My Shepherd for the Third Century

Miracles, longevity and walk with God

   Life of a man, now traveling through the third century, tells of his living experiences through much trials, sicknesses and hard times.  He explains that the only secret of his long life is that God has been good to him. His personal experiences with Jesus are so real and great that he feels sheer joy to share them.

     He was born in 1898 in the foothills of the Himalayas.  Throughout the twentieth century, God’s hand had been upon him.  The Lord Jesus has led him from glory to glory and has also brought him to step into the twenty-first century. His experiences have enriched many other people.  His great desire is that many may experience for themselves the fullness of what God has for them.  His name is Duni Chand, which means, “light of the world.”  He is not the light of the world but wishes only to bear witness of the one who is THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.  In the 1990s, at his son’s request, he recorded these experiences.                                                     

Angelic Help

First Missionaries

Age Five

Earthquake

The Jawalamukhi Temple

The Kangra Temple

The Chintpuri Temple

Some Destined to Death 

German Mission Taken Over

    After the earthquake, the German Mission was taken over by the Christian Missionary Society, which became to be known as the C.M.S.   Reconstruction of the ruined property was thus undertaken by the C.M.S. and slowly normalcy was restored.  The school in Kangra was reopened, the hospital there started operating again and most of the previous activities were resumed.  The pre-earthquake school records were recovered in which our names were also found.  On recovering these, the new missionaries went to Jawalamukhi to our houses to search for us.  There they found Roshan Lal and Sohan Lal (my cousins) and me. They brought us back to the school in Kangra and we were again enrolled in the school and lived in the hostel.

Children Prepare Food for Themselves

    In the hostel in Kangra, there was another young boy with me.  He had come from a village, Sidhpur, which is situated near Palampur.  (Palampur lies 25 miles east of Kangra and Jawalamukhi is about 25 miles south of Kangra.)  Both of us, being yet so young, did not know cooking.  However, we had to prepare food for ourselves daily.   We did not even know how to make bread (roti).  Because everything was to be prepared from the basic ingredients, we would take some flour (atta), mix it in water and put it on the pan (tawa), thus make some sort of bread.   When it was cooking, some of it would be cooked in the pan and some on the wood fire hearth.  This was our meal.  We would eat it, whatever it was.  In short, the days of our life were quite miserable.                                                        

     The new missionaries who had charge over the affairs of the establishment were mostly administrators.   There was a lady missionary from Ireland whose name was Miss McNaughton.  She had entrenched a policy that native boys should be taught only up to grade four, after which they were to learn a trade like carpentry, tailoring, shoe making, etc.  Cooking was also one of such trades.   For the local girls, the rule stated was that they should be educated up to grade eight, after which they were to be trained as teachers or nurses so that they could assist the missionary staff in the schools and hospital work.  This edict that was then established and remained unchanged.   Thus Christian boys, who wanted to attain higher education and had no means, had to borrow money from these elites who had all the resources, to fulfill their dreams.  It was obligatory for them to return it with conditions attached.      

     Two of us, who were living in the boarding school, went through a great trying time, especially preparing our meals ourselves.   One day, the other boy's father came from Palampur to see him.  He had brought some cooked food for us from his house.  He arrived when both of us were preparing our usual meal - we were making chapatti (bread).  When he saw us, he said: "Children, I have brought this food for you.  You eat this and the bread that you are making, leave it in the pan and on the hearth as it is."   He told us not to touch it.  He also said that he would be back soon.   He went to the bungalow of the missionary who was our manager, and told him to accompany him right away.   The missionary asked him as to what the matter was.  He said to him sternly in his native language (Pahari): "you come with me.  Do you hear me or not?"   He caught hold of him by his arms and dragged him to the place where we were. This man from Palampur was tall and strong, as by profession he was a sawmill worker.   The missionary was a bit scared but accompanied him.  When they arrived, the missionary asked him again the reason for the urgency.  The man, pointing to the bread, told the missionary to eat the bread that was in the pan and on the hearth.   It was strange for us to hear that he told him to eat it.  The missionary started looking and was scared.  The man said to him again: "Why don't you eat it?   If these children can eat this, surely you can eat it too.”  The missionary was very surprised and asked him again, what the matter was.   He told him: "Can you judge if by eating such meals these children would survive?   It seems you are not a man but a murderer.  You can see what you are doing here.  You brought these children here from their homes.  Didn't you?  If you arrange something better for them today, then I will leave them here otherwise this very day I will take them home."  The missionary said: "No brother, right now I will make proper arrangements for their living conditions.  I am sorry and I ask for your forgiveness for such an incident.  I would not like these children to have such a horrible time.  I will arrange for their meals right now."   The man from Palampur said, "No, I will not leave this place till I see that all that you said is done and is satisfactory. Only when I am satisfied will I go home.”   The missionary immediately called for a woman to come and cook for us and to look after our living quarters.  It was then that we started eating decent meals.  These things took place in Kangra.  So were the days that we spent there. 

 Many other things took place in Kangra, but these are written which will tell of the conditions that prevailed at that time. 

At Age 14

    In 1912, when I was fourteen years of age, I had a severe attach of diarrhea.  Not only I was suffering great pain, but had become so weak that I could not help myself up from the bed.  For this reason, a hole was made in my bed for my facility.  The doctor, who later sent me to Brailey for further education in carpentry, his wife too was a medical doctor.  She very graciously looked after me at that crucial time. She would daily come and attend me in my sickness with great concern.  She would also send soup for me from her bungalow and other food items that were necessary.  I survived because of her. She was indeed an angel whom Jesus had sent to save me from the dark moments of my life.  I thank my God for her help greatly.  

    When I was recovering from diarrhea and felt a bit better, I had an attack of pneumonia, which later turned into double pneumonia.  Then when I was recovering from it, I became victim of small pox.   This was a great agonizing time in my life.  By this time, the doctor had told everybody that this boy would not live.   I am sure that this lady doctor also kept praying for me ceaselessly.  Anyhow, I was also aware that my Lord Jesus was with me for I could see that He had sent His emissaries to take care of me. I started knowing more and more of Him and the wonders of His saving power.  He became my anchor in my future trials.

 Labour Pays 

    When we were in the school in Kangra, we were to study half the day.  For the rest of the day we had to work as labourers (coolies).  In those days, lots of construction work was to be carried out in the Mission’s premises as new buildings were being built.  We were to work there as labourers because it would pay for our education.  Studying half the day and working for the second half of the day speaks for itself the type of education we would receive. However, we studied a little and worked hard in the Mission for the work had to be completed. 

     One day I talked to the then missionary-in-charge, Dr. Haslem.  I told him that I liked carpentry work and that I would like to learn it.    I asked him if it was possible for him to assist me in this endeavour.   He had already observed my work that was carried out in the missionaries’ bungalow and was well pleased with me.  Therefore, he let me work with a carpenter who used to come to work from a nearby village.  His name was Saudagar.  Besides being a very fine carpenter, he was faithful in all his dealings and was a gentleman.   Dr. Haslem told him to teach me the trade.  Thus, I was working and was also doing carpentry work with him.  He taught me well.   After a few days, Dr. Haslem came and asked him about my progress.  Saudagar gave a very fine report.  Dr. Haslem wanted two wooden flowerpots for his bungalow.  He told me to make these for him.  I made them according to the instructions I received from Saudagar - cutting the pieces and putting them together.   These pots that I made turned out to be fine pieces.  Looking at them, Dr. Haslem was very pleased.   He took these to his bungalow and showed them to his wife.  He told her that this boy had made them.  They were both elated.  After observing my work for some time, he said to me: "I have an idea of building a workshop here, which would be a fairly large one.  I would like you to operate it.  But you have no workshop experience and neither do you have a certificate for operating one."   I asked him: "Sir, where can I go to attain it?  There is no one who can advise me in this matter.  I have never been to any industrial town or know of any other place where I could go for learning this trade."   He said that he would make all the arrangements.   He further asked me if I was willing to go for such a training.  I told him:  "I will certainly go and would be very pleased."   Thus he made the arrangement for me to go to Brailey where there was a well-established and recognized industrial school.  

