A "PRECIOUS" LIFE
“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
My name is Anmol Chawan, and I am 20 years old. I grew up in a loving children’s home called Karuna Sharan, run by GGF Mumbai. Here is my story.
I was orphaned at three and had very little memory of my parents, except that I was beaten by my dad. We lived on the road, under a bridge. I remember running around the streets wearing the only tattered clothes I owned. With no care, I was left to fend for myself. I would often steal fruit from carts to appease my hunger. I mixed with other kids who did the same. When my parents died, another street family watched out for me, and life was the same.
My street name was Guddu, but at Karuna, I met Pastor Karl, and he called me "Precious" – which is "Anmol", and this name has stayed.
Two years later, a lady told the people I stayed with about an orphanage called Karuna Sharan. My new home was different from the life I experienced on the street.
I was used to using foul language, and here, people spoke respectfully. I was assigned to caring house parents who loved and corrected me lovingly and gently. I heard Bible stories and learned to sing songs.
My street name was Guddu, but at Karuna, I met Pastor Karl, and he called me “Precious” – which is “Anmol”, and this name has stayed.
I am so thankful to God for my church, for the blessing of Karuna Sharan, and for each who has spiritually invested in me.
My blessings multiplied. I now have over 60 brothers. We prayed, ate, played, lived together, and learned to love each other despite tough times. At fifteen, I gave my life to Christ. I had believed a lie that my life had no value. But as I started reading the Bible, I believed God had a plan for me.
I began to see Christ in others and understand that I was different from the world. I left the orphanage at eighteen to pursue further studies in another city. There I was without fellowship and the Word.
Within a year, I lost my joy and became discouraged. I began to have feelings of loneliness. There was a conference happening at my GG church in Mumbai with Pastor Scibelli, and I decided to attend.
During the conference, he preached that Satan’s main goal was to steal the believer’s joy. Once he loses his joy, he begins to lose everything. It felt like he was talking about me. Just being with the Body of Christ rekindled that joy. I was hungry to know God and grow in the Word. God led me to return to Mumbai for Bible College.
It has been the greatest decision of my life. I am now a full-time student at the Mumbai Bible College and want to tell everyone about Jesus.
I desire to serve the Lord as a missionary after I graduate.
I am so thankful to God for my church, for the blessing of Karuna Sharan, and for every one who has spiritually invested in me. Thank you for caring for me and giving me a life. Thank you, Jesus!
Thank you for your giving.
You make a difference – right here in Baltimore, in our Greater Grace churches in the Mid Atlantic region and even to those like Anmol in the most remote areas of the earth.