ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE
When Omar was standing at the door his uncle Raju came from one of the shops. He was surprised to see Raju. Raju explained everything happened. He felt his head was spinning; all the joy he got after attending convention was gone in seconds. Horror and gloom gripped his heart; he was frightened to imagine the tortures from his dad; he wondered if there is any way to escape from his dad at all. Since mom was there, whatever happens he must go to dad. He suggested to consult the missionaries before going to his dad. They went to see pastor Stephen. His uncle reminded, "It is a good idea....but your dad asked me to bring you today, so don't delay too much". They consulted pastor Stephen who was a bachelor living with parents and sisters. He suggested not to travel to Kodaikanal today due lack of time to return tonight. They prayed for God's deliverance from snare of the enemy.
Next day Omar went to Kodaikanal with his uncle and around 7 a.m. the missionaries were surprised to see them. Learning what happened, they felt sad for his family and comforted him by quoting Bible versus. They said, "One has to enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations. Those who want to follow sincerely will have many persecutions, so what do you think about these persecutions?". He expressed, "Jesus Christ died on the cross for us. He suffered to the extent of atoning his own life for us. We esteem...it is a privilege to suffer for him. Bible says....if you do not forsake your dad, mom, son or daughter for my sake, then you can’t be my disciples. We are living according to that word till today...now this has happened in our life....I am going to see dad with my uncle. Pray for us. What is your opinion regarding this?". They replied, "Bible says....if you are ashamed to confess me in front of others, then I will also be ashamed to confess about you to my Father....now you should tell your dad about salvation.". He was shocked to hear this. How to tell the gospel to my dad who is trying to murder his own son for the sake of the gospel. Poor Margaret and June! They think India is like Canada and England, their native country; that’s why they talk like this. He explained to them, "Yes...it’s true; we should tell gospel to my dad...but now it will make him more wrathful and the situation worse". They hinted that if he is frightened, a pastor can accompany him to share the gospel with his dad. He considered it as a good idea to take a pastor....then his dad won’t torture him much. Or he may think who is the pastor to interfere in his family affairs and will be more raging. Omar agreed to take a pastor and they sent pastor Johnson with them. They traveled to Thiruvadavur. On the way Omar said, "Still the foreign missionaries don’t comprehend anything about India. In their country children can do whatever they like good or bad...they even talk without respect and parents cannot say anything. If the parents reprimand them, children will get the police. Here even if parents beat their children, people will say it’s a family matter and nobody will interfere in it". His uncle and pastor expressed the same. He continued, "What to do brother! If we tell all these things to the missionaries they can’t understand....their advice is good but it is not practical. It will be just like adding oil to the fire". At first Omar was courageous as pastor and his uncle accompanied him. As they approached Thiruvadavur anxiety seized him. He felt like a rabbit in front of a roaring lion. All the way he prayed, "Lord! You delivered Daniel from the lion’s den....Shadrach, Mesech and Abednego from the fiery furnace...gave victory to David over Goliath...in the same way deliver mom and me from our dad’s hands by a miracle".