“They Liked This Better Version of Me”

God’s word has the power to change people’s lives, even without the input of an “expert” or an invitation to “church.”

Here is Prakesh’s story:

Life was not peaceful. I was cruel. My children did not want a relationship with me. Then one day, I was walking along the road when I heard a loud story (like a radio) coming from a nearby house. I stopped to listen. It was about miracles. When the story finished, I asked the people there, “What are you listening to?”

They looked at me and asked, “Who are you?!”

I told them I wanted to know about the story. Could they give it to me?

They said, “Yes, you may have a copy,” and they gave me a speaker with stories on it. I took it home.

I used to drink every night, and do other bad things. But that night, I did not drink. I stayed home and listened to the stories. My family was happy that I did not drink. They liked this better version of me. The next day, again, I did not go out drinking but stayed home and listened to the stories. The third day, the same.

After three days of this, my wife said, “I am seeing a change in you. You are not bad, like before.” I told her I didn’t understand it myself, but that when I listened to the stories, I had no desire to do (bad) things.

My wife asked, “Can we all listen to the stories?” And so we did.

My whole household changed. The neighbors noticed. One of them asked my children, “What’s going on in your home? Your father doesn’t do bad things like before.”

They replied, “Uncle, our father has changed. We listen to stories, and he does not do bad things.”

“Is there truly something that can change your father?”

“Uncle, you can also come and listen.”

He went home and got his whole family. Together we listened to Proverbs on the speaker. When I turned off the speaker, he said, “These are great! I’d like a copy of the stories, also.”

I replied, “I only have one copy, but I can play the stories for both of our families.”

So now, every evening, 30-35 people meet to listen to Bible stories in this village in North India. A mentor is helping them take their first steps of faith, and a baptism service is planned. Pray that from this early fruit a disciple-making movement will grow.

*pseudonyms