www.bymonline.org | May 2020 | page 10
Mr. Ponnusamy: In the year 1997, another
Missionary organization gifted us four campuses in
and around Umerkote area. We were overjoyed. In
the initial days of our ministry, there was no water
and no rest rooms. But God provided us with our
own campus. Starting from the year 1998,
stationed at Umerkote, we started to train Native
Workers in Odisha. It started to give much fruit.
We used to train them and send them to villages to
preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God did
miracles through them, who were very ordinary
men without any formal education. Several
congregations were established through them.
Blessing (To Aunty): Was it difficult to raise the
kids in such difficult circumstances?
Mrs. Sarasa Ponnusamy: God has blessed us
with two sons, Gosend and Gordon. I faced
struggles at all stages. First, there were no proper
medical facilities. I had to come for delivery to
South India with another missionary woman (uncle
could not accompany me). After our elder son was
born, his head did not stay fixed for ten months.
Most of the time, we lived in houses without proper
rest room facilities. During the rains the houses
used to leak. It was very difficult to raise kids. We
put them in boarding school. But our eldest son
could not accept that. He once wrote a twelve page
letter that he wanted to stay with us. But it was not
practical at that time. Because of this, he went into
depression. But God did not leave us. Both of them
finished their post-graduation and are well-settled
now. Gosend is in Australia and is blessed with a
son and a daughter. Gordon is in Chennai and is
blessed with two sons. Today, both testify that the
blessings they had received in their lives is because
of the fact that we are missionaries. God is always
good!
Blessing (to Uncle) : During your later years of
service, you were elevated as the Director of
Missions. Can you shed more light on those
leadership years?
Mr. Ponnusamy: I served in various leadership
capacities like State Coordinator (6 Years),
Regional Coordinator (3 Years) before being
elevated to the post of Director. In the year 2009, we
were asked to move to Chennai and I served as the
Director for two terms i.e till 2013. It was a privilege
to serve the missionaries. I used to visit all the
States and encourage missionaries.
Blessing (to Uncle): Please share more about
what happened after your retirement.
Mr. Ponnusamy: We kind of felt left alone soon
after our retirement. But slowly we tried to cope
with that. Only recently we visited Odisha fields
again after several long years. We were overjoyed to
see the new believers and missionaries.
Blessing (To both) : What is your advice to the
young missionaries?
Mrs. Sarasa Ponnusamy: We have to minister
as a family. We might face problems of different
kinds but we should not be shaken. We must trust
God always. It is God who has called us. He will
lead us till the end.
Mr. Ponnusamy: Obey God and Mission
leaders. Even if you feel that the leaders are
making a mistake by transferring you, obey them.
God does not make any mistakes. He will never fail
us. Everything will turn out for good. Many of my
colleagues who started with me did not stay with
me. They saw other attractive ministries and
drifted away. I feel that they got diverted from the
main calling. If you are called to serve as a
missionary, then you cannot compare yourself with
other independent ministries and ministers. Some
of my friends argue that, those who left the Mission
are well-off now. But I doubt, because, being welloff
doesn't mean that you are doing what God
wants you to do. So stay your course and complete
the calling that you have in the Lord. Look to God
alone. May God bless you.
(Mrs. Sarasa Ponnusamy and Mr. Ponnusamy
moved recently to their newly built house near
Tiruninravur, Chennai. They continue to involve in
various ministries as and when invited.)