impossible to baptize them in 2020, Pastor Jagan says this:

“2020 was a year of restoration. Believers had time to sit at the feet of God and pray and fast...

Gospel seeds that were planted in other ways and days sprouted in 2020.”

—Pastor Jagan*

“Those souls who now have a thirst for finding God after 2020—there will be a great opportunity for the harvest. There will be revival. The land is already prepared for the harvest. We are calling 2021 the year of hope. Now, we just must go to reap the harvest in 2021.”

8

India “Many people made a decision to follow Jesus, after receiving the love of Christ shared with them in the form of relief packets and words of encouragement.”

9

—Pastor Suraj*

BRINGING RELIEF

$88,838

28

500+

Total 2020 Ministry Expenditures

Pastors & Missionaries

New Believers

With a population of 1.3 billion, India is the second most populated country in the world after China. Nearly one in five people on earth live in this diverse country – it has 121 languages spoken by 10,000 or more people, and its geography ranges from the Himalayas to dry deserts to tropical rainforests and everything in between. Not only is it home to the largest Hindu population in the world, it is also home to the third-largest Muslim population. We directly come alongside the work of 28 followers of Jesus in mainland India (separate from Kashmir and the Andaman Islands)—missionaries who reach their people for Christ through child care and education, pastor training, women’s business empowerment programs, disaster relief, and of course, evangelism, discipleship and church planting.

In the face of COVID-19, India continues to face many disadvantages in managing a large-scale outbreak. Physical distancing and proper hand-washing are impossible for many millions of the poorest and most vulnerable who live in urban slums and rural villages. The nationwide lockdown precipitated a food security crisis, and members of minority religions, low-caste people, and other neglected groups have in many cases been overlooked in the distribution of aid.

afford keeping them at home instead of sending them to an orphanage. 14 men and women received job training or micro-investments for their small businesses. Although the ability to plant new physical churches was next to impossible with lockdowns, dozens of new online Bible studies began. About 150 pastors received education through two Bible schools, and 60 believers completed lay church ministry training throughout the country. In 2020, more than 500 men and women began following Jesus, and 374 were baptized.

In addition to the modest monthly support our 28 pastors and missionaries receive, in 2020 nearly 1,700 families who suffered tremendously due to COVID-19 lockdowns—about 8,500 people— received food and sanitation relief items.

650 children were educated through night schools run by pastors and church volunteers. 15 children received monthly sponsorship, enabling their families to

INDIA IMPACT REPORT 2020 Our India director Pastor Jairaj* shares: “The most difficult part of 2020 is as follows. Many people died without expressing faith in Christ; missionaries mourned this. Many people lost their jobs.

Church income came down and missionaries found difficulties in feeding their own families. But they never gave up their faith. They were very busy in finding help for their faith families. In the year 2020, most of the regular ministries were not done as usual because of lockdown. Most of the HB funds were used for COVID-19 relief programs. We did a lot of relief programs, and we were helping many Corona-affected families by supplying food items with our church volunteers. I praise God because, except for a few, all the believers became stronger in their faith. Because of COVID-19, so much more prayer time happened. Missionaries got new ideas for evangelism. They used WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, etc.

Many pastors comforted families over cell phone and did prayer that way. Some

became stronger in faith. Like in the book of Acts, believers gathered in houses, prayed and had fellowship.”

One of the first ministries Harvest Bridge supported was Gypsy and Tribal Empowerment (GATE). Started in the South Indian city of Chennai by our partner Priya*, GATE reaches gypsy and tribal peoples with the Gospel and demonstrates Christ’s love through holistic community development initiatives.

Gypsies and tribals, generally considered to be below the lowest castes in India’s social hierarchy, suffer from inadequate housing, low-paying jobs and poor nutrition. This is because they are not viewed as fully human nor as full citizens by the government. GATE’s work includes helping these communities gain civil rights - helping them access land, education, job training, and proper water and electricity. Twenty gypsy and tribal communities, consisting of about 2,000 households, are served through GATE’s 13 local missionaries and volunteers.

