Father in Heaven

Dad was saying that he says the Lord's Prayer maybe 50 times a day. FIFTY? That seemed crazy. 

I looked at him quizzicaly. My husband says that often, that I thought he was saying it without meaning. Wouldn't monotonous repetitive stuff make it go awry? 

Dad said, the first thing he says when he gets up from sleep is ' paramandalil irukum engal pidhavae'. He pauses there for some time, imagining God in Heaven his throne, the Son our High Priest and the Holy Spirit.  I guess that's his throne room experience.  What excited me was the number of times he goes there throughout the day. He said, when you see me doing nothing, I am most probably saying it in my mind. I never stay idle, for if I let my mind wander devil will get a foothold. 

Now that's something. Throne room, not only during morning time, but throughout the day, whenever you get some time,  you sneek into the throne room! To bask in His presence for that's actually where you belong.  

Dad said, I am already in heaven..though I am still here. 

Bet dad's mind is filled with heaven that nothing on earth shakes him. Lol 

God's mercies -new every morning!

My husband had an accident last Friday. A motorbike guy was looking elsewhere and hit head on, on a turning. My guy usually rides slow. He saw him coming straight and was shouting to get his attention but  in a fraction of second, he was hit and fell on the road. God miraculously saved him from other vehicles on that busy small road in tambaram.
Thank God he had his helmet on and as he fell he had hit the iron railway railing on his left shoulder. By God's amazing grace, though he fell, he had no broken bones. He came home with a wound bulging from his shoulder socket . The size of a 🍅tomato. It was huge and oozing blood. He checked with the doctor next day as the  swelling was big and was painful. But by God's grace the wound healed and the swelling went away.

Few days later, our AC stopped functioning properly. We called the ac mechanic, but he had not yet turned up. So my husband cleaned the vent , blower and the whole room, fan, above the cupboards etc. He had been on the ladder and whn he climbed down he slipped and fell! He hit the cupboard with the full size mirror and it broke. I would have not known of him falling unless with the proof of the mirror crack.

Falling from the ladder is no simple thing. I know that for a fact. (Peter Rabbit influence) it was only God's hands that had held him when he fell from the height. I know of fateful accidents of friends and family of slipping and falling, leading to paralysis, loss of mobility, hospitalisation and even death!

Thanking God for his mercies and love. Though we don't deserve it God is so loving, faithful and compassionate. 

Stories for Children

Names of God.

Stories on God's name Jehovah Shamma, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Roopa, Elokim, el shaddai.Adonai

James 4:6 Lesson on Pride
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”" James 4:6,  

2 Timothy 1:7 Fear or Aut
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

James 1:19 Lesson on anger/Listening
Everyone should be,quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry

PRov 15:1 GEntle answer. 
Colossians 4:6, NIV: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." .
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 


Luke 6:38 Lesson on giving/sharing
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

2 Corin 9:7

 God loves a cheerful giver

Matt 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the ..

The sprain

It was Tuesday morning. I was not in a hurry. But 2 of my girls were up.. and I know they'll be chattering for food immediately. My eldest was in bed, on the edge, in order to wake her up.. and get Lilybel some time to play, and especially off my hands so that I can get breakfast ready, I put Lilybel next to Amy. I stretched and must have miss calculated her weight, when I placed her slowly down, that I felt a sharp pain on my back. Yickes. I couldn't move.. I wriggled, and I was able to stand. 
The moment I put her down, she cried, and wanted me to carry her, so I had to stretch with the pain, and that's when I realised I couldn't lift her weight. My wee baby has grown!

That was it! After that I couldn't sit, bend down or stand. Bending down to pick Lilybel is so common, that I found it so hard for every small thing. Sitting down, was even worse.. Whichever position I sat, I had a shooting pain.  I remembered by brother, who had suffered from back pain earlier. It was so terrible.  I couldn't even lie down to feed the baby. Standing was much better. With 3 kids around, bending over to lift toys, books, or a chair was inevitable.

I realised, how thankful, I ought to be for the grace God had given me every single day. To walk, to sit, to lie down, to roll over, to bend over, to turn around without a second thought is grace! Pure grace of God.  God has healed me now. I can move around much better.. but I do feel the piercing pain.. and I know, what I should be doing. Thanking God for all that he had done! Never will I look down at anyone complaining about pain!

Just in time

Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie were middle-aged Christian women in Holland when World War II erupted. They resolved to conceal fleeing Jews from the Nazis. They rescued many. But they were eventually arrested and taken to Ravensbrück concentration camp. Betsie died there. Corrie miraculously survived to bear witness to the way in which God can save, heal and forgive.

When asked how to prepare for persecution, she used to tell this story about her childhood: 

‘When I was a little girl, I went to my father and said, “Daddy, I was afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.” “Tell me,” said father, “When you take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?” “No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.” “That is right,” my father said, “And so it is with God’s strength. Our Father in heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ. He will supply all you need just in time.”’

Excerpt from Nicky Gumbel- Bible in one year. 

Flying a kite

Had been a childhood dream... My guy let me fly one during our honeymoon in Cochin.. oh what a day it was!!

Last week Amy was jumping up and down, when a small paper flew. She then experimented with a plastic cover. It flew too.. thanks to fan. Then she tied a thread to the cover and let it fly. Seeing it I thought why not. I asked my guy...there was no response. So I checked some YouTube videos... Looked pretty simple. But didn't have the kuchi to do it.

Asked selvi akka to bring 2. She got a bunch. And today we tried it. It was easy to make. My guy wasn't sure I tied it properly. He said this won't fly. So we took it upstairs. The first one went down and fell into the neighboring bushes. I was disappointed. To try the next one or not... Seeing my girls Glee, I decided to give a last try.

The second one flew. My guy flew it beautifully.. he himself was surprised how strong it was. It crossed the road and into the next neighbor coconut tree.. it flew though stuck but my husband rescued after nearly 30 mins. We played for another 1 hr.

So thankful to God for the gentle breeze and the air we breathe! 

How to- Prayer Guide

Praise & Thanksgiving : 

What can you praise for? Be creative.. Look at David in Psalms!
Names of the Lord, For redemption through the blood of Christ.
For Thomas- the apostle in India! For India in the Bible- twice!
For so many missionaries in India
For blessing the country with lot of natural riches. For being a big democratic country
For loving India and the Indians

Pray for revival! 
That there will be a revival in the end days as per Joel 2
Churches to be revived. Removal of power, selfishness, ritualistics, jealousy and strife in the church.
Spirit of prayer to be poured on Leaders to children in the church. There will be repentence.
That churches will transform into the first century church in Jerusalem.
That all nations come to the salvation Isaiah 52:10
That God will purify us/church/nations like a refiner in Malachi 3:3
There will be thirst for God, a revival and the word of God will spread as in Acts 13:47
All churches to have a revival and be alive in Spirit and truth.

