Our Indian War Hero

So today we got a special visit from someone who is apparently an honored guest. After typical Indian formal introduction and buildup, we heard a special testimony. To protect his privacy, we'll call him Charlie. Our OM leader introduced Charlie's pastor who was thrilled to come up and introduce this man as a special and honored guest.

Charlie told his (somewhat lengthy) story and proceeded to get up two or three additional times to add a few more points. Let's just say Charlie wasn't shy. You could even tell by the way he was dressed that he was an important man.

He told us the story of how he served in the Indian Army in 1971 as the second operator of an intelligence unit that was responsible for relaying a message to an Indian commander that had vital intelligence about a hostile enemy. He told us how as they were traveling to relay this message they were attacked and a bullet ripped through his right thigh. Luckily, he wasn't severely injured, but the bullet continued past his leg to strike his companion, the first operator in the chest and kill him. Our here Charlie was now singularly responsible for relaying this message to the Indian commander.

Unhindered by his leg wound, Charlie pressed on and managed to complete his mission. The critical message was delivered and resulted in the destruction of 26 enemy tanks. Defeated soundly, the enemy battalion surrendered. For his bravery and contribution, Charlie received a gold medal from the President. He also told us about the 13 other medals he received for further military service.

But Charlie wasn't just coming to share his story of military heroism, he was sharing his testimony of what God had done in His life. A few years after his crucial message delivery, Charlie married a woman who had known Christ since she was 9 years old. But somehow, they had an understanding in their marriage. She worshiped Christ, while Charlie worshiped his assortment of gods as a Hindu. They loved each other, but loved different gods.

Until December 29. On that day, Charlie was at a prayer service with his wife and the pastor asked him to pray. Not willing to refuse, Charlie started praying something like this, "Oh God, you are great. You are King of Kings. You are a great God. I am here to pray to you. But I don't know what to say because I don't know how to pray to you." But then everything changed. Charlie started sweating. he started shaking. And then he started shouting "Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah." In a moment, his life was different.

Later that night, his wife asked him why he didn't offer worship to his idols. He replied that God didn't want him to. The next three days saw Charlie crying at home, eating and sleeping, but thinking of nothing except Jesus. Finally, his wife asked him why he wasn't worshiping his idols. He told her that he was done worshiping idols. From not on, they would both worship Jesus. And Jesus only. He called a local pastor to come to his house, take every object of idol worship and deliver it to the local Hindu temple. He didn't want any of it anymore. He knew Jesus now.

As a side note, Charlie pointed out that purchasing the supplies for his Hindu worship used to cost him almost 3000 rupees a month. Now he uses that money to support two Christian pastors, paying their entire salary for the month. What a story of redemption.

It was exciting for Operation Mobilization (the organization we partner with in India) to have Charlie visit not just for his great achievements. Someone with his level of influence can be really beneficial to assist their work at a national level to provide protection to pastors who are persecuted: beatings, robbery, and intimidation are a real part of being a pastor in South India.

So we met a war hero today. And the Indians were thrilled. And can you blame them? We get pretty excited when a star quarterback or pop singer turns out to believe in Christ. Is a war hero any different?