Priya explains what 2020 looked like: “The lockdowns were so hard. People were not able to go for work. It really affected our communities. There was no work. Loss of income. Lots of struggles. Lots of starvation. The kids were more affected by the societal effects of COVID-19. Harvest Bridge helped at the perfect time. We helped more than 700 families with food for one week. I have experienced seeing a mother starve while trying to feed her baby. So, we provided

milk packets to 43 new nursing mothers, and all mothers and babies have survived this pandemic. We helped 12 youth receive job training to improve their income. Night schools this year helped 300 children, ages 6-14 years old. I appointed two teachers, three nights a week. The children also received snacks.

30 people came to Christ and were baptized this year. Since 2008, 70% of the people have accepted Christ in our three main villages, which have about 660 families. GATE distributed Bibles to these believers. People had been saving up to buy a Bible, but then they had to spend it all on food during the pandemic.

We were able to give them Bibles for free.

The people were giving good testimonies with tears.”

Pastor Suraj* in the state of Bihar, which experienced some of the country’s worst flooding, describes his team’s work:

“The year of 2020 has been very hard on most of the people in the world because of COVID-19, lockdowns, forced migration and financial crisis. Some of the pastors and believers I know got infected with COVID-19, and even died because of lack of proper treatment and vaccines. The churches and even house churches were closed down. In such a year of suffering, with the support of Harvest Bridge, we were able to conduct COVID-19 and flood relief programs. We distributed dry food ration packets and sanitizing items among hundreds of poor, migrant and needy families in Bihar, and were able to alleviate some of their sorrows and bring some relieved smiles to their faces.

The distributions took place in different communities instead of in just one big community, which helped us to reach the selected neediest people specifically.

The beneficiaries were migrant workers, the elderly, widows, farmers, and the unemployed. People from all faiths like Hindu, Muslim, and Christian were

helped. About 1,800 people at six different locations received help from these relief projects. Many people made a decision to follow Jesus, after receiving the love of Christ shared with them in the form of relief packets and words of encouragement. Because of COVID-19 the churches have been locked down, and so it was difficult to give baptism. Still, around 25 people took baptism, and many others are waiting for the winter season to finish and for the vaccine.

Meanwhile, six house churches and 12 some online churches were started.”

Andaman Islands

13

THE POWER OF THE WORD A union territory of India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to what is sometimes referred to as the most isolated place on earth—North Sentinel Island. With a population of just 400,000 throughout the islands, the local pastors and missionaries we come alongside of have the opportunity to make a large impact on the culture of the entire main island, Great Andaman.

In 2020, in addition to providing modest monthly support for 20 pastors and missionaries, our support enabled our local partners to help over 100 families hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency food supplies for a month.

Two churches were repaired after storm damage, and at least 54 men and women made decisions to follow Jesus—with several hundred more men, women, and children indicating a great interest in the Gospel.

$15,135

20

54+

Total 2020 Ministry Expenditures

Missionaries Supported

New Believers

Pastor Khodi* reflects:

Pastor Ram*, our director of ministry on the islands, shares this:

“Since last March, during COVID-19, we are so much suffering and struggling and “As everything was locked down, monthly facing many problems. In lockdown, we support was very much needed. Finances could not move any place, shop, get were a very great challenge, as people essential items, go to the medical store, in the church could no longer give. There or go to fish and vegetable markets. was much wondering about what would We continued praying in house church happen. Harvest Bridge helped a lot so services, as all churches were closed we could meet the basic needs. In this down. We continued to pray for the whole time of great need, [those who supported world and India—for those who are us] are like the ravens that fed Elijah in suffering from COVID-19, and especially the famine. those doctors and nurses who are day and night working to save the people. We There were no new churches planted in continually broke down and prayed and 2020, but Bible studies continued to be cried to the Lord Jesus to please help us conducted. Throughout the pandemic, we and save us. We read the Holy Bible and have had early morning prayer over telethe Spirit of God strengthened us. Praise conference. We were so blessed listening God. Thank you, Jesus. By seeing our daily to the Word. We knew the Word would prayer and worship in the house, seven work. The Word would take power. People nearby people came and joined in the received the prayers and got saved and prayer on Sundays. All of them are Hindus.” came to the church. Non-Christians and

“We are expecting revival in the churches in 2021.”

