In the 8th month of pregnancy, during a routine medical check up of my wife, the gynecologist told me that she suspected some abnormality in the brain of the foetus and advised us a further checkup for expert opinion. During the advanced medical examination at Ahmedabad, it was revealed that the child in the womb was suffering from 'Hydroce-phalous' (water accumulation in brain). Doctor informed me that this deformity would severely affect the child and it would be mentally retarded, abnormal and bed-ridden throughout life if born alive. They also mentioned that the circumference of the head was very large, so a normal delivery may not be possible and, moreover, the child would not be alive. It might also harm the mother as the pregnancy was advanced and advised us for a premature delivery.

We consulted many specialists and all of them had negative opinions and gave us the same advice. Under the insistence of the doctors, and above all, our human tendency of having a better future, my wife was given five doses of different medicines in 3 days but there was no sign of labour. On the third day the doctors said that they could give no more medicine for premature delivery as the latest available medicines have already been given.

During that period, we got a chance to attend the evening retreat at Loyola Hall, Ahmeda-bad conducted by the Potta team. We prayed to the Almighty and pleaded for mercy. "All things works together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28).

We then came to Kerala on 2nd December 1997 and consulted doctors who gave the same verdict. We were all in a great dilemma and mental tension. On 15 December 1997, 15 days before the expected date of delivery, my wife was hospitalised. In the morning, after the medical examination, the doctors said that getting a normal live child was impossible, as the head of the child was totally filled with water. My wife,who was medicated for labour pain, had a normal delivery after 7 hours though doctors had said it would take 24 hours. We were blessed with a healthy baby to the utmost surprise of all the doctors. They all said it was nothing but a miracle. Praise the Lord.

I never believed in the miraculous healings that were taking place at Potta. Still on the repeated insistence of my mother and sister, we went to Potta Ashram on 13 December '97, that is, just two days before the delivery. For a few minutes I found myself out of place but gradually I felt that some force was telling me to praise the Lord and believe in him unconditionally. I prayed from the bottom of my heart and pleaded for mercy for the sins I had committed. During the Adoration, the priest announced that by draining out fluid from the brain through the spine, Jesus was healing a person. But I could not believe the announcement wondering how he could predict it about an unborn child!

I attended the retreat at Divine Retreat Centre Muringoor in the week commencing 8th February 1998. On Monday 9 Feb 98, the first sermon was about God's love by Dr George Kovoor, a nuero surgeon. He said that he was born with the illness 'Hydrocephalous'. I was surprised that through him God showed me that a child having such a disease can become a surgeon and that, too, a specialist treating the same illness. I believe that he was sent by Jesus the Saviour to assure and show me that my child would live as per the will of God. "Do you believe because you see me. How happy are those who believe without seeing me" (Jn 20:29).

Even after the delivery, keeping the medical reports in mind, I was very worried and prayed, surrendering my son to God and pleading for mercy. I got the answer instantly through the word of God. "Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for there is a reward for your work, says the Lord: they shall come back from the land of the enemy; there is hope for your future, says the Lord: your children shall come back to their own country" (Jer 31:16-17).