08/07/2008: Freed to Testify
Freed to Testify
Like this missionary, Ravi is passionate about reaching the Dalits in his state of Uttar Pradesh. |
God often builds His kingdom through a ripple effect, and many Dalit communities exemplify this. As Gospel for Asia missionaries work among the Dalits, the Lord continues to move in powerful ways to show His love to these "Untouchables." In response, the people are able to be witnesses of God's grace in their own villages.
GFA missionary Ravi Verma serves in Uttar Pradesh, India. In the area where in he lives, there is a cluster of villages with a large Dalit population. These Dalits live in tiny huts without adequate food, clothing or shelter, and they work for whichever landowner will hire them that day. Like millions of other Dalits, they are caught in an oppressive caste system that has treated them as less than human for thousands of years.
Ravi's heart ached for these people, and he desired to reach them with the Good News of Jesus. He began visiting each of the villages and going door to door to share the Gospel. The stories of the lives he has touched show the fruit of his work.
One Dalit man, Deepak, was greatly discouraged and depressed. Evil spirits were attacking his wife, Jaya. The couple also did not have any children, even though they had been married for three years.
Ravi's heart ached for these people, and he desired to reach them with the Good News of Jesus.Deepak did not know where to turn. In desperation, he took his wife on pilgrimages and to witch doctors, but none of these things could heal her.
One day, Ravi came by the couple's house and prayed for Jaya. From then on, Deepak and Jaya started attending church and put their trust in Jesus. God fully delivered Jaya from her afflictions and eventually blessed the couple with two children.
Upon seeing this miracle, many people in the village received Christ and began attending church. Deepak still actively shares his faith, and every week he brings new people with him to church.
Back from the Brink of Death
A Dalit woman named Amulya was delivered from the brink of death and now testifies of God's faithfulness.
A poisonous snake had bitten Amulya. Her condition quickly worsened, and she fell into a coma. Her family took her to the hospital, and doctors put her in the intensive care unit. However, after three days her condition did not improve.
Someone in the village told the family that they should ask Ravi to come pray for Amulya. They immediately rushed to find Ravi and bring him back to the hospital. Ravi came and prayed for Amulya, and two days later, she was back to normal and able to return home.
Word of her healing quickly spread throughout Amulya's village. Amulya and many others from the village chose to follow Christ after witnessing this miracle. Amulya cannot stay silent about what God has done in her life. She has brought 15 new women to the church and travels to different villages to share about Christ.
From Idol Worshipping to Following Jesus
Another woman who has found new life in Jesus is Malika, who used to worship idols. One of her sons, Manavendra, developed tuberculosis. This news devastated the family, and they watched helplessly as Manavendra's health deteriorated. Despite the fact that he was seeing a doctor, he grew thinner and weaker.
It was during this time that Ravi came to Manavendra's house to share the Gospel and pray for the family. Because of that visit, Manavendra began to attend Ravi's church, and gradually the Lord completely restored his health.
GFA missionaries frequently have opportunities to pray for the sick. Often God mercifully brings healing, and many people choose to follow Jesus after seeing that He is far more powerful than their idols. |
The entire family chose to follow Jesus, and as a tangible act of her new dependence on Christ, Malika removed all the idols from her house. She is now taking every opportunity she can to share about how God healed her son.
Ravi asks for prayer as he goes from village to village to share with the Dalits the hope that only Jesus can give. Pray also that the new believers will stand firm in their faith, even in the midst of difficulties.
