BYM ONLINE DESK Blessing English E-magazine Aug 2019 | Page 11

Candles In The Night
(Testimonies of Native Workers of Blessing Youth Mission)
Tilo Sagaria & his family
Tilo Sagaria was born in a poor family in a remote
village in Odisha. His forefathers were dacoits. But
his father secured a small piece of land and started
doing agricultural work. Tilo was talented in village
folk music and directed a small village 'Drama Band'.
They used to travel from one village to another and
perform dramas on the streets.
At that point of time, Tilo had no idea about
the living God and the sacrifice that He made on the
Cross. He was then married to a girl. But everything
started to change when suddenly he developed
severe arthritis. His joints started to bend and his
whole body was disfigured. He could not continue
the 'Drama band.' Seeing his hopeless plight, his wife
left him. Tilo, for the first time felt abandoned by
everyone. He even thought of killing himself.
It was during this time, he visited the 'Jungle
Clinic' in Ramagiri. It was when late Dr. Jaishanker
was treating the patients. He referred Tilo's case to a
Mission Hospital, 68kms away from Ramagiri.
Doctors there treated him and slowly he began to
recover. The love of the Christian believers attracted
him to Christ. Missionaries Mr. Selvam and Mr.
Solomon visited his house and prayed for him.
Tilo experienced complete healing from God
and understood the message of the Gospel. He gave
his life for Christ. In fact, according to Tilo, his
hopeless life has been transformed to a life full of
hope and joy. He became the first believer in his
village. He started to walk slowly and started to play
harmonium, like the 'Drama Band' days. By His
abundant Grace, he started to write songs for Jesus
and witness for Him. His songs are very much liked
by the village folks.
"My life itself became a testimony", says Tilo
today. As he visits villages in his
bike,
people are astonished to see the once invalid person
telling them about the miracle that Jesus wrought in
His life. Tilo is very much thankful to his Lord and
Saviour who gave him this gift of life and wants to
serve Him till the end of his life. He was in darkness
and now he has seen the light. God has forgiven his
sins and has given him eternal life. Today he is a
shining light in the land of darkness. Hallelujah!
Not only that, Tilo married a believer girl Ratna
and is now blessed with 4 children. Recently his
house was partly damaged in the Odisha cyclone,
but God gave him strength and capacity to repair it.
As a Native worker, although his pay is meagre, he
still continues to minister for the Lord.
"For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my
God lightens my darkness" (Ps 18:28).
August 2019| www.bymonline.org | page 11