Christmas gifts for neglected families in Andhra

A gospel group is bringing hope to neglected families across India as it demonstrates God's love in a tangible way this Christmas.

New sewing machines are being distributed to dozens of families in Andhra Pradesh through the online Christmas Catalog of the Gospel for Asia (GFA).

For families like Kanta and Aishwarya Baiji, these machines apart from stitching fabric is helping to fight poverty and abuse.

"God has answered our prayer," says Aishwarya. "Kanta and I used to spend time together praying, 'God, if you are willing, give us our own sewing machine one day."

Kanta and Aishwarya had to work in field labor jobs that provided little income. Often, no work was available. And in their area, women workers made only half the wages that the men were paid.

Aishwarya had known how to sew since she was a young girl, so her dream was to make a living with that skill. As believers, she and her husband prayed faithfully that God would provide a sewing machine.

Through the gift of a Christian to the GFA Christmas Gift Catalog, Aishwarya received her machine.

"Now I won't have to do farm labor," she rejoiced. "There is no other tailoring shop here, so there will be good business."

It was after a long wait and prayer the couple received a sewing machine. They want to use this miracle to share hope with others in their village as well.

"I'm going to encourage others that whatever their needs are, pray and spend time with God," Kanta said. "If you don't see the answer today, maybe tomorrow, but just be faithful. God will provide in His timing."

Many of the families that receiving these Christmas gifts are those socially segregated. "Some have AIDS, some have come out of prostitution and others were abused. No matter their stories, each woman desperately needs a new start in lifeâ€"which is where the sewing machines come in," says GFA.

The mission group explained that with the machines the women will be able to learn how to make a living and provide for themselves. "Even for those who have been abandoned by their husbands or families, they will have a new source of income," it said.

Among other Christmas gifts available in the "Gift of Compassion" catalog of GFA are blankets, bios and water filter, LED solar light system and tool kits for plowing or planting. Christians can even gift a church building or new house for victims of last year's violence in Orissa.

Victims of the Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka flooding will also be a major part of those receiving needed items through the virtual gift shop.