The clock ticked 8 am, Nandi and her parents rushed towards their car, it was time for Sunday worship. Nandi was excited to go to church, sing praises, learn new songs and listen to the word of God. She was dressed in her best Sunday outfit, prim and prom. Cold waves hit the city, it was one of the worst winter mornings. A thick blanket of snow covered the car, the wiper freezed and the car croaked with every ignition. Going to church seemed impossible. Nandi's parents decided to take the public transport and walk the remaining mile.They did not want to miss any Sunday worship as learning new lessons from the bible filled them with joy and satisfaction.
The choir was singing praises in one accord, the congregation joined along with the choir. New voices, new tunes and a peaceful atmosphere!
The pastor addressed the congregation and thanked everyone for being present inspite of the bad weather. As he began to preach; Nandi noticed an old man seated diagonally on the other side. After the worship, she walked towards him and exchanged pleasantries.Few Sundays passed by, Nandi became quite acquainted with the new friend. Nandi was studying medicine and wanted to serve the people. Her desire of becoming a doctor was selfless and purely societal. Serving mankind is serving God was her basic philosophy.
The old man was Pastor Oliver. He retired from his pastoral ministry but never stopped serving the Lord. He lived all alone in the city. He had found a friend and sought solace in Nandi. Pastor Oliver always encouraged Nandi for her willingness to serve people. He felt this was Nandi's own way to serve and spread the goodness and word of God.
Nandi had developed a liking for Pastor Oliver and was touched by his ministry. He was never tired of serving and his life exemplified Living Testimony.
The choir was singing praises in one accord, the congregation joined along with the choir. New voices, new tunes and a peaceful atmosphere!
The pastor addressed the congregation and thanked everyone for being present inspite of the bad weather. As he began to preach; Nandi noticed an old man seated diagonally on the other side. After the worship, she walked towards him and exchanged pleasantries.Few Sundays passed by, Nandi became quite acquainted with the new friend. Nandi was studying medicine and wanted to serve the people. Her desire of becoming a doctor was selfless and purely societal. Serving mankind is serving God was her basic philosophy.
The old man was Pastor Oliver. He retired from his pastoral ministry but never stopped serving the Lord. He lived all alone in the city. He had found a friend and sought solace in Nandi. Pastor Oliver always encouraged Nandi for her willingness to serve people. He felt this was Nandi's own way to serve and spread the goodness and word of God.
Pastor Oliver would visit old age homes, hospitals and orphanages. He would pray for the needy and read out parables from the bible. He encouraged people to ponder over the verses and act smartly. He served the City hospital for 20 years as a Chaplain and would visit each patient, ward and doctors personally, praying for them and their service.
Nandi had developed a liking for Pastor Oliver and was touched by his ministry. He was never tired of serving and his life exemplified Living Testimony.
Few months passed by and Pastor Oliver was no where to be seen. Months changed to years and he totally disappeared, he had stopped coming to church and would not visit the hospital anymore. Nandi missed her pal and thought she would never see him again.
Nandi completed her education and was posted in the City hospital . She was doing very well as a doctor and everyone loved Nandi and her service. She enjoyed going for medical camps in remote areas, nursing the tribes and village ministry.
One fine day Nandi was selected to head a medical camp and was sent along with a team of doctors and nurses in a village. The village was situated miles away from the main city. People there were deprived of any medical help. Their health was deteriorating and lack of medicines worsen most cases. Nandi visited each house and personally attended the patient. On the last day of the camp, Nandi decided to visit the remaining houses located in the interiors. To her surprise, she saw Pastor Oliver lying on the bed in a very critical condition. He was ill for a very long time. Nandi immediately got Pastor Oliver back to the City hospital. Pastor Oliver failed to recognise people, did not speak a word and was waiting for his last hour. Nandi would frequently visit him, sing choruses, speak to him about his ministry in City hospital. The ward boys and doctors would visit him and tried refreshing his memory. The man who would pray for others was now in need of prayers, lying on his death bed. No one knew how he landed in that village but definitely knew it was time for him to bid goodbye and be with The Lord.
One fine day Nandi was selected to head a medical camp and was sent along with a team of doctors and nurses in a village. The village was situated miles away from the main city. People there were deprived of any medical help. Their health was deteriorating and lack of medicines worsen most cases. Nandi visited each house and personally attended the patient. On the last day of the camp, Nandi decided to visit the remaining houses located in the interiors. To her surprise, she saw Pastor Oliver lying on the bed in a very critical condition. He was ill for a very long time. Nandi immediately got Pastor Oliver back to the City hospital. Pastor Oliver failed to recognise people, did not speak a word and was waiting for his last hour. Nandi would frequently visit him, sing choruses, speak to him about his ministry in City hospital. The ward boys and doctors would visit him and tried refreshing his memory. The man who would pray for others was now in need of prayers, lying on his death bed. No one knew how he landed in that village but definitely knew it was time for him to bid goodbye and be with The Lord.
Courtesy: Issachar initiative
Nandi felt sad, discouraged and demotivated as she couldn't save him, she wanted to talk to him a lot, know more, learn about life, she regretted about not trying to find him while he was missing all these years. Nandi missed the love of her grandparents as they left her at a very young age. She felt a strong connect towards him and sought him as her grandpa. She was touched by Pastor Oliver's ministry, he would always pray for everyone, strangers, sharing the word and doing every bit to comfort the needy. He never cribbed of his ministry or the situation. No one knew about his family but he was happy and content. The zeal to serve society and never say die spirit encouraged her to be like him. His life was a living testimony..a testimony that could be shared and told to the world. He served the same hospital and landed there during in his last days. The hospital was his family, he touched many lives there.We as humans are very self centered, we do things for our benefits and for our selfish needs, we create a small world of our own and never want to get out of it.We neither bother about people around nor lend a helping hand. We tend to forget the creator, the things he has done for us and forget to thank him for the small wonders he does in our lives.
While Nandi was in deep thoughts, Pastor Oliver breathed his last and bid goodbye to all. Over 5000 people attended his funeral and each one spoke about his ministry and the lives he touched. Truly he was a living testimony..
Are we a living testimony?
Cant we do small things, to spread happiness
Share the word, Be the shining light
Lend a helping hand and spread some smiles
Pray for all, Bless your foes
Love, honesty, peace and humility
Let it unfold your woes.
Happy a blessed and happy Life!
Priyanka Sarang Ohol
Are we a living testimony?
Cant we do small things, to spread happiness
Share the word, Be the shining light
Lend a helping hand and spread some smiles
Pray for all, Bless your foes
Love, honesty, peace and humility
Let it unfold your woes.
Happy a blessed and happy Life!
Priyanka Sarang Ohol
No comments:
Post a Comment