The School of Evangelisation
I only went to the School of Evangelisation (SOE) because of pressure from a friend of mine. The very first time that he spoke to me about the SOE I thought to myself, why is this dude walking around with a bible as if he had the whole world in his hands? He was glowing; he looked so free and so happy. When he spoke, it was with conviction and he said that my life would change forever. I remember replying that I did not need my life changing, it was perfectly fine the way that it was! However as I thought about it, I realized that his words had touched me deeply and so I decided to go.
As SOE began, I really hated it. It felt as if they were teaching us how to become priests and nuns. I didn’t understand much of what was being said as I was from a Hindu background and it was all a bit overwhelming for me. I would go in to the sessions and literally watch the clock. I kept thinking this is silly, why is everyone praying like this. Why pray so hard, who is going to hear? It got to the point where I was in tears and I told one of the team members that I couldn’t stay and I was going home. However, after receiving some prayer I decided to stay.
The Power of Spiritual Sharing
On the third day of SOE, I went for a spiritual sharing session. I was amazed when the person I was talking to began telling me everything about myself as if he was receiving visions of my life. He talked a great deal about the Lord and what he had done for me and I felt so free after the session. It was as if I had been carrying a huge heavy rock that I had now got rid of. I realised then that God loves me dearly despite my sins. I had never felt anything like this before. One of the things my spiritual sharing elder kept saying was that Jesus has big plans for me, “he knew you while you were in your mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13) and he also said that the rosary I was carrying in my hand would very soon end up around my neck.
After my spiritual sharing session, I tried to pray and as I prayed I realized that I couldn’t stand up properly, I felt faint and weak. This continued for a while and then I started having uncontrollable shivers that were unbelievably strong and almost painful. I had to be taken out of the convention room because I was struggling so much and when the priest came to touch my head and bless me I moved away from his hands without realizing it.
They Put the Rosary around my neck
The priest and other team members were praying for me but it didn’t make much difference and if anything it seemed to be getting worse. Finally that evening the priest decided to pray over my rosary and he put it around my neck during the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. After a few minutes of the rosary being around my neck, I was fully recovered. My shivers, my pain, the weakness had all disappeared. I had run away from the Eucharist before but suddenly I started moving closer and closer to the Blessed Sacrament. I started praying and I found that I could praise the Lord with all my heart. I felt so free as if something that had been within me had finally left me. I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I remember the joy I had, others told me I was glowing. I knew my Lord Jesus Christ was within me.
A Vision of Jesus
As I prayed before the Blessed Sacrament I remember losing control of everything and falling over. As I fell I saw Jesus and in my vision I fell into his lap. As I tried to stand up again he said that it was all right, I didn’t have to get up but I could just lay there. It was a wonderful experience and I still have a great joy within me because Jesus showed himself to me. That moment was my big wake up call! Nineteen years flashed before my eyes and I thought this is it; this is how I will spend the rest of my life.
Ever since that day, my life has completely changed. I now feel that I am being showered with blessings and love and my life is filled with hope, joy and peace. Today as I write this I know that he is within me and I feel blessed to be a child of God. I fear no one or nothing but God because I know I have Jesus with me every step of the way. As I conclude my story, I thank you for reading it. I pray that you all fall in love or continue to be in love with our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank Jesus for letting me write this and Sehion Ministries for all their love and prayers.
Written by Aathira Cheeroth