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India

• Convert Helps Network of 300 Churches!

  
  Sukdev (centre) is grateful for the
  audio Bible VOM has provided.

  As Christians, we've been called to proclaim the Gospel by sharing the truth of God's Word. But what about the many believers around the world who are unable to read the Scriptures? Fortunately, as Romans 10:17 tells us, faith comes by "hearing" the Word, not only by reading it. Technology like the micro SD cards that The Voice of the Martyrs ministry is distributing throughout the world will help illiterate Christians learn the Bible and discover its invaluable truths.

  One such Christian is Sukdev, who left Hinduism to follow Christianity a decade ago. Sukdev wanted to learn more about the Bible so he could better share the Gospel with Hindus in his village. As the 48-year-old evangelist couldn't read, his young daughter Luxmi would often have to read the Bible to him when she wasn't at school or doing housework. She would also try to accompany her father whenever he met with villagers to teach them about Jesus so she could read the Bible verses aloud. However, since Luxmi wasn't always readily available to assist with the evangelistic ministry, Sukdev longed to have instant access to the Scriptures.

  Then one day, his desires were fulfilled. The Voice of the Martyrs provided him with a micro SD card containing audio files of the Bible in multiple languages, along with helpful discipleship materials. During this past year, VOM has distributed more than 15,000 of these SD card Bibles in India as part of the ministry's efforts to get a Bible to every believer.

  "(Sukdev) was so grateful that he was moved to tears," reports a VOM ministry worker. "With this tool in his basic mobile phone, he could suddenly go anywhere, anytime to share the Gospel." Today, Sukdev travels into new districts baptizing new believers, making disciples and planting churches in some of the most remote and difficult places of India. In many of these areas, public transportation is not available so he often walks several kilometres from village to village.

  "Since I have learned the truth, I have to share it," Sukdev announces. After years of faithful witnessing, he now helps lead a network of more than 300 house churches! May God's ongoing protection, provision and blessing be upon all those in India who are involved with this thriving ministry outreach.

• Couple Immersed in Frigid Water

  
  Villagers immersed the couple in frigid water for 17 hours.
  Photo: Flickr / pranav (cc)

  A Christian in Jharkhand state succumbed to illnesses that had incurred when villagers immersed him and his wife in frigid water last winter because they refused to deny Christ. Upset that his family had left their indigenous religion, tribal residents of Kubuaa village immersed Bartu Urawn and his wife up to their necks in a cold pond. The couple was in the water from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. the next morning, at a time when the temperatures were hovering at about zero degrees Celsius.

  Their son, Beneswar, reports that after suffering illness and two bouts of paralysis due to nerve damage suffered in the 17-hour ordeal, 50-year-old Bartu died on January 20th. "All throughout the night, they were in the cold water shivering, and I along with 15 to 20 villagers were witness to the brutality," Beneswar explains. "The villagers kept asking my father if he is ready to forsake Christ and return to the Sarna (tribal religion) fold. He reiterated every time, 'I will not deny Christ.... I will continue to believe till my last breath.'"

  After pulling the couple out the next morning, the villagers hit Bartu and his wife, and again pressured them to renounce Christ. After the gruelling ordeal, the couple fell seriously ill. In time, Bartu's wife recovered, while he became immobilized from paralysis. Despite some measure of recovery, his body later became stiff again from a second attack of paralysis on January 20th, and he was unable to move his arms and legs before he died. To add to the family's trauma, the same villagers would not allow his burial to take place, insisting that the entire family return to their ancestral faith.

  Relatives informed police of the circumstances leading to Bartu's demise, but officers considered it a "natural death." Instead, they arranged for villagers to attend "peace talks" in February and to cease from their attacks on the Christian family. The family has since returned to their home where they are living in fear. To learn more about the persecution of Christians in India, review our country report.