    After about eight or ten days of having this discussion with him, he told me to get ready to go to Brailey for studies.  Since I was born and brought up in this thinly populated region of the Himalayan Mountains and had never traveled beyond it, I asked him as to how I will proceed.  There was another young boy in Kangra.  It was arranged that he would also accompany me for his studies.  So both of us were set out to go to Brailey, as though we were going to a foreign land.  It was the year 1918 and I was twenty years of age.

Journey Begins

    Our first stop was Amritsar.  We stayed there with a gentleman whom we had known earlier.  Next day, this gentleman bought railway tickets for us to go to Brailey.  He gave each one of us our ticket and helped us to get on the train that was to take us to Brailey.  

     The car  (compartment in the train) that we got in was probably reserved for the armed forces personnel.  An army officer in that car told us that that car was reserved for army personnel and no other person was permitted to travel in it. There was a gentleman in it that` was quite a robust person.   He came to help us.   He told the army officer that that car was not solely bought for the army personnel but belonged to government and was meant for all people to travel.   Therefore every one had the right to travel in it.   We both were feeling quite relieved on hearing the argument.  However, the army officer was not too happy and said that he would see to it after a while.  We also were not too happy as we considered that we were in a tight corner for we did not know what would transpire afterwards. 

     In the same car there was an old man sitting in a corner.  He gently asked me: "My child, where are you going?"   We said that we were going to Brailey.  He said: "Come, come here to me.  I am also going to Brailey.  It is good that we will have company."   We sat beside him and felt relieved.  After a little while, when we looked for him, we could not find him in the car.  Fear gripped us again thinking that since that gentleman was not present, these army officials would now definitely give us hard time.  However, all remained calm and the travel was peaceful.   I still think that that person was sent by God and was possibly an angel.

     By and by, the night had set in.  The train was slowly steaming towards our destination.  My companion fell asleep. At midnight, while we were sleeping, someone stole my friend’s luggage, which consisted of his ticket (fare), his money, his watch and his meager belongings.  When we came to know about it, we were very worried.  We were more worried because his ticket was also stolen and we were only one stop away from Brailey.   We had no idea as to what to do when a Ticket Checker stepped in. He asked us to show him our tickets.  I showed him mine but my friend could not show his as his had been stolen.  The Ticket Checker thought that we were cleaver and that we both were traveling on one fare.   I said to him, "Sir, we are Christians and we do not like to tell lies.  We had two fares (tickets) when we started from Amritsar.  Unfortunately, this night my friend’s entire luggage was stolen.  We are very sorry.  Can you please advise us as what can we do?"   He took me aside and said:  “I am also a Christian.  I also don't like lies for I don’t do such things either.  I know this region well.  Thefts are common phenomena here.  Many people become victims of such evil acts and this area is especially famous for such activities.  I suggest you to buy another fare here.  If you get to Brailey Railway Station without a ticket, you will have lots of problem."   I said to him: "Sir, I don't know this place.   From where can we buy one?  He said: "I can give you one.   I have it here."   For it, he prescribed a very small fare.  I paid him the fair and got the ticket.  Thus we both had tickets.    Buying the ticket proved to be very useful at Brailey Railway Station.  Thus finally we reached Brailey safely. 

Brailey’s Memoirs 

    In Brailey our experiences were not without much hardship. Our training was also a time of much endurance, which sometimes was beyond description.  It was again the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that sustained us.   I could only relate what St. Paul wrote: “all things work for the good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28.)  It all finally turned well.      

     After arriving in Brailey, we went to the Mission Compound where this school was situated.  We had a letter with us from the priest-in-charge in Kangra for this school.  We took that letter and asked for the person for whom it was addressed.  When we reached his house, his attendant (peon), who met us outside his bungalow, took that letter from us to give it to the official concerned.  He, in return, sent us a word through his peon saying to tell us to go and see a certain teacher who would arrange for our accommodation.  By this time we were very hungry and thirsty as most of the money we had we had spent on the fare that was stolen.  We, in vain, had hoped that in this strange new place at least this gentleman would come and meet us.  We could not tell him anything, as he never stepped out of his house.   We, however, went to this Head Master's bungalow for he was to look after our arrangements.  He too was a Christian but he also did not come to meet us but sent a word through one of his servants to open a certain room for us to live in and instructed him to give us a mat for the floor to sleep on.  We followed him.  He opened the said room for us.

     This room was extremely damp and was in a horrible condition.  It smelled foul.  We were very perplexed.   As we entered there, we saw a scorpion crawling on a wall.   We killed it.  A little while later we saw another scorpion.  That also we killed.  This place was not livable as it stank badly.  We both were very hungry, so we went to the market (bazaar).  There we had our meal and also bought some groceries for the next day.  On our return to the room, we put our groceries in an earthen pot that was already there and was empty.   Our groceries were only flour and rice. We took a matchbox and put it on the top of the hearth where the food was to be prepared.  This hearth was also damp as was the rest of the room.   In the morning we tried to light the match to make fire to prepare food to eat.  The match had become so damp over night that it would not light.  The firewood that was there was equally damp.  Because the matchbox would not light, the wood was of no use.  Then when we looked inside the earthen pot, there was not a speck of grain in it.  Over night, the rats had eaten all the groceries we had bought the evening before.   The rats had made a hole in the earthen pot and had eaten all its contents.  We were greatly perplexed and were very disheartened.  I cried a lot.  Then I made up my mind that I would return home.  However, we went to the school to enroll ourselves.  We were standing in line.  When our turn came and we met the schoolmaster, we told him that we intended to go back to our homes the next day.  We also told him that we would not be staying there.  When we were returning, the schoolmaster who had anyhow enrolled us came to us.  He was also the House Master in the campus.  He asked us where we were staying.  I told him: "you can say, in hell."   He then asked us what was the matter.  I told him that of the place that was given to us to live in was awfully filthy.  On one side of it was a latrine (an out house) and on the other was the horses’ stable.  In front of it human filth was heaping which filled the room with foul odour beside the room being extremely damp.   We told him that we have already killed two scorpions in it and have no idea how many more would crawl in.  The rats also ate our groceries over night.  It is impossible for us to stay there.  We will not stay there.   He then said: "why don't you move to the hostel?"    We told him: "We had no idea if there was a school hostel and neither do we know where it is situated, as you know we are new to this place and are total strangers." He asked us if we would like to go to the hostel.   We said: "most definitely, Sir, even right now."   He called a yakkawala (a native carriage for transporting goods) and told him to take us both with our luggage to the hostel.  We packed our baggage hurriedly, loaded it in the carriage and were off to the hostel.   The Head Master who had given us this room did not know that we were vacating that filthy place.

Fruit Trees

    We started living in the hostel in Brailey which had beautiful surroundings.   Around it was a beautiful garden.  In the garden there were several varieties of fruit trees.  It was leased to a gardener on contract.  The schoolboys in the hostel would sneak into the garden and steal the fruit.  Almost daily the gardener would complain that the boys were stealing the fruit and causing much damage.  Of course it was hard on him.  Since it was reported that it was the boys who were stealing the fruit, these boys wanted to know who was the person who was telling on them.  They then thought that probably it was I who was reporting their activities.  To make the matters worse, one day they determined to steal all the fruit of the season so that in the absence of any fruit no one would have the opportunity to report.  So they did what they thought that night - they stole it all.   The matter was so grave that it was reported to the Police.  Our House Master was informed and the Principal was also informed that all of the fruit was stolen.  The Police came to investigate.  The police Inspector also arrived at the scene. All the school was also present.   The boys from the hostel were called in.  The gardener, in the presence of all, told the Police Inspector: "This boy,” pointing to me,  “who is in their midst, please take him out from the rest of the boys.  This boy is not a robber.  Whenever he wants any fruit, he always comes to me.  He would pay me first before he ate any.  He never steals.  He is a real honest boy."   I was known to do the right things because I always feared God.  I was very happy that among all the boys and others who had gathered, for many had gathered there even from the public, I was exonerated.  I felt a great honour was bestowed upon me.                  

