LAW SUITE
Before they became Christians and family was divided, they lived in this rented house for many years. House belonged to Hindu Padmasaliyar's temple at Vadugapatti. Dad owed rent arrears. After they became Christians, when dad visited them often, house owners demanded mom for the rent. Mom directed them to her husband. They went to Thiruvadavur to see dad. Dad said that since he was not living in that house anymore and only mom and children were living there, he required them to recover the debt from mom. When they approached her, mom said that her husband was supposed to pay this debt and if he refused to pay.... she'll pay it in installments slowly every month and not the full amount at once. They agreed to this proposal and after few days they invited her to their house for discussion. Many people were gathered there and they compelled her to sign a paper stating that she agreed to pay all the debt; she refused; since everyone there were men she was intimidated and unable to contend, she signed the paper. She kept the matter at the feet of the Lord and prayed, "Lord help the helpless. They gathered to oppress the one who is already oppressed. They have deceived the one who had been forsaken by her husband. Protect from all their evil deceptions and glorify your name in their midst". Once ......they were customers and friends of their clinic and today they are their enemies. They used to call her with respect as the wife of a doctor and now they are treating her like a dirt. It's like a saying in India, if you don't have money you are like a dead corpse. Since she didn't have the support of her husband there was no respect for her in the community. Now their rich life style was gone and poverty came instead..so the friends even started to treat them low and to cheat them. To think of all these things, it brought more agony and anguish. Filled with humiliation she felt like a worm in burning fire. On one side she felt happy because they went through this for their faith in Jesus Christ. They counted it as a blessing in disguise. Jesus who was sinless and holy suffered for us on the cross in the broad day light. People mocked Him and put Him to shame. Even in the midst of sufferings he prayed, "Father! Forgive them for they know not what they do". Meditating God's selfless sacrifice brought them more courage. Mom prayed for the salvation of them and their relatives.Â
After certain days dad came to Vadugapatti and mom told him what happened. He got very furious. He called them and shouted as to how could they threaten her and get the signature when he was not at home and told them that he would sue them for compensation. They got frightened. Then dad went to Thiruvadavur, but he didn't take any action and months rolled by. Split grew bigger and bigger in the family. Dad tried to kill his wife and children. Later mom and children lived in Thiruvadavur as though they were prisoners, they returned to Vadugapatti; Dad advertised lawyers notice in newspaper, declaring that there was no relationship between him and his wife and children....as well not responsible for her debts. Omar got a job as translator in bible school at Kodaikanal. He stayed with bible school students at Munjikal. Bible school was situated near bus-stand.
House owners again demanded her for rent arrears. Mom explained, "Sir! Just as I promised, every month I am paying you some amount towards debt; only Omar got a job at Kodaikanal and when other children start to work.....I'll soon repay all debt!. They consented. After some days a civil servant from district court brought a summon notice asking her to sign and get it. Mom asked what was it regarding. He said that house owner had sued her. Her head was dizzy and didn't know what to do; she wondered what harm would come if she signs the paper and get it. She said "I don't know anything about court matter, so bring this after two days and in the mean time I'll ask some body about it". He said, "You are not supposed to refuse any court orders" and he went away. At once she went to one of the family friends to inquire about it; he was a millionaire in town and was well versed in legal matters. He advised, "You should sign the paper and get it......otherwise the court would take action against you; after getting the paper, with a lawyer's help you should fight against the case. There is no other way. The court would decide whether you can stay in the house or vacate it and how to settle the rent problem. These are all troublesome and complicated; Usually the court cases take long time to settle". Mom returned home very much confused. She committed the matter at Lord's feet and prayed. She believed that even if her husband forsake her, God will never forsake her. After two days the civil servant brought the summon back and mom got the paper. Since mom didn't know anything about court matter she wrote to Omar in Kodaikanal and invited him to come home.
Omar explained the situation to the foreign missionaries, "Sister! I should go to Vadugapatti immediately. Mom has no idea about legal matters as well as myself. I should consult some one familiar with legal proceedings and do the needful. Mom is very much worried and needs my help at this time of trouble. I would like to take one week off". Upon his arrival at Vadugapatti, mom related, "House owners deceived me by getting my signature in a document first......now after seeing your dad's legal notice in newspaper, they want to take away the house plot which is in my name by suing me in court of law.
Even in the midst of these troubles still I am paying rent every month plus some amount towards debt and yet they are doing this...Omar! God sees it all...so lets pray earnestly". He consoled her, "God will never allow such a thing to happen. In this town we don't have anyone to help other than pastor Stephen. To be frank the landlord who was once our close friends are now taking us to court. If we don't have money ...friendship means nothing...but like you said God is our only refuge". Mom told, "Omar! God said not to oppress the widows, forsaken and the down trodden...when they oppress I will hear their cry and their petition and answer them... so God will surely hear our prayers". They did not know any lawyers and talked to pastor Stephen. She told him, "They sue me with the intention to chase us away and seize my house plot......in addition to rent out this house for some one else for better rent. If they vacate us from house....who will give us a house to rent in this situation...I don't have any money and every one in town knows that we have lots of debt. Now Saleem is in high school ...if we don't have a place in this town to live then we have to move to another town ....his studies will be spoiled and I am worried about it. If court allows us to stay for just two more years....its enough for Saleem to finish high schooling... then we will go somewhere else and get on with our lives".
