Arun Sharma (Former Hindu)

I was born and raised in a strict Hindu Braham family, and was a very devout worshipper of Hindu gods. Right from childhood, until I began to work – I would start my day by going to the temple just to bow to the idol as a ritual so that I could obtain favor from these gods. As they were rituals, these and many other formalities were a big part of my life. Even though I was carrying out these responsibilities as a devout follower, I would still carry on and do things like gossipping, using foul language and being fully unaware of how I could have been hurting others or offending others around me.

 

My wife who had been living in Canada had sponsored me shortly after our marriage. As I was coming, I was overjoyed to be bringing some of my favorite idols with me to ad to the shrine I was planning on setting up in our home. One suitcase was completely filled with Hindu idols and nothing else. Upon my arrival, I discovered that my wife had a new found faith – a new life! She had been attending church instead of the temple! Emotionally I was very hurt, because we were both born and raised in a Hindu Braham family and it never occurred to me that this would ever happen. It is unheard of! Being new to the country, and being told this news, I was under a lot of stress, disappointment and emotional pain.

 

My wife had been attending an English church where I had noticed that there were only two types of races attending – either white or black people. I used to sit in the lobby because I felt so out-casted and out of place. I would cry on the inside thinking, “what have I gotten myself into?” I don’t see my people; I don’t see my gods, what’s going to happen to me?

 

Without saying anything, I was just living a very miserable life. One day, my wife told me that she has met someone in the apartment building we had just moved into, and they told her that there is a Christian church where all ethnic Punjabis attend. To both of us, it was a shock because we never thought there were Christians other than white or black people.

 

We then visited BDCC and for the first time, after seeing “my people”, I felt a sense of belonging. I sat in a sanctuary for the very first time, and I listened to a sermon for the first time, Pastor Vishal was preaching – in my own native language, which had a tremendous impact on my life. After the first visit, we began coming every Sunday – and a few weeks later, those teachings really opened up my eyes and I came to know that there is only one true living God whose name is Jesus.

 

So the suitcase, which I brought from India filled with Hindu idols, was still packed and unlocked. By then I realized that these idols were just useless and I decided to drop off the suitcase as is to a Hindu temple in Toronto. Now, my wife, our children and myself are permanent members of BDCC and enjoying our lives with Jesus. All the glory and praise to Him!