From Hinduism to Faith in the Living God

“I'd pose the question,” said Jaska Duwardi. “Dad, "Do you really believe in this, these gods that you serve so passionately?"

“My heart was restless. I was always searching, longing, looking for that which would bring me rest and complete satisfaction.”

Jaska Duwardi was born in Katmandu, Nepal to Hindu parents, that he deeply loved. However, Jaska didn’t understand why they worshiped gods made out of silver and gold.

“I was just left confused because I personally didn't believe in them because I could just not wrap my mind around people bowing down to the work of their own hands.”

So, Jaska searched for his purpose in life. He thought he would discover it when the family migrated to Australia in 2008. Jaska He was 11.

He said, “I was actually very excited to leave, because just the endless possibilities of what this country held for me.”

“iI was a world of just freedom for me, so much to do and to be. So, I wanted to try everything under the sun.”

In a few years though, the 16-year-old was hanging with a bad crowd, partying, stealing and defacing public property.  Still no closer to finding meaning to his life.

One night after partying, a drunk Jaska sat in the back seat as friends drove him home.

“All of a sudden a very dark voice speaks,” said Jaska. “I like to think of it as it was the voice of death itself talking to me, and it said something like, you know, "What will you do when I come for you.”

“And I didn’t have an answer to that, what would I do if death came knocking at my door? So, I went home that night. And with that thought afresh in my mind, I fell asleep with utter hopelessness.”

“And around 4:30 or 5:00 AM I got up. A voice spoke to me, and said, "Get the Bible."

“I got up from that bed, you know, everything hinges on me getting this Bible. My life hinges on this.”

In the Duwardi home, the Bible wasn’t allowed. So, when his parents weren’t home, he bought a New Testament Bible from a local bookstore. For two days he stayed in his room reading, not bothering to eat or drink.

Jaska said, “I started Matthew one and two, three, four, five, six, on and on up to chapter 27 is when I just stopped reading.”

“Now, so far, I've learned about this man, Christ Jesus, and He's a very wonderful person. He heals the sick, raises the dead. He's there to do good to humanity. He's there for the lost. He's bringing God's kingdom to them into their hearts. And in Matthew 27, I read that they crucified Him. And I recall getting angry at that. I was very enraged that they would do such a thing a man like Christ.”

Compelled to know more about Jesus, he kept reading.  When he got to the resurrection of Jesus he was astounded.

"What do you mean He's risen? Who rises from the dead?" He rose from the dead. What? That there is victory over death and sin?" The same questions I've been a- asking all my life.”

Jaska went to sleep pondering what he’d read. That night he awoke to a dark figure entering the room. That’s when he learned there were forces who didn’t want him to know the truth. 

He said, “I'm unable to move. I am just paralyzed. I am fearful and I'm trying to fight this thing off with all my strength.”

“And all of a sudden that same voice that bid me to go get the Bible spoke to me and said, "Call upon the name of the Lord." And all of a sudden, I cried out. Not only did I say his name, but I cried out Jesus, Jesus. This thing vanished and I woke up drenched in sweat, acknowledging the power of the, of this man, Christ Jesus.”

“This is Lord. This is God. This Christ is Savior.”

Jaska surrendered his life to God. In time, he read the entire Bible learning more about God’s purpose for his life.

After graduating from high school, he moved to the United States where he grew as a believer.

Today he is a husband, father and pastor. Jaska knows those searching, like he once was, will find the answer in Jesus Christ.

“In John 1:12, he says, "But to those who received him or believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of flesh, nor the will of man, but of God." That's exactly how I feel that sonship belonging to Him, that I am his now, the King of the galaxy owns me, and He calls me His son. I am His.”