As a young man p g vargis joined the Indian army. Here he started to smoke about 120 cigarettes a day. He would begin his morning coffee mixed with rum, and would continue drinking till late night. Gambling, stealing and fights became common. p g says, “I became a very hardened and cruel man. Borrowing Paul’s words, I too became a chief of sinners.”
p g vargis’ parents, meanwhile, arranged his marriage to Lilly. Lilly came from a pietist evangelical home. But, she was afraid to share her faith with a harsh man who made fun of religion, and particularly hated Christians.
However, after several years of marriage Lilly and p g vargis did not have any children. The doctors told them that both had physiological issues and it would be an absolute miracle if they would ever conceive. And, even if they conceived the baby would abort because Lilly’s uterus was incapable of carrying a child full term.
In 1971 Lilly became pregnant. The doctors warned that the child would not his/her last full term. However, there may be a chance for the baby to survive if the womb could hold the child as close to full term. They asked p g vargis to make sure that Lilly did not face any physical or emotional stress to allow the baby a chance to survive. P.G. Vargis took extra care to keep his wife happy.
One day when p g vargis returned home from his army base, Lilly was all dressed up. She informed him about a Christian tent meeting happening in town and she wanted to go. p g was angry and scorned the idea. Lilly immediately grew teary and he remembered the advice of the doctors, asking Lilly to be kept emotionally happy. For the sake of the baby, he decided to accompany Lilly to the tent meeting.
On the second day, he heard the gospel being preached clear and loud, “’Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:30). p g vargis gave his life to Christ that night. He experienced a complete transformation. A new man, passionate to share Christ’s love and power began to quickly emerge.
