My parents were strong Buddhists and from our young days they instilled that belief in us

DISNA SAJEEWANI PANNILAWITHANA

I grew up in a non-Christian background. My parents were strong Buddhists and from our young days they instilled that belief in us. They took a great deal of trouble to bring us up according to the customs of that religion. Until I sat for the GCE A/L Examination I too was deeply involved in the customs of that religion. Although I didn’t have a deep belief in that faith it became a habit because of the constant pushing of my parents. Every evening at 6 p.m. we engaged in religious rituals and these were usually performed by me because I was the eldest child in the family. I have a younger brother and sister.

Many were the occasions when I joined my mother in ridiculing the many Christian groups that visited our home from time to time. I remember asking a young girl who visited our home once whether she was involved in this type of thing because she couldn’t get any other employment! But that young girl walked away without saying one word. After these groups left our home we would throw all the leaflets they left behind. We had no desire whatsoever to read or know what was in them.

I received my education in a strongly Buddhist school. I have a very quick temper. I also had very wicked and bad habits. My school Principal once told me never to come to her for a character certificate.

I had great plans for my life. I did not need any help or advice from anyone else. I myself had made many plans for my future. By this time I completed my education and started working. There I met many new friends and lived a very enjoyable life. I had no worries or burdens, never thought seriously about anything. I tried very hard to be very happy. During this time I had to face an unexpected personal problem in my life. It brought great darkness to my life. It created so much turmoil in my mind that I could not concentrate on anything. I had no desire to do my job. I felt as if my life had broken down. If I was to be free from this problem I had to stop thinking about it. But it kept coming back from time to time. I resigned from my job.

I had no one to talk to about it or to share it with. I did not have enough faith to seek refuge in my religion. All my plans and dreams were shattered. I did not have the strength to end my life. There was nothing I did not do to find relief from this problem. I tried every possible way to forget this problem. But I could not distance myself from that situation, that memory. Every time I was alone, this situation made me depressed. So I thought I should go away for a while because I had no way of sharing my problem with my family. So I wrote a letter to my family that I would be going away for a while not to be afraid and not to try to find me.

One day I left home early in the morning, not knowing where I was going. I left the letter in my wardrobe. I went to the Fort Railway station but did not know where to go or what to do. I was waiting by the roadside to get into a bus, when I met an old friend of mine. She was not a very close friend. She was a Christian. We did not take much notice of her in the early days because her ideas did not fit in with ours. I met this friend after 5 years. When she spoke to me I did not reply with much interest. In the condition I was in, I had no desire to be friendly towards her. However, my friend realized that something was wrong and persuaded me to go home with her.

I did not share anything with her, but she did ask me whether I was facing a big problem. I did not say anything to her, but she sensed that something was wrong from my depressed state. She told me it is OK if I don’t talk to her, but that she felt that I needed some release for my mind. If you like I can take you to meet someone, she said. In answer to her question, I went with her because I had no aim. She took me to meet a sister in the Ja-Ela Calvary Church. She spoke to me very nicely. The love in her words and her voice touched me a great deal. She told me many things about the living Jesus Christ. I felt very strange when she was saying these things. I had never before heard about Jesus Christ and had never felt this type of love before. She asked my permission to pray for me. I automatically said yes. During that prayer I felt someone touch me. I felt some power in that place. Because I had no faith in any one I came to this place determined that I would not say anything to anyone. But I felt I should share my problem with this sister.

I began to wonder whether this living Jesus Christ could give me relief from this problem. I began to share my bitter experience with this sister and she continued to talk with me. She told me that the Lord did not want to see me ruin my life. That is why everything happened in this wonderful way. None of this happened by accident. All this happened so that the Lord could touch your life with his love. What she meant was that my leaving home, meeting my friend and coming to this Church did not happen by accident. Although I did not completely believe this, there was a little bit of faith the size of a mustard seed in my heart. She told me to pray about my problem and hand it over to God and that he will give me peace in my heart. He is going to release me from this. The Lord has chosen you from your family. She asked me to believe.

I told her that I would pray about this until my birthday. But by that time if there is no difference I will take the same decision I took today. She said okay that I could take any decision I wanted if there was no difference but that I should go back home before dark. She said that if my parents found out that I had left home I would have to face another problem of mental stress. I believed her and told her that if this eternal God is truly eternal, and if I receive peace and comfort as she says, I will come back. Actually I did feel a strange kind of interest in this God. I did everything she asked me to do daily. I read the books she gave me. I began to have a small hope through them. I had suffered so much for two years because of my problem that I thought it is okay to face this new feeling for one month. I, who had no hope and no answer, felt like a thirsty deer that had found a drop of water.

I prayed daily as my friend asked me to do. I did not know how to pray. I just began to tell God about all the sadness and pain that I felt in my heart. I did this every morning and evening. In this way, by the end of two weeks I began to feel a strange peace in my heart. I felt myself being set free from the burden in my heart. I began to have a new hope. I began to feel a thirst for this God. The borders of my faith, which was only the size of a mustard seed, began to widen.

