As you may know, the persecution against Christians in India has been escalating in the last two months. In Orissa over 60 Christians (most of them Pastors), were brutally murdered for their faith in Jesus. Thousands of homes and hundreds of churches were burned down, and several hundred thousand Christians are in refugee camps and hiding in jungles. Many of these Christians lost all their possessions (houses, properties, and all their lifesavings).
November is the harvest season for the farming community in rural areas of Orissa. The crops they harvest now become food for a whole year. Hindus refuse many Christians to go back to harvest their crops unless they re-convert to Hinduism.
Our close friends' family members were attacked by Hindus one night last week. They burned down all Christian homes in their village. While fleeing from the attack, one young man was caught by the Hindus and they threatened to kill him unless he reconverted to Hinduism. He succumbed to pressure to save his life but lost all his property, family and house. His brother and father are still hiding in the jungle. All this happened while his mother came to Sydney for a visit a few weeks ago. She is still here, and has no home to return to.
We have been sending funds to help some of these needy persecuted Christians for their daily needs. The need is enormous, and the situation is desperate for most of them. We are not able do everything, but we can do something to help these Christians in India.
Walson is going to India for the annual conference of the Native Missionary Movement and Filadelfia churches (November 4 to 9). This is the largest Christian gathering in North India -75,000 people come together from 2500 churches from across the northern part of India. Several of their pastors in Orissa were murdered, and many churches burned down and thousands of Christians lost their homes and properties.
We would love to take a gift for these dear people to rebuild their lives and their churches. If you would like to participate in this project, please let me know. You may deposit the gift directly into the bank account (Westpac Bank, Kingdom of Christ Ministries, BSB 032 053; Acct No. 157 550). The funds will be used to strengthen the churches and the persecuted believers.
May I request you to pray for the church in India. If the Lord prompts you to give, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you for your prayers and look forward to hearing from you.
For His Kingdom
Walson & Marlene Mathew
0427 123 822
02 9700 9740
