SUDDEN ATTACK
Mom saved every penny to pay children's college fees and didn't eat properly. Even then the money was not enough. In near by city called Periyakulam which is 2 miles from Vadugapatti lived Thangapandian, a believer. She approached him, "Brother! I have to sell these jewelry this month in order to send money to kids; can you please come with me to pawnbroker shop". Without hesitance, at once he said, "Mom! Don't worry about anything. I'll go to office and get permission....then let us go to pawn broker". After they checked with many pawnbrokers, they put it to the one who lended maximum amount even though the interest was also too much. This happened every month. Even in such hardship she thanked God whole heatedly for God helped her to sell some jewelry and to pay bills for children. She attended all prayer meetings. Though her sufferings increased day by day, her faith and joy also increased. God strengthened her to go through them.
One-day pastor Stephen said, "Sister! We are about to start the Bible school in Kodaikanal, please send Mytheen". Mytheen was waiting anxiously for this moment. Mom happily said, "You can take Mytheen to Bible school....but I don't have money to give him". He said, "Don't worry..... I will look after the expenses". Mytheen went to Bible school at his expenses. Mytheen returned to Vadugapatti after completing his study in about three months.
Dad came to Vadugapatti occasionally, stayed for few days and went back to Thiruvadavur. During those times he visited children in colleges and gave some pocket money. Omar continued to attend prayer group in the college. Once there was a gospelcrusade in Thirunagar near Pasumalai. Evangelist Jeevanandam preached in those meetings. Omar showed up in meetings with other prayer group students. Some one well known to dad but not to Omar also attended crusade. When this man, a teacher, went back to Melur told dad that he saw Omar in Christian meeting. Needless to say he got very angry, but he didn't ask Omar anything about it; he kept it to himself. Some days went by....for the first time one Sunday Omar went to Ceylon Pentecostal Mission (CPM) church in Mahabub Palayam with other prayer group students. He never went to church in Madurai, because he was frightened somebody might tell his dad. After morning service was over around noon, Omar was introduced to servants of God and believers in the church. They gave him a magazine "Voice of Pentecost" and he was holding it in his hand while waiting for city bus at Railway Colony bus stop. Afternoon sun was very hot. Bus arrived with many passengers standing inside and lastly, Omar got a place to stand in the steps. He held support bar in one hand and Christian magazine in the other. Omar peeped in to see if there are any seats to sit and by the sight he saw fear gripped him, because on the second row from the last was his dad. Omar froze like a dead man. He slipped Christian magazine slowly outside bus. Dad must have seen Omar waiting for bus with Christian magazine in his hand; in addition, the students who were with him had big Bibles in their hands. When Nagamalai Pudukottai bus stop arrived, he got down and waited for his dad. Dad saw him angrily as he got down from bus. He asked him at once, "Are you coming back from church". Omar replied, "No dad...I went to down town".
Dad said, "I know everything. Come and see me in the lodge around four o'clock this afternoon ......we will talk about everything". Dad returned to down town in the same bus. Omar went with heavy heart to student’s residence. Prayer group students having seen Omar's dad, inquired what happened. Omar explained everything. They comforted him saying they'll pray for him. In the afternoon, when Omar went to the lodge, dad was with a friend. This friend was a very rich man who owned real estates, trucks, bus, farms, shops, hotels and so on. Dad condemn Omar. The friend advised, "Omar! Doctor sent you to college to study...then why do you join other boys doing such a thing? Even if other boys became Christians ....you have to mind your studies and must not get involved with such things". Dad warned him, "If you want to study........ you can study. If you do any mischief'.... I'll stop you from your studies...be careful". Since friend told dad to allow Omar to have dinner with them, Omar returned to college after dinner .Omar was worried as dad caught him red handedly. Still he considered to suffer for faith in God as a blessing. When disciples were tortured, they counted it as joy. Prayer group students cheer him to follow Christ. Afterwards Omar stopped going to church.