Dear friends:

      Thank you for all who prayed for Marty these last two weeks in India, especially for the meetings with the Orissa pastors who have undergone so much persecution. Just a brief overview. Marty arrived just in time for a church dedication (see picture; in front of Dr. Dalavai, who is next to Marty, you will see John Peters, the pastor who was almost beaten to death and who was one of the founders of this church). Three days of regional board meetings followed with the India and Afro/Asia BCM boards.

       Marty then traveled to the Orissa border region, where 43 Orissa area pastors were able to come, including the recently freed pastor who has been in jail since his church was burned on Christmas Day. persecution continues in the region. Local authorities have been coming through the damaged villages, asking villagers if they are Hindu or Christian. If they are Christian, they have bulldozed a number of their houses. Another pastor present at the conference had his home burned in May. But it is inspirational to witness the courage and commitment to continue of these servants of God. Two motorcycles that are part of a project to provide ministry transportation to local pastors were delivered. Thank you for all who helped with relief for these families.

      After meeting with Marty Friday and Saturday, the Orissa pastors returned to their home churches. On Sunday, Marty and Dr. Dalavai (BCM's VP of International Ministry) participated in a baptism with area pastors and churches. More than 40 new believers were baptized. Marty's last stop was at BCM's Bangalore area camp ground where a new prayer chapel has been dedicated.

      We are now off the road for awhile and catching up with projects and deadlines here at BCM headquarters. Meanwhile, please do pray for Ellie in her last three weeks in Spain. She has been stretched and is enjoying the experience, but has been homesick; seven weeks is a long time away from home. Please pray for her to finish well and to grow spiritually and socially through this experience as well as to minister to the campers and co-workers.

      In the service of the King,