  Please pray for Beneswar, his mother, along with other family members and friends, as they mourn over this unexpected loss -- asking the "Prince of Peace" to comfort and strengthen them. May they be encouraged knowing that Bartu's steadfast commitment during the ordeal is being acknowledged by God Himself who promises to render justice on their behalf and reward all who remain faithful. Also intercede for the villagers who committed this needless crime, praying that they will cease their persecution of the family; repent of their wrongdoings; and come to realize the truth of the Gospel and the salvation that's available through God's Son, Jesus Christ. Even in the midst of their grief, may Bartu's family bear witness to His everlasting gift of salvation.

• Grandmother Murdered for ''Disturbing the Peace''

  
  Victim's son, Sukura, and his family.
  Photo: Open Doors via World Watch Monitor

  An Indian grandmother was viciously murdered, apparently because her Christian faith was "disturbing the peace" in her village. The incident took place in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, followed by other serious attacks on vulnerable Christians in the state during the past year, including the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl.

  During the evening of October 16th, some villagers went to Samari's home asking for her son Sukura. When she told them he was out, they dragged her outside, pulled off all her clothes, and beat her to death. They then burnt her body a few hundred metres from her house.

  When Sukura returned home the next day, he couldn't find his mother. While searching near her house, he found bloodstains and a bag with the clothes she had worn the previous day. He asked the neighbours what had happened, but noticed they seemed to be hiding something. Eventually they told him the horrific news.

  Sukura immediately reported the incident to police. They arrested the village chief who confirmed the details of the murder. The chief was detained for two days while the police made further inquiries, which led to the arrests of four people from the village.

  Six months earlier, some of the villagers had complained about Sukura's family to local Naxalites -- militant communists operating in India who are known to have murdered many Christians in the past. The villagers told the Naxalites that Sukura's family was "disturbing the peace" of the village and must be killed. The Naxalites then abducted and detained Sukura and his family for three days, before letting them go.

  "The Naxalites told the villagers that we were innocent; that we were praying for the welfare of the community and not disturbing the peace," attests Sukura. Despite this, the villagers continued to threaten the family. To learn more about persecution in India, check this webpage.

  Pray that the Lord will walk closely with this family as they continue to come to terms with their terrible loss. May the members of their church and others of the community be of great support and encouragement to them. Also pray that this tragic death will not be in vain. May the testimony of Samari, her son Sukura, and their family, be used by the Holy Spirit to touch the hearts of many -- including the perpetrators -- leading them to eternal salvation through the provision of God's Son, Jesus, who willingly paid the price for their sins.

• Christian Family Brutally Beaten

  A 60-year-old Christian man died from injuries experienced during an attack, allegedly by Hindu radicals, in the Bastar District of India's Chhattisgarh State. According to local believers, four members of the family, including a pregnant woman, were brutally beaten because they refused to denounce their Christian faith.

  The attack took place on October 8th in Kuther village. According to locals, the perpetrators broke into the home of Sularam Kashyap and his pregnant wife, Sudri, severely beating the Christian couple along with Sularam's parents. As a result of the attack, all four Christians were hospitalized at the Government District Hospital of Jagdalpur.

  While in the hospital, the Christian family was visited by an aid worker who attempted to record the family's testimony. This reportedly upset police from the Lahundiguda Police Station, who ordered the injured family to leave the hospital on October 15th. Because of the severity of his injuries and the lack of proper medical treatment, Sularam's 60-year-old father, Sukru Kashyap, died at home on October 31st.

  In June 2014, more than 50 villages within the Bastar District, including Kuther village, passed resolutions effectively banning the practice of non-Hindu faiths. Though these resolutions were later ruled unconstitutional by the Chhattisgarh High Court, Hindu radicals have used them to justify assaults, threats and social boycotts against Christians living in the district.

  As a part of the social boycott against Christians, local Hindus blocked Sularam from burying his father in the Kuther village graveyard. Thankfully, Sularam was able to perform the burial there the next day but only after police intervention.

