Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Tag: Indian Missionaries

The Demand of Christ of each Christian

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On April 13, 2010

In Christian

Neelanthil Vilunda Godumai ManiA verse that would accurately demonstrate the life of my earthly father, Dr. R.A.C. Paul, when he was with us in his earthly body is John 12:24. John 12:24 reads “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” In fact, the biography of his and my mother’s pioneering work, which has touched the lives of many, was originally written in Tamil, and entitled “Neelathil Vilundha Godumai Mani” which by interpretation means “The Fallen Corn of Wheat”. It is now translated into English and entitled “Pioneering on the pinda.” When my dad was alive as a missionary, there was little that he personally saw, as the fruit of his labor for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but since his departure to be with the Lord on September 30, 1986, there are many churches that stand firm today, which reflect as a testament to his faithfulness to the call. Truly God has given the increase, though my dad, Dr. Paul planted and/or watered.

Jesus came so he could draw all men to himself and bring many sons to glory (John 12:32, Hebrews 2:10). The demand of Christ for all Christians today is accurately stated in John 12:24 and is quite simple. We ought to die to live and bring life to many! He who is alive to themselves abides alone. He that is willing to die to sin and self, brings forth many fruit. Our lives need to be the seed that first dies and when watered by the Holy Spirit, germinates into a sapling that grows in the fear of the Lord and in the appointed time blossoms into a heavenly flower, so that others who see us as a beautiful and glorious flower in God’s garden, will glorify God THE gardener.

John 12:24 (KJV)
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

The gift of my mother

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On January 21, 2010

In Christian, Reuben

Napolean Bonaparte is said to have quoted ‘Let France have good mothers and she will have good sons’ which is often paraphrased into ‘Give me a good mother and I will give you a good nation’. Mothers and grandmothers play a vital role in the upbringing of a child. Lois (grandmother) and Eunice (mother) are credited for rearing Timothy, Paul’s young protege  with unfeigned faith (2 Timothy 1:5). While Napolean was accurate in his estimation on the power and influence, a mother has on her children, the real reason as to why good sons can rise, goes back to a promise that was made by God to his friend Abraham when he promised that Sarah (as her name is to be called) will be blessed of being a mother and kings (rulers of nations) of people shall be of her (Genesis 17:16).

It is my mother, Dr. Iris Paul’s  birthday and as I tried to recollect my childhood days, memories of yore inundated my mind. She used to fast and pray each evening for her children. Before administering medication, she would tell her patients that it is not the medicine that will heal them, but Jesus Christ, the healer of all diseases. She stayed alongside my ailing father till the very end of his life on earth. One statement she said that still rings in my mind was on Easter morning when she expressed that what the pastor had preached that morning was true; that even if the mother’s heart is cut into many pieces, each piece will still yell out, ‘I love my children’. I must admit that I did not understand that saying then as much as I do now, as I see my wife (Sangeetha) be a mother to our son (Reuben).

To be a mother is a reward from God for the mother (Psalm 127:3) but at the same time, for the child, a mother is the means to hear of God, when she acts as a prophet of God (Proverbs 31:1) teaching her children to listen to the voice of God. Many know my mother as a missionary of Jesus Christ, who joined with and continued the work started by my father, Dr. R.A.C Paul,  to people groups inhabiting the remote hills of Orissa in India. She has been the voice of God to many in the villages of Malkangiri and neighboring areas, as she has been to me and my brothers (Ragland Remo, David Livingstone) and sister (Mary Smrutha), both through her words and her life.  And on her birthday, I wish her many more happy returns of this day and pray that she continues to be a voice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to all lost in this world without the knowledge of Jesus’ redemption and to her own. Happy birthday, Amma. God bless you richly. Thank you Jesus, for the gift of my mother, from whom kings of people shall rise.

Blessed Mother

By

On January 21, 2009

In Christian

The synopsis of the biography of Dr. R.A.C. Paul and Dr. Iris Paul from “Pioneering on the Pinda” reads
“The local tribal people called RAC Paul “Mister Tall” and Dr. Iris “The Fat Lady.” Iris’ father reluctantly arranged her marriage to Paul, the pioneer missionary plagued by ill health. Paul yearned to reach a murderous tribe with the love of Jesus. When Paul died, Iris determined to return. She now runs a full-scale development project. Paul and Iris, who did so much of their work on the pindas, or porches, of the village homes, represent the thousands of Indians working in isolated parts of India. Their commitment and creativity challenges us all.”

Today, my mother, better known to the world as Dr. Iris Paul, celebrated her birthday and while many know her as a medical missionary who with my father, Dr. RAC Paul sacrificially chose to serve their Savior, Jesus Christ and follow His Great commission (Matthew 28:19), relinquishing their worldly aspirations and potentials, I simply know her as my mother.

She was a disciplinarian while at the same time kind, when my siblings (Remo, David, Mary) and I were growing up. She was emotional and talked a lot (not my personal favorite characteristic about her). She loved her sibling brothers and sister a lot. She fed us even well into our middle school years. She was there when she could afford to but many times she wasnt because of her commitment to the call to serve Jesus and his people. She was extreme when it came to dating relationships and challenged anyone whom she thought would steal her children away.  She say ‘yes’ sometimes and ‘no’ a lot more. She expressed her love for us the best way she knew to. She was proud to share of the accomplishments of her children and always tried to put them in the limelight. She had her own personality, some of which I liked and the others that I didn’t. In short, she was A MOTHER and the fact remains that “She was and is and will always be MY MOTHER“.

And when the curtain calls, while her Savior (Jesus) will be able to say of her – “You did not love your children more than you did love me”, I will be able to say of her – “Thank you mother for not just being my mother, but a mother to many; many who had to experience Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior, their personal God and Father”

I can truly say (and I am sure my siblings will agree with me) that she epitomizes Proverbs 31:28. – Her children arise up, and call her Blessed”.
Blessed are you, mother!

Wish that you all have a mother so blessed as well and if you do, arise up and call her Blessed.

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