Orissa

There is great tragedy in the state of Orissa, India right now. I would like to share a letter from a friend.

"Please continue to pray for my hometown and state, I think they are gone mad.

Not a single church building is left protected in my home town. Forcefully they are entering into houses and threatening then taking all their belongings. Christians are now helpless, homeless and hopeless now. They are hiding themselves whereever they can, including my parents. Extremists beaten up the children in the orphanage, some of them are in the hospital.

Government itself is turned against Christians, blaming for converting Hindus and slaughtering cows.

Yesterday Hindus in the village made nacked [backed?] to pastor couple and walked them around including throwing eggs, tomatoes and shoes upon them. No Christian boys and girls are able to go to schools and colleges because of fear. My younger brother was attacked and injured, since he is marshall arts man escaped himself safely.

This is the latest news I got from my father, used a strange phone and called me.

It took a long time for us to collect little little money from believers and build church buildings before couple of years. But now we have lost all those churches, I know the labor we have done for those 13 churches (both believer and buildings) we established. That is why I am very sad.

Please continue to pray for Christians to be strengthened and safe whereever they are hiding themselves, le[s]t they should think 'why did I selecct to become Christian' but let them think that this is nothing comparing what Jesus has done for me. And the Hindus may have the revelation of living God. I am writing all these with tears.

Thank you very much for being encouragement for me in this time of problem.

In Christ,

Mark"

Our friend here as written several letters, of which I will try to post - with his permission, hopefully. He is a seminary student in Korea and has not been able to really contact his family.

We are taking contributions - send me an email if you are interested - which will go to his school and then through them to the state of Orissa to the churches there. 

It is very touchy business and I ask all your prayers for our friend, "Mark," his family, his village, the state itself and the government. We want to include those who are hurt, lost, fearful, lonely as well as those who have inflicted this tragedy. We shall pray for our enemies too!

God, have mercy on those who cause damage and pain to Your people; may we all see Your glory and be living examples of Your Grace and Love, no matter what comes upon us. Encourage and strengthen, love and comfort those in need in Orissa. May all the funds necessary find safe passage, may foods be delivered, homes and churches be rebuilt and families be reunited! Most of all, God, in the name of Jesus, our Savior and King, we pray that all the glory, all the honor, all the praise, go to You, our God! Amen.