Three weeks went by. I got a new job in a social service organization. I had a lot of work to do and had no free time. I had to commit myself completely to this job but I enjoyed my work. My defeated feelings left me. My despair turned to peace. I only spent the night in my home. When I came home I spent time reading books to know more about Jesus. Day by day I began to feel a newness in my life. I began to feel more strongly that I was being healed physically as well as mentally. My birthday was drawing near. The Almighty God began to have a great impact on my life. Day by day I wanted to look for him. I wanted to draw him closer to my life.

On my birthday, as promised, I went to meet the sister who told me about Jesus. She said she knew I would come back to meet her. I shared with her all the experiences and changes that had come upon my life. I told her I wanted to be closer to God and experience His love in a greater way. That day with the leading of my sister, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I received forgiveness from him for my sinful life. I wanted to begin a new life with him. In truth I began a new life with him from the day I accepted him. The sister guided me to attend a Church. I was a very happy person when I left her. I began to receive a lot of hostility from the family because I had come to know Jesus and because of the interest and desire I had for Him. But I gave Him His rightful place in every possible way. Although I could not share the problem I was facing with my family I told them that what ever happens today I have come to know the eternal Jesus Christ. This is the truth and I cannot let it go.

Because of the thirst I had to know more about Jesus Christ I began to search more and more. The fighting habit in my old life went away from me. During this time I had a great desire to serve in a place that had Christian ministries. I was very interested in serving in a particular place. One day I saw an advertisement in a newspaper about some vacancies in a Christian organization and applied for it. By that time it was past the closing date for applications. Yet may be the Lord saw the great desire in my heart and I was called for an interview. When I went for the interview I realized that this was the place that I had been wanting to work in. I was really surprised. I thought the eternal God loved me so much. I was successful in the interview and got the job. I served in this organisation for some time and had many experiences.

As time went by I went to the Back to the Bible offices on one or two occasions. When I went there I had a great desire to work in a place like that. I wrote out an application, although there were no vacancies, and handed it over the Director of Back to the Bible. He told me that the Lord sees the desire in my heart. If the Lord is willing then a door will open somehow for you to work here. I thanked him and left the place. Eight months later I came to know that there was a vacancy at Back to the Bible and was called for an interview. I was overjoyed. Truly the Lord has granted the desire of my heart. It was another way for me to draw closer to God.

I was successful at the interview and was given the job. It has been a great blessing in my life to join the ministries of Back to the Bible. I was given opportunities to use my talents only for Him, to get to know Him more and to draw closer to Him.

During this time my father had to undergo heart surgery. The doctors said my father would not live long. But I knew the eternal God would grant healing to my father. I prayed. All those who worked with me also prayed together for my father. The Lord saw my deep longing and my faith. My father was healed. This gave an opportunity for my family also to think about Jesus. I do not know if the Lord has called me to this place to serve Him through Back to the Bible for the rest of my life or if this is only a period of further training. But I know that He has a great plan for me. When I look back at my life this becomes very clear to me. I know the Lord loves me a great deal. He expects great and better things from me on this earth.

I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I was one who did not know anything about Him in my life but I met Him under rather unusual circumstances. Before I met Him I thought I was a perfect person. I had everything. In short I had planed out my whole life. I had no need to think about a God. But in a very strange way the stormy situation my life brought me to the feet of the eternal God. I first went to Church without any aim or hope. I also had no other way out at that time. An important Bible verse I saw when I first went to Church was “Come unto me all you that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. I did not know how true this verse was on that day. But today I have experienced that there is no way to describe how much this is true. If we have everything in life we think our life is complete. But I have something to say. There is no way your life can be complete if you don’t have Jesus Christ. I have seen the truth of this. Even if you have everything there will come a time when you feel an emptiness or loneliness in your life. Only Jesus Christ can fill that emptiness. Because we may lose everything we have, but we will never lose the love of Jesus.

We need to give much to gain much. We obtain some things through our status or with money. But I like to tell you about a very special blessing in my life that I have received, that seem impossible to get on this earth, through prayer to Jesus Christ. You too can have this experience. I say this especially to those who are without hope or without any aim in life. All you need to do is to believe and have faith, You can then receive the most beautiful the most precious thing that no money or position on earth can buy, through His grace. If you want to receive the unselfish, mighty love and grace that no man on earth can give, it can be only through the Living Lord Jesus Christ. Those who believe will have victory.

Indranie Premawardhana

I was born to Buddhist parents in Matara, in the deep south of the Island. My parents were very staunch “Dhana-pathi” Buddhists (i.e. philanthropist-type Buddhists who gave big donations to the temple and had a close relationship with it). In fact my mother’s youngest brother was given to the temple at an early age because his horoscope said he had a lot of bad luck. He studied in the temple and became a Buddhist monk.

My father was an Apothecary or Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP), as they are known today. Apothecaries were not full-fledged doctors, but had a solid medical training and formed the backbone of the rural medical services in those days. They were highly respected in the community and often referred by villagers as “dostara hamuduruwo” (dostara = doctor; hamuduruwo = a term of respect, roughly equivalent to your lordship). My father served in many outstations areas, all “down south”, excepting ……... He had married from a prominent family in Kamburugamuwa, the Karunaratne’s. In fact, his father-in-law was known locally as “Raja” (or Royal) Karunaratne since he erected a pandal and welcomed a visiting Prince of Wales. Mother was the elder of two sisters.

