Christian Living

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Gideon stood in the hot afternoon sun, staring at the barren field around him. The white, crisp, summer hat on his brown head offered him some shade from the heat as Gideon dreamed about what this place could become. He already knew what he was going to call it ... “Philadelphiaâ€. This field would hold a church where all would be welcome – no matter what their backgrounds. It was the year 1964, and as Gideon looked around him, he knew he had finally enough money to construct a church building of their own.

His eyes filling with tears, Gideon raised his hands heavenwards and thanked God right there. People who were passing by looked at Gideon strangely, but then he was used to the looks. It wasn't for no reason that Gideon had gained the respect of the townspeople in the small town of K.G.F. He didn't care what they thought of him, and they all knew that he only cared about one thing – that was his God. Since he had started believing in Jesus Christ, Gideon knew that his life held meaning and purpose. He thought back to that life-changing day.

Kneeling down on the cold cement floor, his knees aching, Gideon cried out to God, “ God, if you really are alive, I need to know. I need to feel you around me, I need to know that you are really here. I want to believe in You, but please show me first that You exist!â€

Gideon stayed on his knees for a while. He cried and prayed some more, until he thought his heart would break. Finally, almost without his knowledge, a sense of peace crept over Gideon and it completely consumed him until he was overcome by this strange sensation. Weeping, and thanking God for His answer, Gideon knew that his life would change from that moment onwards.

His parents and family reacted strongly to this experience once Gideon explained what had happened. “Are you not satisfied to be like us? Why do you have to go and pray and ask God for more? We go to church once a week. Is that not enough for you?†Gideon's father was irate.

Having to separate from his family and put up with a lot of accusation from them even concerning the choice of his wife, Ida, Gideon's relationship with his family was strained, and this seemed to be the last straw. As the years passed, Gideon worked hard at his desk job, straining to feed their four children.

During the weekends, Gideon would go to the small villages by bullock cart, wanting to tell the poor about his experience with God. Gideon also prayed for people, and he witnessed many miracles that God did through him. People all around KGF soon came to respect him as a 'man of God'. Gideon did not allow them to put him up on any kind of pedestal, but he explained he was just like them, an ordinary man, whom God was able to use. Driven by his passion for God, Gideon started a small church which used to meet at different rented places.

“Daddy!†Gideon's youngest son came running out of the gate, and ran along with the old Chevrolet as it chugged slowly past the compound gate. The compound wall ran along the land in which the orphanage, 'Moriah' stood. Gideon looked after this orphanage, which was started by the German Christian Mission called 'Inter-Mission'.

Looking around the campus, Gideon was amazed how things worked out for this small orphanage. He looked at all the neatly dressed children and was so happy to see them running around and playing, as he wondered how many of them may have died without this orphanage and all the sponsors to take care of these children.

Walking up the stairs to their house, which was also in the same compound, Gideon sat down on his seat in the living room, and gratefully accepted the cup of tea that one of the girls' offered him. His five girls were in their bedroom, chatting and giggling, and to hear them enjoying themselves made Gideon's heart feel lighter. We should have a bonfire tonight, he thought. I should spend some time with my children. It's been a while.

Later that night, after having eaten a meal that he had cooked, all the children came and sat around the bonfire, looking forward to the next Episode of 'Sindbad the Sailor', one of their favourite stories. As the five girls and three boys grew silent, Gideon animatedly explained the adventures of Sindbad, the shadows from the fire playing on his face. Some of the younger children fell asleep near the fire, while the older children concentrated hard on the story.

Alwin, his eldest son, sat quiet and still, his eyes were on the fire, but he listened intently to the story. Priscy, the eldest girl, sat cross-legged and watched her beloved father's face as he told the story, Parwin, Gideon's third child and second daughter, sat demurely, her eyes downcast as she also listened. Johshy, or Jancy, the third daughter watched Gideon's every move with rapt attention, caught up in the story. Larwin, the second son, leaned back against a rock, comfortable but also greatly involved in the story. Keziah, the fourth daughter, although almost asleep was trying hard to keep her eyes open as she also quietly listened. Monovah, Gideon's youngest son, who never liked to miss any action fought desperately against the heavy pull of his eyelids, and jerked awake every time his head dropped off to sleep. Joyce, Gideon's last daughter and child, lay on her mother's lap, already asleep. Ida, Gideon's wife, sat quietly at his side, also enjoying the time together as a family.

“Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine...†Gideon's voice rang out at five a.m. in the morning, as he started his morning prayers. The children tossed and turned in their sleep, knowing that they would have to wake up soon. They would hear his voice every morning without fail, and they would wake up hearing their father's heart-felt prayers for them. Gideon always gave thanks to God for a new day and for the reason to be alive. His faith in God was deep, strong root, and this would be the anchor for his whole family even as they faced tough times. Gideon and Ida both worshiped their God with no feeling of shame or restriction, believing strongly that their life would be hopeless without God.

Gideon believed that God was now wanting him to build a church, and he had no idea how he was supposed to go about doing that. He and Ida poured their hearts out before God, ready to serve Him, but not quite sure how to. Looking at his his small and frail wife, Gideon didn't know hot to explain to her that he felt God wanted him to give up his job.

As he dressed for the day, Gideon knew he had to tell her, and tentatively said, “Ida ma*? I have to tell you something.â€

Ida turned toward him, adjusting the white Sari* that she was putting on. “ What is it, my dear?â€

Gideon swallowed. “ I've been feeling that God wants me to give up my job and build a church†He blurted out.

Ida stopped what she was doing and stared at him. “You too?†Her eyes were wide.

“Wh... what do you mean? Do you feel the same way?â€

“Yes dear, but I've been too scared to ask you about it. I don't know how we are going to feed the kids, and they have to go to school, and the little ones still haven't started school...†Her eyes filled with tears.

“Shh, shh ma. We will go through this. Hasn't our God provided for us so far?†Gideon placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Yes, yes he has, hasn't He? You're right my dear. Let's trust Him.†She looked up at her husband, knowing that the journey was going to be tough, but her eyes held a steely determination as she gripped his hand. “Let's trust Him. He will never fail us.â€



*ma – term of endearment
* Sari – A traditional costume worn by Indian Women. It is a five-metre long piece of matieral that is wrapped around them and pleated.

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