So...
I presume most people around the world have heard of the great persecution happening to the Christians of the state of Orissa in India. It is so terrible that even the biased media and news reports are favouring the afflicted Christians over their own Hindu factions. thousands of Christians have fled their homes as mobs of hindu activists burn, kill and destroy anything and anyone Christian in their path.
It appears to have started when a Maoist group assassinated a prominent extreme right wing hindu guru, but the people saw this as an opportunity to rally against the Christian community that lived amongst them. - The crisis really started when Christians started teaching things like human dignity, equality of all men, and then began trying to educate and raise people out of the poverty that abounds in that region. Many people converted to Christianity and they began sending their kids to the schools and families attend churches and prayer meetings where they are lifted up and encouraged. Most of the believers were of a very low caste, but they were gaining influence and power as jobs became available to their educated kids and the culture of Christianity was creating confidence in their community.
Slightly higher castes remained aligned with the local guru and traditional practices, but were threatened by the Christian community. When the Guru died at the hands of the Maoists, the people did not care for the truth, they wanted the blood of the Christians, this was their chance to tear this caste down to where they belonged...
I met a Pastor last week from Orissa, he showed me the photos he took of the mob approaching his home. He pointed out the man who was his electrician and the boys whom he helped out on occasion, in fact he said he knew most of the people in the 25 person gang that had assembled at their home as the barricaded themselves inside. As their doors and barred windows were pounded on, a local police man called for back up... his commander told him to tell the family to RUN... a larger mob of 2000 people were on the way to kill this pastor...
The family opened a door and God seemed to create a confusion amongst the smaller mob who seemed more interested in looting than anything else, the family ran to the jungle and hid in the trees as the mob burned their home, vehicles, church and everything else. he showed me pictures of the aftermath that had been emailed to him by a friend, as well as photos of the mob in action destroying his property. He told me he had more photos that he could not show publicly as for their graphic nature; bodies of believers stacked and burned, "there is no way to know the body count" he said.
When I asked him what can we pray for, he said pray the we can go back and re-group, that we can form stronger churches and reach more people. He speaks of forgiveness and healing, a "they know not what they do" attitude. I was so moved, I only now, a week later, write about it.
Christianity is life and death for some people in this world.
We ourselves are quite safe in our secular state, but India is in conflict as the people of Christ reach into these difficult areas.
Please pray for India and Pray for us as well, violence has spread to our neighbouring state and churches and prayer houses are being burned down in the dozens. Lives are being transformed here and the jealousies are proof that people are being lifted up through Christ.
Thank you for your support and prayers that enable us to reach into India at this significant time in History. Word of Life is growing and empowering people, you are lifting up other ministries and ministers through out India, and you are taking ground for the kingdom.
one more thing... MOM, please do not let this report distress you, we work hard to protect ourselves and remain safe, God is with us, he will preserve us.
Blessings to you all
Shawn, Sher and the Word of Life Chennai team
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