环球英语 — 42：Benny Prasad

　　Voice 1

Hello. I’m Elizabeth Lickiss.

Voice 2

And I’m Mike Procter. Welcome to Spotlight 1. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 1

How many musical instruments can you hear playing? A guitar maybe? It sounds like someone’s fingers are moving up and down strings 2 on a guitar. And drums - maybe Indian drums - bongos? You can hear a hand hitting bongos. Well that is right. This is the sound of a guitar and bongos! But, there is only one instrument playing! This instrument is one of its kind! It is the only guitar in the world like it. On the surface of the guitar are bongos. The guitar can play like a normal guitar. Or, it can play like an Indian guitar - a sitar. And the person playing it is just as amazing - Benny Prasad. Benny has played his guitar in countries all over the world. Everyone praises his skill and creativity 3. But the beginning of Benny’s life was very different to his life now. In fact, people told Benny that he would never play the guitar! Here is his story.

Voice 3

‘My father was a scientist. He designed airplanes. He had very high expectations for me. I was the first born in the family. But I was a failure. I failed in my studies. I failed in my personality 4. I failed in my health - in every part of my life. This included my talent - my abilities. People said to me - Benny you will never be a music player. At school, my teachers laughed at me. They asked me why I was there. I brought shame to the school. I was not an intelligent person. My life was meaningless.’

Voice 1

Benny also had health problems. He suffered from the breathing condition asthma 5. Sixty percent of Benny’s lungs are damaged. And Benny also has rheumatoid arthritis 6. This disease 7 affects the joints 8 - where the bones join. It is a very painful condition. He said,

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‘Medically speaking my joints are damaged from my neck to my toe. Doctors told me I would not be able to play the guitar.’

Voice 2

So how did this child ‘without talent’ become a famous musician?

Voice 1

Benny had heard other people playing the guitar. He loved the sound. He really wanted to learn to play the guitar too. But how could he? He did not have enough money to buy a guitar. And his physical condition would make playing the guitar very hard. Also there was no one to teach him. It seemed to be a hopeless situation. Then, Benny found a dusty 9 old guitar at his college. It was not in the best condition. It did not have any strings. But he collected broken parts and repaired the guitar. He played for seven hours every day. At the end of two months his skill was clear to people around him.

Soon, he was making music - good music! How was this possible? Benny believes that it was the power of God! He says,

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‘Jesus made me useful! I recognise my skill as a gift from God. I use it to honour and praise him. Wherever I go I tell people what he has done for me’.

Voice 2

In 1999 Benny had the chance to go to a music college. He went to New Mexico in the United 10 States. He studied at the ‘School of Music In Missions’. Here he met a famous music teacher and writer, Tommy Coomes. Tommy recognised Benny’s skill and musical talent! He wanted to do something special to support Benny. So what could he do? He gave Benny a wonderful gift. Benny remembers,

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‘You would not believe what happened there (at the college.) They presented me with one of the world’s best guitars! This was a wonderful gift.’

Voice 1

Benny carries his guitar around with him. He wants to be able to share his music with everyone. He uses music to honour God. He tells people what God can do for them. Benny says God has given him more than just musical gifts. God has changed him completely 11. Benny now looks at life in a very different way. His Christian 13 faith is at the centre of everything he does and believes. He says,

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‘I believe that Jesus Christ 12 came to earth to die for people’s wrong doings. His death set me free from my sin 14. I know that he can set others free too. He changed my life around. And he can do the same for anyone.’

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Benny believes that God has used him to bring God’s message of hope to other people. He says,

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‘It is amazing how Jesus can use a person like me. The Bible 15 says he uses the weak things of the world to shame the strong. I am one small example’.

Voice 1

We finish with the beautiful sounds from Benny Prasad.