- A CALL TO BECOME A
PRIEST
Myself is Arun Nelli C, Born and brought up in
Thrissur, Kerala. It was my best dream to become a catholic priest. After My
Secondary School Studies I Joined to Carmelites of Mary Immaculate Congregation
(CMI) and started My Seminary studies. First Three Years everything was fine
with me. But back to my home everything was mess. During My Vacations, when I
am back at home my parents used to celebrate. After I left home to seminary my
father did not have enough earnings, so the complete financial Part became
weaker day by day. And my Mom never let me know about these entire crises
happening at home. Whenever I come for my vacation, she used to visit her elder
sister and collect some money to spend during those days. These adjustments
lasted for first Three Years. During the third year vacation before entering
into Novitiate, one day my sister spotted a small hut in middle of paddy fields
and she requested to re-build our house atleast to that structure. Because the
side of house was demolished in heavy rain at that time and there was no safety
inside the house. So I decided to leave my seminary studies and started to
support my family. So I lost my best dream I ever had, to be a priest.
- THE STRUGGLES I
ENCOUNTERED
Days passed; One day my mom's elder sister told
me that, she would like to sponsor the studies of either the one. Suddenly I
proposed her to support my sister. And she was ready to help my sister. She
sponsored her for Nursing studies. My sister got admission in Bangalore.
Through one of my friend (Mr.Shanavas) I also got placement in at one the schools
at Bangalore. And in the following year my father also got a job in Bangalore at
Kallada Travels. And later my mom also joined with us.
We rented a small single room in Bangalore. It
was not so good. It was on the terrace of the building. During raining, a
single drop of water won't go outside. Inside of the house it was a pool during
raining season. During the Struggles, We never became frustrated, With full
hope we prayed for a better house. And Every Sunday We used to go for ceremony
in RRC (Renewal Retreat Center, Bangalore). The Priests in RRC – Especially
Fr.George Poothakuzhy and Fr.Reji valiyaparambil – Supported us in many ways to
grow up and to trust in GOD the almighty. Many Kinds of Trials happened during
all those days. And we never gone back, We joined our hands and hearts together
to meet all the trials.
- "YESHU
BHAVAN" – A GIFT OF PRAYER
We Prayed continuously to God for a better house
through mother Mary, God gave us a house. The House Name was "Yeshu
Bhavan", that was also in Bangalore city. We had all the supports from the
house owner. Even if I don't have money to pay the rent in time he never urges.
He was always a support to me and my family.
- A BIBLICAL MIRACLE..!!
How will I forget the day 17th
February 2008, it was the occasion when my family and me realized the love and
protection of Lord Jesus. My Sister; the one and only expectation in my life. While
She was in her for 3rd Year Nursing. One day morning her
friends called me from her hostel and asked me to reach there as early as
possible. They said; my sister (Rinu) was having back pain and she couldn’t
walk by herself. I went there and I took her to the nearby hospital. After the
First investigation the doctor’s report was partial paralysis. I admitted her
at NIMHANS Hospitals in Bangalore, one of the best neurology hospitals in Asia.
The Doctors did an MRI Scan and all other medical tests. After those tests they
concluded that there was an abnormal growth which blocks the nerve system and
it affect the spinal code towards the waist. Their only suggested was for a
surgery and the chances were only 50/50. The doctors fixed the surgery after
two days. Before the surgery she asked for the sacrament of confession, it was
given by Fr.Reji Valiyaparambil, But she did not receive the communion. Fr.Reji
Said to her that she should receive communion. The Following day my father went
to take Fr.Reji to give communion, as Fr. Reji entered the autorikshaw with
communion he could not bear the smell of Smoking at once Father Said to him
that Unless you stop this habit of smoking your child will not be cured. And My
Father agreed to it and he stopped smoking. And the very Next day I saw My
sister walking without the help of anyone. It was the last Friday of February 2008. I have great trust and belief
in the Almighty Lord and Virgin Mary. I used to visit Renewal Retreat Center in Bangalore,
Every Last Friday of the month we do have a night vigil dedicated to the Virgin
Mary which is celebrated as Marian Night . My father accompanied me for the prayer.
At the time of the Adoration Rev.Fr. Reji Valiyaparambil announced from the
stage that ‘there is a girl studying for nursing who is admitted in NIMHANS
Hospital which the doctors had suggested surgery for partial paralysis is
getting healed in this moment Lord Jesus is touching her’. After the prayer I
went to the hospital early in the morning. I saw my sister waiting for me in
the front gate of the hospital. She had walked through the hospital. Tears ran
down with joy when I saw her, I asked the Lord, Oh Lord! How could I thank
you. But the Lord works in mysterious way and my sister working as a nurse
in Bangalore.
