Bad Boy Sees the Light

“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:19-22, NIV.

Not many from his village in India had graduated from university. He held a degree from Tamil Nadu University in Botany, and it seemed he had a bright future. When he returned home, he found a group of friends and settled into village life. Unfortunately these “friends” left his family fearing for his future. Many of the activities in which they involved him were not only illegal but often led to violence.

In hopes of settling their son into a more productive future, the parents of this young graduate engaged an agent to find him work overseas. Their son agreed to take a posting in Singapore. Again the family had hopes for a good future for their son.

This wayward young man landed in Singapore in 2004. His agent had lied to him. He was not using his botany degree, instead he had been brought in to dig ditches and lay cable for a telephone company. He had to work 90 to 105 hours a week with little pay to show for his long hours.. Most of the money he did earn went to pay his travel bond and agent fees. The long hours and hard labor left him feeling deeply troubled about his life.

At this low point, a friend invited him to a gospel meeting sponsored by the Singapore Baptist Convention. He heard about the love of Christ, forgiveness of sins, and hope for eternal life. His initial reaction was to reject this foreign religion. How could he stop worshipping ancestors and the village deities? It was unthinkable.

That same night he saw a very bright light. In the midst of the light, he saw Jesus. The Lord was beckoning him to follow. Without hesitation, he gave his life to Christ. He understood that what he had heard at the gospel meeting was true, and that he had to follow after the one who called him out of the darkness and into the light. While life is still difficult, he understands that God called him to Singapore so that he could meet the Savior.

There are 45,000 migrant workers from India currently in Singapore. Many of them are like the younger Mr. Senthil, lost, wayward, and troubled about life. These are men in great darkness who desperately need to see the light of Christ.

Pray that:

God will call laborers to work among the Indian migrant workers in Singapore. The field is white, but the workers are few.

Jesus will reveal Himself to these men as the church reaches out with compassion, meets physical needs, and shares the gospel.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.