A Haven for Children in Need: An Evening School Story

*representative image

Although they knew their father might not approve, Emmanuel, Andrew, and Sudanya were desperate to go to the Jesus for Asia Evening School nearby. 

They wanted a place to escape from the strain of their unhappy home situation and access to good, consistent food, which the Evening School could offer them. 

Following a sad train of events, their mother had essentially been replaced. Their father had met a beautiful woman at his workplace, and they began an illicit office romance. His wife (Emmanuel, Andrew, and Sudanya’s mother) discovered what was happening and confronted the other woman, urging her to leave her husband alone. When the woman refused, the fight became physical.

Emmanuel, Andrew, and Sudanya’s father was angry that his peace had been disturbed. He started rumors among his neighbors that his wife was mentally ill, citing the altercation with his mistress as proof. Finally, he went to the extreme of having her committed to a mental institution.

Now feeling free, the father brought the other woman into his home to live with him and his family. She had no kind feelings toward his children and treated them very poorly, not taking care of them or making sure they were properly fed. 

One day, the Evening School principal in the area visited their village. They had heard good things about the school and asked him if they could come. 

The principal told them he needed their parents’ permission, but they begged to be allowed without it. “We will talk to anyone who comes and asks us why we are going there, and tell them that we went on our own. The pastor did not force us.” 

So the children started going to the Evening School. Praise the Lord, the children were treated well and given the love they had lacked for many months. They were given a good education, good food, and learned about God’s love. They never wanted to go home when the Evening School finished each night. It had become a haven for them.

Emmanuel, Andrew, and Sudanya have asked the students and teachers in the Evening School to pray for their mother to return home, for God to touch their father’s heart, and restore their family. Will you join them in their prayers?

God has enabled JFA Evening Schools to become safe havens for other kids in difficult family situations. We have even seen God change the hearts and lives of their parents in answer to prayer (watch Manoj’s testimony here). Please pray for all our Evening Schools in India so they can continue to bless the children of India and introduce them to Jesus.

If you would like to learn more about our Evening School program and how you can support this life-changing project, please click the button below.