Influenza Epidemic

    During our stay in Brailey, the whole region was plagued with influenza.  Since not much was known about this epidemic, many a people in the city had died because of it.  Every day in the city, about three or four hundred deaths were taking place.  In the school, we all were inoculated against it.   Many boys who were inoculated had some reaction to it but some suffered a little more.  Unfortunately, a boy from the Gharwal Hills and I had a bad reaction to it and did not recover soon.  We were extremely sick and had become so weak that we could not get up from our beds.  We were therefore isolated in a separate room.   The Head Master, who had initially given us a room on our arrival, would come to see us and feed us every day.   His help was enormous.   He in fact was the instrument of our recovery and because of him I am still alive. He was help sent by God when there was no hope. He looked after us for fifteen days. We eventually recovered and were thankful to him and to God. 

     On our recovery, he reminded us that we had not stayed in the room that he had arranged for us on our arrival.  I told him: "Sir, I cannot tell you enough about it.  If you could only spend a night there yourself, you would know the reality.   There we killed two snakes and about two or three scorpions.  Rats ate all our groceries.  They even ate the soap that we had brought.  Beside this, they ate the buttons that were on our jackets.  They also fed themselves with our shoelaces.  How could we ever stay there?"   On hearing this, he was very sorry and said that it would never happen to anyone that way again.   We also told him that we would never return there.    

    The Head Master was exceptionally pleased with my progress in the school.  One day, he asked me: "my child, where do you live?"   I told him that I was living in the hostel.   Then he asked me where did I come from.  I told him of my home in Kangra district.  Then he surprised me.  He expressed his desire that he would very much like to adopt me.  He told me that he had lots of property, workshops, land and houses in England, and that he would like to leave it all to me if I would accept his invitation.   I told him that this was not a small matter.  I will have to consult my family and then only would I be able to let him know.   I did not ask my parents and neither did I give him any answer.  At my silence, he also did not ask me again about it.

    Our studies continued.  I learnt the trade well.  I was the top student in my class and our Principal was also very pleased with my achievements.  One day he asked me if I would like to go with him to England.   I was very happy to hear it and said that I would be honoured to go.  I also told him in this connection that I must get my family’s consent first, as I would desire their blessing in this matter.  I, therefore, wrote to my parents that I would not be returning home because I was going to England with the Principal who had also arranged a job for me there.  By this time, he had already bought a fare for me. When I heard from my family, I was very disappointed and had to decline the offer.  In spite of it, I was very thankful to my God, for because of His blessings all the staff in the school was very pleased with my performance and achievements.  Though disappointments came, but Jesus never ceased to be my shepherd.

Military Assignment

    While we were in Brailey, a colonel in the army asked the principal of our school for a reliable person who would be able to perform a certain task.  For security reasons, he specifically mentioned that he would prefer a Christian for that job.  The job’s requirement was to pack certain food items in crates for sending to strategic locations.  The principal was well aware of my character, especially in the matter of fruit in the garden, and had also known my work performance.  He, therefore, recommended my name for the job because in his sight I was meeting all these requirements.  On the colonel’s agreement, I was assigned for the job.  I also had determined to do the job with all my heart.  

     I proceeded to the Army quarters and reported to the Colonel.  When I met him, his first question was if I were a Christian.  I said: "yes, I am."   He probably had already heard from my Principal a little about me.  In hearing my reply, he was very pleased.  He called one of his stewards and told him to bring some refreshment for me.  Thanking him, I told him that I already had my breakfast.  He said: "It is our custom to offer refreshment to our visitors."    I gratefully accepted the kind offer.  Then the Colonel called for his project officer and told him: "This young man will work here on this assignment. He is a Christian. See that he encounters no difficulty at his work. The porter (coolie) will do all the labour work.  When any board is required to be picked up, see that the porter places it there.  He will only see that it is placed properly and then he will simply nail it.  See that he is not made to do any unnecessary work."   

     It took me just one day to find out that those labourers were not only slow but also were reluctant to do even the necessary work.  I, therefore, told my project manager that I had no need of any labourer and that I would handle all the work myself.  Since I had already determined to do my best, I had no hesitation to accomplish it all alone.  I got all the wooden planks myself and worked towards the finished product. 

     The work was completed in about fifteen days.   I then went to see the Colonel.  After exchange of greetings, he asked me the reason of my presence there.   I told him that the work he gave me to do was finished.  Then I asked him: “Is there anything else I can do?"   He was surprised to hear that the job was already completed. He found it hard to understand how in such a short time it could all be done.  According to their estimation, it seemed, it was an enormous job.  He therefore called for the project manager to find out if it was so.  He also told the Colonel: "This young man has done all the work by himself including helping himself with carrying the wood.   He did it honestly and conscientiously. There was nothing that he did that I could complain about.   He indeed is a very fine Christian worker.”  The Colonel too was equally happy knowing that the job was done. 

     When he had seen the work done and had again heard from the project manager, he asked me if I would like to accompany him to England.  I said that I would like to go very much, but the circumstances may not permit me to do so now.  He said: "Don't worry.  When your circumstances are favourable, I will see to it. I will give you a number that will bear my address.  You write to me on that address.  Because I am always on the move, when you write, wherever I might be, I will get that letter.  I will then arrange for you to go."  

Success Without Demand          

    I was twenty or twenty-one years of age when I had gone to Brailey where I learned carpentry from 1919-1920.  There the circumstances taught me to lean on my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ all the more. Also, the lesson to walk in honesty, integrity and in the fear of the Lord had become glorious under those trying times.

     In spite of all the mishaps that took place in Brailey, I bear witness that Christ’s hand was constantly upon me in blessing me in all my ways.  Because of Him, I had the highest standing in a class of three hundred students.  Since I had attained the top grades, I also got the highest awards.

    On completion of my studies in Brailey, I returned to Kangra but could not make use of my achievements because there was no need for fine work there at that time.   The gentleman who had promised me a workshop position, Mr. McNaughton, had in the mean time been transferred elsewhere and could not be contacted.  Thus it became necessary for me to be working like all other unskilled carpenters on daily wages.   This made me to move to Palampur. 

 Sickness Multiplied

    I was told that I had contracted tuberculosis.  I had become so helpless that I could not help myself even to eat.   A persistent cough made the matter worse.  Most probably I had little or no temperature during this time, but the discomfort I had was enormous.   Both my arms had become so feeble that I could not lift them.  The lady doctor, who was looking after me, also told me that there was no cure for it.   However, she said that there was a new cure discovered for tuberculosis, but this new medicine could only be purchased from Lahore which was more than one hundred miles from Palampur.  I said to her: "Doctor, please get this medicine for me from there. Whatever the expense be, I will pay."   She agreed to my request and got the medication.  It consisted of eighteen vials of injections.  Each injection was to be administered every alternate day. She started the treatment immediately upon its arrival. When I had received three or four injections, I felt much better.  I started eating again and could attend to my job.  I asked her that since I was feeling better, if it was advisable to stop the treatment. She said that this treatment must be completed.  Only after it I would be cured.  She had also warned me that stopping the treatment would have severe consequences.  I was thankful to her for her kind advice.  So I agreed and she very kindly gave me the full treatment of eighteen injections.  All the cost that she told me she had incurred, I paid her.  I was only too happy to regain my health and expressed my grateful appreciation to her.  I also thanked God that I had received my healing and had no recurrence. It was again my Lord Jesus who spared me from this deadly disease by sending his angel to help me get the medication in time and enabling me to pay for it.  It is amazing that in God’s time the medication was invented and made available to me.

