Building Faith by Bible Study in India

Faith to Overcome Handicaps

Sunder Lal, a young man living in a village in the Punjab, needed  a great deal of faith and courage in order  to share the good news of God's Kingdom with others.  (Matthew 24:14)  For one thing, he had left the polytheistic beliefs of his family and village to worship the true God, Jehovah. For another, Sunder Lal has no legs.

Until 1992, Sunder Lal's life was routine.  He worked as a doctor's assistant and joined his own family in the worship of various deities under the guidance of their chosen guru. Then one night, he fell while crossing a railroad track. A train ran over   him and cut off both of his legs at the thigh. Although he lived, his world was shattered. Understandably, Sunder Lal became deeply depressed and even contemplated suicide. His family was supportive, but his future looked hopeless. 

Then one of Jehovah's Witnesses called on Sunder Lal and showed him from the Bible that God has promised to make  the earth a delightful paradise and to give perfect health to all who love and fear him. Sunder Lal agreed to a Bible study, and for one year he studied diligently. He was invited to attend Christian meetings and finally went along on the back of a friend's bicycle. Although it was  a painful ride, the reward was great. What he had learned in his personal Bible study fell into place as he met others who truly believed the promises of God's Word and lived in harmony with Bible teachings.

Sunder Lal began to share the good news with his neighbors, and in 1995 he was baptized. At first, he engaged in the ministry by dragging himself from door to door in his village, which was his normal way of getting around. But now he has a gift  from his spiritual brothers-a tricycle that is specially equipped to be "pedaled" by hand. Thanks to his tricycle, he is now more independent and is able by himself to make the seven-mile journey to attend congregation meetings.  Sometimes he wheels himself along through torrential monsoons; at other times, the temperature is over 110 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In addition to attending meetings, Sunder Lal conducts many Bible studies with other who desire to help build  strong faith in the true God, Jehovah. In fact, seven of this former Bible  students are now baptized, as are three other persons, he contacted but with whom fellow witnesses have studied the Bible. 

"Faith," according to the Bible,  "Is not a possession of all people." (2 Thessalonians 3:2) But for those "rightly disposed for everlasting life," a regular study of God's Word can build strong faith.  (Acts  13:48) Such a study also makes the eyes shine with hope of a wonderful future-something in which a growing number of people in India are exercising faith. 

Next time: Parents Object to a Teacher's Prejudice

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000