—Pastor Ram* Christians joined these online meetings.

Before 2020, if a Hindu came to church they would be rejected by their family.

But over the phone, people are more interested; they could safely learn more.

Pray this brings more changes for the ministry. Every increase in the church has happened after toil or persecution or depression. We are expecting revival in the churches in 2021.”

Andaman Islands

14

Myanmar (Burma)

“The more we face hard times, the more we grow closer to our living God.” 17

—Pastor Pan*

DEEPENING FELLOWSHIP

$84,214

26

120+

Total 2020 Ministry Expenditures

Pastors & Missionaries

New Believers

*Note—In light of the military coup that began on February 1st, of 2021, Myanmar and the pastors and missionaries we come alongside there are walking into a completely new and extremely difficult era. We chose to keep our original 2020 report, including our pastors’ outlook for 2021, so you can know what their mindset was before this life-altering change.

We ask for your prayers for comfort, wisdom, and strength for the men and women we partner with and serve, and their fellow citizens.

which it began to heal from in the 2010s.

With a growing network of missionaries throughout the country, 26 of whom receive regular monthly support, Harvest Bridge comes alongside pastor training, child protection and education, women’s empowerment, economic development, printing and distribution of theological materials, and disaster relief.

One of our two country leaders, Pastor Pan*, gives his insight into the year:

Myanmar, also called Burma, takes up a landmass the size of Texas, yet has twice the population, with 54 million residents.

A beautiful country with a majority Buddhist population, Myanmar is rich with history, architecture, precious gems, incredible landscapes, and diverse culture.

The country has a long history of foreign colonization and local military rule,

In 2020, 735 families—about 3,675 men, women, and children—received several weeks’ worth of life-saving food supplies in the face of a hunger crisis precipitated

by COVID-19 lockdowns. 51 children received monthly sponsorship. Nine women received micro-grants to invest in or continue their small businesses.

Pastors and missionaries received 11 motorbikes and 15 bicycles to aid in their ministries. Over 120 men and women began following Jesus this past year, and 71 were baptized.

“Even though there are many restrictions, there are ways we can serve the Lord. I praise God for that. What the world gives us is bad news all the time. But the Word of God gives us Good News all the time.

The more we face hard times, the more we grow closer to our living God. No one is naturally willing to face problems, but when the problem comes, we take another step to grow our faith in Jesus Christ. The pastors and missionaries have faced financial problems, and have even struggled for daily food in 2020. The most difficult part was the restrictions, as we could not freely share the Gospel. But on the other hand, I can say that most of the believers are growing in their faith in God. For example, in my own house, I have had more time to worship and do Bible study.

Because of COVID-19, there was a great

MYANMAR IMPACT REPORT 2020 focus in 2020 on personal evangelism, discipleship, visiting and encouraging new believers, and praying for the sick.

God has been blessing the missionaries’ and pastors’ personal evangelism. The unbelievers are thinking about their destination. Especially Buddhist people are thinking about when they die, where their home will be.”

Our other country director, Pastor Thang*, reflects: “Harvest Bridge was able to give a great witness by providing support for food relief. And with this support, the pastors could be a witness to their people. In terms of spiritual life, at first it seemed like there wasn’t growth. I pray with the other pastors by phone, and a great concern was that many of the new church members are from Buddhist backgrounds and are young in their faith. The pastors worried that with such a long break from church that they would fall back to Buddhism. But with COVID-19 relief, this

was a great encouragement to the church members. It gave a great blessing of fellowship to help these new believers who were struggling to live day-to-day.