My First Born

    It was the year 1922 and I was in Palampur, in Himachal Pradesh, India.  The time had arrived for my first child, Shirin, to be born.  My mother had already taken my wife to Kangra for the delivery.   When the time came, I was anxious to get there in time.  However, before they had left for Kangra, my mother had bought a goat and instructed me to bring her to Kangra when I would go there.

     The day I was leaving for Kangra, the evening had already set in and I was still in Palampur.  Everyone in Palampur told me not to proceed to Kangra at that late hour.  Such a journey in the mountains at night was considered very dangerous, especially traveling on foot.  But I proceeded because the urgency demanded it and my heart also said so. (Distance between Palampur and Kangra is 25 miles.)    For the journey, I had a lantern, my Bible and the goat that accompanied me. 

     When I was nearing Kangra, I remembered a friend who had his house situated on the road side I was traveling.  From his house, Kangra was about five miles through a shorter route, which I intended to travel on.  On reaching his house, I called him by name.  The moment he heard my voice, he came out and asked me as to where was I bound to at that late hour of the night.   I told him that I was going to Kangra, explaining the situation.   I requested him to kindly arrange for a person who could accompany me there.  He said that at that time of the night no one would accompany you.  Even if one offered one hundred rupees (which was an enormous sum at that time) or any other incentive, no one will go because this route is very unsafe.  He further said: “I advise you to spend the night here.  I will provide you a bed.  You sleep well and early in the morning you may leave.”   I said: "No, I must go tonight.  Could you kindly light my lantern?”  He replied: "No doubt I will light your lantern, but again I urge you and advise you not to take that route.  It is not a safe road.  No one ever travels this route after sunset."   Since I did not agree to stay, he lighted the lantern and I proceeded alone.  Soon I was to find that the route was indeed dangerous.  

     I was again on the road.  After a little while, I approached a riverbed.  The goat accompanying me would not proceed any further.  There were large rocks in the riverbed.  One had to cross the river by stepping on these rocks.   (These rocks were quite like the ones I encountered much later while returning home from the University in Palampur.)  I had a small stick, the goat, a lantern and a bag with me.  I wondered as to how would I cross the river and how the goat would accompany me.  The situation seemed insurmountable due to the late hour of the night.   In all this, I could not understand as to how and who helped the goat and me to cross the river.  The only memory I have is that we were stepping on the rocks and simply crossed over.   We did it easily and without any problem.  Since no man would ever be found there or travel there in the night, without any doubt it was my Jesus who helped me, because He said that He would never leave us or forsake us.  Jesus, who has promised, has proven His concern for His own again and again.  I remain ever thankful to Him.  

    When we had crossed the river, I was again on the mountain path that was a short cut.  After proceeding a little further, the path was covered with mango trees on both sides, which makes the path extremely dark.   I kept going.  Along this path, there was a banyan tree.  It so happened that as I was passing under it, a rock fell right before me from one of its branches.  It seemed it was from a riverbed for it was smooth and round almost like a ball.   It was a calm night.  As it fell from the tree above, I was curious.  I held it in my hand and looked at it carefully.   I looked at it again trying to figure out the situation.  I naturally wondered how a round rock could possibly be resting on a tree branch, and how did it get over the tree from where it fell.  I also questioned as to why did it fall and why did it fall at that time. Why was it that it did not fall earlier, or who dropped it?   Thinking that someone must have dropped it, I looked up the tree and no one was there.  Doubt entered my mind and I remembered what my friend had told me earlier -- the road was dangerous and no one ever travels that path in the dark.  I threw that rock away, but fright caught hold of me.  For a moment, I thought it was the end of my life.  I was greatly frightened.  At that very moment, someone touched his face with my face and I felt his breath on me.  Then He said to me:  "Rise up and walk."    Then I came to my senses.  I started walking again and the goat that was with me started walking ahead of me.  There was no problem.  It was once again my Jesus, my Lord, who breathed His breath upon me and raised me up from the dead and thus saved me.   If Jesus had not been my Jesus, it would have been the end of my life.  It was a very desperate situation, but His presence was enough for me and His touch was my redemption.  Jesus knew the perils that befall a traveler who trespasses that route in the night.  I went through it all with His help. 

    I knew and had heard the perils that one encounters on this route, but it seems that my God had an appointment with me to lead me through the valley of the shadow of death that very day.  He did it and therefore I am writing it. What my Jesus did for me, He did it for AmirChand, my son also.  After about three decades of this incident, he was the only other person who traveled this terrain during the night, while it was still considered haunted..  He also knew the danger one encountered on this route. He found Jesus walking with him and was literally transported to safety.  His testimony appears in his book “Covenant of Wood.” 

     It was about 2:30 or 3:00 in the night when I encountered this situation.  I could not have called for any help for no one dared to live close by, as this area is marked for being haunted.   If anything had happened to me, nobody would have known till the next morning if some traveler passed by.  However, I reached my destination safely because my Saviour had rescued me when the boat of my life could have sunk easily.   How could I now not say that the goodness of Jesu, my Friend, never fails.

    When I had reached Kangra, I was running a temperature for the fright that had caught hold of me.  I was late reaching Kangra in time for the delivery.  I also could not go to see the baby and her mother immediately on my arrival there.  My faith had also dwindled to some extent.  I felt bad that, despite all my efforts, I could not be with them when I should have.  However, when I went to see them, in my thanksgiving I prayed to my Lord Jesus for their protection and safekeeping.  I also sought His blessings upon my child while I offered Him my thanks for her life.   This daughter of mine is now living in Canada with her children and grandchildren.

    The day I undertook this journey, our first child was about to be born.  That very night my Jesus breathed His sweet breath on me and I also felt His touch.  It gave me life.  When this child was born, we named her, Shirin, which means sweet.  It was in God’s wisdom that we should give her this name.  The sweetness of life resulted in my gratitude to my Lord both for myself and for the child.  After her birth, there were other children born.  Here I am making a special mention of her because of the significance of this episode. 

Carbuncle Boil

    The fact that in the past I was healed of so many deadly diseases had become my song.  But I had no idea what the future was to hold for me. 

    A carbuncle boil was discovered on my neck when I was in Palampur.  It was situated on the back of my neck.  It was said that the carbuncle boil that appears on the back of the neck is deadly.  I also knew that it was dangerous because I was suffering from excruciating pain.  There was a leprosy medical doctor who was living close by our house.  He was in charge of the Leprosy Home in Palampur.  His name was Dr. Malhotra.  I asked my wife to call him so that he could find the reason of my soreness and excruciating pain.  As soon as he got the message, he came.  He was a fine gentleman and was also a friend of ours.   On his arrival, he asked the reason for the call.  I told him what had happened.  He examined me and told me that there was nothing to worry about.  It will be healed in a couple of days.  Then he took my wife aside quietly and told her that if that lump was not operated upon and removed that very day or the next day at the latest, he would die.   She was naturally worried and went to the then regular medical doctor in the Mission.  She told this doctor that her husband was seriously sick.    She told her all about the boil and explained the whole situation.  The lady doctor refused plainly and said that she could not do anything.  This was due to the fact that they both (my wife and her) had some previous misunderstanding.  On hearing the reply, my wife was very hurt.  She was standing in the veranda of the hospital and was crying.  Seeing her crying, a nurse came to her.  This nurse was a very strong and stout lady.   She asked my wife: "My sister, why are you crying?  What is the matter with you?"  My wife told her all that had happened.  She rushed to this doctor and told her bluntly: "Have you come here to cure the sick and the diseased or are you here to kill them?  Tell me, why you have refused this lady?  I am going to write to the Bishop and have you sent back from here.  You cannot stay here.  We don't need such doctors who would refuse to treat the sick.”  On seeing such boldness, the doctor agreed for the treatment and told her to tell my wife to get him to the hospital the next morning and that she would perform the necessary surgery.  That nurse was very helpful because with great courage she confronted the doctor.  It seemed she was God-sent.  God had put her there to convince the doctor who kindly performed the surgery.  

