LIFE GIVING AND LIFE CHANGING

Can a book heal a person? Can a book bring discipline into the life of a child who does not bother about their mother’s or father’s word? Given they believe whatever they think is right, can a book really make a child understand what is right and what is wrong? Whatever life has taken them through, can a book give freedom to explore all their emotions, including the pain, the good and the bad? Can a book that is only 4-5 lines per page make someone understand the creator of the universe?

I happened to be teaching some children in my village the Good News Storybooks. Children of different faiths were there. One child, born of another faith, due to past circumstances does not respect anyone, especially his family and teachers. He was having bad habits and addicted to drugs. When I met him it was so hard for me, as he would come and abuse me and disturb the class. As days were passing by, he would see the children were enjoying the Good News Storybook program. They were singing and playing, so he then wanted to join. He participated in the action songs and games. That was the start of his journey through the Good News Storybooks. He said that he especially loves the action song in the first session, ‘God Created.’ The Good News Storybooks were so easy for him to participate in and learn from. He really enjoyed every session. In the past, anyone giving him money to get drugs was a god to him. Now he knows who is the creator and what is God’s purpose in creating him. He says, ‘God has created everything and all of creation functions with fruitfulness in doing their duties without fear. The secret is being surrendered to God’s word. When we look at the seas, they produce a lot of fish. When we look at the forest, it grows.’

As he was worshipping God in the Good News Storybook session, God told him that to be fruitful and successful, you just say yes and obey whatever God says.

So the answer is yes! A book can do all this. He is no longer taking any drugs. He is going to school and giving huge respect to his parents and teachers. Now he has come to that secret place with God. He opens up his heart and he worships the creator in happiness and pain.

Also he is now doing the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program and is up to session three.

This was a broken child. Now not only he, but his family have been redesigned by God in a beautiful way. God has taken away so much shame and tension from their lives.

Education is giving knowledge but the Good News Storybooks are giving life.

Before receiving the Good News Storybooks I heard my call from God, ‘Go to this place.’ So I went. I was finding it very hard in this place. It was a very clear word from God, but I had no connection with the people. So I was thinking that when the big miracles happen, people will come to me. I was doing it for that purpose only. But nothing would happen. No one was coming and there was no opportunity to share. After some days I felt God was not with me. Maybe I am not called and this is not God’s plan, I reasoned. So I left the ministry. I was so upset and started to question God. Then I received some boxes of books. As soon as I was carrying some of these books, three children came up to me. I opened the Good News Storybooks Program Manual that came with these books and began to teach the children. It was then I came to understand that we are to teach them about God. It is not about a big church or big miracles.

The Good News Storybooks started with the creation story. It was simple and so powerful to them. Now the three kids brought another three of their friends. Then all of a sudden I was having a big children’s congregation there. When doing the stories and songs in the Good News Storybooks Program Manual with the children, the community observed.

The Spirit of God told me that the Good News Storybooks are His word, the rain which He is pouring into their hearts. It is His unchanging word that will produce fruit in them for His kingdom. This went deep into my heart.

After the Good News Storybooks first session, the parents of the children started to come to me. I was shocked! It was the kids who started to minster to their parents, telling them who created. They learnt the stories and shared them with their family.

Fear was very strong over the people. The gods of their world had a hold over them, but through the Good News Storybooks they received the truth. They have been set free and are now standing in the truth amongst persecution. In these times, they have also protected me.

The Good News Storybooks are a touch of God from heaven.

Through these small books, the Spirit of God has gone in a good way and changed all of us.

We used to walk with our heads down, unable to face others with the shame we carried. Now we lift our heads high because we now understand our equality.