Wrestling in prayer
Bind all the satanic forces that obstruct revival.
- God's children in being selfish and building of 'self' kingdom and not the kingdom of God.
-false preaching/false prophecy, false worship/false miracles.
- spirit of servant, that leads to lethargy, indifference, fills them with worldly thoughts and lowers bp. bible/prayer)
- churches gettng destroyed.
Bind the spirits that instigate sinful acts that provoke wrath of God on nations.
- The spirits that blind people's eyes from the saving Truth.
- spirit of deception, -that makes worship of people
- spirit of black magic, witchcraft
-spirits that trigger adultery, prostitution, lustfulness, homosexuality.
- spirits that instigate drug/alcohol/smoking addiction/pornography/video games.
Bind spirits that control power bringing  communal /religious violence
Bind spirits that induce accidents, abortions, suicidevival, female infanticide, murder etc
Pray for spiritual revival.

Prayer of supplication
Plead for mercy and ask God to forgive as Nehem 1:6,7 and Daniel :4-19 prays.
As 1 Tim 2:4, pray that 138 crore Indians be saved and know the truth.
For children to be protected and to serve as little Samuel.
Youth to be saved from sin, toughness and attractions of the world.
The opposition groups, who demolish churches, kill christians, to be changed like Saul to Paul.
That Bureacrats, politicians of our country, turn towards Jesus like Cornelius and the jailer that Paul encountered. Acts 10, 16
Like Exorcists, magicians, received salvation in Acts 19, let the,
Like Lydia, may the scientists, industrialists, athelets, movie personalities, come to the saving grace.
the people we are associated with, neighbors, friends, collegues,
for family members, who are not saved yet.

Pray for Protection
For families to be united, peace and harmony in families. divorces, misunderstandings, ilicit relationships, split between parents, and with children be removed in the name of Jesus.
For children to be protected from evil.. Their emotional wellbeing, addiction, sinful practises. Human trafficking, girl children especially.
For protection from terrorist.
For protection from neighbouring countries.
For safe water and air.
For those in marine occupation/fishermen
for farmers
For small vendors.
for economy of nations
For health and education dept.


Bless and Pray
that nation to be self sufficient
the rulers, PM, President, HM, Union ministers, Governers, Cabinet Minister.welfare schemes to be good. Parliment and Legislative assembly of states.
those in authority. heads of army, navy, airforce, central, state govt officials, district collectors, tahsildars
Those in Judiciary. regulators of law and order, Supreme court, High court, District court, Family court, Judges and advocates.
IAS, IPS officers, police officials, constables, officials of anti corruption bureau
Election commission of India, election officers, officials of cbi
nation to be free from bribery, corruption,marked with justice , honesty, vote should not be bought, tax payers money to be used wisely, officials to be selfless leaders.
Free of liquor shops ( gujarat and bihar) free of crimes, free of drug addictions, good hygiene.
Increase in job oppurtunities, poverty removed, people live without debts.
industrial growth, increase in exports, achievement in science and sports.

- From 1 hr prayer guide of Jesus Redeems.
https://www.comfortertv.com/downloads-files

Broken heart

I had been to one of Eficor's conference. This was way before, I got married.. So it must be more than a decade... I don't remember much though, but remember the theme in which it was set.

Micah 6:8 And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God. There were lot of hangings and pamphlets by this theme. As the program ended, the music was mesmerising..it kept on and on.. that I asked my brother.. what it was.. he said, its run continuously, it gets imprinted in the heart..That was weird, but I liked the music.. It was something about, let the things that break the heart of God, break yours

I remembered a lil and thought will do a search if i can find that song again.. It led me to check few other things.. check it out..
https://www.worldvision.org/hunger-news-stories/blessed-broken-heart
https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/sermon-let-your-heart-be-broken-jeremiah-8-9

and this probably is the song that was played there..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5593AppZNY

Let your heart be broken for a world in need:
Feed the mouths that hunger, soothe the wounds that bleed,
Give the cup of water and the loaf of bread
Be the hands of Jesus, serving in His stead.

Here on earth applying principles of love,
Visible expression – God still rules above
Living illustration of the Living Word
To the minds of all who’ve Never seen or heard.

Blest to be a blessing privileged to care,
Challenged by the need apparent everywhere.
Where mankind is wanting, fill the vacant place.
Be the means through which the Lord reveals His grace.

Add to your believing deeds that prove it true,
Knowing Christ as Savior, make Him Master, too.
Follow in His footsteps, go where He has trod;
In the world’s great trouble risk yourself for God.

Let your heart be tender and your vision clear;
See mankind as God sees, serve Him far and near.
Let your heart be broken by a brother’s pain;
Share your rich resources, give and give again.

From the warfront

I was talking to my brother for the second time since lockdown.. He is a man of few words.. But yesterday was different.. He spoke about lot of things.. and hence this blog.

He sounded devastated. The things that he's seeing everyday is breaking him. Me being in the comfort of my home, with food, shelter, and the luxuries of AC.. could hardly find a word to respond. I just listened. 

He said thousands of people are on the road. Walking to their hometown. He saw a young man... must be 25 years, walking and stopped to give him a ride.. He was on the way to UP from Delhi. By walk! He had no money, no phone. When asked if he ate anything, he said he had food a day ago. My brother had to drop him after about 20 kms, as he had to go in another direction. But his heart was broken for that man, and others he saw on the way. He said, not many stop to help. These people have no other choice but to walk home. Imagine walking with nothing to eat in this weather.

My brother and his colleague drive to Greater Noida, in about 50 mins, which otherwise would take 2 hrs. There they do relief work for about 3000 people. People are in makeshift shelters. They get them food, masks, and other hygenic things necessary. Day in and day out they see people living in bare minimum.

I asked him if he tested for convid. He said he must have got it many times by now, for he's constantly intouch with various people. He quoted dad, ' valzhvadhu sila vara kaalam', You live for few more weeks'. There is nothing to be afraid of. If you die, there will be no burial or friends or around not even a pastor, who probably is afraid of dying.. he joked. He wasn't sure, how long this would go on. If its for a month, then ok.. but after that? Since Covid is in Community phase now, and if things get worse, which they probably will, we have to get ready for mass burial.


Eficor is working in Delhi with Wipro fund, in Musahar community of Bihar with Individual fund. He told me search for them and you'll find how terrible their living is. Just did a google search. Musahar infact means rat eaters. They are downtrodden and struggling for their livelihood. Covid in this mix, is going to be pretty rough.  Eficor is also working in UP, some place he said. They have helped about a lakh peopl.. In another month, they may cover a total of 2 lakhs, but after that? He said, even in Eficor, they had very few people on the frontlines. Can't blame them. Can we? The need is much. the workers are few. May we not stop to do what we can.  We ended the call with a heavy heart. 

