M C Chackochan

The late Chackochan Upadeshi was born on 18th July 1928 in Koothattukulam, Ernakulam district in a nominal christian family. His parents were Kochukunnel Scaria and Annamma . He was baptized in the Palakuzha St Mary's syrian Jacobite church. At the age of 3 he had an eye infection which was treated by a village doctor, but instead of getting cured from the disease he lost his eyesight completely. His father was a drunkard and spent his money on drinking and that made him to look for his livelihood for himself. He had one younger sister called Mariam. At the age of 8 he started his career as a beggar in his home town Koothattukulam bus stand.

At the same time, he was very pious in the matters of religion. He worked as a Sunday school teacher for some years. But at the same time he had the habit of drinking and etc. Thus he was blind in all the ways.

1949 Nov 5 th was an unforgettable day in his life. As usual he went for begging in the morning. In the will of the Lord the servant of God late V. C. Puravath (Kunnakurudy) approached him and shared the gospel with him. He spoke about the salvation through Jesus Christ and life after death referring to Heb 9:28,29. The spirit of God so mightily worked in his life that he knelt down on the roadside itself and prayed. He was thoroughly convicted of his sins and accepted Christ. The Lord opened his inner eyes to see the Light. He became a new person. The Lord came in his life very powerfully.

Next Sunday, as usual he was on his way to the church, but he took another direction to the west, and came across a new gathering. He heard a song "my sorrow has completely vanished "( en sankandangal sakalavum theernnupoi) a famous song in Malayalam written by late M. E. Cherian. He tried to enter in to that hall, which was on the first floor. As soon as he entered the room someone came out and said "you go away, you won't get anything here". But Chackochan told him boldly, I came here because of the song that I heard. He joined them. That was the first assembly in Koothattukulam. That gathering was very small. There were only 4 people at that time. One of them immediately recognized him, and that was none but bro. Puravath.

He explained to them the way he found the Saviour Lord Jesus Christ. From next week onward he joined Bro. Puravath for open air preaching and other spiritual activities. He used to go for begging in the evenings but morning he separated for the Lord's work. One day while he was distributing tracts Pastor P .M . Philip was also there in the bus. As usual, he started begging after the distribution of tracts. The servant of God P.M.Philip said to him, brother, it is not right to beg and distribute the tracts together. It is really a matter of disgrace to the Lord. If you want to do the work of the Lord He will look after your needs. Don't do both these simultaneously. He then passed on a small gift to him and went his way.

From that day onward Chackochan completely stopped begging. By the will of the Lord , he was baptized by bro Puravath on 14th April 1950. In May he got a call from the Lord for the full ministry. He then surrendered himself for the work of the Lord. Next 7 and half years they worked together in many places and that was really a great blessing. New assemblies have been established in all those places where they had worked before.

IN 1957 he came to Odakkaly near Perumbavoor and conducted many meetings along with bro. M. Yohannan (Krariyely) and thus many came to the Lord. They were conducting meetings every night. Many believed in those days because of the mighty work of the Lord. After the meetings they were planning to go to Trichur for a marriage proposal for Chackochan. But the people stopped them saying they had a girl right there. Then they discussed these matters with the girl's parents. They all agreed that this will be a suitable marriage, but latter they asked to the girl also. She boldly said "I am willing to pay any cost for marrying a servant of God". Her name was Rahel. On 1957 April 5th she became his beloved wife. The marriage was conducted by bro Muttath KunjuVarkey Upadesy at Kuruppampady Brethren Assembly Hall. Her parents were late Chamakkala Jacob Paily and Vengola Puthenpurayil Annamma. She got saved in 1955 and got baptized latter.

Chackochan Upadeshi's mentors were V.C. Puravath, M. Yohannan and Muttath Kunju Varkey Upadesy. Together they worked in Koothatttukulam, Puthuvely, Kayanad, Ooramana, Kadamattom, Mamala, Puthencruz, Valakom, Kunnakurudy, etc. Large crowds used to listen to the word of God through these servants' preaching ministries, especially a blind man's message. In the beginning days of their ministries they underwent starvation many times. Sometimes they had to depend upon the selling of books which were also very rarely bought by the people. They also had to face opposition from the people many times. Krariyely, Vengoor, Meenpara Kuruppampady were also their working fields. Those days were the days of revival. Hundreds of people came though the Lord.

Chackochan had a keen memory. He memorized thousands of Biblical verses. He has preached thousands of sermons. As he was blind he used to recognize people through their sounds. Once he heard a person's voice, he never used to forget that. With bro. M.J.Pathrose of Krariyely they traveled to Peechi, Patticad , Poomala, Trichur, Kunnamkulam, etc. many times and preached the Gospel. He had worked in Koothattukulam, Kothamangalam, Kuruppampady. In Odakkaly, he started an assembly in 1980. In a rented house with 15 believers they started gathering but the Lord blessed their work. Now they have own building and about 70 gather there.

He has 6 children. Four girls and two sons. All of them are born again believers. His youngest son, Benny Chackochan followed his footstep is now serving the Lord in Bihar. This indeed made him so happy in his latter days. The lord lifted the humble from the lowly state to the nobles of the people.

No one can explain the way God honours a man who honours God. Chackochan was an example of this principle. He worked hard for the sake of the Lord. He was called home on 2nd October 2001. At 6:30AM he prayed and said benediction and after about 2 minutes he closed his eyes. Thus he was transported to a place where he could see the Lord with his own eyes.

He used to recite Psalms 73: 22  "I was senseless and ignorant; nevertheless ....... Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me; and afterwards receive into glory." The Lord took him away to Himself.

On 5th thousands of people gathered to pay the last tribute to the servant of God. Almost 50 people spoke on that day. One brother said, " this is not a burial but a farewell to a Prince not a beggar of Koothattukulam bus stand, and to a soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ ". Another one said, "the life of Chackochan is a challenge to all of us who have eyes. Because in absence of physical eyes he has done much more than all of us who see". All the messages were really comforting and encouraging. The people of Odakkaly understood the value of a servant of God that day. They say, "now only we realize what a great man our neighbor was".

He really loved the people of God, the work of God. His son Benny Chackochan said, he was faithful in money matters. He didn't love money till his death. He did not earn money. He did not have any deposit either. But the Lord met all his needs. At the close of his life he desired to modernize his 30-year old house which is still an unfulfilled desire. The life Chackocahn ,the servant of God is a challenge to all of us. May the Lord open our eyes to see what the Lord wants us to do for his glory. May His name be glorified forever and ever. Amen and Amen.