KIRAN KUMAR
PART 1 of 2 PARTS
"Even if we do not marry, I still believe in and chose to follow your God". Kiran said these words to Kamal after hearing his testimony for the first time at their first meeting. She was not a Christian but God opened her eyes and her heart to the truth.
Kiran grew up in the village of Kalabahian, Punjab as the youngest of three. Her family believed in Sikh and Hindu religions, worshipping gurus and 84 gods. "They were idol worshippers. Even at a young age I was not interested in religions and although I read the Sikh religious book, reciting the same verses day after day, it did not touch my heart. I decided to study and be top of my class in school so I could be number one in all my studies. My own real prayer was god, help me be top of my class".
"No one in my village was Christian, everyone went to temple. My studies took me to Jalandhar's big IT center where I studied and graduated 3 years later, top of my class in Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA degree). My parents wanted me to go overseas and use my degree to support them as is our tradition. Before I went anywhere I had to study English for a year to equip me for a job overseas. I applied and was interviewed for a security job and visa for Dubai but was declined as I was 1 cm too short. I was really upset. I didn't know at the time, but God had a better plan for me. I got a job at a local kindergarten which did not pay well, so my parents decided it was time for me at 24 to get married.
As is our custom the families of both the bride and groom to be, begin the search for the most suitable partner, unless it is a love marriage. My aunty told my parents she knew of a very suitable young man but, she said 'he is a Christian'. My Mum said 'no'. My aunty persisted and my mother agreed to talk to my father about this man. "I knew nothing about it, until my mother then approached me telling me we were to meet this man the very next day. I was very excited and didn't care about him being a Christian. I just wanted a nice man who was humble and cared for me".
Accompanied by my Mother and aunty, I met the Christian man and his Mother for the first time. I wanted to be married and form a lasting partnership, but was extremely nervous and my heart was beating very fast".
At this first meeting Kamal Kumar [the Christian man] and I were permitted to talk to each other face to face. Kamal takes up the story "I didn't know what to talk to her about, but had decided I would not marry Kiran because she was not a Christian. God had set me free from the past and it would be too difficult to marry someone who did not share my faith. I thought I would share my Christian testimony with her anyway". Kiran however, so moved by the truth and honesty, said to Kamal "even if we do not marry, I will still believe in and chose to follow your God". Kamal remembers Kiran sat demurely on the couch at first, but when he really looked at her, her face was lit up reminding him of his pastors wife. Kamal continues "while I was on this visit back to India from New Zealand, my parents tried to interest me in many local girls, and showed me many photos but at the last moment showed me a photo of Kiran and I felt some connection. I was due to leave India [for New Zealand] 2 days later, so I asked Kiran if she was happy with me, and she said yes". Our families both agreed and the match was made. KIran said 'although I knew he was returning to New Zealand I felt very happy as he seemed to be a gentle and humble person and I wanted to get to know more about him even though it would be long distance'.
Kamal suggested Kiran go to the Christian church in his village. On 15 March 2020 a couple of days before Covid shutdown, Kiran says "I went to the church for the first time and bought a Bible so I could learn about Jesus Christ. I loved to read my Bible and Kamal and I shared many phone calls back and forth from New Zealand to India, discussing what I read so my spiritual life grew. One day I asked God to prove to me He was real. I was hoping for an encounter like others had experienced and talked about. I prayed 'God if you are real, please touch me'. I prayed and prayed all through the night and then, at 4am in the morning I felt God place His hand upon me and His presence filled my room. My body was shaking and I fell down on my knees. I met Jesus. You are real God. You are real. With the whole world shut down I spent hours every day with God in praise and worship and prayer."
On 02 June my birthday, I was given a word from a Pastor friend of Kamal's in New Zealand. Haggai 2:5 'And my Spirit is with you. Do not fear'. After reading this verse, I wanted and prayed for Holy Spirit to fill me. I prayed and fasted and asked God to fill me with His power and Holy Spirit. 14 days later I started vomiting and felt God deliver me from everything from the past. On 13 June I awoke early to start my prayer time with God. I would pray 3 times a day but on this day my heart was heavy and so I skipped my afternoon prayer time. I felt God remind me to convene with Him so I began my routine of worship, reading the word and then praying. But God said to me, 'first I want you to pray'. As I started praying out hallelujah hallelujah my tongue twisted into speaking another language unfamiliar to me and I realised I was speaking in tongues. I was really happy, really happy. I called Kamal 'what has happened' he asked. God filled me with His Holy Spirit and I am speaking in tongues I replied. I asked God to lead me and Kamal in every way and every decision of our lives".
I was chosen at church to join the choir so every Sunday I was on the stage to worship the Lord. 3 days a weeks I was in a church pouring out my love for the Lord Jesus Christ. In April 2021 after being filled with Holy Spirit I wanted to know of Kamal when we could set a date for our wedding in India. Kiran says "I had a dream and God gave me the date of 17 December 2021" to be married in India. God opened our hearts to love.
KIRAN KUMAR
PART 2 of 2 parts
As December 2021 drew near, back in New Zealand Kamal's work Visa was running out and although he had reapplied, this renewal was not forthcoming. According to Immigration New Zealand there was no chance of Kamal getting a Visa in time to be married. Kamal explains "I could leave the country and go to India to be married, but I was not permitted to re-enter New Zealand without a Visa". Due to Covid shutdown all applications had backlogged and Kamal was warned the process could take a very long time. But "we agreed with the Lord and believed all things are possible with Him" said Kamal. "We started praying for the Visa. We started praying for the ticket. We started praying for the finances for the wedding. We believed if God set the date for the wedding, He would make everything possible. A praying friend was trying to support and advise me. He looked online for an airline ticket and found a one way ticket costing $3000 which I could not afford. During that day as God led them, 4 or 5 people gave me sums of money totaling $2,200. When my friend checked online again that same ticket then showed a RETURN ticket for the exact amount donated of $2,200. I still had no Visa but we believed in a miracle working God. The impossible would be possible. My ticket to India was booked for 9 December and the wedding preparations for 17 December began".