About three weeks after my sister was born, my mother passed away. I was just five years then. My father had a tough time bringing us up. Of course, we had the help of his brothers and sisters as well as mother’s brothers and sisters. I remember we had to move from house to house and stay with different aunties at various times while father went off to work.

Father felt that this was unsettling for us kids and decided to take a new wife. At first I was unhappy with I was not very happy about this as I remembered the story of Cinderella and how her stepmother ill-treated her. But my father assured me that this would not happen and he married his cousin – Aunty Ethel, whom we already knew very well. She was an Anglican from Kotte, and when I look back I realize that this was part of God’s plan for me.

We came to live in Kotte at my stepmother’s home. She had a sister, Mary Ekanayake, who was a teacher and stayed in the hostel of CMS Girls School. This was a hostel for girls from rural but well-to-do homes. So I was sent to this hostel but my sister traveled from home. I would follow my Aunt (Mary) everywhere and was called Mary’s little lamb. My Aunt was very strict about my studies and made me study all the time. My father gave me permission to take part in the night prayers in the hostel, as well as to attend Sunday School, Church and Scripture classes and whatever else the Christian children in the school did. This, being with children, was a great influence in my life.

My first impression of being with Christian children was that it was a lot of fun and that I was learning a lot as well. The Principal was a well-loved person. She would lead night prayers and would often read from the Bible about the lineage of Jesus. I was very interested in this and studied the Bible and soon became and “expert” able to answer all her questions.

I won many prizes in the school and also came first in the All-Island Non-Christian Sunday School Exam and received an award. The certificate was signed by Rev. W.M.P.Jayatunga a Baptist Minister.

I continued my studies and did well and my father was very happy with my success. I sat for the JSC Examination when I was 13 + years and came first in the whole island – gaining a First Division Pass. I was staying in Walasmulla at that time with my father and my aunt had sent a telegram giving the news of my success and my father was very happy. Because of my good results in the JSC exam my Head Mistress said that if I become a Christian I could get a scholarship to Ladies College for higher studies. But I said ‘No’.

Father was working in different stations and we all gathered at his home for the New Year holidays, but not during Christmas. He didn’t want us to come too often as there was the threat of malaria during that time.

My father was not a religious man. I don’t ever remember him going to the temple. On the other hand, my step-mother was very religious and wend to church regularly. We went to church with my stepmother and my father would drive us to and from church. He was encouraging, tolerant and supportive.

My uncle who was a Buddhist priest in a temple in Mahamanthuda Pirivena in Matara would bring me books on Buddhism. I would take them and quietly put them away. My stepmother would insist that we go to the temple nearby saying that if we did not, uncle would find fault with her for making us go to Church. We didn’t know anything about Buddhism but would go to the temple with the servant girl but did not understand the rituals we were supposed to be following. We didn’t know anyone who really practiced Buddhism.

That year my father fell ill and died on the 21^st May 1942. He died of cerebral Malaria. As the war had just broken out at that time, medicines could not be taken to Matara. At this point my whole world collapsed. I would get up at night and cry. I had nothing to live for or look forward to. But our stepmother was very comforting and good to us. She encouraged me to sit for the SSC Exam and I got through but not as well as the JSC.

At the age of 16 I joined the staff of St. Paul’s Girls School, Kynsey Road. I taught netball and other games to girls who were just a little younger to me. The Principal encouraged me to sit for the Teachers’ Certificate Exam. My uncle suggested that I enter Training College and I was successful in the entrance exam. I was living in a Hostel for teachers at Pamankada Road and we travelled daily to the Training College, which was situated at Thurstan Road at that time.

This was where I met Felix Premawardhana, my future husband. He was in the same batch of students as myself. His sister Leela entered in the next batch. Our batch went on a trip to the North for 10 days and during this time we both felt attracted to each other. But at the end of that year Felix told me that although he loved me more than even his parents and family, he loved his Saviour Jesus more, and could not marry me as I was a non-Christian

I couldn’t understand this. I said well – that is the end. To me, this relationship had meant everything. But something kept on telling me that I needed to know more about this Saviour. I wanted to know about this love that was greater than his love for me and who was the person whom he loved so much.

So, we continued our relationship. We would meet every morning as he accompanied me to the school where I was teaching and he would be back after school to accompany me home. This was because there was a man following me. Every night he would write me a letter and my stepbrother Nihal Ekanayake would carry the letters to me.

I didn’t want to keep this relationship a secret from my mother, but how could I tell her? In the end, I had to tell her about Felix. She was very happy because she knew him and liked him. But her family didn’t like him as he was “only a teacher”. Nevertheless, Felix was given permission to visit me at home.

He took me to meet his brothers who were both Baptist ministers – Rev. Cyril Premawardhana and Rev. Paul Premawardhana, as I was now searching for answers. By then I knew all about Jesus and the Bible - but had never been taught about Christ as a personal Saviour or had the salvation experience. Both Rev. Cyril and Rev. Paul taught me what salvation meant. They were a great influence on my life and thinking. I had to struggle sometimes with the nagging thought, “Am I going back on the faith of my forefathers? ”One key verse from the Bible I remember helped me a great deal: John 3:30 “He must increase and I must decrease.” It took me another 2½ years to accept Jesus as my personal Saviour, and then I was baptised.

