(1867-1967)
“For everything comes from God alone.
Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory.”
( Romans 11:36)
“For everything comes from God alone.
Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory.”
( Romans 11:36)
Early Life and Calling
T.D. Lonappan alias Thayil Lonappan Upadeshi was born as the son of staunch CMS Church followers, Daniel and Achiamma , who lived in Kunnamkulam. Born in 1867, he was raised in the care of his parents until his life underwent a transformation upon hearing the gospel at the tender age of 18.
Forsaking all, he left his home and family and ventured out like Abraham hearkening to the still small voice of the Almighty. Prior to the marriage he explicitly told Aleyamma, (sister of the wellknown P. V. George) that she would have no easy married life with him as he possessed nothing in this world except "this big black book" (The Bible).
A Pioneer at Work
In those days, a committee of gospel workers used to decide the place for the worker to minister and other modalities as to how to proclaim the good news. As per the decision of the committee, Lonappan Upadeshi came to Angamaly (in Kerala state), his appointed mission field in the year 1905. He started his work in association with the Lord's servants Abraham Nambi, who was already there for quite some time and Mr. Taine, from Europe. Around the same time, Mr. V. Nagel too got associated with this team. Lonappan Upadeshi's clear and sound teachings from the Scriptures started influencing the new converts in getting assured of their born-again status to be the children of God. Among them was E. P. Varghese, who became a mighty preacher in the later days.
Mission Field
After serving together during Lonappan Upadeshi's initial days of service, Abraham Nambi left Angamaly and the responsibility of evangelizing the whole commercial town came heavily into the Upadeshi's hands.
Angamaly means -a place of weapons- and literally it was a place of constant fights and communal clashes. Spreading the gospel in such a place was indeed a herculean task. Even in the company of Mr. Taine, a white man, the problems against the gospel came up but they could be overcome. But once Tainetoo left for his native land, Lonappan Upadeshi was left exposed alone to face the wrath of the local people against the gospel.
Persecutions Endured For His Glory
The severity of persecution he endured can be well perceived from the few following incidents. Once a group of ruffians, on the way back from a "palli perunal" (church festival) stopped him by the road side and asked him to preach to them. Suspecting some foul play, the Upadeshi told them that he would speak to them from the Word of God sometime later as he was a little tired after his long walk and badly in need of rest. But as per their preplan they took hold of him, formed a circle and began punching and even bounced him with blows from one to another as children pass a volley-ball around. Not satisfied, they later threw him to the ground and kicked and stomped over him and left him sprawling on the ground groaning in pain.
Though the Upadeshi did not register any complaint with the authorities, the Government itself took this incident to court as an act of assault against an innocent citizen. In his judgment, the Judge noted that the victim was assaulted and left bleeding on the ground, yet he had not retaliated but prayed for the forgiveness of his assaulters in the footsteps of his master and Lord Jesus Christ.
Another noteworthy incident concerns Upadeshi's child's funeral. It was common back then for Christian funeral processions, especially those of newly saved believers, to get obstructed on the way to the cemetery and undergo unbearable pain. In the month of February of 1919, the Lord called home the Upadeshis' couple of months old baby. The godly couple took assurance from the hope of seeing their child again one day in heaven.
However, the day after the funeral took place, as the believers gathered together for Worship on Sunday morning, the sight that met their eyes was a horrifying one - the coffin containing the child's dead body was exhumed from where it was buried the previous day and placed on the side wall of the Upadeshis' house. Grief turned to trauma. The police took charge and got the body reburied in the backyard of the Upadeshis' own house. The Upadeshis’ never reacted to question why such an incident occurred to him.
Many in the present generation may disown the Lord for far less traumatic situations, yet it is noteworthy that in spite of all these difficulties and torture, Lonappan Upadeshi persevered on in his mission of spreading the Good News, thus, setting an example of discipleship for all to follow.
Simple Yet Unique Lifestyle
The Upadeshi's typical attire consisted of a plain white "dhoti" which reached to a little above his ankles followed by a shirt and a high collared coat. His clothes were always immaculate as he always believed that one's clothes reflect one's character.
