Life Changing Stories – Khadar Valli
My name is Khadar Valli, a former devout Muslim. I was so devoted to the Muslim way that I practiced all the rituals, fasted for 40 days during Ramadan, and read the Quran daily. My life was not smooth sailing or a bed of roses. I had many difficult days during my childhood. I suffered abuse as a child and was a witness to many quarrels. I started carrying the burdens of my family from my early teen years, the most prominent of which was the financial burden.
When I was 15 years of age my sister got married and in a span of 6 months there started to be issues in the family. The wedding was conducted by taking a loan. The interest of which kept piling up and to ease the burden and reduce the debt of my family I decided to support them by working. I started working everyday evening till midnight sometimes till early next morning after which I would go to college. Despite all this I was still devout to Allah and believed that there was no other God but him.
The routine I had mentioned continued for 2-3 years, then in 2014 my mother’s health took a hit and we started visiting many hospitals but all to no avail, this again hit my family financially. During this time, I had also visited Bangalore for my mother’s treatment. The debt started to accumulate hence I decided to quit my studies and take on a full-time job. I joined the same hospital – NH in Bangalore at a very low salary package much lower than my room rent. To cover the expense and to support my family I also took up a part time job. I still remember I had no money for the bus fare to Bangalore and I used to walk. In all this I did not loose my trust in Allah.
In 2015, my job took a hit and I started to look for another job. I met one of my brother’s friend who was working in the IT sector in Bangalore. I was invited to a meeting with more IT professionals by him and really liked the atmosphere. Even though people had issues like me they still had joy and smiles on their faces. Whereas all I had in me was loss and a lot of baggage’s. I went back to my room cried out to Allah for answers.
One fine day I felt that there was a deep longing in my heart. I had doubts whether Allah was really God and was wondering was he actually alive. I had at that time a bible in my room and decided to give it a read to see whether the JESUS of the bible was really alive or not. As I was flipping through the pages my eyes were caught on a verse in the epistle of John chapter 10:10 where it read, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This verse literally broke me down, I felt I had wasted 21 years without knowing God, who was really alive and still lives. The true living God, Jesus Christ. He died on the cross for me took my sins, my burdens, my shame and gave me His Salvation.
On Apr 24th 2016 I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and till date I have not looked back. Have my problems become less No but Jesus is providing a way out and is keeping me safe under his arms. I want to give all glory to Jesus for calling a sinner like me into His saving Grace. Jesus has made me a better person and is continuing to mold and shape me for His glory. I give all glory to Jesus and to Him alone.