May the government be led by God. The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1

Switch off

Now here's a secret of dad revealed. We were talking about Covid spreading across... the delay in vaccine, the increasing spread, mutation of the virus, all sounded grim... and since we don't have a TV, my better half was constantly on the phone and updating us every 5 mins..
Dad said, he always has a fortress around him, and he wont let anything come inside. I asked what? In other words he said, this is what is meant by 'switch off'.

This was taught by a Nigerian missionary, Michael. He and his wife from Satangulam and Nagercoil, were professors in Palyamkotai College. They were friends of Patrick uncle too.. They started the Reunion fellowship there.

While working there as professors, he had a burden to serve among the cannibals. They left their job and went as missionary to Nigeria. Being a muslim country, no christian missionaries were allowed inside the country. Just then the Educational minister there, looking at both of their education, told they can become DO there.  Thus both of them started working and slowly all the teachers under him, accepted Christ.

Then, with 7 of the teachers with him, he went to climb the mountains. He was wearing a thick coat, for it was very cold weather. On the way top, they stopped at night , in the morning he found no one. All the 7 had left.  Should he also turn back? The cannibals were real!. He decided to press forward. he meets a bunch of them with sharp weapons. They surround him. He kneels down and shuts his eyes and prays. After sometime, he opens his eyes to see all of them prostrating down before him! They must have seen some vision? may be an angel? They take him to their leader.. They give him a rooster to be given to their tribe leader.. The Leader in turns gives a rooster to the missionary. They exchange the roosters! And he stays with them learning their language. In 3 months, he learns it! It is told their language has only 100 or so tones/words... he records, and learns it. He slowly starts teaching kids and the adults. He opens a school for them. The President of Nigeria comes to know of it, and even visits the place. Who wouldn't want to see the transformations among cannibals!

The couple have a daughter, who finished her MBBS and continued as a doctor there. They both earned well, being DEOs, but as per the rule in Nigera, they were not allowed to take money out of the country. So they left it to their daughter.

He had travelled  in train with dad sometime back. That's when he taught this trick. The secret weapon. If someone is talking ill about you, you can just switch off your mind and do not let it process in your mind.. to find out more about it..who said it, or who heard it or what will they think about it. Dad said, he just prays and hands over the issue to God, and then switches off his mind. He is completely off, and never thinks or brings it up and even lets the person who brings it again, not to bother.  That's the end of it! If you can't do anything about it, why munch on it?

Knowing dad, I have seen him do this quite often! It has imbibed in me too... but now I know the name of the secret! haha!

My fav verses today

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord , and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,

Psalms 22:27 NIV

https://psalm.bible/psalm-22-27

The earth is the Lord ’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

Psalms 24:1 NIV

https://psalm.bible/psalm-24-1

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:14 NIV

https://habakkuk.bible/habakkuk-2-14

In the Lord ’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

Proverbs 21:1 NIV

https://proverbs.bible/proverbs-21-1

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Ezekiel 36:26‭-‬27 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/ezk.36.26-27.NIV

The Lord will lay bare his holy arm

    in the sight of all the nations,

and all the ends of the earth will see

    the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:10

who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:4

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Malachi 3:3

49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region Acts 13:49

Intercessory references in the Bible

I was looking into the prayers, especially that of the intercessions by people in the Bible! I was surprised at my find! This is how we are to pray.. with the heart of God!

I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.Ezekial 22:30

Moses Numbers 14:1-20, Exodus 32:10-13;17:9-11, Numbers 11:1,2; 12:13,Numbers 16:22, 45-4

Abraham Gen 18:20-33, Gen 20:17 

Samuel 1 Samuel 12:23

Joshua 7: 6-9

Esther; Esther 4:16
Isaiah Isaiah 62:6-7 ; 64:1-12
Jeremiah 29:7; 9:1-6,10

Job; Job 42:10

Ezra; Ezra 9: 3-15

Daniel :3-19

Nehemiah; Nehemiah 1: 4-11

King Jehoshaphat 2 Chron 20: 5-12

King David..2 Samuel 24:17

He will flee...when?

Now that we know what we are up against, we have to be powered to fight.

We are to stand against the devil. And he will flee. Say I stand against you in the name of Jesus.
Be firm in faith.  1 Peter 5:9 விசுவாசத்தில் உறுதியாயிருந்து, அவனுக்கு எதிர்த்து நில்லுங்கள்;
Be obedient to word of God. Be holy. God is most holy. He makes us Holy by his blood.
Be careful to guard your heart against deceit.

Memorise 1 John 4:4
Luke 10: 19

Wear the armor of God. Eph 6:12-18
கடைசியாக, என் சகோதரரே, கர்த்தரிலும் அவருடைய சத்துவத்தின் வல்லமையிலும் பலப்படுங்கள்.  நீங்கள் பிசாசின் தந்திரங்களோடு எதிர்த்து நிற்கத் திராணியுள்ளவர்களாகும்படி, தேவனுடைய சர்வாயுதவர்க்கத்தையும் தரித்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள்.
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Don't be afraid. God's children should have no fear. 
Devil is a liar, and the Father of all lies.

1. Pray in the name of Jesus. Mark 16: 17
2. Pray in the blood of Jesus. Rev 12:11
Devil flees when you mention it.
3. Use the word of God.and shield of faith. Eph 6:17
4. Pray in the Spirit. Isaiah 59:19
Eph 6:18

Why are we to pray? Can't God do things by himself? Why he expects us?

God gave Adam dominion​  over Earth. Adam lost and gave it to the devil. He says so in Luke 4:5-6. It's been given to him. He's the prince of this world.

Imagine you come home from work and find a hut inside your compound wall/fence, where some one don't know has put it up and staying and refuses to go. Will you go to the police station and give a complaint to have him removed. Only then the police can come to take them away. That's how it works. Devil has dominian here. Our prayer is the petition that needs to be given for the police to act.

Note: the above was the message given by Mohan uncle on 9 May 2020

Warfare

I knew we are in a battle field. God taught me the importance of armor and  helped me choose the Battle verses in wimh and that was more than 10 years ago. But I had not known the distinctive differences and how to pray using it until Mohan uncle taught the other day.

