My name is Mohan Rajaratnam and I was born into a non-Christian family. Before I came to know the Lord I had no idea about what true religion was. In 1997 however, I began attending youth meetings at the YMCA fort with a few friends.Through this I had the opportunity to participate in mission camp conducted by a German missionary group which had come to Sri Lanka. At this mission camp I met Brandon Lilley a 24 -year old German who I made friends with.Subsequently he began to talk to me about the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though he was trying his best to show me the way to Jesus I never paid full attention. Slowly but surely our friendship began to grow and soon I began to see Brandon’s love for God and his sincere friendship towards me.Soon after Brandon left for Germany but we constantly kept in touch through letters. In one of the letters I wrote to him I remember asking whether he would be able to attend the mission camp in Sri Lanka the following year as he had said that he might not be able to due to studies. He nevertheless encouraged me to go to mission camp saying that even if we were never able to meet again we still would meet in heaven.I did not take his words seriously. But on 24th August 1998 I received a letter from Brandon’s parents. Brandon had met with an accident while in Italy and passed away. Brandon was only 24 years old. He was my good friend. At that moment the realization of what he wrote he wrote to me in his letter struck me.Brandon had died but he was very sure where he was going to after death. I didn’t know where I was going. This made me realize that everything that Brandon had said and lived for made sense. Up to that time I had learnt about God but did not have a true understanding of his power and Love. Brandon’s death made me realize just how much I truly needed God. I surrendered myself to Jesus soon afterwards and began to attend church service regularly.I understand that living for God is not always easy. But I also know that he is the only true friend I have. My life has its ups & downs but I take God with me where ever I go and the Lord has changed me in many ways
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