India Trip Report
January 26, 1957
In the previous Africa Trip Report, Brother Branham tells the story of the vision God showed him concerning the Indian people of the east. Brother Branham knew by this, that he would one day take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to these poor, suffering people. It would be a meeting like he had never experienced before—there would be hundreds of thousands present.
Brother Branham told his congregation:
...mark it in your Bible, that you will hear this, that I was in India, or somewhere east of Africa, Tanganyika, somewhere where Indians are at, somewhere in that eastern country which I believe will be India, itself, where there'll be three hundred thousand people...
53-1109
In September of 1954, through the will and grace of God, Brother Branham made another trip to Europe and then journeyed into the distant country of India. Prophesy was soon to be fulfilled.
It all started with one man. A holy man from America was rumored to have spiritual gifts that cast out evil spirits and even healed the sick. The word spread through Bombay and throughout the countryside. Curious villagers journeyed from far away to see this miracle worker.
Soon, word came to a devoted worshipper of the sun god, Surya. Twenty years earlier, Surya rewarded his loyal servant by turning his eyes white with blindness. Without sight, the man did his best to provide a meager living for his wife and two sons, but he longed to see again. The ojhas (witchdoctors) could cast spells onto his enemies and bring floods to destroy the villages, but there was no hope for his sight to return. Or was there?
Could this holy man's God give him back his sight? This was not possible for any god that he worshipped. Maybe this man would introduce him to another, special god.
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Soon, the entire city of Bombay was buzzing about a deaf child that could now hear. The previous night, hundreds of people witnessed the healing of the boy’s ears. Could this be true? A god that heals the sick? The new god was indeed powerful! That evening, more than half a million people gathered to hear about this god and to see if the rumors were true.
The holy man came to the platform as the sun set on the excited crowd. Bent on overpowering him, the ojhas began to cast spells. The doubters accused him of being a psychic. Nothing they did affected his resolve as the sick were brought before him. Soon, the blind man had his opportunity. As he drew closer, he could feel something much different than he was used to. The holy man stopped and looked into the audience. "I challenge any religion here to come and give him his sight, and he will join your religion and so will I." A silence fell over the crowd. Even the ojhas were helpless. The blind man could not see the person speaking to him, but he could hear the Voice. There was something about that Voice.
The holy man turned and asked, "Will you be willing, sir, to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and will forsake all idols and everything else, and will serve Him as long as you live? If you will, raise your hands." The trembling hand raised into the air. Brother Branham prayed; "Lord Jesus, let it be known that Thou art God."
The one true God made Himself known on that day in the autumn of 1954, and planted a seed that has grown into thousands of Indian believers.
As you listen to this report given by Brother Branham, you’ll hear the compassion and love he has for the Indian people. It was truly the hand of God that day in 1954 that brought grace and Eternal Life to a multitude of suffering humanity. We’re so thankful that the works wrought by Brother Branham almost 55 years ago are still bearing fruits to this day in India. Missionaries today stand in representation of God’s prophet and messenger as they travel the city streets and unknown jungle villages to spread this glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.
CloseBrother Branham spoke to a small group in downtown Bombay before the enormous meeting of 500,000 people the next day. Being a Christian minister, he had to wear the collared black suit