When I told my people in Matara about my conversion and baptism there was a lot of opposition from my maternal uncles.

Felix and I were married in 1950. We had a wonderful married life. He was a great husband and father. God has been good to us. We had two wonderful children, a son born in 1951 and a daughter born the following year. We were also blessed to have up to 4 or 5 children growing up in our home. My in-laws were very kind and accepted me wholeheartedly into their family. My sister married Felix’s younger brother, Bernard.

We were both teachers and therefore relatively poor. Our secret in managing our finances was that we had only one purse between us. But we have been blessed in working for the Lord. I was able to accomplish whatever I accomplished with the help of God and with Felix by my side. I have been privileged to work with women’s Baptist organizations in Colombo, in Sri Lanka, in Asia and in the world[1].

My burning desire now is to help women and children in need. Jesus’ love for me, a weak and simple woman for whom he died, and my love for my Saviour motivate me. I want to make my sisters aware of their self-worth and potential and the fulfilment of joy that can be theirs in service to him. I see the need of women for a loving Saviour as they face sickness, poverty, death, bereavement, violence, war, and separation. Only Jesus can carry their burdens and give peace and joy.

Do I have any regrets or doubts about the step I took in accepting Jesus as my personal saviour? Not at all. On the contrary, I am so grateful for the strength and solace that the Salvation message has given me, enabling me to face any situation. When Felix finally passed away at the age of 80 in 2006, I was sustained by my faith in Jesus - I had a rock to cling to – and know that death is not the end.

[1] Indranie is presently one of the Vice Presidents of the Baptist World Alliance. Earlier she held the position of President of the Asian Baptist Women’s Union (1998 – 2003) and President of the Sri Lanka Baptist Union. She edited and published the ABWU newsletter and has compiled the book, Go and Tell ….. Effective Leadership for the Asian Harvest.

Since then I have a great faith in God and He gives me strength to face problems without running away from them; I am also able to understand other people’s problems and help them and comfort them.

I was born into a very strong Kandyan Buddhist family. Both parents were practicing Buddhists. I am the youngest of 9 children. My father was at that time the ‘Rate Mahattaya’ (Now Assistant Government Agent or AGA).

My father died when I was just four years old. My mother educated all of us with a lot of difficulty. I studied Buddhism in school and attended the Daham Pasala (Sunday School). I observed Sil on special Poya days and also participated in School Sil programmes.

I attended a Buddhist school. I studied up to GCE O/L but did not succeed in passing the examination.

Because I studied Buddhism I was aware of the consequences of sin and life after death. I learned about the five sins and tried hard to live a good life according to Buddhist teachings. I was very afraid of sin.

My mother could not afford to send any us for higher studies because she had 9 children to support.

I married a Buddhist, but it was against the wishes of my family. They were against this marriage because he was not considered suitable for our family. The marriage did not last.

Up to this time I was living in Kandy. After my marriage broke up, while I was still pregnant, I went to Anuradhapura as my family cast me aside after my marriage. I was hoping to give my child up for adoption. My mother also came with me and promised to stay with me. I was living with relatives during this time.

I went to the Temple there regularly but my mind was quite disturbed. Even in the Temple I was not treated well due to my failed marriage.

My daughter was born in Anuradhapura. I was 23 yrs old then. After she was born I changed my mind about giving her up for adoption. I was determined to bring her up on my own. I had no income except for my Father’s pension. I had to face many economic problems and I had no home to call my own. I couldn’t continue to live with my relatives as I felt their reluctance. They kept asking me what I was going to do. I had to find a place to live and bring up my daughter. I had a property in Kandy which I sold and bought a house in Anuradhapura.

By this time my oldest sister and one of my brothers came looking for me. They visited me before my daughter was a year old. After seeing the situation I was in they started helping me in various ways.

My daughter started attending school and there I met many other parents who became my friends and they helped my in many ways – even financially. I was still living on my father’s pension. My mother made many sacrifices for my daughter and me.

After 7 years a cousin of mine got to know that I was in Anuradhapura and came to see me. He asked if I wanted a job, said there was one available in a shop belonging to a friend of his. The salary was Rs. 500/- per month. I accepted at once. His wife gave me clothes and other necessities for me to go to work. I worked there for about 4 years. Later I was able to get a job in the Cultural Triangle office in Anuradhapura. This was in 1987.

In 1993 my mother passed away. By this time other members of my family were close to me and were helping me in many ways. My daughter was 16years old now.

At this time I had come to know that a niece of mine had married a Christian and that she had also become a Christian and believed in someone called Jesus. But I didn’t have any feelings about it.

I was living with my daughter and son-in-law and continued to work. Their first baby was born. By this time I was having problems at home and was even feeling suicidal. I was very disturbed.

Before coming to Kandy I went to an Aramaya where women Buddhist priests live. I told them I wanted to leave my home and come and live with them. I expected them to help me to face my problem through Buddhist teachings. But they asked if I could look after an old woman Buddhist priest and if so I could stay there. I realized they would not help me or comfort me in any way.

