January 2024 | Conversion: Persecutor Turns Promoter

Our Appacha
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Our Appacha

Ms. Sneha Abraham

In Appacha, we grand children caught a glimpse of what it means that the Lord is our rock. Resolute, steady, strong, protective, a firm foundation - these are all qualities he embodied for nearly 93 years in his family and his ministry. 

But for all his strength, he was playful and affectionate with his grandchildren, lovingly calling each of us, “Makkale,” as we held hands and ate ice cream and chocolate together. 

While we all grew up at a distance from our grandparents, he made us feel close by, marking several milestones with us. He dedicated some of us as babies. For others, he baptized us, attended graduations or solemnized weddings.

We have memories of sitting with Appacha as a family, praying, reading Scripture and singing. Leading us was a man of absolute integrity, quiet confidence and authentic humility. During his last moments, we did the same - we gathered as a family, both virtually and live, praying, reading Scripture and singing until he took his final breath. We are so proud to have come from him.

As grandchildren, we have hearts for the Lord’s work and are involved in various capacities, with three of us presently in full-time ministry.  Appacha has taught us that there is one thing to strive for: to be faithful to God to the end.

Our hearts are thankful that he lived a full life, even as we mourn his passing. We grieve but we also celebrate that a truly great man has gone to his heavenly Father’s home, and we remember a verse from a hymn that he loved, “Abide With Me”:

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness

Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. 

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