Mega’s Redemption Story
By global workers Prasad and Dawn in India
“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22
I love this promise! Have you ever thought what would happen if God had not promised to forgive us our sins and as this scripture says “blot out” our transgressions? It’s an incredibly terrifying thought! What a gift God’s love and forgiveness is! Mega's is a story of a man who found and excepted that gift.
Mega grew up in a very typical Hindu home is South India. When you first meet him, you can’t help but notice the scars on his hands and arms. The story behind his scars is incredible! He’s from a rough area of Chennai called the “Thousand Lights District.” Back when electricity and light bulbs were new to India, a bridge was built in that area. To celebrate the new bridge it was covered in lights - hence the name “Thousand Lights.”
Thousand Lights District
Growing up poor and in a high crime area often leads to trouble as it did for Mega. As he grew into his teens and early twenties, he became involved in gang-related activities. He did this as a way to protect himself as well as to make money for his family. Despite his lifestyle, he married and had children. Also very common in India especially in poor families is alcohol abuse. Millions of Indian men drink heavily, and Mega was no different. He became an alcoholic.
The life of the gang member was a dark one. Through the years, Mega participated in beatings and stabbings as he was involved in fights over control of his area in the city. Mega was at the top of his game. He was feared by many, even the powerful and the rich. He began to work for local politicians and was used to threaten their opponents with physical harm. He had the respect of the locals as a man to be feared. He had even gone as far as to commit murder.
And then suddenly, things began to change. His years of work and planning, climbing the ladder of organized crime began to fall apart. Mega found himself in a very scary place. He was threatened and in danger. There was a price on his head, and he was wanted: dead. He began to look for places to hide but everywhere in the city was dangerous. He finally found a place to hide far from his home in a tiny nonscript village. It just so happened that we have a church in that particular village. Coincidence? I think not?
Although he thought he had chosen well in his hiding place, in the weeks that followed, he was found by his enemies. Mega was beaten, stabbed, stuffed into a burlap bag and left for dead on the side of the road. Miraculously, he survived the attack and was found by someone passing by. They heard moaning and groaning coming from the bag and decided to investigate. There lay Mega.
Mega’s life was saved. His soul was about to know salvation too! When we met Mega, he was a shell of a man. The once gangster/thug became racked with fear. He stood before Prasad shaking with tears on his cheeks. After listening to his unbelievable story, Prasad quietly asked, “Can I pray for you?” At the end of his rope, Mega agreed. Right then and there Mega took a step of faith by making the decision to follow Jesus. He choose a new path.
Mega and his wife (above)
Mega’s life was saved... When we met Mega, he was a shell of a man.
Today, when you meet Mega, you will still see his physical scars, but his emotional ones are gone. Gone is the murderer thug! Gone is the angry alcoholic! Gone is the man afraid for his life shaking with fear! Instead, you will find a very meek and quiet man so unassuming that except for the physical scars, you would never know his past. His fear has been replaced with the peace that passes all understanding. He has become a Christian. He has left his past behind him, blotted out by God’s grace. Mega lives with his family in the same village and attends our church. His wife has joined our ministry and works teaching children in our after school program. He is now a proud parent and grandparent.
In 2014, Prasad had the great honour of baptizing Mega. On that beautiful day, he left his old name behind and became “Thomas”. He has been redeemed. The Bible teaches that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! We have this hope as 2 Corinthians 5:17 exclaims.
There are much more Mega’s in India. Many who need hope, love and God’s redemption. We are grateful that God has called us here for such a time as this to as the question “Can I pray for you?” to all that He brings along our path.
Will you pray for us? Pray that God would continue to direct our steps as we walk through open doors and opportunities in our community to share His Gospel.