Mr. Gilly

Today I met a man named Mr. Gilly! Based on appearance alone he is a man of good standing, fairly well off and in good health. As we entered his home we were greeted warmly. As he spoke, a sense of compassion and humility poured from his voice. He stared right at my chest as though he were looking into my eyes, if only I were five feet tall. As he concluded his sentence and reached for my hand I realized that he was blind. Instantly my eyes seemed opened to my surroundings and my heart weighed heavy for this man's affliction. My accusations at first glance would prove to be false. I looked around the room and noticed a small bed in what was clearly a living room, a small Christmas tree still in tact with native adornments, and a woman in a bright pink sari who was attentively watching, and waiting to aid him in his next movement. At this point humility seemed to read on his face. As we sat Suresh explained that more recently Mr. Gilly has become ill and through his ailment he had lost his sight. Mr. Gilly stated that in his health his home had been constructed with great purpose. The first floor, as was apparent, was designed for living quarters. The second floor was an orphanage and the upper level was constructed as guest quarters. His home is elaborate in design, very colorful and very well constructed. Though still very different from the homes in the western world, it has a presence about it that is expensive and an attention to detail that is distinct. Suresh later described Mr. Gilly as someone who has shared many trials similar to Job. Once a man of great popularity, wealth and stature a financial turn and deteriorating health has brought Mr. Gilly quickly to his knees. As I would later come to know, Mr. Gilly was raised in the ministry. He was bought up in a time of great growth in Christianity and God provided many blessings to flow richly into his life. His ministry grew quickly and brought much financial gain. In his abundance Mr. Gilly's heart hardened for the needy and he began to rely on his own provisions, disregarding that all good things come from the Lord and that money is the root of all evil. Once a man with many properties Mr. Gilly now resides in his last. Soon also this too will be taken from his possession and he will leave this area of India to retire in a place where he is unknown, until his time on earth has come to pass and He goes to be with the Lord. For through his struggle he has been humbled and has once again given back to the Lord what was always rightfully His. Some giving through force and now in his near final days through generosity once more. Harvest India will come to acquire this elaborate home in about a months time as it is Mr. Gilly's final wish that his final property go to serve in the work God is doing here in India. It was a blessing to be in the presence of such a man as Mr. Gilly and as we prepared to depart from our short visit I was given an opportunity to pray over him. It blessed me immensely. I believe that through God's strict and enforced corrections in Mr. Gilly's lifetime I have benefited from knowing him even for only a day. Although it is hard to see any man deteriorate, Mr. Gilly is remarkably at peace with where his current situation rests. I firmly believe that it is through our most extreme struggles in this life that we experience the closeness and dependence on the Lord He has so perfectly designed for his children. May we learn through the Lord's example in Mr. Gilly that "...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48