STRING OF TROUBLES
In Singapore Omar saw a dream in which a man hanged upside down from a tree. Someone kept on beating his back and blood flew like a stream. They tore his stomach, took out his internal parts and the man slithered in pain. Next day he shared this dream with his mom and she interpreted, "This is a terrible dream...Satan will cause troubles and we must pray earnestly. He never stopped testing us since he started in Vadugapatti" and they prayed.
Mom suggested, "You should make arrangements for your wife to come here and we will pray for it". After a month it was time to renew Omar's visa. Employer applied for renewal of visa. They received response from immigration. It was like a shattering thunder. They advised him that his present visa cannot be renewed as he got married in India. He should apply afresh for new visa and they cannot predict whether it will be approved or not. It would at least take one month. Omar informed this to mom, "Mom! I really don't know what will happen...in 1984 this government refused visa for me...and they may do so again and that could be the end of my stay in Singapore. If I would have married in Singapore, this situation would not have come up and this is all my fault". Mom comforted him, "You should have given much thought to this before you got married...it is vain to think about it now. The past is past. Do not confuse yourself. Jesus never let us down and you should believe it. Those who look upon Him shall not be put to shame". Mom did fasting prayer frequently and Omar never ceased praying. One day she said, "Don't worry about anything. The Lord told me that you will get a visa". This prophecy revived Omar's faith and hope because the Lord has never failed regarding prophecies given to mom. One month passed and employer received no information from immigration. Omar worried, "Mom! If they want to approve the application for visa they would have informed employer by this time. But it doesn't seem to be so. So employer forwarded a petition stating that they needed me to run this service for disabled; otherwise they might have to freeze the service. After I got acquainted with life style in Singapore.....it is difficult for me to go to India". Mom stated, "Believe what the Lord prophesied to me. Why do you have doubts? Remember the situation we went through in Vadugapatti and He brought us to this stage. Can’t He do it now? He lifts the poor from the filth and He lifted the little ones from the dirt. Let us depend on Him alone and He will do everything". After a few days he went to immigration office to check on the status of his application. As he waited there, thoughts raced across his mind. Just as Jesus Christ was crucified for His bride, the church, Omar was going through experience of crucifixion in his life for the sake of his wife. God’s promise is the only support, "Fear not. I am your God. Be not troubled I am with you. I will lift you up with my right hand and help you. You shall not find those who struggle against you and when you cross the fire you shall not be burnt" (Isa 41:10,11, 43:2). He prayed meditating upon promises of God. After a while they told him, "You are given a new visa" and they handed over the documents. He was filled with gratitude and praise. When he informed mom, she just finished her prayers for his appointment with immigration officer and she praised God for answering prayers.
Weeks rolled into months. One morning as he crossed the road on his way to work, all on a sudden a car almost hit him and stopped. After recovering from shock he thanked God for saving his life. Few days later he saw a dream again. A huge python raced towards him, jumped on him and he woke up. Mom interpreted this dream, "Your dreams are terrible. Snake represents Satan and he is vigorously trying to put you in more troubles. Don’t be frightened. Our heavenly Father is our retreat. Without his permission nothing can happen to you. We must drive away this devil through prayer and fasting". They prayed for God’s protection.
It was a Sunday. After morning service they were on their way home. Omar waited at a pedestrian crossing. Pedestrian crossing light was on. Vehicles stopped. Immediately Omar started to cross the road. There were many Chinese school students behind Omar. In a split second a pick up truck crossed Omar within inches at lightning speed. Everybody was shocked, started to scream and shout at the driver. Miraculously the Lord saved him from a fatal accident…..otherwise he might have been smashed to pieces on the road. With trembling heart he returned home and told mom. She explained, "This is the python you saw in dream. This incidence is nothing but attempt of devil to kill you. God interrupted it and praise be to Him". They offered a prayer of thanksgiving.
After some time mom reminded about applying for Vasanthi’s visa and Omar suggested to wait for a little while as he got a new visa just now. One day he saw a dream in which there was a big pool with unusually gigantic crocodiles. In an attempt to escape from these crocodiles Omar reached for a rock over hanging pool; but deadly snakes from holes seen in rock tried to attack him. Frightened by this nightmare he woke up. Again she interpreted the dream, "All these crocodile and snakes are Satan and they still attempt to cause calamity. Again we need to pray eagerly". Without knowing what trouble is ahead they prayed for God’s deliverance.
