Lost and Now Found

TESTIMONY OF TIMOTHY ELIRAJAN

BACKGROUND

My name is TIMOTHY ELIARAJAN from Selangor. My father is a contract worker and my mother is a housewife. We come from a non-Christian family. I’m the 6th in a family of 12 of 4 brothers and 8 sisters. Went to a Tamil school until Std 6 then to a Malay School for 2 years. I left school after form 2.I was a disobedient son from the beginning. After leaving school, I ran away to KL when I was 15 and joined a gang of friends there. It was a life of crime one after another. I always disliked the Christians whenever they came to talk to me. Many times, I have been to the lock-ups. At age of 19, I got married and by the age of 22, I had 2 children. I liked motor racing. One day while racing recklessly, a man stopped me and advised me nicely. I became angry and I beat him up very badly. Again, it was back to a lockup. My father bailed me out after a few days but I continued in a life of crime.

IMPRISONMENT

My first imprisonment was in 2014. In 2016, my wife lovingly told me to stop this life of crime. In anger, I beat her up very badly and physically abused her. I was arrested and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. From Penjara Sungai Buloh, I was sent to the Kamunting Correctional Centre, in Taiping, Perak.

CHRISTIAN SERVICES IN PRISON-BY-PRISON FELLOWSHIP

Every week there used to be Christian services at the Prison where Christians came to have classes, singing, etc. There was an inmate Kumar who kept on constantly telling me about Jesus. Pretending to hear him I would ignore him on the inside.One day Kumar invited me to the Christian service. I joined them just to get out of my dormitory. There he introduced me to Ps. Arokia Dass from Prison Fellowship who came to conduct the Christian service. I asked him lots of questions and wondered why and how these Christians can come in at their costs to spend time with us i.e., terrible criminals. Other Pastors& brothers from Prison Fellowship continued to come for the services in the prison. They continued to encourage me also during that time.

THE REALITY OF PRAYER

One day my wife and children came to visit me from Selangor. As my wife did not bring her documents, she was not allowed to visit me. I could only see my children. I wanted badly to see my wife and I cried to Jesus that time, telling Him that I wanted to see my wife. Miraculously God answered my prayer that day, and I was able to see and talk to my wife at the Pintu Penjara. I was overjoyed at this.

RELEASED

After spending 18 months, I was released on 7th May 2018 (after remission). Ps Arokia Dassintroduced me to Dr. Dhoss, his Senior Pastor from FGA Taiping and also a Prison fellowship volunteer. He prayed for me and gave me a Gideon New Testament bible. I came back to Selangor but my wife was still unable to accept me. She said that I would never change. So, for 6 months I was alone.

CONNECTED

By the Grace of God, Dr. Dhoss connected me to Rev. Richard Doss in my area who took me under his wings. He brought me to church and I began to grow in the Lord. He and the other church pastors were very caring towards me. The church and believers continued to encourage me to trust God and that Jesus will answer my prayers. By the mercy of God, my wife and children joined me and we became one family again. Many changes also began to take place within me. Prison Fellowship members -Ps. Arokia Dass and Dr. Dhoss – visited me from Perak twice, in 2018 and 2019. They have been very caring encouraging towards my family and I and they continue to keep in touch with me.

CURRENT STATUS

Rev Richard gave me a used car and a motorcycle. I have started a small business polishing cars and selling cut fruits. Our family has been baptized and I have also seen my two children get married. Thank God for His mercy and for bringing me back to society as a changed person. I am also involved in Ministry now.

GLORY TO GOD

Testimony Through Prison Fellowship Taiping, Perak Chapter ( Aug 2021)