Dear Brethren in Christ,

Below is an update we just received from our brother Pastor Sudodh of Shalom Ministries in Orissa on the ongoing attacks there against Christians.

Let us continue to cry out to the Lord on their behalf, dear intercessors.

Sincerely in Christ,

William & Lucille

Dear Pastor,

We are very much thankful to you for your precious prayer for us.
We are well here.
The tragedy took place in Orissa which has never taken place in the  History of Christianity. It is unforgettable.

Brief Report:

In the district of Kandhamal thus far around 35 people died and hundred churches have broken and burnt in the same district hundred of villages burnt.
The Christian people have gone to the jungle for getting scare to the Hindu fanatic.
The condition of Christians is very miserable, people are crying every where.
The government of police have curfew declared to the district of Kandhamal.

In the same way in my own Gajapati district where most of the influential leaders came out from that district. But very sorry to inform you eighteen big churches have broken and five people killed by Hindus. Among the five, one person was burnt alive. My perents they were not in home they had hidden in a secret place for  secure their life. Almost all the villages of our district burned by them.
Most of the major incidents took place in front of the police.

In Bhubaneswar the capital of Orissa the Christian also attacked by Hindu fanatic RSS/BHP groups.
Many Churches have broken few pastors and secretary left their house. The RSS had burned much Christian literature. Till now we did not receive any death issue there.

In the district of Bargarh the RSS has done such a cruel thing to the Christian.
Eventually they have broken three churches, burnt few four wheelers
And one Catholic sister has burnt alive and another one hanged on a tree.

In the place called Mohona three of the Catholic fathers killed and those people crucified to one father

In the district of Rayagda and Gunupur also the same situation. Many have beaten by and the Hindus broken the churches and  vehicles and all.
A place called Muniguda  small town of Orissa. RSS people has broken the Bethel Church and school building and burnt three school vehicles. Pastor and believers has scattered to other places.
From Muniguda to 10 kms places called Bisumcuttak where a big Christian Hospital is there. The Hindu fanatic has broken a big Church of this hospital.

Now the situation of Orissa is so terrible and in every where curfew. A number of people are dying and till the numbers are coming out. When a chief minister not allowed to come the other Congress leaders to visit the are of (Kandhamal district) destroyed villages but allowed for BJP leaders it became a state issue. Every body unhappy for the chief minister to do such a cruel thing. It is investigating that why he did this thing.

Out of 30th districts in the state of Orissa more than fifteen have been seriously affected.
Pastor I have no words to explain the things that going on here  we are not able to go out any where the terror sensation is going on .Police are near by our house but everything is happening,  (burning, killing  breaking) in front of police.
Yesterday two Christian people were killed by Hindu fanatics in nearby Bhawanipatna.
The anti conversion ruled was passed in the state of Orissa.
Now the conversion and Evangelism is strictly banned by the state government. Even they oppose to the small cottage fellowship.
Now it is the top and terrible time to do the ministries here in Orissa.
Not only with the Hindus but with Christianity too because some places fanatics burned the Bibles broken the Churches. Surely they need the word of God and the fellowship of Jesus Christ. And I think it can be done just by us orals who may stand in the gap.

Still now the burning, breaking and killing is going on in the towns and villages.
We are locking the out side door and staying inside and like this we are hiding our self.
We have closed our Bible collage and orphanage for few days.
Kindly pray that God may give us strength and bold enough to stand for Him and also the Heavenly protection may sustain us.
Thanking you.

Yours truly,

Subodh

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 5:06 am and is filed under Elijah. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.