After this I spoke to my Christian niece who lived in Kandy and asked to find a home for a friend of mine. I didn’t tell them it was for me because I didn’t want to tell them my problems. They agreed to find a place. Three days later I called again. They said there is a place and then I told them it was for me. They asked me to come to Kandy to their home first. They listened to my problems and I felt really special then. They told me that they pray about all their problems and said they would pray for me as well. They called a Pastor and told him about me and asked him to pray at 9 O’clock that night and that they would also be praying at the same time

I could sense a distinct difference in the way this family welcomed me and treated me from the other members of my family who were Buddhists. There was a different kind of love and concern that drew me to them. They were not judgemental but created an environment in their home where I could relax and rest. They gave me all the freedom I needed to be quiet or to talk if I wanted to.

The next day they brought a Pastor to their home and the whole family prayed for me. After this prayer I slowly began to feel a sense of relief and peace despite my problems.

I told my niece that I like to pray like them. So the Pastor told me to pray like talking to my father – when in trouble.

He laid hands on me and prayed again. All this happened in one day. I then told him that I want to become a child of God. He said they will continue to pray for me and that I must also continue to pray and receive peace and an answer to my problem.

In that home I began to feel a sense of relief and freedom and every time I wanted to talk they stopped their work and listened to me.

During all this there was never any influence from them to force me to become a Christian.

The next day my niece was going to a Women’s Prayer meeting in the Kandy Baptist Church. She invited me to come if I liked. I went and met the Pastor and he spoke to me for a long time. During this time he helped me to look at my problem from different angles. He asked about my job and I told him I left everything and came and I am not going back. I had told my daughter I was going to Kandy but not about finding a home or a job. He taught me the value of having a job and if I didn’t want that job he would help me to find another job in Kandy.

I must say that during all this I didn’t feel forced into anything at any time.

The Women’s group that day prayed only for me. I was really touched by this fact, that Christians did not isolate someone who had a problem.

I was in Kandy for about a week. My feelings were slowly changing and I began to feel a sense of relief.

My niece’s husband asked me what I wanted to do - whether I still wanted to go to a home. He told me to think about it carefully and decide and tell him in my own time.

Then I realized that now I had the strength to live and face life. I decided to go back to Anuradhapura and go back to my job. My niece and family continued to pray for me and by hearing those prayers I was also able to pray. Every time I was alone and silent I began to talk to God. I went back to Anuradhapura and to my job. I went looking for a Church because I wanted very much to have fellowship with Christians.

I asked for a transfer from my job to Kandy. They asked me to wait a while. By this time I felt I was a Christian. I was praying regularly and found a Church in Anuradhapura. The Pastor there prayed specially for me and welcomed me lovingly into the Church family.

I was offered a transfer to Colombo and not to Kandy. I consulted my niece and asked her about a Church in Colombo if I accept the transfer. They said God is working in my life and this is the best thing that could happen to me. They said there is a big Baptist church in Colombo and I will have no regrets about coming to Colombo.

I accepted the transfer and came to Colombo and started work. I had no place to live so I stayed with a friend. My brother lived in Colombo but I didn’t go there as they were all Buddhists. When I was going through many difficulties I didn’t get any consolation even from my family. I also didn’t like any one asking me about my problems. I wanted to be able to talk about them only if I wanted to. They heard that I was in Colombo and came and took me to their home. I felt that God was really taking care of me.

I lived in my brother’s house. They were all staunch Buddhists. My sister-in-law observed sil regularly and was a practicing Buddhist. They had come to know that I was now a Christian. I was by now very keen to go to Church. So one day I walked past the Baptist Church near the Town Hall. I just wanted to see what it looked like.

One day my niece in Colombo asked me – now you are Christian, where do you go to Church? I asked her if they would mind my going to Church while living with them. She said there was no problem about it. I told her about the Church near the Town Hall and said that I would like to go one day and meet someone before going on a Sunday. She said she will take me there and she dropped me near the gate. I walked into the Church premises and met a lady there who told me about the service times and from the following Sunday I started attending that Church. About a year later I was baptized and am now a member of Cinnamon Gardens Baptist Church.

After I came to Colombo and started attending Church I had many opportunities to learn more about the Christian faith and to read the Bible and daily devotions. When I started attending Baptism classes I had many obstacles as I had to go to Anuradhapura quite often when ever my daughter wanted me to come. But somehow I managed to overcome all this.

Since then I have a great faith in God and He gives me strength to face problems without running away from them; I am also able to understand other people’s problems and help them and comfort them.

In my workplace too I began to pray about my problems and God has enabled me to work peacefully. I was the only Christian in a completely Buddhist environment. One time a fellow worker saw a Bible in my drawer and started arguing with me. I didn’t get involved in an argument but I told them that when I had a problem I found relief only through the Christian faith and I received God’s strength to overcome my problems and to do all my work and that is why I believe and follow the Christian faith.

Many times my Buddhist friends and co-workers would try to draw me into arguments about my faith but I was able to explain my belief without causing them any pain of mind.

Even after I became a Christian my life has been plagued with many problems, some that seem insurmountable but unlike in the past I don’t go rushing around looking for people who can help and I don’t lose control of myself. I know that there is someone greater than any man on earth who is going before me and who can help me through every problem, big or small. I live ‘One day at a time’ and I feel that there is an inner strength in me that can take me through each day. I have come to realize that I will not always get the answers I want to all my problems. I know that God knows best what is good for me and He will provide the right answer at the right time and He has always done just that for me.