  Ask the Lord to minister to this distraught family by healing them of their injuries, strengthening their faith and comforting them in their grief. Thank Him for the faithfulness of their Christian community; praying that they will continue to stand firm and utilize every opportunity to share the Gospel. Intercede for those currently opposing His people, asking God to remove the hatred from their hearts and bring them to a saving knowledge of Christ.

• Court Acknowledges Plight of Odisha Victims

  
  Obseswar Nayak stands on the remains of his property for which he was initially offered token compensation.
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  According to India's Supreme Court, adequate compensation has not yet been paid to those who've suffered severe loss during the religiously-motivated tide of violence that took place against Christians in the Kandhamal district of Odisha (formerly known as Orissa).

  On August 23rd, 2008, about 100 Christians were killed, 300 churches and 6,000 Christian homes damaged, and 56,000 people displaced by extremists who retaliated the killing of their Hindu leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. His death sparked the worst case of anti-Christian violence in India's history. The extremists targeted multitudes of innocent believers residing within this district, even though Maoist rebels claimed responsibility for Swami's death.

  After the violence, the local community has struggled to receive adequate compensation from the government. However, Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, believes that the Supreme Court's most recent ruling is a positive one: "It is a step forward in justice for the victims of Kandhamal.... The justice procedure is slow and inadequate, but this is a sign of hope."

  Learn more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus for India's Christians by reviewing our country report. Note that there is also a video clip (on the right) featuring a song of praise presented by the orphaned children of the Sideras Children's Home.

  After eight years of hardship -- and for many persecuted victims, homelessness -- it is encouraging to know that the Supreme Court of India has acknowledged the need to properly compensate those whose homes have been badly damaged or destroyed during the violent outbreak. Pray that Odisha's state government will be able to meet this tremendous need for compensation in a timely and efficient manner so displaced Christians can finally resettle in permanent housing and move on with their lives. May God's blessings also be upon the many rescued children whose parents were killed during the massacre so they can continue to heal, grow and thrive in the safety and care of our VOMC-sponsored homes.

• Ill-Treated Believers Driven from Homes

  
  Families that were driven out of Katholi village.
  Photo: Morning Star News

  Children were among the 28 Christians who were beaten and driven from their homes twice within a two-day period. Local Hindu extremists in Katholi village had summoned four families to a public meeting -- demanding that they recant their faith -- but the families refused. In the first attack, six believers were badly injured and needed medical treatment. When they returned to Katholi the next day, they were subjected again to further physical assault.

  The perpetrators justified the attacks by claiming their "gods were angry" that their neighbours had become Christians. After the police intervened and the assailants agreed not to attack again, the families were able to return to their homes.

  Meanwhile, about 80 kilometres away in Sukma village, other Hindu extremists subjected two Christians to a two-hour "purification" ritual in which one of them was burned as fire-heated coins were forcibly placed on his tongue. He also suffered burns to his back, shoulders, knees and feet. When the two Christians still refused to deny Christ, they were fined as well.

  In India's central Chhattisgarh state, there were 49 reported incidents of organized attacks on Christians between January and April of this year alone. More about persecution in this country is available at the India Country Report.

  Please pray for the peace and protection of Christians throughout Chhattisgarh state, particularly for families in the villages of Katholi and Sukma. May the governing officials in India do more to uphold the religious rights of all citizens so these faithful believers will be able to practise their faith freely. Ask the Lord to change the hearts of those who have inflicted these injuries, helping them to understand the error of their ways and, ultimately, drawing them to faith in Him.

• Pastor and Pregnant Wife Attacked by Militants

  The pastoral couple’s church and home. Photo: World Watch Monitor

  On April 17th, an Indian pastor and his expectant wife were assaulted, and their church set ablaze, after refusing to offer praise to a Hindu god. Pastor Dinbanhu Sameli, 30, and his expectant wife, Meena, 26 (who was seven months pregnant during the attack), lead a church in the troubled Bastar district of the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh.