These believers saw that their pastors’ preaching and teaching is not only theoretical, it is the practical love of Jesus.

Their faith was renewed through this.

We all are talking very often about worshipping God normally in church again, and doing home visits. I believe there will be new ways of evangelizing in the new year. In Myanmar it has been one year since going to church in person, so we have learned and have new ideas of how to reach people after this year. We have met and reached many people through relief, and we are excited for them to come to church in 2021 now that we’ve been introduced to them.”

Pastor Lian* reflects on some of the challenges, as well as the growth in 2020:

“Though there are many restrictions, I still have ways to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. I have conducted a homecell twice in a week and Bible study once in a week. I have conducted house-tohouse ministry with less people. The people are so excited, and we rejoiced having those meetings. We pray for one another and listen to the Word of God from the Bible together. We are growing in the Lord. I have seen people come closer to our living God through our efforts. Also, there are some new seekers who joined our meetings who have believed in Jesus Christ. One of the new believers who accepted Christ recently has been persecuted by his family. He was warned by his parents who said, ‘If you continue to follow Jesus Christ, you will be excommunicated from our family’.

This man said to his parents, ‘I can’t stop following Jesus Christ because He has given me a new life.’ His parents got angry with him. He asked us to pray for his parents to come to Jesus Christ, and that this persecution will not be continued.”

Mang*, the father of a family who received food from one pastor, Zom*, shares how it changed his family’s life forever: “We have five members in our family.

During this pandemic, I had no work to earn money to feed my family. We struggled a lot. Pastor Zom came to our home with food items and gave it to us freely. If he didn’t help us on that day, we would not have had food for the next day. He not only brought help, he also shared with us about the love of God and the salvation message. In the past also he shared the Gospel with us, but as my wife and I grew up in the Laipian religion, we denied Jesus in our hearts even though Pastor Zom shared with us.

But this time, the Lord spoke to us and our hearts were opened to the Gospel message. Pastor Zom shared with us the difference between the Laipian god and the living God. We understood that Jesus is the living God through John 14:6. We came to realize that Jesus is the only way

to go to heaven. Now, heaven is our home because we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. We joined the church and are ready for water baptism. I thank God for His salvation. I also thank you so much for the food that you have provided for our family.”

“Though there are many restrictions, I still have ways to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.”

—Pastor Lian*

20

Nepal & Tibet

Tibet

Nepal

“We learned that we should not depend on a church building, rather we should concentrate on people.

People matter to God, not the church building.”

—Pastor Shalva*

21

THE LOVE OF CHRIST IN ACTION Nepal is the beautiful home of Mount Everest! It also borders Tibet, where we support ministry in the border region.

With a population of 30 million, Nepal has the distinction of being one of the few countries in the region never to be colonized. As such, it has maintained a rich cultural history, despite being landlocked by the two most populous countries in the world—India and China.

Until 2008, Nepal was the only Hindu kingdom in the world. In recent years, the church in Nepal has become one of the top ten fastest-growing in the world.

$63,127

55

700

Total 2020 Ministry Expenditures

Missionaries Supported

New Believers

The 55 men and women we support are spread throughout the country, and primarily in mountainous areas. Pastor training and disaster relief have also been key areas of focus, with several recent projects also focused on women’s empowerment and children’s education.

Our country director, Pastor Shalva*, explains what ministry looked like in 2020: “During this COVID-19 time no new fellowship started, but fellowships were extended by missionaries into smaller groups for safety. City pastors started Zoom meetings and village pastors started visiting people at their homes.

We learned that we should not depend on a church building, rather we should concentrate on people. People matter to God, not the church building. In this pandemic, missionaries saw the difficulties people are having as they traveled to help people in new places.

