Mukti in our life..(Written in February 2008)

It was for some time that me and Vaishu were thinking and planning of going to visit ‘Grandma’. For me it was the first time to see and spend time with her.
To think of how far India has come in the last century especially in terms of women’s position in the society as well as her education, I, many a times, am left with a feeling of how much more thankful we need to be to God for women like Pandita Ramabai and Lillian Doerksen. Both of them through selfless sacrifice of their own life and a calling, to which they were committed to, all of their life, have laid the foundation for generations to come.

I always remember my first trip to Kedgaon and the sheer magnanimity of the number of activities that go on at the same time. As an adult I can now begin to see the significance of those activities, simple activities like the people in the kitchen, the beautiful baskets put together by those who have lost sight, the variety of candles, the grand chapel…and then it begins to dawn on you the tremendous sacrifices that have gone on behind the scenes, sacrifices that might miss many a eye, sacrifices that have come at the expense of rejecting the socio cultural set ups, sacrifices that have come at the expense of leaving behind family, friends and loved ones and to follow him who is the light of the world.

I was first introduced to ‘Grandma’ by my father. What he mentioned about her has stayed with me. He talked about her deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ and the tremendous courage that she displayed in taking care of the flock that God had entrusted to her at Mukti.

This was a trip that I really looked forward to, for a long time. Me and Vaishu flew from Newark into Seattle and then drove upto Vancouver on a Saturday morning. We planned on spending at least 2 days with ‘Grandma’ and Uncle George and Aunt May; thankfully she was still awake on Saturday evening when we went to meet her. We could immediately recognize that Alzheimer’s had taken a toll on her health. She could not remember Vaishu; she could not remember people who were a part of most of her life in India. On that Saturday evening the only joy that we could take back with us was that of being able to see her.
However as we spent time with her over the next 2 days we realized and what was amazing to us is that she had not forgotten and could remember, the marvelous grace of God in her life, she could remember the God who was with her in the 46 or so years of life in India, she could remember Jesus Christ as the only way to know God, she could remember that God still speaks to us through His word and that we can still speak with God through prayers.

The next day was a Sunday; Vaishu spent some time alone with Grandma, reading from the Bible and singing songs. We had planned to spend the afternoon at the Tea House, which was Grandma’s favorite eating ‘joint’. The ride through the Stanley Park which still showed some signs of the terrible storm a year ago was enthralling with all the tall trees and beautiful scenery. The food at the Tea House was great, however greater was the company. On the ride back we sang many melodious and well known Marathi hymns that every Marathi Christian has sung or hummed when growing up…at first it took Grandma by surprise and then the memories flooded back, she remembered the hymns and was overjoyed to sing along with us..
After the time at Tea House and the ride back, we spend time being a part of the Chapel with Grandma. It was so overwhelming to sing with her as we sang many memorable hymns, however, one that stands out is “Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?” This hymn was translated in Marathi by Pandita Ramabai and therefore also has become a part of all those who are associated with Mukti.

We were to leave the next day and had planned spending some time in the morning and leave for the journey back home after lunch. We knew that she enjoyed Chinese food and so that’s what we had for lunch. What kept coming back to us was that though she was not able to remember many events and people, she was able to remember the one, even God, who was with her in her 46 years in India.
We also spend some time in Grandma’s room, which was filled with photos of all those in whose life she has played a significant role, especially her ‘34 girls’ and their families. A few of them have been able to visit her after she came back from India, while many still pray and look forward to see her. In a general sense Grandma has touched many lives all over the world; however in a specific sense she has touched mine to. I am referring to one of the 34 girls, Neelu, whom Grandma raised while in India at Mukti, my wife’s mother and now mine. I am so thankful to God for Grandma, because in a sense she was responsible in bringing Vaishu into my life. I love reading and so does Grandma. I was therefore thrilled to receive a copy of ‘A Light to India’ by Lillian Doerksen and get it autographed by Grandma herself.

Mukti in Marathi means freedom / salvation. We can truly live a free life when we are no longer bound by our sinful behavior. It is Jesus Christ that can give us true ‘Mukti’, as it is only his sacrifice that was acceptable to God. It is when we are free from sin that we can truly experience Gods grace and His mercy. The bible says that God has displayed His love for us in the person of Jesus Christ who He sent so that all those who believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. Those who believe in Jesus Christ as their savior have truly received ‘mukti’. Grandma believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior and it was Him that she represented all her life. Whether it was in India or in Canada, she was and is passionate for him and to share his love with so many around the world. It was this love that brought her to India and spend more than half of her life in touching lives with the love of Jesus.

While we said ‘good bye’ to Grandma that afternoon, thankful to God and filled with humbleness, we were reminded of having spent time with a life well lived and well representative of her savior.