    Next day, I was taken to the hospital and was operated upon.  The boil was removed successfully.  After a few days I was restored back to full health. When I pondered over this matter, I realized that my Jesus paved the way once again for me and saved me from this near death experience.  It was sheer kindness of my Lord that He created the conditions for the doctor and her agreeing to perform the operation.  He also guided her and others during the surgery and did not leave me.  With His help, I was restored to full health.  My song has also become: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:5, 6).    I can say now that when I went through the valley of the shadow of death, I feared no evil because my healer, Jesus of Nazareth, was with me. This experience was another proof of the fact that my gentle Shepherd, Jesus, took me out of the thorny bush, picked me up with His nail-pierced hands and placed me on His own shoulders.  This He has done again and again.  Therefore, His name shall always be blessed on my lips.

Dream of Extended Life

I had a dream when I had the attack of the carbuncle boil.  It is necessary to mention it here since it most possibly was interconnected with my sickness. 

     The time I was suffering from excruciating pain caused by the carbuncle boil, which was the night before I was to be operated upon, that I had a significant dream.   In the dream, I saw two men caught hold of me and took me with them.  There was a river that we were to cross.  We stepped into the river, and as we were crossing it, the water level was rising higher and higher.  When it reached up to my eyes, from the other side of the river someone called and asked: "Whom have you brought?"   They announced my name in response saying, "We have brought Duni Chand."   A reply came back saying: "Let him go.  It is not time for him to come here.”   Then I was released.  I woke up from my sleep.  It then dawned upon me that I was about to cross the river of life.  Instead of dying, the Lord had my life extended.  Was it the voice of my Lord Jesus whom I heard saying, “Let him go?”   Most certainly, because He alone is the giver of life and all good things come from him.  He gave this life to me and every moment I live on this earth, it is because of His pleasure to extend my life.   In His wisdom and plan, I am still alive, and I desire His will and His ways in my life.

     With the extension of my life He once again became my healer, because the next morning He extended His healing to me by directing the hands of the medical personnel.  I am glad that my life and times are in His hand.  I don't know when the time would come for me to go home and meet my Lord, but He, who has looked after me all the days of my life, waits for me on the other shore.  It is over there that I shall dwell in the house that He has prepared for me. For when the roll is called up yonder, I will be there. But now, this is my story to thank and praise him.  This song of praise will be glorious in the land where glory dwells forever.

   As I enter the third century, I gladly and humbly confess that those who trust Him fully will be fed by His mercies, for it is His mercy alone that leads us daily.  One day, His presence will lead us to our everlasting abode where counting centuries will be forgotten. 

    On this earth, I have been a poor man.  But when I count His mercies, I cannot comprehend why His concern for me was so great.  All that I ever had is what He gave me – His mercy, healing, restoration and compassion.  My God has given me life, and I realise that it is His life for it is full of glory.  His saving grace still leads me to green pastures.  I know that this life in me is the life of His resurrection that made this dead man to come back to life.  I am so happy that He has crowned me with His life of resurrection, and my everlasting abode is just beyond the fringe.  My story to thank and praise Him daily shall take me to the pearly gates where I shall see Him and place my crown at His feet who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. My million thanks to you my Jesus for you have taken me out of many miry pits and established all my ways.  

    God has many ways to reveal His purposes to mankind.  One such way He has chosen is through visions and dreams. In His infinite wisdom, He has graciously privileged me to enter His gates to see visions.  Thus the words of the prophet Joel were also fulfilled in me: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.  And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth...” (Joel 2:28-30). Therefore, I humbly share my visions and dreams.

 Key to the Storehouse

    In a vision, I saw someone coming to me.  He gave me a key and told me to open a certain storehouse with it.  Then He told me to distribute the food grain that was stored there to the people of a certain village.  He said that in that village there was a drought and its people were starving.

    I took the key from this person.  When I opened the storehouse, I was amazed to see that it was full of drums.  There were thousands upon thousand, which could not be counted.  As far as the sight would permit, these drums were in abundance. Each of these was so big in size that no man could put his arms around it.  These were all round in shape.  The content of each drum was clearly displayed on its lid.  I realized in my spirit that every type of grain was in that storehouse.  Anything that anybody ever needed was there.  It was not possible for me even to count any one type.  I was filled with awe seeing such a sight and shouted in great amazement, ‘what a mighty God is my Lord who has provided all this so generously.’  I became all the more aware of the fact that with God there is no shortage of anything and was so glad that He was my Lord.  I was also glad that the famished people got their help from Him, for He has more than enough for all their needs. 

    I opened the first drum.  It contained wheat.  I said that it was what these people needed the most and immediately.  When I observed the wheat that was in it, I was amazed to see that it was of such an excellent quality that I had never seen before.  Each grain was three or four times the size of a normal wheat grain. Every grain was absolutely white and was so clean that it looked like a crystal.  One could see through it as one looks in a glass.  It was the finest stock that any eye has ever seen.

    I distributed the wheat among the people as I was told.  I also kept a grain for myself thinking that I would take it to my house as a souvenir.  When the distribution was completed, I told the caretaker: “This drum is almost empty now.  A little grain that is left in it, you can take it to your house after you have cleaned it and put it back in its place.”  The caretaker said: “Sir, I cannot lift this drum.  It is very heavy and has plenty of wheat in it.  I cannot take it all to my house.  The grain that you gave me is enough for me.  I don’t need any more.  We can close this drum and put back its lid on it.”  I told him: “Fine.  Put its lid on it and I will lock up the place.”  He put the lid on it. 

     Since the grain had already been distributed, I asked the caretaker if all the people in that village had enough grain.  He said: “All have received the grain and they were all so very happy when they returned to their houses.  Nobody was lacking because they all had it in abundance.  He also thanked me for it. We then came out and I locked the storehouse.

 The Grand Vision

    In 1990s, I saw an awesome vision.  I call it THE GRAND VISION because in it I saw Jesus face to face and He also embraced me in His loving arms. It was so great that for a long time I thought about it and wondered about its enormity.  I realized that I should share it because visions are given to understand what God wants to reveal to all His people.

     One morning, at about 6 o’clock, I got up from my bed and as usual, went to the washroom.  When I returned to my room and was about to get back into my bed, I was transported in my spirit to an open field and was made to stand there.  While standing there, I heard a noise of a mighty wind.  I thought it probably was the noise of a coming storm, or it was the noise of big birds flying, but instead there appeared four angels.  They came and stood around me.  One stood behind me, one was ahead of me, one was on my right hand, and the fourth was ahead of the one who was in front of me and was at a distance.  I did not see these angels, but my spirit told me that these were such and such whom I had known earlier.  I started recognizing them.  The angel who was in front of me was the only one I saw most.  Others were there, but I did not pay much attention to them.  The angel in front of me was looking at me and I was looking at him.  As he kept looking at me, my spirit told me to ask him the question that was in my mind..  I took a step forward and asked him: “Sir, why these days is there no new work coming in the workshop?”  As I asked the question, he laughed heartily.  He kept laughing for a long time.  I looked at his teeth.  They were brilliantly clean and were pure white.  They were also beautifully sparkling.  His face was shining too.  After having a big laugh, he gently came to me smilingly and stood before me.  His eyes were looking at me and I was looking at His.  Looking at Him, I saw such a great love in His eyes that surpasses explanation.  His love was sparkling and it seemed it literally was about to drop out of His eyes.  That person was indeed the source of all love.  Then I said loudly: “This is my Lord, my Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth.”   When I said it, He embraced me.  He held me in His arms and gently told me: “Look, I am not angry with you.”  This, in fact was His answer to my prayer, because when earlier I had prayed, I had thought that perhaps God was angry with me. At those times, I had asked Him the reason of His being angry.  Probably, for this reason He said again: “I am not angry with you.  On the contrary, I am happy.  In fact I am very happy with you.”  After saying it, He loved me dearly as I was in His embrace.  I too was embracing Him dearly. 

