By Sabine Paul
DADDY was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 13th January, 1939 where his father had a Type Writing Institute. His mother shifted to their native village Idayangudi in Tirunelveli District in South India with the children. He did his schooling in Caldwell High School in Idayangudi. He accepted Christ at the age of 10 and was baptized with the Holy Spirit.
My grandmother was a strong woman of prayer. He finished his college studies (Intermediate) at St. John’s College, Palayamkottai. He was part of St. John’s Prayer Fellowship. He did his M.A at Madras Christian College. While at the MCC, he used to kneel down and pray in the college campus for the perishing souls. During weekends he used to visit the Lepers’ Colony at Pammal and clean the wounds of the patients with bare hands.
After post graduation, he worked as a warden in a Boy’s Home for a while. Then he applied for a job in LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) and got selected at the age of 19 as Development Officer. In the year 1964, he got married to Susheela, a lady who shared his vision strongly.
He worked very hard and prayed much for his career growth. He wanted a four-figure salary and a car. God granted his desires. Every Sunday he would take the car to the nearby villages for outreach meetings. Even with wealth, his possessions were only essential things and used most of his income to support missionary work. He also served as an Honorary Treasurer in FMPB (Friends Missionary Prayer Band) having an office in a rented place. In 1976, he was promoted as Assistant Branch Manager to the Chennai Office (LIC).
The next year, God called him for full time ministry. As a family they confirmed it and stepped out boldly. He took strong decisions immediately after stepping into full time ministry. He decided to move into a smaller home, since he did not have a huge bank balance and wanted to restrict the needs of the family within the salary he received in FMPB. He served as the General Secretary of FMPB from the year 1977. The ministry at that time had a debt problem which he slowly cleared through sacrificial giving. Many missionaries too gave their ornaments and jewels.
His care for the missionaries was excellent. He counseled them and encouraged them to pray and work very hard.
Every Friday, Daddy and Mummy used to fast and pray for us, children. We were three of us. Once in a month we used to have fasting prayer as a family. Every Sunday memorizing Bible verses was the strict order of the day. Exercise, diet and fasting and prayer were part of his health care.
He completed the B.D to know the Bible but refused ordination or to have the title, ‘Reverend’ put before his name. He was basically a visionary who believed in the growth of FMPB and also developed second-line leadership.
After retiring from FMPB, he formed the National Prayer Network (NPN). He mobilized the church at large to pray for the salvation of the nation.
He was very particular on turning down offers to own properties, car and financial assistance. If forced, it would be accepted and given to the ministry. He was a man of integrity, kept his life pure and led a simple lifestyle. He was humble in all that he did. He never wanted to have a biography of his published while he was alive. He never looked for fame and honour. He lost his son, Jim Elliot (at 27) to malaria in the Malto mission field in Jharkhand. In the same year, at the age of 55, he lost his wife as well.
He never questioned God over that and was never emotional. He totally surrendered and took it as God’s divine will. Mummy, while suffering from cancer too, did not deter him from going on missionary tours. He took over the family burden after mummy’s demise and fulfilled all the family responsibilities along with the ministry. God gave him a long life in this world. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was highly hospitable and never sent any one without giving a cup of tea or food. He was richly blessed by God and never lacked anything till his last breath. He had a grand send-off by the family of God whose company he longed to be in always. Now, ever at the feet of the Lord Jesus whom he loved and served, may we always celebrate his life.
The writer is the daughter of Bro. Patrick Joshua.