Eph 6: 12
ஏனெனில், மாம்சத்தோடும் இரத்தத்தோடுமல்ல, துரைத்தனங்களோடும், அதிகாரங்களோடும், இப்பிரபஞ்சத்தின் அந்தகார லோகாதிபதிகளோடும், வானமண்டலங்களிலுள்ள பொல்லாத ஆவிகளின் சேனைகளோடும் நமக்குப் போராட்டம் உண்டு.
எபேசியர் 6:12
There are 4 kinds.
1. வானமண்டலங்களிலுள்ள பொல்லாத ஆவிகளின் சேனை
Spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
These evil spirits are neither in heaven or Earth but in the heavenly realm.  Their aim is to blind fold the people, so that their mind is not receptive to the truth.  They are above a city or a village building up their kingdom. They make the people blind and deaf to the gospel.
This was exactly like what I had read in the novel 'Piercing the darkness'!

Bind the devil in the name of Jesus. 
Resist the devil and he'll flee from you.

2. துரைத்தனங்கள.
Controlling Spirit. Spirit of slavery .
This can exhibit at home, church and at society. And nation at large.

At home it can be between husband and wife, in laws, etc where things are controlled by the evil spirit. At church it can be between committees, pastor and others.
This was there during the King's rule .where spirits were sent to control the people of the land ' horse yagam', 'Piercing yagam' etc.

Bind the devil in the name of Jesus. 
Break the bondage in the name of Jesus.
Resist the devil and he'll flee from you.

3. இப்பிரபஞ்சத்தின் அந்தகார லோகாதிபதிகளோடும்,
Powers of darkness. This refers to the evil mainly through witchcrafts. This was there during ancient times as well.  Pharoah had magicians with him. Exodus 7:1. Daniel 2:2.. king Nebuchadnezzar hadsome too. Acts 16:16, 19:19 says about it too.   It's much prevalent in these days too. Politicians refer their help in all their plans. Thus they are controlled by the evil spirit. Witchcrafts against family, churches, society are rampant.

Bind the devil in the name of Jesus. 
Resist the devil and he'll flee from you.

4. அதிகாரங்களோடும்,
There are 3 kinds.
1. Politicians. ( Those  responsible for creating policies, rules)
2. Government officials. ( Those who implement rules) Collectors,Tahsildar, police officer,
3. Judges, advocates.( Those who have supreme authority)

We have to pray that they are under God's sovereignty.
That they are filled with God's wisdom.  That the rules they create bring blessing to people.
That they are bold enough to stand for truth.
Bless the officials.
That the evil spirit bringing corruption, love of money, bribery be removed in the name of Jesus.

Note: this is a  consolidation of Mohan uncle's message on 5,6,7,8 May 2020

In the gap

It's just a familiar verse. And since the corona pandemic this is the oft quoted verse. And I knew it ...but did I really? The message by uncle Mohan was an eye opener.
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

If my people,
The stress is on ' my' people, not others. Those who call themselves 'I know Christ', I have read the Bible, I am saved.' So the verse is for the believers! Well, that's something.

Who are called by my name.
Now that can't be more clearer. So it's all the Christians...those who have once in their lifetime professed to believe, love Jesus, read the Bible. God's talking directly to them.

Humble themselves.
What's new about this? Am humble, am I not? Well, pride is something that's God's against.  How much am I humble? Pride creeps up without our knowledge.. I know that...am far better. How much am I humble before God... I treat him as my Lord or just a casual friend, that I take him for granted?

Pray
I do this often... really? What do I pray about... My family, our health, my children, my parents, in-laws, siblings, my job, my husband job, peace, health...and of course for missionaries, kids that we support, and for the poor. So am covered here...well that's what I had thought.

1 Tim 2:1-4. Talks about praying for everyone. That all be saved. Not just that, but for the leaders, the ones on authority.. diligently... Not once in awhile. Consistently.  I had been like Jonah.  They deserve destruction Lord. Not mercy. My prayer had been thus lukewarm. God knows the best. He's a judge. But what did he want from me? To be like Abraham. To plead and stand in the gap. Until everyone is saved. What are the evil that I had bothered me, yet still brushed it away?

Bribe: when I hear it, it's disgusting..have to be given everywhere! To get things done.
Child abuse: kidnapping and abuse, women abused. Sex trafficking.
Dowry: worst evil. Nothing can be done.
Church politics: can only pray and turn a blind eye to all the fights.
Sex workers: again, can only sigh...and wish things were not that bad. How would my lil prayer help?
Poor/sick:just prayed that God be merciful to them

Not a regular prayer..just a casual talk or even a sigh! Not a prayer with faith for God to change!

Seek my face:
What's this...when you pray you seek God. But do I look at his hands or his face? That was strange to be asked. What's the difference? In  Luke, a grand procession of Jesus entering Jerusalem is recorded. Everyone were excited shouting Hosanna and happy..but Jesus was crying...he wept seeing Jerusalem... Nobody looked at his face...they were busy celebrating.. it's the same today.
God's grieving. He died for every sinner. He loves the sinner. He longs for the prodigal son to return. Ezekiel 22:30 I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. He's looking for someone to stand in the gap...

Like Moses Numbers 14:1-20, Exodus 32:10-13, Numbers 12:13,Numbers 16:22, 45-4

Like Abraham Gen 18:20-33, Gen 20:17 

Like Samuel 1 Samuel 12:23
Like Joshua, Joshua 7:6-9

Like Esther; Esther 4:16

Like Job; Job 42:10

Like Ezra; Ezra 9: 3-15

Like Daniel Daniel :3-19

Like Nehemiah; Nehemiah 1: 4-11

Like King Jehoshaphat 2 Chron 20: 5-12

Like King David..2 Samuel 24:17

Turn from wicked ways:
Now what's wicked about me? My self! Always thinking about I, me and myself. Prioritising other things above God. Taking God for granted! Reading the Bible at leisure. Praying when I feel like it. Not really having faith that God can turn things over. Not being diligent enough. Turning blind eye to many things that should have broken my heart and driven me to my knees. Being lukewarm and lethargic.

So that's it... I saw where I was lagging big time. Do you?

Mohan uncle asked for a commitment of 1 hr prayer everyday. Diligently. If every believer does that, he'll in no time be a disciple! And that can turn the world around. That's the revival! But how much are we willing to obey?

Lockdown.

Its been 24 days at home. The busiest streets, crowded markets, beaches, stores are all empty.  Being covid quarantined, the entire country and many nations are at home.

Staying home has feel fun, but quite challenging. With no school, occupying the kids at home 24/7 has been overwhelming.. Most of the time, is spent refereeing them.

I've been the household barber.. Cut my husband's hair. and all my 3 kids hair too.. One or the other is always there.. Either cooking or cleaning.. or refereeing, or feeding..