  At around 7 p.m., two young men approached the pastor outside his home which is located next to the church. Initially the men asked for prayer, claiming they were from a nearby Methodist church. But they later brought out a sword which they held to the pastor's neck, demanding that the couple shout out the phrase, "Jai Shri Ram" (meaning "Victory to the god Ram").

  "Where is your Jesus?" the two assailants insultingly demanded. To this, Pastor Dinbanhu replied, "We believe that He is with us." When asked, "Why don't you believe in Ram?" the husband and wife remained silent. After the couple refused to comply with demands to praise Ram and stomp on a Bible, the two men took a litre of petrol and set fire to the church building, also destroying the congregation's musical instruments.

  When the sword was placed on Pastor Dinbanhu's shoulder, he admittedly felt fear in his heart but prayed that God would save them. As the church burned, the couple fled and filed a report with the police. The incident took place in the remote village of Karanji, located within the Tokapal area of the sprawling Bastar district, in which there have been several incidents of anti-Christian violence at the hands of Hindu fundamentalists. To learn more about persecution in this country, go to our India Country Report.

  While we can be very thankful that the lives of this pastoral couple have been miraculously spared, we pray that their unborn child will in no way be affected by the attack. Rather may God's hand of protection and blessing be upon this newly created life -- not only in the womb but also for the duration of the child's destined lifespan upon this earth. Ask that the Lord will open the spiritual eyes of the perpetrators (and others of this village community) that they may personally see the promised "Light of the World" through the faithful witness of His people and, therefore, choose to walk in the paths of His righteousness and unfailing love. May the church building be fully restored and equipped for the bold proclamation of the Gospel so that the exuberant praises of His people within this community will reach toward the heavens in rightful honour of our Almighty God.

• Mob Publically Ridicules Pastor

  
  Pastor Awdhesh was publicly
  shamed for sharing the Gospel.
  Photo: Alpha Ministries

  In the state of Uttar Pradesh, a Christian pastor was publicly humiliated for allegedly leading a few men in their conversion to Christianity. On January 29th, a mob comprised of more than a hundred activists belonging to Bajrang Dal, a youth organization dedicated to Hindu nationalism, went to the home of Pastor Awdhesh and forcibly took him to the organization's district headquarters in the city of Orai.

  The activists made a public mockery of the pastor by shaving his head, eyebrows, and moustache before placing him on a donkey and parading him along the city's streets. Also, a garland of shoes, considered a symbol of shame in India, was placed around his neck. When police arrived at the scene, the mob refused to release Pastor Awdhesh. Senior officers subsequently arrived with reinforcements to deal with the situation. While there have been claims that the rally initially began with peaceful intentions, police are continuing with their investigation of the mob riot.

  Similar incidences perpetrated by Hindu nationalists have occurred before in India, including the massive outbreak of state-wide violence against Christians in Orissa during August of 2008. According to writer John L. Allen, the "series of riots ended with as many as 500 Christians killed" and, as a result, numerous traumatized children orphaned. Two Christian orphanages in India, assisted by The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, are still providing the orphans needed housing, education and ministry. For additional reports, including a video clip of these children singing at one of the assisted orphanages, go to our India Country Report.

  More recently was another incident of concern. In 2015, five Christian brothers, some of whom are pastors and evangelists, were charged with proselytizing after a video of their street witnessing in a predominantly Hindu city was made public. As their case is still being mediated in the courts, VOMC's legal defence fund continues to cover the believers' legal fees in support of their families.

  May the Lord remind Pastor Awdhesh of the psalmist's encouraging words in Psalm 119:50-52: "This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life. The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from Your law. When I think of Your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord" (ESV). Pray that this publicly humiliated spiritual leader in India will also be greatly comforted in his shame. May Pastor Awdhesh, like the early apostles, rejoice that he has been "counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name" (Acts 5:41). Let us also prayerfully remember all believers who have been victimized as a result of Hindu nationalist violence, including the surviving loved ones of those slain in the Orissa attacks.

