09/04/2008: From Addict to Missionary
From Addict to Missionary
The low-caste Dalits ("Untouchables") are the most responsive to Yashwant's ministry. |
The resistance Yashwant Rao felt toward the Christians in his Indian village was strong. So was his craving for smoking and drinking. In spite of his lifestyle, he held on to the religious traditions he had learned as a child.
But problems started coming up in his life, and in his family. His sister-in-law even came under demonic attack. It was during this time that Yashwant turned to the idols he worshipped for help—and found none.
A pastor in Yashwant's village had tried to share the Gospel with him several times. But now he was looking for hope, and his heart was softer. Yashwant chose to receive Christ. This decision marked a dramatic turning point in his life. He soon went to Bible college and sensed God's call to minister in a village in the state of Karnataka.
In Karnataka, the ancient caste system still governs all aspects of life. Yashwant found that most of the people responded to the Gospel as he himself once had: they didn't want to hear it.
But Yashwant persevered, and God opened hearts, particularly among the Dalits ("Untouchables"). They were the first to really listen when Yashwant told them about Jesus. Most of the people who choose to follow Christ through his ministry are Dalits.
Yashwant is now seeing Christ free these Dalits from their life of scorn and rejection just as He freed him from addictions and hopelessness.
Yashwant asks for prayer that his ministry will help many more Dalits come to know Jesus.
