Nanthini is an 18-year-old from Sri Lanka. She was raised by her grandparents alongside her two sisters and two younger cousins. While her grandparents did their best to raise five children while working in the tea gardens, Nanthini and the other children were often left alone, feeling neglected. “There were times where we yearned for parental love and protection that no one could provide,” she remembers.

But that wasn’t the end of Nanthini’s struggles. She was unable to walk, stand, or speak on her own for nearly eight years. Her mental development was not on track with others her age. Her reproductive organs were not developing, and doctors said she would never experience puberty. Friends and family ridiculed and rejected her. “I would overhear people say really mean things, like ‘she is a curse to the family, nothing good will come from her’ and ‘she will never be a woman, she will not live long,’” Nanthini remembers sadly.

She was often left home alone when her grandparents and family would go out. She quit school at 15. She was discouraged and sad.

One day, a pastor and Bible League-trained church planter visited Nanthini. He introduced her to the Bible, telling her about the healing power of Jesus. “I said to myself, ‘I’m going to trust Jesus, the miraculous healer,’” she remembers. “I started with the Gospel of Mark, trusting Jesus word by word. I felt hopeful after reading the Bible and placed my whole trust in Jesus.”

The next month, Nanthini went to the hospital for her monthly checkup. Doctors were amazed to find healthy development throughout her body. Everything was improving. Nanthini knew it was because of God. “I was very interested and hungry to learn more of the Word of God,” she says.

She began praying for her father who struggled with alcoholism and showed no signs of repentance. For weeks she prayed, knowing the power of God. Her father became ill and gave up drinking for good.

The more she saw God work, the stronger Nanthini’s faith became. Her father has since come back into her life and her mother has promised to do the same. “I am thrilled and grateful for the ministry of Bible League International,” she says. “I was disabled, rejected, and cursed, but now the love of God has changed my life and blessed my heart. Thank you.”

Abel, 11, and Yoangel, 14, are two of the millions of people affected by the Venezuelan refugee crisis. Their families, both from Venezuela, were forced to join households and live together because of the economic crisis in their country. But even the new living arrangements didn’t help the families enough, and they decided to emigrate to Colombia.

After weeks of travel, the families finally landed in Bogotá, Colombia. They found a place to stay, but sadly, the long travel had been too hard for Yoangel’s mother. She was suffering with lung issues and the trip made those worse. She passed away in Bogotá. Devastated, the two families decided to move again to escape the sad memories.

Heading south towards Ecuador, they stopped in Santander de Quilichao, a violent city in southern Colombia. But despite the violence, the families felt welcome. A local pastor showed them support and love, so much that they decided to stay. They found a place to live—and they found Jesus!

Yoangel says God’s Word has changed his life and brought comfort to his family. “Becoming part of the church has been very good for my family and me. Before bed, I read my new Bible and take it to every Bible study,” he says. “I know today that Jesus Christ is my Savior!”

Abel has found comfort and peace in Jesus. “I found God’s help through His Word here,” he says. “Jesus gave His life for us, and He gives us love and strength to continue our lives.” Currently, both boys are studying the Word through a Project Philip Bible study in their church.

At such young ages, these boys have suffered more than many adults, but their mature faith has brought them peace and comfort. Please pray for them.

Are you in need of a daily dose of positive?

Bible League is starting a new initiative called Be Encouraged: Good News Never Stops. We’ll deliver devotions from global staff and stories of God’s faithfulness right to your inbox.

Sign up for our Verse of the Day email and you’ll start seeing these encouraging stories in the next few days. We can all stay positive during this time knowing that God is in control!

Online Shopping During Social Distancing?

Share the Good News When You Shop Online with Amazon Smile!

Each time you place an order on Amazon, you can engage someone in the Word of God! Here’s how:

1. Start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. This is the same Amazon you know, just with the option to give back.

2. When prompted, designate Bible League International as your charitable organization.

3. Go shop!

That’s it! Each time you make a purchase, Amazon will donate 0.5% back to Bible League International, providing Bibles and Bible study tools to believers around the world. Thank you for your support by providing God’s Word!

Additional Prayer Requests

Around the world, we see God using this scary pandemic as an awakening. In Albania, a Muslim-dominated country, Bible studies are starting because people are looking for hope. Pray that God would continue to soften hearts to the Gospel and use this time of uncertainty to bring people to Him.

We’re seeing leaders start new initiatives to continue their ministry. Praise God that He’s provided many non-traditional opportunities for believers to worship, pray, and share the Gospel together. Pray that ministry leaders around the globe would stay encouraged and continue to serve.