I was born into a poor Hindu family as the youngest sibling of four brothers in a village in Alwar, life was not easy. My parents were daily wage labourers who struggled to feed the four of us. Meanwhile, when I was very young my father passed away. My older brothers became Cycle rickshaw pullers to run the family. Though I went to school I never could complete my studies. Later when I was old enough I too became a rickshaw puller. Soon I developed the habit of gambling, and I started stealing to fulfil this addiction. Several times I was caught red handed by the police and public, and I was severely beaten up.
In 1996, one day one of my brothers brought home a red coloured book which looked like a diary. It lay discarded for many weeks. One day I picked it up and saw written on its cover “Naya Niyam” (New Testament) in golden letters. I began to read it since I thought this book was about a new law, a new world order. In it I read about a person called Isamasih who healed the sick and raised the dead. I did not know that this book is the holy book of the Christians. My life didn’t change much as I continued stealing and gambling.
In 1997, I was possessed by an evil spirit. Furthermore, my mother also became sick and eventually she passed away. I was ostracized from the family and society. I started behaving in a weird manner. Frustrated, I thought of committing suicide by coming under a running train. With tears in my eyes, I rushed towards the railway track. It was during this time that I saw three well dressed men distributing some book to college students. I walked up to them and asked them to give me also a copy. They gave me one and explained about it, clarifying how it can help me. I asked them if there was any “Sathsang” that I can attend and learn more about Jesus. Thus one of the brothers invited me to his church named Bethel Fellowship Church of Alwar. Eventually I was miraculously delivered of my demon possession because of the prayers and daily reading of the Gideon New Testament that I had. Later on I joined a Bible college to gain more knowledge about Jesus. Thereafter, I graduated in 2000. Since then I am serving my Lord faithfully. Since the last 4 years I have been posted at Bharatpur where I have planted 4 churches and baptised many.
Meanwhile, I was married in 2002 to Sangeetha and we are blessed with two children; Rebecca who is four years old and Florence who is 6 months.
If it was not for the Gideon New Testament that my brother brought home or the one that was given to me by the Gideons representatives on my way to commit suicide, I would have ended my life without Jesus, destined for eternal hell.
– Bhagwan Sahai