John DeSilva’s Host of Saints
Entering the new School of Evangelism in Trivandrum, I immediately walked to the front of the classroom. With smiling faces, the students all came to their feet. Asians have a lot of respect for their teachers. It was such a thrill to meet these evangelists. I can’t speak their language, Malayalam, but I know by their smiling eyes and sparkling white teeth that they love the Lord’s church and they love me. Their cause is mine. We are fellow-soldiers with a fire burning in our hearts (Jeremiah 20:9) for the lost souls of India.
Sitting on the front row of the class was a small-framed older man. He was introduced as John DeSilva, and the brothers asked if he could be my translator. In a very quiet and humble way, he came to my side. Carefully, he translated, being sure to capture my expressions and my exact meaning. (At one point, because of my excitement, he had to ask me to slow down.)
After addressing the students, I moved to the office. Brother Krishnan continued to exhort the men while I called them in one by one. This method gives me the opportunity to really know the students. After speaking to four or five, I asked for Brother DeSilva.
My interview began much the same as with all the students. I asked him his age and he told me he was 68. I asked him why he wanted to be a student at Trivandrum School of Evangelism. He explained his desire to be a more effective gospel preacher. I asked him, “How many souls have you taught and baptized into Christ?” He replied, “In my lifetime, I have baptized about 20 people, but last year there were only five.”
Moving forward into his chair, Brother DeSilva looked straight into my eyes and said, “If you don’t mind, please allow me to explain my situation.” Humbly and without emotion, he explained how that 20 years ago, he was in the Catholic Church. The priest told him not to read his Bible. At that time he was working for the Indian Railroad in the accounting department, and one day a Hindu man approached him. Brother DeSilva went on to explain, “This Hindu man asked ‘Can you tell me the first verse of your Bible?’ I was unable to tell him. The Hindu man then quoted Genesis 1:1 and immediately called together other members of the staff and began to make fun of me. ‘He claims to be a Christian, but cannot even quote one verse in the Bible- yet a Hindu has quoted verses to him.’” John then explained, “I made up my mind that from that day onward, no one would ever embarrass me in that manner again!”
My heart ached for this sweet, humble, old man. How could anyone be so cruel?
DeSilva began studying his Bible diligently. The scriptures led him to be baptized and become a member of the church of Christ. A few years later the local preacher where DeSilva was a member turned into an adulterer and moved away. The church was scattering and falling apart. Brother John, though struggling with a lack of Bible knowledge, managed to preach and assist the church in its growth.
“So you see,” Brother DeSilva explained, “this school means so much to me. It is the greatest opportunity for me to gain in my Bible knowledge.”
My mind was racing. I was so thankful for the hateful Hindu man who had challenged John. I sat thinking about my American brethren and their kindness and compassion for the lost souls of India. I wish you could be here to enjoy this special privilege that I am having. I thought, “I wish you could meet this sweet old man.” Now it occurs to me . . . . you will, and with him the host of saints with whom he has humbly shared the gospel.
Sitting on the front row of the class was a small-framed older man. He was introduced as John DeSilva, and the brothers asked if he could be my translator. In a very quiet and humble way, he came to my side. Carefully, he translated, being sure to capture my expressions and my exact meaning. (At one point, because of my excitement, he had to ask me to slow down.)
After addressing the students, I moved to the office. Brother Krishnan continued to exhort the men while I called them in one by one. This method gives me the opportunity to really know the students. After speaking to four or five, I asked for Brother DeSilva.
My interview began much the same as with all the students. I asked him his age and he told me he was 68. I asked him why he wanted to be a student at Trivandrum School of Evangelism. He explained his desire to be a more effective gospel preacher. I asked him, “How many souls have you taught and baptized into Christ?” He replied, “In my lifetime, I have baptized about 20 people, but last year there were only five.”
Moving forward into his chair, Brother DeSilva looked straight into my eyes and said, “If you don’t mind, please allow me to explain my situation.” Humbly and without emotion, he explained how that 20 years ago, he was in the Catholic Church. The priest told him not to read his Bible. At that time he was working for the Indian Railroad in the accounting department, and one day a Hindu man approached him. Brother DeSilva went on to explain, “This Hindu man asked ‘Can you tell me the first verse of your Bible?’ I was unable to tell him. The Hindu man then quoted Genesis 1:1 and immediately called together other members of the staff and began to make fun of me. ‘He claims to be a Christian, but cannot even quote one verse in the Bible- yet a Hindu has quoted verses to him.’” John then explained, “I made up my mind that from that day onward, no one would ever embarrass me in that manner again!”
My heart ached for this sweet, humble, old man. How could anyone be so cruel?
DeSilva began studying his Bible diligently. The scriptures led him to be baptized and become a member of the church of Christ. A few years later the local preacher where DeSilva was a member turned into an adulterer and moved away. The church was scattering and falling apart. Brother John, though struggling with a lack of Bible knowledge, managed to preach and assist the church in its growth.
“So you see,” Brother DeSilva explained, “this school means so much to me. It is the greatest opportunity for me to gain in my Bible knowledge.”
My mind was racing. I was so thankful for the hateful Hindu man who had challenged John. I sat thinking about my American brethren and their kindness and compassion for the lost souls of India. I wish you could be here to enjoy this special privilege that I am having. I thought, “I wish you could meet this sweet old man.” Now it occurs to me . . . . you will, and with him the host of saints with whom he has humbly shared the gospel.
posted by J. Keith Maxwell @ 9:27 AM
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