Pandian was a local thug and two of his friends were angry. While canvassing door
to door for a local Hindu temple festival, they had come to the house of a pastor
and had asked him to donate money. Because of his Christian faith, the pastor had
refused. To Hindu members of a Hindu community, this was an outrage. So Pandian,
that night, with his friends in tow, went to the house of the pastor and threatened
him, hoping to coerce him into abandoning the dictates of his faith. But he held
firm; he still refused to support the temple festival. The next day, this time
carrying weapons, with the intention of beating the pastor and throwing him out
of the village, Pandian and his gang again entered the pastor's home. The pastor
and his family were praying, praying that Jesus would bless the men who were threatening
them. The men stood and listened.
Pandian heard the pastor repeatedly lift his name up in prayer. Bewildered by this,
he abandoned his violent plan and left without harming the pastor. That night he
could not sleep. His mind replayed, again and again, the scene of the pastor praying
for him. How could anyone pray for someone like him? The next morning, returning
once more to the home of the pastor, he told him of his sleepless night and asked
the pastor to pardon him for his threats of violence. The pastor shared the gospel
with him and Pandian accepted Jesus. "Today, after 26 years, I have received into
my life genuine joy and peace. It is because of Jesus, who changed my life. I
will live the rest of my life for Him."