• Community Disrupted by Brutal Attacks and Forced Conversions

  Several Christians were hospitalized after the incident in Chhattisgarh state. Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Hindu hardliners brutally attacked members of the Independent Pentecostal Church in Kohkameta, Chhattisgarh state, causing some to be hospitalized and compelling others to reconvert to Hinduism. Worshippers were dragged out of the church and beaten with sticks. There were victims who became unconscious and required hospitalization, including the pastor. Others were forced to sign forms indicating that they have renounced Christianity. "They forced believers to sign," one of the victims stated. "When a believer refused, the villagers began to beat them again." Two days prior to the incident, which took place on October 25th, the attackers had reportedly conspired to end all Christian activities in the village.

  The brutal tactics of the opposing villagers have caused four assaulted families to reluctantly reconvert to Hinduism. Five other believers were reinitiated at a local Hindu temple. Those in the hospital were also forced to sign the forms, even though some were illiterate. The pledge is a court affidavit, which means anyone who violates it could be arrested. Despite being threatened with death if police were told, the assaulted Christians reported the incident to police and the media. When questioned by the authorities, the opposing villagers made their own complaints to police, telling them that the Christians had beaten them and disposed of their gods and goddesses. Previous prayer alerts concerning persecuted followers of Christ in India, as well as informative video reports and testimonies, are available at the India Country Report.

  May there be an end to the spread of such violence and forceful coercion by those who oppose Christianity. Please intercede for them so that their spiritual eyes will be opened to the truth of the Gospel and their hearts receptive to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. While God is preparing the hearts of the unsaved, ask Him to strengthen the believers' commitment to Christ -- enabling them to defend the Gospel with great love and mercy toward the lost. Also uphold in prayer the governing authorities of India, that they will obliterate any laws and policies that are unfair to Christians and citizens of other minority groups.

• Brutal Attack of Prayer Meeting Participants

  Hindu militants attacked Christians who had attended a prayer meeting in Jharkhand state on Friday, September 4th, causing some of them serious injuries requiring hospitalization. About 30 members of Anugrah (Grace) Church in Hututag village were gathered for the in-house meeting when a group of village women entered and began insulting Pastor Sarvajit Bharti and others. Shortly thereafter, two males arrived at the scene, ordering the members of the church to go outside. When the Christians refused to comply, the angered assailants forced Associate Pastor Mitilesh Kumar outside, asking if he was willing to worship Hindu idols instead of Jesus. “Mitilesh replied that they are not doing anything wrong by worshipping Christ, and they would not stop," reports another spiritual leader by the name of Pastor Nandi.

  Later on, about 15 Hindu extremists broke into the prayer meeting with guns, axes, spades and clubs. Angered by the apparent absence of Pastor Sarvajit, who by this time was hidden on the roof by fellow believers, the militants began to brutally attack the remaining Christians. Six of the victims were hospitalized. Fortunately, the others sustained only minor cuts and bruises.

  Since July, Christians throughout Jharkhand state have endured a growing amount of intimidation, threats and violence, in what some suspect to be a deliberate campaign to drive out Christians. With a village head that supports the Hindu extremists' actions, it has been difficult for these believers to hold worship meetings. Christians have also been forbidden from walking on the main road and getting water from the main pump. Prior to this incident, Pastor Sarvajit had to relocate from the village in July after Hindu extremists chased him during a midnight raid. More information on persecution in India is available on our website.

  Let us pray for the healing of each injured victim, as well as those who've been traumatized by the attack. May these faithful believers recognize and appreciate their Heavenly Father's love as He now brings them healing and comfort in a variety of ways. May the Christians of Jharkhand province be supernaturally filled with the joy of the Lord as they continue to fellowship and worship together. In addition, pray that the perpetrators will witness the reality of Christ in the lives of the village Christians, so they will turn from evil and follow only that which is holy and honouring to their Creator.