Ben and Sarah worked with international students at universities in Southeast Asia. Students come from all over the world to study in this region, and many come from countries in the 1040 Window.
Also known as “The Resistance Belt,” the 1040 Window is the region that makes up most of the world’s Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus. When international students from this region meet Christians like Ben and Sarah, they may hear the gospel for the first time.
“It is a beautiful wedding of God’s people there—very multicultural. [The students] are getting a gospel witness that they would not have in their home country,” Ben said. “There’s a lot of international students from the 1040 Window—from places like the Middle East, North Africa, and East Asia.”
Ben and Sarah sum up their ministry to these students as “building friendships and sharing the gospel.”
Sarah recently became friends with a Hindu woman named Laila. Sarah and Laila formed a friendship by talking about their backgrounds and cultures. As their friendship grew, a door opened to share the hope of the gospel.
One day, Laila opened up to Sarah with a question bothering her.
“No one has ever been able to answer this question for me before,” Laila said. “In Hinduism, we’re taught that when something bad happens, it’s because you did something wrong. It’s called karma. Well, that doesn’t make any sense to me. Why is there no justice in the world? So many innocent people suffer, and so many bad people never get caught.”
“That’s a great question. Karma makes no sense, I agree!” Sarah said. “Have you heard the story of the Bible?”
Laila had never heard the gospel and wanted to know more. Sarah told her about creation, the fall, and redemption.
“There is suffering in the world because of real evil. God loves us so much that He actually came and entered into our suffering and died for us to redeem us,” Sarah said. “He doesn’t want to leave it this way. God didn’t create the world this way, and this is not His ultimate plan for the world. He’s coming back, and there’s going to be a new world.”
Sarah told her the Bible is like a “life in the letter U.”
“Things were good, and then there was the fall,” Sarah explained, drawing a U with her finger. “But then Jesus came, and it’s going to be good again someday, and things will come back up.”
Laila stared at Sarah open-mouthed in shock.
“I’ve never heard that before,” Laila said. “I’ve never heard anyone be able to answer my question.”
Laila had never heard of anything like this in Hinduism. For the first time, she encountered a God who cares about suffering and justice; for the first time, she encountered a God who has answers to her questions.
Sarah and Ben are praying for Laila, who is still processing this revelation of a God who is just. Please pray that Laila would enter into a relationship with Jesus, our King, who is perfect in love and justice.
“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unending love.” Psalm 33:5
*Names have been changed for the privacy and safety of our workers, ministry partners and those we serve.