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People who know Dr. Julio and Dr. Anju always speak of them as a beautiful example of a Christ-centred couple. When I spoke to them over the phone for this interview, the reason became quite obvious. Recently, as part of their ministry, the couple dared to take a 15 day break from work to go on a thrilling drive with their children right across the United Kingdom, to meet with Jesus Youth leaders, to pray and build loving relationships. Dr. Julio, who works as a radiologist in the United Kingdom, is also the Animator of the Jesus Youth there. They live in Swindon, UK with their children Joan, Irene and Daniel. As I listen to your experiences now, I can see that every area of your life is suffused with the presence of Jesus. Was it always so? Dr. Julio: Not really. Though I was brought up in a devout Catholic family, the moment I entered college, I found all the foundations of my faith completely shaken. But just as I began to drift into the ways of the world, oneof my closest friends, Mathan (now in his final year of preparation for the priesthood) attended a Charismatic retreat that changed his life. The change I saw in him persuaded me to attend a retreat which became a turning point in my life. Soon I discovered a precious group of friends in the Jesus Youth prayer group started by Dr. Manoj, who is today the Animator of the JY National Team in the U.S. It is in this group that I slowly discovered the most prized treasure in my life - my relationship with Jesus. Dr. Anju: I come from a traditional Catholic family, but I never really experienced a personal relationship with Jesus. In Medical college, I came across a book of Sadhu Sundar Singh in which he said that if anyone invited Jesus, he would definitely come into their hearts. So I began asking Jesus to come into my life. Almost immediately, I got an opportunity to attend a retreat where Iaccepted Jesus as my personal Lord. It was as if my whole nature changed. A great hunger for prayer and the Word of God came upon me. It is a joy to listen to both of you; how you complement, support and inspire each other. Would you tell us about this togetherness that you enjoy in Jesus? Dr. Julio: As I surrendered my life, one thing I decided was to discern God’s will always, most importantly, in my vocation of marriage. And today, as I see how He has made our likes, our desire for prayer, our vision and our ministries correspond, I am so grateful to the Lord. It is indeed such a blessing when amidst our hectic schedules, we can go that extra mile to give each other the space and time for prayer. Often, when I return after a tiring day, Anju would pep me up with an insight, a word or a thought that the Holy Spirit had put in her heart during the day. And that’s something beautiful. Dr. Anju: What I cherish is the immense joy of serving the same Master. The Church Father Tertullian sums it up nicely in a quote that I recently read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “ How wonderful the bond between two believers, now one in hope, one in desire, one in discipline, one in the same service! They are both children of one Father and servants of the same Master, undivided in spirit and flesh, truly two in one flesh”. And in time, as he blessed us with children, this bond also united us in a call we have as parents. You spoke of a call that you have as parents. Could you elaborate? Dr. Anju: Well, to begin with, I was doing my Post Graduation, when our eldest daughter Joan was concieved. After much prayer we took a decision to postpone my career, as we felt the strong need for our children to be with us in their initial years. As God blessed us with Daniel and Irene, my career has been set aside further. Many people have called this decision impractical, but today, as we look at kids around us growing without the personal care of parents, we feel it was the right decision. Dr. Julio: Besides, I think there is a call for us Jesus Youth parents to give our children the encounter of Jesus at home – the same encounter that we experienced in our youth - so that they will be equipped to face this troubled world confidently. Also, I believe we have a call to lovingly discipline our children in the way of the Lord. Were there special interventions of God in your life that deepened your relationship with Him? Dr. Anju: When I was pregnant with Daniel, I was diagnosed with a large tumour in my stomach that was growing fast. The doctors suggested abortion, but we decided to go ahead with the baby. We experienced a great protection as the Lord intervened with His healing hand. He prevented the tumour from growing and blessed me with a normal delivery inspite of the tumour in my tummy. And when I went in for surgery, the doctors asked us to be prepared for the worst. For me, it was a time of reckoning as I mentally prepared myself to face death. I examined myself and my faith before Jesus once again. And I experienced the peace that comes with being completely in Christ. Suddenly, the eternal destination became very real and more important than everything else. The fact that we are all just pilgrims on earth became crystal clear to me. But after the operation, we realized that the Lord had protected us again. The tumour was safely removed. And then when I had trouble feeding my baby after the operation, the Lord worked a miracle once more. Though it was a time of trial, it was also a time of abundant grace in our lives. Dr. Julio: It was only my relationship with Jesus that kept me strong at the moment when I was told the news of the tumour. It was one of those occasions when I realized that all that matters is our living relationship with Him. How is your Jesus-centred lifestyle reflected in your profession? Dr. Julio: Let me tell you about the time when I was doing my clinical experience training in an Accident & Emergency centre in Ireland. It was a time when I came into direct contact with many who were brought to the centre after failed suicide attempts and drug overdoses. Speaking to them and seeing their unbelievably shattered lives, it became clear to me that medicine and counselling are severely limited in helping them. So I would share my experience of Jesus, which I found, made a real difference. Another aspect is that my experience of Jesus has helped me to set aside my ego and behave lovingly to those who are rude to me. I remember one specific incident where a very rude junior colleague of mine underwent a transformation because she was surprised bymy unexpected response. Dr. Anju: We also remember the blessings God has showered in Julio’s profession. Julio has always strived to live a balanced life: to grow spiritually, to give the best to the family, and to excel in his studies and profession. And sometimes, it has been really difficult. But the more effort he has put in, the more I have seen the Lord blessing him with excellence. I especially remember the time when he was preparing for his FRCS – there was very little time to study and the exams were really tough. And there was an important Jesus Youth leaders’ programme on the day before his exams. However, after prayer and discernment, he decided to be present at the programme. And when the results arrived, the Lord had blessed him with good marks. In spite of your hectic life, you still find time to disciple young people and work with Jesus Youth groups. How do you manage to do that? Dr. Julio: We believe that as a couple, we have a specific call to help young people grow – through personal counselling and discipling sessions. When we were in Ahmedabad, India before we moved to UK, we used to work with small Jesus Youth groups. Now I am an animator of the Jesus Youth and we spend time with young people as much as we can. Besides, we know that it is through such cell groups and the efforts of our senior Jesus Youth that both of us grew deeper in the Lord. If there’s one thing that you would share from your life with the Jesus Youth reading this newsletter, what would it be? Dr. Anju: At the time that I was diagnosed as having a tumour and confronted possible death, I suddenly felt the importance of each person’s eternal destination. So a burden for the eternal destination of others and the need to share Jesus with everyone became acute in me. I think we should see evengelisation in this context. Dr. Julio: When we meet some youth these days, we feel that sometimes activities can take priority over the relationship with Jesus. The most important foundation of Jesus Youth has always been a deep relationship with the Lord through the constants. So it is important that while we grow and take root across the world, our core strength should always be this living union with Jesus. SHELTON PINHEIRO
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