     The devil was also standing there.  When he saw that the Lord dearly loved me, he started screaming and was calling my name loudly.  As I turned my head to see him, my Lord had left me.  I have no idea how or when did He leave and neither have I any recollection of it. When I found that He was not there, the devil encountered me as I will explain in the following section.

Encounter with the Devil

    The devil had come in disguise of my brother and had appeared as one of the four angels. My brother, Fazal Masih, had already passed away and the devil had disguised himself exactly like him.  Like my brother, he had the priestly robe and in his hand he had a book (my brother was a minister of the gospel.)   He also had the priestly scarf on his neck.  Because from a distance he resembled my brother, I thought of meeting him.  After all, I was seeing him after many years.  I could not go near him because he was standing on an elevated platform.  He also could not come to me. He told me something, but while he was talking, he was also receding from the place he was standing.  When I looked into his eyes, they were not human.  His eyes were like that of a bear for these were absolutely round.  I immediately understood that he was not my brother and was no other than the devil.  He left immediately.  However, before he left, he looked at the place where Jesus was standing.

Three Heavens

`Then as I looked at the place where I had met my Jesus, I discovered that beyond the sky that was above, there was another sky.   Above that second sky, there was yet another sky.   In fact, I saw three heavens.  On each heaven there was a number inscribed.  The first heaven was wide open.  The second had its sky nicely folded and put aside.  The third heaven’s sky was also folded and was kept as on a roadside.  “And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up” (Hebrews 1:12). There was a royal road that linked all these heavens.  I was glad that it also led to the third level of heavens.  In the third heaven, there was the royal palace.  There I could see paradise.  I looked around the paradise but could not enter it, nor did my Lord allow me to do so.  I saw it only from the outside.  In this third heaven I also saw where God has His residence. I did not see anything more than this. 

 `Then again I returned to the place where I had seen my Jesus.  It was there that I had taken my eyes away from Him and paid attention to the screaming of the devil.  It was at this place that I had a completely different encounter  - 

Fury of the Devil

    After my seeing the heavens, the devil had caught hold of me.  It was the nighttime. He took me away.  He took my clothes off of me.  Then he took all my veins out from my body and after crushing them, he put them in a big pot where something was already boiling.  It neither was oil nor was it water.  Whatever it was, it was khaki or muddy in colour.  Having put my veins in that pot, he let them boil for three hours.  While these were boiling, I was standing beside it.  At the fourth hour, he took me also and put me in the same pot.  In that pot I was crying in great agony.  The veins that he had earlier put in there had become thorns.  Whichever side I was turning, those veins would pierce me.  There was no respite. For one hour I was screaming in bitter agony in that torture pot.  It is difficult to explain the extent of that pain.  Had I stayed there for another hour, I would have died many times over.  After it, he took me out from that pot.  I was greatly relieved and thanked my God.  When he took me out, he told me that for three years I would be bearing my punishment.  He also told me that he would come every day and every day I would get the same punishment.  I was aghast and naturally was extremely sad.  I had hardly escaped one horrifying experience of being in the boiling pot and others were at my door.  Immediately I got up and longingly approached the throne of grace with tears in my eyes.  In great agony, I asked my Jesus, “Why this trouble has befallen me, O Lord?  You were holding me in your arms.  You knew full well that the devil was there, then why did you leave me?”  I did not get any answer.  I also told Him of the punishment that the devil had prescribed for me.  I earnestly pleaded Him, saying: “I don’t want that punishment.  Could you kindly put a stop to that?” 

     However, this torture in my mind continued for a long time.  From my past experiences, I had learned to thank God for He has always been my help.  Also despite all my follies, He had enabled me to follow Him and walk according to His will, which was my great joy.  Since He has given me the ability to read His Word daily and the Holy Spirit has enabled me to understand it, I knew full well that all His ways and doings are true and good.  Therefore, I prayed unceasingly that the devil would depart from me. 

 Punishment Stayed

    The punishment was stayed, but the episode left a deepening affect in my mind.  For the next three years, my mind was greatly disturbed.  Several times I thought I had become insane.  During this period, whenever I was praying, I knew it was not the right type of prayer. Even to myself, my prayers would not make any sense.  I wanted to ask for one thing, but the expressions that came out of my mouth seemed contrary.  Despite it all, daily I earnestly requested my Lord that the devil would depart from me.  The Lord, who had always heard my prayers, heard me and saved me this time also.  Then my senses were restored to me and I thank Him dearly for it. 

     All this misery came upon me because I paid more attention to the devil’s screaming than the assurance and comfort of my Jesus’ embrace.  It seems that as Adam and Eve, who had everything that God had for them, got listening to the devil, so did I.  The result of it was a death sentence for Adam and Eve.  I too died but was resurrected and restored to the joy of my salvation when, like David, I too cried to the Lord.  The thought of this folly of mine has left a lasting impression in my mind.  But I am thankfully grateful to my Jesus whose help restored me to complete health.  I am glad that He has enabled me to tell others of His goodness to me, which is now all joy to me.         

     Considering this vision, I lay prostrate on my face before my Lord because He came to me personally.  He answered the question that was in my mind and has also greatly comforted me.  This priceless vision taught me the greatest lesson of my life.  When I considered that I have been blessed with such visions, I stand in awe before Him.  I realize that many through the ages have had visions, and all visions are unique.  But when I consider that I, who am so insignificant, should ask a silly question, and God has blessed me with such a marvellous vision, I humbly fall at His feet.  Above it all, His blessings upon me indeed have abounded.

 Any Sceptics?

    Some may think that I may be imagining.  If I have met Jesus, anyone can meet Him.  Instead of doubting, why not experience Him personally.  Your doubts will turn into sheer joy and telling others of Him will become your strength and a delight to many. 

     Visions are not generally meant for individuals but for all God’s people.  I firmly believe that God wants to embrace all His people, satisfy all their desires and reveal the secrets of heaven.  He also does not want us to pay attention to the devil and his tricks.        

     Then there are those who think that no one has ever seen God. Their thinking and unbelief have put a veil over them.  They think, therefore, that visions are just figments of our imagination.  To them all I gladly bear witness that Jesus made me to see Him with my own eyes.  He has revealed Himself to so many people in so many ways, and He still does.  To me, it was in visions and dreams.  If we have the desire to see Him, what He has in store for us is fathomless.  The things I have stated are true because I am not under any duress.  I am now 106 years old (in 2004) and have nothing to loose by saying that His goodness to me has never failed me.  He is more than a Friend to me. By habit also I have learned to be truthful, and truthfulness does not persuade me to be otherwise.  Whatever I have seen, whatever I have heard and whatever my Lord Jesus has told me, I have put forth plainly.  I am simply a witness of His loving kindness.  When we tell the truth, we come to Him.  For He said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  In Jesus, I have always found my rest.  

     I know there are those who think that since I am old, my experiences and visions are not trustworthy.   I am fully aware of such a criticism.  It is only my Lord Jesus who can bear witness to this and knows its authenticity.   However, I would like to reiterate that these visions of mine are true, for no untruth will satisfy my soul.  My Lord knows this because He has revealed it all to me.

