February 2011

February 2011

Dearly beloved in Christ,

For February News letter may I draw your attention to another great man of God who also is my Hero or mentor in my spiritual life. There were great revival movements all over Kerala and specially under the leadership of the Mar Thoma Church. In my small village Thonniamala in my boyhood along with my elder brother VTKoshy(Bishop Easow Mar Timotheos) we always sat in front line of the meetings as per the directions of our parents: we used to beat drums or Tamberins and sing well.

SADHU KOCHOONJU UPADESI was one of the outstanding evangelists who preached hours together at one stretch for few days. There, my brother and I openly said that we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Let us have a short study on this great man of God. This is mostly taken from the book published by Mr Thomas John Philip Nalloor, Kuriannoor, Kerala.

Sadhu was born in Edayaranmula- Central Kerala. He believed the following Bible verses very seriously in his life. Matt.6:26-30. "Look at the birds: they do not sow seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns. yet your Father in Heaven take care of them" Look the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves...it is God who clothe the wild grass...grass that is here to day and gone tomorrow.." His songs and talks, without a shadow of doubt could proclaim it to the world.

"Kaakkakale vicharippin vithayilla koithumilla

Daivam avaykaayi vendathekunnu

Lilly pushpangalkkum avan sobha nalkunnu"

The name of Kochukunju's house was Muthampaakkal. Father Itty and mother Mariamma were simple hearted and Godfearing people. Kochoonju was the youngest and the eighth child in the family. His school name was M I Varghese. When he was 12, he married Aleyamma, Vattappara, Kuriannoor: child marriage was common in those days. Kochoonju was an ardent devotee to the Lord and very thirsty for the Word of God. He accepted Jesus Christ when he was 11 years old. while he was 15, his mother died and he was only 20, when his father also passed away. Sadhu was 5' 9'' tall with a thin and frail body. He lived some times on only 14 to 19 meals per month. Almost for 30 years he preached to millions in all over South India, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In 1928, during the cholara epidemic which killed thousands in South Kerala, he worked as a volunteer.Mr. C. M. John(Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan) was another volunteer who worked with him. Thousands were brought to Christ by Upadesi's life and ministry. Hundreds of songs he wrote. From 1924 to 1945 he was General Secretary of the Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists' Association. Sadhu Kochoonju Upadesi, Muthampaakal was called Home at 8.45 am on Friday 30, November 1945. The funeral service itself was a great honour for him. Two Bishops, more than 100 priests and more than 40,000 people participated in the funeral service.

His dedication to the Mission and passion for the un reached people are ever remembered. Sweetness and flavor is added to his life with the never fading songs of Consolation. Let us exam ourselves how earnest we are in serving the Lord.

May God bless you,

Yours in Christ,

Rev. V. T. John