My name is Gayal. It was during the time I was studying for my O Level examination that my parents’ marriage ran into heavy weather. As time passed, the disagreements and fighting became more severe, so much so that we were afraid to leave our mother alone at home. My younger brother and I took turns to keep our mother company as we were afraid that our father will come along and do something terrible to her. As a result, I could not attend school as much as I would have liked to.

As I changed schools to study for my A levels, I made new friends, who were probably not the best of company to keep. As the fighting and bickering at home continued to escalate, I stayed away from home and hung out with my friends instead. My father had an extra marital relationship and every one seemed to know about it. Every time I got on the street I felt that people were whispering things behind my back. I was so ashamed. Things that other youth my age would do in secret, I started doing in public. I hoped that my father would confront me and try to admonish me. I would then get the chance to tell him “who are you to tell me how to live when you are such a bad example”. Fortunately or unfortunately, my father never confronted me. I used to get into fights often. I was not able to sit for my A level examination as I sustained a serious injury just prior to my exam

After leaving school I got myself a job. As I now had more money to play around with, I began drinking heavily and graduated to smoking cannabis and the like. I also made friends with some mafia style gangsters, commonly known as the underworld in Sri Lanka.

One day I had an accident at work and sustained a spinal injury. I was bedridden for three months and during this time I felt that even my friends had deserted me. I assumed that I would not be able to lead a normal life again. Meanwhile the oppression my mother was going through weighed heavily on my mind. One thing led to another and I decided that I should kill my father and then commit suicide.

On the 16th of February 2006, I put my plan into action. I met one of my friends and obtained a weapon. What happened thereafter was totally unexpected.

As I got home my brother told me that there was a youth program taking place at the Pannipitiya church. My mother chipped in and told me that she would like me to attend this program, which was to start at 1 PM. . I scoffed at the idea and went to sleep hoping to wake up at around 1.30 and executing my plan. However as I woke up early, I thought I should walk past the church, just to kill time.

Bro Lalith was preaching when I got there. He was talking on “come as you are – I love you”. I laughed and thought to myself “what utter nonsense are these people are talking about”. However, as Bro Lalith continued to speak, it seemed as though he knew exactly what was happening in my heart and was talking directly to me. I soon became totally engrossed. When it was time for confessions, I heard a voice behind me saying “My son, you must forgive your father”. I turned around and looked behind me, but I saw no one. Instead I saw a blue light, and in it I began to see my family; my father, my mother my brother and sister, they were laughing and happily talking to each other – just like the days before my O level examination. Simultaneously, it hit me what a wretched sinful man I was. That day I made my confession for the very first time in my life. I cried as never before. The entire front of my shirt was soaked in tears. The pew in front of me was completely wet. That day I went back home a different man.

As I returned home that evening, a miracle had taken place. My father was in the kitchen and was in a cordial conversation with my sister. The usual arguments and bickering was gone and happiness had returned. Today I am a changed man, my father is a changed man, and God has blessed my entire family.