- EDUCATION IS NOT A
BARRIER..!!
My Academic Qualification is Higher secondary We
had gone through rough times and financially were struggling which was the
reason that I couldn’t complete my graduation. With an education qualification
as low as that, It was impossible to get a good job. I knocked the doors of the
Lord and again attended the night vigil and prayed sincerely to Mother Mary in
the next Marian night (March 2008). As a result our Lord blessed me, with a job
in an MNC company – Siemens Information Systems Ltd in Bangalore – That’s too
as a Junior Accountant. Even though I was week in maths, I took up the offer
and worked with the Chartered Accountants of Siemens using my H.S.C. base
accountancy. I had a very week memory for numbers and I used to find it very
difficult to memorize it. If any questions were asked I had to check the
computer where the entries were made, which actually was annoying the
superiors. I again knocked the doors of the Lord and today that
shortcoming also has gone, I thank Mother Mary for the wonderful things that
have touched me and my family it was in (April 2008). When I was working with
Siemens I was fortunate to learn SAP/R3 the costliest Application Software.
- MORE TRAILS FOR
PURIFICATION...!!
For Past Three and half years I had been trying
for a job abroad. Every week I used to go through the job classifieds and
attend interviews, the result was so pathetic and none of them selected. I
never lost hope, In The month of September 2008 during the night vigil at the
last Friday of the month Rev.Fr. Reji Valiyaparambil Announced from the stage
that our lord is blessing five individuals with a job abroad. I strongly
believed that out of those five I am the one. The interview that I attended was
for Belhasa Six Construct L L C. based in Dubai, and true to his word I was
again blessed. Everybody was happy at home. I was very excited that I am going
to Dubai, after a very long wait, one of my dream is getting to be fulfilled, I
had never travelled by plane and to see one of the most beautiful and exciting
cites. But tragedy struck me, my left leg got paralyzed and was suffering from
Acute Back Pain. I couldn’t move a single step alone. I consulted a doctor in
St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore. After MRI Scanning the Doctor told that,
it is Disc Prolapses. That is a disc which has moved from the position and
blocking the nerve system towards the left leg. Surgery was mandatory for me.
I had a cashless health care insurance card of
ICICI Lombard. But each time I tried to claim the Insurance, they used to reject
my claim. I told to Doctors that without an insurance cover I am not able to do
the surgery and more over I didn’t have sufficient funds for further
treatments. The next day 9thNovember 2008 a Sunday, I got discharged
from the hospital and I went directly to the Renewal Retreat Center. I reached
there at the time of adoration. Rev.Fr.George Poothakuzhy was passing through
the public, carrying the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. I shouted at Lord
Jesus “I will not go outside of your church unless and until you heal me. I strongly
believe in you. I believe you are the Doctor and Medicine”. Holy Sacrament
which was passing bye I was sitting very close to it. I suddenly felt the Holy
Spirit touching me and I gained strength to stand up from the chair, my knees
where able to support me the Back pain which was troubling me had gone. I came
into the Renewal Retreat Center by putting my hands on the shoulders of my
Mother and one of my friend Dominic D’souza. Now I am walking by putting
my hand on the shoulders of our Lord Jesus Christ. The rejected Insurance Claim
was approved. The Insurance Company has agreed to reimburse the hospitalization
expense.
In two days that is November 11th Tuesday.
The agent called me. Asked me to get ready to travel to Dubai. They booked
my ticket from Mumbai by 16th November Sunday. I took a bus
from Bangalore to Mumbai, My dreams all came true, for four months I
worked in Dubai in Burj Dubai on a project which we were handling (The Tallest
tower in the world) without any trouble. But tragedy struck me again and my
dreams were shattered,
On 2009 February 17th I got
terminated from Behalsa Six Construct L.L.C Dubai because of the Economic
Crisis. I was desperate what will I do if I go back, how I will support my
family I tried all the ways to make the things straight, I realized that my
friend Dominic D’souza who was working for a recruitment firm in Doha, I
contacted him, as always the lord works in mysterious ways, On February 18th before
I could have my lunch, I Got the Job offer letter from Doha. Without an
interview Rumaillah Group offered me a job through my friend Dominic D’souza.
- A MARRIAGE AT CANA
We Initiated marriage proposal for my sister. Once
my family visited our relatives in Kerala.
