Ashok & Emily
The Good Samartian Ministry Story
It was cold, that’s all she remembers. As custom was, a woman would sleep outside for 3 weeks after giving birth. She thanked God; she had given birth to a boy. Boys would help to make a strong family. It must have been near to Christmas time. That is when it’s coolest in the village. The thick jungle forest and mountains made it really cold at that time of year. She remembers holding him, praying that her boy would be strong and grow up to be a good man. They were illiterate. No date was recorded for the child’s birth. But they loved him, and they named him Ashok, after a great King. When the opportunity came for schooling at a mission hostel, they sent him there. He would have only been 4 or 5.
Ashok grew up strong, after schooling he followed his calling to attend Bible College, then another Bible College, this time in English. He went on to study a Masters in Divinity and Theology, and teach at a bible school. After being held at gunpoint amidst the kidnapping of the College Headmaster, he dreamed to go to a better place, and help these people who were so blind in the faith. Moving to another part of India, Ashok worked with a charity, which originated from Australia. It was here, a young 18 year old from Adelaide came on her first mission trip, and from the moment their eyes met, it was meant to be.
Ashok married Emily less than 2 years later, and after that started the charity Good Samaritan Ministry (GSM) which they both had been dreaming of. The first year it was blankets and saris. Not wanting to pay over $300 for a conference in Adelaide, they took that money to India and with other donations distributed over 200 blankets to very poor families in India. Since that first distribution, GSM has seen blankets, saris, goats, chickens, cows and food parcels distributed. Roofs have been mended, widows are cared for, and children are educated. Pastors are supported to spread God’s word to unreached people groups living amongst the mountains. Children are supported to receive an education through tuition centres which are opened in remote villages.
Now GSM supports around 200 children on a daily basis as well as supporting widows, pastors, poor, illiterate, disabled, remote and outcast people groups. We take short term mission teams across to India to see the work we do. The aim of GSM is to reach isolated, rural, remote and poor people with God’s love in a practical way. The idea is that they will see Jesus in and through us, and this will preach more than words. When opportunities arise, Ashok goes to remote areas to preach the gospel to people hungry to hear God’s word. With the purchase of land recently, the prayers and goal is to bless the community, and open a place where anyone is welcome to come, feel loved and be blessed. Thank you to everyone who supports us in the work that we are called to do.
Ashok & Emily Mishal