They knew they had to do something— not only preach the Gospel, but also do action-oriented activities. Not just to bring people to the Lord, but also express the love of Christ to the people through action, as well as pray for them.

People were losing jobs and the church needed to address their needs somehow, but the church also had not many resources. The church coordinated with the local government for these poor communities, to provide some support.

We are very much thankful for Harvest Bridge. In the COVID-19 pandemic, it has helped us to survive as well as lead and support the people among whom we are doing ministry. We could also buy some kilos of rice and lentils to give to those who were in a very critical situation (about 60 families—270 people). We were able to help 180 of the poorest of poor children to be able to go back to

NEPAL & TIBET IMPACT REPORT 2020 school by providing school necessities.

We also provided training to 40 destitute women by helping them with four sewing machines and supplies to make and sell 50,000 face masks. Our missionaries altogether baptized 300 disciples, and about 700 people received Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It was wonderful.

With lockdowns in 2020, most of the pastors and believers had a wonderful chance to read the Bible and pray. I think they grew spiritually this year more than last year. We are excited to continue serving the Lord in 2021.”

Many of the 180 children helped are like Binayak, a 12-year-old fifth-grade student in a rural mountain village. Pastor Manak*, says: “His father works as a mason, and his mother works in other people’s fields.

Binayak loves to study and learn new things in school, but his parents can barely manage to afford study materials and uniforms. They managed to admit

him into a government school, but there were many things lacking, due to which he couldn’t study like he had hoped. His parents were still struggling to fulfill the family’s basic needs, as they couldn’t work due to the pandemic. Binayak wanted to self-study at home, but his parents couldn’t buy him notebooks to practice on. The study materials that we distributed have encouraged and helped Binayak to study without any obstacle and to pursue his dreams for a better future. The family are Hindus, but since support came through our local Church, the testimony has been a huge deal for our village.”

Pastor Natesh* shares one way his church expressed the love of Christ through action this year: “Rima*, aged 27, was born and brought up in a traditional orthodox Hindu family.

She got married at the age of 23. After she got pregnant at 24, her husband took her to the hospital to find out the gender

of the baby, which is illegal. It was a girl, so he physically and mentally abused his pregnant wife and forcefully got the child aborted. Rima was very sad and she had nowhere to go. Her parents said that she had to stay with her husband and do whatever he told her. She got pregnant again at 25, and it was also a girl. She tried to fight her husband to keep the baby, but instead he physically abused her so badly that a miscarriage took place. She got pregnant for a third time,

but she didn’t tell her husband this time.

Instead, she decided to run away. This is when I met her.

I shared the Gospel and my testimony with her. She told me about her problem and that she had nowhere to go. I talked to a sister from church and asked her to help Rima by hosting her for some time.

She agreed and took Rima with her. The next day we helped her report against her husband at the police station. She got a divorce from her husband and he was fined for over $1,000, which she received.

Rina confessed her faith in Christ and is currently staying at our church. She cleans the church and helps with other things as well. She hopes to rent a room as soon as she finds a job and serve the Lord along with her child, no matter what the gender may be. She is full of hope and faith in Christ.”

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Pakistan

HOPE THROUGH EDUCATION Although our ministry in Pakistan is smaller than in other countries, it is making a deep impact. Our partners carried out small-scale food distributions under COVID-19 lockdowns, reaching several dozen families with a month’s worth of food. Our greatest focus, however, is supporting a school in Eastern Pakistan. In the economic fallout of COVID-19, helping children with school supplies and equipping the school with cleaning supplies made it possible for dozens of children from poor families to continue their education.

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This school has been providing free education to poor, orphaned, abandoned, and exploited children in Pakistan since 2012. It is a Christian school, but it employs both Muslim and Christian teachers and enrolls about 90% Muslim and 10% Christian students. Although small, the school has set an example

$9,296 Total 2020 Ministry Expenditures of what it can look like for Muslims and Christians to work together, and it has caused the Muslim community to give greater respect to the historically marginalized Christian community, while opening doors for the Gospel.

