A very serious report from India

This is an organization that I support. I know the administrator and feel confident that they are doing a mighty work in India and other places in the world. Please pray and help as the Lord leads you this is a very grim situation.

Darlene




Hindu Activists on the rampage in Orissa. Learn how you can make a difference!




Support the Persecuted Church
Please use this PayPal button to send your best gift to help this community of believers who have left home and friends and family in order to flee from the horrendous oppression and persecution.


We will make sure every cent goes directly to the believers hiding in the forest areas; we will cover all fees and administrative expenses.

Please include your mailing address so we can send your receipt.

If you prefer to send a check, please forward it to us at:


Heart of God International
P. O. Box 248
Willard, OH 44890


Please mark your check "India Believers" to help us direct your gift accordingly. All donations are tax deductible.





Gospel for Asia
K.P. Yohannan

We encourage you to visit Gospel for Asia (www.gfa.org) for more information about the Persecuted Church in Asia.

Our story is only one of many, many reports coming out of India and other gospel-hostile nations about the horrendous persecution our brothers and sisters in Christ are enduring for the sake of the cross.



Shocking Report from India

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Greetings!


As you know, we have been actively involved in ministry in India for quite some time; the people are near and dear to our hearts. We look forward with great anticipation to visiting with our partners in India once again in the near future, taking the opportunity to encourage them as they run the race and fight the good fight of faith. Their lives are not easy; this newsletter will testify to that fact.

Most everyone has been hearing about the horrible persecution against Christians in parts of India, including in Orissa, an area close in proximity to where our partners and co-laborers minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The following is a true statement from some who witnessed the horrors inflicted by Hindu activists.

Attacked Without Warning

There is a small village in Orissa;
the Christian church consisted of
80 families--they were the only believers in their village.One day, a large group of Hindu activists came in trucks bearing swords and dangerous weapons, attacking the church gathering during their worship service. The believers were unable to do anything except run into the forests. The activists became angered and out of control, pouring gasoline on the thatch-roofed building, burning it.
A Crippled Old Man

One old man who was unable to walk hid inside the church in a corner. When the church was engulfed in flames, he was burned horribly, crying out for help and wanting to escape, but he was old and had no strength to run. Immediately the activists entered the church and drug him outside and forced him to worship their god. They asked him to say, "Hare Rama" (translated: "Rama is the only god."). They told him if he worshipped, they would leave him alive; otherwise, he would be killed. But the old man would not agree to say the words. He was immediately thrown into the burning flames and was burned more than 50% over his body. Then again, they pulled the old man out of the flames but he was unconscious. They poured some cool water on his face and he woke up. Again, they screamed at him to say, "Hare Rama," but he refused. They beat him and threw him into the fire. The old man died.
An Entire Family

There was another family-a father, mother, and three children who could not escape. The activists went to the family and were friendly with smiles on their faces while talking to the youngest son, six years old. The boy thought they were good people. Immediately they put a knife on his neck and asked him to say Jesus was not God but Rama was a god. The small child said Jesus alone was God. The child was warned to say Rama was a god otherwise he would be killed. The boy did not respond they way they wanted so his neck was slashed in front of his parents. When he died, they then took the daughter into their hands and asked her to say Rama was god or else be killed like her smaller brother. She would not agree to say the words and she, too, was killed. Then, they took the elder son and asked him to say Jesus was not God and when he would not, they cut his face into pieces. He was still alive when they showed his parents how his face was cut and how he was suffering and told them to agree that Rama was a god, but the family would not agree to say the words so the son was killed, and then the wife. The father was tortured until finally he was killed.
An Expectant Mother

A pregnant woman was unable to run and escape. The activists reached her and asked her to agree that Jesus was not god but she denied. She and the child she carried were killed at the same time.

Three Pastors

Three pastors from this very same village in Orissa who had escaped into the forest area came to speak with our partners in India. They said they had made a complaint to the local police station but the police would not take any action against the activists because the government is made up of Hindu people and the officials are supporters of the Hindu activists. The pastors and the Christians who escaped now are taking shelter in a remote area of the forest, living in danger of being found and tortured and/or killed. They are suffering because they don't have food or clothes and people are dying of starvation. Children have no milk, elders have no food, and no one can come out from their hiding to work at a job to earn money. If they are seen, they will be killed. Their living conditions are horrible.
They Need Our Help

The pastors from the village have come to us for help. When they met with our partners they were dirty, without baths for several days having worn the same clothes since they fled their village in Orissa. The pastors had been totally without food for three days; they were of a horrible odor. The pastors were given some food and a very small amount of money (whatever was available). They are asking for help for their people who are in the forest area hiding from the Hindu activists.

Please pray for these families. Our partners remind us that we are all one in the Body of Christ and when one suffers, we all suffer. They have asked us to share this with you so you will remember them in your prayer time and consider how you can help them. We are reminded that these poor and destitute believers are to be treated as our own brothers and sisters.


The believers in India are not the only ones in the world to suffer such horrendous persecution because of their faith. But unfortunately so many of us find it hard to relate to the reality of such barbaric attacks against men, women, and children. We cannot afford to turn our backs and just assume someone else will take care of them. These people are our brothers and sisters as our friends in India reminded us.

When asked what the greatest command was, Jesus summed up the law and the prophets this way: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength ... Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39)

How can we say we love our neighbor--our Christian brothers and sisters--if we don't do something to help in such an incredible time of need. Please prayerfully consider sharing your blessings with our persecuted family in India. Your gift of any amount will go a long way to making a difference for them.

Our prayer is that each of you who take the time to read this will be moved with compassion and give so others may live ... literally. And, in the meantime, please pray for these precious saints, that God will cover them and keep them hidden from further atrocities, provide for their every need, and heal their brokenness.

Please use the PayPal button in the column at the left to make your online donation or send your check or money order to the above address. Let's not turn our backs on this need ... let's rise up as ones who are willing to reach out to extend the love of Jesus in this time of great need.

God bless you for your faithfulness in prayer and giving.


Prayerfully,


Jan Ross
Heart of God International Ministries







Heart of God International Ministries | P. O. Box 248 | Willard | OH | 44890