Working as laborers, my parents struggled hard to maintain our family and as an elder son, I did not even attempt to go to school regularly. I spoiled my own chance for an education by being among a bad company of friends. I used to smoke and skip school everyday. In this way I grew up as an irresponsible child. Because of my excesses, I was only able to do cement work for my livelihood and so I worked several years as a cement worker.

When I turned 22, I became a street fighter with my friends. I made so many families struggle. I never thought of my family and never thought of my future. From my childhood, I heard about Jesus Christ as our village is slowly adapting to Christianity. Many in my village are learning about Jesus Christ but I was out of my mind completely and spent many of my years in the world. Many families struggled because me.  Many even thought to kill me.

I never cared for my life or my family members; all I wanted in this world was pleasure. But I never expected or imagined that there was a true God who could lift my life and use me for His everlasting service and for His glory.

I was married to Aruna, who is from a Hindu family. My family thought I would become a good man if I married, but things turned out differently. I started beating my wife for little things and started roaming with many women and my life became totally meaningless. My wife would endure many things in patience. As years passed, she gave birth to two children. She used to work in a shop and feed the kids as I neglected work, and whatever I did earn for the day, went toward wine and enjoyment.

Suddenly one day my wife’s legs and hands became paralyzed. We rushed her to the hospital and the doctors said that she had problems with her nerves and that she needed blood. They said she was struggling with some kind of weakness. Then suddenly in my own life, battles started. I had to provide food for the kids. I also needed to send food to my wife in the hospital and my mother-in-law who was with her and also I had to pay the medical bills. As I took care of these things, I realized how terrible it was for my wife when I did not bother to help her with the home expenses yet she still somehow always provided food for the kids with her small wages. I cried a lot looking at my wife in the hospital. I wanted to bring her home but doctors said she had to be there for two more months.

So I went to many Hindu temples asking the priests to heal my wife, but there was no result. After a few days, one of my cousins advised me to visit the village local church. I finally went there and the pastors asked me to kneel down. This was against my attitude and belief for I was a very proud man. But I wanted my wife to be cured so I kneeled. Slowly, in the days that followed, I began going to church and then soon everyday and always praying. At first, I felt ashamed and shy but as days went by, I was able to understand the power of the true God and I realized Jesus was the only way for me. I asked the pastor what I should do to be saved. He explained to me about life in Jesus and I gave my life over to Him. I decided to be baptized. I told my wife in the hospital about this and I started praying for her in the hospital. It was quite a surprise to them but slowly they too started praying. I was baptized while my wife was still in the hospital and I started praying even more. As I cried out to God, there were changes happening in my wife’s body and she was cured and to this day, she has never had the illness again. How great is our Father who hears our cries! Amen.

God healed my wife and changed my life. Everyone is so happy about me now and the change Jesus Christ has made in all our lives. I started working hard for the family and became a faithful church member. As the days passed, one day I heard our Heavenly Father saying: “I need you.” I went to our church pastor and told him about this and he advised me to listen to what God was saying. So I heard His voice again and again in days to come and realized God wanted me somewhere. So I told God: “If it’s Your will, I will obey.” God brought me into His service. He has raised me up to preach among many idol worshipers who are fishermen and work along the riverbanks. God has been using me in a great way. I have many testimonies like this one. I thank God for accepting a sinner like me and using me for His glory. Amen.