Its founder says: “The school has been sharing the love of Christ among Christians and Muslims, and has made a great impact in the lives of those who had hatred-filled hearts and hostile behavior towards Christianity. It has always created a great Gospel bridge for us. This mercy ministry has been more successful than any other ministry we have ever done!

In May, with your support, we took care of the immediate needs of the school. We distributed food items to 21 children from 14 different families. The families had many words of gratitude. They sent a lot

“This mercy ministry has been more successful than any other ministry we have ever done!” of prayers for our ministry, and for those who supported. They truly needed the help at this time.

Our school was able to re-open.

Unfortunately, the number was reduced because we had to move the building to another area. This is the beginning though. Our teachers will continue visiting local families to bring more kids to our school. In November we distributed uniforms, shoes, socks, bags, and books to 17 students. By God’s grace and with your support, COVID-19 protective items and hygiene items were made available at the school. School necessities were purchased and bills paid. We also installed a large handwashing sink at the entrance of the school building.

We have supported families of the kids, school staff, and several missionaries with food packages to help cover damages to

their income from joblessness or low work during this COVID-19 period. Thank you for the funds, all your prayers, love, and support towards our ministry in Pakistan and for the Pakistani people. May the Lord continue to bless all of you.”

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2020 Expenditures

Total Direct and Indirect Expenditures: $552,487*

Fundraising & Awareness Administration Church Planting & Evangelism Disaster Relief & Rehabilitation Children’s Ministries

10% 1% 7%

1%

7%

42%

9%

Poverty Alleviation Project Monitoring Trips by Staff Pastor Education & Training

Key Partner Organizations:

23%

2020 Sources of Support

Total Direct and Indirect Support: $618,612* 1%

Christian Nonprofits 4% Churches Individuals Businesses & Foundations

38% 40%

Other Income

18%

*Minor adjustments may occur in the course of our annual financial review. Financial data includes HB-facilitated grants, which are sent from grantors directly to our Asian partner ministries but depend on HB’s guidance in project planning, implementation, and reporting.

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WHY YOU SUPPORTED IN 2020 The work detailed in these pages would not be possible without the financial and prayer support of our partner organizations, churches, and individuals. In 2020, which was so full of uncertainty, we were amazed and humbled by your continued and increased support! We asked several individuals and churches to share why they chose to support the work of Harvest Bridge in 2020.

“We began supporting Harvest Bridge because the idea of coming alongside South Asians who were already ministering where they lived made a lot of sense financially. We have continued our support because we have seen the success of the ministry. The growth of HB is a testament to the soundness of the model and even more is a testament to the strong faith of the partners.

In each update we read about pastors

INDIVIDUALS and missionaries who live and work in very difficult circumstances with unwavering commitments to spreading the Gospel message. Our faith is encouraged by their steadfastness; we are very thankful to be part of this ministry.”

—Joe and Joanna

“What drew our hearts to Harvest Bridge is their desire to come alongside local missionaries who are already living out and sharing the Gospel to their own people groups. We had the privilege of meeting Darpan* and Rina*, who serve Jesus in Bangladesh, and got the chance to see their hearts on fire for the Lord and their excitement of doing His work.

We couldn’t help but humbly want to be a small part of their mission through HB. This past year, specifically with Covid, it was hard on everyone, but hearing reports and testimonies from HB pas-

tors that they had such a strong need for basic necessities including food, put into perspective our situations. We have loved being able to be a small part of the stories echoed back of not only food reaching remote areas, but that the food was being accompanied with the Gospel as well. How awesome! No greater joy than hearing how some have come to know Jesus by the witness of the hands that are feeding them. We love that the Lord has brought HB to our hearts and are humbled to be able to give to our brothers and sisters, knowing it’s going towards furthering the kingdom for all eternity.” —Nathan and Meredith

“Harvest Bridge is one of my favorite organizations to support. I love that Harvest Bridge doesn’t send people to fix communities, but instead equips those familiar with those communities

and associated cultures to share the news of Jesus Christ. I’ve been blown away by the stories shared and deeply encouraged by the rapid spread of the gospel due to Harvest Bridge’s programs.

