Thanks to you, Sibi found new life in Christ

His father left when Sibi was just one year old. The next year, his mother remarried. But the turmoil continued. He recalls, “My stepfather was a drunkard.” Sibi’s family barely had food to eat and lived in great poverty.

In Sri Lanka, this small tropical island nation known as the teardrop of India, people have endured a 26-year civil war ending in 2009 and an ongoing economic crisis beginning in 2019. Sadly, Sibi’s story of poverty is far too common.

Imagine your young child or grandchild getting up before school to go to work in the cornfields. Then they do the same again after they return home from school. This was Sibi’s reality.

For most of his childhood in northern Sri Lanka, he woke up at 4 a.m. Sibi would work in the rice paddies before school. He would then attend school all day. Like so many kids in his situation, he relied on food served at school. Not wanting his family to go hungry, little Sibi collected some leftovers and brought them home to his mother.

But the young boy’s day still wasn’t over. When he got home from school, there was more work to do. He notes, “In the afternoons, I worked in the fields. Sometimes I would work in the market, too. They paid me with some vegetables, and I would bring them home.” At other times, he would work on the fishing boats for a similar trade of fish.

Gang Life

As a teen, he tried working in carpentry. But he realized this wouldn’t put food on the table or money in his pockets. He says bluntly, “I was unable to eradicate poverty at home.” After growing up in such extreme poverty, Sibi was desperate for money. He wanted it, and he wanted it fast. So, he did what many other young people like him do in countries around the globe—he joined a gang. They believed in terror, fights, and robbery as a way of life.

Life in the gang brought him money, but it didn’t buy him peace like he thought it would. He confesses, “In the gang, my role was to assault people I was told to in exchange for money—almost like a hitman, but I never took anyone’s life. I earned money through this gangster lifestyle.” After a couple of years, he realized that being in the group came at a high cost.

“One day, I saw a murder in front of my eyes,” Sibi reveals. Guilt and fear consumed him. Fearing what would happen to him, he escaped to his brother’s house about 40 miles away. In many ways, he found refuge there.

Making a Deal

His sister-in-law invited him to attend church with her. She had been attending the church led by Sasikala, a Bible League-trained Christian. Sasikala shared the love of Christ with Sibi. He began to grow in faith. But he still had relapses into his old self, causing him further pain.

About a year ago, he made a decision that altered the course of his life forever. Sibi recalls, “I got the news that my second brother was attacked by some men. I traveled to that spot and retaliated. One of them was admitted to the hospital for injuries.” Sibi was arrested and jailed for this crime.

As Sibi sat in the jail cell, he realized he had nowhere else to turn. He decided to make a deal with God. “I prayed to God. I said if you deliver me from this jail, I will accept you as the true God.” Authorities sentenced him to six months. However, since he had final exams at school, they drastically shortened his sentence. The next morning, Sibi was released. He notes, “God did a miracle in my life. God released me from jail the next morning. I couldn’t believe it. God did it with a purpose. This miracle changed my life.”

Finding the Prince of Peace

Sibi kept up his end of the bargain. From then on, he attended Sasikala’s church each week. He points out, “The Word of God and the prayers saved my life.” Sasikala helped the now 21-year-old root his life in God’s Word.

Sibi couldn’t help but feel Jesus’ love radiating from Sasikala. Using materials and training provided by people like you, she patiently guided him through God’s Word, helping him understand it for the first time.

He explains, “Sasikala genuinely loves all believers, including me. During the Bible study, I asked many questions, and she patiently answered every one. Her encouragement, counsel, and teaching helped me tremendously in my walk with Christ. Through her guidance, I was able to grow spiritually.”

After years of searching for peace, Sibi found it in Jesus. He says thoughtfully, “Attending church and studying the Bible was a completely new experience for me. Through this, a deep peace settled into my life. I learned to trust Jesus…to be quiet in His presence.”

[Jesus said,] “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV

Sibi’s new life in Christ isn’t perfect. He does not have earthly riches. But he has realized that money won’t buy happiness—or peace.

“Today, even though I still don’t have money, I have peace of mind. God is protecting me and fulfilling my life’s desires. When I came to know Jesus, I found peace. Until then, I had never known what peace felt like.”

A New Creation

About six months ago, Sibi finished Bible League’s Bible study booklet. After completing it, he decided he wanted to get baptized. Today, he is a new creation.

He notes, “I put off my old self and put on the new self through Christ our Lord. He saved my life so that I could serve Him. Today, I’m truly happy to follow Jesus.”

A few months ago, Sibi received baptism. On that special day, he couldn’t help but grin. He knows God is on the move in his life because of the faithful support of people like you.

“Thank you for your contribution towards my salvation. I’m happy to be baptized and join Jesus. Today is the biggest day in my life. Hallelujah!”

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT