East-West Blog

A Spark of Hope

Written by East-West Staff | Jan 19, 2017 1:44:58 PM

Rules and traditions had always been the center of Veer’s life.

Having grown up in a devout Buddhist family, Veer’s parents held him and his four siblings to strict principles determined by their faith’s founder—Siddhartha Gautama. These principles affected every aspect of Veer’s life and remained significant to him far past his childhood.

As he grew up, Veer made the journey from his hometown to a northern village in his South Asian nation. There he spent five years studying the Buddhist tradition until moving south to enter a monastery. In his 17 years at the monastery, Veer completed his training and began preaching to the nearby villages as a Buddhist missionary.

Eventually, Veer stopped preaching and entered into business. Shortly after this transition, he became sick with a severe stomach ailment. No doctor could diagnose Veer’s medical condition.

Not only did Veer experience physical pain, but he also endured deep emotional and mental turmoil for the next four years of his life.

However, there was a spark of hope amidst darkness and pain.

During Veer’s illness, a friend and East-West national Partner lent him a copy of the New Testament, and he began to read diligently about the life and compassion that Jesus Christ showed to all. Through this book, he learned that there was an alternative to the rules that had regulated his life for so long … grace and freedom where offered to him through the gospel. He didn’t have to work for God’s approval anymore.

It was in that hospital bed that Veer’s life was transformed.

Veer has experienced a complete healing since coming to know Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. No longer does he cling to rules and tradition, but to the love of Christ. Today Veer is working to share the good news of Jesus to Buddhist villages across South Asia.