My name is Shabnam, and my husband is Ramesh. We live in the village of Sikanderpur, which is in the northern state of Haryana in India. I’m 30 years old and have children in school.
We belong to the spiritual tradition of Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB), which includes various concepts and practices of Hinduism, Sikhism and Sufism. The leader of RSSB was born in our village, and most people in our area are members of the group. We believe in ethical living. We’re all also vegetarians, and we don’t smoke or drink alcohol.
A few years ago, I accidentally saw a Christian television program and liked its shared values. I began to hunt for similar programs but couldn’t find any. However, I found Christian programming on the radio and started listening to that every day. I also found programs on YouTube on my phone.
Sickness strikes
About this time, I became very sick and had to be taken to the hospital. After a few days, I went home, but the severe cold and chest infection traveled into my ears, causing a horrible earache along with a painful sore throat.
We traveled to the city of Sirsa to see a doctor that specialized in ear, nose and throat problems. Even after two weeks of treatment, I wasn’t getting better. In fact, it was worse. My ears began to bleed, and pus drained out.
“You have a major infection in your left ear,” the doctor told me.
Then my right ear became infected too. It sounded like bees buzzing in my ear, and I couldn’t hear normally.
“I highly recommend that you to go to the hospital in Rohtak and have surgery,” the doctor advised.
I wasn’t very keen about that. My husband and I talked it over. We could afford the operation, but the city was far away, and the trip would interfere with our daily lives.
In search of healing
“I want treatment without surgery,” I told the doctor.
“Only a god can do that,” he said.
Now the question was, which god? We worshiped many gods. Which one could heal me without surgery? I decided to visit worship places in our village.
First, I went to a temple and then a gurdwara (a place of worship for Sikhs). No change in my health. Then I went to a church. The woman there told me to come back on Saturday to attend the worship service.
After the Saturday worship service, the leader asked for any special prayer requests. I explained my problem, and he prayed for me. As I went home, I realized the pain was easing. The real God was in that church, and He heard the prayer on my behalf.
I continued going to the church, and within two weeks I was completely healed. My husband and I visited the doctor for a checkup, and he was amazed at the change.
Now I go to church every week with my family because I know the real God who heals and blesses. We share this testimony with anyone who asks why we go to a church.