Aparna
Aparna, also known as Ranu (BD-27th June 1980) is an elder daughter of Mr. Avinash and the late Mrs. Annie Gaikwad. She was born in Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Washim. It was a wish of Nalinibai Yangad that Annie’s delivery should take place under her supervision and care and for that reason she was escorted to Washim from Yavatmal. Aparna is married to Mr. Pius Satwasen Awhad (BD- 27th March 1975) from Savantwadi, Dist. Sindhudurg. They got married on 10th May 2017 at Free Methodist Fellowship Church, Yavatmal, solemnized by Rev. Philemon David. Mr. Pius is a civil engineer. He was born and brought up in Savantwadi. They reside in Sawantwadi.
Here is her Testimony:
Praise the Lord! Salam! I am so happy to be a part of this godly, God-loving, and wonderful family. I thank God for blessing me with this family. I finished my schooling in Nathar English Medium School, Yavatmal all the way from Kindergarten to 10th standard, and further my junior college from Mahila Vidyalaya, Yavatmal.
After completing my junior college, I went to South India Biblical Seminary(SIBS) in Bangarpete, Karnataka to do my Bachelor of Theology. It was my mother’s wish that I should serve God, that I should do Bible training. So in totally different situations and circumstances, I went to Seminary.
Right from my childhood I have been molded and shaped to be active in Church. My grandmother has a huge influence on my life. She always made sure that all her grandchildren, especially me the firstborn child of the Gaikwad family, should be firm in God. My grandmother is a woman of tremendous faith in God regardless of any situation and conditions. In her life, she always remained strong in faith. To me, she is the perfect personification of VIRTUOUS WOMAN of Proverbs 31. Besides her, my uncles Mr. Sushil Gaikwad and God’s Minister Rev. Sanjay Gaikwad are active spiritual mentors.
Though I was involved in almost all Church activities, I still didn’t have an experience of Salvation. Though I heard sermons in the Church services and Revival meetings I wasn’t sure whether I was saved.
It was in the year 2005 I had an opportunity to attend Chikhaldara Youth Camp (CYC), yearly conducted by Rev. Sudnyan Bansod. This is where I had an experience of salvation. But after the camp, I wavered from my faith. The journey of many ups and downs and emotions, the mental trauma of teenage took over me and I lost my conviction of salvation.
But finally, as my brother Ashish got settled my father got remarried. It was in 2016 when I returned back from my summer holidays to Yavatmal, I realized that God was speaking to me through his Word. He was saying to me that no matter in whatever situations I may be in, His grace was sufficient for me. His words “my grace is sufficient for you” were constantly flashing in front of my eyes everywhere I go. I humbled myself and surrendered to His grace. That was the turning point in my life. God helped me have victory over the past and blessed me with inner peace and strength. Now, I can firmly say that I am saved, and it is His Word that made me be firm in his faith. I became a mature Christian in Christ not just a nominal Christian but a true believer in Christ in 2016. I started walking with God and taking every decision according to His will and wish. It was after getting that confirmation God blessed me with a husband, a strong, God-fearing man. That’s a great blessing I have received from God Lord Jesus Christ. We happily live in Sawantwadi.
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