It took me several years to understand the Bible. At first I didn’t understand anything, although I read the Bible daily. But now as I read I can look back and see that God has always been looking out for me, even before I became a Christian.

Whatever my experience has been my family (my daughter and family) will not accept my faith. They still continue to condemn my faith but I don’t respond in any way.

I have found that I am able to show the same love and concern to those in need of help just as I was shown love and compassion by Christians in my time of need.

You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”( Act 1:8)

Simply, everything God has done in my life is my testimony in Him. When I look back I realize that my life has been one filled with miracles. The greatest miracle was my conversion.

More than being a Buddhist, my life had been materialistic. Jesus Christ brought me out of my darkness to see the reality of life. He came to this world to make a sacrifice on behalf of us to take our sins away and to offer us eternal life, and a life full of love. In the power of His risen life He gave me the privilege of believing in Him. Now I know that my life is eternal and that it anticipates a heavenly programme for now and after death. Glory be to His Name for ever and ever.

God also gave me the opportunity of living with my family after an almost fatal brain surgery. Doctors had given up all hopes of recovery since I was on a ventilator for more than a week. I know that my Church and my friends prayed for me. The Lord saved me, and today, though I am unable to be active as I used to be owing to paralysis, I thank the Lord that I am able continue to live with my family and to do my work. My family accepts the fact that God gave my life back miraculously .

Due to severe damages in my brain, a lot of disabilities remained in my body. I don't even have enough abilities to look after my family; my wife and children had to have the whole burden of running our family + looking after me as a disabled person. God always strengthens them to do everything with experience of His love and miracles, which fill our testimonies in Him. Eventually my wife and children have become more and more devoted. through the experience.

I'm very happy to mention here the fact that some of our relations and friends who listened to us and saw our life changes, have come to believe in Christ. Some have received baptism and some serve the Lord in various ways.

One evening in September 2004, I felt my left leg and hand were lifeless. Immediately my beloved wife and son took me to the neurologist, Dr. Padma Gunaratne of Kandy Hospital. After her thorough investigations, she wanted me to have an MRI Scan. The very next day one of my friends Rev. Paul Koralage took me in his car to the Navaloka Hospital, Colombo for scanning.

Following the Scan, I was transferred to the Neuro-Surgeon Dr Dammmika Jayawickrama and I was diagnosed with a kind of growth in brain termed a sagital maningeoma and advised to get admitted to the neuro-surgical ward immediately for a brain surgery to be carried out on 4 October 2004. At that moment my wife and children could do nothing but pray to Lord Jesus. He had graciously answered their prayers constantly.

God was pleased to place a lot of loved ones around me, my sister and brother-in-law (both doctors) and their daughter (a medical student), an elder of my church who was also a medical Professor working in this hospital, and other merciful staff, who were all really concerned about helping me through this terrible experience of brain surgery. (For the sake of keeping this short-I 'm not mentioning all loved ones who were being used by God to help me during my illness - and are being used even now.) After surviving an eight hour critical but successful brain operation and spending three days on a ventilator and (Psalm 23-4) even though doctors had found me brain dead at one point, my Lord’s Love was flowing around me and my family (Psalm23-6). I was totally unconscious, having confused dreams - but I believe surely I was in the hand of my Lord Jesus .After gradually becoming semi conscious, I began to meditate on the Job story in the Bible. I still remember that wonderful experience. Even though I didn't have much pain, I was very sleepy, uncomfortable and confused. My wife and children were in continuous prayer with great faith, along with my church family. Meanwhile my relatives and some of my friends as strong Buddhists, were also doing whatever they could do within their beliefs, showing their love.

Then Jesus Raised me on 06 October 2004. It’s really a miracle. Halleluiah!

I had to stay in the neuro-surgical ward for about two months because of some post surgery complications. During this period, my wife, children and sisters had gone through a lot of difficulties . Because of some severe damage to my brain, my left side was totally paralyzed and I had to lie in bed for a long period. A part of my skull had also been permanently removed. After a hard time of about six weeks, I was transferred to the Digana Rehabilitation Hospital for physiotherapy. After about another three months, the doctor advised me to see Dr. K.Ganapathy at the Apollo hospital, India for a radio surgery which resulted in a very clear and normal final scan report of my brain. My wife and one of my brothers-in-law took me there in time. Even though we were wondering about the cost, which was unaffordable at the time, once again Jesus showed his constant love through everyone around me, friends here and abroad. Thus we passed that event experiencing God’s love. My family and I learnt a lot of lessons about LOVE again. At a moment when it was really needed, I was gifted a wheel-chair by one of my friends. I had to do hard physiotherapy exercises to leave the wheel-chair and learn to walk using a walking stick. For this hard task God had given me my brother-in-law who was full of loving help. Gradually I regained the use of my right side except for my left hand.

After one year's medical leave without pay, God made me strong enough to attend office again from December 2005, more than one year after my surgery. Now I traveled in a trishaw, using a stick for walking short distances, even that not in proper balance, Again life continued to flow the with work in a computer lab, earning a salary, enjoying the company of a large group of friends , and even getting a merit promotion (for my past performance). I am still not able to use my left hand. The fingers curl up and cannot straighten. My wife and children and friends in my office and around me have to assist me with most of my day-to-day work. They even have to help me stand up and comfort me when I collapse occasionally (due to loss of balance) while walking. Meanwhile my Lord Jesus constantly blesses us to meet all our needs on time. Further, He still values my life and gives me opportunities to be useful , by such as in making up the church accounts as in the past, and by doing some other church activities.

