“Someone called you up”, sounded my roomate one fine evening. I had just come back from the school where I was teaching. I quickly went through the slip of paper to know who called me up. It was from one pastor from a Methodist church. Since I was actively involving in choirs organised by combined churches then, I took it for granted that it must be a call reminding me of one such choir practice.

So, after a few days I called up to find out to my astonishment that it is to do with a marriage proposal. Now I began to think of all ways and means to evade this, as I did earlier. On the particular day as planned, my sister’s family had reached the pastor’s house and all were waiting for me in vain. But I was in my hostel room brewing some excuses for not going.

Not within a few weeks again the same pastor called up to inform me of this person’s coming to Madras. He told me that the person is interested to spend a considerable time talking to the girl of all the pros and cons of his ministerial life before proceeding further. That sounded interesting as I always dreaded the customary bride exhibition done in Tamil Nadu.

This time I made up my mind to meet him along with my brother – in -law. On my way I was recollecting the moment when I had committed myself for God’s ministry. The pastor’s family warmly welcomed us. There was also another man who was all the time talking about ministry and that minis- try is his first wife besides, distributing some rochures and prayer letter and so on. My heart skipped a beat when the pastor asked me to talk freely with him to know all details. This is not the kind of person I thought of. A man just as tall as I am with untrimmed beard, wearing an untucked shirt where seams have come off.

I gathered myself quickly and told that I am not prepared to talk with Him. Sensing the situation my brother-in-law got up and we excused ourselves. We bid a formal goodnight. The bidding good night sparkled the voice of God clearly to consider the proposal.

My close relatives did not show much interest as the person did not seem to match our family’s background, beginning from the historical name that he holds. But I could not turn a deaf ear to my Master ‘s voice. I shared this with my co-worker and best friend who understood me and prayed with me. Phone calls and letters from here and there started coming in both discouraging and encouraging as well. The nil effort he took to impress the girl, raised the interest in me for him.

He, on the other hand has agreed to see me as he was impressed by my name, Faith and also his uncle who is a famous evangelist in Madras knows our family very well for years, gave his consent.

The next meeting was arranged. My mother had accompanied me this time. I couldn’t believe myself. This time we were able to relax and speak like old friends on how we came to know the Lord personally, our spiritual stand, our commitment for ministry, our likes and dislikes, our strength and weaknesses and so on. Moreover, he looked handsome, smart, concerned, full of dreams of a happy home and an affectionate sort!

In the meantime, his Uncle had sent two of his brothers to my house to finalise, One of them happened to be the person’s father who had no contact with him the past 15 years as he disapproved of his son’s coming to full time ministry. Here he was in my house agreeing to the proposal and fixing the wedding date at the earliest.

The next three consecutive saturdays were decided to be spent on fasting and prayer to seek God’s will individually. Each Saturday turned out to be a promising one for us. Do we have to wait any longer to let know each other of our decision?

All the elders close to both of us felt God’s peace in the proceedings. Isn’t it marvellous in our eyes to know the magnificient work of our Lord.?

The Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes,” Psalm 118:23

-Mrs. Faith Kulothungan