One after the other I have something to do.. I am tired and exhausted.. The kids are hyper, they don't take nap anytime during the day. Yet they are active till midnight. Either they play cordially, or the fight fiercely. Lilybel is getting used to the noise while sleeping. Poor baby. I hardly have time for myself. Thankful to Asirvatham group for the 24 hr chain prayer they started since the beginning of lockdown. We do it everyday from 6-7 AM. So we get up early by 5.30 or 5.45.. So its a blessing amidst the chaos.

Hoping I make use of this beautiful opportunity to be home with family to the max.

Vilungi

That was dad's name when he was a little boy. He had two whorls at the back of his head and 1 big whorl at the front of his head which gained him his name.

Vilungi meant he swallowed. He swallowed his parents. When dad was 2 , his parents died. They were murdered.

Growing up, the whorl got him another name, kuruvi koodu.  When he was a teacher, his hair was so thick and twisted right in front of his forehead, it looked like a snake ready to attack.   Dad had never seen anyone with that whorl in front, except for a little boy in a Home. He was in front row of dad's program and he called him aside to ask about his family. The little boy also was an orphan.

Dad continued, his Palm reads that he'll die by the age of 30. And only because of Christ , he's still alive.  He became our curse , so we could live.

The Map stories

Amy was arranging the India map puzzle. Dad had one look at the colorful puzzle and he was puzzled! He said, you get things like this? I said yes.. He asked for the cost. Dad was shocked.  

He said, there was a time, when they had to take so much pain, to get a map.  Dad had made each state- the size of a door. They went to the Survey department, to get the total number of people, christians etc. Percentage of christians was 0.001 percent.. 1 in 1000 was a christian.  Dad collected these data dilgently.  This was, while preparing for the 10 year plan during the Emil Jebasingh Era. This data was used to find out where the need was, and send the missionary accordingly. 

Dad made 12 big size albums, for 12 leaders in FMPB. These albums had each districts, villages, and the number of churches in each villages. This data was collected by going to every district, streets, and data derived.  He said, those were the days, when we had such burden to painstakingly collect so much of data, to send people to the unreached villages. 

He then remembered an incident close to his heart. Dad was in one such district - Ramnad, collecting the number of church details. He had travelled to some interior village for collecting data and would be back in the Ramnad town after 5 days. He was invited by the CSI Church of Ramnad pastor to preach in the service in the following Sunday. This was in the 70s. Prabhu was 1 year old.  Mom has sent a telegram stating that the child is seriously ill.She had sent it to the CSI Church, Ramnad.  The pastor could not reach dad. Those were the days, when we had no cell phones.  Dad arrives 5 days later to the CSI Church Ramnad on Sunday morning service to preach. The moment he steps in, the pastor hands over the telegram from home. Dad reads it. Puts it in God's hand, and puts the telegram in the pocket. After the service, at 11 AM, he rushes back to catch the bus to Nazareth. He reaches around 11 PM that night. The whole village was sleeping. Dad looks inside the window, to find Prabhu sleeping in the thotil.  God takes care of his children.

Sunder Raj

We were talking about fasting, and I suddenly remembered one of Dad's friend, who passed on to heaven, while fasting. I was very little, when I met him. He had a long beard. He wore vaeti. Two things, that's not easy to forget.  

He worked as a RTO officer, and later got a Tahsildar promotion. He had also been to an Island in Atlantic Ocean for 3 years. Dad usually accompanies him for the fast. But this time, he wanted to go alone. He told his only son Jacob, not to bother checking on him every week.  Being in RTO office, he had access to many places. He went to a hill near Vellore. He had been on a 21 day fast.  This time, he refused to have even water . 

His son, a school manager, went to check on him on the 12th day. He found him in bed, peacefully rested. He found blood marks on both his armpits. He had entered heaven on the 10th day. What a glorious way to go to heaven. 

He had 3 daughters. Once when he visited us, my brother, had kept asking my dad something. Uncle interrupted and asked my brother, what he wanted. My brother had said, I want a cycle. He told him, to go to the corner, kneel down, and pray to Jesus for a cycle. Immediately my brother had run to the corner to pray aloud. Shortly, uncle left and returned back after some time with a brand new cycle!

He also had talked to my mother  and asked, how long was her service. Mom had 18 years. He had then told her that there is a policy, by which, you are eligible for pension, if you have 20 years of service. So he said, I will get everything ready, you work just for 2 more years. Dad had not known then, but my mom later had insisted and the application was filled, and mom got a teaching job in Bentinck Hr Sec School. The rest is history as they say! 

  

The virus that spreads

With the virus scare around, and looking at how it's spreading is thought provoking!...

Unknown to the eyes, it spreads and then just invades. The countries, which had not given much notice to the Covid19, when it started 2 months back, have now come to a stand still. Lock down. Quarantine, has been a household terms now. 

There's one more thing, that's unknown to the eyes, which spreads and invades, and kills. It's in everyone of us.. wondering what? Our old pal, the sin. It can without our knowledge, control our thoughts and all of us. It separates us from God, and quickly desensitises us from things that matter, spreads. hardens us. Ofcourse, broad is the way , and its easy to just follow the crowd.  

May we put our self to the cross everyday, and let the Holy Spirit revive us to life. May we be aware, that the King of Glory, the Almighty, the creator dwells within us, and we ought to be Holy as He is. Fear Him and not the virus. 

Pouring out

Dad was talking about the incident when Elisha, told the widow to fill the jars with the little oil she had.
In obedience, her kids borrowed vessels.  In faith, she poured her oil into the empty jars. And she kept pouring...Imagine being in her shoes.. You have just one jar of oil and keep pouring in one, and then the other.... She poured in faith.

And that's what we are called to do. To pour in faith, over the people in India. Those in chains, those followers of K**, Tr*, Ha*, Mu*, Sh*. Those in darkness. who are blinded. who live in ignorance.
2 Corinth 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

 Dad prays for such people not once, but round the clock. He wakes up twice at night and I can see him praying throughout the day as well. Amidst our chaotic home, with the girls, he finds a quiet spot, to be still. and to pour.

Panicky?

Lilybel had fallen off the bed and we were worried. Dad prayed  and was talking about faith and trust when he suddenly mentioned, how he was told by a doctor that my brother was very sick.

He must have been just in his early twenties... He had accompanied dad for a  program in tenkasi. It's a known fact at home, that he and I have sensitive stomach.
During that trip, my brother's stomach acted up so bad, he had to be taken to a hospital. It was a big hospital. Dad left Solomon Anna with him and continued for the night program. They finished and returned the next morning to the hospital to see him. He was on drips as he had lost lot of fluids. A nurse had just then have some injection, and the scene altered in a matter of seconds. His pulse dropped and he wasn't breathing... The screams of the nurse got utmost attention and the surgeons who had come for the surgery in the adjacent operation theater rushed here. Dad was pushed outside the room. He could glance and see the doctor on the bed pressing his heart. CPR? They gave an injection to revive him. Praise God,he was saved ! It looks like the nurse administered a wrong injection to him.