I’m excited to continue to be a part of this mission and plan on continuing to spur my friends to join!” —Danielle

“In our search for a missionary organization to shepherd a large one-time gift, my wife and I had specific criteria.

Three things were important: we wanted to provide food or medical care to the most vulnerable in the hope of opening doors to relationships and the gospel, transparency and appropriate financial stewardship, and speed to the field.

After extensive research, we found that Harvest Bridge checked every box. Upon our donation hitting their account, the funds were provided to the field in less

than 10 days and the outcome was outstanding. It was reported back to us that 3,900 men, women, and children received food and resources in Kashmir and Bangladesh for several weeks when starvation was a potential reality. And as a result, as we hoped, they heard the gospel through word and action.

Sometime later it was reported there was a need for more Bibles because of how many people came to Christ!

Throughout the process, we received updates with pictures and details. By all accounts, people’s lives were impacted and a HUGE impact for the Kingdom was made. If you’re looking for a nimble, financially responsible organization, working in unreached parts of the world with native workers on the ground—I suggest you look no further than Harvest Bridge. They receive our highest recommendation and we hope to give more in the coming years.” —Todd and Sarah

“By all accounts, people’s lives were impacted and a HUGE impact for the Kingdom was made.”

—Todd and Sarah

WHY YOU SUPPORTED IN 2020

CHURCHES

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“We were initially attracted to the ministry of Harvest Bridge because of its outreach to people in areas of the world where the gospel was unknown.

We wanted to come alongside their work with indigenous leaders who plant churches and create a culture of godly growth and Christ-centered discipleship. It also became apparent that our limited resources went a lot further supporting indigenous missionaries from Harvest Bridge compared to sending missionaries from America. Although given the choice for our support to go where needed most, we decided to get involved with two pastors in Myanmar.

We treasure the relationships we are developing with these men and their families. (Thanks, Zoom!) Their faith and faithfulness have been a challenge to us. Our fellowship with them has fostered a sense of partnership, not only with members of the Mission Team,

but with our whole congregation. This past year was difficult financially for us, but it was life and death for our fellow Christians in Myanmar. What a privilege to share our limited resources with these pastors so they could better meet the physical needs of their congregations and share the love of Christ with their communities.”

“Our church has enjoyed supporting Harvest Bridge through the years because they make mission real and we can sense the Hand of God in their projects. Harvest Bridge has projects that smaller churches like ours can get behind and either support them in total or join with others to meet the project’s need. Harvest Bridge’s philosophy of coming along side native people of South Asia to enable them to help themselves thoroughly resonates with

our Church. Harvest Bridge has lots of volunteers that enable donations to go further than anyone would imagine, which is another indication that the presence of God is with this organization. Harvest Bridge has become an incredible network of dedicated Christians that accomplishes so much with ours and other donations. We feel it is truly an amazing organization and they make us into joyful givers.”

“We count it a privilege to support Harvest Bridge in the mission of reaching some of the least evangelized people groups in Asia. Our church chose to support Harvest Bridge due to their proven record of working with local ministries, training pastors, and ministering to those in need. We are thankful for all that Harvest Bridge does to spread God’s love in South Asia.”

“What a privilege to share our limited resources with these pastors.”

—Church Supporter

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Harvest Bridge equips South Asian Christians to serve their communities

Harvest Bridge P.O. Box 284 Grove City, PA 16127

more effectively. With our assistance, people and communities in South Asia

harvestbridge.org

are transformed by the love of Christ. @harvest_bridge

@HBmissions

Harvest Bridge