Bangladesh

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

—Pastor Darpan*

BANGLADESH IMPACT REPORT 2020

LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE & MAKE DISCIPLES

$101,974 Total 2020 Ministry Expenditures

51 Pastors & Missionaries

1,190 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 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

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.