Dad said in situations like this you should never panic. Your eyes must be on the Lord.

2 Chron 20: 12

Dad told this months ago and I got time to pen it down only now! I couldn't remember other details he said...and now when I asked he's not in story telling mode! Anyway can only check with my brother to find out more!

The virus scare

The Tamil Bible, we all hold dear is a straight translation from the original Greek/Latin Bible. Ziegebalgh translated it to Tamil. Who was he? A Danish missionary, who travelled all the way to India in the 18th century. 

He learnt Tamil and spent 13+ years in a weather condition he was unused to, a culture so different, food and dressing awkward...to tell the love. Of Christ in our own tongue. He got the press here and the first Bible that got printed in Asia was the Tamil Bible!

How did he die? Of ill health.. when did he die...at a ripe age of 36.

Why didn't God heal him, or others who died as missionaries - or their families, children . Definitely they would have been a blessing to many...  Did he not pray or trust enough? Did not Psalm 91 hold good to him? Was Christ blood not enough?

In the corona virus scare, and the response from different people I can only thank God for the wake up call. When the belief foundation is shaken that's when we see if we had  really walked by faith all along.

God is concerned about the eternal death! He sent his son to save us all... He wants to live abundantly even in the face of crisis. Like Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego...The Kingdom of God is here, within you.. we can't walk by fear! Duh! 

If we die, I see it as a quick ticket to get to get see Him.  And that's something I am eager on. But I am praying that people have chance to escape the eternal death that might be looking over..and that we can reach out to them at this crisis...coz they are walking in fear...into eternal death.

Trust

My lil has not been too well for past one month. We've started solids and I've joined office. Her cold, cough, fever, diarrhoea are all gone by God's grace. Weekends she's clingy to me. She's fine with selvi akka and her sisters. But if she thinks of me or sees me in the corner of her eye, she cries her heart out.

With me, she has to be held. If I place her down she cries. I thought it was the weekend effect... But  just saw her lips being red. Thought it was some toy that she had put in her mouth. Then noticed something white...and it wasn't milk and couldn't be removed. So me and her are on the way to hospital. It's half past 9pm.  She was wide awake. And didn't mind . No crying. We returned home midnight.

Just makes me wonder... How vulnerable yet trusting and confident she's on me! Even through the darkness, ( it was late night) and through different modes, she was calm.

And do I have that calmness or confidence when I go through life's darkness and storm? How much do I trust him?

Dad's first meeting

Dad was painting in his art room. He had his pilayar painting on one side, and a painting of actress Vijayanthi mala on the left.  Emil Jebasingh uncle entered the room. He did not stare at his painting, nor uttered anything about it.  But invited dad for 3 day Gideonear camp in Panavilai.

Dad was hesitant. Emil uncle, put his hand around dad's shoulder and said, God needs artist( kalaigars) like you. He quickly left.. Dad was working in Uthumalai then. Emil uncle had gone house to house and invited 300 people.

Hesitantly, dad went for the program. He met Mr.Washingston, who heartily invited him in the venue.  Sticking around that day, he was sure, he was out of place. So he got his bag, and walked to the bus stop.. There Mr. Manicaraj Thiraviyam met him, and asked why dad was leaving. He said he had to go, and dint seem to belong here. Mr. Manikaraj Thiravium, insisted and requested dad to be there for the 'Sandhya' program alone, and then leave. He brought dad back to the camp.

He saw a  neatly dressed- tucked in shirt and trousers a man, to whom dad asked, 'Have you come for this meeting?' questioningly.. for he must have seemed out of place.  Seated dad was alarmed to see that fine man, walk up the stage and preach. He was Mr. P. Sam. Dad had a notebook and pencil. Seeing P. Sam uncle's animated speech, he started sketching him in his notebook vigorously.. He  finished all the pages in the book, with the drawings.. He was engrossed by his animated movements.... As the sun went down, he couldn't sketch more.. He started listening to the preaching and when there was an altar call, to lay your lives in Jesus arms, dad went forward.

Rest is history. But it takes a leader, to make that one-on-one touch and a burden for each other.

Mr. Israel Devaraj when he left Bethel bugged off the food, dad brought him back from the bus stop, mom cooked good fish curry and promised that whenever he felt homes sick, he needs to drop in, and he can have fish.  Another missionary a M.A graduate also who had packed his bag and left, dad brought him in, and told him that God needs such people for translation of Bible and that he will do it soon. He went on ahead to translate the Bible in malto.  Praise be to God alone.

Dad's eagle's story

There was a terrible storm coming down.. Dark clouds were looming, lightning, and thunder echoing the sky. The wind was blowing hard. Perched on a rock by the river was a large eagle. The river was overflowing, the rush of the water was loud and alarming. Each thunder sounding in the background, would make any heart skip a beat.  The eagle was just sitting there, watching all this.

A second eagle, spotted a carcass, floating down the river. The water was flowing fast and loud, but the free food - a dead donkey smell wafted in the cold air, made the eagle's mouth water... The food, just happened to cross the eagle and it couldn't resist taking a peck of the delicious food. It sat on the carcass and began to eat the flesh.. But unknown to it, its feet, was going down the rotten flesh, the sinews and tendons of the donkey flesh had intertwined on the claw of the big bird..   The river was flowing down the crag, into a great big water fall few meters away, the noise of the water fall was loud amidst the thunder and the bird flapped her great big wings to fly. But alas, her feet, was deep into the flesh, and she couldn't free herself to fly into the air. Her struggles, were met with the rapid flow of the gushing water, down the crag and she fell with the dead donkey.

A third eagle, was not distracted by the gushing river, the lightning, the storm clouds or the thunder . It lifted its head, flapped her wings, and zoomed high up into the dark sky, for it spotted a light silver lining  unseen by human eye, it gathered the wings,and used the stormy weather, as a fuel to fly high up into the dark sky to go above the storms.

Dad stops his stories after this every time, and looks right into our eye. What kind of eagle are you?


I thought this story is in the ' Streams of the Desert', but  it wasn't. That book, has lot of eagle stories. But this is a variant- dad's version :)

Never too young

Looking back in rockers fellowship, I am at awe how God has led us thus far... People have come for a season and left, but God has sustained he fellowship with same burden and energy. Different people, from different walks of life. Yet 1 body in Christ.

We have had different musicians to lead worship, lead Christmas carols, different first generation believers to ignite us with different backgrounds, different personalities to lead fellowship, different initiatives. All for a season.