Few days later he approached immigration for visa to his wife. Immigration responded, "Your wife can come to Singapore on a tourist visa for a maximum period of two weeks and then she must return to India". This was a terrible news. With sigh mom mentioned, "Satan is introducing test after test. People remarked that you will definitely get visa for your wife due to the type of profession you do...but this officer tells totally different story. However let us check with people in church". Omar approached another larger immigration center and immigration officer pointed out, "Your wife can come here only on tourist visa for two weeks". Upon Omar's insistence for visa he suggested, "If your employer can increase your salary by $100 a month, there are opportunities to get visa for your wife to stay here with you for longer periods". On hearing this, mom stated, "Don't worry about what man says. Not everything man says will come true...only the will of God will be fulfilled. Can't He do a miracle in this situation?. He performed miracles all along and....will do more. Lets pray without fainting. You discuss with your employer". After discussion with employer, Omar conveyed with frustration to mom, "Employer refused a pay increase for the sake of this visa...and I think it is fair. Who on earth....will give a pay raise of $100 a month for the sake of employee's wife visa? I have done everything I can. There is nothing more I can do. May be my wife should be in India".
She assured him, "What to do? It's very painful! Devil is fighting hard...somehow he wanted to destroy our faith... suffering perseveres since it started in 1971...he institutes trials one after another; but we must not be weary. God supported us always. We look at circumstances and get discouraged. When Peter walked on the sea, he was frightened looking at stormy waves. He was drowned but Jesus Christ did not let Him to sink ...immediately He lifted him up. Jericho wall fell down when Israelites praised God. Were they afraid looking at wall? No. They put confidence in God's miraculous power. Let us believe God. Victory comes from prayer. God is great in accomplishment! Everything is possible for those who believe. Now it is time to pray with more faith rather than getting tired. I appealed for prayers of many in church. Finally Satan will be defeated. You just wait and see". Those words of faith were great strength to him. She believed firmly that Jesus will bring her daughter-in-law. Omar quit from future efforts. If it is God's will....He will bring his wife...was his decision. Problems arose out of marriage....started to affect his faith. He never postulated when people said that their faith was destroyed because of marriage. He regretted for rejecting mom's and siblings advise. He felt as if he tied a chain around his neck and handed over to devil. He struggled hard to get out of this bondage. Mom comforted him with God's words. She continuously reminded believers and ministers to pray for it. Congregation expressed concern about this situation as they noticed his disappointment in life.
In this situation there was a conflict between employer and employees. Due to this reason all employees resigned except Omar. Organization came to a stand still. He explained the situation to mom, "As everyone resigned probably organization may be closed and I might lose my job". She suggested, "Why don't you try for a job in some other place and the Lord might give you one". He replied, "I am not supposed to look for another job until employer announces my termination...if that happens I might have to return to India within a week according to immigration rules. I should try for another job while staying in India and it will be a difficult process all over again. As I looked at confidential personal files I saw many applications from India for this job and they never got a chance. God gave me this blessing as He promised to you many years ago. I never thought that this would come to an end like this". Undoubtedly Satan institutes great trials successively to crush his faith. Believing in God's help, "What you say is true. The Lord can change everything. It's not happening just yesterday or in the recent past. Satan is trying all his tricks for fifteen years. God answered our prayers whenever we called upon Him. He is faithful to fulfill His promises like ....Call upon me in your troubles...I will answer you. So let's pray for this also. Now I remember your dream about crocodiles and snakes. It predicted this problem. Let us not be shattered. Who gave you this job? God. He will keep it for you and you shall not lose it". These words of hope encouraged him again. Her faith was so strong that it was never moved in difficult situations rather she grew stronger in faith in every distress and brightened others. She always taught to depend on the promises of God. We can overcome perils through prayer. Persecution purifies faith. Everything is for good even though it may seem to be bad. The Lord is with us always when we cross flood and fire. Again she prayed with fasting. Omar was like someone who climbed a palm tree to escape from crocodile and found a deadly scorpion at the top of tree. They were surprised how the Lord's grace sustained them through all situations.
On reflection, it may be impossible to come through this way if it happens one more time. She strongly believed God's promise that he will not leave Singapore. She got this promise during prayer for renewal of visa. She desired relief from troubles for Omar and a permanent place of residence in his life. After few days employer informed, "As you stayed with us even though every one else resigned, we appreciate your loyalty. You don't need to worry about your job. We like to start a new kind of service for disabled people and we would like you to undertake the new service. Are you interested in it?" He happily agreed to this offer and praised God for wonderful deliverance. Mom was delighted saying, "Jesus undertakes the battle for us and brings victory too. Let us be grateful to Him. He is not tired of answering our prayers".
Months passed. Because of many great difficulties that came about like sea waves and subsequent deliverance of God, now he didn't bother much about wife's visa. He knew for sure that Jesus Christ will grant it ...one day. There are many husbands who live in overseas leaving their wives at home in India similar to him.