Meanwhile, my elder son finished his degree and started first employment as a Software Engineer, my daughter entered the University, and my younger son is studying for the university entrance exam. God is our constant strength and makes our family happier each day.

I was born in to a traditional Buddhist family in the Galle district. Our home was situated at the bottom of a small hill on which stood a Buddhist temple. Our lives were shaped according to Buddhist customs. Every important event of our lives was celebrated according to Buddhist customs.

I studied in Buddhist schools from childhood to Advanced Level classes. Later, I entered the Sri Jayawardenapura University and obtained a B.A.General degree with Buddhist culture as a compulsory subject.

During my school years I knew that Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross but didn’t know anything more about the Christian faith. I learnt more about Christianity in the University Library and through reading various booklets after I came to Colombo for employment.

After my University education I was able to secure employment in a Government Corporation in Colombo and after a few years married a young lady who also worked in the same office. After marriage my wife’s brother gifted us with a house in a Christian environment. However, we declined this offer as we thought it unwise to live in a Christian environment and rented a house in Nugegoda.

My brother-in-law and his family went overseas for employment and there became a Christian. This came about through the influence and example of his wife. Through his letters to us we gradually came to know more about the Gospel. We began to feel it more strongly due to the changes in his behavior and thinking. We began to see a testimony in his life.

During this time I got an opportunity to read a copy of St. John’s Gospel. I read in detail about the life of Jesus, His birth, His ministry, the miracles He performed, His sermons which were beautifully described. I began to read this book over and over again.

The desire to read more and more kept growing in my heart and during this time I accidently came across a discarded copy of the New Testament of the Bible among the files in my office. I developed a thirst to read the Gospels over and over again. I began to realize that the letters my brother-in-law wrote and the various booklets I had read and the Gospels I was reading now were all predestined. I was certain that the Holy Spirit had been at work to make me aware of the Gospel.

One of the most important things that happened during this time was that we went to live in the Wattala area, the area which we declined to live in earlier as it was a Christian environment. After some time an older member of the Baptist Church in the area, Mr. Walter de Alwis visited us and began to teach us about Jesus Christ and the opportunity He gives for us to receive forgiveness of sins and salvation.

I was led to believe and accept the truth about Jesus Christ coming to earth, His short ministry on earth, the salvation He offers, His crucifixion and resurrection. I did not argue or even think about it. I experienced the working of the Holy Spirit in my life. My wife too had the same experience. She too accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour.

Even after all this had happened we were still hesitant to enter a Church. However Mr. Walter de Alwis, Mr. Ajith Aponso and Mrs. Venetia de Alwis visited us and were able to dispel our fears and they invited us to attend a service in their Church. Even today we remember the love we experienced from these people. We attended the service at Hendala Baptist Church on the very next Sunday and gained a new heritage. We were baptized in the year 1990.

As I look back on my life, I see divine intervention and realize that God had been there from the beginning and had directed every event in the most wonderful way – my job, my marriage, and my home. I firmly believe that it was God who brought me through all this in the most amazing way.

My brother-in-law, though a Buddhist from birth, came to know Jesus Christ as a result of the devout prayers of his Christian wife (Baptist). Later, as a result of both of their prayers, my wife, her sister and I came to know Jesus Christ.

God acted in our lives to bring us to the right place. He knows what is best for us. There is no second best for Him.

I thank God for moulding me like clay in the potter’s hands, enabling me to face the difficulties, sorrows and pain in life. I thank God for helping me to live according to His Will.

I was born into a Hindu family. Our home town is Horana. My Father was a Supervisor in a Tea Estate and my Mother was a Tea-plucker. My Father was also in charge of many duties in the village Kovil and our family and home were considered religious and was respected by all neighbours.

I was a devout Hindu from my childhood days. We had a shrine room in our home and I would light the lamp daily - morning and evening.

I studied in the village school up to Grade 7. There were both Sinhala and Tamil children in the school. Only Buddhism was taught as a religion in school and I had to study Buddhism.

I had two older brothers and one older sister. My elder brother committed suicide when I was about 11 years old. Thereafter my mother fell ill, probably as a result of the shock of my brother’s death, and she had to give up working.

Both my other elder brother and sister married and left home. After this, I left school and began to work as I felt I had to provide for my parents. I worked as a stock keeper in a company and did all the daily banking among other duties. My employer treated me well and trusted me.

One day as I was going to the bank, I was followed by some men in a 3-wheeler. I managed to get in to the bank without getting caught but on my way out they grabbed me, put me in the three-wheeler and took me to a lonely place where they threatened and assaulted me. They wanted to know all the details about the money I banked and I told them everything as I was very scared. They asked me what I had with me, but I told them I had nothing. I had a phone in my pocket which started ringing just then and they were very angry and said that I had lied. They hit me on the head and said they would kill me if I told anyone. They took Rs. 3,000 I had in my pocket and seized my Identity Card as well. They told me to bring the money I was given to deposit in the bank the next day to a certain place, without going to the bank.