Kamal said he kept checking with Immigration New Zealand for progress on his Visa. They told him to check again in a few months. 'Its your choice if you stay or go but the Visa process will take time'. On 07 December, 2 days before his flight was booked, Kamal was informed his Visa had been approved. Miracle after miracle. This absolutely confirmed for us both our marriage was ordained by God. "By God's purpose and grace everything is fulfilled" said Kiran.
Kamal continues. "A wedding in India would cost us $10 -$12,000 and again with no money, we committed this to the Lord. He had provided the wedding date, the exact amount of money for the airline ticket, plus the Visa, so why would we doubt Him now? I packed my bag and boarded the aero plane in faith knowing I did not have the money for the wedding costs. I had my long awaited valid Visa but international borders were still closed and I did not know if or when I would be able to leave India and return to New Zealand. As the final call came across the intercom to fasten seat belts and turn off all devices in preparation for departure, I decided to take a quick look at my bank account. I thought my eyes were deceiving me. Lodged into my bank account was an amount of $10,00".
Even though both sets of parents were not believers in Jesus Christ, our Christian wedding was with their blessings. Kiran radiant in a white wedding gown with Kamal at her side. Our hearts united in love under the blessing of God. Our wedding was perfect and "everyone of our guests heard the gospel" said Kiran. The girls from the choir worship team walked Kiran down the aisle.
Kamal continues "when I landed in India my Father told me my Grandfather was very sick. He had been isolated because it was thought he may have the corona virus. I was advised not to see him as he may carry the virus and I was due to be married in a few days. My Grandfather died the day before the wedding, but God brought me to his side in time for me to lead him to the Lord and baptise him with water. Within a month my Grandmother also died unexpectedly. She also gave her life to Jesus and went to be with the Lord. My unbelieving parents could not deny the many miracles".
KIran says "we were so happy to spend time with each other". Both knew when the borders opened, Kamal would need to return to New Zealand to begin the Immigration process for her to join him. While we were waiting we started a prayer group in our village, 50 people were coming to receive prayer, healing and knowledge. God gave Kiran a word of when Kamal would leave and God told us, March. When the airline ticket was booked it was valid for 4 months, so April was the deadline. In April the borders opened so 12 April 2022 Kamal returned to New Zealand. "I cried and cried" said Kiran. As a married women Kiran lived with her husbands family as is the custom. "Our house was now her house" explains Kamal.
Kamal returned to New Zealand and 14 months later was granted residency. Only then could he apply for Kiran's visa which he was advised could take a further 3 months. Weeks and months passed for the newly weds with only long distance phone calls to bridge the gap. Kiran continues "on April 22 God spoke to me and told me to book a ticket to New Zealand on 29 May 2023 even though I did not yet have a Visa". Pray and by faith book a ticket. Once again God met their financial need through friends and the ticket was booked with one condition. If there was a ticket change it must be done at least 2 days before the flight.
On the 29 May 2023 the day I was booked to fly from New Delhi, India to Auckland, New Zealand there was still no news about my Visa. "God gave me the date so I continued to trust in Him, packed my suitcase and booked the taxi to pick me up at 6am to take me on the 7 hour journey to the airport. The taxi arrived at 6am and the time in New Zealand 7 hours ahead was 1pm in the afternoon. Kamal had been trying every half hour to reach the Immigration department. When he did get through he was told 'we never advise anyone to book a flight without a Visa, so it's not on us. Here's the Visa number you can phone if you want to.' Meanwhile the taxi and driver were sent away without Kiran. He had waited in the house drinking tea but then said 'you've wasted my time'. Kamal and Kiran and many others continued to pray but time had really run out. At 2pm NZ time (India 7am) Kamal started thinking, how can we even now apply for a change as a condition of the ticket was any change must be done a minimum of 2 days ahead of flight? 2.30pm NZ time Kamal rang Immigration one more time, the final chance. He updated the person once more with the information only to be told there were no updates and nothing new had come up on the computer. While the Immigration officer was on the phone another call came through on Kamal's phone, so juggling phone lines Kamal put Immigration on hold to answer the other call. It was the Visa office. The processor asked if they were speaking to Kamal Kumar as this was concerning Kirandeep Kumar? Yes yes that is my wife. The Visa processor apologised saying 'sorry I was not in the office earlier, but your wife's Visa has been approved. I'm just confirming via email'. Kamal was straight on the phone to Kiran in Punjab - call the taxi back"!!!! God even ensured there was very little traffic and the usual 7 hour trip took just 5 hours. Kiran was straight through security and seated on the plane, finally heading to New Zealand for the very first time, to be reunited with her husband after over a year apart. It was an incredible witness to Kamal's parents (and many others)who rejoiced with them saying your God is a real God.
Kiran sat alone in her beautiful sari on the long 17 hour flight to Auckland. Her spirit jubilant and she, too animated to sleep. Travel weary yes but her heart was pumping with excitement. After many long months apart she was to be at last, reunited with her husband and begin a new life in a new country. "We will have to land soon or my heart will burst" Kiran said. As I stepped onto New Zealand soil I continued to worship and praise God for His faithfulness and timing. Once she proceeded through Customs and Immigration, Kamal welcomed her with open loving arms. Reunited and rejoicing.