Since they were fully involved in the Lord's work, the Upadeshi's family was given a small sum by the local church monthly so as to meet their physical needs. The Upadeshi and his wife exhibited wise stewardship catering to the needs of their family as well as to those in need around them with the paltry sum they received.
Accustomed to entertaining God's servants at home, the Upadeshis had to often borrow rice and other provisions to feed the Lord's servants who came over for meals. They however were particular to repay the same as soon as possible for Upadeshi strongly believed that one who cannot give back should never borrow.
Modus Operandi In Gospel Work
The Upadeshi preferred one-to one ministry over convention speaking. On market-days (which used to be convenient for meeting people and for social interaction), he took initiative to reach the market early and share the gospel with those present. If he found anyone interested in listening to him, he would go with them to their home and continue preaching the gospel.
Knowledge of the Word
An interesting incident which throws light upon Upadeshi's knowledge of the Bible is seen in his reply to Korudh Vaidhyan, a renowned scholar and master of the Ayurvedic system of medicine. One day Korudh Vaidhyan came to Lonappan Upadeshi and told him that it was the ancient rishis who were responsible for discovering all knowledge on Ayurveda and that the Bible, which is supposed to be an all-inclusive revelation does not talk about such important issues at all. Without batting an eyelid, the Upadeshi told him that it was Solomon, the wise king of Israel, who first talked about the uses of ayurveda that is the use of plants and other vegetation for medicinal purposes, as was revealed to him by the one and only true God who made heaven and earth and all that is in it.
He then went on to read from the first book on Kings, Chapter 4, verse 33, which states that King Solomon spoke of everything from the huge cedar trees that are in Lebanon, even unto the tiny hyssop that grew upon the walls. Upadeshi then turned to Korudh Vaidhyan and asked him whether there was any plant in ayurveda which does not fit into this category. The Vaidhyan went away with this new knowledge fretting at his own folly. However, this Vaidhyan too heard the gospel and came over to the Lord's side
His Family
His wife, Aleyamma, was a constant companion to him both in the joys and sorrows of his life. A woman given to hospitality, she took care of things at home and catered to the needs of her many guests at all times in spite of their meagre finances. The Upadeshi and his wife were blessed with 5 children: 4 sons- John, George, Daniel, and Samuel and the youngest, a daughter named Annamma.
His principle in disciplining his children was based upon the Holy Spirit's advice to fathers found in the Ephesians 6:4. It is amusing to note that before he punished his kids, he made it a point to make them tell him what mischief they had committed and what punishment they need.
Throughout his life, Lonappan Upadeshi remained committed to the cause he willingly undertook for his Master and remained as the backbone of the church, which grew in the wake of persecutions. It reminds us of the church in Smyrna which the Apostle John talks about in Revelation, the last book of the Bible.
In Search of A New Field
Finally, there came a day when the Upadeshi and his family, the youngest baby at that time being only 11 days old, were chased out of Angamaly by the enemies of the gospel. He realized that there were a strong group of believers, a church fully equipped to fight its own battle sans his help and constant care. The Church prayerfully sent Upadeshi and Bro. C. T. Mathai to Perumbavoor, about 15 kilometers from Angamaly. The Assembly testimony at Perumbavoor too soon began to spread as Lonappan Upadeshi and Bro. C.T. Mathai laboured tirelessly for the extension of His kingdom.
His Last Days And Home Call
His age advancing and strength fading, Lonappan Upadeshi spent the last days of his life with his youngest son, Sri. Samuel Thayil in Perumbavoor. After the death of his dear wife Aleyamma (who was promoted to glory six years prior to Upadeshi's demise) he was lovingly taken care of by Mrs. Ammini Samuel, wife of Samuel Thayil.
Lonappan Upadeshi lived for 100 years and though in the last days he had many an illness, he did not suffer much. On the 18th of April 1967, the earthly journey of a great man of God who left all he had in search of "a city which hath foundations, whose maker and builder was God”, came to an end on this side and began on the other shore.
This article first appeared in the Harvest Times magazine in the May 2014 edition.
– Julie Varghese Mathew