When people leave, the emptiness is filled by someone. But as the saying goes 'once a rocker, always a rocker ' the impact, the influence one has on other had been a tremendous learning experience.

We are far from perfect. We have our flaws and failings, but God has sustained us thus far and are still learning.

Fellowship has molded many of us, put us in a pedestal, and given the many first of our opportunity to share testimony, share word of God, sing, dance, play music, act in a skit, coordinate with people, take in charge of something .

How is your BP?

This was something I was asked in a camp, when I was a teenager. BP huh? Normal I guess was my reply. The SU camp trainer said, for a Christian, BP should be high...he explained, BP is for Bible and Prayer. How is your Bible reading, prayer life?

I remember seeing this question in Tamil in a park gate in my husband's hometown. These questions need to be asked. Usually a parent asks you this question ( if they are believers)

But what about others? In Rockers  fellowship, feel free to ask how one's BP is? Stir each other up! Everyone struggles. No one is perfect! Check on each other. Read in a devotional today... God changes you. Most of the time he uses people around you to transform you...

Be genuinely interested in each other. Find out where they are from/ siblings/ parents/likes, form friendship, share your life. Be there to encourage, pray for them. Be accountable.  Ask God to give you the burden. And ask God to use you!

"We may impress people by our strengths, but we connect with them through our vulnerabilities." Be vulnerable. There is great power in it. When we let God use us for others, God takes care of our truck load of issues.

So I ask my friends, ' how is your BP? Not that I am perfect, because I care. We are all one body in Christ!
BP is  High, low, ok, and then we sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron... Ask , be available. Everyone needs a friend.
Stir each other up!

Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. ²⁵ Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

On the go!

Standing in the gst road this morning, I was dazed. 7 months of otherwise inactive life had forgotten this bit of life outside. People are in the go. You either join them,(while crossing the road) or be left behind. The signal wasn't working and the traffic police was on his toes to get the traffic moving.

7 months was a different busy. Holding lilybel around the house had been fun. The girls were excited too..mom was around all the time.

Mixed feelings... Happy to get back to office..and eager to see what God has in store for me next.

The struggles.

The topic then turned to, how difficult the path is for a missionary. Patrick uncle losing his son, packianaharaj losing his son.
Dad then said about Rhenius a German missionary who had preacheed the gospel and started 431 churches in the South. When he died, he was not allowed to b buried inside any church compound, but he and his daughter were buried in the street .

Or how Sawyer the rich merchant , was responsible for building sawyerpuram church, sawyerpuram village, and helped financially for building churches in mudalur, Nazareth and many other companies churches. He also built houses for lakhs of people with his own money. History records of how his horse was shot. How he died nobody knows , but was brought to Clarinda church (where he was residing). Ringeltaube  went to attend he funeral and records that his wife and 6 children were there. Since they did not feel safe they left to Kerala and settled there. For all that he did, the reward is only in heaven.😓

The devils on the run

Dad continued about how the hell was actually created for the devil and his inmates. Not for people. But devil is taking the people along with him. He enters man and plays havoc. The same place that God resides in a Christian. He shudders at the name of Jesus.

Dad was saying how we have to pray for Indians everyday. To get saved. How he used to name the devil (like Kali) and he stopped. We were like why? He told of an incident, where he was praying in the name of Jesus and  binding the devil.. suddenly something dark appeared in front and was begging him not to send them away. Dad was trying to say 'S Jesus'  aloud but he couldn't... There was some pressure/current..like  when you are near a electric line. Slowly the darkness grew hands and legs and it jumped near dad and sat and put his hands together pleading don't send us away. By then dad shouted Jesus and it jumped across dad and ran away...the dogs outside barked and chased it away from the compound of danishpet!
Dad was in art room then and he went home to sleep after that. Dad says that was the time he got diabetes. He said  you can pray with 2 or 3...but not alone. After 4,5 days he said while sleeping he saw a big foot...a shoe the size of a room trying to stomp him.he heard a big banyan tree falling...don't take it lightly he said. It's a warfare and be on guard always. Wear your armor!  And be holy...any small slip devil can take you as advantage.

We

We will reside in him. Scripture portion for Bible reading for family prayer was John 14. And dad was saying about how God and Jesus raises in us, as per verse 23.. Thus there is no room for fear or anxiety.  God Almighty make of heaven, Jesus and Holy Spirit dwell in us. And they help us daily as we deal with tough situation

Dad was saying about when he had to meet a collector Krishnamoorthy, who was known to be stubborn, unfriendly. The PRO had already rejected dad's plea. Dad prayed and claimed this verse and others..he who is with u is greater than he  who is in the world.. the collector had no time to read the request letter, he asked what was in it. Dad said that he was a terrorist, a chain smoker , a drunkard who has now changed. He being an artist drew pictures to tell how he got changed. And the exhibition is for  that. The collector wrote down in green ink in the same paper addressed to the same pro. Reserve the best place, and we will incur all the cost for the exhibition..he kept writing!

When lilybel fell!

I remember seeing a video, where a kid asks his mom, how many hands you have. She says two. Then he says that's it. No more. ( He has a brother)

Lilybel fell down this morning from bed. We were getting ready for church
Andrea was lying next to her keeping guard.. amy was ready. She had brushed, bathed, had breakfast, so I was telling my husband to get Andrea  ready as she wouldn't budge from bed and wanted to play with her lil sis. So my husband called Andrea and she went to brush. Meanwhile, I was making aapam, and I asked my husband to eat it immediately as he likes to eat hot aapams. For a second, we had forgotten lil Lilybel. Her cries, scampered us to bedroom to find her on the floor. She must have slipped from the edge of the bed. But by God's grace she was after after few minutes of crying. So far she has fallen twice from bed , twice from thotil. So thankfulfor God's protection and faithfulness, grace and mercy round the clock.

The two girls are quite handful that lilybel often slips my mind. May God give us wisdom, patience and grace to bring them up!

Dad and vegetables

I was sorting the vegetables my husband had got around 10pm. I was exhausted and there were 2 bags of vegetables. I was mad that he got so much on the middle of week. It looked like it would last for 2+ weeks.

I was grumpy and was telling why he had to buy so much when he could have gotten it fresh every week. Dad was nearby and he said, you should be thankful for these vegetables. He said arulmani annan would say that it is grace that vegetables end up in your home. From the farm to the market and then to our home. As he walks inside the market, he sees only God's grace and goodness all around.

I perked up to see him and nodded that I agreed too. He was right. Dad continued, 'once Gospel Rathan were on a trip and got enough rice for the journey. They thought they could get some veggies on the way. But they travelled nearly 500 kms, but couldn't find a single vegetables shop or a tea shop! I asked why? Dad said those people didn't have vegetables...

