Throughout South Asia and Myanmar, women are stepping into their God-given potential.

They are leading, teaching, and transforming their communities. Their journeys are not without hardship. Many serve in areas of extreme poverty and natural disasters. They face persecution for their beliefs, societal rejection, or the weight of deeply ingrained cultural expectations. In spite of these challenges, the women supported by Harvest Bridge are standing firm, supporting their communities, and sharing the Gospel. We would like to share just a few of their stories in this month’s newsletter.

“We have been organizing a women’s fellowship, including the mothers of children. Each week, we select specific topics and take turns facilitating discussions on them. God’s works have been evident throughout all these activities, guiding us every step of the way.”

—Martha, age 55, Bangladesh

“Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with young women in our community. It’s been inspiring to see their eagerness to grow spiritually and support one another through life’s challenges. I hope to set up a crisis counseling center where individuals facing difficult life situations can receive biblical counseling and emotional support.”

—Swati, age 46, Nepal

“As I was preaching, a woman from the crowd approached me with a look of criticism. She started mocking me loudly in front of everyone, calling me foolish for believing in ‘foreign gods’. Her words were harsh and hurtful, and she even encouraged others to join her in mocking my faith. Despite the humiliation, I stood firm and continued to share the message of Christ’s love and forgiveness. Although I felt the sting of rejection, I knew that God was with me, giving me the strength to persevere. I kept praying silently for the woman’s heart to soften and for the Gospel to reach those who needed it the most.”

—Kabya, Bangladesh

“Ara, a 37-year-old woman, faced cruel judgment and isolation soon after her marriage. Within a year of marrying, both her father-in-law and mother-in-law passed away. Instead of receiving compassion, Ara was met with hurtful labels. Some in her community began calling her unlucky or even a witch, blaming her for the tragic losses her family had faced. Her husband stood by her, offering unwavering support, but the weight of society’s cruelty took a toll on her. She often felt lonely, isolated, and like a burden.

When I met Ara, her pain was clear, and my heart went out to her. I spent time with her, listened to her story, and assured her of her worth and God’s love for her. I shared stories of God’s grace and how Jesus welcomed and valued those whom society cast aside. With her permission, I prayed with her, asking God to surround her with peace and courage. Ara soon began attending our fellowship, where she found a warm, accepting community. Surrounded by people who cared for her, she gradually healed from the wounds of others’ words. Today, Ara stands strong in her faith, knowing she is loved and that her life holds purpose beyond any hurtful label. She has confessed her faith in Christ and accepted Jesus into her life. Although her husband is not willing to come to fellowships and services, he supports her decision to follow Christ and she hopes to bring him and their two daughters to the Lord too.”

—Pari, age 44, Nepal

“While I was sharing the Gospel with one of my coworkers, a local community leader came up to us with a group of people. They told us that we should be at home doing the household chores, asking why were we roaming around. They asked us to leave immediately. We both stayed calm and kept praying for our safety. They followed us until we got into an auto-rickshaw. Even though it was a difficult moment, it personally made me more determined to keep sharing God’s love, believing that He will touch their hearts.”

—Padma, age 75, Bangladesh

Priya, GATE (Gypsy and Tribal Empowerment) director in India, shares about Suma*, a woman who received job training and tools to start a business: “Suma is independent, she knows how to do for herself. She’s a woman who never had a business before. She is empowered by herself, and she knows how to stand by herself. Now she knows how to handle the family and the business also. She would be an even better business woman, but she has to take care of the family. She told me, ‘I learned a lesson after this project to be independent through God.’”

Aani is another woman who now runs a business with Priya’s support: “Aani has a garment shop near a bus stop—it’s a very crowded place. The police come and tell her, ‘the people are coming, so you need to move’, so she cannot cater to the same customers again. So that’s a very challenging thing when she has to move all the time. She says, ‘I am not quiet. Whenever I see the people I tell how Jesus helped me. So many people ask me, “how did you become a business woman?”’ So she tells them that, ‘God helped me. I want to thank God every time when I’m selling.’ She says, ‘this is the right time I can share the Gospel to the people and sell my sarees.’”

These are just a few of the stories of the women who are changing lives through the support of Harvest Bridge. Listen to our podcast this month (click here) to hear from Priya* and Jandi* as they share more about how they are bringing hope to their communities. You can give to support women like these by giving to the Women’s Empowerment Fund or to the GATE program (click here).