And on their way back to Bangalore, they carried dry fish wrapped in a
news paper. While cleaning the same, my sister noticed a matrimony
advertisement in newspaper. And she called them. They said they want to meet
the family. We decided to go back to Kerala to meet their family. After meeting
them, they said they are willing to accept the proposal. At that time I didn't
have a single rupee in my account to conduct the marriage. My Plan was once
proposal is up and then to ask for time duration from 3 to 6 months. But the
family of Brother in law wanted the marriage to be done with in 20 days. My
parents were so tensed, thinking how to meet the marriage expenses. But God
worked miraculously in those days. Within 7 days God gave me 22,500 QAR from
Friends in Qatar Jesus Youth. And I traveled back to India for her marriage. By
the Grace of God everything was good; GOD gave me strength to full fill all her
needs. And through Mother Mary god has given us complete assistance as same as
he did during the marriage at CANA.
- BENEATH THY FEET –
AQUIRE A LAND NEXT TO CHURCH
We sold our old house for the purpose of Sister's
Marriage. And it became my sweet dream to have an owned house in Kerala. My
Mom's Eldest Sister Put a suggestion, she was willing to register a portion of
her land in my name, on one condition, it I have to take care of her in her old
ages. I agreed to it. And My mom was also happy because that plot is in her
native place. All Relatives where okay with this decision. And I went down to
Kerala for further process. But My Mom's Eldest sister herself refused to go
further on this matter. I was really confused and I consulted with Fr.Reji
Valiyaparambil as I used to do. It was my mom's dream to have a plot some where
near to the church. So that she can go to church everyday. And We started
searching for a plot. Consulted many land brokers, many friends and so on. And
we finalized one land, which was not so close to church, no facilities, no bus
routes. As per word between two men we agreed to give advance for the plot. And
on the way to ATM Fr.Reji valiyaparambil called me and told me that there is a
land for me some where next to a Church. He said wait for three days. Even
though we gave 1000 Rupees as token advance to the plot owner. The Next day it
was decided that we will go for document the deal. But when we consulted with
the advocate, he said the documents pertaining to the plot is not okay. So the
deal got canceled. And in two days we got another land, it was really a gift,
His plan where so wonderful. The Plot is just next to the Kallettumkara INFANT
JESUS CHURCH. So HE want us to live just beneath of HIS feet for life long.
- POWER OF GUARDIAN
ANGELS – EXODUS FROM QATAR, LIFE IN BUS
The Life was
well and good, Felt relaxed somehow. But tragedies again started to haunt me.
The Power plant Project which I Was working for got Completed. And I had only
two options either I have to travel back to India or Change my VISA Sponsorship
to some other companies. I blindly trusted one of my colleague who started his
own business there in Qatar and transferred my VISA to his company. I consulted
with Fr. Reji, He said Don't do that but I didn't hear his voice and later I
suffered a lot due to that bad decision. The Friend and his partner reduced my
Salary drastically. The salary was never on time, I had to spend from my pocket
for the accommodation, Medical, Transportation and Flight tickets so on. I was
Completely frustrated. By then the Acute back pain started again and under gone
for medications in Qatar. But Nothing was so worth as we get in our home
country. So applied for a Medical emergency leave. And My Mom's Younger Sister
who is in USA booked a flight ticket for me. I reached in Kerala with bare
hands, Undergone for Ayurvedic medication. And completely cured. I consulted
with My Spiritual Directors, And all of them said one message, it was “Arun
If you travel back to Qatar you won't see your home again”. I decided to
quit Qatar. And Searched for a Job in Any other country or in anywhere in
India. But I got no where. And so I decided to work as Private Bus Conductor. I
didn't had any technical concepts of Bus. I didn't had any idea about the
timings, Point to point passing timing didn't had free hand balance in bus and
so on. Two times my bus met with accidents and owner of the bus protected me
like Jesus Protects me. One time a person got killed by an accident, even and I
was protected by the Guardian angels. Each and every moment in bus, I was
experiencing the protection of Guardian Angels.
- A LUCKY DRAW CONTEST
– FLY TO SAUDI ARABIA
Even though I
was Working as Bus conductor My Ultimate goal was to fly abroad. And I was
Frequently attending for interviews and consulting with friends. My best friend
Dominic D'souza was working at that time in Bahrain and He said He will arrange
a job for me in his Company under him as Business development Executive. But
the same time I got an opportunity from Saudi arabia to work as Warehouse
Admin. I was really confused, which offer to undertake. At last during our
night prayer I did a Luck Draw Contest. Written Two countries in pieces of
paper and took one out of that. The winner was Saudi arabia. And Now I am here
in Saudi Arabia working as My favorite work nature “Warehousing”.
- A COMMITMENT TO GOD
I asked the Lord “What can I offer the lord,
for all these goodness to me?” He answered through Deuteronomy 26.2 “Each
of you must place in a basket the first part of each crop that you harvest and
you must take it with you to the one place of worship”. Since then I decided to
offer My 1/10 of my earning to Church.
Psalm 116 : 12-14 “ What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness
to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I
will Fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.”
