MASS MURDER
At Vadugapatti, mom closed doors in the night, spread the torn mat and prayed on her knees with her head covered. In front of her was open Bible. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and prayed in tongues; all her worries and sorrow faded away. After long time she saw a vision. In it, she and her six children were all lying in the house with their heads together in the center and their legs in different directions like a star. They were all covered with a blanket which was drenched in blood from head to foot. Vision was over; mom was very much troubled afterwards, as she knew that something terrible was about to happen and God warned her in vision. She perceived may be they should die as martyrs for Christ. She wailed, "Lord! Protect us from this danger. You promised...call unto me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not. (Jeremiah 33:3). We are like orphans in this world and don't have any human help. You are our refuge, fortress and only help; Keep us safe within your mighty hands. Protect us from snares of the enemy". She was convinced their Christian life will come to an end just like a seedling plucked out when it's very small. Her visions and prophecies came true so far and this vision will be fulfilled as well; she believed dying for Christ is a blessing.
At Kodaikanal bible school was over for the day and students went to their residence. June and Margaret invited Omar to a convention at Manarkadu, Kerala. He asked if he could join them in their jeep. They replied that since pastors and believers would join them, he should come by bus. When Omar heard it he felt sad, considering his income is the only support for his family in poverty and could not afford to spend it on convention. He felt that they expected him to attend convention. When he wrote this situation to his mom, she assured if God willing she would send him to Manarkadu. Somehow she managed to send him. He feared to travel alone as he didn't know Malayalam language. During early evening hours bus reached a place called Uppercamp which is border town between Tamilnadu and Kerala. As there was no restriction for liquor, there were liquor shops everywhere and drunk people staggering all around the place. The scene was awful. Bus signs were in Malayalam and people talked in Malayalam only. He hesitantly sought to bus drivers help to change bus twice at Mundakayam and Ponkundham. Though bus was already crowded, some ladies offered him a seat He appreciated their love and courtesy to outsiders. Bus went fast in the narrow winding roads on mountain slopes in the pitch dark night. On the way he saw a bus which hit the curb and stopped; another fell down on the slope. Omar prayed, "Lord! Help me to reach the place safely without any accidents". Finally he reached Manarkadu Apostolic Church Of Pentecost (A.C.O.P) and was delighted to see pastor Stephen and others. They were surprised to see him coming all alone and commented it was God's grace.
After he left for Manarkadu, mom's brother Raju visited mom with his wife . They felt sad to know the troubles they had undergone and said, "Sister! The Almighty God will put an end to everything". She responded, "Yes! Now Omar got a job which helps little bit. Once in a while his dad writes letters.....he comes home all on a sudden like a guest and takes off soon.
He doesn't give even a single penny for expenses.....to support children's education, I am keeping my jewelry and utensils to the pawnbrokers. Thangapandian takes me to banks where I can get a good deal". Arrival of her brother's family brought comfort to her.
Dad saw no change either in his wife or children and his plans were a failure. Muslim community looked down their family and criticized about his wife and children becoming Christians. Dad felt it was high time to take some serious action. His mom and sisters suggested, "If the slipper doesn't fit your leg, will you cut your leg? You'll just change the slippers. How long will you be patient? Your wife is very bad; all these happened because of Omar who went to college and brought back this embarrassment". Dad came up with a dangerous plan. He thought of changing their mind by love....then by beatings....then by bringing financial hardship....and lastly even by attempting to divorce. All these attempts didn't change their faith in Jesus Christ; seemed nothing could convert them. So he decided that they were not fit to live any longer and to kill everybody especially his wife and Omar.
In a place called Thirupuvanam near Thiruvadavur people made special knives to slaughter. He bought one . Ayub saw the knife but didn't know the purpose. He organized four or five rowdies with serious criminal records. As planned, one day early in the morning they arrived Vadugapatti house with palm leaf mats and knife in the trunk of a car. As soon as car stopped, dad got down and entered the house annoyed; he was shocked to see mom's brother and his wife. Dad anticipated mom and Omar to be alone to carry out his plan ....unexpectedly this circumstance created great disappointment. He demanded Raju angrily, "what are you doing here?". Raju stated, "We came to see sister and you". Rowdies stood there without knowing what to do. As mom was not alone, it was impossible to carry out his plot. He stood there blaming mom invariably and ordered her to accompany him to Thiruvadavur at once. When Raju saw rowdies with dad, he got convinced it was dangerous to send his sister alone; so he proposed, "We will also follow you to Thiruvadavur" Dad scrutinized Omar's whereabouts. Mom cited, "He went to see one of his college friends and be back tomorrow". Dad directed, "Raju! You stay here and bring Omar with you to Thiruvadvur tomorrow. Your wife can come with Nazira now". Raju agreed and others left in the car to Thiruvadavur.