Omar said that they had been living in that house for ten to twenty years paying them rent and still they did this to them. They went to a lawyer with the help of Jesuraj who worked formerly as legal clerk, pastor Paul Raj and Thangapandian. The lawyer said that he could argue for them to stay in the house for two more years and the rest of the decision depends upon judge. He would charge Rs. 200 as his legal fees... apart from charges for all paper work. They managed to reduce the fee little bit. He required them to pay the major amount of legal fees in one or two weeks.....then only he could take up the case. There was no choice. She borrowed more money by putting jewelry for high interest rate and paid the lawyer. As they were looking after the lawyers matter Omar was not able to go back to his work after one week; added to it he didn't have money for bus fare; so he went back to work after one month. The foreign missionaries refused to take him back for work. They accused that he was not responsible worker since he didn't return to work after one week. Omar tried to explain the situation and asked for forgiveness; they refused to give him the job. Poor foreign missionaries were not able to understand that in India the responsibility of looking after the family comes to first born son. They did not comprehend the path that the Lord is taking them through. Poverty increased due to added expense of court case and in addition to that Omar was without job, they prayed for God's help. Mom in faith assured, "Omar! God led us through so far... and He will see us through...He redeemed Israelites from slavery in Egypt... and led them through wilderness. Many problems and tests came to them...did God ever leave them? He never let them down...likewise He will not let us down. He will lead us wonderfully and miraculously. Just like the psalmist said....I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keeps you will not slumber (Psalms 121: 1-3). So let's not put our trust in man, let us trust the Lord". They didn't get angry with the missionaries, instead praised the Lord for troubles. Omar tried for a job in many places without success. Like before he involved actively in village ministry.
For many months the case was not taken up in court. Mean time Omar went to another town in search of job. At last one day court informed her date of trial. Lawyer prepared her how to answer when prosecutor lawyer asks her questions. She didn't have a good sari to wear to court, as all sarees were torn. In the end she chose the best among them and there was a big hole in the center. She tore the sari into two and then joined both pieces together after removing the torn portion. In the same way she sewed torn portions in the blouse. The previous night she prayed with tears as fear of trial gripped her, "Lord! You should come with me to court room. Bible says.....But, when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought before-hand, what you shall speak, neither do you premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that you speak: for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Ghost (Mark 13:11).....Jesus! Give me words to speak there and grant me mercy in the eyes of judge and let me not be ashamed before them". The next day she waited in court feeling like a criminal in front of every one and was very much embarrassed. She pondered how sinless Jesus Christ was taken before Pilate and similarly she was going through same route. Court attendant called mom by name and she went trembling into witness stand. Judge asked, "Can you pay ten rupees every month in order to pay off the rent debt you owe".
She said, "Yes Sir". Judge closed the case and asked her to step down. She was unable to believe what she heard from judge and walked stunned out of the court. She went to pastor Paulraj's house thanking and praising God for the miracle he had done that day in court. God fought for her sake and won the victory... the prosecutor's lawyer didn't even ask her any question. What a great miracle! That's why bible says, "Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not" (Jeremiah 33:3). When pastor and his wife heard these things they shouted "Hallelujah"; everybody prayed together thanking God and in short time she returned home victoriously.
After these things happened, Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi passed a law that lenders must not demand debt from their clients and that pawn brokers must return jewelry and utensils without charging interest. According to that law, mom need not to pay the debt. After few days Omar returned home. Mom said, "Look at the miracle God has done for us. God even changed the law of this nation for people like us . God put to shame those who wanted to put us down and broke their arrows and spears. God is refuge for the poor and our fortress. See....God never tells lie and whatever He uttered will surely be fulfilled, as He is true to His promise". "Yes....can a man help us like this! We wondered who is going to relieve us through this situation...see Mom! God is enough for all our problems" rejoiced Omar. Since then she paid only rent every month. She somehow managed to save few rupees to redeem certain jewelry and utensils without interest from pawn brokers; she was not able to redeem everything since she didn't have enough funds.
After certain years, landlord begged her to pay at least part of debt if not whole amount. Mom pointed out, "I promised to pay you every month little by little until I pay the entire amount... but you refused.....took me to court and put me to shame. The Lord in whom I trust did not let me down. By God's grace, He even made the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to change the law so that I need not to pay even a penny any more. So why are you asking me for the debt I don't owe you?". With their heads down in shame they went on their way. God did unbelievable miracles as an answer to this humble servant's prayer.