Must have been a dry land I assumed. Well, so I resumed sorting and storing my veggies in the fridge, thanking God for his mercies and grace for the veggies! 

Dad's cycle story

Dad was distributing tracts on the road to passerbys. This was way back in the year 1969 or 1970. There were few who intently accepted and asked questions.

One person however lingered longer. His eyes were filled with tears. Dad took him along separately and talked about God's love and salvation. That man must have been in his thirties. He was working in a school as a part time teacher for seeing for tholil kalvi. He walked to school 7 kms one way. He had been married for 13 years and had been childless. He said his wife was the only daughter of a village head. Afraid that her daughter will be barren in this marriage, he had taken his daughter away for another marriage the previous week.  He was heartbroken. His questions were simple. Will I get my wife back. 2. Will my job get permanent? 3. I need a cycle to travel to school every day. Will God help me get it.

Dad answered, if he clung to Christ alone, he will give the desires of his heart.  Dad was led by the spirit to give his cycle to him. It was his only means. But he told him, to take the cycle and trust God to meet his needs.

The man was overwhelmed and he left with new strength. Dad met him after 15 years. He was in the same cycle. He jumped with joy and came happily to dad. He said that same week, his wife came back to him all by herself. They now had 3 children, who were all in school. That same year his job got permanent. His father in law got baptised and their villagers accepted Christ.  They had built a church with tower too!

Dads first jobs

The first job that dad worked was in... Near cbe. Peripa (his elder brother) had referred him. It  was a panchayat union school. There were no hotels in the area. Bhavani river flowed through. Dad took bath there. The food was served in panchayat leader house. During the first meeting, he asked what varnam you belong too. Dad said chennimalai mudaliyar , he lied. He saw people outside the house standing in line and drinking something in charatai(coconut shell). It was washed and turned over for drying. The next day he noticed that the same was used to serve the men outside. When dad asked who they were, the panchayat leader replied some caste people.

Dad worked 28 days in that school as headmaster. He went to the Panchaya office and asked if he can get his original certificates that he had submitted, so that he can take a photo copy. They let him have his certificates. It was a Friday. He placed a leave letter for Monday inside the register and came straight to idanyangudi!

Wishes come true

When people wanted me to marry when I was in US, I wasn't for it. I used to ask myself why...and somehow I wasn't comfortable.

I wanted someone, who will speak the same language with my parents. Someone who listens to their stories and can relate to them. Someone who can sing fmpb songs! Lol

These were in my  deep down silly desires. Too silly to be told to anyone.
But God knows the desires of your heart! After the few troublesome years, God restored and gave back double of what we had lost! I have told thay to my close friends and family..but only now penning it down. 

My hubster loves listening to my dad's stories. Infact dad tells him lot of things. Though most of it are ones I have heard earlier, dad says with great josh and my guy guy listens attentively even though he has now heard the repeated stories often!

They can talk for hours, and I have to remind and shoo them off to bed, as it's past mid night!

Thanking God from the bottom of my heart!

Dad's stories

Dad has a meeting in thirupur this pongal holidays. My husband was asking where and that's when the story unfolded.

150 years ago, 2 doctors, finished frcs in England. One was an Indian and the other a rich English. They decided to dedicate their life for the Indian poor people. They sold their wealth and bought land in India near thirupur. The speciality of the place was, no one was  paid. And only those who haven't married can work there.  They had school and hospital built. There were two separate houses for the two doctors. They wore a vetti and banian. Simplicity was their life style.   They also wrote the will, such that the only folks who satisfy above condition can stay there.

A doctor called Raja joined them..but now they are all long dead and no one to continue the service with such passion that those 2 early doctors had. It is with NMS now. They have an auditorium which is rented out for meetings. This is the story of thirupur asram.

John D Britto, came some 500 years back. He spoke the word of God and as a result, the King decided to take baptism. Brito declined as he had 5 wives. They were princess of the neighboring Kingdoms. The King sent 4 of them back. This infuriated the Kings of the neighboring Kingdoms and they decided to kill Britto. They caught him, while he gathered for baptising people and cut his hands,legs , head and nailed each part on a tree.

Those days, 2 third of what was caught by fishermen was taken in by the small Kings of the land . ( Sitarasargal)
As a result fishermen suffered a lot. Brito informed the Governor of Goa and he brought in an army. They stood along the shore and prevented the small Kings from getting the fishes. Thus many fishermen were saved. Many took baptism and their generation still are. Some may lack deep understanding of scripture.

Dad's childhood

Lilybel was blabbering in her sweet voice. Dad remarked, yazhinidhu, kural inidhu enbar, tham mazhazhai sol kelathavar'.

Dad then said he knows lot of thirukural. Though he doesn't like studying, he had infact studied lot of thirukural, that he remembers them till date! He fondly reminscended an incident when he was a kid. He never did his homework. He never had answers for the questions his Tamil teacher asked. And he was always made to stand up on the bench. So dad used to get up on the bench the moment he entered. His Tamil teacher asked why are you standing on the bench, he used to reply, I don't have any answers for I didn't study.  This happened frequently, that the master got angry and got up from his chair with raised hand to beat dad. As he stepped near, he seemed to have sprained his hand and stepped back moaning because of pain! I said this reminded me of the King on old testament who raised a hand against a prophet and was paralysed! We both laughed. Seems God had plans for him that time itself. From that time onward, the master was careful in handling dad!

We were talking about tirukural for Amy and the things they were taught in school. Dad said he never understood his essays. He used to go to theri with his bag and write the heading of essays in small papers. He would then bury them in sand. And ask God to help him select 5 essays. The 5 essays he selected would be memorised word by word and he would write it down by heart. Thankfully those 5 essays are the only ones that came in the sslc exams. He cleared the exam too? Same thing happened for his teacher training, where out of 100 essays, he nailed the 5! 

He then detailed how he went to Thisayanvilai, 2 kms from idaiyankudi give it for a Catholic School interview. The father said, he has to come again for the interview wearing pants. Dad owned only vetti. He can get a pant cloth in tirinelveli, but it was 40 kms away. And you don't get readymade pants. So it has to be stitched. That would take time. So dad didn't pursue that job. Soon he was offered a govt job in uthumalai as a headmaster, teaching 3,4,5 std! It worked well as it was a govt job!

Dad as a kid
Dad used to hide some masala items,oil in the garden( thotam) he had some favorite trees guava, mango etc. Where he used to climb and sit on a branch for hrs. He always had a catpult in one of his pocket. He used to catch squirrels, remove their skin, apply masala and roast them in fire and eat. His partner in crime was his cousin periyadurai, who also had a catpult in his pocket always!