     Earlier in the vision, I had asked the Lord the question, “Why no new work was coming in the workshop?”  This was the question my spirit had invoked me to ask Him.  (When I was young, I had a workshop in India where I also taught carpentry as a trade.)  The day after the vision when I had asked this question, I was thinking about it and wondered why did I ask such a stupid question when no such workshop had remained in existence any longer and neither was there any activity there since years have rolled into decades.  The following night, my spirit prompted me saying: “The question that you asked, ‘why no work was coming in the workshop,’ it really meant that, when in the past I was praying about a specific need, Lord Jesus You did not answer my prayer.  This was your question.”  Thus I understood the right meaning of my question.  I also learned that our God understands whatever we ask Him, though it may not be put in the proper prospective by us.  Our Lord, who knows all things, knows the thoughts of our spirit that we sometime do not express properly.  The Bible says: “The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts…” (Proverbs 20:27).  My spirit also then witnessed that whatever I had asked the Lord was right. 

     On another occasion, for many years, I had asked the Lord for His guidance in a particular matter and situation.  This He answered in His time embracing me in His Agape arms.

     Lord Jesus gave to His servant this vision that makes me to humbly fall at His feet in awe of His goodness.  Surely, His eyes are even on a sparrow like me.     

    In my vision, I was taken in my spirit to an unknown place.  This place most likely was in heaven.  There I saw a very large room filled with great wealth.  It was as if that hall was loaded with dollar bills and coins. The coins were heaping on the floor and the currency bills were piled so high on the shelves that they could not be numbered.   My spirit prompted me in letting me know that these were not only in millions but were millions of millions.   I was taken back in great surprise when I saw this huge wealth.  Then I asked the person in the spirit, "Whose treasure is this?"   He said: "It is yours."   I was totally surprised as to when did I deposit this since I have been a poor man.  I knew that I could not have deposited even a fraction of it.  As far as I was concerned, I never ever had much money.  The most that I ever had was a few hundred dollars.  The wealth in that hall was huge and beyond description.  After this, the Spirit left me there. 

    In amazement, I went outside that room thinking about it all.  Then I understood that it was my Jesus who had this great treasure for me in heaven.  I thanked Him gratefully because, comparing to it, all my earnings and wages were absolutely of no significance.  Moreover, this wealth was in addition to all His great mercies to me.  I was amazed that God, who always had a great compassion on me, had also kept this enormous treasure for me.

Three Leaves

    While I was considering it, I stepped outside that great hall.  I was again taken back in absolute amazement.  There I observed three young boys of varying ages.  I also saw a plant that had the formation that of a branch.   This branch in turn had three branches.   Each branch was about three feet long.   These branches were round and had no thorns on them.  They were smooth and were decked with many precious pearls all over. The pearls were laid beautifully on these leaves.  One branch was pointing to the east, the other was pointing to the west while the third pointed to the north.    In my spirit, I was inspired to know that these branches represented all of God’s children everywhere beside mine own.  The smooth leaves most probably portrayed the life style that God wants for all of His children.  The vision therefore demanded the generations to follow to have such worthy lives that they may shine as were the pearls decked in beauty on those leaves.  It was also divinely wished that their walk be smooth so that, like the shining pearls, they could reflect God’s glory.  As there were no thorns on those branches, so the lives of the children of righteousness should be.

    I also saw that, on the leaves of the plant, there were tiny precious coins.  It signified that the children of God, though they might look tiny or insignificant, are valuable and precious. The leaves also had a smooth surface.   Surely, God wants all the children of His inheritance to live their lives likewise.   Our triune God, who has a great treasure reserved for me, showed me in the three-branch vision His desire for the generations to follow.

     This plant was in the area where the halls of treasures of heaven are situated..  Naturally, God desires that all those who have treasures in heaven, their children should be so as to deck the hall of God’s treasure house.  Such children will be a delight to our God and would be able to say: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).  Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow them all the days of their life because in His sight they are His pearls.  They shall, therefore, boldly reflect the glory of their triune God by whom they are planted.  

    I have no hesitation to write it because my life has shown how through much trials and sickness, Jesus has shepherded me.  Likewise, all God’s children will be well taken care of by Him.  In any sickness or setback, He will be their help.  God will fight all their battles and they shall dwell in God’s garden.  They will walk as many saints have walked, looking as God’s pearls.  By their smooth lives, many will be blessed as they see that their worries and concerns have become the concern of our Lord.  The One, who has treasures for us in heaven and plants our children to shine for Him, has not left us alone here on this earth.  He has sent us the Comforter who comforts us in all our ways till we get home. 

    In the 1960s, I was working in the University in Palampur (India).  One day it became necessary for me to work overtime.  When the work was done, the sun had already set and I was late to get home.  During the day, I was used to taking a short cut, as through the main road the distance was considerable.   Palampur is situated in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and walking to work and back was normal for me.  Though the darkness had already set in, I chose the shorter route despite the weather conditions.   On this route, I had also to cross a river.  Since there was no bridge at this point, walking across on its rocks was the only alternative.  Because of the recent rains, the river had swelled and its muddy water had made the conditions worse.  The water level had risen and the flow was fairly rapid.   When I reached its bank, I stopped for a while thinking as to what I should do.  I argued, should I return and take the longer route or proceed against the odds; thinking that if I took the longer route, perhaps someone may give me a ride, if at all anybody would be driving that way.  However, I decided that I would not go back but rather proceed ahead and cross the river.  

     At that very moment, a man appeared on the scene.  He also was to cross the river.  He took off his shoes from his feet.  He stepped on the large rocks in the river and taking long strides, he crossed the river and made to the other side.  He put on his shoes.  Then he addressed me saying that as he crossed over so I must do.  I replied that the stones were too far apart and high for me and that it may not be possible for me to climb over them - the smaller rocks that I usually used to cross over had already submerged.  Encouraging me, he said: "Apply your might and jump on them.  You will cross the river."  He further encouraged me saying that I need not fear.   I took off my shoes and crossed over two or three rocks.  Then there was a higher rock on which I had to step next.   As he watched me, he told me to use all my might and climb it by holding it firmly.  I jumped on that rock but my foot started slipping.   I, however, held to the rock firmly and climbed over it.  The next few rocks in the riverbed were less strenuous and it was easy to cross them.  When I reached the other side of the river, I put on my shoes.  Then I wanted to thank that person for encouraging me.  I looked for him but could not see him anywhere.  I searched him in all directions.  He simply could not be found.  Then I realised that it was either Jesus my Saviour who was there or it was one of His angels.  But it was God who helped me to cross this overflowing river.   Without this help, I could not have made to the other side.  It was also Him who had put in my heart to cross the overflowing river.  It seems, He had an appointment with me to extend His helping hand, and I did not know it.  He wanted to let me know that with Him all is well.   My good Lord is more than a friend to me and is always a pleasant help in need.  He has always been there in time of need and  He has done it so many times, again and again.

Near Fatal Fall

    It was on a cold winter night when the snow lay all around, in Edmonton, Canada, that my son, Navin, his family and I had gone to visit a certain Christian family which had recently moved to their new house.  When we reached there, it was still snowing and was about nine o'clock in the evening.  I was the first person to get out of the car.  Weather being cold, Navin told me to go ahead of them into the house while they were following.  I approached the main entrance and cautiously stepped into the house. The entrance hall to this house had a marble floor.  The moment my feet touched the floor, my shoes being wet already, my foot slipped.  I had no control over myself to stop from falling.  My head also had turned in such a way that it would definitely have hit the floor.  There was no way that I would not be hurt or be bruised badly or perhaps fractured my head.  It could easily have been split open.  In short, something horrible was bound to happen if a miracle did not take place.

