As one who was rescued from the darkness of Hinduism, I understand why so many of our students are grateful to learn of the Good News.
“Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies,” Jonah 2:8 (NLT).
“For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son,” Colossians 1:13 (NLT).
In 1896, a precocious Indian boy had become so tenacious in his search for God, that he asked his parents to let him become a sadhu—a wandering Hindu beggar. By visiting the various temples where people supposedly found God, 12-year-old Ishwar Dawal, hoped to find Him, too.
Though he did not find the One True God, he did achieve a new and lofty title. For the next several years, Ishwar lived in India as a Yogi—a person of higher spiritual status in traditional Hinduism. Though quests through the temples of northern India proved sobering, his search for God ended there.
Ishwar Dawal was my grandfather, whom I could come to know years later as “Nana,” the Hindu word for grandfather. He lived in India for several years, from ages 12 to 28, as a Yogi.
During his boyhood quest through the Indian temples, one sadhu, claiming a steadfast union with God, turned out to be constantly high on marijuana. Most of what Ishwar found was ungodly. “If this represents God,” he said to himself, “Then I am against him.” It truly was a blessing when my grandfather, wearied by his futile search, returned at age 28 to his hometown. One day, glimpsing a large crowd in a marketplace, he dismounted his horse and ventured over to see what was going on. He saw a speaker—Miss Kate, a German missionary—sharing songs and a message about something unfamiliar: the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Ishwar was so intrigued by what he heard that he purchased a gospel of John booklet, and despite the danger of harboring non-Hindu literature, he took it home. In the weeks that followed, he voraciously read the book several times. Each time, he sought out Miss Kate for a grueling question-and-answer session.
One day, he announced to Miss Kate that he was ready to accept Jesus Christ and Christianity.
“Do you realize that because of your Hindu background, you may have to give up something?” Miss Kate asked.
“I am willing to give up anything to follow Jesus Christ,” Ishwar replied firmly, with no hesitation.
Even though accepting Christ as his Savior meant that Ishwar and his family had to escape in the darkness of the night and give up his career and stature in society, Ishwar spent the next 50 years leading thousands of lost souls to Christ. He even wrote a book about his life titled, Satya-Kiran, meaning “The Ray of Hope.”
“Nana’s” life plays a huge role in my own faith. As one who was rescued from the darkness of Hinduism and saved me into the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ, I understand why so many of our students are grateful to learn of the Good News from our countless ministry volunteers and staffers. Let us continue praying for God’s provision in reaching every international student for Christ!
“For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son,” Colossians 1:13 (NLT).
For More Information
Do you have a heart for international students? Learn how to become an ISI Friendship Partner!
“Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies,” Jonah 2:8 (NLT).
“For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son,” Colossians 1:13 (NLT).
In 1896, a precocious Indian boy had become so tenacious in his search for God, that he asked his parents to let him become a sadhu—a wandering Hindu beggar. By visiting the various temples where people supposedly found God, 12-year-old Ishwar Dawal, hoped to find Him, too.
Though he did not find the One True God, he did achieve a new and lofty title. For the next several years, Ishwar lived in India as a Yogi—a person of higher spiritual status in traditional Hinduism. Though quests through the temples of northern India proved sobering, his search for God ended there.
Ishwar Dawal was my grandfather, whom I could come to know years later as “Nana,” the Hindu word for grandfather. He lived in India for several years, from ages 12 to 28, as a Yogi.
During his boyhood quest through the Indian temples, one sadhu, claiming a steadfast union with God, turned out to be constantly high on marijuana. Most of what Ishwar found was ungodly. “If this represents God,” he said to himself, “Then I am against him.” It truly was a blessing when my grandfather, wearied by his futile search, returned at age 28 to his hometown. One day, glimpsing a large crowd in a marketplace, he dismounted his horse and ventured over to see what was going on. He saw a speaker—Miss Kate, a German missionary—sharing songs and a message about something unfamiliar: the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Ishwar was so intrigued by what he heard that he purchased a gospel of John booklet, and despite the danger of harboring non-Hindu literature, he took it home. In the weeks that followed, he voraciously read the book several times. Each time, he sought out Miss Kate for a grueling question-and-answer session.
One day, he announced to Miss Kate that he was ready to accept Jesus Christ and Christianity.
“Do you realize that because of your Hindu background, you may have to give up something?” Miss Kate asked.
“I am willing to give up anything to follow Jesus Christ,” Ishwar replied firmly, with no hesitation.
Even though accepting Christ as his Savior meant that Ishwar and his family had to escape in the darkness of the night and give up his career and stature in society, Ishwar spent the next 50 years leading thousands of lost souls to Christ. He even wrote a book about his life titled, Satya-Kiran, meaning “The Ray of Hope.”
“Nana’s” life plays a huge role in my own faith. As one who was rescued from the darkness of Hinduism and saved me into the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ, I understand why so many of our students are grateful to learn of the Good News from our countless ministry volunteers and staffers. Let us continue praying for God’s provision in reaching every international student for Christ!
“For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son,” Colossians 1:13 (NLT).
For More Information
Do you have a heart for international students? Learn how to become an ISI Friendship Partner!
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