I was too scared to go home so I came to Colombo to a friend’s home. Later that night I called my parents and told them what had happened to me, and they came to Colombo the next day.

When I went back to work and told my employers what had happened, they just wanted to know if I had any enemies. I was very hurt and upset by what they said. I had served them faithfully all this while but they didn’t seem to care about what happened to me. However, they told me to take the money to the place I had been asked to by my attackers the next day and that they would inform the CID. However, I never went back to work there as I was disappointed by their attitude and the way they treated me.

Later on I got to know that the whole business establishment had closed down as they lost all their business.

After this I came to Colombo. I had no job and was living with some relatives. While I was looking for a job I was proposed to a Christian Tamil girl in Colombo. However I preferred her younger sister Mangeswary. But since they were Christians my parents didn’t want to have anything to do with them.

I continued to see Mangeswary and she convinced me to go to Church with her. I liked her very much and so I went to Church just to please her, but I usually managed to get out half way through the service. At this time I was looking for a job and although I didn’t really believe in God I prayed and asked God to get me a job. A few days later I got a job at Governor’s College.

About 1 ½ years later I got a better job as Office Boy in a foreign consulate services office. After working there for one month I was promoted to Visa Delivery Officer which was a job with a lot of responsibility. The person who was doing this job left to go overseas. At first I refused to accept the job as I was afraid of the responsibility but they persuaded me to do it until they found a replacement. However, on my first day itself I liked the job and still continue in that post.

I continued to go to Church but I didn’t participate in the services. I only wanted to please Mangeswary. At that time there were some Revival Meetings conducted by Pastor Bergman at the Vihara Maha Devi Park, also known as Victoria Park. Mangeswary took me there but after a while I wanted to go home. However she convinced me to stay on as there was very nice music and singing. After the singing the Pastor was praying for people and I found myself with my hands lifted up. The next thing I knew was that I was lying down on the stage. I got up and told the Pastor that I wanted to tell everyone what had happened to me.

The Pastor led me to a microphone and there, in front of tens of thousands of people, I gave my testimony. I shared about my childhood and about my involvement in Hindu religious rites. I told the people how I had participated in fire walking and piercing of the skin – religious rituals of the Hindu faith. I couldn’t believe that I was talking in front of so many people as I was a very shy person. I felt a different person that night.

After that my life changed quite drastically. I enjoyed going to Church and participated actively in the worship. However, I did not want to get baptized until I was quite sure that this was what the Lord wanted me to do. Some months later I was baptized as I was convinced that God wanted me to bear witness for Him by going through the waters of Baptism.

Mangeswary and I were now preparing for our marriage. All this time many of her friends and Church family had been praying for my salvation as she didn’t want to marry me unless I became a Christian.

My parents were not in favour of my marrying a Christian. They said that even if I did marry Mangeswary the wedding ceremony should be in the Kovil and not in the Church. My mother finally said I could do what I pleased but my father said he would commit suicide if I married in the Church, because he would not be able to face the people in the village because of his position in the Kovil.

Mangeswary and I, together with our Church family prayed very hard about this matter and finally my father agreed to the wedding ceremony being held in the Church but he said he would not come to the Church. We continued to pray and he finally agreed to come.

My brother and sister were also not in favour of having our wedding in the Church. But later on they all agreed. However, on the wedding day my father was very ill and couldn’t come to the Church. I was very upset and disappointed and even thought of not having the wedding. But my friends in the Church convinced me that God is with us and that we should go ahead with the wedding as planned.

As I look back I see a big difference in the way I lived my life then and since I came to know the Lord. I was a very hot tempered person and would never hesitate to retaliate whenever anyone said or did anything to annoy me. I am not like this now, but whenever this happens I feel sorry for what I did and immediately ask God to forgive me.

I was a very selfish person back then and never bothered about anyone else but now I always want to help those in need or in difficulty.

My wife and I now celebrate Christmas in my hometown Horana. There are many children in the neighbouring area and we take gifts and eats for them and celebrate Christmas with these children who are all from Hindu families.

I remember when I was a young boy we had one Christian family living close to our home. On Sundays they would gather together and pray. I would play very loud music in my hone on Sunday evenings to disturb them and when I remember that now I feel very guilty about what I did.

We have been married 3 years now. In our second year of marriage my wife conceived but after four months she miscarried. After that we have been waiting and praying for a baby. In February this year our Church began a special Bible Study programme called ’40 Days of Faith’. During this time my wife and I started praying for a baby. On the 38^th day my wife was not feeling too good so we went to the doctor. We thought she had conceived but were disappointed when the doctor told us that it was not a baby. We came home feeling down in the dumps but as we entered our home we heard music playing. It was a song about Samuel – how his mother prayed for many years and God answered her prayer.

We were greatly encouraged by this and our spirits lifted in the sure hope that God would answer our prayer. We shared this with a friend and he directed us to another doctor. We managed to get an appointment on that day itself. This doctor was a Hindu but after she looked at our reports she told us that God is waiting to bless us with a baby but that we must seek Him and His Will so that He can bless us.

We are now trusting completely on the promise of our Heavenly Father, that He has heard our prayer and that He sees our desire to have a baby and will answer our prayer in His own good time.