    The miracle did take place.  The moment I fell, a held me by my waist and picked me up.  In the physical, I have no idea who this person was, but one thing I know that those hands had the softest touch I had ever felt.  This touch was absolutely amazing for there is none else who has softness that is better than a cotton ball.  This person picked me up with gracious hands and great tenderness.  I also felt that this person was very light in weight.  It is difficult to explain it otherwise.   I later realized that this person was nobody else but my Lord Jesus.  Because, it is God who is always present everywhere and so is His help.  I greatly wonder, how can it be that He should care for a person like me and I should not be filled with awe and thanks to Him?  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:6).   It was indeed my Jesus, for He never gets tired of helping again and again.  Words are not enough to express my gratitude to Him and any vocabulary will fail to express His many kindnesses to me. 

    At the time of this fall, I knew that in the natural something disastrous would have taken place.  Beside a fractured skull, even the death was not to be ruled out.   But my Lord graciously came and picked me up and I did not feel even a pinch.  I felt His touch and did not even touch the ground.   It was not strange for me to get His help for at the cross, He extended His hands to me and became my Friend.  I know who He is; He is my greatest friend who can never leave me, because I am His and He is mine. 

     Nobody could have known that I was going to fall, but my Friend knew.  He saved me from the fowler’s snare.  How very glad I was that my Jesus was with me.  Ssurely, He has said: “lo, I am with you always.”   My million-thanks to You, my Jesus.         

Another Fall

    While I was in Edmonton in my son’s house, one night I alone was going down to the basement of his house.  It had thirteen steps, which were not carpeted.  My feet happened to slip on the third or fourth step.  As I slipped, the railing, which I was holding, also slipped from of my hand.  I knew well at that time that I still had eight or nine steps to climb down. Though I had not known, God had already sent an angel to help me.  With one arm He held my head and with the other He caught hold of my arms and lifted me up and put me on the solid ground.  He did it with great ease.   I want to emphasize that it was not a dream.  The source of all such instant helps is God. Our God is indeed an awesome God and His help is always sure.  Naturally, in gratitude I thanked Him dearly. Seeing that His mercies are so great, I cannot make enough mention even though I may try much.  What He has done for me, He does for all.  Such circumstances only remind us of God’s goodness, and these cement our faith in Him.  It has always been by the gracious hand of our Lord Jesus that I have been saved from many great disasters, and this is the reason that I am still alive and well.

    The significance of such a saving grace is worth experiencing as I have done.   The truth does not hide anything; for the significance of such events becomes glorious when we share these.  Therefore, what I have seen and experienced, all that took place in my life, I have not shunned to state them.  Therefore, joyfully I testify wonders of Christ’s love and care for me.

    Many things have befallen me during my lifetime.  However, important things in our lives are not easily forgotten because they have a great significance.  Visions also fall in this category. They are given to us to know God’s will for mankind.   Therefore, I feel urged to pen them.  I strongly believe Jesus wants that we may know who He is and also know that He is more than a friend. Only experiencing His mercies in our lives will fill us with the eternal joy.  Then thanking Him in all ways will become our song, and witnessing His goodness will make the earth glad as the heaven will rejoice also. 

    The two episodes, falling on the marble floor and from the top of the basement steps, took place in 1990s when I was in Edmonton with Navin, my son.   Beside these, there was another occasion when I had slipped and Navin, my son, had picked me and with great care and made me to sit in a safe place.  I thanked him for it heartily.  So, sometime God Himself helps us; sometime, His angels are at our service.  However, there are occasions when God also uses any one of us to help others.  At such times, we become the emissaries of God.  His ways are many because His will must be done.  All that He does is good.

    I was in Ottawa, Canada, with my son AmirChand and Rose his wife.  It was the month of December in l996 that I had a dream.   In the dream I saw a bird sitting on a tree.  The bird was white in colour and in size was larger than a pigeon.  From the tree, he was saying: "Do you?"  I went outside the house to see this strange phenomenon.  When I saw him, he said again: "Do you?"   While he was talking, he was also looking below on the ground.  I naturally turned my eyes to the ground to see what was he looking at.  There on the ground, I saw two birds.  They were smaller in size than pigeons are and their colour was dusty.  They were definitely not white.  From the ground, these two were saying: "Hello, hello!"  I heard them saying it twice.  Curiosity made me to observe that these two on the ground were pushing some object.  What I saw was that there was a piece of meat that was in the shape of a ball and they were pushing it.  I also observed that they were pushing it with great difficulty.  While they were pushing it,  they were saying: “Hello, hello.”   Then I saw that the bird that was on the tree flew down to help them.  He picked up the meatball from them and flew away.  I do not know where did he take it to or where he threw it.           

    I understood that though this dream was comical, it was of great significance. Therefore, I asked my Lord Jesus to give me understanding to know its meaning.  Thus I understood - 

    The dusty colour represented mankind, for we are all made out of the earth.  The two birds represented mankind, which are the offspring of Adam and Eve. The ball of meat represented mankind’s sins.  These two birds were pushing the ball of meat.  It thus meant the efforts of mankind to roll the ball of sin that they started rolling in the Garden of Eden. The bird on the tree is bigger than mankind that is God.  His being on the tree pictures the Cross.  He was sitting on the tree is a picture of Jesus being on the Cross.   His colour being white shows His holiness.  Then I understood.  Mankind has always tried to roll away their sin with all its might that could be mustered, but had to have help.  Therefore, the spirit of man has ever been calling for help to roll it away.  The only One who came down from the tree was able to take it away was Jesus.  He came and took it away so that it could not be seen.  The meaning of ‘do you’ is simple.  It simply means ‘do you need any?’  When the two on the ground were saying: ‘Hello, hello,’ they were crying out for help because all their efforts are like filthy rags.  All mankind’s efforts could not help to remove this ball of sin.  I call it a ball of sin because when it was rolling, it was gathering more filth. 

    In this dream, I discovered that it represented my life also.  The sin that I was carrying was too much for me.  The only thing I could do was to roll it but by no means could succeed.  My help came from Jesus who came down from the wooden cross to help me. He came and took all my sin away.  But when I considered that there were two birds, I realized that it involved all mankind.  The Gospel here becomes so clear that Jesus, who is much greater and bigger than what we are, and is also holy, came and delivered us from our heavy burden of sin.  Because He sees that we are helpless, He wants to get our attention from the cross.  If we would call upon Him and ask for help, He will come and takes our sins away.  Then only our burden becomes light because our sins are gone probably in the sea of forgetfulness.  For this reason, He came down from the wooden cross.   His help is all that we need.  It is worth more than we could ever expect elsewhere. All the religiosity of mankind has not been able to help to roll man’s sin away.  But when we ask Jesus, surely our help is sure.

    Now that Jesus has taken all my sins and I do not know where they are.  I know only that He has taken away my burden.  My efforts have also ceased because Jesus came and I have now rest.  How very true are His words when He said: “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  His rest is so good that it passes understanding. Praise God, He is our burden bearer. 

    We are all carrying heavy burdens.  It may be of physical, spiritual or of mental nature.  Whatever it is, Jesus is the only one who can deliver us from all these.  Some may have sickness, disease, a problem at home, at work or relational; the life becomes dreary because there is no help.  Sometime no one listens to our heartaches.   Such are the times, if we would call for His help, we shall be ever grateful.  His help is sure because He has promised us: “I will give you rest.”   God has said: “without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).  He is the only one who calls us from above, who is the Lord God Almighty, the holy one.  If we would just say, Jesus, I need you to help me, that will be our salvation. 

    The two birds also mean that even if somebody was helping us, it is not enough.  In the matter of eternal life, no other help will suffice.  There is no other person or any god that can help to remove the burden of sin.   Jesus, who said, ‘I am the way, the truth and Life,’  He is also the burden bearer.  John the Baptist said about Him: “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).  His help is answer to all our problems and surety of our eternal home in glory.  Jesus passionately cares for those who call upon His name.