Father's Day 2021 thoughts dedicated for the late (Uncle-like) Mr. Joshua Narayanan Mylatore

Dear friends,

My thoughts on this Father’s Day are on an uncle-like person, Joshua Narayanan Mylatore. He went to glory just three weeks ago this year. Today on my blog I write honoring him. The world needs many Joshua-like men in our communities as brothers, uncles, dads, and godly role models to showcase what God is like.

He and his late wife had no kids of their own but they treated young people from the church’s youth group as their own kids. They practiced generous hospitality like: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb 13:2) and Romans 12:13 (NIV) ^“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

They were not related to me in any way but they have left a positive impact on my life of what a loving Indian Christian home looks like, feels like, and loves like! I met him and his wife in Mombasa, Kenya, during the weekend of February 9-10th 2002.  I was invited as a guest singer at their church. They chose to be my host family. I spent that weekend in their cozy lovely little simple home! What a kind and sweet hospitality they both gave me. I was in my late 30s and with my busy schedule, it felt good to kind of getaway to a “parental sort of home” and feel like a little girl all by myself, like a princess.

After a good night's sleep in my room, the next day being Sunday, after personal devotions and dressing up I was invited to join them for breakfast. Uncle Joshua had personally prepared traditional south Indian breakfast: Chai (tea) and delicious Upma.  (Upma is a spicy thick porridge from dry roasted semolina or coarse rice flour. Various seasonings and vegetables are often added during the cooking) yum yum! (That reminded me how my dad used to cook for us on Sundays while we got ready to go to church.)

Auntie read the Daily Bread devotional and Uncle Joshua prayed for the breakfast, for my singing, and for that day to be a blessing. That spiritual connection was bliss.  Auntie gifted me with a comfy Kenyan traditional dress.

After the church service and luncheon, I flew back to Nairobi. On my return flight, I was feeling ecstatic, grateful for the sheer joy of having experienced simple God-honoring living. I had no idea of the devastating news that I was to receive back home that Sunday night which would change my life drastically! (But that will be a story for some other day!) All I think about is I believe over that weekend through the hospitality of Uncle Joshua and Auntie, God let me experience in advance, that regardless of what happens in my life, I was precious, and that I was worth and that I was loved as a person, as a daughter, and as a fellow worker in God’s Kingdom.  

While they were alive I did let them know that I have never forgotten their Christian love, hospitality, and how they made me feel during that first and last visit.  I am grateful to God for the obedience of such godly men and women; who reach out to others in pure Godlike love, grace, generosity, and extend hospitality.  Such people represent God as God. On this Father’s Day thank God with me for Uncle Joshua’s life, his good, and holy life choices, and his obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rest in eternal Peace, Uncle Joshua, and Auntie, I am sure we will all shout Amen when we hear God tell you, “Well done my faithful servants….. Come and share your master's happiness!' OR you have already heard it! J

Happy Father’s Day to a number of genuine, kind, considerate, truly caring, and loving men! 

Grateful for godly men in my life,

©Kalpana Christian Sharma