For Ouseppachan Pudumana tha loss of crores was nothing when he found Jesus the great treasure of his life. "For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life" (Mk 8:36)
In 1989 there was a Bar-attached hotel in Kasargod town-the only one of its kind. It was called "Kavery Bar" and its proprietor was Ouseppachan. Today that hotel would have fetched an yearly income of more than one crore. He managed it for two years. When he found Christ he closed it down and re-modelled it into a lodge. The current annual income is less than 50,000 Rs. But when he gave up an enterprise that led thousands into sin, his life was filled with an indescribable peace and joy.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field" (Mt 13:44). "This is what I did too," says Ouseppachan with a sense of satisfaction. Here is his testimony:
Having whiled away my college years, I became the odd-man out in the family with three doctor-brothers and three engineer-brothers. Thus there developed within me resentment and jealousy towards them. Only one thought occupied my attention. I must make more money than they. And that's how I entered the Abkari business selling spirits smuggled from other states. Thus 'Kavery Bar' became my joy and pride. My kinsfolk objected to these dealings in the liquor trade and kept praying for me.
From the time Abkari money began flowing into the house, troubles came one after another. My eldest son's eyesight was impaired. I developed kidney trouble. There was no peace in the house. When liquor and medicine could not give me peace I was constrained to listen to the word of God.
In 1989 I went for a retreat to Elivally in Kottayam. During the counselling session, father told me to surrender each of my problems to Jesus and receive the salvation he wanted to give me.
On his advice I decided to close down the bar. "Don't you know this business that leads somany to the evils of drinking, debauchery and crime is a big sin? Thousands lose their eyesight because of the poisonous ingredient in alcohol. That's why your son has lost his eyesight. Liquor destroys peace in thousands of families. Therefore there is no peace in yours."
"If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple" (1 Cor 3:17)
Your illness is the result of your sins. It is a grater sin to lead others in sinful ways. If you repent and give up these evil ways of becoming rich, you will enjoy prosperity. "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would you better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea" (Mk 9:42). I objected strongly thinking of the fortune and popularity I would lose in society. "Go to the chapel at 5 O'clock and pray. God will convince you," said father.
Next morning, though I woke up with a start at 5 am, I yielded to the temptation to begin praying only at 5.30. It was the church bell at 6 am that finally forced me out of bed. Surprisingly my infallible "Rado" watch showed 5. After I rose, it began ticking again. When I saw this little miracle I began to listen to the word of God. The following verses from the Bible, pierced my heart through and through: "No man can serve two masters" (Lk 16:31), "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Tim 6:10); "Like one who kills a son before the father's eyes is the person who offers a sacrifice from the property of the poor "(Sir 34:20).
The wonders and signs that happened to the retreatants strengthened my faith that Jesus is a living God and that the liquor trade is a sin.
God purified me through his word. Like St. Paul I considered all the gain the world could give as loss (cf Phil 3:7) and wanted to make Jesus my own. When I made new decisions, a peace I had never known filled me. My son was miraculously healed.
"Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8). That devil tempted me again. My Abkari friends induced me to bid for the liquor contract. They would run the business. Half the profit would be mine. My craving for money over powered me. I forgot my promises to my God, went with them and settled the deal. At the dinner party held to celebrate the event, the very first mouthful of food brought me back to my senses. A fish-bone stuck into my tongue and caused such severe pain that I instantly realised it was God's loving decipline. I sent the partners away and asked pardon of God. Never after was I tempted. When 'Kaveri Bar' was closed down the workers' trade union created trouble. Promise of alterenative jobs did not pacify them. I forgave them totally because they did not know the word of God. The union leader met with three unexpected accidents in ten days. This brought him to his senses and the strike was withdrawn. He went to Divine for a retreat.
"When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them" (Prov 16:7).
I am a chronic stammerer. But during the times I proclaim the word of God I can speak perfectly well. This I consider as a great grace from God. When Jesus the greatest treasure became my possession, other trifling pleasures and craving for money left me. Now all my time is spend for the ministry of the word in and outside Kerala. I serve at Divine. A new team in Kasargod zone conducts retreats in parishes. I am their co-ordinator.
May Jesus give my wife Sally, children Sony, Tinu and George also the grace to work for him!
Ouseppachan Pudumana
Kanjangad, Kasargod.
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